What can I expect if I visit Garner UMC on a Sunday Morning?

We have traditional worship services at 8:30 am and 11:00 am every Sunday morning in our sanctuary and contemporary worship at 9:45 in our Christian Life Center. In addition, we have Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 am. Nurseries are provided for all services. Children’s Church is a worship time for children ages three - First Grade in which children begin worship with their parents and then leave the service with a volunteer for a children’s worship service during the 11:00 service.

Arriving:        

• When you arrive, you will find parking on all sides of our building. Visitor and Special Needs spaces are offered closest to entrances.  Overflow parking is available in the shopping center adjacent to our property.
• To enter the sanctuary, walk up sidewalks to the front of our facility where you can enter from the front or side entrances.  You will be met at the door by greeters who will welcome you on behalf of the congregation, and will direct you to nurseries and the sanctuary. If they cannot answer your questions directly, they will find a staff member who will be able to help you.  Ushers will offer you worship bulletins describing the Service. By using the bulletins and the hymnals at your seat, you will be able to easily follow our Service. Children's bulletins are also available, and you will find Bibles at your seat. Feel free to sit anywhere. If the Service is busy, the ushers will help you find a seat. If you arrive after the Service has begun, please wait until the ushers tell you when it is appropriate to enter.
• To enter our education building, enter any door on either level. Children’s and youth classrooms are located on the lower level and adult classes are on the upper level. Stairs and an elevator are accessible between floors.
• To enter our Christian Life Center, walk up the sidewalk to the front entrance to the right of the main sanctuary entrance.   Other internal doors provide access to the CLC.  As you arrive, you will be greeted and directed into the Center.  Inside you will find a table with refreshments and an informational table.

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Worshiping:

Traditional Worship
Sunday, 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM

Traditional worship takes place in the sanctuary.  The visual setting involves much symbolism in architecture and decoration.  The congregation faces the chancel featuring a focal altar, preaching pulpit and lectern.  On the altar are two candlesticks representing the lamp of the tabernacle, the flame of God’s presence that is never extinguished.  The two candles represent the Old and New covenants.  The Bible is also present on the altar table, representing the authority of the Word.

The cross on the chancel wall reminds us of Jesus Christ, his sacrifice and resurrection.  Above the cross is a stained glass window depicting the descending Holy Spirit of God in the form of a dove.

We display banners and altar paraments with the colors of the liturgical seasons.

• Advent – Blue: the color of darkness before the light of Christ arrives.
• Christmas – White: the color of the light of Christ and holiness.
• Epiphany – Green: the color of growth as Christ reveals God.
• Lent – Purple: the color of darkness and royalty.
• Easter – White: the color of light and holiness.
• Pentecost – Red: the color of the fire of the Holy Spirit.
• Kingdomtide – Green: the color of growth of God’s kingdom.

Worship begins with the congregation gathering as God’s people.  The light comes to the altar, the choir sings an introit and we call ourselves to worship with a responsive reading and hymn of praise.  Then we greet one another in the peace of Christ’s community.

Next, we share as God’s people.  Typically, we share prayer concerns, pray and receive our offering to God.  At this time we may also baptize and receive new members, share ministry reports, or hear from the children’s choirs.

Then we share God’s word, reading the scripture lessons and proclaiming God in an anthem by the chancel choir, hymns and preaching.  Following preaching, there is a response time; either a call to discipleship or a celebration of Holy Communion.

Finally, we go forth as God’s servants, singing a hymn of dedication, receiving a blessing and going forth.

Music during the traditional service is accompanied by the organ and/or piano.  At times, we feature handbells and an instrumental ensemble.

People typically dress up for traditional worship, although no dress code is required.  The traditional services are perfect for those who have grown up in the church and understand the visual symbolism and formality involved.

Journey of Grace Contemporary Worship
Sunday, 9:45 AM

For those with little church experience or who prefer an informal setting to worship God, we feature Journey of Grace.  Journey of Grace meets in our Christian Life Center gymnasium, which has little architectural symbolism.  Worshipers gathering are welcome to free coffee and light refreshments, which they may partake through the service.  Dress is relaxed, and moving around during worship is acceptable.

Worshipers notice as they enter an altar table decorated to reflect the theme of the day.  A cross is always present, either on the table or in a life-size wooden form, to remind us that Christ is the focus of our praise.

A praise band featuring guitars, keyboard and drums, opens worship with some rousing praise songs.  Although less structured, worship will always involve music and singing, prayer, offering, preaching and response.  Journey of Grace celebrates Holy Communion on the same schedule as the traditional services, so the church communes together.  Baptisms and joining new members may be done before or after preaching, depending on where it fits thematically.  Sometimes video presentations prepare the theme for the word, or serve as our response to the word.  Drama and testimony are also featured occasionally.  Songs and scriptures are projected on a central screen to eliminate the need for hymnals.

The order of worship is fluid and changes.   Some elements are distinctive to this worship gathering, including the leadership of laity in scripture reading, prayer, testimony, offering and blessing.  Also, a prayer booth is available throughout the service where people seeking a special touch from God may go to pray alone or with a partner.

Journey of Grace is the perfect worship gathering for those seeking or new to Christian faith, as well as those who do not relate to traditional liturgies.