A Gospel Church · Rochester, New York
The same table every week. The same Gospel every time.
We gather every Sunday at 1:30 PM at Merchant’s Grill in Rochester to eat, sing, pray, and remember Christ together — and we treat the meal of every guest who signs up in advance. Our fall table begins Sunday, September 20, 2026.
What This Is
The Lord’s Supper exists because so much of the Gospel happens over food — the Last Supper, Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors, the road to Emmaus, breakfast on the beach after the resurrection. So we don’t rent a sanctuary. Every Sunday at 1:30 PM we reserve a private room at Merchant’s Grill in Rochester, and we worship there: songs, Scripture, a short teaching from the Gospel, prayer, and the Lord’s Supper itself, all held together by a shared meal.
Guests are always welcome. If you sign up in advance, your meal is on us — no strings, no pressure to participate in anything you’re not ready for.
We keep it humble on purpose. Merchant’s Grill is a family-run neighborhood spot — never fine dining — so the cost of a good meal is never a barrier to anyone at the table.
Seder-Style Worship
We follow the shape of a Seder — worship woven course by course through the meal, rather than sitting apart from it. Each Sunday at 1:30 PM looks like this:
Welcome & Lighting. We gather at the table, welcome guests by name, and light a candle to mark the meal as set apart.
Announcements. A quick word on next week’s table, anything happening in the life of the church, and ways to get involved.
Opening Song. A hymn or simple chorus, sung together, low enough for the room and high enough for the heart.
Prayer & Scripture. We open the Word and pray over the meal and the people at the table.
The Meal, in Courses. As each course arrives, a short reading, a Psalm, or a reflection accompanies it — tying the food in front of us to the story being told.
The Gospel. A short, Christ-centered teaching from Scripture — not a lecture, a fireside word meant for a table, not a stage.
Financial Offering. A basket is passed for those who’d like to give toward the church’s work. There’s never any pressure — guests are never expected to give.
The Lord’s Supper. Bread and cup, taken together in remembrance of Christ. See below for who this part is for.
Closing Song & Benediction. We sing once more, pray a blessing over the table, and send each other back out.
About the Table
This table is for believers in Christ, and for those who are still seeking to learn more about the faith of Christ. If that’s you, come hungry — you belong here.
Everyone elseNon-believers are always welcome to eat with us and to observe everything we do. The full meal of the Lord’s Supper — the bread and the cup, taken in remembrance of Christ — is reserved for those who believe in Him. We’ll always be clear, in the moment, about which part of the evening is which, so no one is caught off guard.
What We Believe
Where We Gather This Fall
September – December 2026
Same time, same place, every week — Sunday, 1:30 PM EST at Merchant’s Grill. A humble, family-run neighborhood spot — never fine dining.
Join Us
Sign up by the Thursday before so we can give the restaurant an accurate headcount and make sure your seat — and your meal — is ready. RSVPs go straight to contact@smsnovel.com, or call us at 1-800-915-7920.
We are currently seeking members to serve on the Board of Trustees for our local church. If you’re interested in receiving an application, please reach out to us at contact@smsnovel.com or call 1-800-915-7920.