Worship Services at Lenexa United Methodist Church

Each Sunday morning, we have two worship services in the Sanctuary (9am and 10:30am), with a third added during summer months (8am at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa). Nursery care is available during services held in the Sanctuary. There are also special worship services throughout the year, including Thanksgiving, Hanging of the Greens, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, services during Holy Week, and an outside Easter "Sonrise" service.

 

9 am Contemporary Worship Service

This media-enhanced service includes praise songs and hymns that are more contemporary than many of the ones we sing during the traditional service at 10:30am. Music is a primary worship tool during this service, and is led by "The Spirit Singers" - singers and musicians (including guitarists, drummers and keyboard players)! The Youth Praise Band leads worship periodically. Communion is offered the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. People of all ages enjoy this worship service! The youth attend this service together before heading to their Sunday School at 10:30am.

 

10:30 am Traditional Worship Service

This service is more traditional than the 9am service. It includes favorite hymns (accompanied by the organ) that set a quiet, worship-filled tone to the scripture and sermon messages for that week. The Chancel Choir, Handbells, and other musical groups and soloists share their ministries regularly during this service. Each Sunday includes a special moment for children, and communion is offered on the 1st Sunday of each month.

 

8 am Summer Worship in the Park

In the summer (typically Father's Day through Labor Day), an informal service is held by the Gazebo at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park at 87th Street Parkway and Lackman Road in Lenexa. Dress is casual; lawn chairs or blankets are recommended! The music is led by "The Park Players", who lead with guitars, banjos, and more! Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday of the each month. Worshipping in the park is a great, nature-filled, and sacred way to start the week!  

 

Holy Communion, Baptism & Confirmation

In the United Methodist Church, we observe "open communion". This means that anyone may receive the sacrament, whether or not they are United Methodist or a member of Lenexa UMC. Because we believe that God is the principle actor in the holy sacraments, children are welcome to participate. We only ask that they be accompanied by an adult and given age appropriate instruction as to the meaning and reverence of the Lord's Supper.

Communion at 9am is received by intinction, meaning that each communicant takes a piece of bread and dips it into the cup. At the 10:30 service, communicants are received at the altar rail with small, individual cups. Anyone wishing to be served in their pew need only motion to an usher. United Methodists believe in the Mystical Presence of Christ, which simply means we believe that real grace is received in taking the elements of communion, though the elements themselves do not change. In keeping with our tradition, only nonalcoholic fruit of the vine is served.

Baptism is available for infants and children, as well as adults. Again, United Methodists believe that God is the main actor and those baptized experience God's grace-filled presence in their lives. We offer Confirmation classes, which enables those baptized as infants to make a public profession of Jesus Christ's Lordship to the congregation themselves at an age when they are now able to accept what was done for them as young children. For youth, this usually occurs during their 7th grade year, after weekly classes that begin in January and extend through April. United Methodists accept the baptism of other Christian denominations. We do not believe that rebaptism is ever necessary.

 

Music
Music is a vital part of worship and there are many opportunities for people of all ages to share their musical gifts, including vocal and bell choirs, accompanists, and solos/duets. The Chancel Choir, led by Nan Hulett, practices Wednesday evenings (September – May) at 6:45pm. They sing during the 10:30 worship service. The Spirit Singers, led by Blair Penney, practice Wednesdays at 7pm throughout the year and lead the 9am worship service. Our 3 bell choirs (KIDZ Ringers for 1st-3rd graders, Celebration Bells for 4th-12th graders, and Joy Bells for adults, practice Wednesdays (September – May). The Youth Praise Band rehearses at 3:45pm on Sundays. Joyful Praise (K-2nd grade) and Celebration Choir (3rd-8th grade) practice Wednesdays (September – May). The Park Players lead summer Worship in the Park and rehearse throughout that season. See our staff page to contact individual music leaders for more information.

 

Ways You May Participate in Worship
Opportunities abound for people of all ages to participate in worship! This includes serving as an usher, greeter, liturgist, acolyte, lay speaker, musician, and more! Throughout the year, opportunities arise to participate in drama and dance for special worship services. Behind-the-scenes needs, such as setting up communion, keeping materials stocked in the pews, donating flowers for the altar, or inserting bulletins, are present throughout the year. If your talents tend toward the artistic or technical, you may wish to join the Worship Team and help design and create special services and visuals, or assist with technology (such as helping project worship information on the screen or recording services). This is just a sampling of ways your skills are needed. One of the pastors would love to talk with you more about ways you can share your individual gifts during worship.