Snohomish United Methodist Church

What should you expect?

 

We know that visiting a new church for the first time can be an awkward experience so we want to be as helpful as we can in making your experience a good one. Below is some information that we hope will make your visit more enjoyable.

 

What is your worship service like?

As we deliberately seek a time and place where all generations can worship together, our Sunday morning service is a mixture of old and new and  the proclamation comes in different manners: prayers, hymns, silence, Bible lessons, a message.

The pastor will spend some time in the beginning of the service with the children and present a lesson (story) based on the same Bible story the children will study in Sunday School. The pastor will also offer a lesson (sermon) based on the same text from the Bible and her reflections on contemporary events.

The children are also encouraged to get to know the congregation and the congregation them in Passing the Peace of Christ. 

We lift our joys and concerns up together, along with thoughts about community and world in prayer. Together we sing traditional hymns and more contemporary pieces of music. Together we are called to worship and sent out blessed.

 

What should I wear?

We invite you to come as you are whether you are visiting for the first time or for the 100th. Casual or more formal; you decide. We want you to feel at home.

 

How long will the worship service last?

Our service lasts from about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes.

 

Will I have to say anything, sign anything, or be singled out in any way?

Please don’t be nervous about your first visit with us. You are our guest, and we want you to feel comfortable. While you will be greeted and welcomed, you won’t be put on the spot or publicly embarrassed. During the service, you'll notice an Attendance Card passed down the pew. You can fill it out if you'd like more information about the church or if you'd like to connect with the pastor or a ministry. If you give your email address, we will typically send you our communications for a month and then ask you if you would like to continue receiving them. If you'd rather remain anonymous, that's fine too.

 

Am I going to be expected to give money?

Absolutely not! However, during each service there is a time to worship God through the giving of tithes and offerings. This is an act of worship for our members and friends (those who consider Snohomish UMC their church home), allowing them to share in the church's ministry to the community of Snohomish and to the world. As a guest, please do not feel any pressure or obligation to give.

 

What about my kids?  Is there child care available?

The nursery is available for children from 9:30am-11:30am. Sunday School for children and youth begins in worship and then the children are dismissed after the Passing of the Peace. The teachers and pastor wil be helpful in sending the children (and you may go with them the first few times) to the rooms. Children and youth usually return to the santuary if there is communion. 

 

Are your facilities handicapped accessible?

Yes, the church is on one level. The doors are wide. Hearing devices are available. Parking places on the paved areas are reserved for handicapped accessibility. 

 

How do I get there, and is parking available?

Yes, we have free parking on the premises!  Please visit our home page to find more information.

 

Are you affiliated with a particular denomination?

Snohomish United Methodist Church is a congregation of The United Methodist Church and is, along with 263 other congregations, a part of the Pacific Northwest Conference which connects churches throughout Washington and Northern Idaho. While we are a United Methodist church, people who attend come from a wide variety of faith backgrounds - Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Nondenominational, etc.  Most have found a home at Snohomish because of its relaxed nature and the way people listen to each other and engage in honest dialogue, as well as the way our people are in mission in the community and the world.

 

What if I'm not even sure I believe in God?

We believe that the spiritual life is best thought of as a journey. Some of us are miles down the road and others have miles to go. Some imagine they are going the right way while others insist a new road will get 'there' faster. At Snohomish UMC, you'll find companions for the journey and possibly people heading down a similar path to yours. We believe that the big questions of life are best asked and wrestled with while one is walking along talking with others and discerning truth as they go.

 

Will I understand the message even if I don't know much about the Bible?

Our pastor works to speak to people where they are and to connect the teachings of the Bible with the challenges modern people face today. Her messages are accessible to those new to the faith and nuanced for those who have been around for a while.

 

But I still have more questions! 

Please feel free to call us anytime - we'll be happy to take the time to answer any question you may have. Better yet, why not visit us this Sunday and see for yourself what a great place Snohomish UMC can be!