What to Expect

Expect lots of really friendly people who are genuinely happy to see you but aren't being weird about it. Expect to be amazed by our Passing of the Peace. Expect a traditional style of service (at 11:00) with progressive values. Expect wonderful music. And, when in doubt, expect a potluck. Other than that....

There are two worship services each Sunday: a small contemplative communion service at 9:00 A.M., and a traditional service at 11:00 A.M. The choir and soloists at the 11:00 service are a real treat! We serve communion on the first Sunday of the month at the 11:00 service (and every week at the 9:00 service), and everybody is welcome to participate.

Sunday school classes for children and youth and adult Christian education classes are offered year-round. Classes are from 9:45-10:45 and are a great way to get to know people and to have personal spiritual growth.

When you arrive, you'll be greeted and given a bulletin. Feel free to sit anywhere. Please fill out a Visitor Information Card located on the back of the pew and drop it in the offering plate.

A few things about the service itself: feel free but not obligated to move around and greet people during the Passing of the Peace. This is a nice time to meet a few people and know that you are welcome as one of God's children. During the Lord's Prayer, expect us to say "debts" and "debtors" rather than "trespasses" and "those who trespass against us." If you have something you would like us to share with the congregation during the Prayers of the People, please fill out a joy and concern card and hand it to an usher (who will be walking up and down the aisles) during the children's sermon.

All Children Are Welcome In Worship. There are children's worship folders outside the front and rear entrances to the sanctuary. We also have a children's sermon each Sunday, which gives the children a special time of their own to come up front. All children are welcome, and feel free to come to the front as well. After the children's sermon, children up through kindergarten are invited to play in the child care rooms. (Feel free to ask for a tour or to meet the wonderful child care staff!) Children are escorted from the sanctuary to child care by a staff member. Members of the children's choir (open to anyone 5 years old through 5th grade) are escorted to the music room for choir practice on Sundays when the choir does not sing during the worship service.
— For more information, look for our brochure titled Children In Worship - or download the PDF!

Large print hymnals and bulletins are available at both entrances to the sanctuary. If you want a headset to help you hear the service, an usher would be happy to get one for you. Please return the headset to the church office or an usher following the service.

After the service, we have refreshments in Smoot Fellowship Hall. Exit the front right corner of the sanctuary and follow everybody else. There's a potluck lunch on the last Sunday of each month. Members bring plenty of food, and all our visitors are invited to join us. Also following the service every Sunday, an elder or pastor is in the front of the sanctuary to receive new members or to answer any questions you may have.

We invite you to look over the rest of our website for more information about Central, but the best way to get to know us is to visit us in person. We look forward to seeing you!