What to Expect...

Sunday services are open to anyone who wants to attend. At Gateway we practice the Christian faith, and do our best to understand and put into action the teachings of the Bible. If you don't believe in Jesus, or the Bible that's OK, you are still welcome to come. Here are some of the things you might typically see at a Sunday morning service:

Lively Music >>
Prayer >>
Inspirational talk >>
Opportunity to meet new people >>
Opportunity to give >>
Invitation to meet with a small group >>
Baptism, Communion, Dedication of Children >>
Invitation to give your life to Christ >>

For our statement of faith,click here.

Music:

The first part of our Sunday service is for all ages, children through adults ( A nursery is provided for those under age 2 if required.)

At Gateway, Sunday services usually start with upbeat music played by a full band - drums, guitars, etc. The words to the songs are displayed on a video screen, so everyone can sing along. If you are not comfortable singing, we welcome you to enjoy the music and reflect on the lyrics. The lyrics of the songs are generally directed to God. They speak of His greatness, His power, His love, and they reflect our love, appreciation and reverence for Him. People will often clap their hands, some will raise their hands in worship, while others might even dance or shout their praise to God.

While we appreciate and respect the traditional and liturgical forms of Christian worship, we embrace a contemporary style of worship. ( If you have sensitive hearing, you may want to sit near the back or to the side, or bring earplugs, as sometimes the music can be loud and upbeat! We try to keep the volume below 95Db, far less than a typical rock concert, but it is certainly much louder than most traditional church services.)

To learn more about our worship teams >

Prayer:

After about 20 to 30 minutes of singing, there is a time where the pastor will lead the congregation in a prayer. We often pray for those who are ill, or in the hospital, as well as for our city, for current events, and for the other churches that are gathering around town. During this time, you can simply bow your head and listen as the pastor prays. Sometimes people are invited to come to the front or to a designated area where they can express their needs or "prayer concerns" to a member of the prayer team, who will pray with them. If you choose to "go for prayer" a prayer team member will ask if they can "lay hands" on your shoulder and they will pray for you.

This prayer time is private, no one will announce to the group what you are asking prayer for, it is simply between you and the person who prays with you. People will often ask prayer for healing, for God to provide for a specific need, for a loved one who is sick or who needs spiritual help. We also have a prayer room that is available during the week. This is a quiet place where you can come to pray, or meet with a group to pray together.

Learn more about our prayer ministry >

Announcements & Offering:

After the prayer, there are often announcements. Newcomers & visitors are welcomed and offered a packet of information about the church. Don't worry, you will not be singled out or asked to stand up or say anything. After this, a collection is taken. For our members and regular attenders this is part of our expression of worship, to give back to God a portion (tithe) of what he has blessed us with. As the offering basket passes by, people will quietly place their donation into the basket. Visitors are not expected to give. If you choose to give something, we thank you. If you write your name and address on one of the "offering" envelopes ( located in the seat pocket directly facing you ), a tax deductible receipt in the amount of your donation will be mailed to you at the end of the year.

The pastors' and church staff salaries, the building & operating expenses, community & international missions projects/aid relief are all financed by the generous donations of the people at Gateway. While the offering is being collected, there are usually announcements to watch on the video screen, highlighting upcoming events. View the update

Fellowship (Coffee) Break:

This is arguably the best part about Sunday services at Gateway! Between the services, you can stretch your legs, enjoy a complimentary beverage, visit the bookstore, meet some new friends, or even step outside for a cigarette. If you are new, we encourage you to visit the information table in the lobby, and pick up a welcome packet, and a complimentary cd. As soon as you hear the bell ring, hurry back to your seat into the auditorium for the the service.

Message:

During the message, the children (age 2 to grade 5) are invited to go downstairs for Kid's Now! where they disperse into age appropriate Sunday school classes. Parents are asked to bring their children down and meet the Sunday school teacher.

