Service Time Changes - January 4th!

  • Dec 11, 2008

Beginning January 4, 2009, we are making some changes to our Sunday morning schedule at the Lincoln Park Campus. For both Central Worship Center and Emergence, the Sunday morning worship times will be 9:00-10:00, 10:15-11:15, and 11:30-12:30. Emergence will continue to offer a Sunday evening service at 6:30 PM.

 

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers:

 

Q: Why are we making changes? Can’t we just leave things the way they are?

A: Whenever there is growth, there are challenges. God has blessed Jacksonville Chapel with lots of growth—in fact, we are reaching more people now than ever in our history. We thank God for His blessings! The growth has forced us to ask: “Are we using our resources to the best of their potential?” During the latter half of 2008, there has been much prayerful discussion among your pastors and elders, as we’ve sought to make the best possible decisions for the continued effectiveness of the Chapel.

 

Q: Why does the new schedule not include a traditional style service?

A: In order to make the best use of the space we have available, we had to make some difficult decisions regarding worship style. Although there are some Chapel attendees who prefer all traditional music, we believe that making the first service blended will enable us to reach a broader range of people. By continuing to offer hymns and our choir at our two blended services (9:00 and 10:15), we believe we are striking a wise balance.

Our hope is that we’ll look back one year from now, and the first service will be filled—not with 200 people, but with 400 or 500 people—growing in Christ.

 

Q: Currently, two of our services are 70 minutes long. With the new schedule, all services will be 60 minutes. Which service elements will be shortened to save 10 minutes?

A: The 70-minute service times were based on a 40-minute sermon. Over the years, both Dave’s and Ryan’s preferred sermon length has become 30-35 minutes. The additional minutes will be saved by shortening announcements and sometimes singing one less song.

 

Q: Last summer, it was announced that we would start a Sunday Evening worship service in the Central Worship Center in the fall of 2008. What is the status of that service?

A: We apologize for the poor communication on this. After looking at the big picture of all our services, it was decided that we were not quite ready to begin that service. Depending on attendance at our three morning services in the Central Worship Center in 2009, we will consider beginning a Sunday Evening service in the latter part of the year.

 

Q: Will Children’s Ministry be offered during all three morning worship services?

A: Yes. Full children’s ministry, through 5th grade, will be offered at the 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM services. At the 9:00 AM service we will offer “Chapel Kids Camp,” which is for kids up to 3rd Grade. To launch Kids Camp on January 4, we need your help! If you are interested in serving in Children’s Ministry, please contact Judy Gallagher in the Chapel office at

At some point in the near future, we plan to extend the  9:00AM Children’s Ministry all the way through 5th Grade.

 

Q: When will Edge-X (Middle School ministry) be offered on Sunday mornings?

A: Beginning on January 4, 2009, Edge-X will be offered during the 10:15 service. Our hope is to add an additional Edge-X at 11:30, beginning in the Fall of 2009.