Since visiting any church for the first time can be intimidating, we've put together the following information that we hope will help to answer any questions you have about your visit to Rehoboth. Feel free to also browse around the rest of our site if the answers you seek are not located here. You can also contact us if you have any further questions.
Getting Started
If you are not aware of our location and need directions to the church, please check out our map and directions page. Once you arrive, there are 2 parking lots. One to the right of the church on the same level as the front entrance, and another on the lower level with an entrance on the ground floor to our fellowship hall. Using the lower level will require you to ascend a flight of stairs to enter our sanctuary. Our main coat rack is located in the narthex (or lobby) just inside the main entrance on the upper level. There also also hooks for coats right inside the door to the lower entrance as well. Restrooms are located on the lower level in the hallway before the stairs (to the right of the kitchen). Greeters and ushers will be right inside the main entrance. They will say hello, give you a bulletin, gladly answer any questions you may have, help you find a seat, or offer any assistance you may need. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to ask.
Relax
We will not make you stand up or embarrass you. We will welcome you with smiles and handshakes and offer assistance (especially if asked), but we respect that your relationship with the Lord is a personal one. We do not care what you are wearing, as God accepts us as we are, regardless of how we dress. You will see jeans and tshirts, slacks, golf shirts, casual wear, dresses, suits and ties. Wear whatever you feel most comfortable in while in our church setting.
Children
We love to see children during worship. If by chance you feel your child is being too loud or too disruptive during the service, you may walk them out to the narthex (lobby) or even take them downstairs to the nursery. There is a speaker in the nursery so that you can still hear what's going on during the worship service while you're there. We realize that children will not be completely quiet during the worship service. We appreciate the noises from children as it reminds us that we're human and our congregation is alive with young Christians.
Offering
At some point during the worship service (after the sermon) offering plates will be passed through the pews. This is an opportunity for our regular members to give back to God what he has first given them which supports God's church and ministries. We certainly do not expect nor do we require visitors to put anything in the offering plate, although if you feel so moved, you can certainly do so. We also invite you to sign our guest register located out in the narthex (lobby) either before or after the worship service.
Following Along With the Service
The key to following along with the worship service is your bulletin. Each week, the bulletin will show each step of the worship service. There usually is an insert in the middle of the bulletin which shows information about Rehoboth such as calendar information, upcoming events, announcements, joys, and concerns. The main part of the bulletin (not the insert) will show our liturgy. We usually start with announcements followed by a prelude. If you see a page number next to an item in the bulletin, that means that we need to turn to that page in the cranberry hymnal (Evangelical Lutheran Worship). Hymns for singing are found in the back of the hymnal. When we get to the bible readings (The Word), you'll need to turn to the back of your bulletin. The first reading, the second reading, and the Gospel reading will be printed on the back of the bulletin for you to follow. The Psalm that is read between the first and second readings is located in the middle of the cranberry hymnal: Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pages numbers are shown in the bulletin). Following the bible readings is the sermon. Following the sermon is another hymn, the offering, prayers, a blessing, and another hymn. We almost always end with the song "Go Out And Serve Him!". It's lyrics are found on the last page of the Praise and Prayer booklet located in the pews.
What About Communion?
Holy Communion is usually offered at least twice a month. All who believe in Jesus Christ and are baptized are welcome to receive Holy Communion. For children in our church, we adhere to the practice of educating fifth graders in the meaning of Holy Communion and upon their completion of this study, we invite them to receive this sacrament (see our page on Holy Communion Instruction). If your child has previously received the sacrament of Holy Communion in another congregation, he or she is certainly welcome to receive Holy Communion at Rehoboth. All children are welcome to approach the altar. If they will not be receiving communion, the pastor will give them a blessing.
After the sermon and the offering, ushers will indicate when it is your row's turn to approach the altar. To the front of the pews, you will find a tray filled with plastic cups. When you pass by this tray before going up the steps to the altar, each person wishing to receive Holy Communion will need to take one of the cups with them to the altar. There is a railing at the altar. Follow in line and find your place along the railing. We usually fill up the railing from the front to the back on each side. As the pastor approaches you, he will say "The Body of Christ, given for you" and hand you a piece of bread. If you hold out your hand, the pastor will place it into your palm for you to take and eat. You may say "Amen". The assistant will approach you as well with a cup full of wine. Take your plastic cup and hold it out in front of you. As the assistant pours wine into your individual cup, he or she will say "The Blood of Christ, shed for you". You may say "Amen". You may drink the wine. After you are finished at the communion rail, you will return to your seat using the side aisles. There will be a tray for used communion cups on your way up the aisle. Just place your used cup into the tray and make your way back to your seat.
If you wish to take communion, but are unable to walk to the front of the church or go up the steps, just notify an usher and the pastor and assistant will bring the bread and wine to you at your seat.
We hope you enjoy your worship experience with us!
