FAQs
What will happen in during Morning Worship?
Most people park in the back parking lot and enter through the back door. If you have young children, you can take them to the nursery in the Education Wing or keep them with you.
Worship happens in the sanctuary and as you enter, a greeter will hand you a bulletin with all kinds of information that will be helpful during worship and throughout the week.
There will be gathering music followed by brief announcements. Worship actually begins with the chimes and then we will sing, pray, share a story for children (before which the children collect loose change to donate to specific charities serving children), hear one or more readings from the Bible and then hear a sermon connecting the Bible story to our lives.
We collect an offering of money which benefits the church and community, followed by prayers for friends and strangers. Sometimes, the service ends with one of the sacraments:The Lord’s Supper or Baptism which are scheduled for special Sundays. Then we sing a final hymn and receive a blessing.
After worship, we have refreshments (usually coffee, juice, cookies) in the lobby.
What do kids do during the worship time?
All children are welcome in the sanctuary during worship and can stay for as much of the service as desired. There is also a parlor in the back which is great if you want your child with you but feel he/she is too squirmy in the pews. Nursing mothers find it a comfortable place to sit during worship as well.
We also provide nursery care with well-qualified nursery staff for children from infancts to age 4. Our nursery is staffed from 9:30-12:30 each Sunday.
During the worship service, there is a Children’s Story in which the pastor will invite children of all ages forward for a special message and a prayer. After the Children’s Story, children go to Sunday school classes: Spark! (age 3 – Kindergarten), Feasting on the Word (1st – 4th grades), and God Squad (5th grade & up). All classes follow the liturgical calendar for scripture coinciding with what the adults will be hearing in the sermon on that day.
Every Sunday, before the Children’s Story, the children collect change in large tin pails. We call this “The Joyful Noise Offering” because the loose change makes a lot of noise as it’s dropped into the collection buckets. 100% of the donations benefit two programs for children:the ALIVE program in Alexandria, Virginia and Pignon Hospital in Pignon, Haiti.
What do I wear on Sunday?
Most people wear “office attire” or casual clothes. This means slacks or khaki pants and a button down or polo shirt for the men (a tie and coat make periodic appearances) and a skirt/slacks/khaki pants and a top for the women. You’ll see some folks in jeans.You’ll see an occasional soccer uniform.We want you to be comfortable, so feel free to dress comfortably.
Can I get married in your sanctuary?
Because so many couples ask to be married in our beautiful sanctuary and we cannot accomodate all the requests, we now require some connection to Fairlington Presbyterian Church to be married here.You don’t have to be a member, but perhaps you have a relative who is a member, or you used to be a member, or you have some other connection.Contact the church office and our office manager will mail a wedding information form to you.
Can I rent space in your church for my group or event?
Our building is a popular space used by many community groups.Renting space depends on your specific activity and needs, and upon availability. Contact the church office for more information.
Can my children be baptized in your church?
Baptism is one of two sacraments in the church, and while you do not have to be a member to present your child for baptism, at least one parent must be a professing Christian or become one before the baptism.Since both the parents and the congregation make promises to nurture a baptized child to follow Christ, it makes sense for the family to be affiliated with our congregation – or some other congregation – so that these promises can be kept faithfully.
