ORDER OF WORSHIP

Visiting a church for the first time can be a little intimidating, so here are some details about what a usual Sunday looks like. Hopefully this helps take the edge off. Remember that it was the first Sunday for everyone at some point.

WE SING

We begin by singing a few songs to prepare our hearts and minds to hear God's word. Congregational singing has been practiced in the church for thousands of years as a way to unite the church body in truth and spirit.

WE CHAT FOR 4 MINUTES

We make room for a four-minute conversation so that we can meet new folks and start a conversation that will hopefully spill over outside the service. In a transitory city like ours most people are relatively new so you’ll fit right in.

WE TEACH FROM THe BIBLE

We believe the Bible is the source for life, truth, wisdom and direction and so each week we come together to try and understand what God is trying to tell us through his inspired Scriptures. Usually we are teaching passage by passage through one of the 66 books of the Bible. Occasionally we break from that pattern to address a pressing need or topic.

WE PRAY & RECEIVE COMMUNION

Following the presentation of the gospel of Jesus, we cultivate a time and space for reflection and response to this good news of God’s ongoing mercy and grace. We sing, pray, and share Communion. Also known as “The Lord’s Supper,” Communion is a symbolic and spiritual ritual that followers of Jesus do whenever they met together, because Jesus directed us to do so (Mark 14:22–24). There are tables up front that you can walk up to and either take and individual mini-cup/cracker or rip off a piece of bread and dip it in a cup of grape juice. This act of volition is both a remembrance and declaration of the historical and spiritual fact that Jesus Christ gave his life — body & blood — as a substitutionary sacrifice for yours on the Cross; and then by his real bodily Resurrection from the grave our sins are now forgiven and renewed life with God is possible. At Sideris, we practice what is called “open communion” and simply means that anyone from any background who is trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord is welcome to participate in this community practice.

KIDS

Our Kids Team is dedicated to providing a safe and fun space for babies and kids up to 10 years old. They will get a chance to hear about Jesus and experience God’s love as they play and grow together. We engage in creative activities and gospel-based lessons each Sunday. If you would like your children to participate, look for the signs when you arrive!

HOW DID IT ALL START?

When we first began this church in 2015 we wanted to build a “community for considering.” Starting with five folks in Pastor Dave’s living room, we considered the Bible together and began to envision a community filled with others who are passionate about considering life’s biggest questions. But we asked: “What if our consideration was not for us? What if it led to us being transformed, equipped, and energized by the gospel, so that we might source life-changing conversations and relationships, leading to renewal in our city?”

WHAT DOES SIDERIS MEAN?

(1) “Sideris” is the Latin root of the word “CONSIDER”

We talk a lot about considering in our community. We believe that sincere consideration is the beginning of worship. When we humbly remove ourselves from the center of knowledge and wisdom this creates space necessary to encounter God and His truth and wisdom. This movement from self-sourced truth to revelation-sourced truth will ultimately lead to life found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. That is why we must celebrate all manifestations of true consideration.

(2) “Sideris” literally translates to “HEAVENLY BODY”

The Bible reveals two profound truths about this little phrase “heavenly body.” First, we will one day experience a resurrection just like Jesus and have new “heavenly bodies” (1 Corinthians 15). What would change if we made our big decisions with that future realty in mind?

Second, the community of saints (the Church) is called “the body” of Christ (Romans 12). All who follow Jesus are connected to Jesus by faith and collectively form a spiritual assembly we call “the body.” At our best, the local church provides a glimpse of heaven’s hope, goodness, and joy to the watching world around. In this way the church is a heavenly body.

OUR GUIDING VALUES

Starting with the historic events of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, combined with a clear understanding of the implications of that good “gospel” news, we have developed 14 principles which every Christian can practice each day to live into the way of Jesus for the benefit of community and Seattle.