Farmland around Our Saviour's

Frequently Answered Questions

Will I understand the message even if I don’t know much about the Bible?

Yes!  We make no assumptions about what people do or do not already know when they walk in the door.  We do our best to make the Bible understandable and connect it to our daily lives.


What if I come from a different faith background?

You are welcome at Our Saviour’s!  Some people here grew up in Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, or other churches; some grew up without any church background.  All are welcome at Our Saviour’s.  We encourage you to worship with us and see if we’re the right fit for you.


Do I have to dress up?

There is simply no rule or expectation here. Some feel more comfortable in suits, others in shorts; it’s just not an issue. Dress to the glory of God!


Are you going to hit me up for money?

The church is different from a social club where dues are required. As a community of faith committed to being followers of Christ and the mission God gave to us, we belong completely to God. Everything that we have: our time, talents and treasures, indeed our very lives; are blessings of God. Recognizing that, and in response to the love of God, we gratefully gather for worship, we serve God through serving others and generously give of our time including our intentional, regular financial offerings. We suggest giving according to what we have received. God does not require equal giving but equal sacrifice among the members of God’s church (Psalm 116:12, 1 Corinthians 16:1-3).

Find out more about giving at Biblical Stewardship.


Where can I learn more about Our Saviour’s?

The best way to learn about a congregation is to worship, so come worship with the people of Our Saviour’s and get a feel for it. Check out the links for the Seeds of Faith newsletter, and the most current Annual Report to get a sense of Our Saviour’s. For more detailed information, attend a New Member Class. Attending the orientation does not obligate you to join—these seminars are a great way to gather information.  You are always welcome to call the church office to set up a time to talk with one of the pastors or other staff members.


How do I get involved?

Show up! Worship until you’re feeling comfortable here, then jump in! Check out the links to Bible studies and small groups. Serving with others is often a good way to start, so be sure to explore the serving ministries of Our Saviour’s.


Who can receive Holy Communion at Our Saviour’s?

All are welcome to receive this meal of grace at Our Saviour’s regardless of age or background.

What is Holy Communion?

Holy Communion is a sacred meal in which Christ comes to us in bread and wine, bringing grace, love, and forgiveness. When he first shared this meal with his disciples, Jesus said, “This is my body given for you… This is my blood, shed for you.”  We believe those words to be true. Christ is truly present in Holy Communion. Exactly how he is present is a divine mystery; we trust his promise that he is there.

Martin Luther said that Christ comes to us “in, with, and under” the bread and wine to nourish the faith of Christians and the Church. We come to Communion with hands open, trusting that our Lord comes to us, forgives us our sins, renews us in faith and leads us into new life. In Communion, we share in a holy meal that spans all time and space. We commune with believers who have gone before us and with other Christians around the world who gather at the Lord’s table. The uncontainable presence, grace, love, forgiveness, and mercy of Christ come to us in simple bread and wine.

In the Lutheran church, Holy Communion is a sacrament, meaning that it:

  • is something Jesus commanded us to do;
  • uses a physical element—something we can see and touch; and
  • is connected with God’s promise, the word of God, whichconveys God’s grace to us.

Other names for Holy Communion are: The Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist (from the Greek language, meaning “to give thanks”), and the Sacrament of the Altar.

How old do you have to be to take communion?

Since Jesus never set an age limit on Communion, we don’t either. All are truly welcome! If a young child has been receiving Communion at another church, that child is welcome to receive Communion here as well. If your child of any age is reaching for Communion and you feel they’re ready, they are welcome to receive at Our Saviour’s. If your child isn’t in that place yet, we want to extend the invitation to them by giving them a blessing when they come forward.

As your child gets older, has been communing or is choosing to wait to commune, and is able to enter into conversation more deeply, take advantage of the fun, interactive Communion Class which is offered twice a year. Readiness for Communion is best determined by the child and his/her parents. If you have questions about Communion, feel free to talk to one of the pastors.

Why do we celebrate communion every week?

Years ago, the tradition was to celebrate Communion infrequently—once a year, twice a year, once a quarter, etc. Part of that was due to logistics (people were spread out across the prairie), and part was due to a desire to keep Communion special. In more recent years, we’ve returned to the more ancient practice of sharing the Meal often—it’s simply part of what we do as followers of Jesus. When we gather, we share the Meal as he commanded in remembrance of him. We receive God’s love and forgiveness through Christ’s presence in the bread and wine. No matter how often we celebrate Communion, it is always a special event that connects us with God’s grace, with one another, and with all believers around the world.


I would like to get my child baptized. Do I need to be a member?

No. Jesus told us to baptize all people, so we do!

Do I need to have sponsors for a baptism?

We recommend both infants and adults that are baptized have sponsors who are baptized and confirmed.

Do we baptize adults?

Yes! Jesus told us to baptize all people—no age requirements or age limits!

How do I schedule a baptism?

Parents are required to attend a Baptism Class before a baptism. Click HERE for the Baptism Class schedule. Once you have attended a class, schedule your baptism by contacting Amy Werder, awerder@oursaviourslc.org or 763-434-6117 ext. 122.


What are the Small and Large Catechisms?

Martin Luther wrote two handbooks in 1529 to help families and pastors teach the basics of the Christian faith. The Small Catechism and the Large Catechism are organized around six topics: the Ten Commandments, the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession, and the Sacrament of the Altar.


What is the ELCA?

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with about 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Find out more about the ELCA.


Do you need to be a member to get married at Our Saviour’s?

You do not need to be a member, however there is a difference in the cost. Find out more in the Wedding Handbook.


How does someone join Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church?

Baptized adults who wish to become members of Our Saviour’s are invited to attend one of the two New Member Class held each year. We encourage everyone to participate in this informal class so they know where Our Saviour’s stands on important issues, get a good introduction or review of the basics, and have the opportunity to ask questions. If you are a member of a Lutheran church somewhere else, this requires a letter of transfer. If you were confirmed in a Lutheran church but your membership is not current, we will include you by reaffirmation. If you have never been confirmed in a Lutheran church, you are required to attend the New Member Orientation.

Find out more about membership at Become a Member.


What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is a major component of the youth ministry program at Our Saviour’s. It is a three-year program, beginning in 6th grade and completed in the fall of 9th grade. The goal of the program is to allow young Christian people the privilege of getting better acquainted with Jesus Christ and his teachings. Our intention is to do this in a setting which will not only challenge their minds and hearts, but also surround them with pastors, adult leaders, and fellow students who can help them continue to live their Christian lives in earnest.

Find out more about the Our Saviour’s Confirmation program at Here We Stand.


What happens with Our Saviour’s Wednesday programs if we have a snowstorm or school is closed?

In case of questionable weather, please call the church office at (763) 434-6117 to verify if there will be class. The decision to cancel programs will be made by 2:00 p.m. If the church has to close the office before 3:00 p.m., instructions will be left on voicemail. We will make every effort to contact WCCO 830 AM and the local schools for their afternoon announcements.