We know that visiting any church for the first time can be a little intimidating.  You may be wondering things like    What's the church like?   Are they friendly?   Will I fit in?   What do children do during services?

We know what you're feeling.  After all, everyone here had a first visit themselves at some point.  Not to worry - we want to help you feel comfortable and welcome here at Holy Trinity.  Here's some information on what to expect during your first visit with us...

Coming to Holy Trinity

• Getting here is pretty easy.  Check out our directions and maps for help.  Here are a few photos to help you know what to look for.

• There is plenty of parking available, including handicapped parking spaces right outside the front doors.  Feel free to park in any parking space - all belong to Holy Trinity and none are reserved (other than the handicapped-restricted spaces, of course).

• The building is wheelchair-accessible via a ramp in the middle of the building in the front.  The ushers or members will be glad to assist you.  Our services are amplified and large print bulletins are available if that is helpful to you.

• Finding your way around the church is pretty easy too.   Facing the front, the main church is to the left (under the steeple!).   The wing on the right houses Fellowship Hall and our library upstairs, with education rooms downstairs.  In between is the church office and a rack to hang your coat if you'd like during your visit.  There are restrooms off the entrance hall in the main church building, next to Fellowship Hall, and downstairs near the class rooms.
  
  If you need help finding anything, please just ask!

• If you stop by during the week, please check in at the church office for assistance.  If the outside doors are locked, please just ring the bell at the door leading to Fellowship Hall and someone will be happy to let you in.

• Everyone is welcome!  We heartily welcome people of all ages, races, nationalities, ethnic groups, religious backgrounds - wherever you are in your life's journey!  We recognize every person as a child of God, and we invite all to join us in worshiping and serving Him.
  
  Not a Christian? (or just not sure what you believe?)   Please feel welcome to stop in and explore what ELCA Lutheranism has to offer!

• Looking for ways to serve the community?  We have a variety of community service opportunities and everyone is welcome to participate!  You don't have to be a church member, a Lutheran, or even a Christian.  We are called by God to help our neighbors, and we welcome all helping hands.

Sunday Morning Worship Services

• We generally have two services each Sunday (see our calendar for an up-to-date schedule).
  
  The 8:00 am service is usually a smaller, more intimate worship experience.  The 10:30 am service tends to be larger with more families attending.  This service normally includes a Children's Sermon and a choir anthem.  Visitors (including children!) are very welcome at either service.
  
  Note that during the summer (June 17 - September 2) we have a single service at 9:00 am.  We also have special services for Christmas Eve and Easter, and during Lent and Holy Week (the week before Easter).  Again, the calendar will have up-to-date schedule information.

• You can enter the church using the front doors to the main church.  There is also a side door coming from the other wing of the church building.  Before the services start we have greeters at the entrance to the sanctuary and ushers to give you a bulletin and to help you find a seat.

• There is plenty of seating available in the sanctuary.   There aren't any reserved seats, so sit wherever you're comfortable (once in a while a pew might be roped off if it will be used for a special event).

• Our worship services are easy to follow since the entire service (music, prayers, scripture readings) is printed in your bulletin.   We use the service and music from the new ELCA worship resource  Evangelical Lutheran Worship.  The only exception is background hymns sung during communion.  If you'd like to sing along, the referenced hymns may be found in the pew hymnals.  The following codes are used:
  
       WOV = With One Voice (blue paperback)
       LBW = Lutheran Book of Worship (green hardback)
  

• Services last about 1 hour.  The worship is led by Pastor Simmons and a volunteer assisting minister from the congregation.   They will give any special directions needed during the service.

• Most of our services include a celebration of Holy Communion.   All baptized Christians, regardless of denomination, who believe that Jesus is present with us in the meal, are welcome to come forward and receive the bread and wine (or grape juice).  Children who have communed in another congregation are welcome to commune here also.  Others may come forward for a personal blessing.  Of course, there is no obligation and you may certainly just stay seated and not participate in this part of the service.

• Don't worry - visitors are never singled out or embarrassed.   We won't ask you to stand up or wear a name tag or anything like that.   If you choose, you may fill out the visitor side of the blue card found in your bulletin to let us know you came.

• You don't have to pay anything.  We don't expect our guests to put anything in the offering plate, though you're certainly welcome to if you would like.  Our members and regular attendees freely give to support our ministries.

• We have lots of options for children at Holy Trinity.   Children of any age are most welcome to stay with you in church through the entire worship service.  Don't worry about any noise they make!   We are happy to have them there no matter what.  In fact, the more noise they make, the less people will notice OUR children making noise.  So, the more the merrier.
  
  A supervised nursery is available during the 10:30 service (and also the 9:00 summer service).   The nursery is downstairs in the large classroom under Fellowship Hall.  You're welcome to drop off your children before the service.  Usually, though, children come to church until after the children's sermon (about 10-15 minutes into the service).  Many children then go to the nursery for about 30 minutes of play, arts & crafts, etc.  There is usually at least 1 parent helping the children down the stairs, but feel free to escort your child down if you'd like.  The children are escorted back up right before communion so they can come up with their families to receive a blessing.   The service only lasts 5-10 minutes after that.
  
  There are fidget bags with coloring books and activities available in the entrance hall (narthex).  An usher can help you find one on your way in if your child would like to use one during the service.  You may certainly bring coloring books or other activities with you from home, too.

