You are a part of our congregation .. not a visitor!

Here are some questions and answers that may help you if this is your first time visiting Wesley Memorial or if you are just interested in seeing how  things are happen at Wesley Memorial.

General Questions about the Methodist Church
 

How should I dress?	Where can I park?	Accessible for the handicapped?
What happens when I walk in?	Where is the nursery?	Where can I enter the sanctuary?
Restrooms	Worship Service	Will I be recognized as a visitor?
How long will the service last?	Can I take Communion (Lord's Supper or Eucharist)?	Baptismal Covenant UMC
If I don't put money in collection plate will I get stares?		I don't know anyone!
	This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion   PDF Format	Colors for the Christian Year Ever wonder why the cloths on the altar, lectern, and pulpit are changed? The cloths are changed to coincide with the colors of the Christian Year. The Christian year contains two cycles: the Christmas Cycle (Advent-Christmas-Epiphany) and the Easter Cycle (Lent-Easter-Pentecost). Within each cycle are-- A preparatory season symbolized by the color purple is used during Advent and Lent. Purple represents penitence, fasting, and royalty. A festival season symbolized by the color white is used during Christmas and Easter and on festive days. White represents purity, light, rejoicing, the and the Godhead. An ordinary time of growth symbolized by the color green is used in the seasons after Epiphany and Pentecost. Green is the most evident color in nature, and represents growth in the Christian faith. Red, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, is used on the Day of Pentecost and at other times when the work of the Holy Spirit is emphasized. Blue, a color of hope, may also be used during Advent.

Most Important - We want your experience with Wesley Memorial to be an enjoyable, inviting and lasting one. We are here for you. We want to provide a church family that allows you to become closer to  God and helps you live a Christ-filled life.

How should I dress?  When you enter our sancurary one of the first things you will notice is how many are dressed casual, i.e. blue jeans, no coat or tie, flip flops, crocks, etc. Our song leader wears jeans almost every Sunday. To some of us this means we dress as usual.  Some of the men will wear coat and tie. Some of the ladies wear a dress or pants suit to the services. Men will often wear sweaters or coat without a tie.  Many of us wear a coat and tie at work and it is nice to be tie-less on Sundays. Please don't let clothes stop you from attending church somewhere. We want you to feel at home.

During the month of August, we all dress down. If you wear a tie you are the exception.

Where do I park? Park along Heyward Street or Queen Street. Both sides can be used and you should find ample space. Handicap spaces are directly in front of the sanctuary  on the Heyward Street side and on the west side on Queen Street.

Is the building accessible for the handicapped? Yes, ramps leading up to the covered walkway on the Heyward Street side.

What do I do when I first get to Wesley Memorial? For Sunday School(10:00 am); enter the Education Building on the Heyward Street side. A covered walkway leads into the building. Upon entering someone should be standing in the foyer ready to answer any questions and direct you to the Sunday School class of your choice. The nursery is on the first floor.  The elevator is directly in front of you as you enter the building. The stairs are to the right as you enter the hallway. Restrooms are to your right from this entrance.

Where is the nursery? It is on the First Floor of the Educational Building. If you face the elevator, it is the second room on the right. The nursery opens about 9:45 AM. It is open for Sunday School and the 11:00 AM worship service. Ask a usher for direction and/or assistance.

Is there a nursery or other actives for small children? As stated above we do have a nursery. After the children's moment, about 11:15,  children can be taken to a supervised area near the nursery where Children's Church is held. Children call follow other children and the Children's Church Leader or an adult can take them to the room on first floor. Use the right side door at the front side of the sanctuary.

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I don't know anyone! We want to get know you! We believe church is a place fellowship and friendship. Don't worry if this is your first time, we won't ask you to stand up and be recognized. Our folks will be talking before the service and after the morning service. Almost a guarntee - someone will speak to you. We want you to know us and vice versa.  Please sign a visitors' sheet that is placed in bulletin.

I will be coming to the morning worship service. The sanctuary can be entered by any of two double doors or from the first floor of the education building. The front door is  facing Heyward Street. If you would like to use the services of the nursery go in the entrance of Education Building and turn right. The nursery is the left door on the right.

Where are the restrooms? On the first floor of the educational building. As you enter the door on the Heyward Street side they are on the right looking toward the elevator. Signs are placed to assist you.

Well greeters or others be on hand to help me? Ushers will greet you when you enter, provide you with a worship program that tells everything that is happening in the service.

