If you are not a regular churchgoer, you may feel a bit daunted about stepping into church. Don’t be! We very much want to be a church for today’s people. So here’s a few comments to help you feel welcome and comfortable when you attend a Sunday service…
You can expect…
- A warm and friendly welcome at the door. People will greet you and introduce themselves in the foyer area.
- A service for people of all ages.
- Older hymns and newer songs.
- A modern presentation of the Bible message, using PowerPoint where possible to help you.
- A message that helps us all in our daily lives – not just preaching about the Bible.
- Help whether you are a committed Christian, or just finding out about Christianity.
- Tea and coffee after the services, to chat and get to know each other better.
Don’t expect…
- To be given a hymn book as you come in – all the words come up on the screens at the front.
- To be forced to make any financial gift (sometimes known as “the offering”). We don’t want to give the false impression that we only want you for your money!
- People are welcome to give gifts if they want to, but we won’t put a collection bag in front of you during the service!
- To have to stay for tea or coffee afterwards if you don’t want to!
- To do anything you are uncomfortable with. You won’t be highlighted, asked to “say hello to the person next to you”, or even join in hymns and songs if you don’t know them. Feel free to just observe and listen if that is what you want to do. Particularly during communion (when we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus – bread and communion cups are passed around), we always give people the freedom just to let it pass by without any embarrassment if they want to)
Finally, if you would like to give us any feedback about your “first visit” (or any for that matter!) please do so by clicking the feedback button. May we say Thank you in anticipation, and we look forward to seeing you.
Malcolm Pitt (Elder)
