Your First Visit

Worship Time and Location:
Worship is on Sundays at 9:00 am. You can visit online or in the building at 1304 Main St. Elk River.  As of 3/7/2022, masks are not required in the building. 

The Service:
Worship is a blend of guitar praise music and traditional hymns. Worshipers will have the opportunity to engage in music, greeting one another, scripture,  a message, prayer, and giving. Services do not typically include call and response type readings (liturgy) with the exception of special Sundays or during communion. All are invited to pray the Lord's prayer, out loud, each Sunday.

Parking:
ERUMC has an ample parking lot with access from both Main St and 4th St. Follow the sidewalk along the building to the far set of doors. When you enter, you'll see the sanctuary doors just a few steps away. 

Children:
Children are welcome to remain with you during worship. ERUMC loves children. A cry, whine, or laugh won't bother us a bit! It's all apart of the experience. A staffed nursery is available for children and is located in the lower level of the building. We have a pager system for your convenience. 

What should I wear?
Please, dress as you are most comfortable. You will see most people in slacks with a button up shirt (sometimes a tie,) jeans with a sweater, or causal dresses. If you are most comfortable is athletic shorts and a sports t-shirt, then by all means please wear it. If you want to wear a beautiful dress or a nice suit--please do! We ask that you do not wear clothing that uses profanity or encourages hate or violence.

Welcome Gift:
We would enjoy getting to know you better and offer you a gift. Please stop by the welcome desk (just outside the sanctuary) as a great space to ask questions and get more information about ERUMC.

Communion:
The sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of each month. In the United Methodist Church, we practice an open table, which means all who believe in Jesus Christ are welcome to partake. Regular and gluten free wafers are available. Grape juice is used in place of wine and distributed in individual single use cups. If you are worshiping from home, you are invited to participate in communion at home. 

Coffee:
Coffee, conversation, and donuts are available after worship. You are welcome to stay or take a cup of coffee 'to go.' 

Other helpful information:
As a guest, you are welcome to give during our time of offering; but please do not feel obligated; we are happy to have you as our guest. 

God’s peace to you and we pray that your spirit will be enriched by your visit!  

Our safety protocols:

To ensure the safety and well-being of all those who gather in our building for worship, we will be following the MN UMC Conference guidelines which are based on the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines.  We ask everyone to honor them and love their neighbor in these ways.
 
1.  If you, or anyone worshiping with you, have had any of the following symptoms in the last 14 days, please stay home and worship online.         
  Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea  (CDC)
  
2.  Masks
   Masks are not required at this time. ERUMC is monitoring the Sherburne County infection rate and will adjust the
   mask recommendation accordingly. 
 
3.  We will practice physical distancing of 3 feet at all times from non-household members. 
 
4.  We will share the peace from a distance. 
  Be creative - a smile, a wave, air high five, farmer’s steering wheel one or two finger wag……
 
5.  Offerings can be placed in the offering plates at the back or through our giving page. 
 
6.  On Communion Sundays, a pre-packaged wafer and cup of juice will be handed out upon entry. 
 
7.  Before and after worship, we ask that you not congregate in the entry area. 
  You are always invited to greet one another outside or in the fellowship hall.
 
Thank you and be well.