Saturday 5:00pm
Informal service in the Sanctuary
Sunday at 9:30am
Traditional service in the Sanctuary
Livestreamed online
Sunday at 11:00
Contemporary in the Fellowship Hall
Videos
Find service recordings and more videos by visiting the video archive.
Podcasts
Listen to a past sermon or podcast.
Sermon Series
Plan Your Visit
Parking
The church parking lot is located on the north side of the building. On weekends, additional parking is available in the Bone Student Center lot and the ISU parking lot east of the building, across School St.
Fellowship Time
Join us for coffee and fellowship before the 9:30 service and between the 9:30 and 11:00 services on Sundays.
Find us
Weekly Worship:
What you can expect.
Saturday
Saturday’s 5:00 service provides a good option for weekly worship in a casual setting, with traditional pieces of worship. Meeting in the sanctuary, you’ll hear a blend of music from piano and guitar. Dress is casual. Come as you are after working in your garden or dressed for the evening Redbirds game. Open Communion is celebrated on the first weekend of the month.
Sunday
Sunday’s 9:30 service follows a traditional style of worship, led by the organ, chancel choir, and other musicians. This service also has a feel of community and connection. Dress is by preference, from jeans and shorts to suits and ties. Open Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. Childcare is provided for this worship.
Sunday’s 11:00 service happens in the Fellowship Hall around tables with drinks and snacks. The Worship Band, comprised of musicians of many different backgrounds and skill levels, leads the music. Informality and community helps make this a service for all ages. Open Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month.
Children and Worship
We love having children in worship and they are always welcome. Activity bags are available upon entering the sanctuary.
If you choose to use our childcare option, nursery care (birth – four years) is available from 9:00-10:30. Following the weekly children’s sermon in worship, children ages third through fifth grade are invited to Sunday School for the remainder of the worship service.
Baptism
United Methodists understand baptism as a gift from God, freely given to all regardless of age, gender, identity, race, background, social status, sexual orientation, or other criteria. God pours out grace freely in the gift of baptism, and we receive it with gratitude.
The United Methodist Church practices infant, child, youth, and adult baptism. A pastor will meet with you ahead of time to talk about the meaning of baptism, the commitments made by the person being baptized by God and the congregation, and the baptismal ritual itself.
You can find the United Methodist baptismal liturgy here.
If you would like to speak with a pastor about scheduling a baptism for yourself or your child, please get in touch with the church office at (309-452-2096 or office@normalfirst.org).
Hearing Loop
In 2019, a hearing induction loop was installed in the seating area of our sanctuary. The loop allows any hearing aid equipped with a telecoil to listen directly to our sound system. This result is very clear sound to the hearing aid making speech very easy to understand.
Many hearing aids already have telecoils and simply need to be activated by your hearing care professional. If you don’t have a hearing aid, receivers are available to check out during worship services.
Bus Service
If you need a ride to the church, please call the church office at 309.452.2096.
Accessibility & Assistance
Ushers are available to assist you at any time. Please move to the rear of the sanctuary and an usher will come to you. If you are unable to leave your seat, please ask a neighbor to get help or motion to an usher.
We have elevator access to all class rooms, the Fellowship Hall, the Sanctuary, the Chapel, Library, kitchen, restrooms and all offices. First time guests are encouraged to park in the lot on the North side of the church and enter at the canopied entrance.
What to expect.
Ushers are available at the rear of the sanctuary, during all services, for all needs. You will receive a bulletin with the order of the service, announcements, and the names of the worship leaders. The worship leaders will enter the sanctuary during the prelude. This is a time to listen to the music and prepare for worship through prayer or reflection.
We offer Open Communion. (The first weekend of the month) The United Methodists believe that God’s table is open to all people regardless of religion, church affiliation, or personal beliefs. All are welcome to feast with God.
At the conclusion of worship, the pastor and other worship leaders will remain in the rear of the sanctuary for conversation.
You can also watch our services any time online.
Keep up to date with our most recent newsletter called The Normal First Connection.