Prior to the Service - The main entrance, which is on the back of the church off the parking lot, is the most convenient way to enter the building. If you arrive a few minutes before the service starts, you can enjoy a hot beverage like tea or coffee as well as a fresh pastry.

Just inside the main rear entrance, you'll find a table with some flyers for upcoming events and activities at the church and preschool. You will see a few of our members past the table on the left, who are stationed there as greeters. Different people volunteer to do this each week, and they will be glad to try to answer any questions for you. The large, open area just beyond the entrance is called the narthex. The table with the coffee and pastries is always setup off to the left side of the narthex along the wall. You'll usually find some of our members there trying to decide which donut they want. You'll find that people here are very friendly, and they are always glad to see new faces.

The Combined Worship Service is held in the main sanctuary hall, accessible through the large double doors on the right side of the narthex,. Please enjoy your refreshments prior to entering the sanctuary. In the hall, beyond the rows of pews, you'll see the projector and screen at the opposite end, and the Rock Solid Band may be back there getting ready. At the doors, our ushers will hand you a bulletin, and you can make yourself at home in one of the pews. Feel free to take a seat anywhere. Note that because the Sanctuary is a very large space and we sometimes pass clip-boards or other things, it's easier on everyone if attendees try to sit in a pew closer to the front of the hall. Either side of the center aisle is fine. Our organist, Aaron Wise, will start to play when it's time for the service to start. You'll find an attendance book at the end of each pew. Fill out the top sheet and rip it out. It can be placed in the offering plate when it is passed during the service.

The Service - The Combined Service is very informal, so there is some variation in how things go from week to week. The one thing that is always certain is that the service will be both enjoyable and concise. The presentation never takes only about an hour, and it usually adheres to some variation of the following basic format:

1. Prelude: Our organist, Aaron, plays the first piece while everyone takes a seat.
2. Greetings and Announcements: Lay Leader Tom Koch announces meetings, events, news and asks for additional announcements from our members.
3. Invitation To Worship: The band leads the congregation in a contemporary song. The words are projected onto a large screen up front.
4. Call to Worship: Reverend Gibbons leads and the congregation stands to read the response. The words are both in the bulletin and on the screen.
5. Welcoming One Another: We stop, and we all say good morning to each other.
6. Introduction to Prayer: The congregation joins the Band for another song. The words are on the screen up front.
7. Celebrations and Prayer Concerns: Reverend Gibbons announces both happy events affecting our members and prayer concerns. Then she asks for additional input from attendees.
8. Together in Prayer: A prayer led by Rev. Gibbons followed by attendees saying The Lord's Prayer.
9. Doxology: The congregation stands to sings this song, accompaned by the Organ.
10. Choir: Aaron, on the organ or piano accompanies a short performance by our choir. Sometimes there is a special performance by a member instead of the Choir.
11. Prayer of Dedication: A brief prayer led by Rev. Gibbons.
12. Offering: You can remain seated during this song. The words are projected on the screen as an invitation for you to sing along. Ushers pass the offering plate down the rows during the song. Attendance papers from the red books at the end of each aisle can be placed in the plate as it goes by.
13. Song of Faith: The band leader will ask everyone to stand and join in singing another up-beat contemporary Christian song.
14. Bible Lesson: Rev. Gibbons presents a passage or two from the Bible, with the text and/or related illustrations on the front screen.
15. Message: Rev. Gibbons expands on how the passage applies to us in modern times. This sometimes includes special audio or video presentations.
16. Closing Song: This is usually a shorter song or hymn by the band, and it is followed by a brief closing prayer led by Rev. Gibbons.

Coffee and Donuts - If you have time, stick around after the Combined Service to enjoy refreshments. Many people stay to wait for Sunday school to let out or to make plans to go out for lunch. It's a great time to get to find out what your friends from the church have been doing during the rest of the week.