Our worship services meet in the Worship Center (auditorium) Sundays at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.

Note: Children's Worship (K5-5th Grade) meets in Bldg. "A" at 10:30 a.m.
Bible Study LifeGroups (Sunday School classes) for all ages meet at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.

See map - http://maps.yahoo.com

We have specially designated “guest” parking spaces near the Worship Center and the first floor of the two story Educational Building (Bldg. "A") where our Welcome Center is located. Let our parking attendant know you are a first time guest and he/she will direct you to the Welcome Center if you are attending a LifeGroup class or if you have children who will attend a LifeGroup or Children's Church. Otherwise, you may enter the Worship Center directly across from the guest parking. During rainy weather, our parking attendants and greeters have large umbrellas to help keep you dry! We do encourage you to arrive at least ten minutes early for worship services.

We provide handicap parking in designated areas with wheel chair access. The two story educational building is equipped with an elevator to provide unrestricted access.

Our main Welcome Center desk is just inside the two story Educational Building (Bldg. "D")  Look for the 2-story tall glass cross entrance. Our greeters will welcome you at the door and take you to the desk where we will assist you in any way, particularly getting you and your children to Bible Study LifeGroup (Sunday School) classes.

Childcare is available during each morning worship service for babies to one year olds. During this time, our church offers a time of worship for children ages 1 - 4. Children’s Worship for Kindergarten through 5th graders is offered at 10:30 a.m. Childcare is provided for babies through 5yrs old that are not in Kindergarten during evening activities.

If you arrive before the service starts, you will notice that our Worship Center is an auditorium filled with chairs. There are no reserved seats, so you may sit anywhere. Look in the book rack under the chairs to find a song book and a Bible. Many people will be greeting each other during this time. As you enter the Worship Center, you will receive a copy of the Worship Folder (bulletin) which gives you information on the many happenings at Fort Caroline Baptist Church. We also announce special activities on the large screens by the platform. Don't worry if you arrive just a little after the service has started; our ushers will help you find a seat. You will probably find our pastor walking around greeting people. He would love to meet you!

Services generally last about one hour and fifteen minutes. Our worship services are a time of joyful worship and praise with a variety of traditional and contemporary Christian music provided by our Celebration Choir, Orchestra, soloists and ensembles. We have two large video screens which will have the words to any songs the congregation sings. (We encourage a "joyful noise".) There may be special announcements or features. Occasionally dramas and videos are presented.

Before the service, our ushers and many of our other members will extend a friendly greeting to you. Please let us know you are a guest. You do not have to register or sign your name to anything if you do not wish to; however, we would like to know you were our guest and ask you to fill out the “Communication Card” provided in the worship guide and/or a pocket on the back of the chairs. We ask that you drop the form in the offering plate during the service as your only offering to us or give your form to a greeter/usher as you leave the service. If you are visiting from out of town and plan on moving to the Jacksonville area, we would love to know that. A number of folks are joining us after discovering us on the Web. If you found us this way, please let us know on the guest registration form.

The Pastor or the Worship Leader will ask the congregation to stand or sit. Generally, we stand during opening songs and during the closing song and prayer.

Our pastor gives Bible-based messages lasting about thirty minutes. His messages are practical and relevant to every-day life and are often sprinkled with appropriate humor. You can listen to some of our pastor's recent messages on this website under the "Resources" link at the top of the page. You may also purchase a CD of a message by completing a request envelope and entering your request in the notebook by the sound booth in the rear of the Worship Center. You can also register to receive the sermons via podcast.

If you have a baby who is not comfortable, we would like you to check out our nursery facilities. We provide a trained staff to assist you.

At the end of his message, Pastor Ricky will offer an invitation to anyone who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to place their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Ricky will also ask those who would like to become part of our church family or to be baptized to make that known by coming forward during this time. A chorus is then sung with the congregation standing so there is an opportunity for those people to come to the front of the Worship Center and talk with a staff member about their needs. Our "encouragers"  (trained decision counselors) will take those who come forward and answer any questions they might have and complete some simple paperwork. You will not be embarrassed or asked to speak publically to the congregation.

You may also indicate your decision on the “Communication Card” if you feel uncomfortable going forward. One of our pastors will contact you to discuss your decision and help you in any way we can.

Decisions that can be made for membership:

1. BY PROFESSION OF FAITH - If you are not yet a Christian but would like to be, or if you are a Christian but have never been baptized by immersion as a believer, which the Word of God commands, our pastor will pray with you and guide you in your decision.

2. BY TRANSFER OF LETTER - If you are a Christian and a member of a church of like faith and order, we will write to the church where you are a member and request that a letter of transfer be sent.

3. BY STATEMENT - If you are a Christian and have been baptized as a believer by immersion, and do not either have current membership in a church or are currently a member of a church that does not grant letters of transfer, you can receive membership by your affirmation of the above.

If you would like to know more about Fort Caroline Baptist Church call the church office at 904-642-2288 or attend the NextStep. This is the basic introduction to our church family. Everyone is welcome to attend this free seminar with our Pastor. Click the "Life Development" link on the home page to learn more.

Fort Caroline Baptist Church does encourage biblical tithing of its members; however, our guests are not expected to give anything. During this time, if you have filled out the “Communication Card”, we ask you to place it in the offering plate.

We are a lot of small churches within a large church. We encourage you to check out our Bible Study Life Groups (Sunday School classes) in order to get to know other people just like you. Classes are offered for all adults, preschoolers, and elementary school age children at 9:00 a.m. and adults, students (6th-College), and preschool ages at 10:30 a.m. Greeters outside the Worship Center and in the foyers can direct you to your room and will have the most updated list of adult, student, children and preschool classes and locations. They will guide you to your rooms.