What to Expect on Your First Visit

Coming into a new place for the first time can often be an intimidating experience—especially if you are not used to churches.  We would like to make coming to University Lutheran Chapel (ULC) as easy and non-threatening as possible, so here is some basic information about what to expect your first time here:

 How do I find ULC?

     ULC is located right on the corner of Colorado and Folsom.  We are directly across the street from both the Engineering Building and Folsom Field.  Parking can be hard to find on Sunday mornings, so if you come by car, please note that you can park in the “woodchip” area of our parking lot as well as on the pavement. 

 Once I get there, How do I find the chapel, the bathroom, and other areas?

     The main doors to the sanctuary can be awkward to get to from the parking lot.  Most of our students come in through the glass sliding doors next to the “woodchip circle”.  If you are walking from campus, the big yellow doors under the stained glass will lead you right into the Sanctuary.  Our bathrooms are located in the hallway next to our kitchen area.  You’ll find them easily if you are in the Fellowship Room (the room with all the arched windows).  The Fellowship Room is where we have our meals and Bible Studies.

 What should I wear?

     There is no specific dress code.  You will see people wearing suits, dresses, jeans, shorts, and everything in between.  In short, wear what makes you comfortable.

 Who attends the Chapel?

    Everyone is welcome to attend our Worship Services and Bible Studies, but on a usual day, 90-95% of our attendance is made up of students and their families.  So, most are college students; but a good handful are not.  Most are Lutherans; but, again, a good handful are not.  We welcome you no matter what.

 Where should I sit?

   Some sit very close to the front of the chapel.  Others sit in the back row.  Everyone else sits somewhere in between.  Please sit wherever you feel most comfortable.

 What do I need to know about the worship service?

     We call our worship service the Divine Service, because the emphasis is on God’s service to us through His Word and Sacraments.  We use the liturgies (orders of service) in the Lutheran Service Book hymnal.  The service has some parts that are the same every week, and some parts that are different (like the prayers, hymns, and readings).  The parts that change are always printed in the bulletin (worship folder). 

     Your first few times through a service can be a little confusing, but don’t worry about “making a mistake.”  If you get lost, just ask the people around you.  They will be more than happy to help you out. 

     Usually an organ will accompany the congregation during the service, but we also use a piano, oboe, guitar, or whatever other instruments our students know how to play.  The atmosphere of our worship is a little formal and reverent, but also laid-back and casual.

 What about the Lord’s Supper?

     We ordinarily offer the Lord’s Supper only to those who are communicant members of a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or of congregations which are part of a church body which is in altar or pulpit fellowship with the LCMS. The Scriptures teach that Holy Communion is to be a confession of a common faith (1 Cor. 10:17, Acts 2:42) and that those who are unprepared may even do themselves spiritual harm (1 Cor. 11:23-32). We do not hereby presume to question another’s faith in Christ, but hold this historic position out of love for God’s Word and in care for souls. Inviting all Christians to Communion would imply a oneness which does not yet exist but for which we must all pray. Even as we try to respect the practices of other Christian denominations so we ask others to respect our practice. Those who would like to discuss this practice at more length may make an appointment with our pastor to do so.

     Each Sunday we have many visitors who are unable to commune with us. Many of them remain in the pew. Some, however, come forward to receive a blessing. If you wish to receive a blessing, please feel free to come forward. Please kneel with your hands crossed over your chest to indicate that you would like a blessing.

 What if I have other questions?

     If you have any other questions at all, please ask anyone you see at ULC.  Also feel free to contact Pastor Burhop by phone at 260.312.7396, or by e-mail at pastor@ulcboulder.org.