Here are answers to commonly asked questions about Trinity - from what to expect on a Sunday morning to how to get better connected.
When and where is the worship service?
We currently worship all together in ONE big, full service at 9:00am. Come early and grab a seat.
9:00am Worship Service
We are located at 7660 N. Memorial Drive, Owasso, OK 74055.
What is the worship service like?
The best way to answer this question is to come see it for yourself. We don't fit into the normal categories. One person described us as "liturgical but edgy," drawing from church history with modern verse-by-verse preaching of Scripture with application to live out the gospel in today's ever-changing world, and weekly communion. Trinity's worship service is intended to connect Christians and non-Christians to God by engaging their imaginations to see holiness of God and the beauty of God's love for sinners. Our pastors design the order of events to allow us to participate together, singing, reading aloud at certain times. There are moments of noise and silence.
If you grew up in the church, Trinity may feel different, but after a couple of services, people say they like the way the service is arranged. If you did not grow up in the church, our pastors do their best to explain why we do what we do in worship. We hardly have the market cornered on how to worship God, but we want to experience a sense of transcendence (God is grand, beautiful, and worthy of our utmost respect, for He is holy) and immanence (God is close, personal, intimate, and draws near to His people, for He is love).
What is your music style like?
We sing a lot of hymns, many with updated tunes. But wait... it's better than you think! We want our songs to be theologically rich, yet singable. We are big on the congregation singing and measure the success of a song by how loud the congregation sings. Several highly talented musicians lead us with piano, guitar, a parish drum set, violin, and occasionally a clarinet, mandolin or trumpet. Our songs generally have an acoustic classical Americana feel.
Do you have a good children's ministry?
Yes, at 10:30am, and we want to point children to Jesus with excellence. We have lots of kids for the size of our growing congregation and think your son or daughter will make friends here fast. Our 10:30am children’s education classes are for all ages. The vision for Trinity Kids is led by Joann DesLauriers, a veteran school teacher, former OSU professor, and early-childhood-education consultant. Trinity Kids operations is led by Mishelle Thomas, a gifted mom with a passion for childhood development. All Trinity Kids volunteers are vetted through a nation-wide program called Ministry Safe which includes a background check, training, and a thorough interview by our staff. Nursery and children’s discipleship classes for all ages through fifth grade are available at 10:30am.
Where do the children go?
You may check your children in at our Trinity Kids registration table (just ask a greeter!). During the worship service, nursery care is available for infants through three years old. Children four and five years old will be invited back to the children’s area before the sermon, but you can keep them with you as long as you would like. We love seeing families sitting together in worship, singing together, repenting together, and growing in faith together. A Trinity Kids host will show them the way to their classes where they will hear the gospel through an age appropriate lesson from God’s Word. You will need to pick them up to return to the worship area before the Lord's Supper.
Is there Sunday School?
Yes, we offer discipleship classes at 10:30am for all ages. These courses are taught by our pastors, elders, or trained teachers. They are open for anyone to join at any time. Right now the adults are going through 1 Kings. There is also Sunday School for Trinity Kids and Trinity Youth during the same time.
How will I know where to go?
Greeters will welcome you at the entrance. If you have special needs, please let the greeters know; our facility is handicapped accessible and handicap spaces are provided throughout Trinity Hall.
What do people wear?
Come as you are. You don’t need to clean yourself up - let Jesus do that. We are relaxed in attire but some people do like to dress up to worship in Trinity Hall. You'll see a spectrum from t-shirts and jeans to business casual. In the summer, you might see shorts and flip-flops. Some who work the night shift at the hospitals may come in scrubs.
What if I need to step out of the service?
You are welcome to step out when you need. Moms and dads, we don’t mind crying babies (signs of life and joy!) but if you would like to step out, we have a Nursing Moms Room in the back of Trinity Hall with a closed-circuit television view of the service.
How can I get better connected?
