Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!)
First Time Visitors
-
When are the services?
Our services are on Sundays. Summer services of ONE worship are held at 10am, from June 2-August 25.
-
What are the services like?
Our worship service uses both traditional and contemporary worship arts for simple and meaningful worship to enable us to connect with and praise God the Father.
-
How should I dress?
There is no dress code at SPC. We want all to be comfortable to worship God.
-
What happens with the kids?
At SPC, children are always welcome in the church services. Also, at 9:00 a.m. there is nursery care for children under 3 in our nursery in Room 7. At 10:30 a.m. we have Kid’s Church for ages 3 through fifth grade.
Beliefs
-
What does SPC believe about the Bible?
We believe that the Bible is the living and authoritative word of God. We are continually amazed by how beautifully the words of the Bible speak into our contemporary lives. We call it God’s living word not only because it shows us a picture of who God has been in history, but because God continues to meet us and speak to us through it. We call it God’s authoritative word because it was inspired by God and it serves as the compass that keeps our lives pointed in the direction of God’s design for us.
-
What does SPC believe about God?
There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of Deity and the characteristics of personality.
-
What does SPC believe about salvation?
The salvation of man is wholly a work of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness or religious ceremony. God declares as righteous those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby forgiving all their sins.The salvation of man is wholly a work of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness or religious ceremony. God declares as righteous those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby forgiving all their sins.
Finances & Giving
-
Why is it important to give financially to the church?
First and foremost, God wants us to give because it shows that we recognize he is truly the Lord of our lives. In James 1:17, it states that every good and perfect gift is from above. When we give, we simply offer God a very small portion of all the abundance he has already given to us. In I Cortinthians 16:2, we are told that we should give according to our income. Acts 20:35, states that we are blessed when we give, and in Luke 6:38, “when we give freely, we receive freely from God”. As it states in 2 Corinthians 9:7, giving is meant to be a joyful expression of thanks to God from the heart, and not a legalistic obligation. We rob God when we fail to give offerings to him (Malachi 3:8). The picture of our financial giving simply reveals a reflection of our lives surrendered to God.
The church is where you are fed God’s Word and nurtured spiritually, and the financial support provided to the church goes to build up the storehouse (Malachi 3:10), and support serving locally and in the world. -
Can I donate or give online?
Yes. On the website, go to www.saratogapres.org/aboutus/giving/onlinegiving.
-
Do you have envelopes available for me to mail in my tithe?
Yes. Email Susan Griggs.
-
How much is the annual departmental budget for SPC?
he budget for SPC varies, but is in the $700,000 range.
-
How can I make a stock contribution to SPC?
Please contact Susan Griggs, church administrator.
-
How is SPC doing financially year-to-date?
SPC has been a good steward of its financial resources, managing its expenses to its income well, and ended it’s fiscal 2011 year with a positive balance.
General
-
What is the best way to plug in?
We believe that we were created for relationship with Jesus, Community centered in Jesus, and Compassion, responding to Jesus. Community occurs in our small groups, so connecting with a small group is very important. Also, there are numerous ways to serve both inside the church and outside the church to connect with community in that way as well.
Kids
-
What programs are available for kids and at what times?
SPC has programs for Pre-School through Kindergarten (Sonshine Kids) and 1st grade through 5th grade (Kids Church), offered at our 10:30 worship hour. We also offer a fully equipped nursery for infants.
-
Can kids attend worship?
Yes, children are always welcome in worship services at both the 9:00 and 10:30 hour.
-
At what age do programs start?
Our educational programs start at Pre-K age, typically 3 years of age (we will work with parents to determine the best place for their children). Our Pre-K program is called Sonshine Kids, held on Sunday mornings during the 10:30 worship hour. In Sonshine Kids we provide children with age-appropriate teaching and fun so that they can recognize that God loves them and begin to study and live out God’s Word.
-
What is Kids' Church?
Kids’ Church is our program for 1st - 5th graders on Sunday mornings, during the 10:30 worship hour. We seek to make God known to the children so that they might grow in their love of God. We do this through engaging music, Bible lessons, and play.
-
What do I do if my child has special needs, such as allergies, or I have a special routine I’d like followed?
Please let our staff know when you register your child and we will make every effort to accommodate your requests.
Mission and Values
-
What is SPCs Mission Statement?
The salvation of man is wholly a work of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness or religious ceremony. God declares as righteous those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby forgiving all their sins. Click here for more information.
-
How does SPC live out this mission?
At SPC, we believe that in order to make Jesus Christ central in every part of our lives we have to have a relationship with Jesus. This includes spending time in worship, reading the Bible and conversing in prayer with Him. It also means being in a community that’s centered in Jesus—spending time with our community of Christ-followers through learning together, playing together, and serving together. We also need to serve out of compassion, responding to Jesus’ example of serving others. This includes serving others in our church family, serving others in our local community, and serving others in the world.
-
What are SPCs Core Values?
A Relationship with Jesus, Community Centered in Jesus, and Compassion in Response to Jesus. Click here for more information.
Preschool
-
Do I have to be a member for my children to go to the preschool?
No. SPP accepts children attending any church or even if they don't attend a church! About half of the SPP families attend our preschool because of the religious component, the other half because of our loving staff and developmental philosophy. But if your family is a member of Saratoga Presbyterian Church, you get to be a part of Priority Registration at Saratoga Presbyterian Preschool and register BEFORE new families do!
-
What ages does the preschool support?
