Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Presbyterian" mean?
That word comes from the Greek for an Elder/Pastor (presbuteros). It indicates what kind of leadership our church and denomination have. We are united with 1500+ churches around the country that are led by men who are trained and tested and held accountable. This includes Teaching Elders (Pastors), Ruling Elders, and Deacons. We believe that this is the wisest, safest, most loving, orderly, and biblical way to govern and organize a church. It also enables us to have a unified healthy relationship with other churches who are like-minded. It is a representative style of government, similar in many ways to the checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution.
That word comes from the Greek for an Elder/Pastor (presbuteros). It indicates what kind of leadership our church and denomination have. We are united with 1500+ churches around the country that are led by men who are trained and tested and held accountable. This includes Teaching Elders (Pastors), Ruling Elders, and Deacons. We believe that this is the wisest, safest, most loving, orderly, and biblical way to govern and organize a church. It also enables us to have a unified healthy relationship with other churches who are like-minded. It is a representative style of government, similar in many ways to the checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution.
How long are the Sunday worship services?
We normally enjoy time together from 10:45 AM to 12:15 PM. Some times it is shorter and sometimes slightly longer. We are in no rush. We mostly aim to enjoy our time before God and with each other in an orderly way.
We normally enjoy time together from 10:45 AM to 12:15 PM. Some times it is shorter and sometimes slightly longer. We are in no rush. We mostly aim to enjoy our time before God and with each other in an orderly way.
What is the preaching like and how long are the sermons?
Pastor Tommy preaches an expository sermon. This means that it is typically verse-by-verse through a book of the Bible. He is mostly concerned to teach us what God's word says and not his own opinion. Sermons also emphasize the two main themes of all of scripture which are the law and the gospel. He typically preaches 35-40 minutes and uses the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.
Pastor Tommy preaches an expository sermon. This means that it is typically verse-by-verse through a book of the Bible. He is mostly concerned to teach us what God's word says and not his own opinion. Sermons also emphasize the two main themes of all of scripture which are the law and the gospel. He typically preaches 35-40 minutes and uses the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.
What is recommended to wear to a Sunday Worship Service?
Most people simply wear something nice but not formal. We have no dress code. If you wear something that is dramatically unique people would certainly notice, but it is not likely that it will prevent them from greeting you and making you feel welcome.
Most people simply wear something nice but not formal. We have no dress code. If you wear something that is dramatically unique people would certainly notice, but it is not likely that it will prevent them from greeting you and making you feel welcome.
When do you serve communion and who may take it?
We celebrate the Lord's Table ( Communion) on the first Sunday of the month (typically) at the end of the service. Communion is a sacrament of renewal. It is for professing Christians. If you are a member (in good standing) of a church that believes and teaches the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, have been baptized, and have professed faith in Jesus Christ then you are welcomed to take communion. We will not personally interview you about this, but we ask that you be honest about where you are in your relationship with God. If you are unsure about what you believe or if you do not meet the criteria above we encourage you to use the time during communion in prayer, asking God for direction and clarity.
We celebrate the Lord's Table ( Communion) on the first Sunday of the month (typically) at the end of the service. Communion is a sacrament of renewal. It is for professing Christians. If you are a member (in good standing) of a church that believes and teaches the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, have been baptized, and have professed faith in Jesus Christ then you are welcomed to take communion. We will not personally interview you about this, but we ask that you be honest about where you are in your relationship with God. If you are unsure about what you believe or if you do not meet the criteria above we encourage you to use the time during communion in prayer, asking God for direction and clarity.
Do I have to be a "Presbyterian" or "Reformed" to worship at your church?
We are an "ordinary means of grace church". Every aspect of our worship services are simple but biblically justified. Everybody and anybody is welcome to join us. We have people from many traditions and backgrounds who call CPC their home. Most things we do will be familiar. We sing many of the same songs, trust the same God, read from the same bible and hold many of the same traditions as most Christian churches in history.
We are an "ordinary means of grace church". Every aspect of our worship services are simple but biblically justified. Everybody and anybody is welcome to join us. We have people from many traditions and backgrounds who call CPC their home. Most things we do will be familiar. We sing many of the same songs, trust the same God, read from the same bible and hold many of the same traditions as most Christian churches in history.
What type of music should I expect?
Every week we sing Psalms and a blend of new and old songs from across the evangelical and English-speaking spectrum. We try and emphasize songs with biblical lyrics and doctrine. Hymnals and lyric sheets are available for those songs, but everything is also projected on the wall up front. It is our desire to glorify God from our hearts, as a result our instrumentation is merely accompaniment that helps the church to sing (Colossians 3:15-16).
Every week we sing Psalms and a blend of new and old songs from across the evangelical and English-speaking spectrum. We try and emphasize songs with biblical lyrics and doctrine. Hymnals and lyric sheets are available for those songs, but everything is also projected on the wall up front. It is our desire to glorify God from our hearts, as a result our instrumentation is merely accompaniment that helps the church to sing (Colossians 3:15-16).