The first step to getting connected in a meaningful way is to fill out a Trinity Connect Card during the service or stop by the Connect Center in the hall. You may also download the Church Center App to join a group, find out about upcoming events, join a Bible study, and participate in Trinity life throughout the week. You can also get connected by signing up for our "This Week at Trinity" emails, or liking our Facebook page. If you would like to get connected, go ahead and introduce yourself here.
What if I’m single?
Singles are a crucial to Christ's church and a gift to the body of Christ! We have a number of singles who live in Owasso and Tulsa that find Trinity a breath of fresh air. We believe singles and married folks have a lot to learn from one another. We think you'll enjoy Trinity's community as you plug in and serve.
What does "Presbyterian" mean?
"Presbyterian" simply refers to the way the church is governed. In Greek, the word "presbeuteros" means elder or shepherd (Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1; 1 Timothy 5:17; Acts 15; Acts 16:4; Acts 20:17; James 5:14). Our pastors are held accountable by other pastors in the region who make up a presbytery. Many current elders and deacons didn't grow up Presbyterian but find freedom in being held accountable so the gospel remains central. Trinity is grateful for our polity and yet is especially sensitive to those who come from other denominations or none at all. Don't let the funny name keep you from coming. On any given Sunday, we will have athiests, skeptics, Baptists, Methodists, non-denominational, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, cynics, and lots of people who have no clue what any of these terms mean.
Why do the pastors wear robes?
Our ordained pastors wear robe not because it’s “the correct way” to worship, but because it best illustrates the gospel in our suburban context, where sameness often reigns. Trends change, but the gospel doesn’t. The robe reminds us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Seven Reasons for Robes:
1. It marks the Pastor’s Role. Like a uniform for doctors or police officers, the robe identifies the pastor as a
servant of God’s Word in his ordained shepherding role.
2. It Symbolizes Jesus’ Righteousness. The robe covers him entirely, just as Jesus’ righteousness covers our sin. It reminds us that we rest in His work, not our own.
3. It Illustrates the Gospel. Its black color points to Christ’s death for our sins, while also symbolizing the Father’s love, like the prodigal son’s robe (Lk 15).
4. It’s Neutral. Clothing often connects to specific subcultures, but the robe transcends them all, showing that the gospel is for everyone.
5. It Roots Us to the Wider Church, Today and Yesterday. Trends come and go, but robes have been worn by pastors since the early church.
6. It Points Us to Jesus, Not the Pastor. The robe shifts focus from the pastor’s clothing style to Christ.
7. It’s a Celebration. Like formal attire at a wedding or feast, the robe reflects the joy and festivity of worship. Ultimately, what a pastor wears should point people to Jesus. The robe is a visible symbol of His finished work
How is Trinity governed?
We are lead by a group of elders (called a session or an elder board). Our current session is comprised of teaching elders and ruling elders (men chosen by the Holy Spirit and elected by the congregation to shepherd and help pastor them) (1 Tim 3; Titus 1). These elders are part of a regional church court called a presbytery. Trinity is part of Hills and Plains Presbytery. Each year, all of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) ministers and Ruling Elders come together to make important decisions at the General Assembly of the PCA.
What is the PCA?
The PCA is a group of gospel-centered local churches who are faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission. You can read about one person's journey here. In our context today, there are two major Presbyterian denominations in the United States: the mainline PC(USA) and the more conservative PCA. Simply put the PCA is committed to the great commission, the authority of Scripture, marriage between one man and one woman, sex within marriage only, and a complementarian view of church leadership (men serve as elders and deacons). We don't think we have it all figured out, but we strive to keep the good news of Christ central in every aspect of life. If you want to read more about why the PCA began, you may enjoy reading its history here.
What do you believe?
Trinity wholeheartedly embraces the historic Christian faith governed by God's Word and expressed in the ecumenical creeds of the Church (e.g. the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds). As an evangelical and reformed congregation we also submit to the Westminster Confession of Faith. Trinity is a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America and the Acts 29 Network. Click here for a detailed look at what we believe as a member church of the PCA.
Have another question?
Anything is fair game. Fire away. Contact us at connections@trinityowasso.com. We look forward to seeing you soon.