A walk-through of where to park, what we’ll do for the next ninety minutes, what your kids will be doing, and how to get coffee afterward without anyone making it weird.
9:15 AM · before the 9:30 service
The south lot is signposted off Indianola. Parking is free, and there’s usually space until 9:25. If the south lot is full, the overflow is on the north side of Indianola; cross at the marked crosswalk.
9:20 AM · in the narthex
The greeters are the people standing by the front doors handing out bulletins. Tell them it’s your first Sunday and they’ll walk you through where to sit, where to drop off children, and where the restrooms are. No one will ask you to stand and introduce yourself in the service.
9:25 AM · education wing
The nursery (ages newborn through 4) is in the education wing, just past the narthex on your left. There’s a check-in desk; bring an ID. Children five and older worship with their parents in the sanctuary — bulletins for kids are at the back.
9:30 AM · the service begins
Sitting toward the back means you can stand and sit with the congregation without feeling watched. Everyone uses a printed bulletin that walks you through the entire service, line by line. You don’t need to know any of the responses ahead of time.
11:00 AM · fellowship hall
Coffee is in the fellowship hall, off the narthex to your right. A pastor or elder will likely come and say hello. There’s no formal “welcome desk” or visitor card to fill out unless you want one — we’d rather just talk to you.
We’re a Reformed congregation in the Presbyterian tradition. That doesn’t mean much if you didn’t grow up in church — here’s what it actually looks like in practice.
About 80 minutes. Roughly half is congregational singing, scripture reading, and prayer; the other half is a 35-minute sermon. We finish on time.
Anywhere from suits to jeans. Most men wear a collared shirt; most women wear a casual dress or slacks. You will not stand out either way.
The Lord’s Supper is served weekly. We invite baptized Christians who are members in good standing of any Christian congregation to participate. If you’re not sure, just stay in your pew.
Members are expected to give regularly; visitors are not. The offering plate will pass; please do not feel obligated. We will not put you on a mailing list.
No. We don’t do the “turn and shake hands” thing during the service. The conversational moment is at coffee hour after.
It’s fine. There’s a cry room with a live audio feed off the narthex if you need a few minutes. We genuinely do not mind.
The historic Reformed liturgy moves us through call, confession, consecration, and commission — gathered around the Word, gathered around the Table, sent out blessed.
Filling this out is optional — you can absolutely just show up. But if you let us know in advance, an elder will look out for you and walk you in. We won’t add you to anything; we’ll just say hello.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10
If you’ve been away from church for years — or if your last experience was a hard one — we are not in a hurry. You can sit in the back with no obligation to talk to anyone. You can come for a season just to listen. You are not alone in finding the door of a church a heavy door to open.
Read the full pastoral letter →