What to Expect
Our congregation is warm and friendly, and we welcome visitors to our worship service. Most of the members wear nametags, and you will also be invited to put on a name tag if you wish. While people will greet you before and after the service, no one will single you out in worship or make you stand. We don’t like to embarrass our guests!
When you arrive for worship, you will be welcomed by greeters at the door who can answer any questions you have. You may choose to spend time in our large Gathering Area prior to worship to learn more about the church from our digital displays or feel free to head into the sanctuary to prepare your heart and mind to worship. Ushers will greet you at the door and offer you a bulletin or program that contains helpful information for the service, including hymns we will sing and liturgy we will read together. Feel free to sit anywhere!
You’ll notice that our sanctuary is “in the round,” which means that worshipers can see each other. This reminds us that we aren’t individuals worshiping in isolation, but we are part of a community worshiping together. Our worship is liturgical, which means we follow the rhythm of the church year as a pattern for our worship. But we also believe worship should be engaging, open, and transformational. We take the time to engage the mysteries of God and faith, but we do so in a warm and friendly style. We share prayer concerns out loud during worship and light candles once a month as symbols of our prayers. We celebrate baptism with children gathered around the font. We celebrate communion, or the Lord’s Supper, on the first and third Sundays of each month. All are welcome to share in the feast.
You will hear music from our pipe organ and piano, and occasionally from trombones, flutes, cellos, violins, guitars, African drums, folk instruments, gongs, and chimes. Our handbell choir leads worship once a month, and our sanctuary choir sings 3 or 4 times a month. We invite you to engage with your heart and your intellect. You don’t have to check your brain at the door!
We encourage children to stay in worship with their parents, for only by observing and participating will they learn the practices of worship and discipleship. Of course, we recognize that sometimes parents need a break, so a nursery is available for children from six weeks to 5 years old. Every Sunday service includes a special time with the children. We also provide worship activity bags on a cart outside the sanctuary and illustrated children’s Bibles in every pew. You’ll notice that many of our children are involved each week in worship leadership as ushers, soundboard assistants, acolytes, liturgists, artists, and communion presenters.
Accessibility & Disability
We believe that all people should be able to participate fully in worship and in church life regardless of their physical, developmental, or cognitive abilities. Please contact the church office for more information about how we can accommodate you.
Physical Barriers–Our church is easily accessible for worshipers with limited mobility. The main entrance has adequate handicapped parking and automatic door openers on the far left door. There are no steps into the sanctuary, although there is a slight slope to the floor beyond the rear pews. Accessible bathrooms are located near the sanctuary. While most adult programming happens on the main level, there is an elevator to reach the lower level.
Hearing Loop–Our sanctuary is equipped with a Hearing Loop that enables all worshipers with compatible hearing aids or cochlear implants with T-coils to tune in directly to the audio feed. Loop listeners are also available for worshipers without T-coils.
Large Print—Large print bulletins and hymnals are available from the ushers.
Developmental Disabilities–We welcome children and adults with developmental or cognitive disabilities to fully participate in worship and in all of our ministries.
FAQ
Does your congregation welcome all people?
Yes! God welcomes all people, and so do we! We are open and inclusive, we come from many different places and traditions, and our members hold a variety of religious beliefs and political opinions. Our diversity makes us stronger.
Is it okay that I’m searching?
Yes! In life and in faith, there are few easy answers. Come join us as we ask hard questions together and explore the mysteries of faith and life. We are all on a journey, but we’ve learned that the journey is easier when we walk with each other. Whether you are new to faith, have been working on your faith for a long time, or aren’t sure if you have faith at all, you are welcome here.
How do I Join?
To become a member of the church, please contact the Pastor or Church Office. We hold membership classes a few times each year. The classes present information about Christian Faith, the Presbyterian Tradition, and the opportunities for mission and growth at First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater. If you decide to join, the Church Council (or Session) will meet with you briefly to learn about you and your journey of Faith. Then you will be welcomed into the congregation in a worship service and asked to answer a few questions about your desire to be an active member of the congregation.