Two Sunday Services, One Church on S 312th Street
St. Luke's Lutheran Church sits at 515 S 312th Street in Federal Way, Washington, just south of Seattle in King County. The congregation gathers twice each Sunday morning for worship, and the two services are designed to feel like two doors into the same family.
At 8:15 a.m. the early service uses many liturgical elements and is accompanied by an organ, often with handbells, choir, and brass woven in. At 10:45 a.m. the late service follows an order of worship and is led by a praise team. Both services last about 65 minutes. Pastors teach biblical truths that point to Jesus, share God's love and grace, and show how those truths take root in everyday life. Between the two services the lobby is set up for Connection with coffee, cookies, and time to meet the people around you.
The 9:30 Hour: Bible Study, Sunday School, and Confirmation
The hour between the two services is its own rhythm at St. Luke's. A pastor-led adult Bible Study meets in the Great Room year round. Families with younger children head to Sunday School for preschool through fifth grade (September through May), checking children in at the Welcome Center in the lobby. Birth through age 2 have a nursery available during that hour.
Sixth through eighth graders gather for Confirmation at 9:30 a.m., a multi-year path in which students and their parents are taught the truths and habits of the Christian faith through regular Sunday meetings and retreats. Confirmation is described at St. Luke's as an opportunity for baptized followers of Jesus to confirm their faith before the church, committing to live as a follower of Jesus and to be an active member of the church. Older students who have not yet been confirmed are welcome, and younger students may participate when parents and a pastor agree they are ready. High school students meet at the same hour for a Discipleship Hour of their own.
All classes during the 9:30 hour are taught by dedicated, trained volunteers from St. Luke's who hold current background checks.
Children in Worship
St. Luke's encourages families to worship together with their children, no matter the age. Praise Packs with quiet activities to help younger children engage in the service are available in the lobby to take into worship. For infants through age 3, a Family Room is open during both services with the service shown live so a parent can step out when a child needs a break.
Wednesdays: Youth Group in the Gym
Middle and high school students meet Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in St. Luke's Gym. Youth Group is built around two commitments: connecting students with God's Word weekly and walking with them in their individual faith journeys. The leaders describe their goal as surrounding each student with five adults who will listen and walk with them through life, and reminding young people that they are redeemed and forgiven children of Christ. Proverbs 22:6 is the ministry's touchstone verse.
Childcare, Preschool, and Extended Care
The same campus that hosts worship also runs St. Luke's Childcare & Preschool, a fully licensed program for children ages 2.5 through 5. The program runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on a full-day schedule, with full-time, part-time, and drop-in options. Children experience developmentally appropriate activities in art, math, language arts, and science, with daily Bible lessons and a weekly chapel. The school has a 1-to-10 teacher-to-child ratio, morning and afternoon snacks, a large outdoor playground, and a spacious gym for rainy-day play.
For school-age children, an Extended Care program serves kindergarten through fifth grade on non-school days, also Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Parents can request a tour online. The childcare office can be reached at 253 941 3630 and is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What St. Luke's Believes
St. Luke's is a congregation of the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Three phrases sum up the teaching: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Word Alone. Members confess the Apostles' Creed, which the congregation treats as a summary of scriptural belief that has been spoken around God's Word since the earliest days of Christianity, alongside the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds.
The church holds to a Lutheran view of salvation: that men, women, and children are rescued from the effects of sin purely by the undeserved mercy of God, and that through faith, a relationship of dependence upon Jesus that God himself gives, forgiveness becomes ours. God's Word is treated as the final authority for belief and life. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are received as mysterious gifts through which God is actively at work. The church's mission statement puts it simply: "We are real people sharing the Good News of Jesus. We believe that God loves us extravagantly and restores our relationship to Him through Jesus Christ, our Savior."
Worship, Bible Study, Life Together, Prayer, and Mission
Five values shape the life of the church. Worship is where the people of God hear God's living Word and receive the tangible gifts of grace in Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Bible Study is a continuing effort to know God through Scripture. Life Together is the everyday practice of being a community where you learn names, know others, and are yourself known. Prayer is consistent calling on the Triune God with confidence that he hears and answers for Jesus' sake. Mission of God is the sending of God's people in his Son's name to show kindness and mercy and to speak the message of life in Jesus.
Music Groups and Life Groups
Music is woven into both Sunday services, with choir, handbells, brass, and a worship team contributing throughout the year. Anyone interested in being part of one of the music groups can connect through the Music Groups page.
For deeper relationships, St. Luke's runs short-term Life Groups of six to twelve weeks built around God's Word, prayer, and community. Sign-ups happen through the church's online groups directory.
The 1-2-3 Challenge: Gather, Grow, Go
The 1-2-3 Challenge is the congregation's framework for intentional discipleship. Members are invited to take two steps in each of three strategies: Gather in worship and in life together; Grow in the Word and in Baptismal identity; and Go by loving well and speaking the Gospel. After taking a step, members are encouraged to stop by the Welcome Center on Sunday morning, tell a Life Group leader, or fill out a celebration form so the step can be marked and celebrated. The challenge is open to anyone connected with St. Luke's, regardless of official church membership.
2414 Podcast and Online Messages
Past messages are archived online and shared through the 2414 podcast, which takes its name from Luke 24:14 and is built around the idea of friends on the road finding hope and common ground. Episodes are available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Visiting and What to Wear
Visitors are welcome to come as they are. Many people wear jeans and comfortable shirts, while others dress up a bit more. The most important thing is being comfortable. Plan-your-visit information is available online, and the church can be reached at 253 941 3000 or church@stlukes-church.com.
Giving
St. Luke's receives gifts online through a secure giving portal, by text (text "GIVE$" and the amount to 855-960-3798), in person at Sunday services using the lock box in the lobby, or by mail to 515 S 312th St., Federal Way, WA 98003. One-time and recurring gifts are both available.