Welcome to OEFC. Here are a couple of questions you might be asking.
What's a typical Sunday service like?
Our Sunday services are a blend of traditional and contemporary worship. We will spend some time singing together. We may even have separate worship venues happening at the same time. Different styles and volumes, for different tastes. Don’t worry if you don’t know the songs…feel free to come and listen—or sing along with us as you catch on! The words are always on the big screens above the stage. We may have a responsive reading based on passages from the Bible where we read a prayer or a reading together, or we may have a prayer time where one of the leaders in our church prays for us. Then one of our pastors teaches from the Bible for about 45 minutes. -
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How long is an average service?
Our services run roughly one hour and fifteen minutes in length.-
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What should I wear?
At OEFC you will find people in suits and ties sitting next to people in shorts and t-shirts. A general rule of thumb is, if you feel comfortable wearing it to a restaurant on a Sunday afternoon, it's good enough for us. -
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Some people carry a Bible, some don't... what’s that all about?
Our teaching time (traditionally known as a sermon) does focus on a passage of the Bible. While we use PowerPoint to communicate the passages from time to time we like people to follow along in their own Bibles. We typically stick to the New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible on Sundays. You can get a free Bible from our information kiosk, but lots of people prefer to use a version on their phone. A popular one is
YouVersion Bible App - Hide
What about my kids?
We want to offer kids a fun and life-changing experience. In order to do that, we have to take our responsibilities with kids (your kids) very seriously. We have something for every child from newborn to grade 6. During our service, preschool children will sing, play games, interact with some of our top-notch volunteers and learn about the Bible, how it applies to their young lives, learn how to pray and walk out more faith-full than when they walked in. Kids often consider it the highlight of their week. Kids in grades 1-6 are welcome to join their parents in the main worship service to experience worship with their families. We take a 10 minute coffee break in the middle, and they can be dropped off for age specific teaching at that time, in our Children's Ministry wing.
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Yeah, but are my kids safe?
We get that! You are leaving them with complete strangers. So, when you drop your kids off, they will be checked in using our state-of-the-art child registration system. You will be given a label with a unique code on it that corresponds to a code your child has. No one but you, or someone you designate, can pick up your child, and no one can get access to our children's ministry areas without clearance or a pickup label. We care about your children’s safety and security. Furthermore, all of our volunteers are trained in child safety and have their police records checked before being brought onto the team. -
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Where do I drop my kids off?
When you enter our main doors you can turn left to access the nursery (infants up to 36 months). For children aged 3, through to Grade 6, turn right and head towards the back of the building. Follow the signs. For the summer months, children in grades 1-6 are welcome to sit with their families in the main auditorium. If you are visiting with us for the first time, please come a few minutes early to ensure your children are properly registered and orientated. More information about our children's ministry can be found
here. -
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How can I be contacted if my kids need me during the service?
If you are new with us, when you register your children you will be given a tag with a coded number on it (ie. ZA8P) that matches a code on the name tag that your children wear. Should you be needed that code will show up on the big screens in our main auditorium. Once you decide to make this your church home, we will issue you a barcode tag for your keychain with a permanent page number on it (ie.1234) that we will use to page you on the big screens. -
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What about my teenagers?
Teens are invited to join us in the main service. It's what being part of a community is all about. -
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Am I expected to give money?
Like most churches, we do take a moment and pass around the offering baskets. While many people choose to give to our church regularly from their bank account or credit card (PAD - pre-authorized debit/credit), others put cash in the basket. However, as our guest, you are under no obligation to give. Our service is a gift to you and we don't want anyone to ever feel pressured to give. However, just in case you didn't know- one of the virtues of the Christian faith is generosity and charity. Therefore, people who call OEFC their church home willingly support our church through financial donations... it's how we pay the bills! -
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Church coffee has a reputation of not being very good, why should I trust yours?
We love coffee as much as you do. The first thing you will see when you walk in is our coffee var. Brewed coffee is free, but for a smile and $2 our baristas can make you the best specialty coffee in town. We use
Level Ground coffee for our specialty coffees. Yup, that's Direct Fair Trade. PLUS... rumor has it our brewed coffee is the same blend that the world's largest fast food franchise uses -
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OK, I'll give it a try, what time is your service?
10:00 every Sunday of the year. We look forward to meeting you! -
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How can I get connected to the church community?
First and foremost, fill out the Getting Connected card and let us follow up with you. You can find it in the bulletin every Sunday. This will open up a dialogue between us and you, and ensure that you are in our system and able to receive information about how to get further connected. Secondly, we believe community happens best in our
Growth Group ministry, and we work hard to minimize other programs that would distract from your ability to be a part of this important aspect of the Christian life. Our
Ministry to Women offers places of connection for women. . Finally, The NOOK, right next to the library is a fantastic place for you to meet someone who can give you more information about the church. -
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That's kind of a mouthful for a church name, what does it mean?
The term "evangelical" refers to churches and Christians who believe in the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, who rely on the Scriptures (Bible) as the sole basis of faith, who value the need for a personal relationship with Jesus, and who place importance on sharing what we believe with others. You can find more about that
here.
The term "free" has to do with how we organize ourselves. Unlike some denominations our denominational leaders, while respected and valued, don't have direct oversight of our churches.Evangelical Free Churches are independant, own our own buildings and land, and are "free" to govern themselves. The term "free" also has a lot to do with the freedom we have in Christ, and our freedom to hold differing beliefs on what we consider non-essentials to the Christian faith. You can find more about that here - Hide
If you have more questions please email your questions, or call our main office.