Three to five year old children. Children must turn three years old during the enrolling year and be fully potty trained to attend in the fall. Saratoga Presbyterian Preschool offers a 2 and 3 day Three Year Old Program, 3, 4 and 5 day Four Year Old/Pre-K Program, and a 4 and 5 day Junior Kindergarten (Jr. K) Program. Our Jr. K program is for five year olds who age-wise qualify to attend Kindergarten but whose parents are giving them the gift of another year of preschool.
-
Do I have to work at the preschool?
Saratoga Presbyterian Preschool does not require parent participation in the classroom, but does ask parents for a minimum amount of help. Parents provide snack for the class about once a month and help with cooking projects with the class one to three times a year. Parents also provide transportation for occasional classroom field trips. Additional parent help is voluntary and we encourage parents, if they would like, to participate in classroom and school-wide projects that support the school such as mission projects, book orders, planning outside social events for the class, and helping the teacher with classroom celebrations.
Serving Others
-
How does SPC impact the community?
One of SPC’s core values is compassion in response to Jesus. We provide both our time and our financial resources to serve in the local community through a number of activities, such as annual participation in Rebuilding Together, serving a full dinner each month at the Julian Street Inn Shelter, serving breakfast every third Saturday of the month at the San Jose Family Shelter. We support additional service opportunities through our local mission partners. For more information on service, please follow this link (See Local Outreach).
-
How does SPC impact the world?
One of SPC’s core values is compassion in response to Jesus. SPC contributes financially to a number of global serving opportunities, as well as participating in an annual mission trip to Guatemala over the last 5 years (See global outreach).
-
How can I get involved in serving?
Stop by our Information Table on Sunday so that we can match you up with a service opportunity and need, or send an email.
Small Groups
-
Why should I be part of a small group?
Another way at SPC that we grow in our faith is through small groups. Small groups give you the opportunity to take a time-out from your busy week to spend time with friends, have fun, grow in your faith, serve others, and talk about relevant life issues.
-
What kinds of groups are there?
Our small groups come in all shapes and sizes. No prior experience is necessary to be in small groups. To find out more about small groups at SPC, stop by our Information Table on Sunday morning and we’ll help you find one that meets your needs or you can send an email to Small Groups.
-
How do I join?
Stop by our Information Table on Sunday morning and we’ll help you find one that meets your needs or you can send an email to Small Groups.
-
Are there groups that have married couples and singles together?
Our small groups come in all shapes and sizes. We do have some groups that have married couples and singles together.
-
Are there co-ed groups?
Our small groups come in all shapes and sizes. We do have some groups that have married couples and singles together.
-
Is childcare provided?
Our small groups come in all shapes and sizes. We do have some groups that have married couples and singles together.
-
When and where do groups meet?
The time and location of meetings vary by group.
-
How often do groups meet?
Some groups meet weekly, while others meet bi-weekly.
-
How long is a group meeting?
Groups are together for at least one series (usually a year). Individuals and groups have the option to continue meeting or to join other groups.
-
What happens in a group?
A typically small group meeting may start with some time spent catching up with each other, then move to a time of worship or prayer, then study, and end with reflection and prayer. Groups are encouraged to also do service together.
-
What do groups study?
This can vary by group. Several times a year we encourage groups to follow along with a sermon series taught by our pastors.
Students
-
What programs do you have for middle school students?
Every Thursday night from 7-8:30 Jr High students gather together for fuel. It's a time intentionally designed to help jr highers make Jesus Christ central in every part of their lives. It doesn't matter if you've been going to church your whole life and or never been before, fuel is a place for you! We play incredibly fun games, watch hilarious videos, worship in a style that fits jr highers, listen to a relevant message and interactively discuss how God's Word applies to our lives. We meet in the Student Ministries Room. From the parking lot look for the room near the basketball hoop that says "fuel" on the door.
-
What programs do you have for high school students?
Every Thursday night from 7-8:30 Jr High students gather together for fuel. It's a time intentionally designed to help jr highers make Jesus Christ central in every part of their lives. It doesn't matter if you've been going to church your whole life and or never been before, fuel is a place for you! We play incredibly fun games, watch hilarious videos, worship in a style that fits jr highers, listen to a relevant message and interactively discuss how God's Word applies to our lives. We meet in the Student Ministries Room. From the parking lot look for the room near the basketball hoop that says "fuel" on the door.
-
Do I have to be a member for my kids to attend?
Students do not need to be members, Presbyterians or even Christians to come to fuel or Crave!
-
What is fuel?
Every Thursday night from 7-8:30 jr highers gather together for fuel. It's a time intentionally designed to help jr. highers make Jesus Christ central in every part of their lives. It doesn't matter if you've been going to church your whole life and or never been before, fuel is a place for you! We play incredibly fun games, watch hilarious videos, worship in a style that fits jr highers, listen to a relevant message and interactively discuss how God's Word applies to our lives. We meet in the Student Ministries Room. From the parking lot look for the room near the basketball hoop that says "fuel" on the door.
-
What is Crave?
Every Wednesday night from 7-8:30 high schoolers gather together for Crave. It's a time intentionally designed to help highs school students make Jesus Christ central in every part of their lives. It doesn't matter if you've been going to church your whole life and or never been before, Crave is a place for you! We play fun games, watch hilarious videos, worship in a style that fits highs school students, listen to a relevant message and interactively discuss how God's Word applies to our lives. We meet in the Student Ministries Room. From the parking lot look for the room near the basketball hoop that says "Crave" on the door.

