Frequently Asked Questions
1. What time are your weekend worship experiencesservice?
2. Where do my kids go?
3. Do I have to dress up?
4. How can I get involved in volunteering?
5. There are a lot of people here; how can I connect with others?
6. How many people attend on an average weekend?
7. What is baby dedication?
8. Who should be baptized?
9. What does it mean to be a ‘member’ of PCC?
10. I just put my faith in Jesus (or I just returned to Christ) – now what?
11. I’m hurting. Can you help me?
1. What time are your weekend worship experiences?
Our weekend worship experiences are Saturday evenings at 5pm, and Sunday mornings at 9am, 10:30am, noon and 1:30pm (Spanish).
We also have The Underground on Wednesday nights for our young people in grades 6-12. Doors open at 6pm; the underground experience starts at 7pm.
On the first Tuesday of every month, we gather for a very special time of worship, prayer, and communion at 7pm. This prayer meeting is what we call First Tuesday.
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2. Where do my kids go?
If you have a child aged infant through grade 5:
PCC Kidz City is our weekend children’s ministry. Enter our building, and head to the right to check your child into our secure area through our computerized system. All of our staff and volunteers have a heart for kids, and undergo various background checks and security screenings for your safety.
If you have a student in grades 6-12:
The Underground is where it’s at on Wednesday nights. Students start gathering at 6pm in our lobby, then move into the auditorium at 7pm for music and the message. Bring a friend and see what we’re all about. The building is secured for the safety of our students, and all staff and volunteers undergo background checks and security screenings before serving in youth ministry.
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3. Do I have to dress up?
PCC is a casual, contemporary Christian church. We want you to be comfortable – whether that means jeans and a t-shirt or slacks and a button-up.
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4. How can I get involved in volunteering?
Here at PCC, we believe in serving others: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve...” Mark 10:45a. If you are interested in serving, please check out our list of ministries at the right side bar and click for more information. Ready to sign up? Click here!
Questions? Call the church office at (570)839-3459 or email us.
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5. There are a lot of people here; how can I connect with others?
We’ve seen tremendous growth in the past few years, and we’ve found how very important it is to grow smaller as we grow bigger. To accomplish this, we have a number of different ways to form meaningful relationships and lasting friendships. In addition to the links below, we encourage you to sit back and chat with others over a cup of coffee in our lobby.
Serve on a Ministry Team (link)
Join a Small Group (link)
Celebrate Recovery (link)
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6. How many people attend on an average weekend?
Nearly 2,000 people attend our five services every weekend.
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7. What is a baby dedication?
A baby dedication is an opportunity for Christian parents to publicly affirm their commitment to raise their child up in the way of the Lord according to Scripture. It’s an opportunity for parents to dedicate both their child and their parenting to God.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
It is also an opportunity for parents to thank God for the gift of their child and give Him credit for the life of the child. Parents who publicly dedicate their child before God understand that they are stewards of this child and that the child is God’s creation and gift.
Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Psalm 127:3
Furthermore, a baby dedication is an opportunity for the church family to affirm their commitment to supporting parents in raising their children in a way that honors God.
A baby dedication is not a Christening or a Baptism. The Bible doesn’t show any examples, nor does it ever command or approve of “Infant Baptism.” On the contrary, only those who have made a personal and conscious decision to follow Christ are to be baptized. Examples of baptism in the Bible refer to an individual getting baptized following their personal decision to follow Christ. Moreover, there isn’t any evidence that baptism plays any part in imparting salvation to the participant. (See Acts 2:38, 8:36 and 16:30-33; Matthew 28:19 and 3:13-17; Romans 6:11; Colossians 2:11-12.)
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
At PCC, baby dedications take place during one of our weekend services, during the first portion of the service and include a time of commitment and prayer. Parents are encouraged to invite family and friends to witness and participate in this special moment.
For more information or to obtain an application to dedicate your baby, please email us or call the church office at (570)839-3459.
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8. Who should be baptized?
Every person who has put their faith in Christ should be baptized. “But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news… and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12.
We are baptized after we put our faith in Christ Jesus because it symbolizes Christ’s burial and resurrection – when we are lowered into the water, we are illustrating Christ’s death and burial; we are dying to our old life before Christ. When we come up out of the water, we are illustrating Christ’s resurrection; we are made new in Christ Jesus. Baptism doesn’t make you a believer– it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not “save” you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like wearing a wedding ring– it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
We baptism by full immersion in water because Jesus was baptized that way, as was everyone else accounted for in the Bible. “...Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” Acts 8:38-39 Baptism by full immersion best symbolizes the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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9. What does it mean to be a ‘member’ of PCC?
The difference between a PCC attendee and a PCC member is commitment. Members have made a commitment to the 4Gs: GROW (they’re committed to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ); GROUP (fellowship with others in small groups); GIVE (of their time, talents, and resources, including serving on a ministry team); and GO (invite others to church and share their faith in Jesus).
To become a member of PCC, sign up to attend our next membership orientation! This one-time session is about an hour in length, and childcare is provided. For more information, please email us or call the church office at (570)839-3459.
10. I just put my faith in Jesus (or I just returned to Christ) – now what?
Congratulations on your decision to commit your life to Jesus Christ! We want to help you on your journey, which is why we launched Starting Point. This is a five-week program, designed to equip you with the basic habits of spiritual growth in a casual, conversational environment. Join us on Saturdays during the 6:30pm service, or Sundays during the 9:30am service in the PCC Office. For more information, email Deidre or call the church office at (570)839-3459.
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11. I’m hurting. Can you help me?
If you want freedom from life’s hurts, habits, and hang-ups, we encourage you to check out Celebrate Recovery on Monday evenings here at Pocono Community Church. This ministry seeks to celebrate God’s healing and redemptive power in our lives through the 8 Recovery Principles that Celebrate Recovery is based on.
We invite you to use our ministry to experience change, allow God’s grace to help you solve life’s problems, and allow him to release you from your addictive, compulsive, and dysfunctional behaviors that have been holding you back from authentic joy in your life. For more information, please email us or call the church office at (570)839-3459.
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