How's the parking?

LOPC has a parking lot, but parking usually overflows onto the street. For best parking at the first Sunday service, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. There is a one hour break between the Sunday services. Your best bet for second service parking is to arrive about 20 minutes early. This will allow enough time for the first service attendees to exit the lot.

How will I be greeted?

As you approach the Sanctuary from the parking lot, you will notice a Visitors Cart run by members of the Hospitality Team. Their job is to welcome and support all visitors, and they will be pleased to answer any questions and direct you to the Sanctuary or childcare. Feel free to take any of the handouts or other informational materials on the cart.

How will I know where to go?

The Visitor Greeters can point you to the Sanctuary. Once you enter the front doors, you will be welcomed warmly by members who will shake your hands. Just past the handshakers stand the Ushers who will hand you a copy of the bulletin. You can sit anywhere in the Sanctuary. If you arrive late, the Ushers may direct you to enter through the sides. They may delay your entrance into the worship space until a least disrupting time. Please find your seats as quickly as possible.

How do people dress for church?

Folks at LOPC generally dress up for worship. At a minimum, men wear collared shirts and women wear slacks. Youth and children tend to be less formal in dress.

How long are the services?

Regular Sunday services are an hour long.

What can my kids do during worship?

By all means, bring your family! If you have children from 6 months up to 3 years of age, the greeters can guide you to the nursery in the Christian Life Center to the left of the Sanctuary. If you'd prefer, your children can accompany you into the Sanctuary. There is a "Crying Room" in the back of the Sanctuary if your kids get fussy. You can watch the service on a monitor while your kids play with toys. (More on Parenting from the Pews)

If your children are 3 years old through grade 5, they can enter the Sanctuary with you. About 10 minutes into the service, the children will be invited to attend Godly Play, the Christian Education program, by following teachers to classrooms in the Christian Life Center. Children always have the option of staying in worship with you.

On most Sundays, Youth (sixth grade through high school) have their own program in the Youth Center at 9 a.m. only.

On the first Sunday of the month, we celebrate an Intergenerational Service with Communion. Families and children attend the services together, though the nursery is always available for very young children.

What kinds of disability assistance is available?

In the parking lot, we have an electric shuttle and some wheelchairs to assist transportation needs. The Visitor greeters near the Visitor cart can help you with these items. In the Sanctuary, the ushers can provide large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices. If you require any other assistance, just ask a greeter or usher.

How will I know how to follow the service?    

The ushers will provide you with a Service Bulletin as you enter the Sanctuary. This is a step by step map through the service. (View a few Service Bulletins) The Pastors always assume there are visitors in attendance and are very careful to provide clear instructions on when to stand, how to do communion, etc. Within the Bulletin is a handout called Connections. This lists the various ways you can connect to the many different activities in the church. All visitors are also encouraged to take a copy of "Alive Together in Christ," a thorough review of all activities and ministries, from the pew racks.

What kinds of music will I hear?

You will hear a wide variety of styles through an equally wide variety of instruments and groups. The church has a strong commitment to traditional hymns and classical music. But there is an equally strong commitment to more contemporary styles, especially gospel and jazz. We refer to this as a "blended approach." Please visit the Music Ministry site to hear some recordings of music from worship. Our Worship Video contains actual recordings of music from worship services and events.

What kinds of sermons will I hear?

Sermons are scripture-based, focus on practical application to daily life, and usually run between 15 and 20 minutes in length. Go to our Sermons Page to access recordings of all sermons for the past several years.

What version of the Bible is used?

While many versions may be heard, in general we use the New Revised Standard translation of the Bible.

How many people will be attending with me?

The Sanctuary seats about 600, and during most Sundays we average about 350 in attendance. During special services (e.g. Christmas, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter) we often have standing room only.

When, and how, is Communion celebrated?

We celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of the month during Intergenerational Services. Parents can get more information about Communion from the Children and Families site.

Communion is open to all who have been baptized and is celebrated with bread and grape juice. Most of the time, we celebrate through "Communion by Intinction," an ancient Christian method in which congregants walk up to the front of the Sanctuary, pick up a piece of bread, dip it into the wine (grape juice), place it into their mouths, and then return to their seats. Folks with mobility challenges can have the bread and juice brought to them. Pastors are very careful to explain how communion works at each Intergenerational Service to prevent confusion.

Do folks raise their hands during worship?

Worshipers at LOPC come from many different traditions. While different expressions of faith are celebrated and encouraged, most attendees at LOPC do not raise their hands during worship.

How do services end?

At the end of the service there is usually a musical postlude. Some people stay to enjoy the music, others exit to enter the courtyard for informal conversation and refreshments.

Is there any food?

In the courtyard, coffee and cookies are served. Parents can retrieve their kids from the Christian Life Center to enjoy the treats, as well.

Can I meet with Pastors and staff?

The morning's Pastors and many of the staff are available in the courtyard, so feel free to come up and say hello. Often there is a "Talk Back" session 10 minutes after the first service to enable dialogue with the preaching Pastor.

Can I just be a "quiet visitor"?

Sure! When you visit LOPC, you can initiate as much, or as little, contact with others according to your own comfort level. LOPC does not require visitors to wear badges or to identify themselves as visitors.

 Do I have to become a member to attend regularly?

No, membership is not required to attend LOPC. If you eventually wish to explore membership, there are regularly scheduled membership classes several times throughout the year.