What to Expect
Welcome!
We're excited to have you with us! We know that it can be a little intimidating walking into a new church for the first time, so we've prepared this Sunday morning guide to answer any questions you might have.
Before Worship
Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:30am. We serve coffee and snacks in the Fellowship hall every morning. Feel free to grab some on the way to class. Go to the Adult Education page to read more about our two adult Sunday school classes, and the Children and Youth page to read about our kids Sunday school classes.
If you have infants or toddlers you are welcome to keep them with you or drop them off in the nursery on the second floor.
If you have infants or toddlers you are welcome to keep them with you or drop them off in the nursery on the second floor.
Worship
Worship begins at 10:45am. We use a traditional Presbyterian style of worship. That means we primarily sing hymns out of hymnals, accompanied by organ and/or piano, and have a classical choir that sings most Sundays (read more about our music here). We use a bulletin (program) which contains responsive (read aloud) and unison prayers. Bold print indicates everyone is invited to read together. Prayers and other readings are led by either the pastor or liturgist. Liturgist is a fancy term for the person who reads prayers and scripture (also called liturgy) Asterisks in the bulletin indicate when to stand as you are able.
Presbyterians are jokingly called the "Frozen Chosen." Our worship is more subdued, with a lot of time for silence and contemplation. But we don't just go through the motions and repeat empty words. If you have never attended a traditional style service before we invite you to come and keep your ears and eyes open to how the Spirit is moving through our hymns and prayers.
Presbyterians are jokingly called the "Frozen Chosen." Our worship is more subdued, with a lot of time for silence and contemplation. But we don't just go through the motions and repeat empty words. If you have never attended a traditional style service before we invite you to come and keep your ears and eyes open to how the Spirit is moving through our hymns and prayers.
FAQs
How should I dress? Is your church formal?
No one wants to feel over or under dressed, but we have a wide variety in our church. Some of our older members still come in their "Sunday best." Some of our younger members choose to dress casual. As for the rest, you'll find everything in between, so come in what feels comfortable to you.
What should I do with my kids?
You can take your infants and toddlers to the nursery before the service or keep them with you. During the children's message we invite kids of all ages to come forward. After the children's message, kids aged preschool through kindergarten are invited to go upstairs with our childcare worker, or return to their seats with the older children.
You may notice some of the children putting quarters in a pipe near the front of the sanctuary. The money collected each Sunday is donated to Heifer International. Read more about it here.
How do I know what to say, when to stand, what hymns to sing?
Every Sunday we print a bulletin (program) with that week's prayers, readings, and hymn selections. You should receive this from an usher when you first arrive. If you miss it on the way in they can be found by the front door. Bold print means everyone reads together. Asterisks mean stand as you are able. Hymnal numbers are listed by every song. We try to make our bulletins as clear as possible, but if you have any questions feel free to ask the ushers or people sitting near you.
Why is everyone walking around and shaking hands?
After the assurance of pardon we have a time called the passing of the peace. This is a time for greeting people. You can say "peace" or "the peace of Christ" or "peace be with you" or simply "Good morning." Many people like to move around and greet as many people as possible, but feel free to stay where you are. If it's your first time here, people will walk up and introduce themselves. They're excited to see you! Once the organist starts to play the next hymn everyone will find their way back to their seats.
Why is the Lord's Prayer different?
There are two main ways of saying the Lord's prayer. Many churches say "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." In Presbyterian churches like ours however, it is more common to say "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." These are simply two different ways of translating Matthew 6:12. We include the Lord's Prayer in our bulletin, so you can follow along if you're not sure what to say.
What is Communion? Can I participate?
The first Sunday of every month we celebrate Communion together. Communion is one of our two sacraments, when we remember Jesus' last supper with his disciples the night before he was crucified. In this sacrament we celebrate God's gift of grace and salvation. In our church, as in any Presbyterian church, we celebrate an open table. Any baptized person who believes in Christ as their Savior may come to the table. You do not have to be a member of our church or even a Presbyterian, and we recognize any baptism done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Anyone from any denomination is welcome to take communion with us if they want to.
I want to take Communion, what do I do?
All who participate are invited to come down front by the center aisle, row by row, to receive the elements. First rip a piece of bread off the loaf. Then you have two options. You can dip your bread into the cup of wine, or you can take a small cup of grape juice from the tray. You may consume it immediately or wait until you return to your seat. If you take the grape juice, you can take the cup back to your pew with you. Ushers will collect any cups left in the pews after the service.
What if I want to take Communion but cannot walk up to the front?
We have several members who have trouble walking. After everyone has gone through the line, the pastor will ask if anyone has not been served. Please raise your hand and we will bring the bread and juice to you.
No one wants to feel over or under dressed, but we have a wide variety in our church. Some of our older members still come in their "Sunday best." Some of our younger members choose to dress casual. As for the rest, you'll find everything in between, so come in what feels comfortable to you.
What should I do with my kids?
You can take your infants and toddlers to the nursery before the service or keep them with you. During the children's message we invite kids of all ages to come forward. After the children's message, kids aged preschool through kindergarten are invited to go upstairs with our childcare worker, or return to their seats with the older children.
You may notice some of the children putting quarters in a pipe near the front of the sanctuary. The money collected each Sunday is donated to Heifer International. Read more about it here.
How do I know what to say, when to stand, what hymns to sing?
Every Sunday we print a bulletin (program) with that week's prayers, readings, and hymn selections. You should receive this from an usher when you first arrive. If you miss it on the way in they can be found by the front door. Bold print means everyone reads together. Asterisks mean stand as you are able. Hymnal numbers are listed by every song. We try to make our bulletins as clear as possible, but if you have any questions feel free to ask the ushers or people sitting near you.
Why is everyone walking around and shaking hands?
After the assurance of pardon we have a time called the passing of the peace. This is a time for greeting people. You can say "peace" or "the peace of Christ" or "peace be with you" or simply "Good morning." Many people like to move around and greet as many people as possible, but feel free to stay where you are. If it's your first time here, people will walk up and introduce themselves. They're excited to see you! Once the organist starts to play the next hymn everyone will find their way back to their seats.
Why is the Lord's Prayer different?
There are two main ways of saying the Lord's prayer. Many churches say "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." In Presbyterian churches like ours however, it is more common to say "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." These are simply two different ways of translating Matthew 6:12. We include the Lord's Prayer in our bulletin, so you can follow along if you're not sure what to say.
What is Communion? Can I participate?
The first Sunday of every month we celebrate Communion together. Communion is one of our two sacraments, when we remember Jesus' last supper with his disciples the night before he was crucified. In this sacrament we celebrate God's gift of grace and salvation. In our church, as in any Presbyterian church, we celebrate an open table. Any baptized person who believes in Christ as their Savior may come to the table. You do not have to be a member of our church or even a Presbyterian, and we recognize any baptism done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Anyone from any denomination is welcome to take communion with us if they want to.
I want to take Communion, what do I do?
All who participate are invited to come down front by the center aisle, row by row, to receive the elements. First rip a piece of bread off the loaf. Then you have two options. You can dip your bread into the cup of wine, or you can take a small cup of grape juice from the tray. You may consume it immediately or wait until you return to your seat. If you take the grape juice, you can take the cup back to your pew with you. Ushers will collect any cups left in the pews after the service.
What if I want to take Communion but cannot walk up to the front?
We have several members who have trouble walking. After everyone has gone through the line, the pastor will ask if anyone has not been served. Please raise your hand and we will bring the bread and juice to you.