Gathering for worship is central to our lives together as Christians in the Lutheran Student Community. You will find a welcoming community and a place seek God’s love and presence. All of our worship services are open to the campus community and everyone is welcome to participate as a member of the gathered community.
Worship Services
(We will be following all university and congregational Covid-19 precautions)
Sunday Evening Worship
Sundays at 6 pm | Grace Lutheran Church
This informal-style service with music led by a team including piano, and vocalist (and sometimes more) is attended by a mix of students and community members. The service includes song, prayer, readings, and reflection, and runs about 45 minutes. Holy Communion is shared each week and all are welcome at the table. Dinner for students is offered after worship once a month or so. Offered by Lutheran Campus Ministry and Grace Lutheran Church.
What to expect: You’ll find a cross-section of people worship at this service; students, families with kids, middle-aged members of the community. People generally arrive close to the start of the service and some trickle in after worship has begun. We take time at the start to gather things you’d like to pray about and include them in our community prayers. The music is led by a team of musicians that may include piano, guitar, bass, drums, and vocalists. New musicians are always welcome. Words for the songs and the service itself will be projected onto the wall for you to follow. Communion is celebrated each week, and all are welcome. We offer wheat wafers and grape wine, as well as gluten-free wafers and non-alcoholic grape juice. After worship, hugs are quite common, but not required. Dinner is sometimes offered for students after worship, and there is open conversation over the meal.
Mid-week Evening Prayer
Thursdays at 6 pm | Worship Hall at Pasquerilla
Evening Prayer includes song, prayer, and reflection for a break in the midst of your week. This is a place to truly find community on campus. Interactive reflection on the readings will give you something new to consider. Dinner is offered afterward each week and everyone is welcome.
What to expect: Students gather in the lobby outside the Worship Hall before this service begins, and then make their way in together at 6 pm. Arriving late is ENTIRELY ACCEPTABLE. This small, laid-back worship gathering meets in a circle at the front of the large Worship Hall with candles at our center. As people gather, we ask for joys and concerns for the prayers, and ask for volunteers to read the psalm or gospel. Volunteers are also welcome to help sing the leader portions. Music is led by piano, played by a student musician. There will be a chance to explore the readings with either questions, conversation, or a short sermon. Dinner afterward is a great time to relax and chat about life, campus, faith, current events or silliness. Some weeks there are topics or games, but there is always a chance to talk and share.
Sunday Morning Worship
Sundays at 8, 9 and 10:30 am | Grace Lutheran Church
Come to a welcoming worship service in a regular congregation with Holy Communion each week. Everyone from babies to grandparents will be there and students are always invited! Each week, students gather for lunch together afterwards!
What to expect: You will find everyone from babies to grandparents in Sunday morning worship. 8 am is led with piano and is a bit simpler. Usually at 9 am and 10:30, music will be led by the organ and there will be a choir (adult, youth, children) or small ensemble. Hymns are from the hymn book in the pew. There is a bulletin with the rest of the service. Communion is open to all and the ushers will guide you to the wafers and wine (gluten-free wafers and non-alcoholic juice are available). After the 10:30 service (at about 11:40 am), lunch is offered for students.
Get Involved
Your gifts for leadership are always welcome! If you’d like to help with music, reading, hosting, communion, set-up or something else, we would love to know! Contact Alicia Anderson at ara2@psu.edu.
What you can help with: Anything. Really. Students are welcome in choir, small ensembles, playing instruments, singing the liturgy, reading lessons, serving communion, ushering, working with children’s programs or other opportunities at any service. You can reach out to campus minister, Alicia Anderson, to connect with any of these opportunities!