Visiting a new church can be a little scary, especially if you have not been a "church goer" in the past or you're just returning to church after years away. Most folks wonder what to expect. That is understandable, so here is a little information about what takes place at Capital Area Christian Church worship services.
Expect a large campus but not overwhelming. CACC is located on 53 acres. The campus is actually a community park called Adventure Park. Adventure Park is a service our church provides the community. The church building itself is not huge. It seats about 600 people and has areas for children's ministry and youth ministry. The main worship room is a multi-use room that is used for all kinds of sports events, dinners, and various other community activities.
When you enter the parking lot, the main entrance will be obvious. You will find a covered drop-off area and parking for those with disabilities very near the main doors. You will see the main entrance marked by our mission statement: To love God, to love God's people, to love God's world.
You will first enter into a large lobby area with a café located to your left. Because we are a very active congregation, our lobby is often filled with display tables and/or community service projects. Someone will be there to greet you as you enter. Coffee and refreshments are free, so make your self at home. The Guest Services Center is straight ahead as you enter the building, as is the main auditorium. To enter the children's area, you will turn right at the second hallway on the right. There will be guest services volunteers to help you register your child for children's worship. There are children's programs and nurseries for all of our worship services from start to finish. (Birth through 5th grade) There are teen services also held during adult worship. The "Momentum" teen room is located at the end of the first hallway on your right when you enter the lobby.
The restrooms are located just off the main lobby; men's to the right and women's to the left. There are baby-changing tables in both restrooms.
You will usually hear music playing as you enter the auditorium. There will be ushers at the doors to hand you a program when you enter. Our program is designed to give you lots of basic information about what to expect in the service and update you on upcoming activities of the church. It will also contain a Welcome Card. We ask everyone to complete this card during the service and place it in the appropriate basket that will be passed later in the service. There is a place for prayer requests and information requests on the card as well. You are welcome to sit anywhere you like. The CACC band and worship team will usually play one song before the service actually starts. This lets everyone know that we are about to begin. Someone will welcome everyone to the worship service and allow a few moments to complete the Welcome Card. There are pens in the seatbacks in front of you.
After a moment, someone will also present announcements for major upcoming events. There is usually a brief time of greeting after the announcements. Don't worry, no one will ask you to raise your hand or stand up to introduce yourself.
The worship team will then lead the congregation in several songs. Our music is usually pop/rock oriented along with traditional updated hymns. We usually stand during congregational singing. The worship leader will let you know when to stand or sit. Please don't feel like you have to sing. Some folks will clap their hands and others might raise their hands in worship to God. All of this activity is totally your choice.
At some point during the worship service we share in Communion or The Lord's Supper as it is also called. Jesus ate this last meal with His closest friends and followers and asked them to always share the bread and juice in order to remember Him. We take communion every week at CACC. Communion is also a celebration of our unity in Christ and our hope of eternal life. Usually someone will share a brief meditation to help us prepare our hearts to take communion, which will then be passed down each aisle. If you wish, you may take a wafer and cup of juice and consume them when you are ready. Jesus established communion just before His suffering and death on the cross. You do not have to a member of CACC to partake of communion. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you are welcome to join us. You also do not need to feel compelled to take communion. Communion is also available at the cross at the front of the room. You may go to the cross to take communion as well.
Sometime during the worship service, one of our pastors will deliver a message or sermon. Our sermons are Bible-based and practical (click here to listen to current and past messages). Sometimes at the end of the message the pastor will invite people to make decisions and commitments in response to the teaching. This is usually called Next Steps. If you feel called to do so, you are welcome to respond.
At some point in the service, usually near the end, ushers will pass two baskets up and down the aisles. One of these baskets is for your used communion cup and the other is for Welcome Cards and offerings. If you would like to give an offering, you are welcome to do so. However, please do not feel compelled to give an offering.
After the service, you may return to the children's area to pick up your children. You are welcome to stay for coffee after worship. There are also guest gift bags in the lobby near the front doors. Please stop by and pick one up before you leave.
If you have questions or comments about your experiences and/or CACC, please call or email one of the staff members. We will help you in any way we can. You'll find email links for the staff on "Our Staff" or "Contact Us" pages on this website.
If you're looking for information about our beliefs, mission, vision, values, etc., click on the "Who We Are" tab of this site.