By Paul Gordon • March 25, 2024
We understand that visiting a church for the first time can be a little daunting. As you step into a community of people who already know each other, you could be wondering a variety of things. However, we’d love welcome you. So, please come with all your questions and we’d love for you to be able to join us. Our hope is you will find this to be a place you can be comfortable doing life.
As you plan to visit with us on Sunday you may have questions like: Where do I go? Where do my kids go? Is it safe? What will the music be like? What is the teaching like? What will people be wearing? To help you, we’ve tried to give some brief answers to most of these things below and you can also check out our YouTube Channel of recorded/livestreamed services for what a typical Sunday at Terra Saratoga feels and looks like.
You will find plenty of free parking on the streets immediately surrounding our Saratoga location. Additionally, there are nearby lots that are open on Sunday mornings. Avoid the lots warning of “towing” for non-authorized vehicles. Should you have a hard time locating a spot, we suggest entering the lot directly behind Banana Republic and Gap and driving almost to the exit, you will find that you are just steps away from our building on Washington Street. A machine will give you a parking pass but on Sunday mornings you will rarely find a parking attendant at the exit, on the rare time that you do need to pay (such as during race season) it will be just five dollars.
Our Terra Kids classrooms are just downstairs from where we worship. Currently, we accommodate children who can sit independently to children in 5th grade during our service. There is a check-in station just inside the church entrance that shows which classes are open week to week. Terra Kids also provides space and items in our sanctuary space upstairs, for families who prefer to worship together. We are not inconvenienced or put off in any way by the extra movement and noise this may bring. We value the place for babies and children in the pews. A coloring table, a private nursing area, and standing space are all provided in the the sanctuary for those who find them helpful to remain in the service as a family.
We utilize a computer-based check in system called The Planning Center to ensure the proper safety and care of your children. If it’s your first visit, you’ll want to give yourself an extra few minutes to check your kids in properly. After your first visit, it will be much easier and quicker.
A private nursing area is available in the back corner of the sanctuary area, set apart by divider screens.
Neos is an intentional, yet organic ministry at Terra Nova Saratoga for youth aged (11-18yrs) kids. This ministry exists to support our families, many of which contain a growing youth population. We acknowledge the unique, exciting, and even challenging time that youths bring to the life of our immediate families, as well as our larger church family. A family is a God ordained, intimate, and beautiful picture of the Church, thus, we believe that our children have the best chance to know and follow Jesus while in the context of the family that is living out a genuine life of faith alongside others.
For questions regarding Neos or to get involved, please reach out to Pastor Matt.