What is available for the Children during the worship service?
Our worship service is for anybody who speaks English of any age. We believe that children benefit most from church when they remain with their families. The service calls for participation and the Pastor is very aware that there are young people in the congregation. Every week we provide a blank page for children to draw a picture or write notes as they listen to the sermon. They will be offered a reward at the end of the service if they share what they did on that page.
Our nursery is safe and clean and available for children ages 0-3. There are also cry rooms at the back of the sanctuary if small children need a place to get out the wiggles. The service can be seen and heard from inside these rooms.
Our worship service is for anybody who speaks English of any age. We believe that children benefit most from church when they remain with their families. The service calls for participation and the Pastor is very aware that there are young people in the congregation. Every week we provide a blank page for children to draw a picture or write notes as they listen to the sermon. They will be offered a reward at the end of the service if they share what they did on that page.
Our nursery is safe and clean and available for children ages 0-3. There are also cry rooms at the back of the sanctuary if small children need a place to get out the wiggles. The service can be seen and heard from inside these rooms.
Where is the offering plate and am I required to make a donation?
Giving money to support the ministry of the church is something that should a choice made by somebody with a generous heart. We believe that God will bless those who are generous and who invest in the work of spreading the gospel, but we do not require or expect anybody to do that unless they want to. The plates are both in the narthex and at the front of the sanctuary. You may put a gift in them at any time. The website and church app also have a portal for giving to the church.
Giving money to support the ministry of the church is something that should a choice made by somebody with a generous heart. We believe that God will bless those who are generous and who invest in the work of spreading the gospel, but we do not require or expect anybody to do that unless they want to. The plates are both in the narthex and at the front of the sanctuary. You may put a gift in them at any time. The website and church app also have a portal for giving to the church.
What is the "Fellowship Luncheon"?
Once a month we enjoy a potluck (bring a dish to share) as a church family. We invite you to join us. Look at the church calendar to see when the next lunch is scheduled OR listen to the announcements at the beginning of the service to learn more. We typically do this on the second Sunday of the month. Check the calendar to be sure.
Once a month we enjoy a potluck (bring a dish to share) as a church family. We invite you to join us. Look at the church calendar to see when the next lunch is scheduled OR listen to the announcements at the beginning of the service to learn more. We typically do this on the second Sunday of the month. Check the calendar to be sure.
How would I find out if a worship service is cancelled due to a crisis?
We do not plan to cancel Sunday morning worship services at any time until Christ returns or God providentially closes our church permanently. If anything changes regarding the meeting place or time you can look to our Facebook page or call or email us at the "contact us" link below.
We do not plan to cancel Sunday morning worship services at any time until Christ returns or God providentially closes our church permanently. If anything changes regarding the meeting place or time you can look to our Facebook page or call or email us at the "contact us" link below.
Do you have a Sunday School Class?
We hold Sunday School at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. It is an interactive classroom style, sometimes centered around a book of the Bible or a topic and often with the aid of video. Currently Sunday School classes are geared toward teens and adults. We do not have a children's Sunday School class at this time.
We hold Sunday School at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. It is an interactive classroom style, sometimes centered around a book of the Bible or a topic and often with the aid of video. Currently Sunday School classes are geared toward teens and adults. We do not have a children's Sunday School class at this time.
Do you also have small group Bible Studies during the week?
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM are Family Nights at the church. We enjoy Bible study, singing, and prayer each week. We have an adult study, and a youth study (rising grades 6-12). We typically take a break in the months of April, August, and December.
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM are Family Nights at the church. We enjoy Bible study, singing, and prayer each week. We have an adult study, and a youth study (rising grades 6-12). We typically take a break in the months of April, August, and December.
Why do you not have a video live-stream of your worship services?
The gathering of God's people on the Lord's Day is not intended to simply be viewed. Our Sunday worship is highly interactive. It is best enjoyed when worshippers participate and engage with God and each other. This participation is not possible online. It requires that a person be present to sing, pray, confess, listen, read, admonish, encourage, worship, and fellowship.
Matthew 22:35-40 says, 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus' words cannot be followed in a worship service if people are not there, but merely watching online. We want to encourage those who want to worship with us to attend in person. This way they are able to be involved in a fully integrated experience, and so others may get to know them.
The gathering of God's people on the Lord's Day is not intended to simply be viewed. Our Sunday worship is highly interactive. It is best enjoyed when worshippers participate and engage with God and each other. This participation is not possible online. It requires that a person be present to sing, pray, confess, listen, read, admonish, encourage, worship, and fellowship.
Matthew 22:35-40 says, 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus' words cannot be followed in a worship service if people are not there, but merely watching online. We want to encourage those who want to worship with us to attend in person. This way they are able to be involved in a fully integrated experience, and so others may get to know them.