By RHONDA COTTRELL

Online.God. No, this is not another Web site. It is an alternative worship service at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, located at North 135th and Greenwood Avenue N.

Why would a congregation best known for white heads and being a neighbor to Foss Nursing Home have anything but a traditional service?

As alternative music director of the church, I can tell you that the core group of Luther Memorial's Saturday evening service is a wild bunch. They like variety in their music, want a good beat, and don't want to hear a sermon. Consequently, the group hears a story from sources such as "Chicken Soup for the Soul," after their Bible verses and everything from rock-n-roll to show tunes for special music. Hymns are funky, rock or gospel.

Martin Luther himself brought beer songs into his church so people would relate spirituality to their everyday lives. His theology is radical, even by today's standards. He believed that your relationship to God is unique, personal, and a mystery. The only thing Lutherans are sure about is that God's grace is given, not earned.

We at Luther Memorial are committed to variety in our music. Rock songwriter Michelle Silberkleit recently led worship on her guitar then jammed with her husband Lee at the group's request. Online.God also enjoys visits from jazz/rock duo Emenent Front. Songwriters Russ Bright and Josh Hollingsworth are attending nearby Shoreline Community College and play jazz standards as well as original music. Our special music is played by professionals and talented hobbyists who want good acoustics and a friendly atmosphere to play in.

Online.God is here every Saturday evening, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for anyone who wants a unique worship experience with a recognizable beat. For more information, call us at 364-2510.