Welcome!
Coming to a church can be a scary thing: What will it be like? What will they think of me? What if I don’t know what to do? At FPC we want to make all people feel welcome - not only because it’s the decent and friendly thing to do, but more importantly because it’s what Jesus did. For too long the church has seemed closed to so many people! We pray instead for our doors to be open -- wide open!
Here is what to expect: You’ll be greeted with a smile and a bulletin for worship. Everything you need to know for the service is printed there, so just follow along. Ours is a liturgical service, which means it follows a kind of pattern, or order, for worship. We believe, as most Christians over the centuries have, that giving some careful thought to what we say and do in worship not only honors God the Creator but also helps carve out a space, a time, to feel the Spirit at work in our midst. We want worship to feel different from the various kinds of entertainment and distraction that we find in the rest of life.
But are you saying it’s boring? Rigid? Stuffy? Of course not. Actually, you will feel alive and engaged in worship, welcomed into the presence of God in song, prayer, and word. We sing hymns and other spiritual songs, pray for the needs of ourselves and the whole world, and listen to the words of scripture that speak to the love and grace of God in Christ.
Surely the best way to see what this is like is to come and give it a try! We worship each Sunday at 11 a.m. Sunday School for all ages happens before that at 9:45 a.m. in our education building, Carlton Hall, which is behind the sanctuary.
A few other helpful hints for visitors:
Here is what to expect: You’ll be greeted with a smile and a bulletin for worship. Everything you need to know for the service is printed there, so just follow along. Ours is a liturgical service, which means it follows a kind of pattern, or order, for worship. We believe, as most Christians over the centuries have, that giving some careful thought to what we say and do in worship not only honors God the Creator but also helps carve out a space, a time, to feel the Spirit at work in our midst. We want worship to feel different from the various kinds of entertainment and distraction that we find in the rest of life.
But are you saying it’s boring? Rigid? Stuffy? Of course not. Actually, you will feel alive and engaged in worship, welcomed into the presence of God in song, prayer, and word. We sing hymns and other spiritual songs, pray for the needs of ourselves and the whole world, and listen to the words of scripture that speak to the love and grace of God in Christ.
Surely the best way to see what this is like is to come and give it a try! We worship each Sunday at 11 a.m. Sunday School for all ages happens before that at 9:45 a.m. in our education building, Carlton Hall, which is behind the sanctuary.
A few other helpful hints for visitors:
- We celebrate the Lord’s Supper (or Communion, the Eucharist) every month or so. All are welcome! Most often we celebrate by intinction, which simply means the people come forward by rows to receive a piece of bread and then dip it in the cup. It’s an ancient ritual of the church, a sacrament, that not only recalls Jesus’ death on the cross but also his resurrection and his promise of a heavenly banquet for all God’s children. Therefore, it’s a joyful feast!
- Children are welcome at all times in worship, but we also have special programs for the youngest ones (nursery through 3rd grade) in the educational building during the second part of the service. Teachers will lead these youngsters out after the “children’s time” in worship.
- If you have any questions at any time during the service, please don’t hesitate to ask an usher.
- Bathrooms are located in the educational building behind the sanctuary.