The adults, teenagers and preteens stay upstairs in the auditorium, while one of our pastors, or guest speakers gives an inspirational talk (25 to 35 mins). The Bible is our point of reference and the topics are relevant to our daily lives, inspire our faith, and challenge us to put our faith into action. Often the speaker will give an opportunity for people to respond to the message, or to come to the front for personal prayer. If you have questions about becoming a Christian, or would like someone to pray for you, this is a good time to do this.

Listen to a "sermon" online >

Small Groups:

As exciting and powerful as a Sunday service can be, it can be difficult to meet new people and make meaningful friendships in a large group setting. For this reason we have small groups that meet throughout the week, in people's homes, at the church, at a park, wherever. The purpose of the small group is to provide a "family" type setting where you can meet people, participate in the discussion, and make deeper friendships. It is a place where you can ask questions...and there is no such thing as a stupid question...
Learn All About Small Groups >

Membership:

At Gateway, we encourage people to become members of our local church. By becoming a member you are affirming that this is your "home" church. You don't have to be a member to attend services and events here at Gateway.

If you are interesed in membership at Gateway please contact our office (250) 563.1003

Baptism:

At Gateway we practice what is sometimes called "believer's baptism." This is the way we believe the Bible directs us to publicly & formally identify ourselves as a follower of Christ. When a believer is baptized, the pastor will ask the participant to verbally affirm their belief in Jesus as their personal Saviour, and their commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly for the remainder of their life. Upon a sincere profession of faith, the pastor will ( as Jesus authorized, and the Apostles practiced) immerse the baptism candidate under water ( and then immediately raise them back up from the water! ) This act symbolizes a "death" to an old life apart from God, and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Through the act of baptism, the believer identifies with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. This is a celebration time, with lively music from the worship band, and family members and friends are invited to gather around the baptistry ( water tank) to watch and take photo's. If you would like to be baptized or have questions about baptism, e-mail us or call the church office.

Communion:

At Gateway, usually on the first Sunday of each month, we practice the ordinance of Communion (or the Lord's Supper). We practice an open communion, and all who believe in Jesus may participate. Membership to Gateway is not required to take part in communion.

During this time, those who wish to participate will be directed to go to one of the servers who has a tray with small glasses of grape juice (non-alchoholic) and a tray with broken pieces of bread (saltine crackers). After you take the cup and the bread from the server, you may go back to your seat and quietly eat the bread and drink the juice.

This symbolic "meal" is a reminder to us of Jesus' death on the cross. The bread is a symbol of His broken body, and the cup a symbol of His blood that was shed. This is a solemn time where we reflect on the price Jesus paid to free us from sin. We take this time to examine ourselves, and thank God for providing a way to be reconciled to Him. Children's participation in communion is welcome, at the discretion of their parents.

Again, Communion is for those who profess faith in Jesus. If you are not yet a believer, you do not have to participate in this "ordinance." If you want to be a Christian, the very act of taking Communion could be your step of faith, and your introduction into a new life in Christ.

Dedication of Children:

At Gateway, we do not practice "infant baptism", but rather, follow Jesus' example where he took little children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them. (read about it in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18) During a dedication ceremony the parents affirm their commitment to raise their children as the Bible teaches. The pastor will hold the child in his/her arms and offer a prayer of blessing for the child, and the parents. Usually this is done for newborn babies, but there is not really a specific age requirement. We trust that at an age appropriate time, the child will respond to God, and make his or her own personal decision to believe in Jesus. If you would like to have your children dedicated to God, call the church office at 563-1003.

Invitation to give your life to Christ:

Often, after a sermon, or talk, there is a opportunity to respond to God. If you feel that God is calling you, or you want to talk to someone about becoming a Christian, please come to the front of the auditorium after the service. There are people there who will pray with you, and do their best to answer your questions. You can always contact the church office, and ask to speak with a pastor, or attend a small group and talk with one of the small group leaders.