Small gatherings. Big impact.

We gather every Sunday morning in a home to recite scripture, sing praise, pray, confess, exhort, teach our kids, preach the word, take communion, and be sent out as households on mission for Jesus.

Our goal is to experience something close to the way the Early Church gathered in homes as described in 1 Corinthians 10–14. We're not putting on a show. We're not running a service for spectators. We're a Body that meets to give and receive together under the Spirit of God.

What a typical Sunday looks like

We will gather each Sunday morning at the Simmons' from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. From 9:30 to 11:30, you will experience singing, liturgy, prayer, preaching, and teaching along with discussion, weekly Lord's supper, a child-focused ministry time, as well as age-specific classes. A meal will follow our gatherings, potluck style, at around 11:30.

• 9:15 — Arrive. Setup for gathering.
• 9:30 — UP. Worship, prayer, confession, assurance of pardon, and the breaking of bread (Communion).
• 10:00 — IN. Consecration — confession of faith, family teaching for the kids, and building up the Body. We ask the Holy Spirit to be present, and people are invited to share what's on their hearts, what they are learning, words of revelation, or to pray spontaneously for one another. Expositional teaching from one of the pastors, followed by discussion.
• 11:10 — OUT. Response songs, prayers for Kingdom expansion and disciple-making, and we close with the Doxology.
• 11:35 — Breaking of bread. Communion — we remember how Jesus' Body makes us a Body.
• 11:45 — Lunch. Potluck style. Everyone brings something to share. Fellowship is simply an open-ended hangout.
• 1:00 — Group clean up.

FAQs

I'm not a Christian, can I come?

We exist as a church to introduce people to Jesus. But we believe that our Sunday gathering is not the best front door, so to speak. Instead, we want to get people to the front porch of the house through our people, hospitality, life-on-life discipleship, or through other discipleship tools (Story-Formed Life, Discovery Bible Study, Midrash groups). In other words, we want people to meet Light House Church and participate in its discipleship activity first, and then join us to worship.

What do you do for music?

We want to sing and make melodies to the Lord. If you play an instrument, please bring it and join in. Our worship guides have all the chords printed for every song so you will be able to jump right in. We love seeing members of the body using their talents to bless the church and glorify God!

What do you do with kids during the gathering?

The first part of our gathering will include all our kids in a family worship-style segment. After that, members of Light House Church will serve our 0–4-year-olds during the gathering on a volunteer rotation. The older kids will be with us during the gathering. Parents are responsible for training their kids to be quiet and respectful during the gathering so their behavior does not distract or harm our time together. Parents are welcome to bring quiet activities for their younger kids who will be with us in the gathering.

Kids tend to fall into one of three categories: trained (ready to participate on their own), in training (paired one-on-one with a parent who makes helping their child engage the first priority), and pre-training (childcare during the teaching and building-up times, on a rotating volunteer schedule).

What are sermons like?

We preach the word. This time can be interactive if people have questions or comments. However, at this time, the pastor will focus more on faithfully unpacking the passage and exhorting us towards faith and obedience. We want our community to continue discussing and wrestling through how to walk it out in every area of their lives.

Why a house and not a building?

Simply, we want to focus primarily on discipling people, not on financing and caring for real estate. We already have homes that we care for. At this junction in our church, it seems best to use our members' current real estate, rather than trying to buy another one.

Even more, a home signals that what we are doing is not extravagant or professional. It shows that our faith is meant for our everyday lives. And it creates the easiest format to multiply into if God brings growth.

How do I prepare for the gathering?

The simple answer: come filled with and in submission to the Holy Spirit. Be bold. If you have something to say or feel led to do something, don't hold back. We will do whatever we can to make this a safe place to use whatever gifts you have to build up the Body.

Keep in mind this is a time to give. We pour out gifts in service to others and trust that God will use the Body to minister to us.

What should we bring for the meal?

Whatever you want from the sign-up list (via our group chat).

Anything else we can do to help make this sustainable?

• Pitch in to clean up afterward.
• Assist parents with little ones when you feel led.
• Help transitions run smoothly by quickly joining in the next thing.

These small things make a huge difference.

Can I invite a friend?

If you are a member and you want to bring a family member or a visiting friend, just give the Body a heads-up over the group chat.

For everyone else — and especially if you want to bring someone who is not yet a believer — we'd love to talk with you first. Reach out here and we'll help you think through the best next step.

A note for newcomers

This is a small house church, not a big Sunday service. The room is full of people who know each other and are committed to each other. That can feel like a lot at first.

If you're considering joining us, the best first step isn't usually to show up on a Sunday morning. It's to reach out so we can hear your story, share more of ours, and figure out together what the right next step looks like.

We'd love to hear from you.

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Read more

• Worship guides
• What We Believe
• The Household
• Kids and Family
• Membership