When I attend a new church, the obvious question in my mind is, "What in the world is going to happen to me when I walk through these doors?" Yes, I too am apprehensive when it comes to checking out new churches. With that in mind, what follows is a brief description of the Sunday evening service, and several answers to some common questions.
What is the service order?
We begin at 4pm, so it's always good to get there a little bit early to get yourself the seat that you want. This is also a good time to get the layout of the landscape. As you walk in the door, you will no doubt be greeted by several people who seem happy to see you, and the cool thing is, they actually are! After they hand you a bulletin (which has weekly information in it), you are welcome to find a seat or mingle and get to know some new faces.
A typical Sunday service consists of singing a few songs of praise and worship, then greeting one another, then a 40-60 minute talk or "sermon" by the speaker that night. Periodically we will also conclude our service with the celebration of communion (commonly referred to as "The Lord's Table" or "The Eucharist" in some churches). All are welcome to the Lord's Table with us.
Additionally, this summer we will be following the service time with a time spent out in the Cambridge Common playing games, doing children's community events and also sharing a picnic dinner. Feel free to bring some extra food to share!
Who will I meet?
In short, people just like you. Grace Street is made up of a variety of folks, ranging from the guy in the second row who has never been to church in his entire life, to the gal in the back who was born and raised in a denominational church. What we all share in common is our humanness, and our desire to know and understand God and what He may have to say about our lives.
Do I have to stand up in front of people?
I know that some churches have the habit of making newcomers stand up and tell everyone their names so that all of the other folks can either clap or sing you a song. Though this can be a good idea, we know that it can also be highly stressful and awkward. So, no, you will not have to stand up in front of anybody.
Do I have to wake up early?
Well, considering that we start our service at 4:00pm, I would say no. Unless, of course, you consider getting up at 3pm early.
Do you want my money?
Why, do you have any? Considering that a great many of our church is made up of college students, it's safe to say that money is not the object of our gathering. As a guest, leave your wallet at home.
Do I have to dress up?
No, you do not have to dress up. You can if you want, and we know that some of the folks out there consider it disrespectful to not dress up for church, so with that in mind, we welcome all styles of clothing.
Do I have to turn my kids over to a stranger?
No, though we will have childcare available, you are welcome to have your children sit with you during the service. We love children!
Are you active in the community?
Yes, in multiple ways. Check out our "Friendships" page
What have others said about us?