Come as you are
Some of us wear shorts and t-shirts, others wear suits and ties. On days when the Seahawks are playing, you’ll see lots of jerseys and even some blue and green hair! Wear whatever is comfortable for you. AWE (Alternative Worship Experience) services on the 3rd Sunday of each month are particularly casual.
What services are like
Services last about an hour. When you walk in, we’ll greet you and give you a bulletin. It will show you the order of the service so you can follow along. Most services include:
- A sermon of about 10 minutes.
- Singing and listening to different pieces of music. An asterisk in the printed bulletin will tell you when to stand in body or spirit, and a hymn number will show which page to turn to in the black hymnal.
- Reciting text and prayers together. The words will be printed in the bulletin, including the words for the Lord’s Prayer.
- Passing the offering basket. There’s no pressure to give donations of any size.
- Listening to scripture from the Bible. The words are printed in the bulletin so you can follow along.
The AWE services on the third Sunday of each month typically have 3 short sermons, along with 3 short readings and 3 songs.
What the music is like
You’ll hear lots of different types of music. Most Sundays, we sing a couple traditional hymns. But we incorporate lots of different styles of music into services: folk, gospel, international, classical, opera. You’ll hear a number of different instruments any given week: handbells, trombone, djembe, cello, violin, flute, and maybe even a Theremin. We’re very grateful for the number of musicians who share their talents with us, and hope you’ll enjoy the music and join in! Read more about the music ministry at First Congregational Church, Bellevue.
For kids and their grown-ups
Kids, you are part of worship! If you’re age 3 through 5th grade, there will be a point in the service when you’re invited to leave for Faith Formation activities upstairs in the Ed Suite. You can decide to go with your age-based class or stay with your families through worship. In class, you typically read a story, have a snack, and do a craft project. On the first Sunday of the month, you’ll come back in for communion and then will finish Faith Formation in the Chapel.
If you have little siblings who are under age 3, they can either stay with your family in worship, or go to the nursery for care starting at 9am and going through the end of worship.
We have activity packs at the back of the church if you’d rather be drawing or doing puzzles. We’ll also invite you up to the front for a Time With Children most Sundays.
The middle and high school youth groups meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month (middle school at 9am, and high school at 11am), and gather for social events and service days as well. Contact us for more information!
Communion Sundays
On the first Sunday of every month, we come to the front of the church to take and eat a small piece of bread (or a gluten-free cracker) and then take and drink a small cup of grape juice (or water). All are welcome to join in. This ritual reminds us of the fellowship Jesus shared with his disciples. We do it to show thanks for all God does and to remember Christ’s presence. It also reminds us that we are all one in the church.
Accessibility information
- Assistive listening devices are available as you enter the service.
- The Sanctuary is on the first floor and is fully wheelchair accessible. Accessible bathrooms are also available on the first floor.
- On Communion Sundays, if it’s difficult for you to come to the front of the church, we’ll bring the bread and juice to you – please check in with an usher if you would like this.
If you have any questions, please ask!
Ahead of time, contact us at 425-454-5001 or welcome@fccbellevue.org
On Sunday morning, find one of the ushers.