Is the worship service easy to follow? I believe you will find it ease to follow. The worship bulletin shows the order of worship. Asterisk(*) denote when one should stand. For your convince, prayers and collect, etc.  are written in the program.

How long will the service last? Our worship service will last approximately one hour. We are respectful of your time. The sermon will last 20 to 25 minutes. The service at Wesley Memorial is usually finished close to the  noon hour. On Communion Sunday's (first Sunday in the month) the service can be 10 min. longer. 

What's your seating like? There are no reserved seats, so you may sit anywhere. Each pew has a book rack with song books and a Bible. New padding was installed in 2003.  Don't worry about being  late. Just come on inside, no one will glare at you. Most of us have been late. We understand!

Is the worship service contemporary or traditional? The service is a blend between the two.  Scripture is read from the Bible, Creeds, i.e. The Korean Creed is read, hymns are sung. Many of our hymns are tunes that are traditional but new songs are constantly being used in the service. The sermons illustrate how we can apply the scriptures to the 21st century. We study the Old and New Testaments but with the love of Jesus Christ shown as being our only hope for this life and everlasting life. Pastor Bingham is blessed with the talent of bring the scriptures alive. One is truly blessed after a worship service. View one of our church bulletin's on the Worship Page to see the flow of a worship service.

Will I be singled out as a guest? No. We would like you to sign our register that is given with the bulletin. We ask for you e-mail address in addition to your home address. We can get announcements to you must quicker and work is taken from our secretary. We would like to bring a loaf of home made bread or another gift  to our first time visitors. This will not be a visit. We will give the bread to someone at the door and leave. You will never be singled our or embarrassed in any way. For any reason, you don't have to sign the register.

Am I welcome to Communion? (Lord's Supper or Eucharist) All baptized Christians are invited to participate in Holy Communion. In the United Methodist Church we believe that communion is God's holy meal, not our own. Because we believe this, we invite anyone who professes faith in Christ to receive the elements of bread and juice as a symbol of God's love for us. Typically, our church celebrates communion on the first Sunday of each month.
 

Will I be expected to give money? No, many people give on one Sunday per month so if one gives or doesn't give  no one knows the difference.

How many people come to church?  About 110 members  are active at Wesley Memorial. Seventy is a good crowd for Wesley Memorial.  Wesley Memorial UMC is a good place to get to know some Christian friends.

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General Questions

 Why a United Methodist Church?

While all Christians share the same basic beliefs about Jesus Christ, God, the Holy Spirit, and salvation, the United Methodist Church offers a unique and wonderful perspective on living the gospel of Jesus Christ in the world. United Methodist Christians focus on God's grace and mercy, on Jesus Christ's love and forgiveness, and on the power and witness of God's Holy Spirit in our lives. Christians in the United Methodist tradition also hold strong the melding together of proper personal behavior (called 'holiness') and helping other people (called 'acts of mercy').

 What's so special about Wesley Memorial UMC?

We believe we're no better than anyone else. But we do believe that we offer something special. We're loving, Christ centered, people oriented, fully human yet faithfully following, celebrating God's ways, and accepting of all. We believe you'll find a home that's welcoming, open, loving, and concerned at Wesley Memorial UMC.You will note how many of our folks just stand around and talk after the morning service. People smile, some hug, this is a typical service at Wesley Memorial.

Why I am (even yet!) a United Methodist By Will Willimon. He is a bishop in the United Methodist Church in the U.S., currently serving in North Alabama. Concise message about the Methodist Church

nfoServ, the official information service of The United Methodist Church, responds to over 200 questions a day by e-mail, phone, and fax.

How can I join Wesley Memorial UMC?

In the United Methodist Church, we invite persons to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to join the nurture, fellowship, and discipleship of a local congregation in on of the following ways:

1. PROFESSION OF FAITH: We would invite you to affirm Jesus Christ as your personal savior and to be baptized as a public symbol of that profession. If you have not yet been baptized and would like to join the church, please contact the pastor to make arrangements for your baptism and to join the church.
   
   
2. TRANSFER: If you have been baptized and have previously belonged to another church, whether United Methodist or otherwise, you are invited to simply transfer that membership to this church. All of the documentation will be taken care of by our church staff. To do this, simply notify the pastor of your desire to do so.

You are invited to join the church at any time during the year and in any celebration of worship. All you need to do is come forward, after the "invitation to Christian discipleship" has been issued, and join the pastor at the front of the worship space. The pastor will speak with you regarding your desire to join and ask you, "to be loyal to your faith in Jesus Christ through the United Methodist Church and to this particular congregation by upholding it through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your services."