What to expect during your visit

We welcome you as you visit our community of faith and hope you leave with a renewed energy and enthusiasm for life and a desire to come back and visit with us often. We hope that we can be a supportive community for you as you seek to grow spiritually as a follower of Jesus Christ. Below are some questions you may have and the answers you might be seeking.

 

  • How should I dress? Answer - We dress casual at East Side. However, there are some people that still come dressed in their "Sunday Best!"

 

  • If I come on a Sunday when Communion, also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper, is being served, may I receive Communion? What if I have small children? May they receive Communion? Answer - If you have been baptized in any Christian church in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, then you are more than welcome to receive communion. If you profess Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, you are still welcome at the commuion table. If you would like more information on being baptized, please contact Pastor Michelle. If your children have been baptized and you have talked with them about communion and you feel they understand its importance, they may also receive communion. If you are not sure how to explain it to them, please contact the Pastor and he will be glad to help!​

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  • I, or a member of my family, have mobility problems. Is the church physically accessible? Answer - Absolutely! We have accessible bathrooms on the first and second floors and a very nice Elevette® to access all levels of the church. We also have special parking places for those with mobility problems

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  • I have a baby or toddler still in diapers. Do you have a changing table? Answer - Yes, and the bathrooms are kept spotless. If you see anything that needs attention, please tell one of the Greeters or Ushers. You may use the nursery to attend to your baby's needs. 

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  • I have felt kind of lost in the past when visiting a church. Do you have signs that show me where things are? Answer - Yes. Please let one of the Greeters or Ushers know if you can't find something and they will point you in the right direction!

 

  • I, or a member of my family, have hearing problems. Do you have any type of personal amplifications devices that can be used during the worship service? Answer - Yes. Please let one of the Ushers know of your need and they will get you set up!

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  • When I have visited other worship services, I have not always been able to follow what is going on during the service and been able to fully participate. Do you have bulletins and other information that will help me? Answer - Yes. Our bulletins list the order of worship. The hymns we will sing are also listed. If you find yourself unsure of what is happening or what happens next, please ask the person who is sitting next to you. Unless they are a visitor too, they will be glad to help!

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  • What about parking? I have had to walk "a mile" to get to the church entrance after I park when visiting other churches. Answer - We have plenty of convenient parking right by the church. Again, if you have special mobility problems, please don't hesitant to use the special parking we have near the entrance to the church.

 

Joining with East Side - Becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Anyone can join with the people of East Side in becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be a Christian in today's world? What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ? At East Side, we see becoming a part of this community of faith as much more than just membership, we see it as a beginning and continuing spiritual journey.

 

When you join with the people of East Side, you enter into an ancient covenant with God. You promise to worship God, to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and to serve others. You promise to serve God with all your heart, mind and soul and to love others as you love yourself.  And in return, God promises to be your God, to love you no matter what, to be with you no matter where you are or where you go. Through Jesus Christ, God even follows you "through the valley of the shadow of death". Through God's Holy Spirit, you receive strength and power and a new life, a life where you absolutely know you are not alone. No matter what you are dealing with... sickness, divorce, fear, loneliness, death, anger, addictions, greed...God, through Jesus Christ, gives you the strength and power to overcome anything. AND God is there to celebrate with you the joys of life...a birth of a baby, graduation from school, a marriage to the love of your life, a new job, learning of a new skill or talent...

 

We invite you to spend some time getting to know more about Jesus Christ and the people of East Sde. Look through our website, join us for worship, come study and pray at our Bible Studies, join us in our mission as we reach out the community of Ashtabula County and the whole world with God's love . Come pray and play with us! Talk with individuals at East Side or feel free to contact one of the Elders on Session, or members of the Board of Deacons, or Pastor Michelle any time!