What Can I Expect if I Visit Good Shepherd on a Sunday Morning?
Sunday Services: 8:15 - Traditional Worship 9:30 - Blended Worship 11:00 am - Contemporary Worship & Communion
Sunday Schools: 9:30 am
804-270-7613
We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of every month during the 8:15 & 9:30 services, and every week during the 11:00 service
When you arrive . . .
From Hungary Road, you will find convenient parking located at the end of the entrance driveway.
If you have infants or toddlers . . .
You are welcome to have them join you in worship or you may leave them in the nursery for Worship and/or Sunday School. The nursery is located in the Education Wing at the entrances closest to the back parking lot. When you leave your children in the nursery, you will be asked to sign them in. Please let the nursery workers know if you have any special needs, such as allergy concerns.
To enter the Sanctuary for worship . . .
Walk along the sidewalk portico to the glass doors of Wistar Hall (narthex). You will be met at the door by our greeters and usher team who will welcome you on behalf of the congregation. All of our buildings are handicap accessible, and we welcome people of all conditions into our sanctuary.
When you enter the Sanctuary . . .
The ushers will offer you worship bulletins describing the Service. By using the bulletins and the hymnals at your seat, you will be able to easily follow our Service. Children's "activity bags" are also available. Feel free to sit anywhere, there is plenty of room. If the Service is crowded, or if you arrive after the Service has begun, the ushers will assist you with seating.
Our Order of Worship . . .
For the traditional services (8:15 & 9:30) follows the traditional liturgy of Word and Table, with a time for Gathering and Praise, Proclamation of the Word, Children's Time, Prayers, Sermon, and our Gifts. Music is interspersed throughout the service with the prelude, anthems and hymns.
The Contemporary Service . . .
Held at 11:00, contains the same Word, Sermon, and Prayers, in a more informal atmosphere, accompanied by our Contemporary Music Ensemble (Praise Band). Holy Communion is celebrated each Sunday.
Our Congregation . . .
Is composed of all ages, from newborn infants to retirees, with many children and youth.
Special Needs . . .
Large print bulletins are available from the ushers as you enter the Sanctuary.
Early in the Service . . .
You will be encouraged to fill out the tear-off form in your bulletin to let us know of your attendance. Please place this form in the offering plate. All First Time Visitors will also receive a welcome gift and visitor card. We would appreciate your telephone number and address, as we would like to contact you to see if we can answer any questions you may have or be of any special assistance. This in not "high pressure" evangelism, it is simply an informal opportunity to offer information about our church.
During the Greeting and Announcements . . .
The pastors will ask if we have any visitors. By raising your hand, the ushers will bring you a loaf of home baked bread as a token of welcome and friendship.
Our Hymns . . .
Are accompanied by our organ or piano during the traditional services. Almost all of our hymns are found in The United Methodist Hymnal and The Faith We Sing. They are a mixture of both old favorites and newer hymns. At most of our services, our choir will offer the anthems. Frequently throughout the year we have additional music such as instrumental accompanists, ensembles etc.
An Offering . . .
Is collected at each Service. Please donate as you feel led.
Holy Communion . . .
Is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month at all three services. Holy Communion is celebrated each week at our contemporary service (11:00). Following prayer and the blessing of the elements by the pastors, the invitation to partake of the Lord's Supper is extended to the congregation. The ushers will come forward to help direct the congregation to the front in a smooth fashion. The Lord's Supper is open to all who wish to partake, including children. Visitors who may feel uncomfortable participating - or whose beliefs may prohibit participation - should not feel pressured and may simply remain seated. Please let an usher know if you would like to receive the elements at your seat.
Your Children . . .
Are invited up to the front of the congregation during the "children's moments", for a message especially for them. We also have activity bags available from the ushers as you come into the Sanctuary. These have special activities for the children for the hour. Please return them at the end of the Service.
Sunday School . . .
For all ages is provided at 9:30 am. Please click here to view the listing of our Sunday school classes.
Coffee and Refreshments. . .
Are provided in the Administry Center at the end of Wistar Hall (Narthex) during Family Fellowship Time between the services at 9:15-9:30 & 10:30-11:00.
Other Activities . . .
And upcoming events are described in the “Weekly News” included in the Worship Bulletin. Other materials are available in Wistar Hall (Narthex), at the entrance to the Sanctuary. You are welcome to take any of these materials that are of interest to you.
We have more to offer you . . .
... at Good Shepherd. Please look around the rest of our web site to learn about our fellowship and outreach programs, and our youth and music groups. Our Calendar and Events page describes our upcoming activities.
