What To Expect

If you are visiting us from another church, or coming to church for the first time, we hope you will be blessed by the preaching and teaching of God's Word.  We seek to honor and glorify God in worship that is focused on preaching from Scripture and the faithful administration of the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's supper). Below we have answers to FAQs and also a sample liturgy/order of worship to take away some of the mystery if you're nervous as a first-time visitor.    


SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP BEGINS at 10:15 AM


SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP BEGINS AT 6:00 PM

you may be wondering...

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

You should wear comfortable, modest clothing.  You'll find people in our services with jeans and t-shirts, collared shirts, a few jackets and ties, and everything in between.    

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WILL I BE ASKED TO GIVE MONEY?

We do not expect our visitors to give any money during our offerings, though you are certainly welcome to do so.  We worship the Lord through the giving of an offering each week during the MORNING SERVICE.  This is used to support the expansion of God's kingdom through the gospel ministry that is carried out by our local church, our presbytery, our denomination, and other missions efforts.  We also collect a special offering for our Deacons' fund on the first Sunday of the month.  Our Deacons use this fund to provide help to members experiencing financial hardships, and to support the work of Aspire crisis pregnancy center, Love INC (a Lakes Region-based Christian organization that provides accountable assistance to those in need), and the Sunshine School (a school in Romania for disabled children, run by a Christian organization).   

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WILL I BE ASKED TO COME FORWARD OR PARTICIPATE?

No, you won't be asked to come to the front or to participate in any way other than what is part of a normal worship service (i.e. pray, sing hymns, listen to the preaching).  See the sample order of worship below.

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HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

The MORNING SERVICE typically lasts between 75-90 minutes.  The EVENING SERVICE typically ends before 7:00 PM.


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DO I NEED A BIBLE?

Bibles and hymnals are provided.  If you are interested in purchasing a Bible, we recommend an ESV Study Bible published by Crossway, or a Reformation Study Bible published by Ligonier Ministries (both have helpful notes and explanations).

 

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IS CHILDCARE PROVIDED?

We encourage families to attend worship together with their children.  If needed, parents can take fussy children out to the lobby or downstairs to the fellowship hall, both of which have speakers so the service can still be heard.  See "Training Up Children in the Faith."     

The Order of worship

A typical morning worship service consists of the elements below.  The evening service has a simplified format.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

A brief update and announcement period as people make their way to their seats.


SILENT MEDITATION

The pastor reads a short passage of Scripture upon which to reflect silently for a few moments to prepare your heart and mind for worship.


CALL TO WORSHIP

The pastor reads a verse or two (typically a Psalm) that serves as the Lord's call to worship.


PRAYER OF ADORATION & INVOCATION

The pastor prays for God to be with us and that the worship will be pleasing in His sight.


SING A HYMN


READING OF THE LAW

The pastor reads verses from Scripture which demonstrate God's will for our lives. Often, this involves the reading of the Ten Commandments.


PRAYER OF CONFESSION

This is a corporate prayer printed in the bulletin that the congregation reads aloud together, confessing how we have fallen short of God's law, and asking his forgiveness through humble repentance.


ASSURANCE OF PARDON

The pastor reads a verse that demonstrates God's merciful forgiveness for all who truly repent and look to Christ in faith.


SING THE DOXOLOGY OR THE GLORIA PATRI

Both are found in the provided hymnal.


PRAYER OF DEDICATION & OFFERING

The pastor prays and reads verses of Scripture while the Deacons pass around the offering baskets.


PRAYER OF INTERCESSION & THE LORD'S PRAYER

The pastor prays for the advance of God's kingdom and for the particular needs of the congregation, and then leads the congregation in praying the Lord's Prayer. 


SING A HYMN


PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

The pastor prays that God the Holy Spirit will illuminate our hearts and minds in the hearing and especially the preaching of His Word (Scripture).


SCRIPTURE READING

The pastor reads a passage from the Bible.  This passage will be a particular part of an ongoing series as we work through whole books of the Bible.


SERMON

The pastor preaches from the passage of Scripture which was just read.


[IF THERE IS A BAPTISM, OR IT IS THE 1ST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH WHEN COMMUNION IS SERVED, IT WILL TAKE PLACE HERE]


SING A HYMN


BENEDICTION

The pastor closes the worship service with a benediction (lit. "good word").


SAMPLE BULLETIN