We’re thrilled that you’ve chosen to worship with us! We realize that being a new face in a new place can be an awkward experience. But, you’re our guest and so we hope you feel welcomed and at home. Here are several things to be aware of before your visit:
Worship Location
Parking
There’s a small parking lot to the east of the church on Market Street. If that’s full you can park on Market Street, taking special care to not block our neighbors’ driveways.
Facilities
The main entrance to the church building is located through the red doors that face toward Park Dr. As you walk in you’ll notice the sanctuary in front of you, which is where our worship services are held. To the right of the sanctuary doors is a Welcome Table. Please stop by for more information about our church. To the right of the Welcome Table is a coat rack and a handicap accessible bathroom. To the left of the sanctuary doors is a staircase that leads down to our bathrooms, Fellowship Hall, and kitchen, where you’ll usually find a pot of fresh coffee.
*Please Note – If you arrive after 11am worship begins you must use the main entrance (red doors facing Park Dr.). All other doors are locked for security purposes.
Sunday School
We have Sunday School classes for all ages that begin at 9:45am. The current adult class is studying J.I. Packer’s book Knowing God. For directions to a particular class, there’s a Sunday School map posted just inside the main entrance by the stairs
Nursery
The Bible teaches that children are a valuable part of the church and as such should worship with their families, so feel free to keep them with you during the service. However, we also know that some children just aren’t ready to sit through an entire worship service. For this reason, we have nursery for infants and toddlers during our morning and evening services. The easiest way to get to the nursery is to go through the left door in the back of the sanctuary. Walk past the pastor’s study and head downstairs where you’ll find the nursery. A nursery worker will help you with check-in and check-out procedures.
Junior Time
Junior Time is a ministry designed to assist parents in helping their children transition from the nursery to full-time participation in worship. Right before the sermon, the pastor will dismiss the children (preschool thru early elementary) to the back of the sanctuary where they’ll meet with church leaders and go to the fellowship hall to sing, pray, read the Bible, and hear a lesson. While not serving as a replacement for worship, the elements of Junior Time mirror the elements of a worship service to teach children how to participate in worship with their parents. Please know that your child’s participation in Junior Time is not mandatory. One of our greatest joys is when families worship together, which is the entire goal of Junior Time! So, feel free to keep your children with you in the service.
*Please Note – One of our top priorities at Immanuel is the safety of your children and ours. With the exception of those approved by the church elders, everyone working with youth is required to be a member of Immanuel Church. Furthermore, all youth workers have been checked against the national sex offender registry and have passed national and state criminal background checks.
Our Worship
Worship is a meeting between God and his people and so our services are designed to reflect this heavenly reality. This means that when you worship at Immanuel you’ll notice an ongoing dialogue between us and God. For instance, worship begins when He calls us to gather in His presence from His word. Then we respond to His call to worship with a song praising Him as our Creator and Redeemer. This conversation continues throughout the service as we hear from God and respond to him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. The centerpiece of worship is the preaching of God’s word, when we’re reminded of His gracious story of redemption in Jesus Christ and taught how to live lives that honor our Savior. Finally, worship concludes with the Benediction as God blesses us and sends us out into the world to be ambassadors for Christ.
*Please note – During our morning worship service we collect a financial offering from our members to support the work of the church (Matthew 28:16-20). As a visitor you are not expected to give any money during our offering.
We’re glad you’ve decided to worship with us and we pray that as you encounter Jesus you’ll find rest and satisfaction in Him.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us:
856-931-2436 info@immanuelopc.org
Park Dr & Market St
856-931-2436