Plan A Visit
Thank you for your interest in worship at First Presbyterian Church. We hope to meet you in person!
FINDING US
We are located on the Southside of Holland, between 27th and 28th Street, and State Street and Columbia Avenue. While there is some parking available on Columbia Avenue and on 28th Street, most people park in the lot to the north of the church, which is accessible from both Columbia and State Streets. The door off the parking lot, North of the church building is the main entrance. This entrance is equipped with a ramp for accessibility.
WHAT TO EXPECT
When you enter the building via the North entrance, you will find our Welcome Center to the Right. Information about our church ministry and programs can be found here. Individuals who have experienced hearing loss may benefit from using our “loop” system. The loop system improves overall audio during church services. These Thingymawhitchits can be found at the Welcome Center.
To the left you’ll find our beloved Book Nook where children sink into the beanbag chairs to read a story or just “be”.
Straight ahead you will find yourself in the Meet and Mingle Café (abbreviated M&M Café). Please take time before or after the service to enjoy coffee, tea or juice, bagels and cream cheese, cookies, fruit or cheese.
Our Nursery, for preschool age children and younger, is down the ramp/stairs on your right. Our paid Nursery Coordinator and all of our rotating nursery volunteers have gone through our Child Protection Policy Training. They will make sure that you are given a pager to keep with you during the worship service so that you can be notified with any needs during the service. The nursery is available every Sunday morning, during and in between the worship services.
Just to the left of the M&M Cafe you will find yourself at the rear of the Sanctuary. An usher, with a worship bulletin, will greet you. Children’s bulletins and quiet toys are available for young worshipers at the back entrance. If you would like a large print bulletin, the ushers will be happy to provide one.
Once in the Sanctuary, please sit anywhere you would like. Note: At the back of the Sanctuary, you will find a rocking chair for parents with infants. Once in your seats look for the laminated sheet in the pew rack. Here you will find helpful hints for new worshippers.
Some of our worshippers will be in jeans. Others will wear a suit and tie, or a Sunday dress – and everything in between. It doesn’t matter what you wear. Just be you.
WHAT OUR WORSHIP IS LIKE
Some call our worship services blended. Others say traditional, or classical. We sing from a Presbyterian hymnal accompanied by either piano or organ. Some of the hymns are the oldies, some are written in the 20th and 21st century. Sometimes you’ll hear a small drum or tambourine. Occasionally we have liturgical dancers, a children’s choir, or a youth instrumentalist.
The 8:45a service is smaller and quieter, and lasts about 45 minutes. The 11:00a service draws a larger congregation and includes an adult choir, more liturgy and songs, and accompaniment from the organ. Most people find it a bit more formal, but not stuffy!