If you're curious about getting to know Jesus, experience the nurturing community of the church, and ask life's big questions, we are absolutely here for that.
What to expect on Sunday
If you've never gone to a church, or haven't gone since childhood, walking up to our big, brick church can be an act of bravery! We respect your courage and want to tell you some things that'll help you know what to expect when you walk through our doors.
You can sit anywhere you want to, as close to the front or as far away from the pulpit as will make your experience most comfortable for you.
We do something really great every single week: we sing together. As long as there has been churches, Christians have been singing songs to God with each other. There are plenty of hymnals located in the pews for everyone to use. If you're adventurous, you can join right in. If you'd rather listen and learn these songs before singing along, you're more than welcome to do that.
Why do we sing? For many of us, we encounter God in a unique way when we sing to him together.
THE MESSAGE
Ranging around 20-30 minutes, the sermon or the message is a reflection on part of the Bible.
OFFERING
The offering is the part of the service where we invite folks to donate money. Don't feel any pressure to give during the offering, this is an invitation that we extend to those who consider GUMC their home church. Church isn't something that you have to pay for, like going to a concert, but many Christians follow a long-time teaching of sharing 10% of their finances to support the work of the church and those in need. Regardless of where you are in your faith journey and regardless of your economic situation, you're welcome to come without putting a dime in the offering plate. Church is freeee!
BLESSINGS
We end our services with a blessing. We go to church to encounter God---together---and then get blessed to bring God's goodness back into every corner of our life, family, neighborhood, school, and workplace.
AFTER THE SERVICE
After the service, you can expect folks to stop and welcome you to Gateway United Methodist Church. Our church family is warm and welcoming and will want to get to know you.