On the first Sunday of each month, we have a single combined worship service at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. We call these “Breaking Bread” Sundays (more info below).
Most other Sundays, we offer a communion service at 8:30 a.m. in the chapel and an intergenerational service at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.
During the summer (beginning Memorial Day weekend), we offer a single worship service at 10:00 a.m. with communion. All services in the sanctuary are also live streamed.
One of our pastors often wears clothing featuring marine life.
Another wears jeans and colorful Chucks.
And the third pastor typically wears ties and loafers.
So, basically, wear what makes you feel like yourself.
From October through May, the first Sunday of each month is a “Breaking Bread Sunday.” On those Sundays, we have a single combined worship service at 11am, followed by a community meal for everyone (that means children and adults, visitors and members–everyone!). Since our children stay in worship on Breaking Bread Sundays, the service looks and feels a little different. For instance, our intergenerational pop-up choir sings, we try to include voices of all ages, and the sermons tend to be shorter and more multi-sensory. From talking rocks to visits from Santa Claus, you never know what to expect on a Breaking Bread Sunday!
Anyone! Our Fairmount Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m., and you can connect with our Director of Music Ministries, Jim Riggs, or any member of the choir for more details. On Breaking Bread Sundays, the intergenerational pop-up choir gathers at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary to rehearse. Singers of all ages and abilities are welcome! Our Bell Choir is led by Amy Carlson and typically rehearses on Thursday evenings also.
Everyone is invited to the Table. All are welcome. No exceptions.
Statio is a “holy pause.” It’s a Sabbath moment–a period of quiet to pause between activities. As we gather for worship, we observe statio–a few moments of silence to prepare your body, mind, and soul for worship. At the end of our statio, you’ll hear the bell toll three times. If you read or hear other terms in worship that aren’t familiar to you, check the glossary at the back of this book for a brief explanation.
Of course!
And we aren’t the kind of church that says kids are welcome and then gives side-eye to the parent whose kid is lying on the floor screaming. Most kids have trouble sitting still and being quiet. All of our pastors have young children. We get it. So don’t stress if your child is moving around and making some noise.
Around the sanctuary, you’ll find worship bags containing books to read and pages to color. You’ll find a “wiggle room” located in the narthex where families can go to change a diaper, where mom can nurse her child, or where little ones can experience a change of pace. We want parents to feel at home here, to make our worship place your special space.
Check out this glossary of Worship Words for simple definitions of unfamiliar words you may hear in our worship services:
Of course! And we aren’t the kind of church that says kids are welcome and then gives side-eye to the parent whose kid is lying on the floor screaming. Most kids have trouble sitting still and being quiet. All of our pastors have young children. We get it. So don’t stress if your child is moving around and making some noise. Around the sanctuary, you’ll find worship bags containing books to read and pages to color. You’ll find a “wiggle room” located in the narthex where families can go to change a diaper, where mom can nurse her child, or where little ones can experience a change of pace. We want parents to feel at home here, to make our worship place your special space.
Worship Enrichment (WE) Time takes place on the 2nd-5th Sundays of the month during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Children in Pre-k – 3rd grade gather in room 214 to learn together more about God, the Bible, church, and each other. We ask adults to pick up your children from 214 at the conclusion of the worship service. If today is your child’s first time joining us in WE Time, we ask that an adult join us as we move from the worship space to 214 before returning to worship.
Our 4th and 5th graders are invited to join Club 4/5, which is a blend of relationship-building and spiritual formation for our kids who are transitioning out of our children’s ministry and into our youth ministry. Club 4/5 gathers the first and second Sundays of every month (October-May). On the first Sunday of the month, they’ll have lunch together at church followed by a social activity. And on the second Sunday of the month, they’ll leave worship after the Time for Young Disciples and join their teachers in the Youth Room for an interactive lesson.
Yes! Most Sunday mornings (during the school year), we offer nursery care during worship. We may also offer nursery care for other church events, so don’t hesitate to ask our staff if you’re not sure.
Junior (6th–8th) and Senior High (9th–12th) youth have a spirituality all their own. At Fairmount, we aim to cultivate a safe and brave space where pre-teens and teens can question, express, and explore their values about identity, responsibility, and relationships, and where God fits into the fabric of their lives. The youth program between September and May is marked by pre-worship Sunday gatherings, bi-monthly overnight retreats, service projects, and social outings. A summer cultural immersion experience is the pinnacle of the program year each June. Along the way, youth frequently show up for each other’s school plays, graduation ceremonies, sporting events, and more. Doing life alongside one another in real friendship is the heart of youth ministry at Fairmount.
FPC Youth is an inclusive and LGBTQ+ affirming community. All youth, regardless of their proclamation of faith, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, race, or ability are joyfully welcome to participate and join in the life of FPC Youth.
The Fairmount Youth program aims to raise up emerging young adults who seek to include the other, give generously of their gifts, innovate for a more sustainable world, build authentic friendships, and bring relevant concerns of their generation to the wider church. FPC Youth engage in discussions about racial, economic, gender, and ecological justice rooted in Christian theology and through the lens of the PC(USA) tradition.
They also engage broader questions to develop ideas and beliefs about “who” God is and what the Christian faith means in their life. We use biblical narratives and Jesus’ teachings to help youth form their faith and shape their values such as kindness, love, service, grace and justice.
At Fairmount, we are committed to inclusivity and ensuring everyone feels welcome and supported. We offer accessible parking and ramps for easy access to our main building and sanctuary. Men’s, women’s and gender-neutral restrooms are located on the main level, and Fairmount has an elevator to the basement and upper level for those with mobility issues. Our sanctuary worship is equipped with audio enhancements for the hearing impaired, and large print bulletins are available for those with vision issues. We live stream our later worship service for those unable to attend in person and offer a dial up sermon service for those without internet access. We aim to make Fairmount a place where everyone can participate fully and feel connected.
There are plenty of parking spots on Sunday mornings. Our parking lot on Scarborough is the place for families with children and those with more limited mobility. For turn by turn directions, use 2790 Scarborough Rd as the destination for this parking lot.
If you’re able, please consider parking on the street or in our other lot so we can keep these spaces open for those who really need them. On street parking on Scarborough and other side streets is safe and easy. We also have a parking lot at the corner of the Fairmount and Coventry intersection opposite the church.
At Fairmount, we want everyone to feel comfortable and at ease. You can find restrooms throughout our building. On the main level, men’s, women’s, and gender-neutral restrooms are located off Andersen Hall. There is also a gender-neutral restroom at the back of the sanctuary. On the lower level, men’s and women’s restrooms are situated off the dining room. On the second level there is another gender-neutral restroom. We hope this makes your visit more convenient and enjoyable.
Yes! We welcome individuals and organizations from the surrounding community to rent our facilities. Please fill out our Building Use Request Form at the button below:
