You Are An Honored Guest...

Everyone is nervous when visiting a church for the first time. This is particularly true if you have not gone to church in a long time, are trying to find out more about Christianity, or had a bad experience with church life or Christians in the past.

Relax, you are an honored guest. Visitors come to our church for many reasons: out of curiosity, as new believers, and as long-time believers seeking a new church home. They come from many zip codes, backgrounds and life circumstances, young, old, male, female, single, married, with children and without.

When you arrive at SJPC, a greeter or usher will welcome you and give you a church bulletin containing details about the order and content of the worship service. The greeter/usher can help you find the nursery for your small children and help you find a place to sit.

You will never be singled out or made to stand up and introduce yourself as a visitor at SJPC. However, if you don't know anyone when you arrive, you will before you leave. If you would like to talk to someone before your first visit, please contact one of the pastors by email or phone to talk about your visit, or to arrange to meet with one of the Pastors beforehand.

Parking. SJPC fronts on Hendricks Avenue (where it merges with San Marco Boulevard), but most people park and enter in the back of the campus. Access the parking areas by turning off of Hendricks Avenue onto Alford Place.

Worship Services. All worship services include prayer, praise, music, confession, a message, a time of giving and a benediction. If you are not sure what to do, just do what everyone else is doing!

The 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Service is informal and has contemporary Christian music. The 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service is a bit more formal. The Contemporary Service is in the Fellowship Hall (called Harvin Hall). The entrance to the Fellowship Hall is at the back of the church. The Traditional Service is in the Sanctuary. The back entrance to the Sanctuary is to the left when facing away from the parking lot.

What to Wear. Although many people wear suits or dresses to the Traditional Service, others wear nice casual attire. Dress at the Contemporary Service is generally very casual. Bring children in their play clothes to either service if you like.

Children and Infants. SJPC has a well-staffed nursery to care for your infant and toddlers. Older children sit with their parents at church and, seasonally, may attend "Children's Church" during the 11:00 a.m. worship services. SJPC has Sunday School for children between its worship services.

Communion. If your first visit is on a day that includes a communion service, the pastor will invite both members and visitors to participate. At the the 9:00 a.m. service, communion involves taking bread and dipping it into the common cup; at the 11:00 a.m. service, ordained church officers serve communion to congregants in their seats.

The Collection Plate. Presbyterian worship includes a time for offerings to God. Collections placed in the plate support the church and local and international community and mission needs. Visitors are welcome but not obligated to contribute.

After the Service. After the service, our Pastors greet attenders, including visitors, and they would love to meet you.

How New Members Join. SJPC has "Discovery Classes" periodically for individuals who may want to join the church. There are three ways to join a Presbyterian Church U.S.A. They are: (1) Profession of Faith (2) Reaffirmation of Faith and (3) Transfer of Letter of Membership.

Contact Us After Your Visit. After you visit, please contact and give us feedback on your visit. You may also contact one of the pastors by email or telephone.