New to ERC?
Here's what to expect on a Sunday morning:
If you have experience in a Catholic or "mainline" church, you will experience something a bit less formal here. If you have visited a newer church, you will probably find ERC a bit more structured. If you don't have any church experience to speak of, you will find a welcoming and friendly place which blends the old and the new as we grow spiritually and help others.
Maybe the best way to describe what happens on Sunday morning is “semi-traditional worship”
The worship service starts at 9:30 am, and most people start arriving about 15 minutes beforehand. The main parking lot is around back, and there will be greeters just inside the doors to say hello and point you in the right direction. If you are bringing young kids, ask for the nursery if you want them cared for by a professional during the service.
Welcome to ERC
follow someone in on Sunday
PIANO, GUITAR AND ORGAN ARE ALL USED IN WORSHIP
Formal or Informal?
What should I wear on a Sunday morning? While we could truly tell you to wear what you find comfortable, what you really want to know is what the other people will be wearing (who wants to stand out when they first visit?). In that case, the spectrum is actually pretty wide, from more formal to very informal. While there are a few suits, and a few t-shirts, most guys are somewhere in between. Women always seem to dress nicer than the men, casual dresses and skirts are not uncommon, but really - wear what you want - you will be welcome here.
Worship Feel, Style, and Content
You will be given a bulletin to guide you in the overall flow of the service, but everything you need will be projected so you can simply follow along as you feel comfortable. After everyone is welcomed, there are a few songs, mixed with prayer to help direct our attention away from our worries, schedules, and distractions, and onto God. It is a helpful reset in your week. The teaching is based on the Bible, and pastor Dirk strives to make the messages clear, helpful and decidedly un-boring.
On the first Sunday of the month we share in Communion (or The Lord’s Supper), an ancient tradition started by Jesus of eating bread and drinking a small amount of juice to remember Him. While we do keep an offering plate for donations in the back of the sanctuary, but no one (especially visitors), is pressured to give.
The music throughout the service ranges from songs that have been sung by Christians for hundreds of years, and others which were written last year. All of it designed to aid us in focussing our attention on God. Come experience our open and welcoming "semi-traditional" feel.
Got Kids?
We love kids at ERC! As a smaller family church, you decide what is best for your kids. There is a staffed nursery for infants and toddlers - but feel free to keep them with you during the service if that is better for you and for them.
During worship we have a Children’s Sermon where the kids get to come up to spend a few minutes during the service with the pastor. After this, kids who are third grade and younger can go out with volunteers for Kids Connection, a fun time until Sunday School classes start after worship.
Kids of all ages have the great opportunity of an age appropriate Sunday School Class from 10:30 to 11:15 am. They go with their teacher after worship, and parents (after a time of refreshments) can pick them up at the end of class. Sunday School runs from September to mid-June.
Got Questions?
Have a question about Sunday morning or any other part of life at ERC, please shoot us an e-mail or give us a call - we would love to help! Contact ERC