What to Expect When You Visit Living Hope on a Sunday Morning
Before the Service:
Park at St. Francis High School on the Auditorium side, which is the west parking lot. As you come in, you will be warmly greeted at the door by members of the congregation and given a program which includes church events, announcements and a note taking sheet for the message.
Get Settled:
At Living Hope, you will notice a casual atmosphere, and people of all ages and walks of life. Our service is in the auditorium. You may sit wherever you will feel most comfortable.
During the Service:
After worship, we spend 5-10 minutes of fellowship time to say hello to the people around us and get to know others better. It is very casual. If you are more comfortable sitting down and observing during this time, you are welcome to do so. Following this, someone usually gives some informational announcements.
We pass baskets to give the Living Hope community a chance to worship through giving and to collect 'Connection Cards.' Connection Cards are attached to the bulletin and are used to collect information, prayer requests, and comments. We ask newcomers to fill these out, so that we can send you information and connect with you, if you'd like. Many regular attenders of Living Hope give an offering each week as an act of worship in thanking God for all that He has done in their lives and to help support the ministry and missions of the church. However, we encourage guests and newcomers to let the basket pass by without feeling any obligation to give.
Just before the teaching, children ages 3 to Kindergarten are dismissed for Children's Church and children in grades 1-4 are dismissed for Junior Church. This is a time for children to enjoy Bible learning, singing, crafts, snacks, and games. The classes are located down the hallway in classrooms. All of our workers are abuse- prevention trained to ensure the utmost safety for our children.
After the younger children are dismissed, Pastor Lon gives a relevant, straightforward teaching message that is based on the Bible. These messages help us develop a growing, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ, and apply biblical teachings to our lives. To hear some of Pastor Lon's most current messages, click HERE.
As a community of Christ followers, we celebrate communion together about once a month. Anyone who has made the decision to follow Jesus Christ can participate in this time of reflection and prayer. The juice and bread that we share represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ and the life He gave up so that our sins could be forgiven.
After the Service:
If your children were part of the Nursery or Children’s Church, you will want to go to that area and pick them up. Junior Church will be dismissed with the service. You will see that many people stay after the service to visit and connect. Feel free to stay and get to know us as you are comfortable. We'd love to answer your questions and get to know you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I understand the teaching, even if I don't know much about the Bible?
The teaching times are prepared to connect with people's lives by using the ageless wisdom and truths in Scripture and presenting it in a creative, yet straight-forward way. The services are designed to be easily understood by individuals searching for God and asking questions, and for long-time Christians who find these teachings invaluable to their spiritual and personal growth.
How should I dress?
We emphasize relationships, not fashion. Dress however you feel comfortable. You will find more jeans and kahkis at Living Hope than suits and dresses.
What if I come from a different faith background?
People who attend Living Hope come from a wide variety of faith backgrounds. Together, we focus on biblical truth and teachings, and pursuing an active relationship with Jesus Christ.
What if I'm not even sure I believe in God?
It's okay. Almost everyone has questions about spiritual things and how they might relate to their lives. You are welcome to explore answers to your questions at Living Hope.
Do you have more than one service?
We have our Sunday morning service and our Wednesday evening service, called 'the Gathering." See the 'Ministries' page for more information.
How long are the services?
Both services typically last about an hour and 20 minutes.
How can I find out how to get involved beyond Sunday mornings?
Check the weekly bulletins for opportunities or announcements, browse this website, or contact the church offices for more information. Thanks for your interest!
Living Hope Evangelical Free Church P.O. Box 264 St. Francis, MN 55070 763.753.1718
Living Hope
Evangelical Free Church St. Francis, MN
St. Francis, MN
Where are you on your journey in life and with God? No matter where you are, God loves you and desires to draw you closer to Him.
We believe God created us to learn and grow in community. Maybe you have been tremendously blessed by being part of a faith community. Maybe you have been hurt or disillusioned. Or, maybe you've had no experiences with a faith community. We don't claim to be the perfect church, but we're trusting Jesus to make Living Hope a safe place to learn, love, & grow where people's weaknesses and failures are known and they are loved all the more. No matter who you are or where you've been, you are welcome at Living Hope.
Whether you are used to attending worship services or not, it's nice to know what's going to happen when you go somewhere. The following is an outline of what to expect at our Sunday morning service, followed by some frequently asked questions.
If after browsing this site, you still have a question, simply click here or call the office at 763-753-1718 and someone will respond with the information you need. Thanks for visiting our website today. We hope to see you at a service soon!
Journeying
Worship is a time is set aside for communicating with God from our hearts. The worship team leads us in upbeat songs of celebration, as well as more intimate songs of worship and hymns. Everyone expresses worship to God in his or her own unique way. For some that may mean singing and clapping along, for others raising hands, and for others quietly reflecting on the words. You’re welcome to worship God in the way that is most meaningful to you.
There is an Information Table in the hallway that has information about us and what's going on.
If you have children ages 3 and under, you may check them in at the Nursery, which is located down the hall and to the right. There will be signs pointing you in the right direction. If you'd rather keep your child with you, that's fine too.
Living Hope
Evangelical Free Church St. Francis, MN
St. Francis, MN
