We are a Biblical church that seeks to connect God's Word and timeless truth to people in relevant ways that help them best connect with the Lord's presence through worship. With this in mind, we intentionally offer different worship times and styles, fully knowing that schedules and musical style preferences vary.
Modern Praise
Saturday at 5:00 PM
Sunday at 10:45 AM
Livestream at 10:45 AM
A relaxed, modern Lutheran worship celebration led by guitars, keyboard, and drums.
All services feature Bible focused teachings, and the life-changing love of Jesus is shared through His Word. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated on the second, fourth, and fifth weekends of the month.
Traditional Praise
Sunday
8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM
Livestream at 9:30 AM
A traditional, liturgical Lutheran worship celebration led by a pipe organ and enhanced by choirs, hand bells, brass, strings, and other classical instrumentation.
All services feature Bible focused teachings, and the life-changing love of Jesus is shared through His Word. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated on the first, third, and fifth Sundays of the month.
Plan A Visit
At St. John, all are welcome! For those with children, we strongly encourage parents to worship together with their family! We praise the Lord for little ones among us! However, we also recognize there may be times where this may be difficult for parents of small children. Here are a few ways that may assist you as a family in worship:
Children's Activity Bags
Children’s Activity Bags for young children are located just outside of the entry to worship. These activity bags are filled with paper, crayons, and other things to keep little ones content. Please feel free to help yourself to a bag or ask an usher to assist you.
Family Worship Room & Mom's Nursing Room
A Family Worship Room, located in the chapel off the north hallway, provides a live video feed of traditional worship services. When you feel a need to step away with your little one, this room is the perfect destination!
A Mom’s Nursing Room, located in the sanctuary level women’s restroom, also provides a live video feed of traditional worship services.
Children's Nursery
A Children’s Nursery staffed with qualified, caring staff (9:15 AM – 10:45AM) is available in the south hallway.
Sunday School
St. John Lutheran Church offers a weekly Sunday School that meets at 9:30 AM in the school classrooms of our building. All children ages 3 (if potty trained) through 6th grade are welcome. For more information, please click HERE.
What To Expect - FAQs
Traditional Praise Celebration takes place in our Church Sanctuary, and Modern Praise Celebration takes place in our School Gymnasium. We are located at 1011 W. University Drive in Rochester, Michigan.
Parking lots are located on the north, south, and west sides of our building. Accessible parking spaces are close to the north and south doors. Street parking is allowed on Helen Street on the east side of St. John on Sundays only. Our campus is surrounded by additional neighboring office parking lots to the east, north and west that are all available during worship services for parking overflow.
There will be greeters and ushers to direct you to the sanctuary, the gymnasium, restrooms or children’s nursery. Traditional Praise takes place in our Church Sanctuary, and Modern Praise takes place in our School Gymnasium.
Please join us for one of our worship celebrations! You will not be expected to say or do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Come to see what we’re all about and participate in as much or as little of the service as you feel comfortable. Please be sure to read our Communion Notes on the projection screen before participating in communion.
That’s what we’re here for! Worship and Bible Study classes are opportunities to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and faith in Jesus. You don’t have to know anything about the Bible or even about any religion to attend worship.
Dress comfortably. We’re more concerned with meeting your needs than focusing on what you wear. While some people choose to wear their “Sunday best”, most people wear casual clothing.
No, but feel free to bring a Bible or a pen to take notes if you like. All of the words for our music and scripture are projected on the screens at the front of the Sanctuary /Gymnasium at every worship service, so following along is very easy.
No you will not have to introduce yourself during the worship services. However, you will have a chance to briefly meet the people around you at some point in the service. We would love to talk to you following any of the services, but only if you wish to do so.
We hope that our website will ease your mind but if you have a question, please ask someone for help. Don’t hesitate to say, “I am new. What is this about?” Our congregation is very friendly and happy to have the chance to welcome guests. Many who worship regularly remember the “being new” feeling. There are always other guests at each worship celebration so don’t feel alone.
If you choose, offerings can be put in the basket at the worship doors when you enter or exit the service. Our offerings are our gifts to God. This is completely voluntary and is intended for family members of St. John. Guests should not feel obligated to participate unless God leads you to do so.
When arriving for Traditional Praise in the Sanctuary, you are welcome to ask an usher for a large-print worship folder.
We have enhanced-hearing devices available in the Sanctuary for Traditional Praise. Please ask an usher for assistance.
There are accessible parking spaces available in the north and south parking lots. When entering the building via the Church Lobby (the doors under the portico), there is an elevator to take you to the Sanctuary level.
When entering the building via the Atrium doors, there are no steps to navigate if you’re going to the Gymnasium for Modern Praise. There is a ramp on the north end of the Atrium for those attending Traditional Praise in the Sanctuary.