Addition Chapel Information
Daily growth through Word and Sacrament
Because nurture in the Word is crucial to the formation of all who seek to become servants of the Word, students are expected to attend services in the seminary chapel, which are offered daily, Monday through Friday, from 9:50 am to 10:10 am, while classes are in session. Services are led on a rotational basis by faculty, students, the seminary chaplain, and guest pastors. Students’ families, and worship guests from beyond the seminary community, are always warmly welcome.
Regular services of Holy Communion, sponsored by the congregation to which the seminary’s chaplain is called, are offered on Wednesdays, when the service is extended until 10:20 am. The seminary’s practice reflects LCC’s policy regarding the reception of Holy Communion, as follows:
Communing members of a congregation of Lutheran Church-Canada or one of its partner churches throughout the world are invited to participate with us in the celebration of Holy Communion.
It is a consequence of the sad divisions of Christianity that we cannot extend to all worshippers a general invitation to receive Holy Communion. We maintain the ancient belief that Holy Communion both requires and expresses oneness in faith, life, and worship. Therefore, reception of Holy Communion by Christians who are not fully united with us would imply a oneness that does not yet exist.
Let us all pray for the unity of the Church.
Student leadership in worship
New students are invited to grow as worship leaders during the first phase of their studies primarily by observation and by participation in assisting roles such as acolyte, reader, and worship committee member. Once they have completed P-140, Christian Worship, they receive an official “Licence to Lead Worship” and begin to serve on campus as leaders of non-preaching chapel services. After completing the first preaching course (P-130, Homiletics I), they receive an official “Licence to Preach” and are given occasional preaching duties in the seminary chapel.
Students’ worship and preaching responsibilities in fieldwork congregations typically expand in a parallel, gradual and incremental manner.
Worship committee, musicians, choir, etc.
Students are invited to participate in the seminary’s worship committee, which also includes the Chaplain, Music Co-ordinator, and Dean of Chapel. This committee is responsible for the orderly upkeep of the chapel area, timely changes to paraments, care of the altar, acolyte duties, and providing assistance in the planning of seasonally appropriate music and liturgy.
The chapel support team
The supervisor of the chapel is its Dean, assisting him is the seminary’s Music Co-ordinator. Together, this team provides a range of support services for chapel leaders, including resources, tutoring, and assistance in worship planning and leading.
Because all of CLS’ professors are ordained pastors and take regular turns as worship-leaders and preachers, the faculty as a whole also stands ready to help students grow in their capacity to plan and lead worship.
Students are invited to participate in the seminary’s worship committee, which also includes the Music Co-ordinator and Dean of Chapel. This committee is responsible for the upkeep of the chapel area, care of the altar, changes to paraments, acolyte duties, and providing assistance in the planning of seasonally appropriate music and liturgy.
