Church Blog

The renovated Sanctuary is nearly ready for worship services! Here are a few details that may be helpful to know as we transition back into the space on Sundays:

New Hymnals and Bibles
When the Sanctuary reopens the weekend of May 13, you’ll notice we’ll be cracking open new hymnals! Director of Music Ted Bickish explains the switch to the Trinity Hymnal in a letter you can view here  or pick up at church. Ted has also provided a Spotify playlist so you can hear some of the new hymns the Trinity Hymnal incorporates. Stop by the Library if you would like to purchase a personal copy. You will also find new English Standard Version Bibles — just like the ones we currently use — stocked in the pew book racks.

New Family Room location
The Family Room going forward will be situated in Room 225, across from the Main Office (in the old Welcome Center). If you need to leave the service with your child, feel free to land here, where you can follow the service via livestream.

Offering
Offering plates and envelopes will continue to be stationed by each of the Sanctuary entrances. As always, you are welcome to give during worship services, by mail, or online.

Communion
Starting in June, we will return to practicing Communion as we have in the past, with the passing of the Lord’s Supper in morning services (usually on the first Sunday of each month) and coming forward to receive Communion in evening services.

Accessible Seating
As before, accessible seating in the Sanctuary will be available in two places: the front right (closest to the Upper Lot’s accessible parking) and back left (closest to Halverson Hall and its elevator).

Accessible Parking
As of May 13, accessible parking will look very much the way it did before our temporary move to the Upper Room. The row of Upper Lot parking spaces closest to the Sanctuary will once again be designated accessible; eight accessible spots will remain in the Lower Lot.

Visitor Parking
Visitor parking will return to its former location in the Upper Lot. You’ll see six spaces labeled for visitors in the middle row, on the end closest to River Road.

Hearing Assistance
One of the improvements that comes with the Sanctuary renovations is a new induction loop system for hearing assistance. It works directly with telecoil-equipped hearing aids, cochlear implants, and/or small receivers checked out from the church Library. Radio-based receiver packs with earpieces are also available for checkout before services.

Accessible Restrooms
The renovated restrooms off of Halverson Hall (opposite the Commons) are available to all.

Friendship Registers
All in the Sanctuary is not new: You’ll notice the return of the Friendship Registers in the pews. These are meant as a way to connect us as a church body. You’re encouraged to participate!

Maps
Updated maps of the church will be available in the Information Center should that be helpful to you in locating various rooms. Please feel free to share these with those who are new to Fourth.