The journey can begin here

Join us at 10 a.m. Sunday for worship - in person or online.

We know it's a big step to visit a new church. So, to help make it a little easier, read on to have a better idea of what to expect during Sunday morning worship. At Glendale, you will experience a warm, inclusive, and welcoming congregation with relevant preaching and inspiring music. In-person or online, we look forward to meeting you!

Greeters and Ushers

Greeters are at the front doors to welcome you. They will be able to point you to the sanctuary, bathroom, nursery, or anything you need. Ushers are just inside the sanctuary to give you a worship bulletin and help you find a seat.

The Bulletin

The worship bulletin is available as you enter the sanctuary and includes the current Sunday's order of service, scripture, prayers, and musical selections. It also often includes other helpful information, such as upcoming activities or devotionals for the upcoming week.

Worship Service Slideshow

The bulletin may have an overview of the order of service, but the worship service slideshow provides the details of the service. Each week this slideshow will be projected up front for all to see. It always includes the words of the scripture, hymns, sermon guidance, and other important information to guide the congregation throughout the service.

Never a Dress Code, Come as You are

If you are attending in person, you may wonder what’s the dress code? Well, at Glendale UMC, there isn’t one. Typical attire varies from jeans and flip flops to dress slacks or dresses. Kids have come with unicorn horns and fairy wings. Casual clothes are most common. Come as you are, you will be warmly welcomed.

Children, Youth, and Families in Worship

Glendale loves to have children/youth and families to join us in worship! Each week, there is a short message given during the Children’s Moment - children are welcomed to join the message up front or listen from where they are sitting. Additionally, there are activity tables, wiggle bags, Children’s Church, and the nursery for families to utilize during service if they desire.

After Worship

Please join us for free coffee and doughnuts after worship—a perfect time to connect and meet new friends. Grab a donut at the counter, pick up coffee, lemonade, or water around the corner, and find a seat. Someone will likely join you, and you’ll leave with a smile—and maybe a new friend! If you are worshiping online, please leave a message to say hi as we’d love to connect.

What to Expect

Learn More

Components of Worship Service

Each week, you may join our Sunday worship service online or in person at 10a. The bulletin and worship service slideshow will help guide you through the service. Each worship service includes a Call to Worship, Children’s Moment, Scripture Reading, Sermon, Offering, Prayers, Music, Announcements, and Benediction. At least monthly, we also practice the sacrament of communion.

Call to Worship

The call to worship is used to invite the congregation to enter into a time for worship. It may be spoken by the pastor, led with call-and-response, or it may be through music and prayer. Each week, the call to worship is used to begin our service.

Music

Music is a beautiful and powerful means of expression. We regularly use music and other art forms to open ourselves to God - just as the Psalms do: we praise, we ask for what we need, we confess, we complain, we lament. We give thanks to God as we express our vulnerability and our longings. Music is used to help center us at the beginning of service but also throughout the service to join with one another as we worship together.

Prayer

We pray in many ways at Glendale Church: through song, silence and spoken words. Each week we take time to pray for our community and our world.

For more information on what United Methodists believe about prayer, go here or here.

Scripture

Each week a scripture reading from the Bible is given. The scripture reading informs the topic and message that is reflected in the sermon. Additionally, the message in the Children’s Moment and activities provided through Children’s Church are typically informed by the weekly scripture reading. Reflection questions or devotions for going out into the world for the upcoming week that are often provided with the bulletin will typically be related to the scripture reading during Sunday Worship.

For more information on what United Methodists believe about scripture, go here.

Sermon

The sermon is the weekly message given by the pastor (or a guest speaker). It is based on the weekly scripture reading and it is meant to provide instruction, inspiration, and encouragement to the congregation. It typically includes three main parts: an introduction that introduces the topic of the message, a body that expands on the introduced topic, and a conclusion that reinforces the message given.

Offering

At each service, we also take an offering. Offerings are voluntary gifts and tithes given by those in worship. The offering plates are at the back of the sanctuary so those attending in person who are wanting and able to give can place their offering in the plates. The offering plates are then brought by the usher to the front during the service and a blessing is given over them. Regular congregants also have an option to transfer funds electronically on a regular basis, if they chose.

For more information on what United Methodists believe about tithes and offering, please go here.

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Communion

Communion is a sacrament practiced on the first Sunday of each month and other occasions. Everyone present will be invited to the table. While no one is required to receive communion, all are welcome. We offer a gluten-free bread option. We always serve non-alcoholic grape juice at communion.

For more information regarding what United Methodist believe about the sacrament of communion, go here.

For information on other sacraments, rituals, and rites within the UMC, please follow this link: United Methodist sacraments, rites and rituals | UMC.org

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Sending Forth

At the conclusion of our gathering, we receive a spoken benediction. “Benediction” is Latin and means “good word.” It is a final blessing over our community as we head into our week.