Here at Central Church, we are a warm, welcoming non-denominational congregation with roots in our Evangelical and Reformed and United Church of Christ heritage. that is always happy to receive guests.  We invite you to worship with us, see what’s happening at Central Church, share your talents, discover who we are, and grow in faith through our as we commune with each other and Commune with our Risen Saviour. 

 

At Central, we believe that you’ll find a church that feels like Home, and a congregation that feels like Family…

WELCOME TO CENTRAL CHURCH

Regular Worship Hours

Regular worship service:

10:00 A.M. – a traditional worship service with choir, organ, and hymn singing as well as readings, prayer and a sermon.

*Please note that special services of worship are provided on Christian holidays and these may be at different times.

Children’s Sunday School is offered following the Children’s Message during the worship service.  Children attend the first portion of the service, sit for the Children’s Message, and then leave to attend Sunday School.  Sunday School is offered during the school year; during the summer break, children should return to sit with their parents after the Children’s Message,

Please join us in the downstairs in the gym at 9:00 A.M. for coffee, donuts and conversation or in the church Parlor downstairs at 8:30 A.M. for our adult Sunday School class (Adult Sunday School currently on hold due to COVID)

For those who cannot attend, bulletins are online. We also livestream our service on Sunday mornings on this website, and post recordings of the service to our Facebook page on Sunday afternoon.  Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about all that is happening in our church.

We hope you will join us.

 

F.A.Q (Frequently Asked Questions)

Where is the church?

Central Church is located at 118 W. Ashley Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Our phone number is (573) 635-1041. We are located on the corner of W. Ashley and Washington Streets and parking is available on the streets surrounding the church and in our parking lot which can be accessed off W. Ashley Street.

Where do your members come from?
While most of our members live in Jefferson City and Holts Summit, people from many of the surrounding towns are also active in our church community.
What are the religious backgrounds of your members?

Members of our church come from many Christian traditions including Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, United Church of Christ, and other Protestant traditions. People from many religious backgrounds or none at all have found a home at Central Church.

When are worship services?

Central Church holds services on Sunday mornings at 10:00 A.M.

What should I wear?

At Central Church, people wear whatever they’re comfortable with. Some dress up and some are more casual and dress down. You’ll see people in suits, dresses, jeans, and shorts all worshiping together. “God doesn’t care what you wear to church and neither do we.”

Are there nursery and Sunday school classes?

Central Church has a nursery, and Sunday school classes for children ages 4 through 5th grade. Sunday school classes for children are held during the 10:00 A.M. service. The nursery is available year- round for children from birth to five.

What's the worship service like?
As you arrive at the door to the Sanctuary, an Usher will welcome you and hand you a bulletin and answer any questions you might have. When you enter the Sanctuary, sit wherever you like – there are no assigned seats here! At our services there is a bulletin, which lists the order of things in the worship service, and should be pretty easy to follow. Note that stars in the left margin indicate times for the congregation to stand. But don’t worry if you sit or stand at the wrong time. Those of us who have been attending for years occasionally do that too.
How do you celebrate Holy Communion?

If you happen to visit on a service when we’re celebrating communion, please join us. At Central Church, everyone is welcome to take part in communion – members, non-members, adults, children whose parents feel they are ready, baptized, and not baptized. But if you don’t feel comfortable taking part, that’s fine too. We serve communion in two different styles:

  • The first method, that is used most often at the traditional service, worshipers stay seated in the pews and the elements – bread and the cup (small cups of wine or juice) – are passed down each aisle by the ushers. First the bread is served. When everyone in the congregation has received the bread, we all eat the bread at the same time, as a community. Then the cup is served and we all drink the cup, as a community. (There are small cup holders on the back of the pew to place the cup when you’ve finished.)
  • In the second method, called intinction, the bread and the wine are at the front of the sanctuary. Each pew, starting at the front, walks up to the front of the sanctuary, takes a piece of bread and dips it in the cup. Most people take the element right away, as they walk back to their seat.
Where are the restrooms?
Restrooms are located on the main floor behind the sanctuary and next to the music room, on the main floor next to the church offices, on the lower level near the Sunday School rooms and on the lower level next to the gym.
Are your buildings and bathrooms wheelchair accessible?
Mostly. We have an elevator that provides access to all levels of the building. The bathrooms nearest to the Sanctuary are wheelchair-accessible.  The bathrooms off of the gym are older, but also wheelchair-accessible. We continue to investigate how to improve the accessibility of the building.
How can I arrange to hold a Wedding at Central Church?

Congratulations! Thank you for considering Central Church for such an important part of your life. Please contact the Church Office to talk about making arrangements.

How do I get on the mailing list for your newsletter?

Central Church’s monthly newsletter can be sent to you by regular mail or by email.  Please contact the church office using the CONTACT menu above to request to be added.

What is the history of Central Church?

Central Church was established in 1858 by a group of German immigrants in Jefferson City, MO as Central German Evangelical Church. Throughout our history, we have been part of the Evangelical, Evangelical & Reformed, and United Church of Christ denominations. We are now non-denominational, but we still hold fast to our Protestant, Lutheran, Evangelical & Reformed, and Congregational Christian roots and traditions, while being open to change and new opportunities.  Central Church has been defined by tradition and change throughout its history, and we continue to be.

What do you believe?

Central Church receives the Scriptures as its authority in matters of faith and practice. Its understanding of Christian truth as contained therein is substantially set forth in the following:

I believe in the living God…Who creates and sustains the universe in power and in love.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God incarnate on earth, who showed us by his words and work, suffering with others, and conquest of death, what human life ought to be and what God is like.

I believe that the spirit of God is present with us now and always, and can be experienced in prayer, in forgiveness, in the word, in the sacraments, in the community of the church and in all that we do. Amen. (World Council of Churches)

How many members are at Central Church?

About 350 individuals claim membership in this community of believers.

How many people attend worship each week?

Around 80 people attend worship weekly.

Do I have to put money in the offering plate?
All contributions, money and otherwise, are gratefully received. But no, you do not have to put money in the offering plate. If you’d like, we encourage you to write down something that you are thankful for and place it in the offering plate as it passes by.
Does the church have a budget? How are things paid for?
Our congregation approves a budget every year for the fiscal year that begins on January 1. The budget is based on financial pledges made by everyone in the congregation.
How do I become a member of Central Church?

Several times a year we hold a new member’s class to help interested people become fully familiar with Central Church – our history, our beliefs, our mission and outreach, our youth and adult education, our wealth of ministry teams, youth groups, and much, much more. On “New Members’ Sunday,” held at various times during the year, the members join the church during our worship service. If you are interested in joining, or just have questions, contact the Senior Pastor.

What if I have more questions?

If you have any questions, call the Central Church office Monday through Friday at 573-635-1041 or speak to our Pastor or any member. We hope to see you Sunday!