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Trinity Lutheran Church (LCMS)

Miles City, MT Home Page

Trinity Lutheran Church Pearl Street Entrance

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Monthly News (Newsletter and Church Calendar)

Trinity Lutheran Classical School

A Warm Welcome to Everyone

Welcome to the Home Page for Trinity Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Classical School (Preschool, Kindergarten - 8th grade) of Miles City, MT. We belong to the Montana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod LCMS. Feel free to explore all of the content on this site. We publish new sermons each week, usually on the weekend. We post the current newsletter each month on this site.

Who We Are

We are a Lutheran congregation that is reaching, teaching, serving, and sharing Jesus Christ. You can read more about our beliefs, teachings, and confessions on this website.

Prayer Requests

We believe in the power of prayer. We know that God hears us when we pray. If we can pray for you, please share your request by contacting us.

Google Maps for Visitors

If you live out of town or are new to the Miles City, MT area, Google Maps may be the easiest way to find us. Click more options on the interactive map. Then enter your starting point in the top field in Google Maps. Google will figure out the shortest route for you to take.

Directions to Trinity Lutheran Church

Depending on your entrance into the town, there are a few different options for finding your way to Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles City, MT.

Miles City, MT Exit 138 (Haynes Avenue)

Take Exit 138 off Interstate 94. Drive north on Haynes Avenue until you reach the Stower Street intersection by Ace Hardware and Albertson's. Turn left onto Stower Street, and drive west approximately 12 blocks until you arrive at South Center Avenue. Then, turn right on South Center Avenue, and drive north three more blocks. Trinity Lutheran Church is on the corner of Pearl Street and South Center Avenue.

East Main Street Entrance

Drive westward on Main Street until you reach the three-way stop at the underpass intersection. Then, turn left on South Center Avenue. Drive one block south of the high school.

Miles City, MT Exit 135 (West Main Street)

Drive eastward on Main Street for several blocks. After crossing the underpass, you will notice the three-way stop. Turn right on South Center Avenue. We are one block south of the high school.

Where Should I Park?

Trinity Lutheran Church has parking spaces on South Center Avenue and Pearl Street. We also have a parking lot in the back by the alley. The handicapped parking zone is on South Center Avenue. The unloading zone for wheelchairs is right in front of Pearl Street.

Sunday Worship Service Schedule

Divine Service with Holy Communion - 9:00 am

Adult Bible Study and Sunday School - 10:30 am

No Bible Study or Sunday School on Dec 29, the Sunday after Christmas

Special Services - Advent and Christmas 2024

Wednesday Advent Vespers - December 4, 11, and 18 at 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve - Candlelight Service with Lessons and Carols - December 24 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve - Candlelight Service with Holy Communion - December 24 at 11:00 pm

Christmas Day - Divine Service with Holy Communion - December 25 at 9:00 am

Our Communion Practice

In accordance with Scripture, with the teachings of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and with the historic practice of the apostolic church, Trinity Lutheran Church practices Closed Communion. Those who partake of the Lord's Supper are to be communicant members in good standing of this congregation, or of a sister congregation in the LCMS, or of another church body with which the LCMS recognizes altar and pulpit fellowship.

If you are a guest or visitor, or a member who has not yet taken communion from Pastor Saunders, please speak personally with Pastor Saunders before the service if you would like to participate in the Lord's Supper.

Holy Scripture teaches that participation in the Sacrament presupposes not only repentance and personal faith in Jesus Christ, but also public agreement with the faith that is believed, confessed and taught at the altar where the Sacrament is being administered. Out of a loving desire to remain faithful to our Lord’s will, and also to ensure that all who receive the Lord’s body and blood do so to their benefit and not to their harm, we therefore instruct and examine all who would partake of this sacred meal.

For more information, you may schedule a visit with Pastor Saunders, or pick up a "Why Closed Communion?" pamphlet, available in the sanctuary.

Scriptural Basis of Closed Communion

The Words of our Lord, according to St. Matthew:

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it he broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

The Words of our Lord, and the necessity of examination and right discernment, according to St. Paul:

"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world."

St. Paul writes further on the importance of unified confession and oneness with Christ:

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” (Romans 16:17)

Scripture consistently teaches that pastors will be held to account for their ministry:

“You, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul." (Ezekiel 33:7-9)

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:16)

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17)

Finally, Scripture teaches that all Christians should hold each other accountable by living in repentance, faith, and mutual forgiveness:

"If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24)

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:15-20)

“If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)

Thank you for respecting our Communion practice.

Our YouTube Channel

In March 2020, we set up a YouTube channel to make videos available to all those who choose to watch worship services in the comfort of their homes. There are several advantages for us to being on YouTube.

We can use our YouTube channel strategically to reach those who already attend our congregation and a much larger community of online viewers. For example, members who have moved away now have the opportunity to watch Trinity Lutheran Church wherever they may be. Someone in Miles City, MT, which does not regularly attend worship services might come across our YouTube channel while browsing local videos.

Another advantage of YouTube is that you can watch a video any time after it is posted. Any video is possible for days, weeks, months, or even years. Feel free to watch your favorite videos whenever you want to, as often as you wish.

Did you know people often check out your digital presence before attending in-person worship services? A great way to understand a worship service is by viewing videos on Facebook, Vimeo, or YouTube.

Watch Worship Services on YouTube

To watch our worship services on our YouTube channel, you may click on the corresponding YouTube social media icon located in the footer section at the very bottom of this page or visit the following link below:

Our YouTube Channel

Contact Information

Our contact information and social media links are in the section at the bottom of this page, including our YouTube channel. Please feel free to contact Trinity Lutheran Church LCMS at any time. Everyone is welcome to attend our worship services. We hope to see you there!