What happens on a Sunday morning?
Worship Services: Our worship services are held in the Sanctuary at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings, and are approximately one hour long. For about 20 minutes before the start of the service there will be greeters just inside the main doors and ushers directly outside the sanctuary to help you with any questions you might have. The ushers will provide you with a worship folder which will guide you through the worship service. The readings and prayers are also printed in the worship folder for you. You are welcome to bring along your own Bible, but you will not be lost or feel out of place if you do not.
There are Thursday night worship services at 7:00 pm during the summer months (June, July, and August). We also have special service times during Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, New Years, Lent, and Easter. More information on these worship times will be posted on the website during those seasons.
Sunday School: Sunday School is available for children (age 4 - 8th grade) September through May. The Sunday School session is about an hour long and begins at 8:45 am in the Sanctuary with all the students singing together. After about 15-20 minutes, the students accompany their teacher to their respective classrooms to learn about the Bible. Visiting children are welcome to come to our Sunday School to hear God's Word shared with them in a youth focused setting.
Bible Study: Bible Study for teens and adults meets in the Fellowship Hall, begins at 8:45am, and is approximately one hour long. It is an opportunity to explore God's Word in depth, learning the truth about Law and Gospel, while applying that truth to our lives. You will be greeted warmly, but will not be put on the spot to read or answer questions. You are free to participate as much or as little as you are comfortable.
Fellowship/Snacks: Immediately following the Sunday morning worship services, snacks and coffee are available in the Fellowship Hall. This time together is especially treasured by members at New Life, and has been an important opportunity to support and encourage one another. Guests are always welcome to join us for this time of fellowship.
Clothing: At New Life some of our members prefer to dress in a formal manner while others dress casually. The Bible presents no specific dress code. Wear what you are comfortable with in public. God looks at the heart.
Offering: We partake in an offering as a way to share with others the gifts God has given to us. As children of God, our thank offerings are gathered and used in the hope that they will help others find the loving and forgiving message of our Savior. We do not expect visitors to participate in the Sunday Offering. We encourage visitors to gain a better understanding of our church’s values and mission before partaking in the offering. Instead, please use this time to let us know more about you by filling out the friendship register located in your pew.
Holy Communion: Among other things, God's Word tells us that when we gather together to receive communion, we are confessing to this world that we stand united in faith. As our guest, we do not want to put you in a position of confessing unity with us until you know what we believe. We look forward to joining in communion after you have had a chance to meet with the pastor, compare what we believe with what the Bible says, and confirm we are all on the same page. Until then, feel free to remain in your seat, enjoy the music played during this time, as well as the opportunity for private prayer. Communion is offered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, and at Festival Services.
Parking Lot: There is one main parking lot accessible from County Road F between Rice Street and Hodgson Road. Though it does not typically occur, in the event that the parking lot is full, you can park along County Road F on the church side of the street. Some of our members park on the street even though the parking lot is not full to make sure that there are spots available for our guests. So if you do see cars parked along the street, that does not mean the parking lot is already full. Swing on in, and look for that open spot we’re saving for you!
Main Entrance: There is one main entrance with large, double doors, accessible through the parking lot. For about 20 minutes before the worship service, greeters will be located just inside the main entrance to help direct you and to help you with any questions you might have.
Sanctuary: After you enter through the main entrance, turn left and you will find the Sanctuary located to your left.
Nursery: After you enter through the main entrance, turn left and walk past the Sanctuary. Just before you get to the bathrooms, you will find the Nursery located to your left. The nursery is its own separate room, but has a view of the sanctuary and is equipped with audio of the service. There is a dial next to the nursery door which allows you to control the volume in the room in case your child is sensitive to sound. The nursery is stocked with toys and “quiet bags” for your convenience.
Restrooms: There are men’s and women’s bathrooms located immediately to your right, directly inside the main entrance, as well as to your left, just beyond the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall and next to the Nursery. The bathrooms located next to the nursery are wheelchair accessible and equipped with changing tables.
Fellowship Hall: After you enter through the main entrance, turn left, and after a few steps you will find the Fellowship Hall located to your right. Normally, it is wide open to the main entry area, but during Bible study you may find a sliding partition wall separating this area from the main entry. This is so those coming to church early can do so without worrying about distracting those participating in Bible study. Running a little late for Bible study? Quietly enter through the door to the left of the partition.
Handicap Accessibility: A lot of thought and effort has been put into making our facility handicap accessible. The parking lot has both “Van Accessible” and “Standard” handicap parking spaces located nearest to the main entrance. In the wintertime, we work very hard to keep the snow and ice removed from the parking lot and main sidewalk. The main entrance doors are equipped with automatic door openers. Our entire building is located on one floor with no steps or slopes. All of the bathrooms are equipped with handrails, and the bathrooms located nearest to the Sanctuary are wheelchair accessible. There are also several wheelchair spaces integrated among the pew seating.
Attending church somewhere for the first time can be intimidating. Here are some common worries:
"I would just die if they made me stand up and say something." We assure you, we won't embarrass you in this or any other way. We want you to feel comfortable and at home with us. Church should be an enjoyable and uplifting experience. We promise to do all we can so that you can relax and learn about your Savior.
"I know my child is going to be too noisy." We encourage parents of young children to attend worship services with their children. This encourages the good habit of attending worship services at an early age. The back rows are reserved for parents with young children. If required, a nursery room is available at the back of the sanctuary with audio of the service and a view of the sanctuary. The restrooms next to the nursery are equipped with changing tables.
"I know I will feel out of place." We hope that this website will ease your mind, but if you have a question, please ask someone for help. Do not hesitate to say, "I am new. What is this about?" Some of our members have been around for many, many years. Others are new just like you are. Either way, someone will be happy to help you and answer your questions.
"I am afraid I will say or do something wrong." All of us have felt this way when in a new situation. But we hope that you will see the people of our congregation to be ordinary people like yourself. We want to accept you as you are and help you become what Christ wants you to be. We would never want to criticize anything you do.
"I just want to observe at first and I know that they will try to involve me or sign me up." It is unpleasant to be pressured or to be part of a "membership drive" as though we were heads of cattle, isn't it? We believe that church membership should be voluntary, and that the most important thing is to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins and salvation. It takes time for this to be cultivated. People need time to evaluate and decide if they wish further involvement. We believe we should respect that need.
"I don't know that much about the Bible." Church and Bible Study are opportunities to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and faith in Jesus. You will not have to read or answer any questions you do not want to answer.
“I am going to be struck by lightning.” Some may think this sounds humorous, but many people have a deep fear of coming to church. Some look at their life, and weighed down by shame and guilt – perhaps not even known to anyone in their lives – they believe God could not possibly have any other choice but to strike them down. People have been trying to hide from God since Adam and Eve tried to hide in the Garden of Eden after they ate the “forbidden fruit.” It should be no surprise then, when people are terrified at the thought of coming to be in God’s presence at church. We hope and pray that you will come to New Life and see that this is not a place where God will “finally” condemn you, but rather that you will hear the Good News about what Jesus did to establish peace between you and God. It is in fact a place of healing, for Jesus said, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Mark 2:17
