ROYAL CITY - Royal City's newest Christian church - New Life Fellowship - will launch worship services next Sunday, Dec. 9.

"Our aim is to be sensitive to the pace of life of our people and to provide a place of acceptance for those who have little church experience or past church experience that was not so great," Pastor Jeff Smith says on the recently-opened church website.

The New Life Fellowship of Royal City will celebrate its first worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Casa Miguel building nearest Lions Park. It will be led by Smith, who arrived in town two months ago.

According to member Kevin Dorsing, the new church was organized by a group of people who formerly worshiped with the Mennonites.

Smith said visitors to the first service will be met with a "warm welcome" and donuts and coffee. There will be lively contemporary music such as that heard on K-Love. It will be led by Smith's wife Kathy, who is an accomplished keyboardist and vocalist.

"There will be a 20-minute message related to issues in every day life," Smith said.

Smith grew up in Colorado. He attended the Associated Mennonite Bible Seminary at Elkhart, Ind.

With Kathy at his side, Smith did missionary work for four years in Atlanta. He was a Mennonite minister in northwestern Ohio the last 14 years. He responded to a call from the Royal City group that formed the new church.

If you decide to take in the first service at the new church, the website says you can expect:

* Teaching that is relevant to your life without all of the religious language.

* A setting where knowledge of the Bible or religion is not necessary.

* A place where dressing-up for church is optional.

* Strong, Bible-based teaching for the children.

* A staffed nursery for infants and toddlers.

One of the core scriptures on which the church will be focused is Romans 12:6-8.

It states: "In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."

Ministries of the new church include:

Bible Club

New Life collaborates with the Royal City Nazarene Church on a weekly ministry for children (Oct.- Mar.) ages 4 through 6th grade. Bible Club meets on Wednesdays immediately after school at the Royal City Nazarene Church, 279 Calla St. For more information, contact Jacquie at 509-760-2331.

Youth Group

In collaboration with Royal City Nazarene Church, this ministry for 7th through 12th graders, meets twice per month at 5:45-7 p.m. at the home of Marc & Krista Smith (802 Hargraves Ave NE, Royal City). The exact schedule can be found on the calendar. Youth are currently studying the video series, Fuel 2: Owning Your Faith. For more information, contact Lisa at 509-989-5946 or Kathy at 419-966-6528.

Women's Bible Study

This ministry is held every other Friday at 9 a.m. See the calendar for next the meeting date and location. We are currently doing a Beth Moore study. Call Jacquie for further info at 509-760-2331.

Children's Learning Time

Held during adult worship on Sunday mornings, children ages 4 through 6th grade, are taught about the Bible and living for Jesus.