We would love for you to join us for one of our services. We think you will discover for yourself the excitement that’s at Three Rivers. We want your experience of Three Rivers to be as pleasant as possible. With that in mind, we have assembled this list of things that our guests most want to know. To begin with, you will want to know where and when we meet. We gather for services each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on the 4th floor of the LBJ Student Center on the Texas State Campus.
Click here for directions to our location.
WHEN I ARRIVE…
We have a fantastic facility available to us, but if you are unfamiliar with the Texas State campus, you might want to leave a few minutes early for your first visit. Look for directional signs to lead your from the corner of Sessom and Comanche into the parking garage just in front of the LBJ Student Center. Parking in the covered garage is free of charge and nice in every kind of Central Texas weather. As you exit under the awning and enter the front doors of the LBJ Student Center you will be greeted by one of our friendly members who will be glad to assist you with any help or direction you might need.
From the moment you step out of you car, you’ll notice people are generally dressed very casual. At Three Rivers, our emphasis is simply ‘come as you are’. Dress for fellowship with friends. God is most concerned with the heart we bring to worship.
As you exit under the awning and enter the front doors of the LBJ Student Center you will be greeted by one of our friendly members who will be glad to assist you with any help or direction you might need.
WHERE DO I GO WHEN I GET THERE?
Directly up the stairs (or the elevator if you choose) you will see our Community Table in the center of our lobby. You’ll find it staffed by people eager to help any way they can. We also provide pertinent information concerning the church and some of its ministries. Everyone receives a name tag to encourage a friendly and conversational atmosphere. On your first visit you will also be given a Guest Card. Please take the time to fill this out at your convenience (either before or after the service) as it helps us to best serve you and future guests of Three Rivers. When you return the card to a person at theCommunity Table we will have a gift awaiting you as our token of thanks. Please know we respect your privacy. None of the information you choose to submit is passed on outside of Three Rivers.
You will be directed to the teaching theatre where our worship service takes place. On your way, pick up a pastry and some juice or coffee at our snack table. If you did not bring a Bible, we keep a stack of them just inside the door by the offering box. Likely some uplifting music will be playing as you find your place in the comfortable theatre seating. Relax. Enjoy your coffee and look over our program for any notes of interest. It’s likely that some member of the Three Rivers family will walk over and introduce themselves. It’s just what we do!!!
WHAT ABOUT MY KIDS?
Where do I take my children and what programs do you have for them?
We LOVE kids at Three Rivers! We also believe it’s important for there to be a point when you can worship together as a family. For that reason we encourage families to arrive on time so that the first ten minutes of the service they can sing praise and worship songs together. After a brief welcome and announcements there is a short break. At that time parents escort their children to the Children’s Ministry Table also located in the lobby. There your children will be received by loving care-givers and teachers, trained to give special attention to each child entrusted to them during the worship service. If you choose to join them, you’ll hear the laughter and the energetic sounds of worship as your kids learn to praise God in their own words. They’ll hear Bible lessons presented in an interactive, creative way so they’ll be able to apply those eternal truths to their daily lives. A fun, loving and safe environment displays Jesus’ love and helps your children feel church is a happy place where they are loved and secure.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING THE WORSHIP SERVICE?
As you return to your seats in the theatre, the worship team will already be striking up energetic and progressive songs celebrating our living hope and Savior, Jesus Christ. The lights are often dimmed to encourage focused reflection and devotion as we sing.
After several more songs the congregation sits and is encouraged by a special piece of music prepared for the offering. Baskets are passed during this time, though some choose to give either before or after the service at the offering box by the door. This is one more way we worship, yet the offering is only intended for those who call Three Rivers their “church home”. Feel free to let the basket pass.
After a brief prayer led by one of our elders, a biblically-based, Christ centered message is given in every day language with practical application to your life. If time permits, we sometimes have a period for people with in the audience to respond if they wish with a question for clarification or to simply share a comment or experience that relates to the passage just studied. We learn best as a community, and this helps break down the “entertainment” dynamic that pervades so many worship services today.
AFTER THE SERVICE:
After a closing prayer, or perhaps a song, the service concludes but not the activity. As music comes on over the sound system, there is a buzz of conversation as people generally linger and talk, or make lunch plans together. There’s always room for a couple of more helping hands as well, as certain equipment is packed and stored for next week’s service. Children await their parents in supervised rooms, with a craft in their hand and God’s truth in their heart. Volunteers remain at the Community Table to take your Guest Card if you haven’t turned it in already.
If you really want to experience the life and excitement of Three Rivers we encourage you to ask about our FLOW groups that meet in homes around the city throughout the week. There will be many who are eager to share how it had blessed their lives.
I hope you have found this page helpful. I realize that for many people, attending a new church can be a bit mysterious – even intimidating. It is my prayer that this page helps ease those concerns and encourages you to experience what God is doing at Three Rivers. I’ll look for you there.
Warmly,
The Elders of TRCC