Visit

You’ll find a warm welcome at Sherman Street, and we look forward to getting to know you!

If you’re wondering what to expect, here are some tips.

When

Sunday morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. People usually start arriving about 10 minutes before the service starts, so if you’re there earlier, enjoy the quiet of the sanctuary for a bit. There is seating both on the main floor and in the balcony.

After worship we’d love to get to know you better over coffee and cookies downstairs!

Where

1000 Sherman Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506

We’re located at 1000 Sherman Street SE, in the historic Baxter neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Lots of Sherman Street folks live nearby and walk or bike to church.

There’s a parking lot adjacent to our building, and there are four dedicated visitor parking spaces near the south entry that we’re holding just for you. Street parking is also available (in winter please observe posted signs about parking on one side of the street only).

Our west entrance is wheelchair accessible with an elevator up to the sanctuary level. From the elevator, you’ll enter the sanctuary from the front-right side (sorry, it’s a really old church!). If you have any questions or wish to have someone accompany you, just call our church office and we’d be happy to have a greeter welcome you.

Come as you are.

God meets us where we are, so we like to keep it real at Sherman Street too. Come whether you know what you believe or aren’t sure, whether you feel like you have it all together or your life is falling apart. And wear what makes you comfortable—jeans and tees, shirt and tie, shorts in summer, whatever!

Worship

Each week you’ll find these main components in worship at Sherman Street, led by various members of the congregation and by our pastors:

Gathering: we welcome all to worship, praise God in song, receive God’s greeting and greet each other
Confessing: we reflect on our daily lives and receive the assurance that God forgives us
Offering: we share our resources out of gratitude, and pray for those in need
Hearing God’s Word: we read a portion of Scripture and reflect on it together through the sermon and a song of response
Celebrating: on most Sundays our service includes a time of communion when we remember together that Jesus died for us and offers us new life in him.
Going Out to Serve: we’re reminded that we’re blessed to be a blessing to others.

We enjoy many different styles of music, from praise songs to hymns to spirituals to world music. and alternate between a praise team and band leading us one week and a piano leading us the next. During opening songs kids often help lead worship by playing rhythm instruments.

Options for Kids

There are lots of kids at Sherman Street, and we value them as equal members of our community. Children are always welcome to remain in the worship service, but these options are available for younger kids:

Birth to age 2: Nursery is provided downstairs during the service. Pagers are available so we can let you know if your child needs you.
Ages 2 and 3: Praise and Play, a play-centered worship experience for preschoolers, meets downstairs. Kids are dismissed partway through the service.
Ages 4 to 2nd grade: Children’s Worship, a time to hear and respond to God’s Story, meets downstairs. Kids are dismissed partway through the service.

We take child safety very seriously. All volunteers who work with kids are background-checked and trained according to a child safety policy managed by our Safe Church Team.

For more about our kids programs, including for older children, see the Get Involved page.

Communion

On most Sundays we participate in communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist. Anyone who is baptized is welcome to participate, including children of all ages. All elements are gluten-free.

After the sermon you’ll be invited forward to receive communion at the front of the church. Elders are available to serve you in your seat if coming forward is difficult. And please feel free to remain in your seat if you prefer not to participate.