I'm New (Common Questions)
Our Invitation to Come and Worship With Us
It can be hard to go to church for the first time. There are so many questions that are not answered in mailings and newspaper ads. For example:
“Will I know how to get into the building for the service, or will I pick the wrong door?”
“Can I bring my children to worship?”
“What should I wear?”
“What will the service be like?”
Unknown factors like these can make church intimidating. We hope to answer some of the questions you might have about our church before you visit. We would like to make your visit with us relaxed and enriching. Our deepest wish is that when you visit Liberty UMC you will hear about your Savior Jesus, and come to know the grace and love of God more and more.
Where and when are your worship services held?
We are worshiping in person. Sunday service lasts about an hour. We meet every Sunday at 11:00 AM. We are located right off of Route 17 in Bealeton at 10513 Old Marsh Rd, Bealeton, VA 22712. Please see our home page for more information.
What is worship like?
Our worship style is a blend of traditional and modern. Most Sundays you will experience a combination of hymns, scripture readings, and a message from the pastor. We do give back to God what God has blessed us with through our morning offering, but it is intended for those who regularly attend Liberty UMC. Guests are not expected to give.
We embrace the mystery and transcendence of liturgy, the sacraments of baptism and communion, and the use of symbol in worship. We believe that just as multi-media helps give praise and adoration to God, so does time-tested means of worship. So if you attend one of our worship services you will see us use candles, celebrate the Lord's Supper and pray the Lord's Prayer.
We believe that in the context of worship such as this, that the Holy Spirit can move in powerful ways to touch both believers and those searching.
Dress
Sometimes people wonder how they are expected to dress at a church they have never visited before. Since the Bible presents no dress code, aside from simple decency and Christian humility, Liberty UMC does not make any rules either. Persons may dress casually and rejoice that we have a God who accepts us as we are. Another may dress to reflect the awe and reverence we have for our Savior King. On any Sunday at Liberty you may see running shoes and high heels, jeans and suits, or open collars and ties. When a person dresses out of love for God, the choice of dress (casual or more formal) is acceptable to God and to us. The only dress code is that one would wear clothes! Jesus accepts us as we are and so will the congregation of Liberty UMC.
Offerings
“When will they take the offering?”
“How will it be collected?”
“How much am I expected to give?”
Do they want guests to contribute too?”
These are typical worries about church offerings. The Bible teaches that our offerings to God should reflect our belief that all we have is His gift to us. It teaches us that with our offerings we worship and honor God. Like most Christians, our members bring offerings to God through their church. Since offerings are gifts of love for God, no one dictates what each person is to give. We pass an offering plate during the service so that our worship may include bringing gifts to God.* A child may bring the quarters and dimes his or her parents give them. Someone older may write a check. Both are remembering Jesus and giving their gift out of love for Him. You may wish at first to learn more about our ministry before bringing your offerings to God through our church. Again, guests are not expected to give as the service is our gift to them. But you are welcome to participate as your heart leads you to give.
The Worst That Can Happen.... Attending church somewhere for the first time can be intimidating. Here are some common worries: “I would just die if they made me stand up and say something.” ~ Rest assured, we won’t embarrass you this way or in any other way. We want you to feel comfortable and at home with us. We promise to do all we can to enhance your worship time so that you can learn more about your Savior, Jesus. “I know my child is going to be too noisy.” ~ We welcome your children to attend our services, but if you feel uncomfortable with their noise level we do offer a nursery in our fellowship hall. “I am afraid I will say or do something wrong.” ~ All of us have felt this way when in a new situation. We hope that you see the people at Liberty UMC as ordinary people just like yourself. We want to accept you as you are and help you become what Christ wants you to be. We do not want to throw cold water on that by exhibiting a critical spirit. “I just want to watch at first and I know that they will try to involve me or sign me up.” ~ It is unpleasant to be pressured or to be part of a “membership drive” as though we were heads of cattle. We believe that church membership should be a voluntary decision, and that the most important thing is to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. It takes time for this to be developed. People need time to evaluate and decide if they wish further involvement. We believe we should respect that need. “I don’t know that much about the Bible.” ~ Church and Bible Study are opportunities to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and faith in Jesus. You will not have to answer any questions you do not want to answer. And remember, sometimes the wisest words we say might be, “I don’t know.” Is Liberty UMC a Christian church? Yes, Liberty UMC adheres to the truths of the Christian faith as contained in both Old and New Testaments. We are deeply committed to the eternal truths of the Christian faith. We seek to multiply the number of followers who claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. A Final Thought It is our prayer that this has helped answer some of your questions and alleviate your fears. Our goals as a community are quite simple. We want to grow in faith and share that faith with people like you. Everything we do is meant to accomplish these two goals. We pray that there is nothing that stands in your way from learning more about your Savior. Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us if you have any question about our church or if there is anything that we can do for you. God’s blessings to you, and we look forward to seeing you!
