What to expect

We meet every Sunday morning at 10:00 AM. Coffee and tea are normally brewed and ready by 9:40 so that you can come in early, get oriented, and find a comfortable place to sit for worship.

Worship normally lasts about 75-90 minutes

Clothes :-).

Come as you are! We have a range of ways folks dress from men in full suits to crocs, t-shirts, and gym shorts. How you dress is up to you—whatever helps you feel comfortable and focused on worship. 

We have plenty of parking right next to the building, including accessible spaces near the main entrance. 

Yes, our connect center volunteers are excited to meet you, greet you, and help you find your way around. They will ask you your name, mostly because they want to get to know you, but also so that we can be the best helpers we can be.

They will also let you know where the most important things are, coffee, bathrooms, the sanctuary, and how to get your kiddos checked in for "Valley Chapel KiDZ" or the nursery.

In short, we gather the community together to join in a great conversation with God. We do this through singing together, praying together, hearing the scriptures read, and hearing teaching through sermons that explain the scriptures and help us learn how to follow Jesus. We also hear testimonies about how Jesus is impacting people's lives, announcements about things happening in our community, and reports of how God is active in other places besides our church.

Yes!

Jesus said that children are the greatest in the Kingdom of God, and we do our best to treat them as such. We include them in much of the worship gathering, but we also recognize that, depending on their age, they may need space for wiggles and opportunities to play out their ideas. Everything is intentionally designed to help you and your kiddos grow closer to Jesus together in a safe, multi-generational environment.

• For babies, we have a changing table available in the nursery if you need to change a diaper.

• For ages 0–4, we have a nursery where you can check your little ones in before the service begins. They’ll enjoy toys and time with our wonderful volunteers—each of whom is background-checked for your child’s safety. They also have a small bathroom and cleaning supplies for our potty-training friends.

• For ages 5–5th grade, we offer Valley Chapel KiDZ. These older kids get to learn how to be part of the worship gathering by joining in for the music, prayers, announcements, and scripture readings. Then, they head up to the platform with Pastor Ryan for a playful exploration of the week’s “Big Idea.” You're always welcome to join them on stage if your child is feeling shy or extra wiggly. Afterward, they’re invited down to the KiDZ Wing of the church to play with and explore the idea they just learned. They return to worship for the final song—and for communion on the first Sunday of the month.

The message for the kids is always connected to—if not exactly the same as—what the adults are learning, so you can continue growing together at home.

You are also welcome to join them in the KiDZ wing for the first time or two while they get comfortable with the new faces and environment or simply keep them in the service with you.

Absolutely! Come and participate to your comfort level. You are welcome to join your child everywhere they would go and there are spaces available if you decide there is a need to step out for a break.

That all being said, you are the expert on your child's needs. Let us know how we can support or accommodate and we will do everything we can to include and support you. 

Absolutely not. You are our guest and we are glad you are here.

Our members see giving as a part of their worship, so every week we talk about how to give. We share in a call and response prayer as a way of symbolically gathering our dispersed giving together. We would love if you would join us in that prayer. Giving happens through donation boxes in the rear of the sanctuary (for checks and cash) as well as online through our app and website.

Yes. Our building is wheelchair accessible, and the sanctuary has seating accommodations. Our restrooms are also accessible, although they can be tight if you are in a motorized scooter. We also have an audio loop system for the hearing impaired, which is available at our tech booth upon request.

If you have accessibility needs that we haven't mentioned, please don't hesitate to contact us, as we would love to try to accommodate.

No, you will not, but we do take a short minute to turn to our "pew neighbor" and say hi before we hear the scriptures read each week.

We have a blended style of worship music, incorporating mostly modern worship songs as well as some timeless hymns, led by our worship team. 

We encourage you to bring your own and if you don't own one then please let us know and we would love to gift you one of your own. The scriptures are also accessible to you through...
- Bibles in the pews
- On our Valley Chapel App
- Projected on the screen

What a great question. Though (as Free Methodists) we have beliefs that we are rooted in, we also have a community with a wide range of ideas about how that gets lived out. We will always be focused on being distinctly Free Methodist, but we are also complex people with diverse experiences. Our community is made up of liberals and conservatives, independents, spiritual seekers, agnostics, and folks who don't see themselves in such categories. Our desire is to help you learn about and come to know Jesus as he has been revealed in the bible, but that journey of coming to know him is different for everyone. Your difference is welcome! Pastor Ryan loves challenging questions, so don't hesitate to reach out and share your thoughts!

No, all who desire to draw closer to God are welcome to participate in communion. We typically share in the sacrament on the 1st Sunday of each month.

Great question! You can always stop by the Connect Center (where you checked in) or talk to the Pastor after the service.