What should I expect when I visit for the first time?
We know it’s not easy visiting a church for the first time. You may be asking yourself questions such as: Am I really welcome? Will I be conspicuous? How do I dress? Will my kids like it? Will they ask me for money? Am I welcome if I am not sure I believe? We want your visit to be to be a stress free and fun so here is a quick overview of what to expect at our church.
Arriving
First of all, LifePoint Christian Church meets at the J. Douglas Williams YMCA Family Center (665 Longwood Lake Mary Rd). Park anywhere and enter through the main YMCA doors. You will be greeted at the front door by our friendly volunteers who will say hello and be ready to answer any questions you have about where to go or what do do.
Food
We know that great food and good coffee bring together so we invite you to join us at The Stir Cafe, our built-in cafe featuring FREE Starbucks coffee and Panera baked goods. Help yourself, there’s always plenty to go around (and usually enough left over to take some on the go). We also bottled water for those who prefer something other than coffee. Once you’ve poured your coffee and toasted your bagel – feel free to take your snacks into main worship. We’re OK with that.
Kids
If you have kids (ages birth through 5th grade), you will be pointed to The Garage where you can register them for our children’s program. You are always welcome to take your kids into the services with you, but most of our kids really enjoy the kid’s program. We have developed a good security system so you will know that your kids are safe and well cared for. Grades 6-12 usually attend the Main Worship Gathering with parents. Roots Underground (Grades 9-12) gather in the Teen Room at the YMCA just after communion on Sunday mornings. LiveWire (Grades 6-8) meet on Sunday nights from 6:00-7:30pm at The Loft (our offsite facility and where the church offices are located).
Worship Service (10:00am)
When you enter the gym, you will be given a copy of The WEEKLY by one of our ushers which has information about upcoming events and opportunities at our church. Our ushers will help you find a seat and answer any questions you may have. The service begins with some meaningful yet high-energy worship, followed by a welcome and prayer. Our lead pastor, Phil Ayres, will give a message that is based on the Bible and relevant to daily life. The teaching will last about 35-40 minutes and we generally end the service with a few announcements, prayer, and a song. The whole service is about 75 minutes.
We celebrate communion every Sunday, so if you are a committed Christian, you are welcome to share communion with us. If not, you can sit back and reflect on your experience in the church so far. Don’t worry, we won’t judge you if you decide to opt of our our communion time.
The music at LifePoint has a contemporary/modern feel (drums, guitars, keyboard, and vocalists.) The band does a great job leading the worship service and you will enjoy learning new songs and occasionally singing some old favorites. The mission of the music ministry is to use the tool of music to encourage a lifestyle of worship. All of our musicians and worship leaders are regular folks and volunteer their time in the music ministry.
As soon as we dismiss, you can pick up your kids from their classrooms and visit the Information Table to get more information of what’s happening at LifePoint.
Don’t hesitate to contact the church office with any questions at 407-327-6468. If you press “0″ for the operator, you will be connected with one of our friendly staff persons, any of which would be happy to help you in every way possible.