What to Expect
What to Expect on Sunday
It’s not easy visiting a new church for the first time.
If you’re nervous about joining us for an assembly or if you’re just curious, then keep reading for an overview of what usually happens on a typical Sunday morning at Garnett. That way, when you walk in, you’ll already know what to expect.
When you arrive at Garnett for the 10 am assembly, you’ll find plenty of parking in the lot on the west side of the building. As you drive up you should see a large “Welcome” sign over a group of glass doors. That’s the main entrance. As you walk in, you should be met by some friendly people (we call them “greeters”) to say hello, answer any questions you have, and direct you to the Worship Center.
We have separate preschool worship for ages 3-5, and that’s in what’s called “The Barn Room” or “Kids Zone” in the Children’s Hall. Grades 1-4 are in Room 300. If your kids are shy or if you’d rather they remain in the assembly with you, they’re welcome to stay, but most kids really enjoy the activities in Children’s Worship, which is available to children ages 3 through the 4th grade. They can stay from class through worship and you can pick them up after worship.
You’ll notice that everyone is dressed comfortably, in anything from “office casual” to jeans and sneakers.
If you arrive early, you’re welcome to have a cup of coffee at the coffee bar where you’ll also find additional information about our church.
We begin with worship songs and call to worship. We ask for offerings from all who want to give to the mission of the church–to invite our neighbors into a life-changing relationship with Jesus so we all become fully devoted followers.
A message from Scripture is given weekly, which lasts about 30 minutes. And every week we take Communion (also known as the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper) together. Communion is the celebration of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the salvation we enjoy because of Him. Sometimes we take communion in our seats and sometimes we get up and go to tables set up around the worship center and take it in small groups. All are welcome to join us in communion, but don’t worry about sticking out if you don’t take communion. We all understand that taking communion is not something with which everyone is comfortable or for which everyone is ready. We’ll honor and appreciate your choice to participate or not to participate in this element of our assembly.
The assembly will usually come to an end around 11 am.
If you have any additional questions, email us at garnettinfo@gmail.com.
So that’s worship, but what then?
Our “win” or goal for worship is to have a hospitable place where you can hear and see the story of Jesus in clear, enjoyable yet challenging ways so that you can respond and be changed by God to be who He wants you to be.
A next step for you is going to a Bible class on Sunday morning or Wednesday night. The “win” for Bible classes is to create an engaging environment for Bible study that stimulates participants to read the Bible on their own. We lead four kinds of adult classes on Sundays mornings at 11:15 am: a women’s class for in-depth Bible study specifically empowering women to be disciples of Christ. A Bible class for men and women of all ages taught be a mature Christian teacher who specializes in explaining the Bible text and challenging us to live it out. A topical class that often focuses on families, parenting, Christian life in the world today. A 20/30 group for discussion and Bible study and prayer for those who are young married, single and in the age range of twenties and thirties.
