Your First Sunday at Gateway
Everything you wanted to know about a service at Gateway, but were afraid to ask:
Do you really have church in a YMCA?
Yes. The Y has graciously rented to us its facilities for use on Sunday morning and evening. The East Belleville Center is a beautiful, first-class building that suits church services and programs surprisingly well. Many churches would love to meet in such a nice, accommodating facility. We make no apologies for meeting at the YMCA.
Does it feel odd to have church in a Y?
It's not as strange as it sounds. All over America, new churches are started in places as diverse as storefronts, hotels, old warehouses, personal homes, and schools. One very successful church in South Carolina held its first services in a junkyard. Everyone has to start somewhere. So, yes, we do admit that it seems a little strange at first to have church in a Y, but at least it's not the junkyard.
Do you meet at the Y every week?
We meet at the Y all but two weeks of the year: the third week in January and Christmas week, if Christmas falls on Sunday. Other than these two weeks, we meet at the East Belleville Center. If for some reason this changes, the alternate location will be posted on our website as well as on our Facebook page.
Where do I go when I arrive?
When you arrive, one of our friendly ushers will greet you and help direct you and your family to the right place. Likely, Pastor and Mrs. Carpenter as well as several other members will also be there to welcome you to our services. If you have an infant or toddler with you, one of our ladies will take you to our well-equipped nursery facilities.
How does Sunday school work for visitors?
From 9:00 a.m. until 9:45a.m., adults enjoy an informal fellowship in the lobby immediately to the left of the front door. Coffee and light refreshments are served. A small offering is collected to help keep the flow of coffee and treats coming. During this time, kids and teens get acquainted with the other kids and teens already there, as well as their Sunday school teachers.
At 9:30 a.m., kids and teens will go with their teachers to their class areas. Classes are held all over the YMCA facility; the locations are listed in the church bulletin you received when you entered the building.
We currently have two adult classes: the Auditorium class, which meets in our auditorium, and the New Life Bible Class, which meets in the lobby. Feel free to attend either one.
What is a church service like?
Services at Gateway are well-organized but informal. We laugh, cut up, praise the Lord, and get serious with God and have a good time, all at the same time.
Our musical style as well as the style of our service is traditional, but not boring.
The preaching from the pulpit is exciting, dynamic, and powerful. Our pastors all very clearly preach the Bible. Near the end of the sermon, we have an old-fashioned altar call for those who need to make decisions for God. We ask that unless absolutely necessary, no one leave the services during this time.
During the announcements, you will receive a guest registration card. We ask that you fill out the card and deposit it in the offering plate. The offering is collected just prior to dismissal. Of course, guests are never required or asked to give money to our church.
Elementary-age students attend our children's service during the adult service.
What happens when the service is over?
Following the dismissal, a team of members take down the main service area and return the chairs, tables, and podiums to their storage areas. Others mingle and fellowship as they make their way to the parking lot. Don't be surprised if several people make a point to greet you.
Children are dismissed from their services to the lobby. Don't forget to pick up any children from the nursery. And, thank you again for coming.