Harrisburg United Methodist Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012
 "Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold." --Luke 8:8
Harrisburg United Methodist Church
4560 Hwy 49 S
PO Box 970
Harrisburg, NC 28075
704-455-2311
Members can click here to go to MemberConnect |
What to ExpectGoing to a new church, or for the first time in a long time, can be uncomfortable or intimidating. However, you will find Harrisburg UMC to be a welcoming group, made up of people just like yourself.
In the meanwhile, here are the basics of what we do on your average Sunday. Check out the basics below, or click for more info.
 Our church is a busy place!
What goes on Sunday morning?
We have a worship service at 8:30 am & 11:00 am, plus educational classes for all ages at 9:45 am.
Have a question about how a worship service goes? Here are the basics, or click on each session heading for more details.
Sit anywhere, snag a Bible or hymnal, chat with your neighbors, and prepare.
We read God's word and ponder what it means and how we can apply it in our lives.
"Always and everywhere." A chance to meditate on God's blessings in our lives, and share them. As we head out to do God's work Special events (communion & baptism) We hold Open Communion on the First Sunday of each month, and you are welcome to join us. Please click for more information. Baptisms can happen almost any week, and the only difference in the service is reserved seating and a few minutes of contemplating the meaning of baptism and what it is to bring a child up in the church.
How We Worship Together, Or—Everything you’ve always wanted to know about our unwritten expectations. So, what on Earth happens when you go to church? Whether you've never been, it's been a while, or you're just curious how we compare with what you're used to, we'd be thrilled to tell you what to expect. From the Parking Lot: We have parking spots reserved for visitors and expecting mothers right by the door. Look for the signs. Our parking for folks with handicapping conditions can be found on left side of the building (between the building and Hwy. 49). From this side lot, there is a sidewalk to enter the building- no stairs. Where’s the Front Door? We have a couple of entrances that look official, but the one we call the “front door” is underneath a covered walkway. It has a welcome sign posted above it that one can see from the parking lot. Go up the four stairs, between the two big camellia bushes, or enter from the side lot underneath the covered walk, and you’ll be there. Worship Each Sunday morning, worship is the primary thing we do as a church. While scholars can trace some of our practices back for hundreds of years, much of what we do has a local flavor, and isn’t the same as any other church. We like the balance of both. We have worship services at 8:30am and 11am. Each service encompasses about an hour.
(More on Sunday School here- it's at 9:45 and you are welcome!). When you walk in our front doors, our greeters will help you find your way around. You'll head off to the big double doors on the right, where the service will take place. If you have younger kids (3 and under), you may want to turn left at this point and head down the hallway to the nursery first, to sign them in with our safe sanctuary-trained staff. Of course, they're always welcome to stay with you- they won't be alone. About half the under-3s that come to church, stay for at least part of the service.
First off, unless the ringing of your phone might help save someone’s life, (and some of those folks do attend here) please silence your electronics. It’s also considered poor form to check your email or facebook status during worship. After all, don’t you want at least one hour of your life to be different from all the rest?
Ushers at the doors will give you an "order of worship" (bulletin), which tells you what will be going on that day. Sit down anywhere- no one has a reserved spot (except the choir). On special occasions we will reserve a row or two of seats for a group or family, but they will be marked with a small sign. We have traditional pews up front and comfy chairs in the back. Grab a hymnal, sign the pew pad with your name and info if you want us to contact you, and read about all the activities we have coming up! People use this time to say hello to one another, learn new names, get children situated, or to simply prepare for worship in silence.
 The people around you? We are a varied group, and will be wearing anything from jeans and a T-shirt to "Sunday best", with a good number of people in the middle, wearing slacks and a nice shirt. Whoever you are and whatever you wear, you will be welcome!
The bulletin will have our order of service printed in it, as well as announcements. Typically the times to stand or sit are clearly marked (standing parts have an asterisk (*) next to them), and the things that the congregations says aloud are in bold print.
The cover has a graphic related to the day's lesson (unless the pastor has decided to improvise that day!), and a list of the names of everybody working for the church. It gives you an idea what the day will be about. If it's the first Sunday of the month, it's Communion Sunday, and the order may be a tiny bit different. As United Methodists, our communion service is open to anyone, so please join in! More about Communion at the end of this section.
Our worship has four basic movements, entrance, scripture and response, thanksgiving, and sending forth. Following is a sample order of worship, divided into those sections, and explaining exactly what happens at each event, and why we do it.
GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS- we have a LOT going on, and this is when the event planners can have a quick word with everyone. Maybe you will hear about something you want to join in on. Chili cookoff? Children's consignment sale? Find that event planner later on, or check your bulletin for their contact info. We welcome your participation!
PRELUDE- After the announcements, a piece of music will be played. This opening music centers us for our gathered purpose, and helps us transition from the busy world to the timeless world.
CALL TO WORSHIP- We stand (if we're able) and read the parts in bold print, while the leader reads the unbolded text.
