Where do I park?
If possible, park on the south side of the building (the entrance on Oakland Drive)…there is a covered drop-off area if you have folks with mobility issues or if the weather nasty. If needed, there is also an abundance of Handicapped Accessible parking in this area. There are two sets of entry doors on the south side. If that area is full, the large lot on the west side (the entrance on Romence Road) of the building is always available to you. Come in the entry door furthest to the south. Signs will guide you! Come on in!
What happens now that I’m inside?
You will be greeted, but not jumped on! If you want space to explore, no problem. If you want to socialize and get to know folks, to ask questions or find out who’s who, there is space for that as well. There are signs to make it clear where you are going…and the greeters will help you find your way if you want that. There is a Welcome Center where you can grab some information about what’s going on here! After worship, there is coffee and other refreshment in the lobby area (classically called “The Narthex”). It is a great time to meet folks.
What should I expect during the actual Worship Service?
This all depends on your past history of “church” and which worship service you attend. Our worship happens in three times, in three flavors…so check out the descriptions HERE to make a first time choice. In each, you should expect to find good music, opportunities to sing, chances to be in prayer and meditation, a time to hear a Bible reading, and a relevant message from the pastor that may be deeply comforting or radically challenging!
What Should I Wear?
Be comfortable and be yourself. You will see a few folks in dressier, Sunday best…but most everyone is in casual, what we wear everyday stuff. We are not interested in clothing setting up visible economic differences between us, so most everyone comes casual and ready to receive what God has in mind for us on that day.
What will my children do during Church?
Chapel Hill is a family church…only here the families come in all kinds of configurations! Kids are welcome in worship, though there is nursery care for little ones from newborn to 2 years. In “The Gathering” worship at 9:00am there is a Children’s Time message. At the end of that time, kids 3 years old through 3rd grade are led out to Children’s Church, an incredible worship experience geared to the young. In “New Life” worship at 11:30am was designed with family worship in mind. The pace is fast and the music danceable, so kids are seldom bored.
There is nursery available during the Sunday school hour from 10:15am – 11:15am. In that hour there are classes for all ages. Check out the “Faith Village” links to learn more about our hands-on Sunday school for kids through 4th grade. Club 56 is for fifth and sixth graders (Club 56…get it?!). For middle school and high school, classes are held at the Youth House across the west parking lot.