What to Expect

What to Expect

What Are Your Services Like?

We worship through music, spoken word, prayer, and learning from Scripture. Some of our services follow a set order of worship, while others are more informal

When Do You Worship?

Worshiping together is the heart of what we do as the church. It’s how we “get on the same page” as Cargill people and connect with one another. All worship services are held in the main sanctuary. You may worship at one of several times each week:

  • 5 p.m. Saturdays | This is a chance to worship if your Sunday schedule doesn’t allow. It’s a relaxed gathering with a smaller group of worshipers.
  • 9 a.m. Sundays | Experience the heart of the Christian tradition with spoken word, music and prayer that reflects the fullness and beauty of Christian worship.
  • 10:30 a.m. Sundays | This fall we begin a fresh expression of worship: Church for a changing culture. Focused on listening as well as speaking, connecting worship & service, and growing as followers of Jesus.
  • Online | Always available on the Cargill UMC channel on YouTube. Live-streamed there at 9 a.m. Sundays (effective Sept. 12, 2021).

What is Typical Attire?

You may dress comfortably for worship. You will find many wear casual clothes (including shorts in summer), while others are attired more formally. Either way, we welcome you!

Where Can I Park?

The West Lot is our largest, and allows easy access to the West Entrance, as well as a walkway to the North Entrance. There is also a South Parking Lot, although the south entrance is only available for our Learning Center for security reasons.

Handicapped parking is available outside the North Entrance, as well as in the West Lot. Street parking also is available on Wesley Avenue.

Children’s Sunday School

At 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. We invite families to spend the first 10-15 minutes together in worship. Then, children ages 5 through fifth grade are invited to follow their youth shepherds to age-level Sunday school.

Note: On the first Sunday of the month, we invite everyone regardless of age to remain in worship as we celebrate Holy Communion together. We do not schedule children’s Sunday school on the first Sundays of the month.

Youth Groups

We have groups specifically for youth 6th through 8th grade and from 9th through 12th grade. They are designed to help young people understand their faith through the lens of real-life experience.

We also offer a youth faith-formation class called Confirmation, which begins November 13, 2022. Adults are also welcome. For more information about Confirmation Class, contact Pastor Amy Powell.

Free Child Care in Our Nursery

We offer free child care in a supervised nursery during the 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services. For children up through age 4. Extra health precautions and cleaning measures are in place. You may bring your child before the service begins or at any time during worship. Pagers are available, as are staff to answer any questions.

About Baptism

As United Methodists, we believe that baptism unites us with Christ’s church. Baptism brings new members into the fellowship of the church and marks the beginning of a process of growth toward God. It’s a symbol of new life and a promise of God’s saving love, and a sign of God’s forgiveness for our sins. Water is the special symbol of baptism.

About Holy Communion

In the United Methodist Church, we practice open Communion. That is, all who are baptized in any Christian tradition are welcome to receive the bread and cup as Jesus gave them to the disciples.

You are welcome to come forward as the pastor extends Jesus’ invitation to “all who love God, seek to follow him, and pray to live in peace with one another.”

All bread served is gluten-free. Grape juice, not wine, is offered.

Communion is typically celebrated on the first Sunday of the month.

About the Offering

You will find offering plates at the back of the sanctuary at the end of each service. You also may give online – regularly or a one-time contribution.