what to expect

Visiting a church can be scary, we get it.   There are so many different churches, each with different styles and tempos.  We want to give you a good idea of who we are, so if you decide to walk through our door, it is not as terrifying. 


Here are some tips if you plan to visit Grace Church:

  • Dress comfortably. That suit would look great at a wedding or job interview, but you will probably feel a bit over-dressed if you wear it to grace on a Sunday morning.   
  • Our people are friendly.  We don't just say that, our visitors say that.  When you visit you will be noticed and welcomed.
  • Bring the family.  Our Sunday service has a group for everyone whether you're a child, student, or a fully grown human. 
  • We live up to our name.  If you need grace and would like to join some other flawed individuals in our journey of faith, we would love to have you.


Read below to get an even better idea of what a Sunday at grace looks like.


The Sunday experience walkthrough

  • As you pull into the parking lot of grace and drive towards the door you will see "guest" parking right up front.  We reserve these spots for our first time guests.
  • There will be a greeter to welcome you at the door and open it for you.  They are there all morning opening the door, so you don't have to do that half-walk half-run thing you usually do when someone is holding the door for you. 
  • Inside the sanctuary someone will offer you a bulletin with a lot of useful info.  Take the bulletin, it will give you something to look at if at any point you feel awkward.  There is coffee to the right,  help yourself.  There is a pot of decaf coffee there as well, if you are one of those people. 
  • Once you get the family settled in their classes, head into the sanctuary. You may see a countdown to the service. "3:21 until service, what happens when it hits zero" you will ask yourself in a near panic. It's a little anti-climatic, but that's when we start, and there is no bang. One day we will get some pyrotechnics and play Alan Parsons Project as we begin, but for now, we just start. .  
  • The services start at 9:00 & 10:45 and last about an hour.
  • Music is up first and we encourage you to stand, clap and sing along, it's way more fun that way. If you don't know the words to the songs, it's ok, we have a big display projecting them for you to read. If you can't read, well, I don't know what to write here.
  • The ushers will come forward and we will take up an offering. No pressure, you can just pass it along.  We don't expect our guests to give, we are just glad that you are here!
  • We have video announcements that will play to let you know what is happening at the church. Sometimes they are funny, other times, not so much.
  • The message will be your next stop. Whether it is our lead pastor or someone else, you will hear a relevant and challenging message.
  • You've made it. We will dismiss and you are free to go. You were free to go earlier, fourth amendment and all, but now everyone is doing it.
  • Turn in the connect card and we will send a donation to the Raleigh Dream Center.  This will give you a chance to participate in the ministry of Grace, even on your first visit.  Go get your children and prepare to discuss your experiences in the car as you leave.