HYMN- The first song, from the hymnal. The music is usually related to the day's message. (At the early service, you'll find the lyrics on the screen on the front wall)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION- This is a prayer said for people who are sick, who have lost family, who are travelling, or in tough times. If you have someone in mind who could use a prayer, there is a notebook in the back (between the 2 sections of comfy chairs) where you can write the name of the person and, if you want, the reason for the prayer (This is done prior to the beginning of the worship service.) Each specific listing will be discussed prior to the prayer. They are called prayers of intercession, because we are requesting that God intercede in the lives of those we pray for, and bring them health, comfort, safe travels, etc.
SCRIPTURE LESSON- the leader (often a member of the congregation) will read a short passage from the Bible. There are pew Bibles available, so you may follow along with the reading. Usually, he will say "the word of God for you, the people of God" when he is done. Then we reply "Thanks be to God".
ANTHEM- We sit down, and listen to the choir sing (at the 11:00 am service.)
 CHILDREN'S TIME- (11:00 am only) All children are invited up front to hear a special short message- usually related to the lectionary (the "message of the week"), and presented by a member of the church. Sometimes, the presenter asks questions, and it is a lot of fun hearing what the kids answer- Don't miss it!
  Following the Children's time, kids aged 3 to 7 are invited to leave the sanctuary to attend Children's Church. We ask that an adult escort each child to the education wing. Follow the crowd. If the child does not choose to attend Children's Church, they are also welcome to stay with you.
HYMN- We always stand and sing a hymn while the children sort themselves out
SCRIPTURE LESSON 2- the leader will read another short passage from the Bible, exactly as before.
SERMON- Time for the leader to talk about this passage, try to give us some insights as to how it's been interpreted, why, and what it can mean to us in our lives. One of the benefits of church is having someone else share interpretations with you. It helps you break away from seeing things only in your way, and then you can decide what you feel the passage means to you- only with a lot more information behind your belief.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH- We stand and affirm our faith, (usually by reading the Apostle's Creed aloud in unison). You may locate the words in our hymnal.
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER- A very quick song to remind us what worship is all about, also in the hymnal
PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND PARDON- Read together and aloud (occasionally, it may be divided up like the call to worship). Confession of sin is an important part of the worship service. It allows us to meditate on the ways we are failing to live the ideal Christian life. After we read the confession, there are a few words of pardon.
THE PEACE- Now that we've been forgiven, we pass the peace of Christ. This involves meeting your neighbors, shaking hands, and stating "Christ's peace be with you". The proper response to that is "And also with you". This is also a great time to spot neighbors to chat with later on.
OFFERING- we usually do a prayer prior to the offering. During the offering, the ushers will pass trays down the pews, and you pass it along with any contribution. These contributions support the missions, staff, and properties of our church and the United Methodist congregation as a whole.
If you are seated in the chairs in the back, the ushers usually walk through instead of passing, so catch their eyes if you have something to put in the tray (if you write a check and we have your address, your contribution is tax-deductible!)
OFFERTORY- is the music played during the offering. Sometimes, there is singing
DOXOLOGY- At the end of the offertory, our organist will transition into this song. It's a signal to stand and sing (the song is in the hymnal). Just watch your neighbors to know when to stand. It takes a little practice to catch the switching of music.
 PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING- If there is something you are thankful for today, please raise your hand and speak up! We can always use someone new who is willing to share in one of the happiest parts of the service. New family members, good grades, improved health, nice weather... whatever it is, we want to hear it and Thank God for it!
THE LORD'S PRAYER- Jesus taught his disciples one prayer, and every week, we repeat that prayer. It's printed on your order of worship. Keep in mind that there are a few slightly different versions, so a few words here and there may be different. But the idea is the same.
SENDING FORTH- we prepare to go forth to be the Body of Christ, and do God's work
HYMN- stand for the last hymn
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING- Final words from our worship leader.
TRINITY CHIMES- 3 bells sound. We stand quietly. Our worship leaders walk to the door of the church to greet you upon exit.
GOING FORTH/POSTLUDE- that means, we are heading out with music! This is another good chance to chat with your neighbors, and head out the door. If you want a word with the pastor, let him know on the way out. We have a green basket by the door for your used bulletins and other papers for recycling.
MORE ON COMMUNION- The Confession and Pardon, the Prayer of Thanksgiving, and the Communion prayers are all listed in the hymnal, and the leader will tell you where to read. When it gets time to take communion, he will prepare things by breaking the bread, pouring the grape juice, and serving Communion to the helpers. Then, he will call the people to get in line for communion, starting at the front. You just get up when the row in front of you has gone by, and stand in line. The proper way to take Communion is with your hands in front of you, right over left. The first person will hand you a piece of bread and say "the body of Christ, given for you" (your response is "amen"). You then move on to the second person (who has the grape juice), who says "the blood of Christ, shed for you". You say another "amen" and dip your bread in the juice, then eat it as you walk back to your seat along the side aisles (you are welcome to stop and pray).
The United Methodist Church observes "Open Communion," meaning that all are welcome to participate.
 Please note that nobody will force you to take communion, nor will they deny it to you. There is no specific age or ceremony in the United Methodist church that would prevent a child from taking communion. You can decide what to do on your own. And don't worry about doing it "wrong", because everybody in front of you will do things slightly differently, and maybe 2 people in the congregation will do the whole thing "correctly".
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