What to expect
What if I’ve Never Been to Church Before?
If you’ve never been to church and fear that you won’t know what to do, how to act, or what to say, don’t worry. Here is what to expect. You’ll be handed a bulletin as you enter (or you can pick one up at the door). It has everything listed in order. Chances are there’ll be others near you who are at a similar place in their journey. People here are committed to helping you not feel like an outsider. You can expect some music, some prayer, some readings (the congregation’s part is always in bold print) and some teaching from the Scriptures. You should always feel the freedom to participate actively in our worship or to just listen and observe at your discretion.
What Style of Worship do you Use?
We don't really like the focus to be on this or that “style” of worship—it seems to distract from what really matters, which is the fact that God meets with us in worship. We're a diverse urban congregation, so our worship reflects that diversity, including both recent and ancient music, all within a liturgical structure. At Memorial, our worship follows a pattern set in the early centuries of the church, beginning with a Service of Approach in which we consecrate ourselves to God as he forgives and embraces us. The Service of the Word follows, as God ministers to us through the reading and preaching of Scripture. Worship has its climax in the Service of the Table, in which we come to Christ together as he ministers to us through the sacrament of his body and blood. These three ancient cycles from the basic structure of almost every worship service.
What do I do at Communion?
Following the practice of the early church, communion is served every Sunday. During most of the year, we come forward to receive the elements. During Lent (February-March) and Advent (December), the elements are served to us in the pews. Instructions will be given, and you can watch those around if you’re not sure what to do. When coming forward for communion, you can get in either line. If you take the bread and wine, we typically consume them there, although you are welcome to take them back to your pew if you prefer. Believing Christians from any denomination are invited to take the bread and cup during the sacrament. It’s the Lord’s Table, not ours. If you know you belong to Jesus, trust him, are ready to surrender to him, and are willing to love and forgive other Christians who have hurt you, then you should participate fully. If you feel you aren’t ready, then you can stay in your seat or come forward, but just don't reach out to take the elements. We don’t want you to do anything that’s not authentic to this point on your spiritual journey. If you do participate, then you’ll be offered a choice of either communion wine or the grape juice. Children should look to their parents to help them with this choice.
You can dress however you want. We are meeting with God, so the focus isn't really on us.
