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Worship

Register your attendance


Prayer requests


Altar flowers

Sign up to provide flowers for the altar during worship.


New member information


Acolytes wanted

If you’re an elementary student or middle schooler, we’d love to have you serve as an acolyte in worship. To learn more about this meaningful position, contact Pastor Daniel Cochran.


Safe sanctuaries covenant


Serve in love

Get connected

There are many ways to get connected to God and others at Gary Church. Click the link to see where you would like to serve.


Special Blend fellowship

Sign up to set up, host, clean up or provide food for Special Blend on Sunday.


Maintenance need
If you find something on Gary Church property that needs attention, please let us know.


Monday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 

A day off school. A day full of fun! The campers will bring their own lunch for a noon time lunch break. (It will be optional for children to leave at lunchtime if a half day is preferable.)


Activities will include games, stories, songs, crafts, snacks and fun time hanging out with friends. Registration will be open to preschool through fifth grade. And, if you need it, you’ll have access to a quiet workspace stocked with coffee and donuts. 


Register today!


Mid-Month, Mid-Week, Jazz Fans

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m., Manhattan’s, 300 S Schmale Rd, Carol Stream

Meet for fellowship, food and live jazz. RSVP here.


Gary Church's newly-expanded tutoring program, now called Gary Homework Club, is working with World Relief to create additional opportunities to volunteer with and help grow this important ministry. We need volunteers for these crucial roles:

  • Transportation: help provide rides to/from Gary Church, following Safe Sanctuaries procedures. We need drivers and adult passengers.

  • Welcome and Set-up Support: help sign in the children/youth as they arrive and guide them to the appropriate classroom as well as welcome and support outside groups offering additional programming.

  • Tutoring: help out with this key volunteer role, helping either K-5 or grades 6-12 with homework and academic skills. We'll provide educational materials for you to use if children/youth don't bring their homework.

  • Specials Activities: individuals and groups are encouraged to offer an occasional 25-minute special activity of your choice (art, crafts, games, music, etc). Volunteers or teams may sign up to lead this opportunity just once, or on a regular schedule.

The program runs during the school year on Wednesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. 



Saturdays, Nov. 7 and 14, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, 155 S. Main St., Lombard
Choose a class from the following three topics: sacraments, spiritual gifts and fighting racism. Learn more and register here.


Grow in faith and fellowship through the arts. You can get involved in several ways:


Join our team of sewers and painters working to create new banners and installations for the Gary Church Sanctuary.

 

Participate in one of our upcoming public programs offered every other month. Our next program will be a 3-part series on pottery.

 

Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. – create your pottery

Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. – open studio time for pottery

Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. – paint your pottery


Sign up for pottery here.

 

Submit your art to be featured in a new rotating exhibition hosted in the Anderson Room. This gallery, featuring art from Gary Church members and local artists, is designed to encourage conversation, creativity and personal reflection. The next exhibition will be on display from November through January, and the theme is "Advent."


Mark your calendars for these fun art and fellowship opportunities:


  • Saturday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: assemblage and collage
  • Thursday, Feb. 4 (on zoom): Lenten art and faith with Pastor Daniel Cochran
  • March TBD: open art studio
  • Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: framed live botanicals
  • Friday, June 4-Saturday, June 5: Gary Church Art Gallery

For questions or to join the Creative Arts Team, please see Lisa Grigsby, Pam Keller and Rebekah Stoneberg through the Church Office.


Sunday, Nov. 8, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Activity Center or Commons
On this Organ & Tissue Donor Sunday, let's save lives! Each pint donated can save up to three lives. The need is constant, and every pint is precious. Register here. Walk-ins also welcome. 


In 2025, our blood drives collected enough units to save as many as 171 lives! 


You might be interested to read this from The United Methodist Church's Discipleship Ministries: Stewardship Is in My Blood.

Our theme for the 2026-2027 ministry year is "Listening, Loving, Leading." Get your church merch here. 

Epic of Eden Bible Study

Mondays, 7 p.m., led by Dr. Daniel Somboonsiri, Heritage Room

Does the Old Testament sometimes feel like a collection of disconnected stories and events? In this 12-week video study, Old Testament scholar Dr. Sandra Richter brings the biblical narrative together into one sweeping story of God's redeeming grace, while Dr. Daniel Somboonsiri leads our Monday evening discussions. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Old Testament's history, culture and how it continues to shape our faith today.


