If you're thinking about visiting St. Paul, here's exactly what Sunday morning looks like — so nothing feels unfamiliar when you arrive.
Most first-time visitors say the hardest part is just walking through the door. Once you're inside, here's what the morning looks like — start to finish.
We have a parking lot on the south side of the building, with overflow on the street. There's no assigned parking, no permits, no fuss. Pull in any time after 9:30 AM and someone in a vest will likely point you to a spot.
The main entrance is the double doors facing Pear Street. Greeters are stationed there from 9:30 AM on. If you tell them it's your first Sunday, they'll walk you to a seat — you don't have to figure anything out alone.
The sanctuary holds about 400. There are no reserved seats — sit anywhere. The middle and back rows are popular with first-time visitors, and that's just fine. Sit where you feel comfortable.
You'll find a printed bulletin in the pew or handed to you at the door. It walks through the morning's order of service. If you're not familiar with how Baptist worship flows, the bulletin is the easiest way to follow along.
One promise: we will not single you out as a visitor. No "stand up if it's your first time." No spotlight. You're free to participate or simply observe.
Service opens with music — usually a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary gospel led by our choir and praise team. People stand during music if they want to; some sit. Both are normal here.
Then comes the welcome and announcements (about 5 minutes), a pastoral prayer, and the offering. Visitors are not expected to give. The plate moves through the rows; let it pass if you'd like. We're glad you're here regardless.
The sermon usually runs around 35–45 minutes. Pastor Johnson preaches expositionally — he walks through scripture passage by passage, explaining the text and then connecting it to everyday life. Bring a Bible if you have one, or use the pew Bibles or your phone — we put scripture references on the screens so you can follow along.
Pastor's preaching is often interactive. People say "Amen" or respond from their seats. You don't have to. Visitors who sit quietly through the whole sermon are exactly as welcome as those who shout responses.
The service closes with what we call the invitation — a moment for anyone who's responding to the message (wanting to follow Christ, joining the church, or asking for prayer) to come forward. There's zero pressure. Most visitors stay seated, and that's perfectly fine.
Pastor offers a closing benediction, the music plays, and you're free to leave. Most folks linger and chat in the lobby for ten minutes or so afterward, but if you need to slip out quietly, no one's keeping score.
The lobby has coffee and light refreshments after service most Sundays. Pastor Johnson tries to greet visitors personally — but if you'd rather slip out quietly, no one will stop you. We'd much rather you come back next week than feel cornered this week.
If you let a greeter know you're new, they may invite you to fill out a short connect card with your contact info. This is optional. It just helps us follow up if you'd like a personal welcome from Pastor Johnson during the week.
No. We don't ask visitors to stand, raise their hands, introduce themselves, or anything like it. Greeters may say "welcome" and offer to walk you to a seat, but in the service itself, you're free to be as visible or as quiet as you'd like.
Whatever's comfortable. Some folks wear suits and Sunday dresses — that's the historic Black church tradition and it's well-represented here. Others wear jeans and a button-down. Both are equally welcome. The only "dress code" is: come as you are.
Children are welcome in the worship service with their parents. There's no nursery during the main service, but kids who get restless can be walked to the lobby (which has live audio) without anyone batting an eye. Crying babies are not a problem — they're just little members of the church family.
Sunday School at 9:00 AM has age-graded classes for kids and teens, including a children's class. If you're considering Sunday School, arrive about 9:00 AM and a greeter can walk your kids to the right classroom.
A mix. We sing traditional hymns out of the Baptist hymnal — songs that have been sung in Black Baptist churches for a hundred years — and we also sing contemporary gospel with a praise team and instruments. Some Sundays lean traditional; some lean contemporary. Most blend both.
It's not loud rock-concert worship, and it's not silent. It's gospel music led by people who mean what they're singing.
Yes. Genuinely yes. Some of our most faithful members started by visiting on a friend's invitation, sitting through a few services with questions, and asking those questions to Pastor Johnson over coffee. There is no expectation that you believe anything before you walk through the door.
If you're seeking, exploring, skeptical, or just curious about what church is like — you'll find people here who've been exactly where you are.
Only if you want them to. If you fill out a connect card, Pastor Johnson or a member of our welcome team will reach out within the week — usually a short call or text saying it was good to meet you. If you don't fill out a card, no one will track you down.
If you'd prefer to plan your visit and have us watch for you on Sunday, you can fill out the form below.
No. The offering plate moves through the rows during the service; let it pass without a second thought. We never want a visitor to feel like coming to St. Paul costs anything. Members support the ministry; visitors come and worship and go home.
We celebrate communion (the Lord's Supper) on the first Sunday of each month. It's open to anyone who's a baptized believer in Jesus, regardless of whether you're a member of St. Paul. If you're not sure whether to participate, simply pass the elements along — there's no pressure either way.
Yes. We have a lot on the south side of the building with about 80 spaces. On Sundays it usually fills by 9:50 AM, with overflow parking on the street. Street parking around the church is free on Sundays.
We stream the service live on YouTube and Facebook every Sunday at 10 AM Central. You can watch from anywhere, and recent sermons are archived under Messages.
Tell us a bit about yourself and we'll have a greeter looking for you when you arrive. They'll walk you to a seat, answer any questions, and make sure you don't feel lost. Optional, but most first-time visitors find it helps.
