I'm New

Welcome to First Christian Church. We're excited you've found our website. If you're new to FCC, we hope this website will serve as a valuable tool as you begin to explore our faith community. Below are a number of frequently asked questions that will help you begin to get to know our community. Of course, we sincerely hope that you will visit us so that we may get to know you. We are a community built on relationships and there is always room for you.

 

Will I be welcome at your church?

“Yes.” We welcome all to come as you are and join us on the journey of life and faith exploration. We take that invitation very seriously. We celebrate and honor this diversity.

What is worship like?

Our worship service is fairly traditional, but also casual. We begin our worship together on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM. The service is a mix of singing, prayer, a time for children, special music, collection of offering, and each Sunday we share in communion to which all are welcome to partake. Communion is our way of reenacting and remembering Jesus’ practice of welcoming all people to God’s table. In addition, our pastor offers a message in a style that is thought-provoking, relevant, and engaging. The service usually ends by 11am.

How should I dress?

On Sunday mornings, our friends and members come dressed in everything from a suit and tie to shorts and t-shirts or jeans.  Please feel free to dress as you choose.

What do you offer for children?

We love having children as part of our church community. At 9:00 each Sunday we have classes for kids of all ages, in addition to a church nursery. During worship, our children take part in lighting the candles, help to collect the outreach offering (truly a joyful noise worth the experience), take part in a children’s message, and are invited to a special children’s worship time.

How many people will be there?

Our typical Sunday worship attendance is around 80.

Does it cost to attend?

No. Each Sunday we invite those present to contribute to an offering which helps to support the ministries of the church, but this is optional and not expected of visitors and guests.

Who are the Disciples of Christ?

We are a mainline Protestant denomination much like Presbyterians or Methodists with our origins going back to the American frontier.  Throughout our history we have valued the autonomy of the local church (congregations choose their own pastors and make their own decisions.) We value study of scripture but do not believe any one person or group has a corner on the “right” way to interpret the Bible. We come to our understanding of scripture by studying, questioning, and exploring the text together.  We value the centrality of communion and welcome all people to the table. We recognize and honor baptisms from other Christian traditions. We see ourselves as a movement for wholeness and unity in a fragmented world. To that end, we celebrate opportunities to work alongside other denominations and other faiths  and we are committed to reaching out to those in need  both locally and globally.

Do I have to be Christian to participate?

Our church community is enriched by people with many different thoughts and experiences of faith.  Some of us have been Christians all our lives. Others of us come to this church by way of other faith traditions or perhaps no faith experience at all. We welcome diversity and believe that we can only grow by sharing and learning from those who have different thoughts, questions, and ideas about faith.

Is your building accessible?

Yes. There is an elevator that is easily accessible from both main entrances that takes you directly to the sanctuary.

What about parking?

There is parking lot on the south side of the building or you are welcome to park in the lot directly across from the main entrance along Dryden street.