What to Expect
I know - it’s not easy visiting a new church for the first time. Sometimes you feel like a nonmember visiting a country club. Do I belong here? Am I really welcome? Will the people be unfriendly, or too friendly? Will I be conspicuous? Will it be easy to leave if I don’t enjoy it? Will they ask me for money? Will my kids enjoy it? How should I dress? Am I welcome if I don’t believe?
As the pastor at International Church House of God (ICHG), I want to make your visit an enjoyable experience, easy, stress-free, and relaxing. It is our desire that ICHG be "user-friendly" for people, whatever their background, including those who have never been to church before. If I were visiting a new church for the first time, I’d like to know what to expect, so here’s a brief overview.
When you arrive at ICHG you can feel free to park anywhere around the church building
At the front door, there should be some friendly people (we call them "greeters") to say hello, answer any questions you have, and direct you to the sanctuary. If you have kids, we do have children’s ministries for them. We have a staffed nursery for your infants and toddler and we have an awesome Children’s Church for ages 5-12. The Nursery is available from the beginning of the service but we will dismiss the children to Children’s Church after the worship. If your kids are shy, they’re welcome to attend the adult service with you, but most kids really enjoy the kids´ programs.
You’ll notice that everyone is dressed comfortably, in anything from "office casual" to jeans and sneakers.
When you enter the church you will be given a “bulletin.” Inside is two or more pages with various announcements and listing upcoming events. There is also a card inside that we would ask you to fill out for us (so we can better get to know you and minster to you). On the other card is a place where you can list any prayer request or praise reports you may have, if you wish you can also submit your request and praises here on the website.
The service will generally begin with prayer and intersession from a church elder then we will get to the music. Here at International Church House of God we blend the traditional and the contemporary for authentic worship of Jesus. More important than style is substance when it comes to worship. Other parts of our worship are prayer and giving. Please do not feel any obligation to give. We give to the work of the Lord out our obedience and worship not obligation. Your children will now be dismissed to Children’s Church.
The message will be based on the Bible, and I will often include interesting quotes from contemporary people, songs, or movies. If I do my job right, you’ll hear solid Christian theology in intelligent, understandable, relevant terms. And hopefully, you’ll laugh at times and maybe feel a tug at your heart too.
Once a month on the first Sunday of the month we celebrate communion together as part of our worship time. If you are not prepared or do not feel comfortable participating that is perfectly fine. We want you to feel comfortable about all the aspects of our worship, not forced or coerced in anyway. I’ll close the service about 75 minutes after it began (and believe it or not, the time will fly). I hope you’ll come up and introduce yourself to me afterwards.
Oh, yeah don’t forget about that card from your bulletin, give it to me or one of our ushers or greeters after the service.
That’s about it. People constantly tell me that they really felt comfortable - "at home" are the words I hear most frequently. I hope you’ll stop by this Sunday. And if you do, please come and say hi, and tell me that you found out about ICHG on the Internet.
Thanks for your interest!