CRANBERRY TWP — While the atmosphere and attitude at NorthBridge Community Church are casual, dedication to spreading God's word is not.

NorthBridge, a non-denominational church that holds its Sunday morning services at Haine Elementary School on Rowan Road, is celebrating its first year of worship.

NorthBridge partners with North Point Community Church in Georgia.

The Rev. Jame Price admits he and fellow pastor Jayson Samuels agreed the fast-growing township did not need another church one year ago when they decided to start a congregation.

"But what Cranberry needs is a church that is welcoming and friendly to unchurched people, where they can come and feel comfortable and know Jesus Christ died for them," Price said.

He said the 150 to 200 worshippers NorthBridge attracts to its 10:30 a.m. services each week appreciate the non-threatening, casual atmosphere and the simple, one-topic message they can apply to their daily lives.

"We want members to feel comfortable inviting their friends and neighbors and the people they 'do life' with," Price said.

Price and Samuels started off holding services every other week in the evening, but in January went to every other Sunday morning. In April, the services switched to every Sunday.

Programs for adults include Starting Point, a 10-week group geared toward those just beginning their spiritual journey, reconnecting with God or who are curious about Christianity.

Children's programs include Waumbaland, named for the Swahili word for "creator," an educational program offered during church services for children in infancy through 4 years old.

Youngsters in kindergarten through fifth grade can participate in Upstreet, also held during the worship services, while adolescents in grades six through eight can participate in the new Xtreme program at NorthBridge.

Each hour of Xtreme, which is held during the worship service, includes hang time, where kids listen to music or play games; connect time, which is 15 minutes of worship, a video and focus on the week's message; teaching time, in which the teacher introduces the topic of the small group time; and discussion time, the small-group session where middle schoolers discuss topics in their lives as they relate to faith.

Teens in grades nine through 12 can attend Inside Out, which "creates a comfortable place for students to connect, leads students to express their relationship with God through worship, communicates their faith in a relevant way, and encourages spiritual growth through healthy friendships," according to the NorthBridge Web site.

Adults also can participate in Christian education through Group Life, consisting of groups of six to eight single males, six to eight single females or five to six married couples that meet in a group member's home for fellowship, Bible study and prayer.

Amy Fuller of Cranberry Township has been attending NorthBridge with her 9- and 12-year-old children since its inception a year ago.

"Everything is presented in such a welcoming and simple way," said Fuller. "You don't feel like you have to know the Bible, and the weekly message makes everything clear and applicable to everyday life."

Fuller said her son volunteers setting up the worship area at Haine and is involved in many of the church's youth programs. Her daughter appreciates the small-group youth leaders, who worship with kids in age-appropriate groups during the service.

"The kids learn a lesson they can apply to their lives," said Fuller. "My son tells his friends 'Church is really cool.' We love it. It's a dream come true."

Cheryl Bentses of Cranberry Township has also attended NorthBridge since the beginning. She calls Price laid back and easy to get to know as well as real and honest.

Bentses said the church is unlike traditional churches because worshippers feel at ease and welcome.

"It's challenging, but a comfortable setting to bring friends and kids to," she said. "You can wear jeans and flip-flops, and you don't have to worry about doing or saying the right thing. You can just be yourself."

Bentses always likes the weekly message delivered by Price because it is always relevant to the worshippers' lives

"You think about (the message) during the week," she said.

Sunday worship services are held in the auditorium at Haine Elementary. There, worshippers experience contemporary music through a live praise band, a relevant message, possibly a skit, and prayer. Dress is casual, including shorts, jeans and T-shirts.

Congregation members are encouraged to invite friends, which is NorthBridge's main means of attracting new worshippers.

Price said no goal to build a church are currently in the works, as the setting at Haine is optimum for the church's programs.

Price said the church employs three full-time and three part-time people at its offices on Executive Drive. On Sept. 7, Price will begin a message series titled "Letters to the Next President." He and Samuels say they hope attendance continues to rise.

For more information, log on to www.northbridge.org.