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WORSHIP

1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday of Month: North Hero UMC @9AM

2nd & 4th Sundays of Month: Grand Isle UMC @ 9AM

EVERY SUNDAY: Isle La Motte UMC @11AM

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As a Church, we believe that Christ should be the centerpiece of the community.  We want to help our community grow and thrive in ways that are Christ-like, rooted in the love and grace we see in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Though our church is open to and engages in partnerships with many community organizations to help foster community, we believe Worship is a crucial element of fostering this sense of community. Below, read about what worship is like in our churches, then read on to learn more about our theology and beliefs.

Metal Cross

Worship Services: What to Expect

We welcome everybody into our space to worship God with us.  We are a Protestant-Christian church with long roots in the Champlain Islands, actively praising our Lord for over 150 years in the island communities.  We recognize the great diversity and breadth of backgrounds of people, and try to incorporate various aspects of worship that help foster individual growth in relationship with God, often looking at the diversity of practices and styles.  You never know what you'll get, though we follow a generally traditional liturgical order of worship, we have incorporated numerous contemporary elements. You never know, you might even hear country music or bluegrass, soul music or african american spirituals, or gospel music in addition to our general hymnody of the United Methodist Church.  

We welcome all, and that includes your children!  We know that kids might be a little fussy or noisy, but recognize the great value of exposure to Christian faith, and a community that loves and supports them.  Pastor may even try to incorporate them into the sermon!

You are welcome here, regardless of your background, pedigree, knowledge, or degree of faith.  We recognize everybody is coming from somewhere different, we simply ask you be respectful of one another, living in the grace and peace of our Lord, and accept everybody, regardless of our similarities or differences, whether real or perceived.  You are welcome here. 

Inquirers are welcome too, you don't even need to be a Christian!  If you have questions, and come with an open mind, and open heart, we appreciate your willingness to come check us out, and hope we will help you experience a movement of the Holy Spirit.

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Our Service outline changes from time to time, but you can expect a Sunday to look a lot like this, but in no particular order:

Gathering time, with music playing, serves as both a time of connection between our congregation, and with God, as we prepare our hearts for worship. Announcements generally follow, but are sometimes held 'til the end of the service.  Throughout the service a variety of hymns or songs are sung, praising God, usually focusing on a particular theme.  Scripture is read, usually at least a Psalm and a focal scripture, but sometimes the entire lectionary for the day is incorporated.  Prayers are interspersed throughout worship, usually including a prayer of approach, prayer of confession, prayer of thanksgiving and dedication, and others.  Offering: at general services, we do collect an offering, as it is part of our spiritual discipline, but we recognize each person gives differently, and none is expected.  A sermon or "homily" is given each service, which expands on the scripture text, provides context and deeper understanding for the biblical teaching, and applies it to the world we live in today.

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WHAT WE BELIEVE
We are a Protestant Christian Denomination, amenable to the United Methodist Church.  What that means is we are part of the broader denomination of United Methodists through various connections.  Our Pastor is ordained and certified through the United Methodist Church, and we participate in numerous ministries and missions of the broader church through what we call "connectionalism," the general recognition that we can do more together, than alone.  We work together as a Parish to support our local community, but we work with the denomination on the whole to provide aid and support to all who suffer.  All of what we do is grounded in our belief in the Work of Jesus on the Cross, as our Lord and Savior.   To learn more about what the United Methodist Church believes on any particular issue, click a link below.  In our local congregation, we are made up of many people that come from diverse backgrounds, from Catholics to Baptists, Lutherans to Presbyterian, Episcopal to Non-Denominational, you name it, we have it.  We hope to provide a place where people can learn about God through a lens of thoughtful discourse, where we also recognize that sometimes it's okay to disagree.  We welcome you to join us to see this diversity of thought in action, our way of holding true to Wesleyan Theology.

Praying Hands
Man praying at ceremony
Gospel Music
Bibles
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