Welcome Visitors
Whether you plan to worship with us while traveling, attending school, or seeking a new church home, know that you are always welcome at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. We want you to feel comfortable during your visit; it may help to know what to expect as a first-time visitor.
Worship service begins at 11:00am during the academic year and at 10:00am during the summer months. You may park in the lot south of the building or along the street. The front entrance is the easiest way to arrive at the sanctuary. If it's raining or cold you may wish to enter on the south side nearer to the parking lot. If so, go up the stairs and then continue straight down the hallway at the top of the stairs. An elevator is available just beyond the stairs and turn left in the hallway. The elevator will be on your left.
You will be greeted as you enter the front door. We invite you to sign our guest register in the narthex, left of the sanctuary doors. The order of worship is in the bulletin. An usher will give you a copy of the bulletin as you enter the sanctuary. Sit where you will feel most comfortable—audio is distributed throughout to ensure that everyone can hear well. For those with hearing difficulty, headsets are avaialble from the head usher. The sanctuary will have a quiet, meditative atmosphere prior to the service.
Our services are liturgical and easy to follow. The congregation reads in unison from the bulletin, both in response to, and along with the liturgist. We sing mostly traditional hymns from the hymnal, many of which may be familiar. The Passing of the Peace is a moment when we turn to one another, as the people of God, and share Christ’s peace with words and a handshake. During this interlude the children make their way to the front for the children's message. The children's message is an interactive Bible lesson that is met with much enthusiasm by the youngsters. The leaders have learned to choose their questions carefully. After the children's message we enjoy worship music performed by our talented choir, children's choir, hand-bell choir, featured soloists, and/or guest musicians. We are fortunate to have many talented voices and an excellent music program under the direction of Jim Bryant. We hope you will be enriched by it. Following the sermon, the Prayers for the People will be offered. These are prayers for our lives, our loved ones and our world. The Offering will be received following the prayers and is an opportunity for each of us to commit our lives and our gifts to God's work. All funds go directly to God's work in and through the church. Special offerings are received for various work throughout the year. We serve Communion on the first Sunday of each month. We invite everyone who believes to partake, not just Presbyterians. After the service the pastors greet worshipers as they leave the sanctuary; we hope you will pause a moment to introduce yourself.
Appropriate dress is whatever you are comfortable wearing. Typical attire ranges from neat casual to suits. On service Sundays participants sometimes wear work clothes. Business casual attire will always place you in good company.
We invite you to explore all that happens in life and ministry in this church. We have worship and service opportunities for people of all ages and interests. While general information is available on this site, please feel free to contact the church office or speak with one of the pastors if you have questions. We invite you leave your address, phone number, and/or email that we might contact you.
We welcome all students to worship with us while away from your home church. We also invite you to participate in the life of this congregation in any ways that fit your interests and schedule. Please stop at the Student Welcome Table on your way out so that we can greet you and tell you about upcoming events that may be of particular interest to you as a student or young adult.
Children are always welcome at BPC! We have a wonderful nursery for newborns through 2 years old. Beepers are available for those who would like them. Extended Session for 3-4 year olds is held after the Children’s Message downstairs in our Education Wing. Worship Bags are available in the narthex for any children who would like one (please return to box). Fellowship Hall is available during worship for parents who need a place to be with unhappy children. The worship service can be heard from the speaker there. We want everyone of every age to feel welcomed and valued here!
Headsets for the hearing impaired are available. Speak to the Head Usher or Gavin Faulkner to use one during the worship service.
If you wish to visit and transportation is a problem for you, please contact the church office by Friday afternoon. We will arrange for a driver to pick you up and take you home in the Blacksburg area.