Our Worship Services:
Our Modern worship service (9am Sundays) is relatively informal. Our regular Sunday worship includes (among other things) individual and communal prayer, music and singing led by our band (guitar, piano, drums, etc.), readings from Scripture, a sermon that helps us explore how what we believe about God shapes our daily lives, and opportunities to respond to God’s love.
Our Traditional worship service (11:00AM Sundays) reflects a sense of reverence and awe of the glory of the Lord, traditionalIy incorporating Procession, the great hymns of the church accompanied by choir, organ and piano these services also use the liturgies that are part of our theological heritage.
What Should I Wear?
Our worship attire is pretty casual at our modern service, and a little more formal for the traditional service. When you come to worship with Francis Asbury UMC, you will probably see some people wearing shorts and flip-flops, some people wearing dress clothes, and lots of combinations in-between. While most people are dressed casually, you will see just about every clothing option you can imagine (except tuxedos – there aren’t many of those). So, wear something that makes you feel comfortable, but don’t worry too much about it. As we read in 1 Samuel 16 when David is anointed as king over Israel, “the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
We want to be like God in this regard – we aren’t concerned with your appearance, but instead are glad that you want to worship God with us.
Communion
The first Sunday of every month (and during some other special services) we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion (also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist). This is a holy meal in which we remember God’s love for us in Jesus and give thanks for (and experience) God’s continued presence in our midst.
We celebrate an open table, which means that everyone is welcome to receive communion, no matter who you are or whether or not you are a member of any church. As long as you seek to follow Jesus and encounter God’s love, you are welcome to participate in this holy experience with us. Our children return from Children’s Church and receive communion.
Baptism
At times throughout the year, we celebrate the sacrament of baptism, in which new Christians are welcomed into the church and we are all called by God to join in God’s work. Baptism is something that God does in our lives, and not something that we earn, and so all people who seek to follow Jesus are welcome (and encouraged) to participate in this holy experience. If you would like more information about baptism, please contact Pastor Ed at pastor@francisasburyumc.org.
Children
Each week during worship children are invited to the front for a few moments with one of our worship leaders. After that, as we prepare for the sermon, the children (3 years old through 5th grade) are invited to join one of our many amazing teachers in one of our classrooms for “Children’s Church.”During this time, while Scripture is read and the sermon preached in our main worship area, the children will explore Scripture and dive into God’s story in a way that is tailored to their age, learning styles, and developmental needs.
There is nursery care available for small children during worship – although you are certainly welcome to keep your children in worship with you.
Finally, you can expect God to be present with you. You may not always feel it, you may not always know it, but we believe that wherever people gather and call upon the name of Jesus, God is with us, ready to meet us. So, when you come to worship you should expect (and look for) signs of God’s presence.
