We know that visiting a new church can be a very uncomfortable experience...You never know what you're getting yourself into.  In order to help ease your anxiety, we have prepared the following questions and answers about what you might expect when you first visit with us.  (NOTE:  If after reading this you still have questions, please email us at lovecareserve@hopethrugrace.org)

What should I wear?  Simply put, how you arrive really doesn't matter to us.    You will see people in jeans and T's sitting beside people in dresses or slacks and/or jackets...very few (if any) ties!  We believe the way we prepare our hearts for worship matters much more than outward appearance. So please, dress in manner you feel is comfortable and appropriate...just come to worship!

Is there a place for my children? Yes, definitely!  If you would like for your child/children to attend our nursery (birth to 3 years old) or children's church (ages 4-10) during our Sunday Morning Worship Service, we will show you the spaces and introduce you to the teachers.  The nursery is open before the service and we have our children worship with us during the music time.  An announcement will be made at the appropriate time and the children dismissed to follow their teachers to children's church.  You can pick your children up after the service.  AND if you prefer keeping your children of any age with you during the service, no problem!  Children are welcomed with their parents in "Big Church", as well!              

Questions?  Contact our Children's Ministries Director, Susan Newson at snewsonwdsc@olatheschools.org.

Where do I park? Anywhere you like!  We do have several handicapped    spaces directly across from the North (Main) entrance and the East entrance, other than that, there is parking around the entire building and you can enter the building on the North, South or East entrances. For a map of our location Click here.

 
What should I expect in the Worship Service?  In church verbage, you could call our worship service "blended."  That means that on any given Sunday you will hear hymns right alongside contemporary songs and choruses. Sometimes we keep it mild and mellow; at other times fast and passionate all in the same set.  We like musical instruments:  electric piano, drums, bass guitar and guitars...  Our Worship team consists of a leader and 4-5 singers and we project the words on a large screen along with images that enhance the spirit of worship.  Special songs by some of our people are also an occasional feature of  the worship service. Above all, personal worship is encouraged on an individual basis:  If it suits you, raise your hands and lift your voice.  If you are more reserved, don't feel compelled to do anything more than what you are comfortable with.

How do you Pray? Just so you know, we tend to pray all together out loud. This can be disconcerting for someone not familiar with us. You see, we believe God can hear all of our prayers at once and the sound of many voices praying at the same time can be an amazing experience of community worship. Don't feel compelled to join in; you may simply pray silently as you like. Talking to God is so much more important than HOW you do it!

We generally offer a time of prayer during the service for people who would like others to pray for them, to make requests for prayer or even come forward for prayer. We also allow people to come forward to pray by themselves at one of our altars as they feel the need. Once again, this is optional and you will not be pressured to participate in any way.


 

Do the speakers/preachers yell or just talk? We have a variety of guests who will speak in addition to our pastor, so you will be introduced to as many varieties of styles as there are individual speakers.  However, our pastor's goal is to communicate the ageless wisdom of God's word in a relational style through relevant topics that offer practical applications for modern living.  We sometimes use video clips, drama and special songs to help illustrate a topic or simply get people to start asking questions.  Oh yes, and he will be the first one to admit that he does not know the answer to every question...only that we are all on a journey together; the journey toward a growing relationship of love for God, care for one another and service to the world in Christ's name. 

Will I be expected to give money when I visit?  NO!  How's that for short and to the point?  We do collect offerings during our worship services, but we make it a point to let our guests know they do not have to participate.  This time of the service is a time for the church family to celebrate the blessings and provision of our God and to give freewill offerings in support of the church and or special needs, such as missions, youth camps, future building initiatives, etc.  If you want to give, we will gladly accept your gift to God, but that's between you and Him.