What’s a Sunday Service Like?

Sunday morning services are (about)
an hour long, and are purposely upbeat, relevant,
and authentic. In a typical service:
- We open with a lively song of praise. Lyrics
are projected onto a screen behind the leader, freeing us
from holding song books and allowing us to participate by
clapping along with the music.
- Next, a greeter (different each week) welcomes
us and briefly discusses what the Lord is doing in his or
her life.
- Following the greeting, the congregation
has a brief opportunity to stand and personally greet one
another, to draw us together as we go before the Lord.
- Afterward, we’ll sing a few more songs
proclaiming the goodness of our Lord.
- Then, we’ll share some news
– both happy and sad – on behalf of people in
our church family, as we fulfill the Biblical mandate to
weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice.
- An offering will be collected to give regular
attenders an opportunity to give, as we sing one more song.
- Next, we’ll hear a sermon that simply
and creatively shares a teaching from God’s Word.
Our pastor’s style is conversational, and he employs
humor, media, and “hands-on” objects to illustrate
the truths being taught.
- The sermon lasts between 20 and 25 minutes.
This is the accepted maximum attention span for alert lecture-listening.
As Pastor Bruce likes to say, if you haven’t struck
oil by then, you might as well stop boring!
- The message is followed by a set of songs
that connect us relationally with God, and give us a chance
to express our worship and love to Him.
- After a few reminders, a customized benediction
is delivered to close the service. Those who wish to pray
with our prayer team are invited forward, while the rest
of the congregation makes its way to the back of the sanctuary
for cookies, coffee, and friendly conversation.
We believe that Sunday mornings should
embody true celebration. Not silent celebration. Not bizarre
celebration. Honest to goodness, this-feels-like-a-privilege-and-not-a-duty
celebration. We aspire to make each meeting a fun time to
get serious about God.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What about my children?
While you are participating in an energizing worship service,
our children’s church trains up kids from nursery to
4th grade in the Ark, which provides a safe, clean, age-appropriate
environment. 5th and 6th graders have their class in the Boat
Shed (behind the Youth House), and 7th through 9th graders
are invited to a meeting in the Youth House (11:00 am service
only).
What should I wear?
Wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. Each service
at His Place will see an eclectic range of fashion, from suit
and ties to shorts and sandals. The only exception is on the
morning of our Family Picnic, when everyone is asked to wear
picnic attire!
Will I be singled out if I visit?
No. We won’t make you wear a visitor’s badge
or stand up during the service. You can remain as anonymous
as you like. But, when you are ready, we encourage you to
become involved in one of the many ministries or small groups
that are available at the church.
Where can I go if my child is restless
during the service?
The Mothers’ Room is available for mothers at the back
of the sanctuary for privacy and to care for crying infants.
A diaper changing station is provided, along with comfortable
rocking chairs.
This room features subdued lighting and a one-way
window to provide a private, full view of the service, and
built-in speakers to provide volume-controllable music and
sound. Please note that the Mothers’ Room is available for
ladies only. Dads are welcome to tend to their tots in the
lobby entry.
In addition, the nurseries in the Ark are available
every Sunday morning for anyone attending services here. Children
are treated with T.L.C. in a clean, safe environment while
you attend the service. And if your child needs your attention,
our paging system can notify you during the service.
The Infant Nursery is located at the large window
across from the kitchen in the Ark, and takes babies up to
12 months old. For children 12 to 24 months old (or younger
ones who are walking), the Toddler Nursery is available; look
for the rainbow entrance outside, near the back of the Ark.
Will I be asked to give money?
No. If you’re visiting His Place, we ask that you pass
the offering basket by. You are our guest, and we want to
minister to you.
Where do I go if I want to pray with
someone?
The prayer team waits at the back of the sanctuary after
each service to pray with people. Please come to the back corner (next to the big window) after
the congregation has been excused, and one of the team members
will be happy to pray with you. If you have a prayer need
but don’t want to pray one-on-one with someone, you
can leave your request in the box behind the information counter,
or click here to submit
it electronically.
How did His Place begin?
Our history goes back to 1983, when 21-year-old Bruce
Wersen merged his college group with an adult Bible study
led by his father, Larry Wersen. This new group met in a storage
building (now the Ark) at Larry’s auto wrecking yard.
Within two weeks, 85 people were attending “His Place
Christian Fellowship.”
Larry served as senior pastor, while Bruce continued
leading the youth and soon became the church’s administrator
as well. Soon after, His Place affiliated with a denomination
and “His Place Foursquare Church” was born.
In 1986 a new sanctuary was completed, and construction
of the Ark began in 1988. Nine years later, Pastor Larry retired
and Bruce was asked to fill his father’s role as senior
pastor.
In 2000, the congregation completed its current,
expanded sanctuary, and in 2002 changed its name to “His
Place Community Church” in an effort to communicate
more clearly with the unchurched.
In 2004, His Place became an independent charismatic
evangelical church, with a new emphasis on the teaching that
God’s Spirit fully indwells (baptizes) at salvation
and is evidenced by growth in the fruit of His Spirit.
What does His Place believe?
His Place is a Bible-believing, Christian church. Click
here for a list of what we believe.
How big is His Place?
Currently, about 3,000 people call His Place their
church home, and our average Sunday attendance is approximately
1,500. Although a large church offers many benefits, there
are aspects of accountability, fellowship, support, and personal
growth that simply cannot be experienced in a weekly congregational
setting. We encourage church attendees to become involved
in small groups and ministries as “entry points”
to building authentic relationship with one another.