We assemble on Sundays to acknowledge and experience the presence of the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit. Grace Church offers two traditional worship services in our sanctuary at 8:00 and 10:50 a.m. on Sunday. We also offer the contemporary service “Fresh Start” in the sanctuary at 9:40 a.m. on Sunday. Bus transportation is available for all Sunday morning services. Please contact the church office (429-5374) to arrange for an escort to and from Grace.
We welcome children to worship with their parent(s) or family members in all services. For your convenience, childcare for babies and toddlers is provided in our nursery located next to Great Hall. Our nursery coordinator or assistants will welcome your child and discuss any special instructions you may have. Pagers are given to parents in case of an emergency. A children’s church is offered from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m.
Television cameras tape the 10:50 traditional service each week. The service is then televised the next Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. on WBUI, channel 23 in Decatur, unless preempted by network programming.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month during our traditional worship services and the third Sunday of each month during our Contemporary Fresh Start service. Grace Church follows the practice of “open Communion” (everyone is welcome at the communion table, regardless of church membership, background or age).
On occasion groups voluntarily serve Sunday lunch in the Great Hall. This offers a time of fellowship for those wishing to attend. A free will offering is taken at these meals.
Traditional Worship
Traditional Worship Ministry Team
The Traditional Worship Ministry Team is responsible for maintaining the sanctuary furnishings; changing the paraments on the altar, lectern and pulpit according to the liturgical seasons; and preparing communion. They also make certain that the organ and pianos are tuned regularly and are responsible for the maintenance of all other instruments owned by the church. This group is also responsible for the flowers on the altar and decorations in the sanctuary on a number of special days (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Patriotic Sunday, All Saints’ Day, Harvest Home).
For more information contact the church office (phone: 429-5374, email: GraceUMC@decaturgrace.org).
Ushers
The ushers assist the worship leaders by performing a variety of tasks including passing the offering plates, helping to serve communion, handing out bulletins, and assisting members of the congregation. For more information, contact the church office (phone: 429-5374, email: GraceUMC@decaturgrace.org).
Traditional Worship Sound Crew
If you have experience working with mixing boards, microphones and other sound equipment, there is a place for you at Grace! We use at least one sound technician at each traditional service (8:00 and 10:50). If you would like to get involved in this area, contact the church office (phone: 429-5374, email: GraceUMC@decaturgrace.org).
Fresh Start
Fresh Start Worship Ministry Team
This volunteer team works with the pastors to plan components and special observances for the worship service. They organize and decorate the Great Hall to create an atmosphere that encourages us to enter into worship. For more information, contact Nancy Evans (phone: 428-6452, email: naevans@insightbb.com).
Ushers
The ushers assist the worship leaders by performing a variety of tasks including passing the offering plates, helping to serve communion, handing out bulletins, and assisting members of the congregation. For more information about serving as an usher, contact John Golden (phone: 429-7211).
Fresh Start Sound & Video Tech Crew
There are a number of “behind-the-scenes” folks who make our Fresh Start services run smoothly. These are the talented people who run the sound and video equipment. If you have experience with mixing boards and microphones or know your way around a computer using Powerpoint, then there is a place for you at Grace. For more info, contact Duane Gebke (phone: 875-5086, email: dgebke@decaturgrace.org) or David Krause (phone: 864-9555, email: mzredbird@hotmail.com).
Bus Drivers
There are residents of Decatur who wish to attend worship on Sunday morning but are unable to because of a lack of transportation. Grace United Methodist Church ministers to these people by providing free bus service to Grace. If you have a CDL licence and wish to join this ministry, please contact Jack Kenny (phone: 422-0504, email: JKenny630@aol.com).
Lay Speaking
Occasionally, when our pastors are absent, there are opportunities for lay speakers to share a message at one or more of our services. If you are a certified lay speaker and would like to get involved in this area, or if you are a talented speaker and would like to learn more about lay speaking, contact the church office (phone: 429-5374, email: GraceUMC@decaturgrace.org). You can also visit the United Methodist Lay Speaking website at www.layspeaking.org.
Music Ministry
Music is an important part of our worship at Grace United Methodist Church. There are opportunities for people of all ages to participate in the music program at Grace. For more information contact our choir director, Jason Garrett (phone: 429-5374). Read more about Music Ministries at Grace...
Chancel Choir
Adults are invited to participate in Chancel Choir, which rehearses from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening. The Chancel Choir sings every Sunday at the Late Traditional service (10:40–11:40 a.m.) and also prepares special presentations during Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter. For more information about Chancel Choir contact our choir director, Jason Garrett (phone: 429-5374).
Handbells
If you are interested in ringing handbells, there are opportunities throughout the year, particularly during Christmas and other special services, at which the handbell ringers provide music. For more information, contact Jason Garrett (phone: 429-5374).
Praise Team
The Praise Team is comprised of the Praise Singers and the Praise Band. The Praise Singers lead the worship and music at the Fresh Start service (Sundays, 9:30–10:20 a.m.) singing contemporary Christian praise music and Top 40 Christian hits. The Praise Band accompanies the Praise Singers. The band includes guitars, bass, keyboard, drums and a variety of wind instruments. The Praise Team rehearses every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the Praise Team, contact Nancy Evans (phone: 428-6452, email: naevans@insightbb.com).
WOW! Wednesday Children’s Music Program
Children in kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to participate in the WOW! Wednesdays Music/Activity Time from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday. The younger kids (kindergarten through 2nd grade) begin with music at 4:30 while the older kids (3rd grade through 5th grade) have activities. Then at 5:15 they switch so that the younger kids work on activities while the older kids have music. These young singers also have opportunities to provide music at worship services including a Christmas Musical. For more information, contact Nancy Evans (phone: 428-6452, email: naevans@insightbb.com).
Special Music
If you have a talent for music, you are invited to provide special music at any of the worship services at Grace. Whether you are a soloist or would like to prepare something with one or two others in a small ensemble; whether you sing or play an instrument, there is a place for you to share your talent. For more information about special music, contact our choir director, Jason Garrett (phone: 429-5374).
Imboden Creek Worship Service
Every second Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m., volunteers from Grace UMC lead a worship service for the residents of Imboden Creek Nursing Home. For more information about this worship service, contact the church office (phone: 429-5374, email: GraceUMC@decaturgrace.org).
McKinley Court Worship Service
Volunteers from Grace UMC lead a worship service for the residents of McKinley Court Nursing Home every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. For more information, contact Cindy Sellers (phone: 422-6521, email: sellersjc1@hotmail.com).
