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| What to Expect When You Visit |
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Visiting a church for the first time can be a nerve-racking, so we want to give you a preview of what you can expect when you visit us. Warm Welcome:
As you enter the front door on Sunday, you will be greeted by one of our members, who will ask you to give us a record of your attendance and will give you a church bulletin (a paper with current church information and announcements).
We have coffee and breakfast treat area where we ask you to help yourself to some refreshments. Our members will likely chat with you prior to the start of the service. (What is it about coffee that makes people so chatty?) Please know that we aren't trying to sell you anything; we just genuinely want to get to know about you. If you have questions about anything, please let us know.
Just for Kids:
Kids have their own special way of looking at the world and rather than making a kid adjust to accommodate our worship service, we've decided to accommodate kids with their own classes! Our child drop-off/pick-up area is down the left hallway off our foyer. A volunteer will make sure that your child gets a name tag, some breakfast treats and is in the correct classroom. We know that visiting a new church can be stressful for some children, so you are welcome to stay with your child as long as you need to. A Quiet Space:
We realize that people often come to church when they are hurting and feel like they need to reach out to God. We offer a prayer room for you to come spend some quiet time in prayer prior to our service. You are welcome to let us know if you would like us to pray with you. Please feel free to share as much or as little about your need as you feel comfortable doing. No Assigned Seats:
Our worship service takes place in our auditorium. There are no reserved seats, so feel free to sit anywhere you choose. We even have some small tables in the back if you would rather sit there.
Starting with a Song:
We love to sing! You will notice right away that we don’t sing with the accompaniment of musical instruments (or a cappella). This is just a preference that we have chosen to employ and we think you’ll find the singing meaningful. The words for all our songs will be on a screen at the front of the auditorium so that you can follow along.
A Word of Prayer:
We pray several times during the service. Some prayers are simple, while others are more elaborate. This all depends on the individual leading the prayer. We view prayer as a direct communication to God. As sign of respect, most people close their eyes and bow their heads during prayer. Please do what feels comfortable to you.
Our Collection:
Each week, we take up a collection of money to help with the costs of ministry in our congregation. As a visitor, we do not ask you give any money, but if you have something you would like us to pray, please put a note in the tray and we will announce it at the end of service.
The Lord’s Supper:
The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a time that we celebrate the sacrifice that Jesus made when he died on the cross. This reflects the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. After a prayer of remembrance and thanksgiving, a group of men will pass trays of “the bread” signifying Jesus’ body on the cross. Each participant will break off a piece and eat it. After another prayer, the men will pass trays of “the juice” signifying Jesus’ blood that was shed. Each participant will drink the contents of one cup and place the empty cup back in the tray. If you chose not to participate, don't be embarrassed… just pass the plate or tray to the person next to you.
A Word from Our Sponsor:
One of the main events of our service is the sermon will be presented to the congregation. The sermon, or lesson, is a time to share in God’s word. Often, people describe this as a time to gain new insights in the role that God plays in their life. We hope that you will be uplifted during this time.
Wrap it Up:
Once the sermon is finished, a time of invitation will be extended. This is an informal time when people needing prayer can speak with one of our ministers or elders. Our service is then closed with a final prayer and sometimes a song. Most of our members stick around after service to chat with friends and love the opportunity to meet our visitors.
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