It's not easy visiting a new church for the first time. Sometimes you feel like a nonmember visiting a country club. Do I belong here? Am I really welcome? Will the people be unfriendly...or too friendly? Will I be conspicuous? Will it be easy to leave if I don't enjoy it? Will they ask me for money? Will my kids enjoy it? How should I dress? Am I welcome if I don't believe?

All of us at the Newark Church want to make your visit an enjoyable experience, easy, stress-free, relaxing. We've tried to make the Newark Church "user-friendly" for people, whatever their background, including those who have never been to church before. If I were visiting a new church for the first time, I'd like to know what to expect, so here's a brief overview. Many topics are linked to more detailed information. Just click any underlined word or phrase.

When you arrive at the Newark Church (on Salem Church Road, just south of Route 4) for either our 9:30 am classes or our 10:30 am assembly, you can park anyplace in our packing lot (we have some special guest spaces near the main entrance).

At the main door under the portico or at the side door, there should be some friendly people to say hello and direct you to the information station. At the information station, one of our members can answer any questions you have. If you arrive for classes, he or she can tell you about our current classes for adults (and give you a brochure) and help direct your children to the right place. If you have infants or toddlers, our nursery is right behind the information desk, and because we understand everyone's concern for their children, we've developed a good security system so you'll know your kids are safe and well cared for.

You'll notice that people are dressed differently--anything from casual to formal. It's up to each individual and nobody is checking out how others dress. So when you come, please dress however you feel most comfortable.

When it's time for the assembly, you can pick up a copy of our newsletter, which serves both as the "program" for that day's assembly with the "order of worship" and our weekly announcement bulletin. The assembly begins with a song or two, then someone (usually one of our ministers or elders) will make welcoming announcements, including one about our attendance cards. We'd love to have a record of your attendance, and you can add prayer requests on the back.

Our assembly doesn't always follow exactly the same sequence, but it includes prayers, communion, a sermon, and lots of singing. You notice right away that we sing "a cappella" (without instruments). We do that because we believe God most wants to hear our voices raised in praise to Him. The words to the song are projected on the large screen, and there are hymnals at the seats. Don't worry if you're not a "great singer" (many of us aren't!)...usually everybody signs so enthusiastically that no individual can be heard anyway.

There will be a short sermon—usually about 20 minutes—and our speakers (usually Steve Mahoney, our minister) try to make the messages interesting, enjoyable, and relevant to daily like. The message will be based on the Bible. When our speaker does his job right, you'll hear solid Christian theology in intelligent, understandable, relevant terms. And hopefully, you'll laugh at times and maybe feel a tug at your heart too.

We offer communion (the "Lord's Supper") to everyone who wants to participate each week. That's what they did in the early church, and we think every believer has the right to weekly communion. As our guest, you are certainly welcome to participate, but don't feel you have to. Our emblems consist of unleavened bread (crackers), from which each participant breaks a small piece, and small cups of grape juice. Immediately following communion, we usually take an offering from our members. You are our honored guest, and we do not expect you to contribute, although you're welcome to if you want.

The assembly ends by noon and we hope you'll stick around. You'll notice that our auditorium doesn't empty out quickly like many churches. Many of our members stick around after the assembly because church is about God and worship, but it's also about community and friendship. It's not usual for people to still be talking in the auditorium or in the hallway long after the assembly has ended. We hope you'll stick around too, and let us get to know you...and you get to know us.

After the assembly, some of our members go to "LIFE Groups" (small groups that usually meet in homes). That's where deep relationships are formed. We'd love for you to visit any LIFE Group, too. Just ask after the assembly, and we'll get you connected with one of our LIFE Group leaders.

That's about it. We look forward to meeting you soon! If you have additional questions, surf around our website or call our church office at (302) 737-3781.

Thank you for your interest!