New To Church?

What to Expect at LEFC

If you've never been to church before, but you're planning on coming for the first time, you might be wondering what you can expect.

Well, here are a few things you might find helpful to make you visit as easy as possible.

Let's start with the practical

We begin our Sunday morning services at 10:30am. Our members begin arriving from just before 10:00am to set up and get us ready.

When you arrive there is free parking in our church car park. The entrance is via Lewes Road.

At the top of the car park, take a right hand turn and walk down the side of the building to the entrance at the front (it's a bit strange, but the church was built before the car park and the entrance wasn't moved).

One of our church members will greet you just through the double doors. They'll hand you a hymn book if we're using them that day, and will probably want a little chat if they've not met you before. You'll also be offered a 'kids sheet' if you have children with you.

In the foyer (to your right) you'll clock the toilet.

Through another set of double doors you'll see around 50 chairs. They're new (so new I haven't had time to update the photos below). They're also comfy and you can sit where you like. We do have an induction loop fitted, but for those with hearing aids, sittning near the middle rows is best.

You might notice a small 'offering bag' near the entrance of the church where the regulars like to put financial contributions to church work. This is not offered around during the service. Please do not feel obliged give any money. Church is free and visitors are not expected to pay or donate.

Each chair has a Bible in it. We'll read those together during the service and page numbers will usually be given out. We use what are called ESV (English Standard Version) Bibles. If you'd like to take a Bible home with you, just ask and we can give you one!

There is no dress code. We're pretty casual on the whole. When it's really hot, the pastor has even been known to wear shorts.

At the end of the hall you'll see a small raised platform with a pulpit in the middle. That's where our pastor will lead the service from.

Order of Service

Everything that happens in the service will be clearly instructed and is easy to follow along with. One of our deacons will usually call the service to order before our pastor opens the service with a reading from the Bible and a prayer.

We then sing two or three hymns. Sometimes that's with our piano and hymn books, in which case we'll call the numbers of the hymns out. Or we'll project the words of each hymn on the screen on the back wall. If you don't know any of the hymns, just listen and reflect on the words. We sing everything from old traditional hymns, to contemporary worship songs. One of the members of the church or the pastor will lead a time of prayer to God. This will be followed by another hymn, a reading from the Bible and a sermon based on the Bible reading.

The sermon is usually just over half an hour long. The sermons are aimed at adults and children and, whilst serious, are family friendly. Throughout the sermon, children will be prompted to fill in their 'kids sheets.'

After the sermon, we sing another hymn, read a verse of scripture and head off to the back hall for refreshments. The service is usually finished by 11:45am.

What about kids?

All of our services are suitable for the whole family. We do not have 'Sunday School' or 'kids groups' but expect our children to stay with us for the duration of the service. However, there is no pressure for children to stay perfectly still or quiet the whole time. It takes a bit of getting used to.

If your very young children are finding it hard to cope you can take them to the back hall. Under the benches are toys for kids and the service will play through the speakers so you don't miss out completely. There is a second bathroom in our back hall with baby changing facilities.

Communion (The Lord's Supper)

It may be that on your first visit to church, we're celebrating communion. This is a little ritual involving bread (gluten free) and wine (non-alcoholic), which is shared around those sitting in the chairs. Communion is intended for those who know themselves to be Christians. If you're not yet a Christian, simply refrain from taking the bread or the wine and perhaps take the time to ponder it's meaning and significance.

Well, that's all I can think of that might be of use. If you've got any other questions you'd like answering before you visit, simply email info@lefc.co.uk and we'll get back to you.

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Children

We want our children to know they are wanted, welcomed and included in our worship services. We believe that promises like that of Isaiah 55:10-11 apply equally to children and adults. Therefore, we preach to all ages and seek to ensure that our sermons can be understood by young and old alike - milk and meat. We provide worksheets to help children engage with the sermon, designed to guide them through the message, it also gives them something to talk about with their parents afterward. Children do not need to sit still or be completely quiet - parents please do relax - but for the very young there is a space outside the main hall you can take pre-schoolers should you wish. The sermon will also be fed into this room so you can still listen.

We invite any who profess faith in Jesus to join us in worship, discipleship, and mission. Those who would not yet call themselves 'Christian' are also very welcome to spend time with us, learning what it means to be saved from sin and to righteousness, through faith in Jesus, and all that he has done for you in his perfect life, atoning death and hope-giving resurrection.

LEFC is also a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).