First Time Guests
Thinking of attending a worship service with us?
We know it can be a little unnerving attending a service when you don’t know what to expect. Being new can be tough, so we’ve provided the following information to help give you some insight into what to expect.
We currently offer two worship times:
Sunday, 8:30am – Worshiping and praising God in a service with a more traditional feel. In this service we use a blend of traditional and more recent songs of worship, but we lean more to the use of the traditional hymns and occasional creeds. The music is led by our choir and our accompanist Christy McIlwaine on the keyboard.
Sunday, 11:00am – Again, this service uses both traditional hymns and more modern songs of praise. However, at this service we tend to utilize more of the contemporary worship music. Again, our accompanist Christy McIlwaine leads on the keyboard, but at this service you might sometimes also see a guitar or two, some light percussion and even a violin.
Address and Directions
12180 US Highway 301
Parrish, FL 34219
Phone: (941) 776-1539
What Should I expect?
At Parrish UMC you’ll find a lot of smiling faces in a casual and friendly environment. We have greeters at the doors of the worship center that will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We also have coffee and food available in our “gathering place” adjacent to our worship center. You are even welcome to bring a cup of coffee into worship with you!
During worship we’ll sing, we’ll pray, and you’ll be challenged by God’s Word. You’ll find relevant and inspiring messages. Often we laugh, occasionally we shed a tear, but always we desire to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and one another.
What about my kids?
If you would feel more comfortable with your children in the worship service that is fine with us, but we also offer two Sunday morning programs designed specifically for the kids. On Sunday morning we have Sunday School for all ages (and that means adults too) at 9:45am. Then during the 11:00am service we have a children’s program designed for kids ages 4 through 5th grade. The kids are dismissed for this program after the opening songs of praise during the worship hour.
We also have nursery available for little ones during during both services and our Sunday School hour. All of our paid staff and volunteers have been through a background screening and training so you can rest assured your kids are in good hands and safe.
What if I’m not used to going to church?
We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable, especially those who are curious about God but haven’t been to church or haven’t felt comfortable in church. We don’t expect you to have it all figured out because we don’t have it all figured out. Rather, Parrish UMC is a place where we can wrestle together with who God is and what He wants for you and for us. This is a place for those who have been on a journey of faith for many years and for those who are just beginning.
What should I wear?
The short answer is this: You are welcome to wear whatever you’d like. There is no set dress code, although the attire is more on the casual side. Regularly seen in worship: jeans, khakis, polos, nice slacks and ties. Occasionally you might even see one person in a suit sitting near one of our young people in shorts and flip-flops. The only requirement is that you must come clothed! Oh, and Pastor Chris does request no Gator or Tar-Heel attire! However, Duke shirts are more than welcomed!
Do I have to give?
If you want to you are more than welcome, but as our guest please do not feel obligated to give anything financially.
If this sounds like a place you’ve been looking for please be our guest at a service this weekend. Regardless of where you’ve been or what you may be experiencing you’ll find there is a place for you at Parrish UMC!
If you are still not sure we’d be happy to answer those questions that you still have. Please call us at the church at 941-776-1539 or contact us online.