WHAT TO EXPECT

What to Expect for In-Person Worship Service

When someone attends a church service for the first time, there are usually a lot of "unknowns." We'd love to eliminate some of the "unknowns" for you and make you feel at home with us, so here are some FAQs about our Sunday morning Worship Service.

Church sanctuary interior with pews and stained glass

When and where is the service?

Our regular service is at 10:00 am on Sundays in our sanctuary. We are located at 330 5th Ave SW in downtown Albany. Or you can find us online.

How long does the service last?

Our service is usually about an hour long.

How should I dress?

We are a "come as you are" group of people. The general guide is: be yourself. You'll probably see a few people in shorts, lots of jeans, and several people dressed up, but overall we are casual dressers.

Are children welcome in worship?

Absolutely! We believe children soak up the love of God even when they draw and color, read and create, or rest their head in your lap. Even wiggles and squirms come from God, and it's okay if children move around a little more than the rest of us. We have activity tables available at the back of the sanctuary with crayons, coloring books, and other materials for children. After the children's message in the service, children are welcome to go to Godly Play or Creative Minds, or remain in the sanctuary. You can find more information about these programs on our Children and Youth Ministry page under the “Connect” tab.

What is the service like?

As Christians have done for hundreds of years, our worship enters a conversation between God and humankind that began long before we were born and will go on long after we are gone. We gather in the expectation of encountering the presence of God, to hear and proclaim the Gospel, to sing and to pray, to celebrate the sacraments, and to respond to God's grace with acts of care and service. Because our God evokes different ways of praise, our worship is a blend of audio, visual, movement, and includes a mixture of choir, praise band, piano, and pipe organ. The first Sunday of each month we celebrate the Lord's Supper.

Will I be singled out?

We have a time in our service where we greet one another by "passing the peace of Christ," but we will never single you out as a guest.

Is someone going to ask me for money?

You don't have to be concerned about someone pressuring you for money at UPC. Even though we do pass an offering plate, there is no pressure to give. If you are new or even checking us out for an extended period of time, we want you to keep your wallet in your purse or pocket and just get to know us.