What to Expect for CtK "Sermon on the Mount" Drive-In Worship
What is “Drive-In” Worship? Simply put, it is experiencing a worship service by listening to your AM radio and watching from your car in the parking lot at Christ the King. The Xalt! Music team plays from under the canopy and the Pastors preach from atop the hill north of the parking lot for better visibility to all. You can participate in the service with others while you stay safe in your car.
What does "Sermon on the Mount" mean? The parking attendants will direct cars to park facing the hill to the north instead of facing the building. The Pastors will be facing the parking lot, standing at the top of the hill, hence the "Sermon on the Mount."
Why are we doing this? We are following the recommendations of the ELCA and the IK Synod to delay in-person worship. Worshipping in our cars (still with social distancing) allows us to come together in a way that is safe but provides some level of connection. The format is more contemporary and follows the shorter liturgy used at the 9:30 service prior to the shutdown. If you don’t want to experience the drive-in option, a pre-recorded service (patterned after the traditional service) is still posted on the CtK website each week.
How does it work?
What is “Drive-In” Worship? Simply put, it is experiencing a worship service by listening to your AM radio and watching from your car in the parking lot at Christ the King. The Xalt! Music team plays from under the canopy and the Pastors preach from atop the hill north of the parking lot for better visibility to all. You can participate in the service with others while you stay safe in your car.
What does "Sermon on the Mount" mean? The parking attendants will direct cars to park facing the hill to the north instead of facing the building. The Pastors will be facing the parking lot, standing at the top of the hill, hence the "Sermon on the Mount."
Why are we doing this? We are following the recommendations of the ELCA and the IK Synod to delay in-person worship. Worshipping in our cars (still with social distancing) allows us to come together in a way that is safe but provides some level of connection. The format is more contemporary and follows the shorter liturgy used at the 9:30 service prior to the shutdown. If you don’t want to experience the drive-in option, a pre-recorded service (patterned after the traditional service) is still posted on the CtK website each week.
How does it work?
- Before You Arrive: Download the worship folder and have it ready on your phone or tablet, or print it out in advance. Bring your own bread and wine/grape juice for communion.
- Arrival & Parking: Enter CtK as usual and park in the back parking lot (please, no parking in the front or on the sides). You’ll notice people in bright vests directing you. Follow their directions as they guide you to a specific spot in the lot. Please carefully follow their directions and park where they indicate. We will not use every slot but will be spacing things to implement social distancing and to help your sightline to the Pastors.
- Getting Ready: Once you’ve parked, turn your car engine off but leave the electricity on if you plan to use your car radio, and tune to 1620 AM (or a different channel indicated on a sign in the parking lot). The Xalt! team will be playing music or reading announcements to make sure you are tuned to the right station. You can set chairs out next to your car if you want (and have a portable radio to listen to), but stay close to your car, maintain a 6-foot separation from other families, and do not block the view of those behind you.
- The Service: Follow along with the worship service as you would normally. Set your communion elements out so you are ready for communion when the pastors lead us through it. There are ushers in the parking area to help you if you have questions or problems.
- Young People's Message: Drive-In Worship also includes a young people's message. If you are young... or young at heart... grab a mask and a parent when Pastor Caroline and Pastor Brad signal to do so and come talk with them live, and in person. Children under 2 don't need to wear masks, and please maintain a 6-foot physical distance between family units.
- Leaving: When the service is over, the parking lot guides will dismiss you in an orderly fashion. On the way out, the pastors will greet each car, but please don’t stop for too long — those behind you want to leave too! Drive carefully and be patient, everyone will be able to leave safely.
- As you exit drive-in worship, Pastor Caroline will have a basket with Living Lutheran magazine and Christ in our Home daily devotionals. If you are interested in either or both, please ask.
- In the event of rain or severe weather, check the front page of ctkluth.com, the CtK Facebook page, or the CTK Facebook Group for updates on drive-in worship cancelations. Given that this is our only in-person service currently, we will attempt to hold worship whenever possible, which at times will lead to last-minute cancelation. Communion will still be offered in the parking lot if worship is canceled on short notice.
- If you have to leave during the service, please wave for one of the ushers and they will guide you out.
- If you need a worship folder or communion elements, very limited amounts will be available — wave for an usher, and they will assist you.
- Restrooms will be available in the North/South hallway. Put on a mask prior to entering the building at the Northeast door (on the left as you face the building). The number of people inside the building at any given time will be limited.
- Offerings can continue to be mailed or submitted online, but there will be a box available as you leave the drive-in service.
- The normal handicap parking spaces will be in use during this event. If you need to be parked close to the building, please contact the CtK office in advance so we can accommodate you. Handicap parking will be available next to Seasons Counseling Center and the NE door used for the restrooms.
- We can accommodate a certain amount of drizzle and wind, but we will cancel the service if it is raining or is very windy.