What to expect at our Sunday services
If you are new to First Church or are considering visiting us for the first time, we hope you feel welcome and comfortable at our Sunday worship services. Worship is central to the Christian life and can be described as a meeting between God and His people. The motivation of worship is to bring honour and glory to God and this is reflected in everything a Christian says and does. Here are a few things you can expect at our worship services:
The Hosts
As you enter the building, just inside the main doors, you are greeted by our Host/Hostess. A brochure is available with information on our various programs. Our friendly Host/Hostess will also be available before and after every service to answer any questions you may have and to help you find the nursery, Sunday School rooms and washroom facilities.
Nursery
A free nursery service is available for infants and young children up to age three during our morning and evening services. There is a common nursery reception area for signing your children in and parents will be given a number should the attendants need to contact you during the worship service. We have separate nursery and play rooms for babies, crawlers, and toddlers. Our volunteer nursery attendants are carefully chosen for their commitment and dedication. To find the nursery, speak to a Host/Hostess who will be happy to help you find the nursery facilities.
Church School
School-aged children will enjoy taking part in our Sunday School program during our Sunday morning services. During the months of September through May, Sunday School is available for children aged 3 through 10. A similar program is available during the summer months for children between the ages of 3 and 5.
Children gather each Sunday morning in the Fellowship Hall with their Teachers to take part in the first portion of our worship service. Afterward, the children are dismissed for Sunday School and join their Teachers in the various classrooms throughout the church for age-appropriate learning and activities. Parents can pick up their children from the classrooms at the end of the service.
The Worship Service
Every Sunday we gather in our Sanctuary at 10 am for our service. Every other service is led by a group of vocalists and a variety of musical instruments, including piano, organ, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, and brass. We sing a wide variety of both traditional and contemporary worship songs and lyrics are projected on the screen for all to participate.
Each service also features a Bible reading and a sermon. This is a time of studying God's Word and learning how it can be applied to our daily lives. Each week's sermon deals with a different piece of scripture and topic. Occasionally we will have a series of sermons dealing with one topic or theme over a period of a few weeks. Check the front page of our website or our weekly bulletin for details on this week's sermon topic.
We also collect a free will offering during our services to cover both our church's budget expenses and for a designated Christian charitable cause each week. Participating in the offering is not mandatory. Many of our members consider the weekly offering an appropriate way to give back to God in return for the gifts He has given us.
During the year there are many services with a special theme such as Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. We also make use of multimedia, and a wide range of other tools on a regular basis in our worship services.
Hearing Assistance
Our Sound people are equipped to assist the hearing impaired. Personal listening devices with ear bud headphones are available from the Sound Crew.
Refreshments and Fellowship
We gather after our morning service in the church Fellowship Hall for coffee, juice and snacks. This is an informal opportunity to meet new people and to fellowship with other members of Sarnia First Church.
Mon. Jul. 26, 2010 11:58 AM
