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Visiting a new church for the very first time can be a very intimidating experience. Where to go? What to wear? What time to show up? What's here for my kids? What can I expect? To help alleviate some of your apprehension and hopefully to answer a few of your questions, we have included information here to help make your first visit to Heart of the Shepherd Lutheran Church as comfortable as possible as well as an enjoyable experience for you and your whole family.
Our goal is to make you feel welcome and “at home” even before you walk through our doors, with parking spots marked “Reserved for Guests” located close to the entrance of the building. We are A Church with a  for you and we would be honored to have you as our guest(s) so you can personally attest these are more than just words or a cute slogan. We’ve been waiting for you, our guest(s), to visit us! Where are you located? Our church is conveniently located just over ½ a mile south of I-96, off Exit 133 on N. Burkhart Road, Howell, MI and north of the intersection of Mason and N. Burkhart Roads on the east side.
Click here for Map / Directions
What are your Sunday services/morning like? Approximately 35-50 gather for an hour of worship at our 8:00 am Sunday service in which we incorporate the traditional, classic hymns and songs of faith. The music is provided by an organist/keyboardist.
Our 10:30 am Sunday Worship service, which lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes, is our most attended weekly service (around 150 plus) and is more informal and contemporary in nature. The Praise Team, with vocalists and instrumentalists, lead the singing of contemporary praise and worship songs, complimented by various classic songs of faith.
All worship services use overhead screens to project the order of the service, the words to the songs, and selected media presentations.
Between the two Sunday Worship services, we offer our Sunday School /Christian Growth hour for all ages. There is always coffee, drinks and delicious refreshments available in our spacious kitchen directly across from the restrooms.
How should I dress? We are a casual, contemporary church and welcome everyone to “come as you are.” The majority of our church family dresses casual – but if you feel like being more formal in your attire, that's fine too, for there are those who come dressed that way as well.
I have young children – what can I expect? 
Our church encourages children and youth to join their parents during the Worship service whenever possible. Early in the Worship service is a Children's Message where all children are invited to come up to the front of the church for a short lesson. If your child/children feel comfortable – please have them come up – you are welcome to join them if that makes them feel more secure. Children up to fifth grade are invited to take a Worship Tote Bag that contains various items like a coloring book, stickers, etc. for them to use during the worship. Return the Worship Tote Bag when they come up with the family for Holy Communion.
We also know that at times our little ones can become too much of a distraction and that’s why we offer, for those children under the age of 5, an Attended Nursery in the Education/Child Development Center wing. Your child will be cared for by loving, responsible members of our Child Development Center or CPR & AED certified parents in a child friendly environment. Click here for more details.
Do you offer Sunday School? Yes. Starting at 9:15 am, following our 8 am Worship service. Children preschool through grade 5 – this hour consists of fun, Bible-centered classes staffed by devoted, loving teachers and helpers who will make church exciting and memorable for your child. Children grade 6 and older – their Bible studies will take place in the barn (across our parking lot) and consist of age appropriate Word of God’s messages by leaders of our Youth Ministry. Click here for more details on preschool through grade 5.
Click here for more details on grades 6 and older.  Do you offer Holy Communion and when and who can participate?
Holy Communion is offered at all worship services and we invite all confirmed members, those youth who have completed the Early Communion classes, as well as those guests who have been instructed in the meaning of Holy Communion, or have talked with Pastor about participating in Holy Communion, and those who embrace our beliefs to receive Holy Communion. All others - children, youth, and adults, are invited to come forward to receive a blessing during Communion. Click here for more details.
Are there services at other times? Yes. We offer our W.O.W., “Whatever on Wednesday”, family affair each week. This starts at 5:45 pm with a family meal (free-will donation) followed by our 6:30pm Breakout Sessions for children, youth and adults, as well as a Worship service with contemporary songs. The children and youth are dismissed to attend their age-specific programs. The adults are invited to either stay for the Worship service or attend an optional breakout session. Click here for more details.
Am I expected to participate in the offering? No. We want our service to be a gift to you. We hope you find in your first visit - a warm, loving family of God, valuable information from God's Word and leave with the knowledge that here is a place where you can grow in God’s grace with people who truly care about you. Please don't feel an obligation to participate in the offering as a guest. What if I have additional concerns or questions? If there's something we haven’t covered, just give us a call at 517-552-7218,
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or ask someone when you arrive. Whether you're new to the area and looking for a church home, or if it's been a long time since you've attended church at all, we hope your first visit at Heart of the Shepherd will be a blessing and benefit for you and your family!
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