Plan your visit
Your first Saturday, start to finish.
Everything people usually wonder before they come, from where to park to what happens at lunch.
- When
- Saturdays, 11:00 amSabbath School 9:30 am
- Where
- 4120 Orchard Ridge RdWren Lake, MI Directions
- Parking
- Free lot, north sideTwo accessible spots by the doors
- How long
- About 75 minutesThree hours with lunch
A note from the pastor
If you're reading this, you're probably thinking about coming. I'm glad. Walking into a church for the first time takes some nerve, and walking into one on a Saturday takes a little more.
Here's my promise: nobody will put you on the spot, and nobody will ask for anything. Sit wherever you like. If you want to talk after, I'm the tall one with glasses by the doors. If you don't, that's fine too.
David Kwarteng-HaleDistrict pastor · (616) 555-0142
What to expect
A Sabbath morning, hour by hour.
Come for all of it, or just for worship at 11. Both are normal.
9:30Sabbath School
Small classes, around a Bible passage
About 50 minutes. The visitors' class in Room 2 is led by Helen, who never calls on anyone. Kids have their own classes by age.
10:45Break
A short break between
Fifteen minutes to find the restroom, refill the kids, and find a seat. Bev and Dale are at the north doors.
11:00Worship
Hymns, prayer, a children's story, and a sermon
About 75 minutes. Hymns are from the book in the pew, and the numbers are on the board up front.
12:30Fellowship lunch
Lunch downstairs, 2nd and 4th Sabbaths
Vegetarian and free. Guests go first and don't bring anything. Stay as long as you like.
Bringing kids
During Sabbath School there are classes by age, from babies up to 14, with teachers who have all passed a background check. During worship kids stay with you, and there's a children's story up front around 11:20.
The nursery is down the left hallway, with a speaker so you can still hear the sermon. Coloring bags are on the table by the doors.
Getting around
The sanctuary, restrooms, and fellowship hall are all on one level from the north doors. We have large-print hymnals and a hearing loop. Just ask a greeter.
Who to look for
Bev and Dale Haverlund hold the north doors every Saturday. Tell them it's your first time, or don't. Either way, they'll show you where things are.
Questions before Saturday? Call or text the church at (616) 555-0142. Pastor David would rather hear from you than have you stay home wondering.
Honest answers
The questions people are a little nervous to ask.
If yours isn't here, call Pastor David at (616) 555-0142.
Wait, church is on Saturday?
Yes. Seventh-day Adventists keep the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as the Sabbath, the way the fourth commandment describes. We start Friday at sunset and end Saturday at sunset. Worship is Saturday morning. Nobody's here on Sunday mornings except the pantry volunteers sorting cans.
What should I wear?
Whatever you'd wear to a nice lunch. You'll see a few suits and a lot of sweaters and khakis. Kids come in whatever survived the car ride. Nobody will look twice at jeans.
What's Sabbath School? Do I have to go?
It's a 50 minute discussion of a Bible passage in small classes, before the main service. You can skip it and come at 11. If you do come, the visitors' class in Room 2 is led by Helen, who never calls on anyone.
What do I do with my kids?
During Sabbath School there are classes by age, from babies up to 14, with teachers who've all passed a background check. During worship kids stay with you, and there's a children's story up front around 11:20. The nursery, with a speaker so you can still hear the sermon, is down the left hallway.
Will someone put me on the spot?
No. We won't ask visitors to stand, wave, or introduce themselves. There's a guest card in the pew if you'd like us to know you came. It's optional.
Is lunch really free? Should I bring a dish?
Really free, and please don't bring anything your first time. Fellowship lunch is the 2nd and 4th Sabbath of every month, right after worship, downstairs. It's vegetarian (lots of Adventists are), and there's usually a haystack bar, which is exactly what it sounds like: chips, beans, and every topping you can think of. Guests go first.
Will I be expected to give money?
No. An offering plate goes around during worship. Guests are welcome to let it pass right by.
I'm not sure what I believe. Is that okay?
Yes. Several people here started out with more questions than answers, and some still have plenty. You're welcome to come, listen, and leave without signing up for anything. If you'd like the short version of what Adventists believe, it's here, in plain words.
Is the building accessible?
The sanctuary, restrooms, and fellowship hall are all on one level from the north doors. We have large-print hymnals and a hearing loop. Just ask a greeter.
Can I watch online first?
Of course. Worship streams live every Saturday at 11. Watch here, and you'll get a feel for it in about ten minutes.
Let us know you're coming
We'll save you a seat, and someone will meet you at the door.
Totally optional. It just means Bev isn't guessing who's new, and the kids' teachers know to expect your crew.
See you Saturday, friend.
Bev will look for you at the north doors around 10:50. If plans change, no need to tell us.
Demo: on a real site this goes to the greeter team and the pastor's inbox, with a backup copy saved for the church.
When you're ready
Ready to make this church home?
Whenever you are, and not a day sooner. You can join by baptism, by profession of faith, or by moving your membership from another Adventist church. A short note goes to Pastor David and the church clerk, and they take it from there.
Ask about becoming a member