New to Church

Welcome to St. Andrew’s Church – Furnace Green
Come as you are!

Whether you’ve been going to church your whole life or you’re thinking of stepping inside for the very first time, we’re so glad you’re considering visiting us.

Our church is a place to explore faith, ask questions, build friendships, and experience God’s love. You don’t need to have everything figured out to come along, simply come as you are.

We know there are a number of great churches in Crawley, so if you are new to the area feel free to try us out and have a look at other churches too.

Should you visit, we will do everything we can to put you at ease and help you feel welcome.

    What to expect

    If you’re new to church, you might be wondering what actually happens during a service.

    Here’s a simple idea of what to expect:

    A warm welcome
    Our welcome team will greet you when you arrive and help you find your way around. Simply let them know that you are visiting and they will help you settle in.

    Music and worship
    We tend to sing contemporary worship songs that celebrate faith and encourage us as part of God’s family on earth.

    Liturgy (set prayers)
    We are not heavily dependent upon liturgy (set prayers and responses) but as part of the Church of England we do use some. The words and responses are projected upon the screens for everyone to follow.

    A Bible message
    One of our leaders will share a short talk based on the Bible that connects faith with everyday life.

    Prayer
    We take time to pray together. During the service one of the members of the church will lead us in a time of prayer for individuals, the community and the wider world

    Time to connect
    After the service, many people stay to catch up together and enjoy free refreshments in our Cornerstone Café.

    A typical service lasts about 60–75 minutes.

    What should I wear?

    Whatever you feel comfortable in.

    Some people dress casually, others dress up a bit, but there’s no dress code here.

    Do I have to believe?

    No.

    A number of people who come are exploring faith, asking questions, or simply curious.

    You are welcome whether you are:

    • new to Christianity
    • returning to church
    • unsure about faith
    • or already a believer

    What about children?

    Families are always welcome.

    We provide:

    • safe and fun children’s groups
    • activities designed for different ages
    • trained volunteers who care for children during the service

    If you’d prefer, children are also welcome to stay in the main service.

    Your first visit

    When you visit for the first time, you might like to:

    • arrive 10 minutes early (park your car in the school car park or on the road in Furnace Place)
    • say hello to those on the welcome team
    • grab a coffee or tea
    • sit wherever you like

    No one will put you on the spot or make you do anything you’re uncomfortable with.

    Join us this Sunday

    We meet every Sunday at 10:30am.

    Everyone is welcome and we’d love to see you!