Sundays at Church of the Palms is the time when the majority of the church gathers for worship, study, and fellowship.  The following sections are intended to help you gain a better insight to the patterns and flow of the morning.

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Worship Services

We worship at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

No matter what you wear, or how you dress, you are welcome at Church of the Palms. Your presence is more important than your appearance.

When you enter the Welcome area, ushers will greet you and give you a name tag. We encourage everyone in attendance to wear one also, so that we may call you by name. Ushers will then offer you worship bulletins describing the service. Feel free to sit anywhere, and if you need any assistance, the ushers will help you find a seat. If you arrive after the service has started, the ushers will tell you when you can enter.

By using the worship bulletin, hymnal, and Bible at your seat, you will be able to follow our service easily. We frequently stand during portions of our worship service. If you are unable to stand with ease, please feel comfortable remaining seated. 

Early in the service, a fellowship pad will be passed. The roster is our way of keeping track of attendance of regular members as well as guests who might be interested in returning to attend another service. We would appreciate your giving of an address, phone number, or email so that we may thank you for your attendance and answer any questions you might have. (You will not be added to a mailing list.)

The passing of the peace is a time to greet your neighbors. You may be greeted with the words "Peace be with you" - you may respond in kind or a simple "good morning." You will find this is a friendly congregation who thoroughly enjoys this part of the Worship Service.

During the service, all children under age 10 are invited to the prayer railing for Children's Moments, a special time for them with a special message. The nursery is always open for those younger ones who are unable to stay for the entire service.

An offering is collected at each worship service. The offering is made in response to God's Word. The gifts support the missions and ministries of this congregation and the global ministries of the United Methodist Church.

Holy Communion is celebrated at certain worship services. Communion will be served on the 1st and 3rd Sundays each month at both services. Following prayer and the blessing of the Elements (bread and unfermented wine [grape juice]) by the Pastor, our worship leaders are served Holy Communion, followed by an invitation to the whole congregation to partake. Holy Communion is open to all who wish to participate, including children.

Guests who feel uncomfortable partaking, or whose beliefs may prohibit participation, should not feel pressured and should simply remain seated. If you cannot stand to come forward to receive Holy Communion, please tell one of our ushers, and the Pastor will bring communion to you at your seat.

 If you need to pray with someone or for someone, you may approach the Pastor after services or add your request during the prayer portion of the worship service. Stephen Ministers are also available to pray with you, including during communion.

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Fellowship

Between services is a time for fellowship. During this time, we share what's been going on in our lives and enjoy each other's company. It is an ideal time for you to learn about Church of the Palms.

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Sunday School

 At 9:45 am each Sunday we offer Sunday school for all ages. Children are invited to attend Sunday worship and, if they desire to do so, they may leave the sanctuary, following the Children's moment, to participate in Children's Worship. The children return to their parents in the sanctuary after the Pastor's message.

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Nursery

We offer a crib nursery and toddler room for children 3 and under from 8:15 - noon, for parents wishing to place their children in care during Sunday School and Worship Service. A changing table is available in the crib room. 

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Announcements

Other activities and upcoming events are announced at the beginning of the service and described in the worship bulletin and on the website. Church of the Palms is intentionally inclusive, therefore all services, events, and meetings are open to EVERYONE! You are invited!

We sincerely hope you will take the opportunity to worship with us, and that you will find the experience to be rich and spiritually fulfilling.