What Can I Expect?… and other FAQs

What should I expect when I arrive for the first time?
How should I dress?
Which worship is for me?
Do I have to bring something for the offering?
What does the speaker talk about during the worship?
What is the church’s goal or purpose?

What should I expect when I arrive for the first time?

In the foyer, you’ll be warmly welcomed by one of our greeters. They also can give you a worship service bulletin, information about Sunday morning classes and groups, or even a map to our facilities. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask them.

How should I dress?

Most people will be dressed casually. The church is friendly and informal. Don’t be surprised if someone introduces themselves to you and asks you your name.

Which worship is for me?

Our church has at least three distinctive services every Sunday. If you come to our 9:30am service, the music usually will be led by our adult choir with a piano and organ accompaniment. The music at our 10:50am service is more contemporary and is led by a worship team (singers, guitar, drums, keyboard). We also have a "Children’s Church" during the 10:50am service. Our pastor shares the same message at both morning services. Our Hispanic service is at 5:30 p.m. in the worship center. Every other Sunday at 5:30 p.m., a group of house churches that our church sponsors—Emmaus Road Community Church—gathers in our downstairs Fellowship Hall for their time of corporate worship.

Do I have to bring something for the offering?

A free-will offering is collected during our services. However, we do not expect guests to contribute—anymore than you would invite someone to your home for a meal and then ask them to pay for it. It is the privilege of our members and regular participants to financially support the various ministries of our church. Giving tithes and offerings is one of the ways in which we express our commitment to the Lord.

What does the speaker talk about during the worship?

All of our pastors’ messages are based on the unchanging truths of God’s Word, the Bible. For thousands of years the Bible has held the answers to life's struggles, and today is no different. People from all religious backgrounds, including those who have never attended church, find that meaningful worship and relevant teaching help them in their everyday lives.

What is the church’s goal or purpose?

Our goal is to be a family of faith in which God’s grace is personally experienced and through which God’s love is personally expressed. We believe God’s grace will be experienced when a person:

encounters God through authentic worship and prayer
enters into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ
begins to read and apply the Bible’s truths to his/her own life
develops relationships with other followers of Christ
We believe God’s love will be expressed when we:
serve others in practical ways
relate to others the way Jesus would want us to
share with others how they know God’s love in a personal way