The best way to get to know the people of First Christian Church is to come visit us at a worship service or community event. Here is some more information to help make your first visit a great one. We look forward to welcoming you!
Location
First Christian Church is located in downtown Erwin on the corner of Iona St and South Main Ave at 307 South Main Ave., Erwin, TN 37650. (Get Directions) We have two buildings, the main building (which includes the sanctuary, offices, and classrooms) and the fellowship hall across the street at 312 South Main Ave. Parking is available along the street or in the large parking lot on South Main Ave. across the street from the main building and next to the fellowship hall.
Visiting on a Sunday
Sunday School – 9:45 am
As part of our commitment to grow in insight and knowledge of God and his work, we offer age-appropriate Bible classes for nursery (under 2), pre-K (age 2-4), elementary (grades K-5), youth (grades 6-12), and adults (age 17+ and not in high school). If it is your first time visiting, enter through the main doors on South Main Ave. and ask an adult for assistance on how to get to the various locations in the building where classes meet. Bringing a Bible and something to take notes with is encouraged but can be provided if needed. Expect a warm welcome and friendly introductions to new people.
Sunday Worship Service – 10:45 am
As a community of Christ followers we desire to continually honor and thank God for all that He has done for us through Jesus in a regular time of worship on Sunday mornings. Enter through the main doors facing South Main Ave. Just inside the doors you’ll be greeted by friendly faces in the lobby where you can pick up a bulletin or learn more about upcoming events or community service opportunities.
All ages are welcome in the worship service and we encourage families to worship together. We also offer a staffed nursery downstairs as needed to provide care for children ages 2 and under or feel free to step out briefly if your child needs care. There is also an optional Children’s Church program for children in pre-K through 5th grade which dismissed just before the sermon and continues through the end of the worship service.
Our worship team plays a variety of modern worship songs and traditional hymns. Several church members of all ages and genders contribute their time and talents to the worship service through prayers, meditations, Scripture readings, singing, music and more. Sermons are most often Bible based and gospel centered rather than topical. Of special importance in our worship services is the practice of participating in Lord’s Supper each week, to remember the body and blood of Jesus. All Christians are invited to participate regardless of where they place their church membership.
Since 2020, we have also offered a livestream of the worship service on Facebook and our website, and recordings are posted on YouTube after the service. Feel free to watch a service if you want to see what it is like or if you wish to participate from wherever you are when you cannot join us in person.
Visiting on a Wednesday
Wednesday Night Meal – 5:45 pm
At FCC Erwin we seek to share life together in fellowship, so we offer a donation based meal most Wednesday nights before our other programs. Anyone is welcome to join us and eat for free if they wish. Church volunteers prepare and serve the meal and there is a box to contribute a suggested donation of $5/person or $15/family for those that wish to do so. We encourage this time of table fellowship to be more than simply eating, but for conversation and friendship. On certain nights we offer a Community Meal, with extra food provided and invitations encouraged, usually starting earlier at 5:30pm. During summer months and some holidays, we take a break from meals. Check the calendar or Facebook page or call (423) 743-3811 for more information.
Wednesday Night Programs – 6:45pm
During the week we gather to love, support and encourage one another in a variety of ways. Nursery care can be provided as needed for parents of kids under 2. Kids in grades pre-K through 5th meet in the Fellowship Hall for a program called Action Theater. As the name suggests there is a lot of fun and movement involved as kids learn Biblical wisdom in interactive ways. Youth in grades 6th-12th, meet in the main building in the upstairs youth room. Through a variety of video based curriculum they will have opportunities to explore and discuss what it means to live for Christ as they grow and mature in their faith. The adult class meets on the main floor of the main building for a time of community conversation about a variety of relevant topics related to living faithfully, loving others, and serving the church and community. Though Scripture is read and prayers are prayed, this is not a traditional Bible study, but a time where the whole class is encouraged to interact and contribute to the conversation.