
The minute you walk into the church building at Cumberland, you will know
that you are among warm and friendly people who come to worship God and
celebrate life together. The bulletins are on a table just inside the sanctuary
and are easy to follow. All of the things we do like saying the Apostles' Creed
and singing the Doxology have page numbers listed in the bulletin. Our
ushers can help you find the nursery or, if you come in time for 10 AM
Sunday School they can direct you to Sunday School classes. If they are not
available, then just ask anyone, because we are all very happy to welcome
visitors, and we will want to show you around and tell you about our
programs and activities if you have time.
Worship services begin at 11 AM and we also have a Prayer Hour at 9AM
prior to Sunday School Classes at 10 AM. During the Prayer Hour, the
sanctuary becomes a haven, a quiet place, to meditate and offer you personal
prayers. We request that those who come to the Prayer Hour arrive and
leave quietly so as to not disturb others who may also be in prayer during this
time. At 11 AM the traditional worship service begins by welcoming our
members and visitors. We have attendance pads for everyone to sign so that
we can all get acquainted with each other. For first time visitors we have a
small gift for you, if you respond when we ask for a show of hands.
A first time visitor will receive a letter from our pastor and a phone call from
a church member just to let you know you are welcome. If you would like a
visit, or have a special need, you can indicate that on the attendance
registration pad and our pastor will call on you at your convenience. At the
end of our worship services, a member of our Witness Committee will be
available to give you a tour of the church and answer any questions you may
have. In the entrance hall there are small information sheets about some of
our programs and who to call to learn more about a particular opportunity.
Our Sunday School Classes do more than just study. Studying Scripture is an
important part of what we do and we use material that is related to the
Lectionary texts our pastor will be preaching on, but we also provide care for
each other. Growing together in our faith and spiritual health, in friendships,
and leadership is part of our work in Sunday School too. It is the place to
make the connection - with other people, with ideas, with your personal
experiences and struggles, and with your plans and decisions about life.
Worship provides us the opportunity to commune together with God, to offer
our thanks, to hear God's message for us, to celebrate what God is doing in
our lives, and to respond with renewed commitments. Sunday School is the
place to make connections. If you have not been in this kind of Sunday School
Class for a while, try it again. It may be a whole new experience !