Date: September 14th 2011

Dear GCUMC Contemporary Worshipper,

This is Pastor Dennis. I want to remind you this Sunday, September 18th, we will be offering two identical contemporary worship services in the worship center at 9:30 & 11:00am called the PATH.

Below are some questions and answers about the upcoming changes:

Regarding the 9:30am service:

Is it possible to drop my children off at Sunday school and attend the 9:30am worship service?
Yes, during the 9:30am service, children’s programming is offered from nursery to sixth grade. Please contact Ruth Henry for more information at RuthH@gcumc.org. Middle & High School classes will also meet at 9:30am.

Regarding our 11:00am service time:

Although many will worship at 9:30am, why do you want us to consider attending the 11:00am contemporary service?
Good question! For a few reasons: So far this year, 216 FAMILIES have visited the 9:45 am service for the first time. As they enter, it is comfortable for them to blend into a large crowd. Those folks are more likely to come again. If they were to enter a nearly empty room, the worship would not have the same vibe or feel.

Why do we need an 11:00am service when there are empty chairs in the earlier service?
We are on the verge of filling out the service. People, who have studied this, share that when a room is at 80%, it is at capacity. We want to create a solution before it becomes a problem and we have standing room only.

Why do we want more people to come?
The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Will the pastors spend more time in our service?
Yes, it is difficult for the pastors to get to know you when they must rush back and forth to and from the 8:30am and the 11:00am traditional services. By adding another contemporary service (9:30 & 11:00), it will allow one pastor to attend the traditional services and the other to be only in the contemporary services. Each week the pastors will switch sides and be able to give attention to worship and the people in those services.

My friends are worshipping at the earlier service, I’ll miss seeing them!
If you have a group of friends in the church, why not commit as a group to worship together at the 11:00 service? This would be a wonderful act of service to the church and a sacrifice that may not feel like you are giving up anything since the music and message will be exactly the same as at the earlier service! Arriving prior to 11:00am, you’ll be able to mingle with those who have attended the earlier service.

Is there childcare being offered at 11:00am?
If you have very young children and wish to utilize the nursery, it will be open for children up to 5 years of age during the 11:00am services. Plans are in place to have that hour become a learning time for the wee ones.

Please contact Lisa LeVally at LisaL@gcumc.org if you are planning to switch your attendance the 11:00am service as we’re trying to line up the floor guides for the next few months.