What to Expect

What to Expect

Take a Moment

Ok, we know that exploring a church for the first time can be intimidating and confusing, but we also believe that it doesn’t have to be. At Ooltewah you will find hot coffee, new friends, worship to connect with, and a clean and safe environment for kids. We invite you to come as you are. When we gather to worship or to serve, we gather as we are and ask God to work through us. Here are some frequently asked questions from those who might be worshiping with us for the first time. Feel free to contact us with any questions for additional information.

What Should I Wear?

Mostly, people dress casually at both the traditional and contemporary service. At the 9:00 Traditional service you will see more ties and dresses, but slacks, jeans, and golf shirts are abundant. If you join us at the 11:00 Contemporary service you will see most people wearing slacks or jeans in a business casual fashion. We want you to be comfortable; feel free to dress as you desire.

What Should I Expect?

When you arrive for worship on Sunday you will be greeted by a friendly face. If this is your first time with us stop by guest info; we have a gift waiting for you. The 9:00 Traditional service is located in our Sanctuary, which is on the North side of the campus (parking lot is closest to the interstate). In this service you will experience hymns in the Methodist tradition led by our excellent chancel choir, creeds of the church, and a message relevant to your life. The 11:00 Contemporary service is located in our Worship Center, which is the center building on campus. In this service you will experience worship led by a talented and passionate worship band singing today’s music, cutting edge technology, and a relevant message.

What About My Kids?

Sunday mornings are exciting times for our kids. Please know that your kids are welcome in all of our worship spaces; additionally, if you desire we have some great experiences that are designed just for kids. We ask that you check your kids in at our check-in stations to ensure their safety and security while you are with us. Each morning we have Sunday School for kids at 10am, and this is where the fun and learning begins. Throughout the morning, we also have a nursery available for babies and toddlers with Bible-oriented preschool activities. Click HERE to explore more. Feel free to contact Chrissy if you have any questions or would like more info cgray@ooltewahumc.com

So, I've Got Teenagers

Most of our teenagers attend a small group on Sunday morning at 10am in the gym (room 304-305). Following this, most teenagers worship with their parents or friends at the 11am Contemporary Service. We have a vibrant Student Ministry! Check out our Webpage Here to explore opportunities for students to get connected, have fun, and grow. Feel free to contact Celica Moore if you have any questions or want more info cmoore@ooltewahumc.com.

What is United Methodist?

Our church is part of a larger group of churches known as United Methodists. Worldwide there are nearly 13 million United Methodists who worship and serve in early every corner of the world. As United Methodists we share basic beliefs and mission with other fellow United Methodists, and we believe it is important for each local community to discern how to best live out their faith in their local context.

Periodically we offer a study opportunity where the pastors teach a series of classes on what it means to be United Methodists. These classes explore our history, mission, organization, and beliefs. You can explore more about our shared United Methodist beliefs at umc.org.

To explore United Methodist beliefs in print, check out Will Willimon’s United Methodist Beliefs: A Brief Introduction. This is a good resource to explore what we believe as United Methodists and how we approach ministry. We would love to explore any questions you might have about United Methodism, feel free to contact Pastor Micah at mnicolaus@ooltewaumc.com  or Pastor Jacqueline at jdavisgines@ooltewahumc.com