Visiting a church for the first time can be stressful. We understand. Here are some answers to questions you may have, as you come to Good Shepherd for the first time.
Where should I park and where do I enter the building?
When you arrive at Good Shepherd, parking is found on the streets near Good Shepherd (1st Street SW and 3rd Avenue SW) and adjacent streets. Handicapped parking spots are in the small parking lot adjacent to the elevator entrance to the church and also near the doorways on both 1st Street and 3rd Avenue. You can enter the building in the “front doors” on 1st Street and the elevator entrance on 1st Street as well as the “office entrance” along 3rd Avenue.
Is Good Shepherd handicapped accessible?
Yes! We have an elevator just inside the door from the small parking lot that you can find along 1st Street. There is also a ramp in the alley, alongside the church, that gets you to the sanctuary.
How should I dress?
You will find that the people of Good Shepherd dress casually and comfortably. Some dress in jeans and t-shirts and others dress up and others are somewhere between those two styles.
What about my kids?
Children are absolutely welcome in worship. We don’t expect kids in worship to act like adults – since they aren’t. We often hear the sounds of babies and children in worship and consider them joyful noises. If you want space for your child to roam we have a toddler room that is open to the sanctuary near the elevator entrance (please ask an usher to point it out to you.) During worship we have a “Children’s Sermon” where we invite kids of all ages to come forward for a message. We also have Children’s Worship Bags available by both doorways with quiet activities inside…again, ask an usher to point them out to you.
We also invite children to be actively involved in worship. There are lanyards on a coat rack at the back of the church behind the last pew that are different ‘helping roles’ in worship, such has ringing the church bell, collecting offering and helping usher. Speak with the ushers to find the lanyards.
During the school year, children are encouraged to attend Sunday School, which takes place during worship immediately after the Children’s Sermon . The Sunday School teacher steps forward following the children’s Sermon and leads the children from worship down to Classroom 1 for the class and returns them to the sanctuary before worship is finished. Wednesday School is held on Wednesday evenings immediately following Wednesday Worship from 7:00-7:45pm in Classroom 1 near the Church Office.
How can I get more information?
Leave your name and address with an usher or in the offering basket so we can mail you a monthly newsletter. You can also call the church office to ask for a monthly newsletter or click HERE to email us your address.
