What to Expect
Welcome to Grace Fellowship
We know that visiting a new church can be a little intimidating. We want to make your first visit as stress-free as possible. From the moment you pull into the parking lot, we want you to feel at home and prepared to join us in the worship of our Triune God.
"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!'" Psalm 122:1
Before the Service
Arrival & Parking: You are welcome to park in the lot to the side or rear of the building.
Entering: Many people enter through the back staircase, which leads directly into the foyer. If you require a handicap-accessible entrance, there is a ramp toward the front door that leads right to our Welcome Table.
Coffee & Fellowship: We would love to meet you before the service! Join us in the downstairs fellowship hall from 9:30–10:00 AM for a cup of coffee and conversation.
A Gift for You: Please stop by the Welcome Table in the foyer to sign our guestbook and speak with an usher or pastor to receive a small gift—a mug to welcome you to our community.
What to Expect in Worship
Our service is Reformed and Confessional. This means our worship is governed by Scripture and rooted in the historic truths of the Christian faith. We use a "service" format (rather than a "mass") focused on the glory of God.
The "Call to Worship": We begin by hearing God’s Word call us into His presence.
Traditional Hymns: We generally sing the great hymns of the faith, lifting our voices together in corporate praise, typically accompanied by the piano.
Congregational & Pastoral Prayer: Prayer is central to our time together. You will hear several men lead us in open prayers of praise, followed by a pastoral prayer for our church, our community, and the global work of God.
Expository Preaching: We believe the Bible is our final authority. Our pastor typically preaches through a book of the Bible over the course of several months, chapter by chapter, so that we may understand the full counsel of God’s Word.
Spanish Translation: For our Spanish-speaking guests, translation headsets are available at the round table in the rear left of the sanctuary.
Attire & Heart Attitude
At our church, you will find a wide range of attire, from suits to jeans. Our focus is not on the outward appearance, but on the heart. We believe that we gather in the presence of a holy God for reverent worship. We simply ask that our attire reflects that spirit of reverence—aiming to be modest and undistracting so that our collective focus remains entirely on Christ rather than on ourselves.
The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
We celebrate the Lord’s Supper twice a month. It is open to all who are baptized believers in Christ, walking in repentance and faith.
How we partake: You do not need to come forward. Please remain seated; the bread and juice will be passed to you by the pastors and deacons.
The elements: Everyone breaks off a small piece of bread and takes an individual cup.
Meditation: We hold the elements and spend time in quiet prayer and meditation until everyone has been served. The pastor will then instruct the congregation to "take and eat" together.
A Note for Visitors: A sense of sinfulness should not keep you from the Table if you come with a repentant heart. However, if you are unsure of your faith or are unwilling to turn from a particular sin, we invite you to let the elements pass, using that time to reflect on the Gospel.
Families and Children
We believe the "wiggle noise" of children is a sign of a healthy church! We encourage children of all ages to remain in the sanctuary to worship alongside their parents.
The Training Room: If your child needs guidance or becomes particularly restless, we offer a "Training Room" with a live feed of the service. This allows parents to quietly teach their children the "how-to's" of worship while still participating in the service.
Nursery: For our youngest guests (under age 2), a nursery is available during the service.
A Note on Giving & Participation
No Pressure: We want you to be our guest. While we pass an offering plate as an act of worship for our members to support the Lord's work, giving is not required of visitors.
No Spoken Introductions: We will never single you out or ask you to stand up and introduce yourself. We prefer to greet you personally and quietly at the Welcome Table or downstairs over coffee.
After the Service: Sunday School for All Ages
Our fellowship and learning continue after the morning worship service. We believe that a life-long study of God’s Word is essential for spiritual growth, and we offer classes for every stage of life.
Children & Youth: We provide age-appropriate biblical instruction for children starting at age 2, through elementary, middle school, and the teen years.
Young Adults: A specialized class for young adults focused on navigating the unique challenges of that season of life through a scriptural lens.
Adults: Our adult Sunday School meets in the sanctuary for a time of deeper study and discussion on theology, church history, or specific books of the Bible.
We would love for you to stay and join us as we study the Scriptures together. If you’re unsure which classroom to go to, please ask an usher or join us at the Welcome Table, and we will be happy to walk you to the right place.
