Worship at Community

At Community United Methodist Church, we offer four distinct worship services that are all unified by common messages that relate to the real world, are Christ-centered and thought provoking, and offer music that is alive. We hope you will try them all out to experience the variety of styles of worship, music and times that Community UMC offers.

Click on the links at left to find out more about our four weekly services, our special monthly outreach services for seniors, and programs for children's worship.

You may also be interested in our music ministry and children's programs.

Sermon Series

The August sermon series "Engaged: Disciples Are..." uses the Gospels and Epistles to explore being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

• August 1, "Disciples are... Centered," Matthew 22:34-40
• August 8, "Disciples are... Committed," Luke 14:25-30, 34
• August 15, "Disciples are... Surrendered," John 14:8-14
• August 22, "Disciples are... Relational," 1 John 3:11-24, 4:7-21
• August 29, "Disciples are... Gifted," Ephesians 4:11-13

Holy Communion

Communion is offered on the first Sunday of the month. At the Saturday service, it is offered the day before the first Sunday of the month. The United Methodist Church practices open communion. All are welcome to share in the sacrament.

Prayer

Prayer is an integral part of the life of Community UMC. Each of our worship services has a time when congregants can lift up their joys and concerns for prayer. We pray for and with one another in our Sunday School classes, our small groups, and during our social activities.

Community UMC has also established a prayer chain. Teams of members pray daily in response to requests. If we can pray for you, send your request to Mary Jacobs, Director of Lay Ministry.

Saturday Evening Worship at 5:00 p.m.

An intimate service with a small church feel which meets in the church's chapel. Music consists of traditional hymns with a sprinkling of newer songs and is typically led from the piano.

8:30 a.m. Sunday Main Sanctuary Worship Service

A traditional service that features traditional hymns as well as some newer hymns, special music by soloists and instrumentalists or one of our choirs, and a children's message. This service meets in our Main Sanctuary. The 8:30 worship service is interpreted for the deaf.

11:00 a.m. Sunday Main Sanctuary Worship Service

A less formal traditional service which worships in our Main sanctuary and features a children's message, one of our Musical Groups singing special pieces in a wide variety of styles, and occasional offerings by other groups, including bell choirs, dancers, children's choirs and instrumentalists. Music for this service is a mix of traditional hymns and some newer songs for worship.

11:00 a.m. Sunday OnCenter Worship Service

An energetic service featuring contemporary Christian praise and worship music led by a band. This service provides some dramas and some children's messages, as well as occasional performances by other musical ensembles like children's choirs, the youth band, and Women's Ensemble. This service meets at St. Peter and Paul Jr. High School's building, one block east of our main building at 201 E. Franklin Street.

Reminiscence Service

This service for persons with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is held on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Main Sanctuary. It includes traditional hymns on the organ or piano, and sometimes special instrumental or vocal music. All are welcome at this service.

Senior Assisted Living Service

This service for homebound persons is held on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall at 20 N. Center. It includes a social time for fellowship, music on the piano or by a guest musician, a hymn-sing, and a brief message. All are welcome at this service.

Children and Worship

As a congregation we are aware that the way we welcome children in worship directly affects the way they respond to church as well as to their relationship with God. We strive to let children know and feel that they are at home at all times in our worship. Children are welcome in all of our services, and can actively participate through their involvement in the children's choirs, as acolytes, and as greeters and ushers at the OnCenter service. Each of our Sunday services features a Time With Children in which children get an age-appropriate opportunity to explore the Gospel in a hands-on way.

Child care for children under two years of age is available during all services in the Nursery at 20 N. Center.

Hands-On Bible

During 11:00 Sunday worship, children age 2 and 3 may meet in room 207 for "Hands-On Bible." This curriculum presents Bible truths in a fresh, interactive setting that capitalizes on children's need to experience life with all their senses. This curriculum allows children to meet and interact with the God who made the world they're so interested in exploring.

Through an interactive Bible StoryBoard, activities, songs, and games, children will learn about Bible truths as they see, hear, touch, taste, and smell all the exciting things that are happening in your classroom.

Children's Chapel

During 11:00 Sunday worship immediately following Children's Time (in the Main Sanctuary service) and the Drama/Children's Time (in the OnCenter service), children ages 4 through third grade are invited to come together for Children's Chapel – a time for children to worship and learn together in a fun and developmentally-appropriate way.

While the older children, youth, and adults hear the Scripture passages for the day proclaimed in the sermon, children ages 4 through third grade will do the same! During their time together, the children will hear more about the Scriptures and discover ways that they can apply the message of the day in their own lives of faith. Children's Chapel lasts for approximately 15-20 minutes, after which children are escorted back into worship with their families for the conclusion of the service. In this way, children learn the importance of worshipping in "big church" and learn the elements of worship (prayer, songs, etc.) alongside their families, while also hearing the Scripture illumined in a developmentally-appropriate way.

Children's Chapel opening and closing worship will take place in Room 204 during the Main Sanctuary service, and will take place in the classroom adjacent to Zucker Hall during the OnCenter service.

In order to allow children to participate in worship with their parents, as well as learn about and receive Communion, there will be no Children's Chapel on the first Sunday of each month.

Nursery and Childcare

The Nursery Ministry provides loving, nurturing care for Community UMC's youngest preparatory members and visitors. The nursery staff and volunteers help children experience God's love as they are given nurturing care and affection in a loving Christian environment. Developmentally appropriate toys and activities guide their learning as they play. Our goal is to make church experiences for the very youngest child a positive, loving and fun experience from the very first day. We seek to build a sense of trust in young children as a foundation for teaching about God's love.

Children from birth up to two years of age are welcomed by experienced caregivers each week. Paid caregivers are assisted by adult volunteers in providing the ministries to our youngest children. Nursery care is available on Sunday mornings from 8:30-noon and is also available during many evening activities and meetings, so that parents may participate in Bible Study, attend meetings, and join in other church activities.

The Nursery is in our 20 N. Center building.