Pastor David Kwarteng-Hale
District pastor
“If you're wondering whether you'd fit in, come once and see. Sit wherever you like. Nobody will ask you to stand up or say anything. If you'd like to talk afterward, I'm usually by the north doors.”
Plan your visit
Your first Saturday, without the guesswork
- When
- Saturdays
Worship 11:00 am
Sabbath School 9:30 am - Where
- 4120 Orchard Ridge Road, Wren Lake
Directions - Parking
- Free lot on the north side, accessible spots by the doors
- How long
- Worship is about 75 minutes. Three hours with class and lunch.
Times confirmed Oct 12 by the church clerk
Sabbath begins Friday at sunset
Who to look for
Two people will make sure you're not lost
Bev Haverlund
Greeter at the north doors
Bev is at the north doors from 9:15. She'll show you the restrooms, the kids' rooms, and a good seat. She also runs the food pantry with her husband, Dale.
Hour by hour
A Sabbath morning, start to finish
Come for all of it or only for worship at 11. Both are normal.
Doors open
Bev Haverlund is at the north doors. She'll show you where everything is, including the restrooms and the kids' rooms.
Sabbath School
A 50 minute Bible discussion in small classes, sorted by age. It's optional. Helen's visitors' class in Room 2 never calls on anyone.
A short break
Water and herbal tea in the lobby, and a few minutes to stretch.
Worship
Hymns, a children's story up front around 11:20, a prayer, and a 35 minute sermon. About 75 minutes.
Fellowship lunch
On the 2nd and 4th Sabbaths, downstairs. Vegetarian, often a haystack bar. Guests go first and bring nothing.
Kids, accessibility, and what to wear
Kids
Classes by age during Sabbath School, from babies to 14, with teachers who have all passed a background check. In worship, kids stay with you. The nursery, with a speaker for the sermon, is down the left hallway.
Accessibility
The sanctuary, restrooms, and fellowship hall are all on one level from the north doors. We have large-print hymnals and a hearing loop. Ask any greeter.
What to wear
Whatever you'd wear to a nice lunch. You'll see a few suits and a lot of sweaters and khakis. Nobody will look twice at jeans.
Good questions
The questions people are a little nervous to ask
If yours isn't here, call Pastor David at (616) 555-0142. He'd rather hear from you than have you stay home wondering.
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'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.
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. What Adventists believe
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.
No pressure
We'll save you a seat
Totally optional. It 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: nothing was sent. On a real site this goes to the greeter team and the pastor, with a backup copy kept 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.