I'm New to Church
We know how it can feel walking into a church and having no idea what is happening. Why are the crowds saying strange words like “Hallelujah” or “Hosanna?” What is with the big hot tub? Why do churches eat a cracker and drink the tiniest cup of juice in the world?
Take a look below to discover a little bit about what happens at a church!
We know how it can feel walking into a church and having no idea what is happening. Why are the crowds saying strange words like “Hallelujah” or “Hosanna?” What is with the big hot tub? Why do churches eat a cracker and drink the tiniest cup of juice in the world?
Take a look below to discover a little bit about what happens at a church!
-
Music
-
Communion
-
Baptism
-
Giving
-
Sermons
-
Prayer
-
Children
<
>
Music
Our weekend service begins with music. Through music, we have the opportunity to worship God together. Our desire is to take the focus off of ourselves and put the focus on God. At Western Hills, we sing a blend of modern praise and worship choruses and traditional songs. Our praise team leads out in worship and encourages every person to focus their hearts on worshiping God. We are the choir, He is the audience. To worship God means to turn your heart towards God and choose to live for Him.
You may see people raising their hands during worship – this is not required by anyone, but some people choose to lift their hands as a way to show excitement, gratitude, and humility to God.
You may see people raising their hands during worship – this is not required by anyone, but some people choose to lift their hands as a way to show excitement, gratitude, and humility to God.
The Lord's Supper (Communion)
Communion is a celebration for people who have chosen to follow Jesus. Jesus is the one who instituted communion with His followers. The crackers or bread represents the body of Jesus that was broken for our sins. The juice or wine represents the blood that Jesus shed on the cross for our sins. By taking these elements, followers of Jesus are reminded of what God has done for us so that we can have a relationship with God through Jesus.
At Western Hills, we most commonly practice communion in groups. On some occasions, we practice communion with our entire church family during a service or special event.
At Western Hills, we most commonly practice communion in groups. On some occasions, we practice communion with our entire church family during a service or special event.
Baptism
The big tub in the church auditorium is for baptisms. Baptism is a simple illustration of being washed. It is a picture of Christ’s death and resurrection; a picture of a new life. At Western Hills, we practice the kind of believer’s baptism that is found in the Bible. In the New Testament, both Jesus and the Apostles commanded new followers of Jesus to identity themselves with Jesus through baptism.
Baptism does not cleans away our sins – only Jesus can do that. Baptism is, however, a believer’s first act of obedience to God and a way for all new believers to celebrate what God has done with their family, friends, and church. It is God's way for us to associate ourselves with new life in Jesus.
If you would like to talk to someone about baptism, please email us or complete the short form below...
Questions? Contact: baptism@westernhillschurch.com
Baptism does not cleans away our sins – only Jesus can do that. Baptism is, however, a believer’s first act of obedience to God and a way for all new believers to celebrate what God has done with their family, friends, and church. It is God's way for us to associate ourselves with new life in Jesus.
If you would like to talk to someone about baptism, please email us or complete the short form below...
Questions? Contact: baptism@westernhillschurch.com
Giving
We consider giving to be an act of worship. The Bible paints a picture in the early church of believers giving their resources to meet the needs of others and to advance the Kingdom of God on the earth. When we give, we are following the example that the Bible lays out for the church.
There are a lot of biblical teachings about giving. Our members are committed to give to support the work God is doing through our church. To learn more about membership, join us for our next 101: Newcomers Class.
There are a lot of biblical teachings about giving. Our members are committed to give to support the work God is doing through our church. To learn more about membership, join us for our next 101: Newcomers Class.
Sermons
Our sermon club meets weekly to provide counsel and direction for the messages that are shared at each service. Our goal is that every message spoken in our services would be a message straight from the heart of God through His Word (the Bible).
1 Timothy 4:15
"...devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching."
1 Timothy 4:15
"...devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching."
Prayer
We conclude every service with an opportunity for everyone to receive prayer. Through prayer, we step into the spiritual realm and encounter God. Simply put, to pray means to talk to God and to share your life with Him.
If God is working in your heart through the message, you can come forward for prayer. If you are struggling through a difficult situation, you can come for prayer. Whatever the reason, we invite you to receive prayer at every service.
After you come forward for prayer, two or more people will soon gather around you to hear your request and pray with you.
If God is working in your heart through the message, you can come forward for prayer. If you are struggling through a difficult situation, you can come for prayer. Whatever the reason, we invite you to receive prayer at every service.
After you come forward for prayer, two or more people will soon gather around you to hear your request and pray with you.
Children
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14).
We know that children are important to God and important to your family. We divide our children’s ministry into two groups: our nursery and the Bible Zone. Connecting your children to the Children's Ministry always starts by visiting the Children's Check-In Window.
The Bible Zone is for children Pre-K through the 5th grade. In the Bible Zone on Sunday mornings, our children’s ministry staff and volunteers work together to teach children the stories from God’s Word and how those stories apply to their lives.
The nursery is for children who are not in PreK yet (typically newborn through about three or four years old). Our nursery staff and volunteers want to create a safe and welcoming environment that help children enjoy and feel safe in their earliest years with the church.
For more details about the children’s ministry, click here.
We know that children are important to God and important to your family. We divide our children’s ministry into two groups: our nursery and the Bible Zone. Connecting your children to the Children's Ministry always starts by visiting the Children's Check-In Window.
The Bible Zone is for children Pre-K through the 5th grade. In the Bible Zone on Sunday mornings, our children’s ministry staff and volunteers work together to teach children the stories from God’s Word and how those stories apply to their lives.
The nursery is for children who are not in PreK yet (typically newborn through about three or four years old). Our nursery staff and volunteers want to create a safe and welcoming environment that help children enjoy and feel safe in their earliest years with the church.
For more details about the children’s ministry, click here.