Are you new?
We welcome you, and here is what to expect at St. Matthew…
We want you to feel comfortable in our church, so that you can feel God’s presence as you listen to the music, hear His word, and meet His people.
We know that the first time at a church, there are always some questions, like:
What should I wear?
What is available for my children?
What will the service be like?
Here is an overview that we hope will answer your questions:
When are services?
We have service at 9:30 AM. During CoVid, this happens over Facebook live. As soon as we are able to do so in safety, we look forward to adding in person services to that gathering of the faithful. You can verify the times of worship by calling the church office at 630-773-0033 or checking the church calendar on our website. Following our in-person worship service is a short social get together, where we chat with others from the worship community.
Who will be there?
You will find friendly people of all ages and backgrounds. At in-person services, a greeter will welcome you at the door and direct you to the worship area. Ushers at the doors of the worship area will also greet you, and hand you a copy of the week’s announcements and a guide to the service.
What are the services like?
The services are about an hour long. Communion is part of each service. ALL ARE WELCOME TO RECEIVE WHATEVER THEIR BACKGROUND! We offer individual communion cups. We have gluten free wafers on request. During in person Communion, the elements of bread and wine are set out in the pews. Once the pastor has blessed the elements, you are invited to partake in your pews. After you receive communion, there is a blessing. If you choose not to have communion, you may remain seated where you will receive a blessing. Children are always welcome to participate at their parents’ discretion at any age for a blessing, or to receive the elements. (That means there is no minimum – or maximum! – age requirement to receive the sacrament.)
What should I wear?
We are concerned about you and what your needs are, not what you wear. People at our church come casual or dressed up, so you’ll fit right in with whether you wear jeans or a suit or dress. Of course, home couch church means jammies are always welcome!
What about my kids?
If you have children, you’ll want to be sure that they are in a safe and fun environment. When we are in person, we have child friendly areas and busy bags for your child during service.
Is music part of the worship service?
Music is an important part of our worship each week. We invite you to come and lend your talents! (Don’t worry though – some of us aren’t as talented as we think we are!) This can be done in person, or by arrangement, over the net!
We know there is a lot to think about when you visit a church for the first time. We hope this has answered some of your questions and that you will feel more comfortable in joining us for church so you can see what God has to offer you!
If you have other questions or concerns, feel free to call the office at 630-773-0033.
We look forward to seeing you – in person or virtually! – at St. Matthew!
