We’re Glad You’re Here!

In total, a Sturgis Missionary Church service is about 1 hour in length. A typical service goes something like this:

• Welcome & Announcements: We start off by highlighting some of the key functions coming up for our church.

• Worship: The Worship Team will lead a few songs (either a selection of current worship music or an occasional hymn) using keyboard, guitars and drums. Most people stand, but everyone is free to worship as they choose.

• Children’s Church Dismissal: Children (preschool - grade 5) are invited to go to with their teachers to age-appropriate classes. Learn more about Children’s Ministry.

• Message: Our pastor delivers a message from the Bible that helps the church learn more about God and inspires us to live our lives more fully for him.

• Worship: The Worship Team will end with a song. Again, most people stand but feel free to remain seated if you wish.

• Dismissal: The pastor will say a few words to end the service.

At the end of the service, people are welcome to hang out and talk or just spend time with God as long as they care to.

Sundays at Sturgis Missionary are fun, casual, and relaxed. Come as you are and expect to feel welcomed as our guest.

Dress is casual. When you arrive, you are welcome to have a free cup of coffee or tea from the lobby and even take it with you into our worship center.

Our Sunday morning services are designed to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12). We believe there is a fourfold purpose for gathering as believers:

1. To grow in our knowledge of God, to deepen our faith in knowing God is real and trusting the accuracy of the Bible as a historical document and God's self-revelation, and become the people God desires us to be. (Ephesians 1:18,19; 3:19; 4:12; 2 Corinthians 9:10; Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 6:1; Philippians 1:9)

2. To promote living a life worthy of the calling of God. We do not obey God to earn salvation but because we love Him and recognize His commands are for our good. (Galatians 6:10; Luke 6:35; Ephesians 5:9-10; 1 Timothy 6;18; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Colossians 1:10)

3. To encourage and equip believers to spread the praise and glory of God. (1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 3:10; John 15:8; 1 Peter 2:12)

4. To coach believers in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God (the Gospel). (2 Corinthians 5:18; Matthew 5:13-16; 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47, 48)

Typically, the pastor teaches through a section of Scripture, so attendees are encouraged to bring a Bible and follow along. “Faith comes from hearing the word of God” (Romans 10:17), and the focus of each message is to understand God’s revelation and apply it to our lives today. The pastor reads from The English Standard Version (ESV), but any Bible translation is welcome.

Each message includes these key elements:

• Observation: Actively considering what the text says.

• Interpretation: Understanding the original context, culture, and meaning.

• Correlation: Referencing other biblical passages covering the same topic that add additional insight.

• Application: Applying biblical truth to daily life.

• Discipleship. Encouragement to incorporate new facts and concepts into our lives.

We also seek to engage a variety of learning styles—visual, auditory, verbal, physical, and logical—through clear teaching, outlines, visuals, and practical explanation. Our goal is to help people at every stage of life and faith grow in their understanding of God’s Word.

When going through the Old Testament, you will hear Pastor Joshua say, "Yahweh," when reading the word LORD in your Bible. Yahweh is the Hebrew word being translated into English as LORD. Since Yahweh is God's proper name, Pastor Joshua has decided to use God's proper name when revealed in scripture.

We believe that kids should have a blast at church every single week - and at SMC, we make this a priority. If you want to stay together until you're more familiar and comfortable with us, your children are welcome to sit with you in service. However, we do have a nursery for infants and toddlers with age-appropriate worship in Preschool (pre-kindergarten children) and Children's Church (kindergarten to 5th grade).

This gives your children the opportunity to meet others their age and worship God at their level. It also gives you the freedom to relax, knowing they are in good hands.

To check-in your child upon your first visit, simply see the greeter at the front door before the worship service begins to fill out a paper informational form. The greeter will show you our children's wing and will introduce you to our children's director and/or teachers. Infants and toddlers may be dropped off in the Nursery before service.

Kids in Preschool-grade 5 will join their families for the start of the service in the Worship Center. After the last worship song, the worship team will announce the children's dismissal just before the Pastor begins his message. Children's ministry teachers will accompany the kids out of the worship center back doors to Children's Church. After service, the parent / guardian may pick up your children from their classrooms.

Find out more about SMC’s Children’s Ministry.