People
We are a diverse group made up of people of varied ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. It is not uncommon to see people wearing everything from suits to sandals. People are friendly, so come early and stay late to meet some people. The atmosphere at Redeemer is broadly evangelical. Many of our members have come from Bible Church, Presbyterian, Baptist, and other backgrounds. Many come with no church background at all.
Discipleship Hour
In the Fall and in the Spring, we offer Children's Sunday School (Birth through 6th Grade - meet in the Education Building), as well as Youth & Adult Bible Study classes (2nd floor of Education Building) from 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. These classes are an excellent way to prepare our hearts and minds for worship as well as develop relationships and enjoy fellowship with others. Discipleship Hour occurs weekly during the Spring and Fall and takes a short break during Winter and Summer. Check the Discipleship Hour schedule and make plans to join us for a time of growing in God's Word.
Worship Service
Our service formally begins at 10:30 a.m. During this time, we sing several songs, offer prayers of praise and confession to God, hear Scripture read and preached, read Scripture together or responsively, and give our offerings. Taking our cues from Mark 12:28-39 services typically begin with an intentional God-ward (or upwards) focus and end with a community (or outward) focus. You may look at some of our Worship Guides to see other ways in which our services are organized.
Music
The music we sing at Redeemer Church is a blend of old and new. We love the doctrinally rich hymns of the past, as well as the substantive songs of the present. Overall, we strive for a consistent philosophy in worship rather than a particular style. We strongly prefer congregational singing, which emphasizes whole church participation, over performed music, which tends to spotlight the abilities of some while encouraging passivity in others. While you may hear a broad range of instruments from violin, brass instruments, piano, organ, electric guitars, and drums the purpose of all these instruments is to undergird and strengthen congregational singing.
Additionally, we provide music notation for every song in our weekly worship guide. We find that this strengthens congregational singing, speeds the process of learning new songs, beautifies our worship by encouraging harmony singing (most songs have 4 parts), encourages music literacy, and serves as an excellent resource for home worship.
Sermons
Preaching at Redeemer Church is expositional (also called expository), meaning that it seeks to make the main point of a particular Bible passage the main point of the sermon. Sermons are usually 40-45 minutes long.
Lord's Supper
We celebrate the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. Jesus instituted this covenant sign for his people to remember his finished work, renew our commitment to one another, and proclaim his death until he comes again. All baptized believers in good standing with their local church are welcome to participate.
We distribute the elements by walking to the front, taking a set of cups, and returning to our seats. The bottom cup contains the bread. If you have mobility limitations please let us know and we'll be happy to assist you.
Prayer
After taking the Lord's supper, we join together in prayer. During this time we present our requests to our Heavenly Father with regard to needs within our church body, as well as concerns outside our community, both locally and globally (2 Corinthians 1:11).
Children in Worship
Parents, relax. Children wiggle. We understand and we’re glad to have you bring your little one(s). For children ages 12 weeks through three years, we provide an optional nursery that begins just prior to the sermon. A brief break in the service allows parents to take their children to the nursery and return in time for the sermon. Children who are able to remain in the worship service are encouraged to do so. Children won’t understand all the words they will hear, but they understand body language. Let them learn that God is worthy of our songs, prayers, and listening ears by the way you and others around them participate.
Our foyer is stocked with activity sheets and coloring pencils for children to engage with during the service.
A video feed-equipped training room is located adjacent to the foyer. If you feel that you need to leave the worship center for a time with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).
A dedicated nursing mothers' room is located in the Education building (Room 107) for mothers who prefer to nurse in privacy.
Post-Service
A typical service is finished by noon. An hour later, however, you might still find folks talking over the sermon and events of the past week. Many people bring their lunch and share a meal together in Fellowship Hall following the service. So, stick around after the service and meet some people.