Plan your visit
Your first Sunday, sorted.
Walking into a new church can feel like a lot. Here’s exactly what happens, where to park, what we do with your kids and who will say hello. Tell us you’re coming and we’ll take care of the rest.
Sundays
9:00 & 11:00 am
Length
75 minutes
Dress code
Whatever
What to expect
Seventy-five minutes, start to finish
Every Sunday follows the same simple shape, so after one visit you’ll know your way around.
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Before · 20 min
Arrive and say hi
Look for the striped welcome tent by the main doors. Grab a coffee, a name tag if you like, and a host will show you around.
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First · 25 min
Sing and pray
A band leads five or six songs, old and new. Lyrics are on the screens. Sing, listen or just sit: all three are normal here.
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Then · 35 min
A practical message
One of our pastors teaches from the Bible, with the passage on screen. Most series work through a book a few chapters at a time.
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After · as long as you like
Stay for coffee
The River Room stays open after both gatherings. On the third Sunday, our pastors host a free lunch for newcomers.
Service times
Pick the one that suits your morning
Both gatherings are the same, with kids’ programs at each. Times are Central Time. This Sunday is Sunday.
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9:00 am
Sunday Gathering
- Kids: birth to 5th grade
- Streamed live online
- Quieter, more seats free
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11:00 am
Sunday Gathering
- Kids: birth to 5th grade
- ASL interpretation
- Streamed live online
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Wednesdays, 6:30 pmYouth Night for grades 6–12, in the Loft. Dinner included.
Riverbend Kids
Kids’ check-in in four easy steps
Every volunteer is background-checked and trained, there are always two adults in a room, and only the person holding the matching tag can collect a child.
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Nursery
Under 2 · Room 101
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Preschool
Ages 2–5 · Room 104
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Elementary
K–5th grade · Rooms 106–108
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Youth
6th grade up · in the service
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1
Head to the kids’ desk
It’s inside the east entrance, next to the family parking spaces. Look for the blue awning.
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2
Register once
A volunteer adds your family on a tablet in about two minutes, including any allergies. Next time it takes ten seconds.
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3
Get matching tags
Your child wears a name tag; you keep a pickup tag with the same security code. We’ll walk you to the room.
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4
Pick up after
Show your tag at the classroom door. If your child needs you during the service, your code appears on the screens.
Accessibility
Everyone should be able to get in, hear and take part
If something here doesn’t work for you, tell us in the plan-a-visit form or call (785) 555-0142 and we’ll sort it before you arrive.
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Step-free entrances
Main and east doors are level with automatic openers; there’s a lift to the Loft and accessible restrooms on both floors.
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Accessible parking
Eight marked spaces right outside the main doors, plus a drop-off lane under the canopy.
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Hearing loop and ASL
The auditorium has a hearing loop (switch to T), and the 11:00 gathering is interpreted in ASL from the front left.
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Large print
Large-print song sheets and sermon notes are at the welcome tent each week.
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Quiet room and sensory kits
A low-light room with the service on screen, and ear defenders and fidget kits for kids and adults.
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Gluten-free communion
Communion is on the first Sunday of the month, with gluten-free bread and grape juice at every station.
Parking & directions
Free parking, a short walk to the door
- North lot: enter from North 4th Street. Families with young kids can use the reserved row by the east entrance.
- Overflow: Riverside Elementary lets us use its lot on Sundays. Cross at the light; a volunteer is there from 8:40.
- Bikes and buses: racks by the main doors, and Route 6 stops on Riverside Avenue.
Riverbend Church
418 Riverside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66044
Questions
Things people ask before their first visit
Something else? Ask us anything; a real person replies.
What should I wear?
Whatever you’re comfortable in. On a typical Sunday you’ll see jeans, scrubs after a night shift, a few suits and a lot of KU sweatshirts.
Will I be asked to stand up or introduce myself?
No. We will never single out a guest. If you’d like to say hello, stop by the welcome tent or fill in the plan-a-visit form.
Do I have to give money?
Not at all. Giving is for people who call Riverbend home, and there’s no offering plate passed around. If you do want to give, you can do it online or at the giving station.
Can my kids stay with me in the service?
Of course. Kids are welcome in the auditorium at any age, and there are activity packs at the welcome tent. The kids’ program is there if you want it.
What denomination are you?
We’re an independent, non-denominational church. Our beliefs are on the about page, and our pastors are happy to talk them through over coffee.
Is there somewhere to nurse or change a baby?
Yes: the Nursery Lounge next to Room 101 has comfortable chairs, a changing table and the service on a screen. Changing tables are in every restroom too.
Can I watch online first?
Yes. Both gatherings are streamed live, and past messages are on the sermons page.
Plan your visit
Tell us you’re coming and we’ll save you a seat
Takes a minute. We’ll email you a reminder, get your kids’ check-in ready and have a host meet you.