Phase 3 Overview
Sanctuary Worship
Root yourself in the tradition of worship with elements like music, prayer, a Biblically-based sermon, and giving. The organ and choir will lead worship with hymns from the United Methodist hymnal. You can dress casually or wear your Sunday best; simply come as you are.
CHILDREN & YOUTH: Children are always welcome to worship with their family in the Sanctuary. We also offer optional Children’s ministry opportunities during worship.
- NURSERY: The Nursery will be available for parents who have kids birth – 3 years who wish to utilize this service. Parents, please drop off your child at the Nursery room before the service, and pick them up once the service has concluded.
- SUNDAY SCHOOL: Parents who wish to have their child (aged 3 – 5th grade) participate in a kid-friendly time of learning are invited to check their child into Sunday School located on the first floor at the back of the Christian Life Center (CLC). Parents, please drop off and sign in your child there prior to the service, and pick them up there once the service has concluded.
- FUSE*: Students (6th – 12th grade) are invited to worship with their families.
HEALTH & SAFETY: We will continue to implement CDC safety guidelines as appropriate. We cannot guarantee the safety of every person who attends. Therefore, if you are in a higher risk category or feel unwell, please make the best decision for you and your family about coming on a Sunday morning.
REGISTRATION: Space is limited, so registering ahead of time guarantees your spot for worship. When you are registering, we ask that you select either “Volunteer” if you will be serving in a specific capacity, or “Congregant” if you will be attending worship normally. If you cannot do it on your own on the computer, please contact the Church Office at either 570 – 322 – 3572 or [email protected].
We know the importance of community, especially in a culture that revolves around being busy. That’s why we’ve created time just to connect. Feel free to hang out after the Traditional Service or come early before the Contemporary service to take a breath, grab a refreshment, catch up with friends, or even meet someone new.
SOCIAL HOUR LOCATIONS
- ADULTS: Fellowship Hall, located in the basement of the (FEC), will be open for anyone who wants to mingle.
- FUSE*: Any student in 6th – 12th grade is invited to the fuse*box in the (FEC) to catch up with friends and play games.
- KIDS & PARENTS: Stryker Hall, located in the (CLC), will be open for kids and their parents to hang out over this hour — parents can grab a coffee and talk while their kids play in the gymnasium space.
MONTHLY BRUNCH: On the first Sunday of every month at Stryker Hall (CLC), you’re invited to a community brunch that’s provided by First Church. On May 2, we’ll have a special brunch celebration in Stryker Hall (CLC). We will be following safety guidelines similar to how a restaurant is operating. We ask that you wear a mask as you move around the room, social distance between family groups, and sanitize regularly. You can remove your mask at your table to eat the meal.
HEALTH & SAFETY: We will continue to implement CDC safety guidelines as appropriate. We cannot guarantee the safety of every person who attends. Therefore, if you are in a higher risk category or feel unwell, please make the best decision for you and your family about coming.
Experience worship in an ancient space with the incorporation of modern elements like contemporary songs led by a worship band. You can dress casually or wear your Sunday best; simply come as you are.
CHILDREN & YOUTH: Children are always welcome to worship with their family in the Sanctuary. We also offer optional Children’s ministry opportunities during worship.
- NURSERY: The Nursery will be available for parents who have kids birth – 3 years who wish to utilize this service. Parents, please drop off your child at the Nursery room before the service, and pick them up once the service has concluded.
- KIDZONE: During the service, children aged 3 through 5th grade will be invited to go to a time of age-appropriate learning. They will be taken across the street to the (CLC). Parents, please pick up your child at the (CLC) the service is done.
- FUSE*: Students (6th – 12th grade) are invited to worship with their families.
HEALTH & SAFETY: We will continue to implement CDC safety guidelines as appropriate. We cannot guarantee the safety of every person who attends. Therefore, if you are in a higher risk category or feel unwell, please make the best decision for you and your family about coming on a Sunday morning.
REGISTRATION: Space is limited, so registering ahead of time guarantees your spot for worship. When you are registering, we ask that you select either “Volunteer” if you will be serving in a specific capacity, or “Congregant” if you will be attending worship normally. If you cannot do it on your own on the computer, please contact the Church Office at either 570 – 322 – 3572 or [email protected].
Online Worship
Over the past year, we’ve realized the importance of utilizing a digital platform to stay connected. Because of this, we will continue to create a weekly pre-recorded worship service that will premiere online at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. (Both services will be identical.) This form of worship incorporates singing, prayer, giving, and the same Biblically-based message that is shared in Sanctuary worship. All these elements are simply formatted for the online viewer.
Worshipping online is a great way to stay connected in this time of social distancing. When you log onto the website, there will be a chatbox to the right of the video. We invite you to write in your name in the chatbox so you can interact with other congregants. You’ll see an online host greeting folks and providing helpful links throughout the service for things like the connection card, upcoming events, and giving.
Acts Network Worship
Acts Network worship will consist of forming communities of worship throughout the city.
The Acts Network explores different forms of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet part of any church. Each Acts Network community is contextual, which provides opportunities to build relationships with people we’d otherwise not know. You can build an Acts Network worship community anywhere: in your home, downtown, in nature, or the specific place God has planted on your heart.
Contact: Ben Conrad, Director of Community Engagement