Worship/Visitors
In-person & Online
Sunday Worship @ 10 AM
All WUMC Worship services will be held both in-person and online (via YouTube live-stream and Zoom invite). All Sunday Worship will be at 10:00 AM only. At times if we hold a special Worship service that may be different, we will inform everyone via the All Church email as well as in the weekly announcements. It is important to check your email every Friday for links and information from the church office.
Worship - About
Sunday morning worship is celebrated through scripture, prayer, music, drama and a morning message designed to inspire our faith. For the first 15 minutes of worship, children are encouraged to be a part of the worship service. After spending time with the minister for the Children’s Conversation, the children may either go to Sunday School or stay for the rest of the service with their parents.
Music Ministry
During worship, we celebrate our faith through music. The church has a Sanctuary Choir, a Praise Team, and a Handbell Choir. A state-of-the art sound system and a trained audio-video team support these vital parts of the worship service.
Fellowship After Worship
Time after worship offers an open and causal atmosphere to experience the hospitality of Wesley Church, as visitors are welcomed and relationships strengthened. In addition to after-worship fellowship, other social events and outings, cook-outs, baby and wedding showers, and other activities are held throughout the year both at the church and at member’s homes.
Worship - Online Times
Every Sunday Live-streaming at 10:00 AM or by private ZOOM invite. Please contact the church office for Zoom worship information, or you can watch the service live-stream on the Wesley YouTube Channel .
Worship - Community TV
If you are unable to join us in person, please join us on community television. A number of local communities rebroadcast our worship services on their community television stations, and you are invited to worship with us from home. As of Fall 2020, the schedule is as follows, but may change without notice. Please visit the websites of the local stations to verify the broadcast schedule.
Sundays:
9:00 am (approximately) ~ Frontier Community Access - Channel 12 (Sunderland, Whately, Conway, and Deerfield)
9:15am ~ Hadley
5:00pm ~ Amherst Public Access - Channel 12
During the school year only
Christian Education
Sunday schools happen during school year on Sundays at 10:00.
Children's messages and nursery care are provided all year long.
What to expect during your first visit:
First visit to Wesley Church? All church events are closed unless otherwise noted at the top of this page. When we have returned to full in-person services, here is what you can expect:
Health, safety & COVID - Because our policy has been to follow CDC, state and conference guidelines, we are removing the requirement to wear masks during indoor services at Wesley UMC starting this Sunday, March 20th 2022. Some people will still be more comfortable wearing masks. We wish to support those who choose to wear masks and will provide masks for those who need them. Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the building. Social distancing is required and markers are present to help with spacing.
Before the Service - There are greeters at the door each Sunday morning to say hello and provide you with a nametag. Most members wear their nametags as well - we think this encourages a welcoming sense of community.
Children and Nursery - Infants and toddlers are welcome to stay with their parents during the service. However, childcare is available for those who would be happier in our nursery. Children ages 3 and younger are welcome in the nursery. Children age 4 and up participate in the first 15 minutes of worship, and then go to Sunday School after the Children's Conversation with the pastor. Youth attend youth group studies during the sermon on alternate Sundays.
Children's Conversation - During the worship service, the pastor invites all the children to the front for a few minutes, and tells a story or shares a simple lesson. The children's' answers to his questions can be both entertaining and insightful.
What to Wear - Most members dress comfortably for worship. Wesley is a casual, family church.
Worship - We have a blended worship service, that consists of both contemporary and traditional worship practices. Most of the time, the worship service is a traditional service with a choir, piano, and organ. The praise band provides the music for the service monthly, and the handbell choir performs monthly as well. At times, there may be a guitar, African instruments, classical instruments, CD music, video screen, drama skits, or children's performances.
After the Service - On most Sundays, we gather for fellowship and refreshments in the Great Hall outside the sanctuary.
Weather Cancellations
If Sunday worship or an event at Wesley Church ever needs to be cancelled due to adverse weather, an announcement will be posted on CBS Channel 3 (WSHM), Fox Channel 61, and ABC News 40. You can go also online to view the closings by clicking here.
***Sunday worship will also be cancelled automatically in the event of a state of emergency declaration by the towns of Amherst and/or Hadley. If your town has issued a no travel ban, please be attentive to this request for your own personal safety.