We're so glad you've come to our web site! Enjoy
your trip around the site to learn about Fairlawn.
If so, we hope you'll find Fairlawn a comfortable place to meet your
needs.
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Worship service is every Sunday at 10:30 am.
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We are open to all.
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Need an elevator? Enter
at the west entrance at street level.
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We have ushers at the
entrances. They will give you a handout for the church service. If
you let them know you are new, they will help you feel comfortable
and answer any questions (such as: where to sit, how does Sunday
School work, where do I put my coat, etc.)
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Sit anywhere you feel
comfortable. There is no "reserved" seating. By habit, some people
tend to sit in approximately the same place every Sunday, but we are
delighted to make room for you or your family!
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Listening to the choir is
a joy! And there is opportunity for you to sing too if you like.
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Except on very rare
occasions and when directed by the minister, we do not clap when the
choir finishes singing. The idea is that it's not a concert. The
music is there to enrich our spiritual experience.
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Please bring your
children. We provide Sunday School, Nursery and Youth programs which are a vibrant part of
life at Fairlawn. The children go to Sunday School part way through
the church service. You can pick them up at their Sunday School
class right after the church service. If you are not sure where the
classrooms are, please ask anyone (especially another parent!)
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There's no dress code.
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Washrooms are located
downstairs -- Walk to the back of the church, and go down the west
stairs (on your right as you look at the Good Shepherd stained glass
window.) If you need an elevator to the accessible washroom, please
ask an usher (or anyone) for assistance.
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Please turn off your cell
phones and pagers, don't use cameras, and restrain from using
electronic devices. This is a time for calm reflection and
meditation. Please don't carry on a conversation during the
service. We'd love to talk to you before and after the service, and at Coffee Hour!
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As you enter, you'll be given a handout
that we call the "Order of Service" so you'll know the words to the
prayers and songs we use in the church service. Often the songs are
in a separate Hymn Book and you will find the song number in the
handout. The Hymn Book is on the back of the seat in front of you.
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The handout tells you
when we stand to sing or pray -- it is marked with an asterisk like
this for standing* Otherwise, we sit.
(If you are unable to stand up and sit down frequently, don't worry!
There are several of us who need to remain seated throughout the
service. Just be comfortable!)
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Our new video system
also displays the words of the prayers and hymns, so you may not
even need the handout!
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Unlike some churches, we
don't provide kneeling pads for praying. Instead, we either sit or
stand while we pray.
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The church service lasts
approximately one hour.
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There is a brief period
at the beginning of the service where the minister invites us to
stand up and greet each other. This is usually done by shaking hands
with the people beside you or waving to others. You do not need to
stand up. (This is often called "Passing the Peace".) It's a bit
chaotic, but we all settle down quietly again in a minute or two.
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The minister gives a
sermon which lasts approximately 15 minutes. It's always very
interesting, thought-provoking, spiritual, compassionate and uplifting, and
contains humour and insights into coping with our daily life, and
reflects the Bible reading.
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We pass a "collection
plate" during the church service and people put their donations in
the plate (either as bills, small change or in an envelop). Then
pass the plate to the person beside you. There is no required
amount. Give what you feel comfortable with. The money goes to
support the work and operations of the church and various
charities that we
support. If you have any questions about how this works, please ask
the minister.
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If you get confused about
where we are in the church service, ask the person beside you, or look up to our new video
system where the words of prayers, hymns and everything you need
will be displayed.
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A few times a year we
have
Communion as part of the church service. This is a symbol of
Jesus' love for us. We have a small symbolic piece of bread
(represented by a gluten-free wafer) and symbolic sip of wine
(represented by grape juice). These symbols represent Jesus. The minister directs us through this.
All people, including children, are invited to join in.
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After the church service
is formally over, our Music Director, Eleanor Daley, usually plays a
piece of music on the organ. Some people leave or go downstairs for
coffee, others sit and chat, and others listen quietly until the
music is over. There's no "right answer"!
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Our Church Community
Developer, Eleanor Edwards, will be at the back of the church to
welcome you and provide you with an information package.
Click here to see a picture of her
so you'll be able to recognize her.
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Coffee, tea and juice
are provided downstairs after the church service so you can meet
people, relax and ask us about our church. Use the stairs at the
back of the church so you don't get lost the first time or follow
the crowd! Remember to ask anyone for help if you need an elevator.
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Please feel invited
to join any of our many programs related to the social life and
spiritual journey at Fairlawn. These are listed in our email
Greetings, and in the insert to
the handout (we call the insert the "Sunday
Bulletin") and on our News & Events
web page.
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You'll find we have a
passionate interest in spirituality, environmental protection,
social justice issues, affordable housing, poverty reduction,
outreach, support for many charities, adult and children's faith
education, and youth group.
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And, we'd love to
have you join our social get-togethers and parties for fellowship,
support, learning and fun.
Find out more ...
