Welcome to worship with Richfield United Methodist Church. We know it’s a big step to get up on a Sunday morning and go to a new church for the first time, even online, and thank you for coming to see and we hope you have a good experience.
The Vibe
Worship offers respite and refuge from the world and fuel for going back into it to face things head on. Sunday worship services have an intentional mix of traditional tethers, progressive theology, and contemporary creativity. Elements usually include prayer, candle lighting, a time with children, a sermon, and a variety of music. Most worship services are around an hour, give or take. Some dress up, some dress casual. Some stay seated for the closing music, others exit right away for coffee. Come as you are!
The Venue
The Sanctuary has a simultaneously classic and contemporary look with high ceilings and exposed beams and brickwork. The stain glass-highlighted walls add a flair of tradition that enhances the space rather than taking over. The raised chancel area where most worship leadership takes places features a restored pipe organ. The Nook at the rear of the Sanctuary has several seating options including rocking chairs. Grab a bulletin, and yes, you can bring your coffee in with you. Sit wherever you like!
Music is a true gift from God. You’ll experience traditional hymns, classical pieces, modern Christian songs, and pop, soul, and folk tunes that unveil the sacred in the secular. Experience a beautiful 1,9825-pipe, 34-rank organ played by the gifted Sonja Gustafson and the Living Waters Band directed by the eclectic Victor Zupanc. The Chancel Choir, led by the enigmatic David Nyberg, welcomes new singers like you to come and praise God through song, and Chancel Bells ringing out with festive tinntinnabulation. There are Groth Scholar musicians and other guest musicians, too. Sing and clap along!
Inspired by ancient scripture and speaking to modern life, sermons weave pastoral care in the midst of challenge, prophetic vision for a justice-filled world, and a call to action. Rev. Nate Melcher crafts sermons in 4-6 week thematically-linked series with a variety of illustrations to appeal to multiple generations. Combining his experience as clergy, higher education, and theater performance, Pastor Nate preaches sermons with humor and depth that are faithful, relatable, meaningful, informative, and actionable.
Guest preachers include laity, ministry professionals, and clergy. The worship archives on YouTube have sermons timestamped in the video descriptions and series are collected in Sermon Packs. Be inspired!
The Sacraments
Celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month. In the United Methodist Church, we practice open communion and place no barrier between you and the Lord’s Table. All who seek the grace of Jesus are welcome. The elements are offered by intinction: receive a piece of bread (usually a Hawaiian loaf), dip it in the cup. Rather than wine, we use 100% grape juice so people of all ages and of any relationship with alcohol may receive the elements without hesitation. There is a gluten-free option available, as well. For those worshipping online, you are invited to gather the elements with care and delight. The table is set, all are welcome!
The Liturgy
Prayers and liturgy are crafted and selected to reflect the expansiveness of God and the inclusivity of all persons. We take care to use liturgy written by women, people of color, and persons of the LGBTQIA+ community. Copyright and licensing can impact our ability to always present the most expansive and inclusive language and imagery possible. We lament this is the reality of so many Christian worship, educational, and artistic resources, while honoring our copyright and licensing agreements. We do our best to use these resources sparingly and contextually. All are invited to sing, speak, or pray the words on their heart!
The Fun
Worship puts God first. And, we have a little fun along the way. We laugh and smile easily in worship. We play a churchwide March Madness NCAA bracket game. We love to sing “Happy Birthday” when members turn 100 years old. We celebrate Milestones & Miracles on the last Sunday of the quarter as you can lift up your birthday, anniversary, new job, retirement, or other recent joys in your life. And we come as we are… except on a handful of special Sundays where you’re encouragaed to dress up a little:
Team Colors Sunday – Wear your favorite team’s colors on Super Bowl Sunday.
Church Hat Sunday – Wear a great hat on the Sunday after the Kentucky Derby.
Pentecost Sunday – Wear red on Pentecost Sunday, 6 weeks after Easter.
Rainbow Sunday – Wear many bright colors on the last Sunday of June.
Homecoming Sunday – Wear your school / alma matter colors on the second Sunday of October.
Sweater Sunday – Wear your favorite Christmas sweater on Christmas Pageant Sunday.
We take our faith seriously, and we take our fun seriously, too. We like to have fun here!
Kids are welcome as they are! Here are options for your family:
Time with Children | Children may come to the chancel to experience a message just for them. Parents and guardians may join their children and are encouraged to use this moment as a launchpad to speak openly with their children about living out their faith.
The Nook | A Space connected to the Sanctuary, perfect for having a quiet moment.
Art Cart | Fill a bag with arts and craft items in The Nook to bring with them to worship.
Toddler Sunday School | Toddlers get a Bible story, play time, and a snack on first Sundays.
Children First Sundays (Quarterly) | Children and adults lead worship side-by-side. Children lead the liturgy and prayers, read the scripture text, and serve Holy Communion, and the Children’s Choir sings special music.
Sunday School (K-5) | Following the Time with Children, children are welcome to remain for worship or go to Sunday School on 2nd and 4th Sundays. Reach out to get involved.
Nursing Mothers | Nurse wherever you like. There’s also a Nursing Room near the Library.
Accessibility and Worship
All are welcome in a worship space which we strive to make accessible for as many as possible.
Online Closed Captioning | Turn on closed captioning on the church’s YouTube channel.
Worship by Phone | Call toll-free 888-650-5835 as worship starts or opt-in for auto-calls.
Hearing Assistance Devices | Available upon request in the Sanctuary from an usher.
Large-Print Bulletins & Hymnals | Available in the Sanctuary upon request from an usher.
In-Sanctuary Screen | The screen features lyrics and spoken liturgy throughout worship.
Stairs and Ramps | Enter the Sanctuary by the stairwell (8 stairs) or ramp.
Wheelchair Cutouts | There are two pews with cutouts to accommodate your needs.
