First Time Visitors

We are grateful and excited that you have chosen to be a part of First United! We welcome your spirit, your passion and your connection to the spirit of this place.

Parking
There are two main entrances to the building, one off Okanagan Avenue and one off the main parking lot (which is accessed from 5th Street SE). First United parking lot is not big enough for everyone but there is plenty of parking on the street. On Sundays, you can park in the City Hall lot across Okanagan Avenue. There are reserved spots near the building for handicapped parking.

Our Service
Our service begins at 10:30am with announcements about First United and community events. You will also find these printed in our “First News” which our greeter will provide to you as you enter the sanctuary. Our time of worship begins immediately after the announcements.

Children
We are excited to have your children join us in the sanctuary for worship! If your child is distressed or fussing, feel free to use the library just off the sanctuary. The large window and adjustable speaker allow you to play with your child and still be able to hear and see the service. There are cloth activity bags in the cart just inside the sanctuary full of activities for young children to do during the service. You are welcome to borrow one as you come in. We love to have families with us!

Order of Service
Our “order of service bulletin” is displayed on the projection screen at the front, which means you can just sit back, relax and follow the order as it unfolds. If you require a printed version, a limited number of copies are available at the back. Some people prefer to follow the hymn lyrics on the screen, but if you like to read the music or sing harmony, hymn books are also available from the cart at the back.

Stand Up? Sit Down? 
Sometimes newcomers worry that they won’t know when to stand up or when to sit down. It’s easy – just do what everyone else does. Generally we stand up for hymns, unless instructed otherwise. If there are changes then someone will usually let you know.

Gift of Peace
We do have one practice that is unique to this congregation and we like it a lot. It is at the very end of the service and is called the Gift of Peace. The minister starts it with one other person. The person receiving places his or her hands together in the traditional attitude of prayer and the giver covers them with his or her own. The Giver says, “May the peace of God be with you.” The receiver responds with “And also with you.”  The greeting is passed to the person on the end of each row and that person passes the peace to the next person and so on to the end of the row. This way the whole congregation is connected as the blessing is passed from one to another. And if you don’t do it just as described, it doesn’t matter. It’s what’s in your heart that matters.

Library
The church library is in the foyer just where you came in. Your children are welcome to pick up a book or two and take them into church if they like. We only ask that you replace them when you leave. You are also welcome to sign out books to take home.

Accessibilty
The main floor of the church is fully wheelchair accessible and a handicapped washroom is available. Please ask us for more information.