Sundays at Citizens
Sundays · 9:30 AM · 400 E Morehead St
From the very beginning, the followers of Jesus have regularly gathered together to remember and celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
At Citizens Church we follow in this tradition when we gather together for worship on Sundays. Our church began in living rooms scattered across the Southeast; now, we are blessed to have space to worship together at the Dowd YMCA in the South End.
We seek intentionality and simplicity in our gathered worship. Our simplicity is intentional for the sake of mission and generosity. Thus, we limit the resources we invest on Sundays so we can allocate our time and money into everyday life.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our services last about 75-80 minutes (ending by 11:00am at latest). Think family reunion, not spiritual performance. Our gatherings include:
Worship (singing four or five contemporary songs and traditional hymns)
Liturgy (pre-written prayers we say together)
Teaching (30-40 minute preaching from the Bible, emphasizing the gospel and spiritual practices)
Communion (optional bread and juice, with a gluten-free option, celebrating Jesus's death and resurrection for Christians—regardless of membership or denominational background)
Prayer (led by church leaders and also available for individual needs)
CitiKids (safe, fun children's ministries for children aged 6 weeks to kindergarten)
LOCATION
Dowd YMCA | 400 E Morehead St | Charlotte, NC 28202
We meet on the 3rd floor of the Dowd YMCA in the Keith Studio. Enter through the doors facing South Blvd and our Host Team will be waiting to welcome you to our church.
KIDS MINISTRY
CitiKids is our kids ministry for six weeks old through 3rd grade. We have background checked volunteers who provide a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for your child to learn about Jesus.
TEACHING
At Citizens Church, a large part of our Sunday Gatherings are dedicated to preaching God’s Word and discovering how the good news of Jesus applies to every area of our lives.
WORSHIP THROUGH SONG
In addition to teaching the Scriptures, we also spend time on Sundays worshipping through song. Our worship style seeks to be a blend of the charismatic (little “c”) and the contemplative. Andrew Wilson has called this style “Eucharismatic” – meaning we place a high value on liturgical readings, silent prayers, and the ancient traditions of our faith, while also seeking bold and appropriate expressions of the Holy Spirit. Our singing is an expression of our love for God and a formational experience for us as believers, so our songs are carefully chosen for theological depth and sing-ability (a word we made up).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why do you meet at a YMCA?
As a new church, we do not currently have resources to own our own facility. However, due to the generosity of the Dowd YMCA, we have space to meet on Sundays, utilizing their worship space, offices, and kids space. We also love getting to partner with the Y for events and ministries outside of Sundays.
What should I wear?
You are welcome to dress however you feel most comfortable (You probably won't see many suits and ties, except maybe on Easter).
What if I’m a first-time guest?
We have first-time visitors every week, so you won’t feel awkward or put on the spot the first time you join us! If you're new, we encourage you to come a few minutes early and meet a few people (Of course, you can also slip in the back quietly and meet people afterwards).
What if I’m not sure about Christianity?
You are more than welcome to come if you are exploring Christianity or a non-Christian. In fact, Citizens Church is being started to connect with people who don’t regularly attend church, have rejected Christianity, or have been hurt by the church in the past. We keep the teaching simple and our conversations free from insider language.
Why Do You Use Pre-Written Prayers?
Churches throughout history have used pre-written prayers and Scripture readings to guide their worship time. We use pre-written prayers which follow a traditional liturgy often found in Episcopal, Reformed, and Catholic churches. These liturgies enable us to remember and identify with the Church throughout all generations and in every country of the world.
Are Your Services Contemporary or Traditional?
Both! We sing a blend of traditional hymns and contemporary songs, and it's easy to participate. Most people would probably consider our worship to be "contemporary." But we respect the classics, too. Our singing is an expression of our love for God and a formational experience for us as believers, so our songs are carefully chosen for theological depth and sing-ability (a word we made up).