Sunday Mornings
At The Connection, we are a “come just as you are” community. When you get to our building look for the visitor parking right next to the kids playground, near the main entrance. Our morning worship begins at 10:00, and as you come in you will meet our greeters. Feel free to ask them any questions. There is coffee and snacks in the foyer ready for you to enjoy.
Our music and sermons will invite you to go deeper with God. In every part of our worship service, we desire to create an atmosphere where we encounter Jesus in such a way that will challenge us and compel us to live Christ-like lives.
We at The Connection want to invite you to join us on this journey together. Welcome home!
Sunday Morning Children
Here at The Connection, we think kids are incredible! They bring new eyes, open hearts, and excitement to everything they do. When you bring your child to our church, you can be assured that we will take the utmost care of them from check in to check out! If you have children that are 5th grade and younger, the greeters will show you where to check them in. Infants to preschool ages will be checked in and cared for during the whole service. The rest of the kids will get their check-in sticker and will join you for the opening and worship music part of the service. At some point during the early parts of the service, one of the pastors will dismiss the kids to head back to the kids wing for a special Connection Kids gathering.
We use an online check in process through Planning Center Online systems that will print out a personalized sticker for your child (allergies or special needs can be listed), and a coded sticker for you to hold on to until check out time. If you are new to the check in system, one of our staff will gladly help you log in and get your child ready and checked in. The tag you receive you will keep for check out. It is our safety check of knowing that each child is going to the appropriate adult. At the end of the service, check-out will be required using the matching coded tag you received.
INFANTS & BABIES NURSERY: We have a nursery reserved for babies 30 months and under. After check in, your baby will be cared for in a safe environment in the nursery. Nursing moms, with the matching coded sticker, will be able to come and nurse as needed. At the end of the service, check-out will be required for safety using the matching coded tag you received.
TODDLERS & PRESCHOOL CLASS: We know that little ones need a safe place to play as they explore and learn about their world. We have a preschool classroom in our Connection Kid's wing that is reserved for children 30 months old through Pre-Kindergarten, or age 4. After check in, your toddler will enjoy play time, a simple lesson, and/or a craft that opens their hearts to learning God's word with stories that will help them grow their faith. At the end of service, check-out will be required using the matching coded tag you received.
Weekly Life Groups
Spiritual formation happens largely through community with others who share life and their spiritual journey together. One way to deepen relationships at The Connection Church is to become a part of a Life Group. Life Groups are generally made up of 8 to 15 people who gather in homes throughout the Castle Rock area. These groups gather weekly or every other week through the school year to engage life together. Often our life groups begin the evening with a meal while leaning in to how our faith in Jesus Christ plays out in our daily lives.
If you call The Connection Church your church home, and are ready to commit to a Life Group, contact the church office or one of the Life Groups below to get started.
Reiter Life Group: In Home
Every other Sunday night, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
(360) 929-2272
Vinton Life Group: The Connection Church
Every Sunday morning, from 8:45am to 9:45 am
(321) 695-7145
Sterner Life Group: In Home
Every other Monday night, from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm
(317) 586-0253
Wednesday Prayer Gathering
We believe prayer is the foundation of growth in our faith journey while we learn to listen to God's voice and participate in God's activity in the world. In scripture, the book of James says, "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:13-16 NIV). During prayer, we pray for any concerns or needs in the church, we anoint anyone who is sick or in need of healing and prayerful expect God to answer, and we thank God through prayer for the ways we see God at work in The Connection Church and the world.
Wednesdays, 6:00pm to 7:00pm in The Connection Church sanctuary.
Men's Discipleship
Pastor Chris Reiter is passionate about making Christ-like disciples and building deep and lasting friendships with men in the community. Once a month, the men at church and within the surrounding community gather to be challenged in faith and in their journey with God. Spiritual practices and habits are deepened, knowledge of scripture and how to apply it personally are explained, and new and old friendships are grown. Men's events are posted on our calendar page as well as announced via our Sunday services. If you are interested in being a part of our growing men's ministry, please contact Pastor Chris.
Women's Discipleship
Sarah Jacobsen, our Women's Ministry director, is passionate about empowering women and making Christ-like disciples. Once a month, the women at church and within the surrounding community gather to enjoy moments of laughter, healing, and creativity together. Weekly, all women are invited to a time of studying God's Word together on Sunday afternoons from 3:00pm-4:30pm at The Connection Church. Relationships are kindled and grown, both old and new, and each woman is seen, celebrated, loved, and invited to a space where she genuinely belongs. Women's events, both weekly and monthly, are posted on our calendar page as well as announced via our Sunday services. If you are interested in participating in women's events or the women's bible study, please contact Sarah Jacobsen.
Teens
Pastor Kristen Sterner is passionate about teenagers and their enthusaism for life and hope. Weekly on Wednesday evenings, Pastor Kristen, along with her incredible youth staff and interns, pour into teens through relationship, games, food, and scripture. Each Wednesday night is an ever-deepening time around who God is and what God is inviting each teenager toward. Pastor Kristen believes that every teen is full of calling and purpose and is valuable and worth including in community. NextGen gatherings happen every Wednesday evening from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Other events outside of Wednesdays are posted on the Teen Page and calendar page as well as announced via our Sunday services.
NextGen gatherings are open to all who are 6th-12th grade. If you are interested in interning or being on the youth staff, please contact Pastor Kristen.
Worship Rehearsals
Pastor Cherie Reiter is passionate about everyone's God-given design to worship God. Weekly worship rehearsals are held in The Connection Church sanctuary from 7:00pm-8:30pm following the evening Wednesday Prayer Gatherings. Worshipping God is a vital part of who we are. 1 Chronciles 25 speaks about those who were leaders of worship. They were trained and became skilled in their area, to worship God through singing or playing an instrument. We believe in taking time to be trained as worship teams through rehearsal, in turn increasing the skills and talent God has given us to steward. Sunday mornings include an early morning warm-up rehearsal as well. Anyone is invited and welcome to sit in and listen while the team rehearses. If you are interested in being on a worship team, vocally or instrumentally, please contact Pastor Cherie.