11:30am Harbor Service at the Rocky River Campus
19414 Detroit Rd. Rocky River, OH 44116 (directions)
Planning your first visit to RRUMC?
It’s PERFECTLY OK if you have never been to church. If so, we are excited to be your first! Here are some tips to alleviate your anxieties before you come:
Arrival. It only takes a few minutes to get situated and ready for worship. If you arrive about 15 minutes early, this should give you time to park and find a seat.
Parking? Parking is actually behind the church. Please make use of the spots just for visitors lining the rear of the building. Don’t be bashful, they are meant just for you! Also, in a pinch, you are welcome to use the parking garage at the rear of our property for overflow parking.
Have kids? If you have kids, arriving that 15 minutes early will give you and your kids time to check out the worship and children’s spaces. Our director of children’s ministry, Quinn Bennett, would love to meet you and your child as well. Children ages 3 through 5th grade are released to attend Lighthouse Gang, our children’s Sunday school experience, when prompted by the overhead screens early in the service. No worries, adult volunteers safely accompany the children. Parents pick up their children from the upstairs children’s wing (rooms 212 and 214) near the Chapel directly after the service. The only exception to this is on the first Sunday of each month, when children are invited to remain in worship with their families so they can participate together in communion. Your little ones age infant to three years old are important to us too! You’re invited to drop them off in the church nursery when you arrive. Our nursery staff is top notch, but as an added layer of comfort, you will be given a pager to carry with you to worship through which the nursery team can contact you if your child is in need of you for any reason. Of course, if your child prefers remaining in worship with you, or perhaps you’re more comfortable keeping them close by on your first visit, that is just fine! Fidget bags, to keep their little hands busy while allowing their hearts to be engaged, are available at the entrance to the worship space. And whether you’re looking to check out the children’s spaces before worship, or drop off or pick up a child before or after, our hospitality staff is always there to direct or escort you. Our superb directional signage located around the building is a great back up as well. Click here to visit the children’s ministry page for more information about Lighthouse Gang and other opportunities for children at Rocky River UMC. ***Your child’s safety is incredibly important to us! Please know that all adult volunteers are background checked and thoroughly screened before working in children’s ministries.
Need a cup of coffee to settle in during worship? Miss your morning cup of coffee? Long morning and you could use a second cup? If so, we’ve got you covered. Directly ahead as you enter the church is our café with some hot coffee and other drinks awaiting you as you arrive. Go ahead and help yourself, then make your way into the worship space at your leisure. Don’t worry, coffee is not only permitted but encouraged in worship. We want you awake and alert to enjoy the experience awaiting you.
Then What? As you make your way to the Beacon Hall (our Harbor Service setting), please keep an eye out for the welcome signs with our church logo and a QR code. Scanning these with your cell phone camera will open a link that will equip you with a wealth of information about your worship experience at the church, particularly as a first time guest. Once you find a seat in Beacon Hall, your work is done and the rest is on us. Our praise team will help you transition to worship mode with an introductory song, then the service will begin promptly at 11:30am. Worship will open with a warm welcome from one of the pastors. As a first-time guest, you’ll be encouraged to greet the pastors following the service so they can make your acquaintance, as well as direct you to our welcome station where you can receive a “welcome packet”. These packets include information about the ministries of the church as well as a small gift card to treat yourself to a coffee or an ice cream (depending on the season) at a nearby establishment on your way home. Following the welcome, worship will continue with excellent music led by our praise team. You’ll then be led through a time of prayer, listen to Scripture and a message, and then a bit more worship music before we wrap up (click here to sample one of our pastors’ recent messages). Occasionally, on special Sundays, other worship elements will be mixed in. In total, though, the service typically lasts less than an hour.
What about giving? Giving is important. No church would (or at least should) tell you otherwise. We believe it’s a natural response to God’s love and provision for us, and part of our relationship with God. As a natural, heartfelt response, however, we don’t pressure anyone to give. In fact, you don’t even have to worry about that awkward “pass the plate” moment. You can simply drop a gift in the plate on the way out, or take a minute to give electronically via text or through the “giving” tab on our website. Ultimately, though, know that you are our guest and giving is not expected. Our hope for our guests is simply that you would feel the love of God and our church family and grow in your faith during your time with us.
Come as you are. No, really! Casual, dressy, however you’re most comfortable. You will find a relaxed, family-like atmosphere, with many unique and special individuals who love Jesus and love having fun worshipping and serving the Lord together!
Before you leave. After visiting with our pastors, please take time to stop by our welcome station. Our welcome attendants are friendly and resourceful if you have questions. They will be happy to provide you with a welcome packet as well. Also, nearly as important as the service itself is the time of fellowship immediately after. We know it is difficult to put yourself out there as a newcomer, but we hope you’ll join us for some light refreshments (donuts, muffins, bagels, depending on the week) up in the Cafe before you head home. You’ll see it easily just to your right as you leave the worship space. This will give more folks an opportunity to greet you and hopefully help you make some wonderful connections with our church's best asset, its people!