What to Expect (outdoor services)
- Receive a program (which includes the teaching outline & worship lyrics) from one of our 2 greeting stations (located on the main walkway entering the building & under the pavilion).
- First time guest?? Receive a gift bag with a Starbucks card & other treats as a remembrance of your first time with us! Stop by the Welcome Booth at the walkway greeter station before or after the service.
- You'll find plenty of space on our beautifully landscaped lawn or under the pavilion for you to place your chair (bring one with you). Bring coffee/tea if you'd like, and dress casual! Worship services start promptly at 10am & are usually done around 11.
- Parents, if you have infants / children (up to 4th grade), feel free to drop them off (enter the building, then turn right into the Education wing to find clearly-marked nursery/toddler & classrooms). Please arrive 15 minutes early to enroll them. Parents of infants/toddlers will receive a numbered card as a safety measure, & must submit the card when picking up their child following the service. If your child has a need during the service, you will be contacted by text.
- The service typically begins with one of our pastors opening with a warm welcome, an update, and prayer, after which our worship Team leads the congregation to sing 3-4 songs of blended praise (lyrics on the back of your program). After one of our pastors teaches a relevant, biblical message (about 35 minutes), the service will close with a song of reflection.
- If you dropped off any children, pick them up from their room right after the service (with the numbered card you received).
- Hang out as long as you'd like!! Meet a potential new friend by introducing yourself ... or catch up with an old one!
COVID update (summer 2021)
Please refrain from attending if you are showing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, such as a frequent cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, recent loss of smell or taste, or if you or someone you live with has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
What makes our perspective on gathering radically different is the wonderful reality that we are motivated and empowered by our loving Savior. Therefore, let us approach gathering at Open Arms Church with the following commitments:
What makes our perspective on gathering radically different is the wonderful reality that we are motivated and empowered by our loving Savior. Therefore, let us approach gathering at Open Arms Church with the following commitments:
- Prayerfulness. Our access to God through our relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, affords us the greatest advantages of any people on the planet. He knows our difficulties and trials and cares for us. Psalm 119:67 reminds us that He is good and does good. Any anxiety in our hearts has an ever-present invitation to be resolved in His throne room, resulting in supernatural peace (Hebrews 4:14-16).
- Servanthood. Our regathering process has the potential to unveil selfishness within our hearts. We may be tempted to think of the pandemic as more or less than it is and consequently be judgmental of anyone who does not share our viewpoint. Love and empathy ought to govern our attitudes toward others with whom we differ, always looking out for their interests above our own (Philippians 2:3–5). Setting aside our own opinions and preferences for the good of others is foundational to the gospel ministry.
- Humility. While we should all be aware of the times in which we live, each of us can be tempted to render judgment above our knowledge. When considering what to share with others, whether privately or publicly, we do well to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought (e.g., Rom 12:3). Let’s remember that we are accountable to God for submitting to authorities, while they are accountable for their decisions (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:11-17).
- Patience. The New Testament Greek word for endurance is hupomone. It means “to remain under.” God calls us to “remain under” our trials as long as He deems good for us. (Rom 5:3–5; James 1:2–12). So, let’s keep an eye fixed on Jesus as He works all things for our good (Rom 8:28).
- Love. Love one another (1 John 4:7), bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2), pray for one another (Eph 6:18), keep serving one another (1 Pet 4:10). Jesus said the world will know we are His disciples as they see how we love one another (John 13:34-35). We are so grateful to God for a church family who is faithful to love Him and one another.