Any staff member at Cresthill Baptist Church would be delighted to talk with you at a time convenient to you if you have more questions. Feel free to contact any one of us!

I notice that you have two Sunday celebrations. How are they different?
When do I stand and when do I sit?
Why do the children leave midway through the 10:30 a.m. celebration?
What is the appropriate stance for prayer?
What is the “Lord’s Supper” and what is involved?
What is baptism and how can I be baptized?
Please explain the Commitment time at the close of every celebration. 

I notice that you have two Sunday celebrations. How are they different?The two services are markedly different by design. The earlier celebration that begins at 8:00 a.m. is called our Classic Celebration. This is the more traditional one. The songs are primarily hymns found in the hymnal on the back of the seat or “pew” in front of you. It is always one hour or less. The pastoral staff of Cresthill Baptist Church is primarily responsible for each of the elements of worship, such as leading the singing and praying aloud. The pastor will offer a text of scripture and expound on it for the building up of the group. At the 10:30 a.m. celebration the music is far more celebratory and is usually accompanied y guitars, drums and keyboard and features a praise team that leads the singing. Here, hands are often raised in worship, tempos are upbeat and the preaching is more participatory. At both services an offering is received so as to allow us to be obedient to the scriptures that instruct the worshipper to bring the tithe and an offering to the “storehouse” as part of their worship. As a first-time visitor we ask that you complete a visitor’s card found in the rack on the back of the seat or “pew” in front of you and to give that as part of your offering. Also, at the close of each celebration, a time to respond is offered and people are invited to come to the front to pray, ask questions about how to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord and to join the church. Which worship celebration is right for you? That depends on you and your taste in worship styles! Try out both and then you decide what best helps you to worship the only One worthy of our worship.
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When do I stand and when do I sit?
At various times in the celebration you will be directed to stand. This is often the case when we sing and when we read scriptures from the Bible. At no time are you required to stand, especially if you are unable too.
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Why do the children leave midway through the 10:30 a.m. celebration?
The children leave the worship center to go to a time especially created for them, either Extended Session/Nursery (preschool children aged 3 – 6 years old) or G-Force (children grades 1 -5). Once there, they are taught through Bible stories, crafts and/or games in an age appropriate manner. At the close of the general worship celebration you are asked to go immediately to get your child(ren) and inquire of them just what they did and how they will apply it during the week. You, of course, may go once to observe or volunteer to assist with this vital ministry.
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What is the appropriate stance for prayer?
In our church you may observe people praying in many different ways. Many will bow their heads and close their eyes, a stance of reverence. Others may look up heavenward and raise their hands, asking God to bless them and/or receive their worship and respond to their prayers. Still others will kneel and although rare, prostrate themselves on the floor. In other words, there is no one correct stance for prayer, but we each assume the one that best helps to pray.
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What is the “Lord’s Supper” and what is involved?
The Lord’s Supper is so called because it recreates a portion of the last meal Jesus had with His disciples on the Thursday before His arrest, trials and crucifixion. At the conclusion of the meal, Jesus took the loaf of unleavened bread, broke it, prayed over it and announced to His disciples that this was a symbol of His body that was to be crucified that very weekend. Then, He took the wine (we use grape juice), blessed it and offered it to His disciples telling them, “This is my blood shed for you.” The Pastor will repeat these actions and invite all believers to either come to the altar, tear off a piece of the bread and dip it into the cup and then to consume it or to receive the elements as the trays of juice and bread are passed. Both methods are observed here. At Cresthill Baptist Church we practice “open communion,” meaning any believer, whether a member here or not, may participate.
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What is baptism and how can I be baptized?
Baptism is when a new believer symbolically recreates the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus by being fully immersed in water. It is often called the first testimony of the new believer. Anyone who professes faith in Jesus and surrenders their life to Him as Lord may be baptized. Speak to a Pastor. Tell him of your decision and he will tell the whole church and schedule your baptism. On the day selected, you will be taken to a dressing area to put on a white robe. (Since you will get wet, you are asked to bring a towel and a second full set of clothes to dress into. Also, if you need one, bring a hair dryer and grooming tools.) Then, one by one the persons being baptized will be asked to enter the pool, face the congregation and answer the Pastor’s question, “Who is Lord of your life?” The Pastor will then take you backwards into the water until your are immersed. Listen to the joyous reaction of all assembled when you rise out of the water!
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Please explain the Commitment time at the close of every celebration.
After the singing of songs, giving of offerings and gifts, prayers and the preached Word, the Pastor will invite you to respond to the worship experience. He will tell you that you may come to the altar to pray or to pray with one of the Pastors or Deacons; that you may come to the front to ask questions about salvation so someone knowledgeable can lead you through appropriate scriptures and invite you to receive the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus; or, if you are already a believer, now would be the appropriate time to ask for membership at Cresthill Baptist Church.

We receive members in three ways:

• New believers who undergo baptism
• By transfer of membership from another Baptist Church
• By statement of faith where you have received Jesus as Savior and Lord and undergone water baptism but at a church other than a Baptist Church

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