Welcome

First, “orthodox,” a word that means straight/true thinking or teaching, emphasizes our denomination’s desire to be true to what the Bible, as God’s inspired, inerrant, and authoritative word, teaches and commands. Second, the term ‘presbyterian’ indicates our belief that Christ governs his church through elders who are accountable to one another, as well as our conviction that the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms are an accurate summary of the Bible’s teaching (you can read these at www.opc.org).

Worship is the human response to what we most value. We are constantly living our lives according to the things we value most-whatever they may be. We gather together in the presence of the world to exalt the name of our saving God and to show the wonder of Jesus who has called us out of darkness and despair and into his marvelous light. Worship matters because it is about ultimate things. It addresses the most essential aspect of your existence and is the single greatest determiner of your eternal joy (heaven) or eternal woe (hell).

Our services begin at 10:30am and usually last one hour and 15 minutes.

Just as in any new activity or experience, it may take you a couple of Sundays to feel comfortable observing or participating in the service. A greeter will hand you a bulletin on your way into the auditorium. Our bulletins will outline the service for you. The bulletin will list the songs, prayers and the Scripture readings for the day. Trinity Hymnals, our song books, as well as extra Bibles, can be found in the pews. You will find that our entire service is a back-and-forth dialogue with God in which he speaks to us in the reading of his Word and we respond with confession, praise, and adoration. Feel free to join in as you feel comfortable!

As a new visitor, park in main side lot along third street. Arriving about 10 mintues before service starts will give you plenty of time. Enter through the large front doors along third street. Once you enter, a greeter will point you to our sanctuary and help you find a place to sit. Coffee and tea are available in the entry and welcomed (in lidded containers) in the sanctuary.

Yes! A nursery is provided for young children year-round. Simply ask the greeter to direct you. Because we desire to promote the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of each child in the nursery by providing a safe environment, we have established procedures and policies for conduct. We look forward to the privilege of caring for your children! However, you are also encouraged to bring your children into worship with you. We welcome children, even when a little noisy, because Jesus welcomes these little ones!

We place a high value on children and with warm sincerity, welcome them to remain with their parents through the full worship service. We aim for children to catch the passion for worshiping God by watching Mom, Dad and other adults enjoy God week after week. Even if most of the sermon goes right over their heads, experience shows that children hear and remember remarkable things. The content of the prayers, the songs, and the sermon gives parents an unparalleled opportunity to teach their children the great truths of the Bible.

If you’re visiting with us you may wonder whether or not you should receive the sacrament of The Lord’s Supper. We don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable in partaking. We also don’t want anyone to partake merely as a form or ritual or just to be sociable! In fact, the Bible says it’s dangerous to do so. This isn’t our table. It’s not the table of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. It’s the Lord’s table. Therefore, we try to follow His instructions as nearly as we can.

In light of His instructions, we invite you to participate in the Lord’s Supper only if each of the following is true:

• You trust in Jesus Christ – plus nothing – for salvation and right standing with God, recognize and are grieved by your sin, and take seriously the call to repentance and the promise of forgiveness (1 John 1:8-9; 2:1). This you do only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• You have been baptized (either as an infant or as an adult). [Baptism (the sign of union) must always precede the Lord’s Supper (the sign of communion). If you wish, you can make arrangements for baptism with our pastor.]

• You are not living secretly and unrepentantly in sin but are striving by the help of the Holy Spirit to glorify God with your entire life.

• You are currently an active member of a church that proclaims the gospel. [If you are not, then we invite you to consider becoming a member here. If you would like more information, please see our pastor.]

• You have not been excommunicated or asked by your church to refrain from taking communion. [We respect the discipline of other churches, and we do not want to encourage the practice of lowering the standards of Christian living or evading accountability by allowing unrepentant people to do what their own congregations do not allow them to do.]

If you can sincerely say “Yes” to each of these things, then we welcome you in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We believe He wants you to renew your covenant bond with Him and us in this way.

If you cannot not say “Yes” to each of these things – or if you are not sure – then we ask that you please refrain from partaking at this time, and we invite and encourage you in Christ’s name to talk with the pastor about how to take steps to enable you to openly enjoy communion with Christ and his people.

1 Corinthians 11:23-32: “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.”

Please note that white grape juice is provided in the center of the tray for those whose conscience or health conditions prevent them from drinking wine. Our bread is free of gluten, nuts, eggs, and dairy.