Sunday Morning Education Hour (September to June)

From 9:15 - 10:15 am each Sunday there are opportunities for children and adults to learn about God and His plan for our lives and our world.   Our classes are a great way to get to meet people and make new friends since they're smaller than the worship services and have lots of relaxed, open discussion.

• We have an active Sunday School Program for children 3 years old through 6th grade.  Classes are divided into age groups to allow learning experiences to be targeted and age-appropriate (and more fun!).  Our Sunday School program includes a variety of interactive learning experiences, including bible stories, arts & crafts, drama, music, and games.
  
  You don't have to be a member for your children to come to Sunday School.  Your child is always welcome, whether once in a while or every week.  You're welcome to stay in the class yourself if you want to check out the program or help your child become comfortable.

• Children in 7th and 8th grades usually participate in confirmation preparation study with Pastor Simmons and other teachers.  This is a more formal program than Sunday School, so please contact Pastor Simmons if you're thinking about having your child join in.   Again, you don't have to be a member to have your child participate in this learning experience.

• An adult study group meets during this time for anyone who'd like to explore their faith, connect with others, and experience a deeper understanding of God's plan for their life and the Church.  This is a casual, friendly gathering and all are welcome.  See our adult education page for more information.

Fellowship - Food and Conversation

On many Sundays there's a gathering after the 10:30 am service in Fellowship Hall.  Everyone is welcome - please feel free to join us!   It's a great time to have some refreshments, meet people, ask questions about the church and our activities, and just enjoy casual interaction with others.  Look in the announcements section of the bulletin for more information.  An invitation to these gatherings is also usually made verbally during the 10:30 am service.  They will also be on our calendar.

During the summer, join us for light refreshments after the 9:00 am service.

What else is going on at Holy Trinity?

In addition to our worship services, there are many opportunities to get involved at Holy Trinity.  You don't have to be a member to participate in any of these activities.  If something looks interesting to you - just jump right in.  We're happy to have new people involved in our activities (or "ministries" as Christians often call them).  If you have questions about any of these activities, just ask any member or contact us.

• Interested in finding ways to serve others?  This is the heart of our mission at Holy Trinity and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America!  We have many opportunities to serve and we welcome all helping hands.  Whether it's helping the needy in our local community, ministering to those struggling with day-to-day personal challenges, or working to make the world a better place for all of God's children, you'll find Holy Trinity members actively involved.

• In addition to Sunday education hour, there are other opportunities to develop your spirituality and connection with God.  Various adult groups meet to study the bible and explore topics of interest.  Special courses, programs, and retreats are also available in cooperation with other Lutheran churches and organizations in our region.  Look in the announcement section of the bulletin, on the bulletin board next to the church office, on our calendar, or in our monthly newsletter for more information.  Or just ask any member!

• If you're a music lover, you'll find much to enjoy at Holy Trinity.   Our worship services always include lots of music, ranging from traditional to folk to gospel styles.  We have adult and children's choirs for singers of all ages.  There are lots of opportunities to perform or just sit back and enjoy.

• Looking for a safe, high quality learning environment for your child?  You may be interested in one of Holy Trinity's educational opportunities.
  
  Our very popular Holy Trinity Nursery School (HTNS) offers 2-, 3-, and 5-day programs for pre-schoolers aged 3 through Kindergarten.  Contact the HTNS director Lynn Francek on (610) 876-1721 for more information.
  
  We're also very excited about CrossRoads, a new before- and after-school program for K-5 graders.  If your child needs a fun and wholesome place to come before or after school, CrossRoads may be the answer.   Transportation to/from the Wallingford-Swarthmore elementary schools will be provided, and flexible scheduling arrangements will be available.

• There are lots of special activities for children and youth, too.  Younger children will enjoy participation in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and the children's choir. There is an active youth group for high school students with a wide variety of fun activities and outings.

• And, especially if you want to find a place and a group of people who can help you learn and grow personally and in your relationship with Jesus Christ, you'll find that at Holy Trinity.  Our mission statement says "As God's people, we INVITE all into fellowship with Christ, CARE through outreach, especially to families with young children, and INVOLVE ourselves in ministry to others in response to our Lord's commission."  That's not just a nice thing to put in the bulletin, it's our real focus.

If you can't make it right now...

If you're out of visiting range, you might like to learn by exploring our website or by reading some transcripts of past sermons.

Or just plan to come visit another day!

Learning More about Holy Trinity

• The obvious ways to learn more are to continue to explore this website and to come visit us.  While we're delighted that you're visiting our website, we encourage you to come and meet the real live people that make it all happen.  Our visitors tell us that Holy Trinity’s worship and ministries are lively and welcoming.  We hope you'll come see for yourself!

• Another way to learn more about Holy Trinity is to have an informal "Introduction to Holy Trinity" class.  This can help you explore what it means to be a Christian, a Lutheran, and a member of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Participating in the series carries no obligation or expectation that you will join Holy Trinity.  It's a more personal way for you to learn about how God is working through us here at Holy Trinity.  If you're interested, please contact the church office.

• If you would like to meet with our pastor, Gordon Simmons, please call the office or send him an email.

• To find out about any of the activities at Holy Trinity, the church's administrative assistant, Carrie Johnston, would be happy to help.  Just call the church office or send Carrie an email.