Since visiting any church for the first time can be a little intimidating, we’ve put together some information that we hope will answer your questions and reduce any anxiety you have about your visit. Please contact us by phone or email if you have questions we haven’t answered.

Getting here
Check out the map and directions at the bottom of this page to help you get here on Sunday morning. We have parking on each side of the church and our main entrance is at the back of the lot. September through May, our worship service begins at 11:00 a.m. (Ten to 15 minutes before the service you can listen to “Music as we gather” which is an offering of different music styles volunteered by members of the congregation on a rotating basis.)

Education classes begin at 9:45 a.m. for all ages September through May. Beginning on the second Sunday in June, our worship service is at 10:00 a.m. and no classes are held.

Relax and be our guest
We will greet you and give you a worship bulletin that lists the order of the worship service. You are invited to wear a name tag like most of the congregation will be wearing. We won’t ask you to stand up or introduce you, but we will give you a Welcome Folder that includes information similar to what you will find on this web site. It also has a register card that we’d love for you to fill out. You can tell us where you are from and if you’d like us to be in touch. We will greet you and invite you to be part of our worshipping community. If you arrive on a second Sunday, we will invite you to stay for refreshments after the worship service.

What should I wear?
God accepts us as we are – no matter who we are, what we do, or how we dress. We do not have a dress code. Worshipers at Arlington CoB wear anything from jeans and tee shirts, to slacks and golf shirts, to suits and ties. Please wear whatever you feel is most comfortable for you in this setting.

What about the offering?
At some point during the service offering plates will be passed around. This is an opportunity for our regular members to actively respond to all God has given them by freely giving to support his church through the ministries at Arlington Church of the Brethren. We certainly do not expect or require visitors to put anything in the offering plate, though you are welcome to if you like.

Will I be able to follow along with the service?
Basically, any needed directions to help you follow the worship order are in the bulletin. You will be handed one as you enter the sanctuary by one of our greeters. (There’s also a bulletin for children with crayons.)

We use the Hymnal; a worship book which you will find in the pew racks. Hymn numbers are printed in the bulletin and are often announced. If we sing a modern song or an “oldie but goodie,” it will be in the bulletin as an insert. Any responsive readings or unison prayers that may be used will also be in the bulletin. You can drop-off your copy of the bulletin in our recycling basket located by the door on your way out.

Do you serve Communion (Eucharist)?
We only serve bread and cup communion six times per year. (One of those times is part of a traditional Brethren Love Feast on Maundy Thursday before Easter, another is on Christmas Eve.) If you visit on one of the Sundays when Communion is part of the worship service, know that you are welcome to participate in this special ceremony. Brethren are ‘non-sacramental’ which means Communion is a service of remembrance and everyone is invited to Christ’s table in order to give thanks and participate in this symbolic meal. Children are invited to participate at their parents discretion and parents are encouraged to answer their questions, even during the service.