What to Expect in Worship at Grace

Whether you’re new to church life or have been part of a church community for some time, we extend a warm welcome to you. We’re eager to hear your story and get to know you better!

At Grace, we cultivate a casual, relational, and mission-driven environment with the goal of making a positive impact in our community by sharing and demonstrating the love of Jesus. We’re genuinely excited to connect with you.

Our worship service begins at 9:30 am and features a blend of traditional and contemporary music styles, including organ, piano, bell choir, vocal choir, and a praise band.
 

Here’s what you can expect during our worship service:

  • A Bible-based message that is engaging and thought-provoking.
  • Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month, and it is open to everyone.
  • We provide gluten-free bread, and we use grape juice instead of wine.

We look forward to having you join us for worship and becoming a part of our community at Grace.

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How Do I Meet People?

Our church is not a place for spectators. It is a place for those who want to grow in their faith by walking along side their brothers and sisters in Christ. Discipling each other goes a long way in becoming more like Jesus. Here is how you can learn, serve, and grow to help others become more like Jesus.
 
Bus Drivers
 
Bus drivers are a very important part of the Outreach Ministry. Our drivers are the first contact with guests and members on their way to worship on Sundays. They fulfill a critical need helping children, youth and adults join together in the fellowship of the Body of Christ when they have no other means of transportation to Grace. The bus drivers also assist with transportation to Vacation Bible School in the Summer and AWANA during the school year. 
 
Children’s Ministry
 
Each week our children are able to discover Jesus’ love for them and grow in their faith through our AWANA and Sunday School ministries for children in Kindergarten to 5th grade. These ministries provide a fun learning environment to help children engage God’s word through crafts, videos, games, and lessons. Our children’s ministry has different programs throughout the year aside from weekly gatherings on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. 
 

Greeters and Ushers

Greeters serve on the frontlines of our church’s Outreach Ministry and provide a positive first impression for guests. They have a key role in setting the tone for the experience people will  have in worship. Our greeters are disciples who show the love of Jesus to all who arrive at Grace. 
 
Our ushers work along side the greeters in creating a welcoming experience to our guests and members as they enter the sanctuary. Ushers also help with lighting/extinguishing candles, collecting the offering, and helping with communion as needed. 

Small Groups

We believe that small groups are key to growing closer to Jesus Christ. We build relationships with others so that we may encourage one another to be more like Jesus. Our small groups consist of Bible studies, Hebrews 10:25 groups of 4-8 people, and Discipleship Bands of 3-4 people. We would love to help you join others in this type of group so that you can become more like Jesus too. Small groups are a core practice in our Wesleyan heritage. 
 
Accountability Groups
 
Hebrews 10:25 Groups
 
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another –
and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25
 
Our Hebrews 10:25 groups are comprised of 5-8 people who meet weekly. Time set by each group. Groups meet to discuss the week’s sermon message, care for each other in normal ups and downs of life, provide meals and other support as needed, and pray for each other during the meeting and throughout the week. If you would like to join a Hebrews 10:25 group, contact Carol Perry through the church office.
 
Discipleship Bands
A discipleship band is a group of three to five people who read together, pray together, and meet together to
become the love of God for one another and for the world. The format for our Bands is base on the guidelines from
Seedbed, Inc. 
John Wesley once famously said, “There is no holiness apart from social holiness.” The way forward to becoming a real Christian is with a few other people who are willing to band together as an accountability group. This is not a traditional small group but a band for trusted brothers/sisters in Christ joined together in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
If you are interested in joining or starting a discipleship band, contact Carol Perry through the church office.
 

Bible Studies

Men and Women’s group
 
Monday 6:00 – 7:30 pm 
Men and Women’s group meets in the Fireside Room to study the Word of God through various studies available through Seedbed, Inc. and other publishers. We use books with weekly readings, videos and discussions. We also support and pray for each other.  

Women’s Groups

Women’s groups give the ladies in our church family special times of interaction. Our women’s groups are times of Bible study, videos and prayer. These groups provide a refreshing discipleship opportunity for the women in the church and our community. Women meet at the following times:
 
Tuesday 11:15 am – 12:30 pm
We have a Women’s Bible Study that meets every Tuesday from 11:15-12:30 p.m. We meet to encourage one another to grow in our faith, spurring one another on to love and good deeds. 
 
Wednesday 10: am  Sisters In Christ 
Sisters in Christ meets from 10:00 to 11:30 on Wednesday morning in the Fireside Room.
Journeys in Faith meets at 10:45 after worship service on Sunday mornings in room 16 downstairs. Our bible studies center around God’s word and how it impacts our daily life and decision making. 
 
Thursday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm Women’s Bible Study
This is a women’s group that meets to study and discuss Scripture and help with each other through the struggles of life. 
 
Men’s Bible Study
 
Wednesday Men’s Bible study meets 5:45 – 6:45 pm. They also use books and videos to lead discussions about Scripture to gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word and how to apply it to their lives. 
 
Lawn Crew

The Grace lawn crew is responsible for maintaining the landscaping and grounds around the church, Economy Shop and GUM Park area. Each Thursday morning from April through mid-November, they meet to pick up liter, mow, trim, etc. This group of volunteers is devoted to the upkeep of the properties bestowed to us from God.  Our lawn crew has received several awards from the City of Decatur’s “Let’s Keep Decatur Bee-utiful!” initiative. 

 
Music Ministry
 Chancel Choir
 
Adults are invited to participate in Chancel Choir, which rehearses from 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening. The Chancel Choir sings every Sunday during worship with a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary songs. Special presentations during Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter are incorporated into the worship service schedule. 
 
 
 Hand bell Choir
 
If you are interested in ringing hand bells, there are opportunities throughout the year, particularly during Christmas and other special services, at which the hand bell ringers provide music. Practice at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Prayer Warriors

 
Prayer cannot be overestimated. Our Church is a body of believers dependent upon prayer, and committed to God’s sovereignty.
Each Sunday, we have a time of corporate prayer in the worship service.
 
Every Tuesday afternoon we meet 4:30 – 5:30 pm for a time of prayer for our church family, the community of Decatur and surrounding towns. We also pray for the nation and the world. Anyone is welcome to join us in prayer or leave prayer requests by completing the contact form on this sight or calling the church office at 217-429-5374.  We would lover for you to come in so we can pray with you.