Plan a Visit
We look forward to welcoming you.
We welcome you with grace and warmth. On this page you can learn what to expect when you visit for worship services and education events on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.
You can also contact Pastor Mike Wilker or Pastor David Severtson for a personal visit. They’ll be glad to meet you personally.
Weekend Schedule
Saturdays
5-5:45pm – Small, intimate, less formal service accompanied by piano.
Sundays
8:15am – Large, vibrant worship with choir, bells and organ.
9:25am – Education hour for all ages.
10:30am – Camp-style worship with guitars, piano, and percussion.
A staffed nursery is open Sundays 8:00-11:30am.
Getting Ready
Wear what is comfortable. If you have kids we’ll welcome them with toys, books, activity bags, and snacks (including gluten-free), but you may want to bring something special from home, too. You can also sit wherever you like–up front, back row, or with your new friends and neighbors.
Children
In addition to our staffed nursery (8:00-11:30am), children are welcome in worship where our Sanctuary has play and pray areas. We also have a special message for children during each Sunday service. All children will be invited forward, but some kids prefer to observe the first few times.
Between Sunday worship services, our children’s ministries gather in small groups. Lessons are fun, active, and age-appropriate helping kids connect their faith and life. Learn more about our ministries with Children and Teens.
Adult Fellowship & Education
Sundays 9:25-10:25am
Between Sunday services, grab some coffee and snacks and meet a pastor, other leaders, and friends in the Fellowship Hall (under the Sanctuary). Drop in and leave when you wish.
Many adults also gather in the Fireside Room between services for the Sunday Forum. Our pastors or guest speakers lead these sessions to discuss our faith practices and daily lives. Occasionally small groups of parents and other special interest groups also gather at this time.
Music, Scripture, & Prayer in Worship
Our music and songs come from a variety of ancient and contemporary sources, from Iowa musicians as well as from Christians around the world..
You are welcome to sing along or listen along. We hope that the songs, prayers, and Bible verses we share in worship will spring refresh and guide you with God’s love every day.
Baptism & Communion
In worship, after we welcome one another in the name of Jesus Christ, we share God’s love by remembering our baptism into Jesus Christ. We acknowledge the ways we have sinned against God, our loved ones and neighbors. We ask God to forgive us, revive us, and lead us anew.
After the sermon and prayers, we share the Lord’s Supper at each worship service. We believe Jesus Christ is present when we share this meal. Children and adults are all invited to come forward to receive the regular- or gluten-free bread and to drink the wine or grape juice, but some people prefer to remain seated for personal prayer.
Lutheran Christians baptize infants and people of every age. God loves every person, regardless of baptism, and baptism is a gift to make God’s love real for us every day of our lives.
Speak with a pastor to learn how you or your children can be baptized and to learn more about the gift of Holy Communion.
Location & Parking
First Lutheran Church is located at 604 W. Broadway, just below Phelps Park in Decorah. We can easily be identified by our brick building, tall bell tower & steeple, from almost every direction as you enter the community.
Most people park in our parking lot on Broadway. Accessible parking spots are reserved on Broadway and Mill Streets. The elevator to the Sanctuary is located at this corner of the building.
From the parking lot, use the Broadway sidewalk to enter the Sanctuary building and/or the education and office wing. Go upstairs to the worship sanctuary. Go downstairs to find snacks in the Fellowship Hall.
Most people park in our parking lot on Broadway. Accessible parking spots are reserved on Broadway and Mill Streets. The elevator to the Sanctuary is located at this corner of the building.
Go into the double glass doors to sign-in your children into the children’s ministries and nursery.