Please register for the study with Carey Williams Bebar.


April 17–24, 2027 with an optional Greek Isle Cruise Extension April 23–27


Join Educational Opportunities for the Journeys of Paul Tour in Greece! Walk in the footsteps of the Apostle across Thessaloniki, Philippi, Berea, Corinth and Athens. Stand on Mars Hill, visit Philippi — home of Lydia, Paul’s first recorded convert in Europe —and explore the ancient places where the Gospel first took root and spread throughout the world.


More than a tour, this pilgrimage is an invitation to encounter Scripture with fresh eyes and an open heart. Through daily devotions, conversation, learning and fellowship, travelers will experience the biblical story in a living classroom full of sacred wonder. Plus, they can take in the majestic beauty of the Greek islands with an optional Greek Isle Cruise extension, with stops including Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Santorini and Athens.


Whether you are a seasoned traveler or considering your first pilgrimage abroad, you won’t want to miss this unforgettable journey of faith-filled discovery and holy adventure.


For more details, click here. Questions? Contact Carey Williams Bebar.


Plan your own funeral – A celebration of life

Monday, Feb. 22, 2027, 3 p.m.-5 p.m., Anderson Room, led by Pastors Daniel Cochran and Fred Kelsey

Planning your own funeral is an act of faith, love and hope that celebrates the gift of life and the promise of eternal life. The class is designed to help you thoughtfully plan your own funeral while reflecting on what our faith teaches us about death, resurrection and eternal life. Together, we’ll consider how our Christian faith and Methodist tradition provide meaningful resources that can ease the planning burden on our families and help them celebrate our lives in ways that honor our faith. Please contact Pastor Daniel Cochran with any questions. Registration coming soon.


Second Friday of the month, 7-9 p.m., Commons

This no-gambling, no-pressure, open-to-anyone version of Mahjong makes its debut at Gary Church. Register to get on the email list and let us know you're coming. 


Order your card through the National Mah Jongg League.


(Game Night with bridge, dominoes and other games you bring will continue on the fourth Friday of the month at 6:30 p.m.)


Fourth Friday Game Night

6:30-9 p.m., Gary Commons

Join your Gary Church friends for games of bridge, dominoes or anything you like. Contact Fern Evelhoch through the Church Office for more information and to let us know you're coming.

Breakfast fellowship

Fourth Friday Breakfast

Fourth Friday of the month, 8:30 a.m., Seven Dwarfs Restaurant, 917 E Roosevelt Rd.

All are welcome to join Dan and Sandy Fridley for food and fellowship. RSVP here to reserve your place at the table. 


Semimonthly men's breakfast (September through May)

Second and third Saturdays of the month, 7:30 a.m., Egg'lectic Cafe, 145 N. Hale Street, Wheaton

All Gary Church men are invited to join. RSVP here to reserve your place at the table.

Mondays, 7 p.m., Activity Center
Let’s get together for some fellowship, laughs and a little bit of exercise. We’ll set up courts in the gym and rotate through positions. No experience necessary. Bring your own pickleball racquet and ball. Sign up and sign the waiver here. Contact Mark Mathis through the Church Office for more information.

Did you know that there is a digital suggestion box for Gary Church's music ministries? You are welcome to provide your ideas, feedback, or requests for a favorite hymn, worship song, or piece of music, as our worship through music is an integral part of our shared community. Share your thoughts

here.

Order Grow in Faith | Serve in Love shirts

You too can wear a Gary Church hoodie or T-shirt. Each symbol on the shirt stands for a word in our mission statement. The plant is “grow.” The fish is “faith.” The hands are “serve.” And the heart is “love.” Our mission statement, “At Gary Church, our mission through Christ is to grow in joyful faith and serve all in love.” Order here.

Scripture reminds us again and again to give thanks to God, from whom all blessings flow. Here at Gary Church we continue to fill our gratitude jar! Share what you are thankful for by filling out a card at the Welcome Desk or by using the form here.

2026 Stewardship Campaign

Stewardship is using the gifts and resources God has entrusted to us. At Gary Church, this takes many forms: tithing regularly, teaching a class, serving on a committee, making care cards, singing in choir, baking cookies, supporting missions, etc.

 

We invite you to love courageously and prayerfully consider how sharing your spiritual gifts and financial resources can help you to continue to grow in joyful faith and serve all in love.