Visiting Us
What time is worship?
Our regular worship time is 10:00 AM every Sunday. We use a variety of musical styles to reflect the diversity of God’s people, so that the Good News of the Gospel can reach into all the world.
Where are you located?
We’re located at 3714 W. Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, FL 33618.
Where do I park, and which door do I use?
We have plenty of parking, including spaces designated for guests. You can enter the Sanctuary on Sunday through the double doors marked Sanctuary/Connections. Look for the green welcome sign.
What should I wear?
Come as you are. On any given Sunday you’ll find jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, and the occasional three-piece suit — often in the same pew. We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We welcome those in flip flops or three-piece suits. Wear what lets you worship comfortably; nobody here is checking.
Do you have hearing assistance devices?
We do!
Our hearing assistance devices are connected to our sound board, so that you hear everything directly from the microphones.
They are located in Connections, near the TV. Just sign one out and return it after service.
For Your Family
Are my children welcome in worship?
Yes!
Children of all ages are warmly welcome in worship in the Sanctuary. Worship includes a Family Message for our children, and Children’s Worship Bags are available at both Sanctuary entrances to keep little hands busy as children learn and grow alongside the congregation.
Our Nursery is staffed by two attendants each Sunday, welcoming children from birth to 4 years, beginning 15 minutes prior to worship and ending 15 minutes after worship.
And if your child needs to wiggle, squirm, or make a little noise — that’s welcome here too. If you’d like a little more space, there is a room at the back of the Sanctuary, by the audio-visual booth. You can still see and hear everything from there. Children in this space are required to be accompanied by a parent.
What is Children’s Chapel?
Children’s Chapel is a new approach to faith formation for elementary-age children at Grace. Rather than traditional Sunday School, children begin worship with the congregation and, after the Family Message, may go to Children’s Chapel for an age-appropriate time of Bible stories, prayer, singing, and questions.
Children return to worship during the Passing of the Peace, remaining connected to the larger worshiping community throughout the rest of the morning service time together.
This unique opportunity allows for us to accommodate what families have told us they need. Our goal is simple: to help children encounter Christ and grow in faith in a way that is meaningful and accessible.
What do you offer for children and youth?
Beyond Children’s Chapel, we offer a Confirmation class for sixth through eighth graders and youth group meetings for middle and high schoolers. We also hold a Vacation Bible School for children ages 3 through 5th grade, a middle-school Day Camp (6th–8th grades) on campus staffed by college camp counselors, a high school mission trip, and a week of camp at Luther Springs, the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries camp near Ocala.
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation, also called Affirmation of Baptism, is an important milestone in the faith journey of young Lutherans. Through Confirmation, young people explore their faith, grow in their understanding of Jesus Christ, and learn how their faith shapes their lives at home, at school, at work, and in the world.
During Confirmation, students learn about the meaning of their baptism, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and other foundations of Lutheran faith and theology. They are encouraged to ask questions, articulate what they believe, and discover what it means to live as followers of Christ.
Confirmation is not a sacrament like Baptism and Holy Communion. Rather, it is a sacred rite in which young people affirm the promises made at their baptism and commit themselves to continued growth in faith, service, and participation in the life of the church.
At Grace Lutheran, Confirmation is a one-year program for students in 6th–8th grade, or older, who have not yet been confirmed. It is built to work with the busy lives of middle school families.
If you or your family are interested in Confirmation, please contact Anne Corti, our Director of Youth and Family Ministry, to learn more about preparation and scheduling.
Worship & Sacraments
I’m not a member, or not Lutheran — can I receive communion?
Yes!
Grace Lutheran practices open communion. All are welcome to come forward to receive the Holy Sacraments of Christ’s body and blood — you do not need to be a member here, or Lutheran.
We celebrate Holy Communion (also called the Eucharist and the Lord’s Supper) at every worship service.
What is your communion process like?
At Grace Lutheran, believing in Jesus Christ, we invite all to the sacrament of Holy Communion.
You will receive the host, offered with the words, “The body of Christ, given for you.” Gluten-free wafers are available — just ask.
Then take one of the small cups, offered with the words, “The blood of Christ, shed for you.” Wine is in the outer rings and grape juice is in the inner ring.
Once you have received communion, follow the direction of the ushers to return to your pew, leaving your cup in the bowls provided.
If you are not able to come forward, let an usher know and communion will be brought to you where you are seated. You can also raise your hand during communion to catch a server’s attention.
If you have any more questions, please contact Pastor Jennifer.
What is Baptism?
Baptism is one of the two sacraments of the Lutheran Church, along with Holy Communion. Through water and God’s Word, we are welcomed into God’s family, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and are united with Christ in new life.
At Grace Lutheran Church, we welcome people of all ages — from infants to adults — and you do not need to be a member of the congregation to be baptized. Baptism is a gift of God’s grace and a beginning of life in faith, lived in relationship with Christ and the church.
If you or your family are interested in Baptism, please contact the Church Office to learn more about preparation and scheduling.
Do you stream your services?
Yes!
We offer a livestream each week of our Sunday 10:00 AM service. You can watch it here on our site.
Weddings & Funerals
What does it mean to get married in a Lutheran church?
In our Lutheran tradition, marriage is viewed as a gift of God, intended for the joy and mutual strength of those who enter it and for the well-being of the whole human family. While it is not considered a sacrament, we do know that God created us and blessed humankind with the gifts of companionship, the capacity to love, and the care and nurture of children. Jesus affirmed the covenant of marriage and revealed God’s own self-giving love on the cross. The Holy Spirit helps those who are united in marriage to be living signs of God’s grace, love, and faithfulness.
Marriage is also a human estate, with vows publicly witnessed. The church in worship surrounds these promises with the gathering of God’s people, the witness of the word of God, and prayers of blessing and intercession.
If you or someone in your family are interested in planning a wedding and would like to consider Grace Lutheran as a venue, please contact the Church Office to learn more about premarital preparation and overall scheduling.
What happens at a funeral, and how do I plan one?
On behalf of the whole congregation of Grace Lutheran Church, our deepest sympathies to you during this time. A funeral in the ELCA is a rite where we say goodbye to the person who has passed away and listen to the Christian message of resurrection, hope and comfort. The prayers that we pray and the hymns that we sing express our grief and loss, as well as our hope in everlasting life with Christ.
The funeral service can be used for both those who will be buried and those who have been cremated. The funeral service may happen within the main sanctuary or our smaller chapel; hymns are sung and prayers are said. Communion may also be offered to those gathered. Although a eulogy may be offered, there is not usually an opportunity for attendees to share memories or stories about the departed during the service. Sharing by loved ones is best done at a celebration of life gathering, or after the funeral service concludes.
Often immediately following the funeral service, the loved one’s body will be buried at a gravesite or their ashes will be placed in a niche, grave, or other suitable location in the cemetery. A committal service may be part of the funeral or a separate, stand-alone service. It is generally short, with prayers, readings from Scripture, and hymns may be sung.
Planning a service
Planning a funeral or memorial service may feel like an overwhelming task, but please trust that we are here to help you with this process. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” God provides the true comfort and peace we need, and we as the church hope that we can help carry some of the burden during this difficult time.
If you wish to have a funeral at Grace Lutheran Church, the first step is contacting the Church Office.
Faith & Beliefs
What do Lutherans believe?
We believe in the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, the written word of God through the Holy Scriptures, and the Lutheran Confessions. Grace Lutheran is part of the Florida-Bahamas Synod within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
If you have deeper questions and want to know more, please connect with Pastor Jennifer.