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Lake Shore United Methodist Church 2246 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida (904) 388-1780 |
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What should I expect? When you enter the doors of Lake Shore United Methodist Church expect to be warmly welcomed by greeters who will give you a bulletin with information about the service for that morning. As you enter the sanctuary, you will see the beautiful stonework, the graceful stone arches around the perimeter of the room, the cross behind the altar, and the sun streaming through the striking stain glass windows. If you are attending the early service, you may see choir members, dressed in their choir robes and holding music folders, gathering in the front of the church preparing for their entry. If you are attending the later service, you will see the praise band preparing for the upcoming service. You may see some people sitting quietly waiting for the service to start while others are talking and visiting. We are interested in you, and we won’t embarrass you or single you out in any way. Look for the tear-off flap in the bulletin. We would like to have the basic information about you requested on the flap, but if you'd prefer not to fill it out, we understand. If you do fill it out, please tear off the flap and place it in the offering plate. Expect to be lifted up and encouraged. Although we do receive an offering, do not feel obligated to give. After your first visit, if you have provided your contact information, we will stop by very briefly to give you some information about the church and to answer any questions you may have. What Happens During a Traditional Service? Our traditional service (at 8:30 a.m. Sunday) has a very traditional feeling. The music is led by the choir, and the songs we sing are printed in the hymnal. We follow a traditional order for the worship service, which is printed in the bulletin. Pastor Tom wears a traditional pastoral robe, and the pulpit is positioned in the center of the altar area. The congregation for this service includes children, teenagers, and adults of all ages, and we unite in singing and listening and responding to the message Pastor Tom brings to us. What Happens During a Contemporary Service? The contemporary service (at 11:00 a.m. Sunday) is more informal than the traditional service. The praise band leads the music, and the words to the songs are displayed on a screen. Most of the songs are contemporary songs you may recognize if you listen to Christian radio, but we also sing some hymns and old gospel favorites with a modern musical twist. Pastor Tom is dressed more informally, and the pulpit is removed. The people in the congregation are from all ages—from toddlers to octogenarians, and we are all gathered to praise God and hear and respond to his word for us for these present times. What is Sunday School? Sunday School classes meet on Sunday mornings, and they provide an opportunity for every person to gather to study God’s word in a more intimate environment. Lake Shore United Methodist Church has Sunday School classes for all ages, and you will be welcome in any class you choose to attend, so give it a try. To see what classes are available, check out the education ministries, click here. What should I wear? Please wear whatever clothes make you feel most comfortable. We care more that you’re here, than what you wear Where can I park? You can access either of the parking lots as well as on-street parking from Fremont Street. If you are visiting us, look for the visitor parking spaces, and if you have a handicap sticker or tag, we also have conveniently located parking for you. For a layout of the church facilities and the location of parking lots, click here. Is child care available? The Church nursery is located on the first floor of the Wesley building, near the sanctuary. The nursery is open for both Sunday services, during the Sunday School hour, and Wednesday evening services. We care about the safety of the children in our care, and we get a background check on all staff and volunteers in the children and youth programs. How do I find my way around the church? Please see the layout of the church facilities at this link: Facilities |
