What to Expect
We know that, as a potential visitor to Christ Church, you may have a few questions. We'll try to answer some of the more frequently asked ones here. If you have others, you can always email us, call us, or just drop in!
For your convenience, you can either scroll down this page, or click on the question of your interest and you will be taken to that section of the page.
Who are you?
When should I arrive?
What should I wear?
Are vistors asked to tell their names?
What is worship like?
Will I be asked to give money?
Is the church handicapped accessible?
What about children?
What about communion?
How do you observe baptism?
Do you have Sunday School?
How do I become a member?
Christ Church welcomes people of all ages, races, denominational backgrounds and walks of life. What brings us together is our love of Jesus Christ and our desire to live a life as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
Our services start at 8:15 and 10:45 am. If this is your first visit, you may want to join us about 10-15 minutes before the start of worship to get settled in. For your convenience, you may wish to visit our directions page to get a map to the church. Once here, you'll find plenty of free parking right outside of our building...and even more just across the street at the bowling alley if it is needed. When you come through our doors you will be warmly welcomed by our greeters and ushers who will give you a smile, handshake, and a worship bulletin. They'd also enjoy answering any questions you may have.
We don't have a dress code at Christ Church. Whatever makes you comfortable - your Sunday best or causal attire.
Are visitors asked to tell their names?
We all know what it's like for our "first day" in a new place and not wanting to be too "conspicuous". We do not ask people to publically announce your name and where you are from. However, because we want to welcome all who are in our midst, we do invite all people in the congregation to fill out our "Attendance Registration" that asks your name, address, phone number and email. There is also the opportunity to check a box if you are a member, regular attender, visitor, new resident of first time attender. If this is your first time with us, we do ask you to lets us know, as we want to make sure you receive our special gift for you.
What is worship like at Christ Church?
Christ United Methodist Church offers two Sunday morning services each week, 8:15 a.m and 10:45 a.m.
Our two worship services differ in style, but the sermon is the same at both. The 8:15 a.m. service is "traditional", using primarily a hymnal and the church organ. The 10:45 a.m. service is "blended", which means that in addition to some hymns, we also sing praise and worship choruses, accompanied by a piano and praise band. We use a projection system for the lyrics and other visuals, although a bulletin and hymnals can also be used if you prefer. Come to whichever service is most convenient for your schedule, or whichever suits your worship style preference.
Both services offer unison prayers as well as time for personal prayer. During the time of the Prayers for God's People, the congregation is invited to verbally share your praises and concerns. There is no obligation to do that, and there is always the invitation to write your praises and concerns on the Praise and Prayer slip (located in the pew rack in front of you) and bring them down to the pastor as a hymn is sung. The Pastor will take the Praise and Prayer slips and place them on the altar, and will pray over them during her personal prayer time. The Praise and Prayer slips are placed in the Prayer Room for those using the prayer room to pray for all those on the prayer slips. Anyone who wishes t do so may come down and kneel at the altar in the Presence of the Lord.
We believe that the living core of Christian faith is revealed primarily in the Bible. Two scripture lessons are read during each service. These verses provide the Scriptural foundation for the message and all of the worship service. You are encouraged to bring your own Bible to follow along, but there is always a Bible within easy reach wherever you are seated. If you enjoy the sermon and would like to hear it again, you may order a CD copy of the service at the Information Center and it will be ready to pick up the following Sunday (we ask a $1 donation per CD). Or, you may enjoy the message via streaming audio or podcast download.
Will I be asked to give money?
As a part of our commitment to biblical stewardship, we provide all in attendance an opportunity to give thanks to God by returning a portion of what God has provided in the way of our monetary resources, time and abilities. Each week we invite the congregation to consider the places where God is calling us to be engaged in ministry through opportunities listed in our bulletin each week. We take an offering at each service by passing a plate through the pews except during the first Sunday of the month, when we bring our offering forward as we receive Holy Communion.
Is the church handicapped accessible?
