I'm new: What to expect on Sunday morning

We know the first time visiting a church can be intimidating so if you have questions, feel free to ask anyone for help. There are two buildings at Lutheran Church of Prayer: the church (on the corner of Panorama and Morning Dr) and the school and office building. 

Our Sunday worship service starts at 9:00 and typically lasts an hour. (You can also tune in and participate via Facebook Live @LCOPBakersfield.) You'll find that our focus is on Jesus Christ and His gifts of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. We all need what He has to offer, and we respond with joy in Him at the relationship He offers with us. (To meet our staff, scroll down on this page to "About Us".) Our worship style is traditional in that we follow a regular order of worship and sing hymns led by organ or piano. The fourth Sunday of the month we follow a similar order but have music led by our "Fourth Sunday Band" composed of vocalists, piano and guitars.

When you arrive for in-person worship you'll want to enter the tall building with the cross on top, where you'll be welcomed by our greeters and ushers. They are there to help you. There is also a Welcome Desk located immediately to your left. Our ushers will help you gather the materials you need for worship and help you find a seat. Restrooms are available down the hall to your left before your enter the sanctuary.

Children in Worship
We encourage families to worship together. Children are as much a part of the community as adults. To help with little ones in church we have Activity Bags with coloring materials and small toys available. Children are also welcome to come forward with their parents during holy communion to receive a blessing from the pastor.

Childcare
Though children are welcome and encouraged to attend worship with their families, things don't always work out. For this reason we have a staffed Nursery for children under the age of three. The Nursery is available during the worship service. There is also a "cry room" for parents with children where you can still see and hear the service.

Other Involvement
Don't forget to stop by the Welcome Desk for your visitor gift bag and to get a copy of our newsletter to learn about some of the upcoming events at Lutheran Church of Prayer.

the good news

Who is Jesus?




No one else has influenced history as He has.





Jesus is the Son of God. Old Testament prophets spoke of His coming and described the eternal and life-changing impact He would have.





Jesus is both God and man. He stilled the seas and walked on water. With a touch of His hand, He cured incurable diseases. He restored life to those who had physically died.





Jesus personifies love. He paid the ultimate price so that we could live with Him forever. He sees us through the eyes of love.





He loves us in spite of every hurtful thought, every harmful word, and every wrongful action. These are all a result of sin, which contaminates everything we do. It is behind every broken home, every empty life, every infirmity, every damaged emotion, every sorrow and grief. And as the Bible says, the end result of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But Jesus Himself was sinless; only He could pay the penalty for our sins.





Because of His love, He suffered, died, and rose again. We are forgiven. All who believe in Jesus are guaranteed eternal life with Him in heaven.





Why did Jesus do this? Because Jesus is love.






What Difference Does Jesus Make?



Suffering and pain touch everyone. At times life seems like an endless cycle of hopelessness. Even Christians, who claim that Jesus is the source of hope amidst the struggles, still suffer. They still struggle. They still die. So, what's the point? What difference does Jesus make?





First, look at the brokenness that invades your life—those things that cause guilt, shame, and grief. They exist because of a condition called sin—sin separates you from God and robs you of the peace, comfort and hope you desperately crave. And no matter how hard you try, there isn't anything you can do to make things right again on your own. That's where Jesus comes in.





Jesus knows the misery you feel. Jesus makes the difference at that very point—when your pain intersects your cry for help. Jesus is God's answer to that cry.





Jesus took the punishment you deserve. He died in your place so that you can be forgiven. Because you are forgiven, you can have the comfort of knowing you are at peace with God and the certainty that He provides you with the strength to cope with guilt, shame and grief. 





And because of what Jesus has done for you, your past is forgiven, your present can be lived with confidence, and your future is guaranteed.





For all who believe in Jesus, an everlasting world—without suffering, sin and death—is assured. This glorious place called heaven is where you will see Jesus face to face.





That's the difference Jesus makes!

About Us

Welcome to Lutheran Church of Prayer! So that you feel more home here at LCoP, let us introduce you to our staff …




Pastor Dwayne Hendricks was born February 3, 1986 in Grand Island Nebraska. He grew up in North Texas. He has a sister, who lives in San Francisco with her husband and their two children. He has been serving as sole pastor in an urban church in Buffalo, NY. He had served this congregation since June of 2013. He had been circuit counselor for the northeast district as well as serving as a vacancy pastor when needed. He has a passion for visiting shut ins, teaching, and bible studies. He is single, never married.


Kathy Vergon joined Wonder Window and Lutheran Church of Prayer as secretary in 2016 but has been a member of LCoP for 27 years. Prior to that she had served for many years in the medical field as surgery scheduler, receptionist and billing clerk. Kathy and her sister had a general store in the mountain community of Twin Oaks. They also love to travel and entertain.


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  • dAVID cOLLINS, organist

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