There is no set dress code here at Schoeneck. We want you to be comfortable and to be YOU! We have people coming in wearing ties and dresses, some members tend toward business casual, and some come in jeans and polos or t-shirts. God accepts you just as you are, and so do we.

There are two main entrances for the church located off our parking lot, which features plenty of parking! The upper, right-hand entrance is the entrance for most areas of the church, including the Church Office, the Nursery, and some of our Sunday School classrooms. It is commonly called the Main Entrance. We recommend coming into the church through the Main Entrance when you are coming for worship.

The lower, left-hand entrance leads into the Fellowship Hall area with more Sunday School classrooms, easily accessible bathrooms plus a large family bathroom, and is commonly called the Fellowship Hall Entrance.

Just inside the Main Entrance, to the left, is an elevator lift that can be used by anyone who has trouble using the stairs. It is easy to operate, but one of the Greeters can assist you if necessary. The lift will take you upstairs to the sanctuary level.

If you do not need to use the lift, simply proceed through the vestibule into the church. You’ll pass the Church Office on your left and the Nursery on your right. Continue straight down the hall, past several Sunday School rooms. At the end of the hall you will see a set of stairs just a bit ahead of you leading up to the sanctuary level. There are two small bathrooms before you go up the stairs, a women’s room and a men’s room.

A typical Sunday worship service will last about an hour. Special services may be a little longer and include the Sacrament of Holy Communion (see below for Can I take Holy Communion?) or a Lovefeast (see below for What exactly is a Lovefeast?)

Upon entering the sanctuary, you will be greeted by the Ushers and handed a bulletin that will give you all the information you will need to participate in the worship service.

There will be hymns, scripture readings, prayers, a Children’s Message, possibly a responsive liturgy (the pastor reads the regular print and the congregation reads the bold print), special music, an offering taken, and a sermon by our pastor, the Rev. Ian Edwards.

We use the Moravian Book of Worship for our hymns and liturgy, as well as Sing to the Lord a New Song, the new Moravian songbook, with more contemporary themes.

No. We do collect an offering, and we certainly welcome your gift if you feel led to contribute, but there’s never an obligation to give. Visitors and guests are welcome to enjoy the service without the pressure of contributing to the offering.

Of course! We are a friendly bunch of people who love to meet new people. Someone will greet you on your way into the building, and others will greet you with a worship bulletin as you enter the sanctuary. Don’t be surprised if other members of the congregation say hello, too!

Church isn’t just for adults! Children are always welcome and encouraged to attend worship. Worship is a serious and seriously joyous time, only made better by the inclusion of children. Children — noises, fidgets and all — are an integral part of what God is doing in our midst and we are delighted to share this time with them. Activity bags filled with a few quiet activities are available to help entertain the little ones during the service. Simply ask one of the Ushers for an activity bag for your children to use during worship.

At most worship services we offer a Children’s Message for children of all ages — teens included! This time in worship features a special message from Pastor Ian just for our children (and also maybe for the adults listening in!) relating to the theme of the day’s worship service. Children are invited forward, and parents are welcome to join their children if it helps them participate, or members of our Youth Group are happy to hold their hand or sit with them.

If you would prefer, we do have a Nursery available with childcare for all children, newborn to 4 years old. Our youngest children can experience the love of God through the attention and care of those around them. The Nursery, located near the main entrance across from the Church Office, is a clean, safe, and child–friendly environment, led by volunteers who are dedicated, trained, and have successfully completed a recent background check. Children can be in worship long enough to participate in the Children’s Message before you take them to the Nursery if you would like.

Children and youth have the option to attend our Sunday School at 9:15 am. (You can, too! We have several classes for adults on Sunday morning.) Please click here for more information about our Christian Education Ministry for children, youth, and adults.

We also have lots of opportunities for children and youth to participate in the life of the congregation — please click here for the Children, Youth, & Young Adults page.

As a church, we invite children of all ages to be a part of the growing, thriving ministry of our church. We welcome your entire family to take part in loving and serving all as a part of our church family.

The Moravian Church practices open communion — if you have been baptized, regardless of denomination, you are welcome to partake in the Sacrament of Holy Communion with us. At Schoeneck our communion elements (the bread and wine) are communion wafers or freshly baked bread and grape juice. Gluten–free wafers are available upon request.

Pastor Ian consecrates the elements and then assisting members from our Board of Elders distribute the elements to the congregation — first the bread, then the cup. Congregation members remain seated in their pews, singing hymns chosen to convey the message of the day, as the communion elements are distributed. As the Elder approaches your pew, please stand if you are able. If you do not wish to receive communion, simply remain seated.

Once everyone in your pew has received the communion element, you may be seated without eating or drinking. Please wait until the Elders return to the front of the church and Pastor Ian instructs the congregation to stand. Just follow along in the bulletin or the hymnal/communion book.

We offer the “Right Hand of Fellowship” to other congregation members near us twice during our communion service to symbolize of the unity we experience in partaking of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. If you are uncomfortable shaking hands, you may offer a fist bump or simply wave hello to your neighbors. At Schoeneck, some of us call this the “Right Wave of Fellowship”.

Baptized children are welcome to receive communion provided they have an age–appropriate understanding of the sacrament. If you think your child is ready to receive Holy Communion, please speak with Pastor Ian.

For more information about the Sacrament of Holy Communion, please click here.

Moravian Lovefeasts are a community celebration of unity and fellowship. Patterned after the ancient agape meals the disciples shared, as told in the New Testament book of Acts, lovefeasts are a special worship service composed of hymn singing and a simple common meal. Each lovefeast service has a theme, and the hymns have been chosen specifically to help the congregation reflect on the day’s message.

The lovefeast elements are distributed to the congregation by the Diener Corps while we sing the hymns, and special music is presented while the congregation eats the shared meal. At Schoeneck we usually serve a piece of Moravian sugar cake with a choice of chocolate milk or lightened decaf coffee.

For more information on our Lovefeasts, please click here.

Becoming a member of Schoeneck Moravian Church is a sign of commitment to the Christian life and to being an active part of this congregation. As a member you will have opportunities for greater involvement in worship, witness, growth, and service. Before joining, we encourage you to learn more about Schoeneck by coming to worship often and getting involved in one (or more!) of the many ways to participate in the life of the congregation. Sharing the gifts, abilities, and resources God has given us is a practical expression of our commitment to our faith. Find a ministry you would like to be part of, come to fellowship activities, enroll your kids in Sunday School, attend a Bible Study, or join the choir.

We also encourage you to attend our Inquirer’s Classes. Inquirer’s Classes are a helpful way to develop a deeper understanding of the ministry and mission of Schoeneck Moravian Church, and our expectations of members. You’ll also meet others like yourself in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. We encourage you to ask questions.

After the classes, if you choose to join our faith community at Schoeneck, Pastor Ian will schedule a time for you (and your children if so desired) to be formally accepted into the church and welcomed by the Joint Board and the congregation during a worship service.

For more information about becoming a member of Schoeneck, please click here.