Church can be scary, intimidating, and uncomfortable for a lot of people. The formality, being pointed out as a guest...oh, and the offering plate...it’s enough to make the strongest of stomachs a little queasy.
East Ave Community Church is different and we want you to know exactly what to expect before you get there. We are deeply committed to creating an environment where everyone is comfortable and feels welcome. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for your first East Ave Community experience.
(If you have children, please see our Children’s Page for information on how to pre-register and check in your children.)
Arrival
As our guests, we want you to have the best of the parking lot! We will reserve the closest spaces for those who are our guests and our parents of small children. When you arrive you will normally be greeted by one of our volunteers before you reach the door. If it is raining at a program, we will do our best to bring you an umbrella to avoid that annoying “wet look”!
Caffeine AND Preaching?
When you walk in the doors you will find friendly volunteers to answer as many questions as you have. Your experience is important to us. You will easily be able to find hospitality table were we serve complimentary coffee, tea, water, and snacks. Yes, you can take your beverage into the sanctuary with you. The program you attend will include our live band with words projected on our video screen. You may join them by singing along, or just enjoy the music from your seat. The band usually performs 3 or 4 songs and is followed by a message, normally from our pastor. Our messages are innovative and creative, making the Bible understood in plain English. Our goal is always to hold your attention and make sure you leave feeling like your time was well spent.
Post-Church
At the end of the program, feel free to hang out and meet the pastor, or just slip out. There are always plenty of snacks and beverages afterward.
Our regular attendees and members are challenged to take their guests to lunch and field any questions you might have about our church or the talk you just heard. (That’s right, hit up whoever invited you for lunch!)
What to Wear
Dress however you feel comfortable. Our pastor will be dressed comfortably in some kind of no-tuck shirt and won’t be caught on a Sunday in a tie! It is really a laid-back atmosphere, so however you are comfortable dressing on any normal day is fine with us! A few folks will dress up, but no one here is interested in a dress code because the Bible clearly tells us that God does not look at our outward appearance, but at our hearts. We don’t care how you come dressed – just come!!!
Nickels and Dimes
We will take an offering at the end of the service, but visitors and guests are actively encouraged not to give! We are simply glad you have stopped in and we want to make it clear that we are not just being nice to you to get ahold of your wallet!
We pass an offering plate during the program for those of our regular attendees who wish to give as an outward expression of their worship of God – not to intimidate people into giving. We also have a box on the back wall of the sanctuary that is used for much the same purpose.