Plan Your Visit
You are welcome here.
Planning to visit a Lutheran church in Tucson for the first time can feel like a lot, especially if you did not grow up Lutheran. At New Spirit, we want your first visit to be as easy and welcoming as possible.
You may be wondering where to park, what to wear, what worship will be like, whether you will know what to do, how Communion works, whether your children will be comfortable, or whether you will be singled out as a visitor.
We want your first visit to New Spirit to feel clear, comfortable, and low-pressure.
Here is what you can expect.
WHEN DO YOU WORSHIP?
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM.
New Spirit Lutheran Church
8701 E. Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85710
Our worship brings together contemporary music and traditional Lutheran practices, with Scripture, prayer, preaching, and Holy Communion.
You do not need to know the words, songs, or order of worship before you arrive. We will help you follow along.
WHERE DO I PARK AND ENTER?
We have two parking lots on our campus:
- one accessed from Old Spanish Trail
- one accessed from S. Camino Seco
There are four designated visitor parking spaces in the Old Spanish Trail lot.
Both parking lots include accessible parking spaces, and both building entrances have ramps and powered accessible doors.
When you arrive, come inside and stop by the Welcome Table. Someone will greet you, help you get oriented, and answer any questions you may have.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?
We use name tags as part of our hospitality practice because we want it to be easier for people to learn one another’s names and make real connections.
Members wear name tags too. If you are visiting, we will make one for you when you arrive.
We try hard not to single visitors out during worship. At the same time, we do notice when someone new joins us, and someone may introduce themselves during our time of welcome.
After that, you are welcome to find a seat wherever you are comfortable.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Whatever you are comfortable wearing.
You will see people in jeans and casual clothes, along with others who prefer to dress up a little more.
There is no dress code.
Come as yourself.
WHAT IS WORSHIP LIKE?
Relaxed, meaningful, and rooted in the Lutheran Christian tradition.
Our worship includes music, prayer, Scripture, preaching, and Holy Communion.
Some parts may feel familiar if you have been part of a church before. Other parts may be new.
That is okay.
You will not be expected to stand or participate in any particular way because you are visiting. Follow along as you are comfortable.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WORSHIP → Worship
CAN I RECEIVE COMMUNION?
Yes. Everyone is invited.
At New Spirit, we believe this is not our table—it is Jesus’ table.
Everyone is invited to come forward for this meal of grace. There are no requirements and no exceptions.
Ushers will invite you forward. You will receive a wafer from the pastor, and gluten-free wafers are available if you need one. A Communion assistant will then offer either a cup of red wine or white grape juice.
If you would prefer to receive a blessing instead of Communion, or alongside someone who is receiving Communion, you are welcome to come forward and simply cross your arms over your chest.
After receiving Communion, you are also invited to stop at our prayer cross and light a candle for any prayer you are carrying.
You do not need to worry about knowing what to do ahead of time. We will guide you through it.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND SENSORY NEEDS?
People of all ages are welcome to participate in ways that work for them.
Children are part of worship at New Spirit. Families are welcome to worship together, and children are not expected to sit perfectly still or remain silent.
We have a prayground at the front of the sanctuary with books, sensory items, quiet activities, flexible seating, and a child-sized table so children can remain connected to worship while engaging in ways that work for them.
When children are present, we also typically include a children’s sermon during worship.
After worship, Sunday School is offered in a one-room classroom style when children are present.
We do not have a nursery. Nursing parents, families who need a little more space, or anyone who needs to step away from the sanctuary are welcome to use Our Living Room.
We also have an Our Calming Space for people of any age who may become overstimulated or simply need a quieter place to regroup.
Changing tables are available in both restrooms off the narthex.
WHAT ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES ARE AVAILABLE?
We want our campus to be usable and welcoming for people with different mobility and accessibility needs.
Both parking lots have accessible parking spaces and both building entrances have ramps as well as powered accessible doors.
The narthex restrooms include accessible stalls.
The all-genders restroom in Our Living Room was expanded to provide additional room for people using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices, as well as those who may need a caregiver with them. It also has a powered door opener.
We also have a hearing loop system available in the sanctuary.
If there is something that would make your visit easier, please let us know when you arrive and we will do our best to meet that need.
WHAT ARE THE TOUCH LANYARDS?
You get to decide what level of physical contact feels comfortable.
We use optional colored lanyards to help people communicate their preferences:
- Green — hugs and other friendly physical contact are welcome
- Yellow — handshakes, fist bumps, high-fives, and similar contact are appreciated
- Red — no physical contact, please
You are welcome to choose the option that feels right for you.
DO I HAVE TO BE LUTHERAN?
No.
New Spirit is a Christian congregation in the Lutheran tradition and part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
We have members from many different Christian backgrounds.
We welcome people from a wide range of traditions and experiences while continuing to preach and live within Lutheran theology.
Our welcome statement says it plainly:
“Welcome to all who want to follow Christ, have no church home, have doubts, have questions, or do not believe.”
EXPLORE WHAT WE BELIEVE → What We Believe
IS NEW SPIRIT LGBTQIA+ WELCOMING?
Yes—and we mean it.
New Spirit is a Reconciling in Christ congregation.
LGBTQIA+ people are welcomed, included, celebrated, and invited to participate fully in the life and leadership of this congregation.
You do not have to hide who you are in order to belong here.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RECONCILING IN CHRIST → Reconciling Works
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WORSHIP?
Most Sundays, people remain after worship for fellowship, conversation, and connection.
You are welcome to stay and meet people, but there is no obligation.
If you need to head home after worship, that is completely fine too.
WANT TO WATCH ONLINE FIRST?
You are welcome to experience worship online before visiting in person.
New Spirit livestreams Sunday worship on our YouTube channel.
WATCH NEW SPIRIT ON YOUTUBE → New Spirit’s YouTube Channel
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
If there is anything you want to know before visiting—about accessibility, children, Communion, worship, parking, or anything else—reach out.
A message submitted through our contact form can be routed to the pastor or the appropriate member of our hospitality team.
READY TO VISIT?
Sunday Worship — 10:00 AM
8701 E. Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85710
