FAQs

Please join us for Sunday Worship at 9:30 a.m.

649 Meadowsweet Drive
Corte Madera, CA 94925

From the South:

• US 101 North
• Take the PARADISE / TAMALPAIS DR exit
• Turn LEFT onto TAMALPAIS DR (go over the freeway)
• Turn LEFT (by the Bank of America) onto SANFORD ST
• Turn RIGHT onto MEADOWSWEET DR

From the North:

• US 101 South toward San Francisco
• Take the PARADISE / TAMALPAIS DR exit
• Turn RIGHT onto TAMALPAIS DR
• Turn LEFT (by the Bank of America) onto SANFORD ST
• Turn RIGHT onto MEADOWSWEET DR

Ample street parking is available on both sides of Meadowsweet Drive where the church is accessed by stairs. An additional overflow parking lot is available nearby on Lakeside Drive.

For those who prefer not to climb the stairs, you may enter the steep driveway at the far west end of the property and drive up to the patio area. Passengers may be unloaded there. Continue to the east end of the upper patio where there are several handicap parking spaces. The driveway loops around the church and exits where you entered.

Download pdf site map showing parking & drop-off locations

There are two main entrances. At the very top of the stairs, go through the double doors into the narthex (entry hall), or you may enter the same space by going through the double doors off the upper patio.

Upon entering the narthex, you will be greeted by one of our members and an usher who will give you a copy of the bulletin, answer any questions, and direct you to the Sanctuary or childcare. Please feel free to sit anywhere you are comfortable inside the Sanctuary.

You will see a range of clothing from collared shirts and dresses to jeans and t-shirts, so come however you feel most comfortable. Your presence is more important to us than your outfit!

Regular Sunday worship is about an hour long.

Children are welcome at all worship services. Children’s bulletins, crayons, & toys are available in the entry hall and our ushers are happy to help you locate them.

Pre-K through 5th graders, start in worship with their family. After the Children’s Message they are invited to follow their teacher to CHILDREN’S CHURCH. They’ll hear a Bible story, play a game, or create an art project, all designed to bring the lesson alive for them. They return to church in time for Communion.

For young children (0 to 5 years), daycare is available during worship services in the Parish Hall Double Classroom located in the building next to the the Sanctuary building. Parents can drop children off prior to the start of worship or anytime during the service.

Handicap parking is available in our upper parking lot where you may also drop someone off right at our church door and then park. In the Sanctuary, the ushers can provide large print bulletins. During Communion, Pastor Tom and the Lay Minister will come to your seat if a request is made to the usher.

The usher will provide you with a Gathering bulletin as you enter the Sanctuary. This is a step-by-step map through the service. Pastor Tom always assumes there are visitors in attendance and is very careful to provide clear instructions on when to stand, how to do communion, etc.

We celebrate Communion during every service. At Marin Lutheran all are welcome to come forward to receive this sacrament including children who may commune or come forward for a blessing.

Communion is celebrated with bread and wine with a choice from either individual small cups or the Communion Chalice. In the individual small cups grape juice is available as well. The usher will direct you to the Communion rail where you may kneel, receive Communion and then return to your seat when you are ready. Folks with mobility challenges can have the bread and wine brought to them at their seat. Pastor Tom is careful to explain how Communion works to prevent confusion. Anyone who considers themselves a part of the Christian family of faith is welcome to participate.

At the end of the service there is a musical postlude. Some people stay to enjoy the music; others exit to enter the narthex and courtyard for informal conversation and refreshments.

Following the service, Pastor Tom and his Lay Minister will greet you in the church entry hall. If you wish to meet privately with Pastor Tom, please contact him directly or through the church office to set up a time to do so.

Sure!  When you visit MLC, you can initiate as much, or as little contact with others as you wish.  MLC does not require visitors to wear badges or to identify themselves as visitors.

No, membership is not required to attend MLC.  If you eventually wish to explore membership, there are regularly scheduled membership classes offered several times throughout the year.