How should I dress for services?
We are definitely a “come as you are” church. We are pretty casual. Everyone wears what they are comfortable in: for some people that’s jeans and a t-shirt, for others khaki’s and a polo or sweater, for others a shirt and tie or dress. More than what you wear, we encourage you to come with a heart to meet with God and explore the greatness of who He is.
What time should I arrive for a service?
We have worship services at various times (9:00, 9:15, 10:45 in Plover, 10:45 in Wisconsin Rapids). Many people like to get here a little early (15 minutes before the service start time) so they can grab a cup of coffee and chat with friends. If you have kids, you will want to come at least 15 minutes before service so you can get them checked in and settled and give yourself a chance to get settled too.
What can I expect when I walk in the building?
Most of our entrances have greeters at them. They will give you a big smile and a warm handshake. They can help direct you to the worship service of your choice or show you where to take your children. If you are looking for some information about Woodlands Church stop by the Welcome Center. If you have any questions they can answer them or help you find someone who can answer them. They have information and gifts too!
Where do I take my kids?
The first place you want to go is Town Hall. At Plover, this is right through the big double doors to the right of the main entrance. At Rapids, Town Hall is across from Crossroads Cafe. The reason you want to start here is because this is where we register your kids. We will have staff available at Town Hall to walk you through the steps to register your kids at the computers there and help you find the right class or nursery for their age and grade.
What do they do while I’m in service?
Your children will be learning and worshiping in age-appropriate classrooms. If your children are nursery aged they will be cared for by qualified adults and helpers. Most of the nurseries are next to Town Hall. The staff receives your infants, toddlers or walkers at the counter in the front of the nursery rooms. For the preschoolers and elementary students, classes are in the rooms down the hall from our Town Hall. We will provide you with information about where to take your children and how our process works to pick them up at the end of your worship service. We look forward to caring for your children and coming alongside parents as you nurture them towards spiritual maturity. Our classes are split by age and grade levels and are staffed by volunteers who are committed to presenting biblical truths and values in a way that fits the age of the students.
What does a worship service look like?
As you enter the worship service an usher will hand you a bulletin. You are free to sit wherever you would like. If you need some assistance in finding a seat or have any special needs, please ask an usher and they would be happy to help you. After you get seated, we encourage you to read the inside cover of your bulletin. This will give some basic information about our services. A typical service consists of an opening song, a welcome from the worship leader, a prayer, a Scripture reading, a couple more songs, announcements and offering (as a guest you are NOT expected to give), a message from a part of the Bible, and a closing prayer or song. A typical service lasts about 70 minutes. Just to put you at ease, you won’t be asked to do anything that identifies you as a visitor so you can relax, take in the worship service and get involved at your pace.
Are all the worship services the same?
We have four Sunday morning services in Plover and one in Wisconsin Rapids. Each service has a host pastor, a live worship team, and the same teaching pastor. Three of our services have in-person teaching (9 and 9:15 am) and two are videos of the morning message. The two Plover services in the Gym and the Wisconsin Rapids service have a full worship band. The Plover Chapel services have a more acoustic feel. Which service is right for you? Check them out and see what’s the best fit for you.