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About Our Worship Services
So, you've stumbled across Fairfax Community Church for the first time? Whether you've heard about us through a friend, family member, the Yellow Pages or just by driving by the building, you may have some questions about what to expect at one of our worship services. Here’s a quick look at what to expect:
As you enter our parking lot, a parking attendant will guide you to a space. You will meet the greeters as you walk into the building. There’s lots of activity here—people finding their way into services, getting refreshments from the coffee shop, asking questions at the Connection Center—and a greeter or usher can help you find your way.
Grab a worship booklet (our program) from an usher before you sit down. That way you can read about what's happening at the church.
If you have children, a greeter can lead you to an age-appropriate environment for them. Children’s Ministry offers loving care for babies and toddlers, preschool classes, and children’s worship centers that offer Bible lessons, worship, and friendship-building activities for elementary-aged kids. Student Ministries offers services for junior and senior high students in The Hangar.
Our services generally last about an hour and 15 minutes. These are the typical components of a service:
1. Musical Praise & Worship
2. Welcome & Announcements
3. Teaching from God's Word
4. Offering
During our services, we may also celebrate Communion or Baptism
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Welcome & Announcements
Our services begin with "The Advance" which is an on screen video welcome and introduction to Fairfax Community. You won't want to miss this great opportunity to hear about the mission of the church and the events coming soon. If you would like more information about any of the things mentioned in the Advance, or about the church in general, please visit the Connection Center in the lobby during your visit.
Musical Praise & Worship
We begin with contemporary worship during which you are welcome to sit or stand in your seat, or kneel at the altar at the front of the Worship Center. Feel free to close your eyes and raise your hands as the Spirit moves you to do so.
Teaching from God's Word
All of the messages at Fairfax Community are from God's Word, the Bible. During the message we display referenced verses on our projection screens and also have Bibles available under each seat. There is a place for taking notes in your worship booklet and on the included message outline.
Communion
We partake of communion once a month during our worship services. All believers in Jesus Christ are invited to participate, regardless of denomination or church membership. During communion services, individuals partake of bread representing Christ's broken body, dipped in the cup, symbolizing the blood of His sacrifice.
Communion is an opportunity to remember what Jesus Christ has done for us in the past, to commune with Him in the present, and to anticipate His return in the future.
Baptism
We celebrate Baptisms in our services three times a year. Fairfax Community practices what is referred to as "Believer's Baptism." By this, we mean that only those who have made the personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as their savior are eligible for baptism. Children, youth, and adults can all participate in this wonderful symbol of the Christian faith. Believers who have been baptized in other churches will find their baptisms honored at Fairfax Community. While we appreciate and understand traditions with the Christian Church that practice infant baptism, at Fairfax Community we do not baptize infants. However, we do believe it's important to provide an opportunity for Christian parents to publicly dedicate themselves and their newborn children to the Lord. Therefore, we have child dedications during our worship services for that purpose.
We're often asked if someone who was baptized as an infant should be baptized again after they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Again, we have deep respect for the meaning behind infant baptism and the subsequent confirmation process that is practiced in some churches. However, we believe that there is still value - both for the believer and the church - when one is baptized in response to their own commitment to Jesus Christ.
Anointing
Occasionally, we offer an opportunity for individuals to come forward to the altar and receive anointing and prayer for physical, spiritual and emotional needs that they or someone they are concerned about may be experiencing. This practice originates from the instruction of James 5:14, where the sick were encouraged to bring their concerns to the elders of the church and be anointed with oil in the name of the Lord. There is nothing magical in the oil used; it merely serves as a symbol of Christ's presence and activity on behalf of those desiring prayer.
Offering
If you're a first-time guest, please do not feel obliged to contribute to our offering. The ministry of Fairfax Community is faithfully supported by those who consider Fairfax Community to be their church home and would like to see the ministry of Fairfax Community impact the Kingdom in our community and in the world.
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