It's not easy visiting a new church for the first time. Sometimes you feel like a nonmember visiting a country club. Do I belong here? Am I really welcome? Will the people be unfriendly, or too friendly? Will I be conspicuous? Will it be easy to leave if it's not for me? Will they ask me for money? Will my kids enjoy it? If you're wondering what to expect, here's some helpful information.
When you arrive (1425 Spruce Street Ext) for our 10:00 am service, feel free to park in the upper parking lot next to the auditorium. Most everyone comes in through the double doors on the side of the building. Besides being warmly greeted, here's an overview of what you'll find:
Relaxed Atmosphere
We want you to come just like you are. Feel free to dress casually, there's no need to get all "fancied up" just to come, unless you just really enjoy getting dressed up. You'll notice that everyone is dressed comfortably, in anything from "office casual" to jeans and sneakers. Some words that describe our service: friendly, warm, open, accessible and loving - "at home" are the words we hear most frequently. So come grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the service.
Family Friendly
To give families an opportunity to worship together, children stay in the service during the singing (except for the really little ones who can be cared for in our nursery during the entire service). Following the singing, the children (ages 3 to 5th grade) are dismissed to their classes where they are greeted by our awesome team of dedicated teachers. The classes incorporate singing, games, interactive Bible lessons, and arts and crafts, all designed to help our children learn about Jesus and His love for them.
Worship
The worship at Christ's Church is alive and authentic - a celebration! Music is a powerful tool, and God has blessed us with some truly gifted volunteers who know how to lead people in a transformational experience through music. Each week you will experience songs that bring you to the heart of what it means to worship God through music.
Messages That Connect
We unashamedly believe that the Bible is God's Truth for all time and all people, even today! We are best known for our strong emphasis on the teaching and application of God's Word to every day life. You won't hear any high-pressure pitches or drawn-out guilt trips - just honest, biblical messages that show you how God's principles for life can transform your life, both now and for all eternity. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, our teaching ministry will help provide you with a strong spiritual foundation.
Communion
At the close of our service each week we celebrate Communion. Communion (also known as the Lord's Supper) is a Christian celebration of the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If you are a committed Christian, you're welcome to share in communion with us, and if not, you can just sit back and enjoy the music during this quiet time. You'll notice several 'communion stations' set up around the auditorium. During communion, you are welcome to walk to one of the stations with your family or join another family. We simply take turns and then return to our seats.
After the Service
After the service, you'll pick up your children from their classrooms, and then we hope you'll stay around and meet some people. Church is about God and worship, but it's also about community and fellowship, so we hope you will really experience the warmth and friendliness of our gatherings.
That's about it. I hope you'll stop by this Sunday.
In a hectic, hurry-up world, I know plenty of demands are made upon your time. Thanks for including us today!
Pastor Buck
