Appropriate Attire - “Professional casual” is the most common dress style, but you will also see people in jeans and business suits. Style of dress is not an issue at our church.
Questions - In the center of the lobby there is an information desk. The friendly people there can answer your questions or find someone with the answers. If you have questions at other times, feel free to e-mail us at info@kelsoadventist.com or call the church office Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Sabbath School (like Sunday School) - starts at 10 AM and goes until 11 AM in various rooms around the facility. Some adult classes study the Bible using a prepared study guide. (This is available free of charge. You may request it at the information desk or from the teacher of the class.) Other classes do a topical study. There are classes for children, from infancy through youth. The infant’s class (ages 0-3) requests a parent stay with the child. A mission offering is collected during the classes, but guests are not expected to contribute.
Church Service - starts at 11:08 AM in the Worship Center. Feel free to sit in any open area. The information center has activity boxes available for younger children. Ask for one before entering the worship center. There is no child care available during the service. As you entered, you should have received a program which will give the order of service as well as general announcements. An engaging Christian contemporary music style blends the newer praise songs with beloved hymns. An offering is taken, but guests are not expected to contribute. There is a congregational prayer from the front, where everyone is requested to kneel. If that is difficult or you are uncomfortable, please feel free to remain quietly in your seat. At times there may be a drama to help illustrate the day’s Biblical message. One of the pastors presents a relevant Biblical message with take home value. If you arrive late, please do not enter the service during prayer, otherwise, feel free to slip in quietly and take your place. Please turn off your cell-phone during the service. If it is not disruptive to the service, it is permissible to take a picture with flash, use a video camera or tape recorder. DVDs of the service are available for $3. You may place your order at the information desk. You will also find sermons here on the website that can be listened to on your computer, downloaded as MP3 files or you can subscribe to a podcast of our services.
Guest Dinner - following the service, there is a vegetarian guest dinner in Koelsch Hall (the fellowship hall) during the school year (September - May except major holidays). The first Saturday of the month is designated “All Church Dinner.” During the summer there is only an "All Church Dinner" once a month (often the second week in July because of the holiday) and the weekly meals are suspended. Members and regular attenders are invited to participate in the dinners as desired, but are asked to bring enough food to feed their family as well as some extra for our guests.
Saori Loveland baptized in the river by Pastor Rick Casebier
Baptism - usually occurs during the weekly worship service. It initiates a young person or adult into the church. During the baptism, the person baptized is completely immersed under water by the pastor, following Jesus’ example. Baptism is a symbol of dying to sin and being raised to a new life with Jesus - symbolic of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. At times baptism is conducted in a nearby river. The typical dress is much more casual in those circumstances.
Foot Washing - occurs four times a year during the regular worship services. Foot washing used to be practiced by most Protestant churches, but only rarely now. It is practiced based upon Jesus example and instruction found in John 13. It is symbolic of washing away sin prior to the Communion (or Lord’s Supper) service. During the foot washing service, men and women go to separate rooms. There is also a room for families to participate together. If a guest wants to simply observe, that is acceptable. He may also sit in the Worship Center where a video about the life of Christ is shown.
Communion (Lord’s Supper) - occurs four times a year, following the Foot Washing service. Seventh-day Adventists practice “open” communion, meaning all Christians are welcome to participate, if they desire. The members remain in their seats while deacons pass trays with small squares of communion bread (unleavened wheat crackers) and small cups of grape juice. The bread and juice are symbols of Jesus’ death for our salvation. Each participant takes a piece of bread and grape juice and holds it quietly until the pastor indicates it is times to partake. After drinking the grape juice, the empty cup is placed in the cup holder adjacent to the hymn rack.
Child Dedication - usually occurs during the weekly worship service. Parents who wish to have their child dedicated, should contact the pastor and arrange a time for the service. Typically the child and parents are asked to come to the front and stand on the platform while the pastor shares some Biblical passages and prays for the child and parents. In reality, child dedication is the parents expressing the desire that their child will grow up to be a Christian and the parents publicly committing to raising the child in a Christian home.
Wedding - typically occurs on Sunday, but may be any time from Sunday through Thursday. Formal invitations to close family and friends is customary, but a general invitation in the local church bulletin is also common. Plan to arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the starting time. There is usually a guest book to sign. Gifts may be given to an attendant and there will also be a place for cards. The service lasts 30 - 60 minutes and often is followed by a reception. Professional to formal attire is appropriate for a wedding. If it is not disruptive to the service, it is permissible to take a picture with flash, use a video camera or tape recorder from your seat. Please discuss with staff prior to setting up a tripod or if you need other arrangements. Please do not interfere with the official photographer or delay the service.
Funeral or Memorial Service - Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the starting time. Professional to “Professional casual” attire is appropriate. There is usually a guest book to sign and frequently pictures of the deceased in the lobby as well as in front of the worship center. A typical service includes welcome and a prayer, congregational or guest music, a life-sketch, a short sermon based on Scripture passages and a closing prayer. There may also be a time for family and friends to share memories of the deceased. The service usually lasts about 30 - 45 minutes, though it may last longer. If it is not disruptive to the service, it is permissible to take a picture with flash, use a video camera or tape recorder. There is often a meal provided for the extended family following the service.
Bible Study - If you would like to study more fully what Seventh-day Adventists believe, please e-mail info@kelsoadventist.org the following information and we will contact you by phone or e-mail.
Name:
Address:
Phone number:
E-mail address:
Number desiring to study:
Literature - We provide a Bible and/or other spiritual literature free of charge. To request these materials please e-mail info@kelsoadventist.org the following information. You may pick these materials up at our church office. Please schedule an appointment.
Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Purpose of request (ex. learn more about Seventh-day Adventists, research, etc.):
Materials requested:
Facility tour - We are pleased to offer a tour of our facility to anyone who is interested. Please fill out the following information and e-mail to info@kelsoadventist.org or call 360-423-7344. During the tour we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail address:
Number of Attendees:
Date(s) requested:
Level of knowledge of Seventh-day Adventists:
Topics you would like discussed:
Research/Assignment - We help students who have an assignment from school with their research about Seventh-day Adventists. We are also available to be interviewed about Seventh-day Adventists beliefs and lifestyle. Please e-mail info@kelsoadventist.org with the following information:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Type of Research/Assignment:
Topics to be investigated: