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Visitor Information
Frequently Asked Questions That Visitors
Might Have About Mariposa United Methodist Church
We've tried to think of questions you might
have. If you have others, just ask anybody. Ours is a close church family. If
one person doesn't have your answer, he or she can find someone else who does.
You can also email your questions to
mariposaumc@sti.net
Sunday Morning
Service
• What time should I come?
• What goes on during the service?
• Do you have any hearing-assistance devices?
• When is Communion?
• Who can participate in Communion?
• How is Communion served?
The Church
Building
• Where does the Sunday School meet?
• Where are the rest rooms?
Children's
Participation and Activities
• May my children stay in the Sanctuary during the service?
• What if my child is restless?
• What if my child is too young to sit through the service?
Making Contact
• How do I get in touch with the Pastor?
Getting
Involved
• How can I be of service on Sunday mornings?
• Are there Bible study opportunities?
Membership
• How do I become a member?
• What if I'm not a Methodist?
• Do I have to give a certain amount of money to the church?
What Other Things
Might Be Helpful to Know?
• The Communion is non-alcoholic.
• The coffee served during refreshments is regular or de cafe. There is also cold punch or
juice (non-alcoholic) and cookies or other snacks.
• There is no smoking in any of the church buildings. Please step outside if you
want to smoke.
• Wear whatever you please. Some people like to dress up; others don't. We
welcome those in three-piece suits and those in jeans.
Sunday Morning
Service
What time should I come?
Sunday
Mornings:
8:45 a.m.
Informal Praise Celebration
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School (for all ages)
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship Service
Summer Worship
Schedule
(Father's Day to
Labor Day)
9:30 a.m.
Worship Service (one service only)
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School
What goes on during the service?
-
The printed worship bulletin will guide you
as to what will be happening in that particular service. It also
indicates when, if you are able, you are requested to stand.
-
There is usually a Children's Message
during which all children (and those young at heart) are invited to come and
sit on the steps to listen to the message.
-
The service also includes a sermon, bible
readings, hymns, a song performed by the choir, a listing of joys and concerns
and prayers. An offering will also be taken.
-
The service generally ends with a
benediction followed by the congregation rising, joining hands with the people
around them to sing the choral benediction. Don't worrying about knowing the
words they will be printed in the worship bulletin or up on the screen. The
organist will then play the postlude during which time you are invited to
leave the sanctuary and join the rest of the congregation for coffee and
fellowship on the bottom floor of the Parish hall on coffee hour Sundays.
Do you have any hearing-assistance
devices?
Yes, ask one of the ushers to get you one.
When is Communion?
A service of Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the Month and
sometimes at other special Sundays and other services.
Who can participate in Communion?
The United Methodist Church practices open Communion. Everyone (including
children) who wishes to take Communion in the spirit with which it is offered is
welcome to participate.
How is Communion served?
We usually celebrate Communion by "intinction". The ushers
direct people up the center aisle, where the communion servers hold the bread
and "wine" (grape juice). Each person will be handed a piece of the bread and
dips it in the grape juice and eats it. You may choose to kneel and pray at the
prayer rails. Afterwards you return to your seat by the side aisle.
If you are unable to come to the front of the church for
Communion, please notify one of the ushers so that a server may bring the
Communion elements to you.
The Church
Building
Where does the Sunday School meet?
Sunday school meets in the fellowship hall downstairs.
You can get there going down the stairs in the Narthex or by entering the
downstairs door by the propane tank off the parking lot. It starts
at approximately 9:45 am and ends usually by 10:45 am. Our Bible-based
curriculum is designed to nurture the youth in their faith journey.
Where are the rest rooms?
There is a men's and a women's restroom on
the second floor of the Parish Hall. You can get there from the side door
in the narthex, Sanctuary or from the ramp outside from the top parking area.
There are also three unisex rest rooms on the first floor of the Parish Hall.
There are two rest rooms located downstairs in the Sunday School Wing.
Children's
Participation and Activities
May my children stay in the sanctuary
during the service?
You and your children should do whatever makes you most comfortable.
All other children are encouraged to attend
the beginning portions of the worship service with their families. They are then
invited (but not required) to come to the front of the sanctuary and sit on the
steps for the Children's Message.
Children 7 years and older are encouraged to
remain with their families for the entire worship service.
What if my child is restless?
You can take them downstairs in the
fellowship hall to the nursery.
What if my child is too young to sit through the service?
Please feel free to leave your child in the Nursery.
Making Contact
How do I get in touch with the Pastor?
Sign the attendance sheet during the worship
service. If you put your address and phone number, our pastor will be in
touch with you, and put you on the mailing list.
Introduce yourself to the pastor, before or
after service.
You can call the office at 966-3419
You can email the Pastor at
mariposaumc@sti.net
Getting Involved
How can I be of service on Sunday mornings?
We are delighted to have people take an active role
on Sunday mornings. If you want to know more about how to do that, email
mariposaumc@sti.net
Some of the opportunities to serve include:
• Greeter
• Usher
• Lector (read one of the Scripture lessons)
• Sing in the choir
• Help with the Fellowship Hour
• Help teach Sunday School
• Help tend the Nursery
Are there Bible study opportunities?
There are several opportunities to study the Bible at
Mariposa United Methodist Church including:
a Sunday morning class
Discple Bible Study
Lush Meadows Bible
Study
The Well
Membership
How do I become a member?
We welcome interest in membership at Mariposa United
Methodist Church. Membership Forums are held twice a year. In these classes we discuss together faith questions of the participants, and you will have an opportunity to learn more about the United Methodist beliefs and our local church history.
Members are received in three ways:
• By profession of faith and baptism
• By letter of transfer from another United Methodist Church
• By letter of transfer from another Christian Church or by reaffirmation of faith when a letter of transfer is not appropriate/possible.
To learn more about membership please speak to our pastor.
What if I'm not a Methodist?
Non-members are welcome to participate on committees and other activities. Speak
to the Pastor about the Membership Forum on what it means to be a
Methodist, and about becoming a member.
Do I have to give a certain amount of money to the church?
You are always welcome to worship with us and participate regardless of whether
you contribute money. However, we would like everyone who considers Mariposa
united Methodist Church their church (whether as a formal member or not) to make
a commitment (a "pledge") to contribute some amount, either weekly or monthly.
It is entirely up to you to decide how much you can afford to give and how
important the church is to you. The pledge isn't binding and we know everyone's
circumstances differ and can change at any time. What you give is kept
confidential by the financial secretary and the treasurer.
If you would like help in deciding how much to give, we have some guidelines and
facts about our financial needs. We like to think about giving in terms of a
percentage of one's income. The ultimate goal is (10%), but the important thing
is to do whatever you can.
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