My First Visit
What will my first visit be like?
As you head up the hill to the church building, you'll notice the spectacular views from the parking lot. On a clear day, it's absolutely breathtaking. People often come up the hill during the week just to look out over the Valley and take pictures.
On your left, you'll see an old trailer that's really ugly. You'll wonder why it's there. We've used it to store shoes and clothing that we give to those in need. Yeah, it's ugly and looks terrible, but it has served the purpose of helping those in need. We still help people in need, but the trailer is now being used as a youth house. It still needs some paint and we're hoping to do that soon.
The next building on your left is the church building. And really, it's not much, either. It was built 25 years ago and was built small, without much room for growth. It's a metal building with a brick facade on the front.
You'll enter the foyer and turn right to go into the worship area. If you arrive early, a fellowship group will be meeting in there. You are more than welcome to go on in and have a seat or you can stay in the foyer until they let out. Either way is fine by us! Oh- and there's usually coffee and a snack in the worship areas as well.
The worship area contains blue chairs and faded blue carpet. The side walls are white and directly ahead, at the front of the room, is a small stage with instruments for our worship band. Banners are sometimes hung to the right and left of the band to give the room some color.
On the screen above, announcements will be running in a loop or a welcome screen will be shown. And music will usually play up until the time church starts. The music varies, but don't be surprised to hear U2, Gavin DeGraw, Indigo Girls or Audio Adrenaline.
People will filter in, many talking a mile a minute and smiling a lot. Others more contemplative and quiet. All very friendly. You'll be surprise at how small the congregation is. On a typical Sunday, Layman has 70 in attendance. Layman has never been a large church and may never be one. But the feeling of family and belonging that everyone- including newcomers- experience, is unbeatable.
The band will take the stage and Bono's voice in the background will stop as everyone stands together to sing a worship song. A few may place their hands in the air as an act of worship, though most will simply stand and sing.
Afterwards, the pastor will come come up and welcome everyone. He'll talk about some upcoming events, then another person may come (depending on the week) and talk specifically to the children, giving a short lesson. Afterwards, we'll worship to 2-3 more songs (none of them real long). The children will head off to Children's Church in the Fellowship Hall. They'll have fun and laugh a lot as they're taught biblical lessons and play games. They may also watch some of a VeggieTales movie.
Back in the worship center, we'll have a time of contemplative prayer. Then the pastor will come up and speak. There are no big, wooden pulpits for him to pound and while he may get excited, he doesn't yell at you or try to guilt-trip you. Instead, he'll teach from the Bible in a way that's easy to understand. And he'll show how the Bible can apply directly to daily life as people follow Jesus. And you may laugh here and there- that's pretty common around Layman.
And there may be some distractions. Babies who have not been taken to the nursery may make noise. Kids may as well. Someone may cough. We do our best to provide a good environment for concentrating on the message. But we don't try to make people feel like they're in a funeral home and have to be absolutely quiet or they'll wake the dead. If that bothers you- and you need absolute quiet- you may want to try a different church.
When the teaching time is over, no one will be asked to "walk down the aisle." Instead, the pastor will pray and invite others to pray with him quietly, from their seats. And then the band will play one more song as an offering is taken. No one will be pressured to give or made to feel bad if they don't. Instead, those who choose to worship through giving are welcome to do so.
Once this song ends, the pastor will end the service and stay up at the front in case anyone would like to talk or needs someone to pray with.
In the end, you'll have spent a little over an hour making new friends, hearing encouraging music and learning more about our God. And you'll carry the experience into your week, refreshed and ready to face it with renewed confidence, enthusiasm and a purpose that is greater than just making it through next the week.