The great majority of our facility is wheelchair friendly. The only exception to this is the lower level of the Education Wing. We have an elevator and ramps to provide easy access to all other areas of the church.
When you arrive in the parking lot, note that we have several spaces of handicapped parking located close to the side entrance of the sanctuary. This entrance provides a ramp to reach the church doors.
There are two pew "cut-outs" in the sanctuary to provide space for a wheelchair to be parked. One is on the front row, right side; the other is about halfway back on the left side.
For those with hearing impairment, we have an assistive listening system to amplify the sound of our worship services. If you would like to borrow an earpiece for the service, simply ask an usher when you come in.
We have one handicapped restroom, located near the offices along the connecting hallway.
Please tell us your needs and we will certainly try to help you out to the best of our abilities.
Is Christ Church child-friendly?
What would a family be without children? We think that's the same way it should be with our church family! As Jesus said, "Let the children come to me." (Matthew 19:14) Your children are always welcome and may stay with you, but we do provide a child-friendly, safe environment at both services. Our Nursery is available for children birth to 2-years-old during both the 8:15 and 10:45 AM worship services. During the 10:45 AM worship service, our Preschool Praise Room is available for children 3- to 5-years old, where they learn Bibles lessons, songs and crafts at an age-appropriate level. Also during the 10:45 AM worship service, children is grades kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Wildly Amazing Christian Kid's or W.A.C.K., where they worship God through Bible lessons, song and age-appropriate activities. The 10:45 AM worship service also includes a special time with the children where they are invited to come forward to the front of the church for a child-sized message from the pastor or one of our members.
At
Holy Communion has its origin in the Passover Meal which celebrates the ancient Hebrews' escape and deliverance by God's hand from bondage to freedom. It is a meal to which Jesus gave new meaning as he shared it with his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. From the earliest of times, believers have experienced Christ as present among them in this holy celebration. United Methodists believe Christ is uniquely present in this meal as Spirit, not actual flesh and blood.
Everyone is welcome at the table. In our United Methodist tradition, there is no age requirement, and since no one (not even the most learned adults) who fully understands the mystery of how Christ is present to us in this holy meal, children are very welcome. There is no requirement to be a member of Christ Church or any church for that matter. The invitation to be fed at this holy meal comes from Christ himself, who invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another.
Most of the time we use the method of "intinction", which simply means you will come forward to receive
The United Methodist Church celebrates baptism at any age. We encourage the baptism of infants with the understanding that God's grace is present to us and seeking us in relationship before we are even born. Helpless as infants, we need the saving grace of God found in the baptismal waters where we are named a child of God and initiated into a life of discipleship with Jesus Christ.
While we usually observe the method of baptizing by sprinkling or pouring of water on the head, full immersion is available. We do not have a baptismal tank, but arrangements can be made in advance. We do require that if you seek baptism for yourself or your child, that you meet with the pastor for pre-baptismal counseling. This is usually one session no longer than 1 hour in length. Baptisms are held throughout the year, normally on the third Sunday of the month.
Yes! We encourage people of all ages to enjoy the Sunday School experience. All classes run from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, conveniently situated between our first and second worship services. Adults meet downstairs in Fellowship Hall; youth meet in the Youth Wing; and the children's classes are on the upper and lower floors of the Education Wing.
Information about our classes is available on our Ministries web page, we also have a discipleship brochure with a building map that is available at the Information Center in the Narthex. Further information on children's classes can be obtained by contacting Leigh Ann Gigliotti or youth classes by contacting Brenda Gryncewicz. Information on our adult classes is on the Adult Sunday School page of our website.
How do I become a member?
Youth (6th - 12th grade) participate in a confirmation class leading to membership, which is offered periodically. For more information on this, contact the church office. office@eriechrist.org
Adults are offered a five week series of evening classes, called Starting Points. These classes take place periodically each year. Following the classes, those wishing to complete their journey to membership will have an individual meeting with a member of the pastoral staff. To be contacted when an upcoming series of classes is scheduled, please call the office or drop us an email.