WorshipWorship 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 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" and musicians, including guitarists, drummers and keyboard players! 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, an informal service is held 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! Worship in the Park for the summer of 2009 runs from June 14–August 23.
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.
Ways You May Participate in Worship
Opportunities abound for participation in worship, including serving as an usher, greeter, liturgist, acolyte, or lay speaker.
Music is also an important part of worship and there are many opportunities to share your musical gifts, including vocal and bell choirs, accompanists, and solos/duets. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details on music opportunities.
There are also opportunities to participate in drama and dance for special worship services. Perhaps you prefer behind-the-scenes activities, such as setting up communion, keeping materials stocked in the pews, or inserting bulletins. 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 for the liturgical seasons, or assist with technology (such as helping project worship information on the screen or recording services).