Worship - What To Expect
We Welcome You!
Visiting a new church can be intimidating. We hope this brief introduction will help make you feel at home and we look forward to seeing you!
WHAT TO EXPECT
What kind of people are there?
Harbor OB is an eclectic bunch of people representing several different socio-economic groups and ages - just like our community. You're likely to bump into a school teacher, an doctor, students, business folks, a mom, single folks, folks serving in the military, a grandpa, several of our homeless friends, you name it.
How should I dress?
Clothing styles vary. Some folks wear jeans and flip-flops (the pastor), others wear jackets and dresses. Wear what you like. There is no code or norm.
What happens when I get there?
The service starts at 10:00 a.m.. We encourage you to pick up a worship bulletin and visit the Information Table. Browse the bulletin and you'll see all aspects of the service written there. If you have any questions, just ask. Afterwards we meet in the pavilion area, near the playground area for children,where light snacks and coffee are served. This is a great time to get to meet some of your neighbors. After the children "raid" the snack table they enjoy time playing with each other on the playground or just climbing around the jungle gym.
What about children?
We're for them! Children are welcome throughout the service. This is a worshipping community and not an Ivy League library. We have a trained, friendly, staffed nursery for your convenience. During the sermon and the Lord's Supper (40 minutes) the children are invited to attend Children's Church-a kid-friendly time that involves singing, a craft, snacks and a lesson from the Bible to help them learn about the Christian faith. Children are welcome to remain with their parents throughout the whole service and for those who remain in the worship service.
What is the service like?
The worship service is a dialogue (of sorts) between the congregation and God. The service includes music, prayers (silent and spoken), readings from Scripture, greeting one another (friendly and brief), a sermon, the Eucharist (a celebration of an ancient meal also known as the Lord's Supper the first Sunday of the month), and a closing prayer.
How long does the service last?
About 90 minutes. Sometimes a little longer on special occasions, such as Membership Sundays,Easter, and baptisms.
Am I required to do anything during the service?
No. An invitation to join in the Lord's Supper is given to all who profess to believe in Jesus Christ. If you don't believe or are not sure, we ask you not to participate in this part of the service. We would not ask you to do anything that would compromise your conscience or authenticity.
Why do you hold services at an Elementary School?
We're a new congregation in Ocean Beach and we want to worship in the community where the majority of our congregation lives. Everything we need, including sound equipment, coffee service, and foliage, is stored and is brought in on Sunday mornings. That's when a crew of volunteers comes in and sets up the sound system, chairs, welcome tables, coffee bar and classrooms. Within two hours of the close of service, the airy, well-lit hall is ready to serve elementary school students for another week as auditorium. Kids love it here because there's plenty of room to play tag -inside and out! Come service time, however, everything settles down into a truly worshipful atmosphere and you'd never know you were anywhere else but church.
We hope you will join us!
If you have any questions for us, please do not hesitate to ask us.
