What should I expect when I show up?
Between 9-9:15 people arrive for our Sunday School classes. You'll find adults welcoming one another and catching up over coffee and breakfast treats. Kids will be all over the place, eating donuts and drinking cocoa, and playing in the halls and classrooms. There are signs on the doors of each kids class to let you know which class meets in that room. Classes begin at 9:15 and continue until 10:10.
From 10:10-10:30 we recharge on coffee, encourage the kids to "get the wiggles out," and prepare for the service. Our worship service begins at 10:30 and normally runs until 11:45 or so. When you arrive for worship, a greeter will make sure you have a bulletin and a worship guide so you can participate fully.
Every other Sunday we share a (catered) lunch together. On the other Sundays, people still stick around for a while to talk and catch up and the children play games and sports. You can look at our events calendar to know which dates have lunch.
What is the worship service like?
Our order of worship uses God's Word to draw you in as a participant. We confess our sins with sincerity and rejoice to be reminded of the forgiveness we have in Christ. We profess our faith boldly, sing hymns (old and new) and Psalms enthusiastically, and we pray, read, and hear preached the Word of God.
We don't agree with attempts to make worship "casual;" we believe that God is holy and should be approached as such. But neither do we think a worshipper should check their heart at the door. God says he is seeking worshippers and not just spectators. We want to feel close to God and to grow in Christlikeness through worship. When we focus our activities around his Word, calling out for his presence, that's exactly what he does.
Depending on your experience, our approach to worship may take some getting used to, or it may feel comfortable and familiar right away.
What about kids?
We include our children in worship whenever possible. We want them to learn to love worship and the language and activities of God's people. We're accustomed to a bit of noise and movement from kids in worship. There's a crying room in the back of our sanctuary and childcare (nursery) is also provided for children who aren't ready and parents who need a break in order to focus on worship.
Kids of any age are also welcomed in the primary Sunday School class, and we offer two children’s classes (plus nursery) to support their own growth by grace. Our approach to children in the church is to support parents doing what is best for their family.
Where?
In Dunwoody Park, the buildings each have a number in a large blue triangle near the roof. We're in building 9, right on the end. You can park and enter from either side of the buildling.