Plan your visit to CPCBA

We hope you can join us at Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon for our Sunday morning service or one of our special services. To give you an idea of what it’s like, here are answers to some common questions visitors have. In our services and our attitudes, we try to live up to our invitation:

Come just as you are...
Find the joy and inspiration you seek...
Become the person you were created to be

First time visiting?

We know visiting a new church can feel uncertain. Our greeters will be happy to help you find your way, and you’re always welcome to participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable.

Worship time

Sunday worship is at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary throughout most of the year

During July and August, worship moves to our air-conditioned Fellowship Hall and begins at 10:00 AM.

What to expect

Our worship is traditional, centered on scripture, prayer, sermon, hymns, and choir music. We are proud of our music program and our organ, and believe that traditional doesn’t mean boring. Services are usually around an hour in length. You can experience our services, music and sermons on our YouTube page.

Parking

Off-street parking is available behind the church.

Turn onto Rostrevor Street next to the church and enter the lot across from the side entrance.

If the lot is full, street parking is available on Church Avenue.

Where to enter

The main entrance most visitors use is the side entrance from the parking lot on Rostrevor Street, but the glass doors at the front of the church can also be used. There are greeters at both doors.

Accessibility

CPCBA is an accessible facility with ramps, an elevator, and automatic doors with push-button openers. Accessible parking is available near the side entrance.

Dress

Dress varies, but reflects our “come as you are” spirit. You’ll see everything from casual clothing to jackets and dresses.

Children

Infants-suggested age 4 are invited to our nursery during worship. Caregivers are also welcome. Nursery is staffed by clearanced volunteers, and follows Safe Church guidelines.

We have a Pray-Ground at the back of the sanctuary for kids to spend time in their own space while still being present in the service.

Children PreK-5th grade are invited to join us to for Sunday School to explore Scripture together through stories, crafts, and games. Children will follow leaders out of worship following the Time With the Children, and parents can pick them up in the Narthex following the service (the carpeted room accessed through the doors on either side of the altar area).

On communion Sundays, school-aged children stay with their family throughout the service.

Donations

Like most churches, an offering plate is passed. This is a free will offering and you won’t receive any stern looks if you decline to give.

Communion

Communion is served the first Sunday of each month, throughout the Easter season, and occasionally on other special Sundays. Grape juice is given, not wine. All are welcome to take communion, which is typically given through one of two ways:

At communion stations by intinction — You will be directed to a communion station by an usher, be given bread, and then can dip the bread in the chalice of grape juice.

In the pew with communion cups — You will remain in the pew, and the bread, and then the grape juice (in small cups), is brought to you in serving trays by the elders and deacons of the church who are assisting with the communion service.

Fellowship afterwards

After the service, we gather for coffee, cold drinks, and often food. You are warmly invited to join us.