Frequently Asked Questions! It can be hard to go to church for the first time.  There are so many questions that aren't answered in mailings and newspaper ads.  For example:  "What do I do with my children?"  "What should I wear?" "What will the service be like?"  "Are they going to ask for money?"  "I just know something "Bad" will happen."  Unknown factors like these can make church intimidating. With this section we hope to answer some of the questions you might have about our church before you visit.  We'd like to make your visit with us relaxed and enriching.  Our deepest wish and prayer is that when you visit Cross of Christ, you will hear about your Savior, Jesus, and come to know the grace and love of God more and more. WORSHIP SERVICE Every church has its own style of worship.  We think you'll enjoy the services at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, but as in any church you should expect it to take a couple of Sundays to become accustomed to our way of praising God together.  Each week, directions for the service are printed in the worship bulletin.  We follow a basic liturgical service that is printed in our hymn books and in your worship bulletin.  You may choose whichever is easier for you.  Every week we have three scripture readings.  These are also printed in the worship bulletin or you may bring your Bible and follow along.  Music and singing are an important part of our services.  Loud or soft, in monotone or rich harmony, all our praises are music to God.  The Worship Service usually includes the following parts in a variety of forms:         The Invocation - We call on the name of our Savior as we praise him.         Admitting sins and finding forgiveness - We acknowledge that we have not been or done what God asks.  Then we are assured of forgiveness in Jesus.         Bible Readings - Selections are taken from God's Old Testament prophets, Jesus' apostles, and from Jesus himself in the Gospels.  The Pastor also gives a brief explanation of each reading.          Sermon - Our Pastor offers instruction and encouragement in a Bible bases sermon.  Expect God's guidance and grace for dealing with problems as well as the promise of eternal life in heaven through Jesus.         Response to the Word - We respond with offerings and prayers for the things he has promised to us and for strength to do what he has asked.         Parting Blessing - We hear one last assurance of God's care. Mixed throughout these different parts of our service are hymns and short songs to praise God.  Our services use traditional forms and modern language and application.  The traditional brings us the best from God's Church throughout the ages and the contemporary brings God's promises and his will into our daily lives.  We hope you enjoy both.  (BACK TO TOP OF PAGE) DRESS Sometimes people wonder how they are expected to dress at a church they've never visited before.  Since the Bible presents no dress code, aside from simple decency and Christian humility, Cross of Christ Lutheran Church doesn't make any rules either.  Like most people, our members try to make their worship time at church a special time.  This is often reflected in the way they dress.  But dress is a personal matter of worship before God.  One may dress casually and rejoice that we have a God who accepts us as we are.  Another may dress to reflect the awe and reverence we have for our Savior King. On any Sunday at our church you may see running shoes and high heels, jeans and suits, or open collars and ties.  When a person dresses out of love for God, the choice of dress (casual or more formal) is acceptable to God...and us.  OFFERINGS "When will they take the offering?"  "How will it be collected?"  "How much am I expected to give?"  "Do they want visitors to contribute too?"  These are typical worries about church offerings. The Bible teaches that our offerings to God should reflect our belief that all we have is his gift to us.  It teaches us that with our offerings we worship and honor God.  Like most Christians, our members bring offerings to God through their church.  Since offerings are gifts of love for God no one dictates what each person is to give. We pass an offering plate during the service so that our worship may include bringing gifts to God.  (Offering envelopes are available and keep our gifts a private matter known only to God who sees what we do in private.)  A child may bring the quarters and dimes his parents give him.  Someone older may write a check.  Both are remembering Jesus and giving their gift out of love for Him. You may wish to learn more about our ministry before bringing your offerings to God through our church.  But you are welcome to participate as your heart leads you to give.   (BACK TO TOP OF PAGE)  CHILDREN Jesus said "Let the little children come to me,and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)  Jesus loves the children just as they are, complete with their wiggles and giggles, crying and sighing.  At Cross of Christ, we too want you to bring the children to Jesus.  We know thatchildren learn best from example.  When they see Mom and/or Dad worshiping their Savior, it is only natural for them to do the same.  We also understand that on occasion, they may misbehave.  Please don't get frustrated or feel unwanted.  If you have a baby, we have a cry room where you can go to "wait out the storm".  THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN Attending church somewhere for the first time can be intimidating.  Here are some common worries: "I would just die if they made me stand up and say something."  We assure you, we won't embarrass you in this or any other way.  We want you to feel comfortable and at home with us.  Church should be an enjoyable and uplifting experience.  We promise to do all we can so you can learn about your Savior. "I know I will feel out of place."  We hope that this web site will ease your mind, but if you have a question, please ask someone for help.  Don't hesitate to say, "I am new.  What is this about?" "I am afraid I will say or do something wrong."  All of us have felt this way when in a new situation.  But we hope you see the people at Cross of Christ to be ordinary people like yourself. We want to accept you as you are and help you become what Christ wants you to be.  We do not want to throw cold water on that by a critical spirit. "I just want to watch at first and I know that they will try to involve me or sign me up."  It is unpleasant to be pressured or to be part of a "membership drive" as though we were herds of cattle, isn't it?  We believe that church membership should be a voluntary thing, and that the most important thing is to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation.  It takes time for this to be cultivated.  People need time to evaluate and decide if they wish further involvement.  We believe we should respect that need.  "I don't know that much about the Bible."  Church and Bible Study are opportunities to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and faith in Jesus.  You won't have to answer any questions you don't want to answer.  And remember, sometimes the wisest words we say are, "I don't know."   (BACK TO TOP OF PAGE)