About Us
- We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and share in ministry with its Central/Southern Illinois Synod. We have been serving the Canton area since 1890, beginning as Bethlehem Swedish Lutheran Church before becoming Trinity Lutheran Church in 1927 when we moved into our current building.
- Our mission and vision is: God calls Trinity Lutheran Church to WELCOME, NURTURE, and SERVE people in Christ's name, and to do so in relational, intentional, and relevant ways.
- We worship every Sunday at 10:00am, with a livestream available on our Watch Worship page. You can watch our past services on our church Facebook page.
- Sunday School is at 9:30am each week during the school year for children age 3 and up, and the Adult Forum Bible study group meets each Sunday at 11:15am.
- Rejoicing Spirits "Shush-Free Worship for All Abilities" is on the third Sunday of each month at 3:00pm.
- The building is accessible, and hearing assistance devices are available.
- Child and family amenities are available, including a Family Room that provides a convenient, private space for nursing, diaper changes, and other family needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the vibe here?
Trinity is a friendly, loving community of people who love following Jesus! People are very likely to greet you and say hello, and our ushers are glad to help you find a seat. We also enjoy laughing and having a good time, which we do in our worship and fellowship gatherings. We are also a creative congregation that is excited to use all of the gifts and skills God has given us to share the good news of Jesus and make a difference in our community through serving and volunteering. One really creative thing God has done through us recently is the development of TLC Sensory Place, a sensory play area we built on our south parking lot.
Do I have to dress up?
Some people dress up because it is their personal habit, but most do not - we welcome you to come as you are! We believe Jesus loves you whether you show up in a T-shirt and jeans, a three-piece suit, or the only set of clothes you have.
What are the services like?
Are there things here for kids?
You bet! We have Sunday School during the school year for kids age 3 and up, along with Confirmation (for middle schoolers), activities for older youth, and events for all of our kids on a roughly monthly basis. Our efforts to make worship services kid-friendly go well beyond just tolerating noise and active young ones (though we are great at those things), as we also get kids of all ages involved throughout the Sunday morning service: they process in and out following the cross, join for a special prayer at the baptismal font, serve as acolytes and other helper roles, and join together to say (often more like yell) the last words of the service. Some kids also help operate the computer system during services. One new thing we are just getting started for our youth is "Pack the Place!", which is a calendar that parents can add events to and invite church friends to come and cheer the kids on at their events.
If you are curious about becoming a Christian, Pastor Micah is happy to talk with you and answer (or at least attempt to answer) any questions you have! Now is a great time to begin your faith journey with Trinity! Click the button below to learn more about the beliefs and practices that shape us as Lutheran Christians.
Trinity is a friendly, loving community of people who love following Jesus! People are very likely to greet you and say hello, and our ushers are glad to help you find a seat. We also enjoy laughing and having a good time, which we do in our worship and fellowship gatherings. We are also a creative congregation that is excited to use all of the gifts and skills God has given us to share the good news of Jesus and make a difference in our community through serving and volunteering. One really creative thing God has done through us recently is the development of TLC Sensory Place, a sensory play area we built on our south parking lot.
Do I have to dress up?
Some people dress up because it is their personal habit, but most do not - we welcome you to come as you are! We believe Jesus loves you whether you show up in a T-shirt and jeans, a three-piece suit, or the only set of clothes you have.
What are the services like?
- Our Sunday morning worship format follows the traditional liturgy that Christians have used for centuries, with words and songs right from the Bible - we even put the Bible references right in the bulletin to help everyone learn where these traditions came from! Pastor Micah preaches a sermon (typically about 15 minutes) with an illustration and study on one of the week's Bible readings. We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday and sing a lot, mixing in both old and new songs and frequently even singing new words our pastor writes for tunes we know. Accessibility is very important to us, so we use a screen up front in addition to the printed bulletin to make it easy to follow the action. We would much rather everyone use their attention and energy receiving God's Word and experiencing the grace of Jesus than fumbling around with papers and books. While the screen mostly has just the words for the songs, we do have hymnals in the pews for folks who like to read music as they sing.
- If you are looking for a different kind of service or are better able to attend an afternoon than a morning worship service, check out our Rejoicing Spirits All-Abilities Ministry on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 3:00pm! We know that "sit down and be quiet" doesn't work for everyone, which can make church hard for people with disabilities when others sometimes shush or judge them. Rejoicing Spirits provides a shush-free faith space in which people of all abilities are loved, seen, and respected as children of God. The format is great for people with autism, ADHD, sensory or behavioral disorders, developmental disabilities...or no disabilities at all. All are truly welcome at Rejoicing Spirits - no exceptions! Learn more on our Rejoicing Spirits page.
Are there things here for kids?
You bet! We have Sunday School during the school year for kids age 3 and up, along with Confirmation (for middle schoolers), activities for older youth, and events for all of our kids on a roughly monthly basis. Our efforts to make worship services kid-friendly go well beyond just tolerating noise and active young ones (though we are great at those things), as we also get kids of all ages involved throughout the Sunday morning service: they process in and out following the cross, join for a special prayer at the baptismal font, serve as acolytes and other helper roles, and join together to say (often more like yell) the last words of the service. Some kids also help operate the computer system during services. One new thing we are just getting started for our youth is "Pack the Place!", which is a calendar that parents can add events to and invite church friends to come and cheer the kids on at their events.
If you are curious about becoming a Christian, Pastor Micah is happy to talk with you and answer (or at least attempt to answer) any questions you have! Now is a great time to begin your faith journey with Trinity! Click the button below to learn more about the beliefs and practices that shape us as Lutheran Christians.
