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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 a fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh grader, we’d love to have you serve as an acolyte in worship. To learn more about this meaningful position, contact Pastor Daniel Cochran or sign up here.


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.


Friday, Jan. 30, 5 p.m.–Saturday, Jan. 31, 4 p.m. at La Salle Manor Retreat Center, Plano, IL

Gather for connection, reflection and conversation in a cozy lodge that is perfect for winter.

Cost is $175 per person. Register here.


Exploring Membership Lunch

Sunday, Feb. 1, 12:15 p.m., Commons  

Interested in learning more about Gary Church? Would you like to chat with our pastors about membership or our many missions and ministries? Join Pastor Mary Zajac and Pastor Daniel Cochran for a casual lunch followed by a building tour! Register here if you plan to attend. Please contact Jennifer Castino with any questions.


Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2-6 p.m., Activity Center or Commons
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! More blood drive dates in 2026: May 6, Aug. 19, Nov. 18.

Friday, Feb. 13, 6:30–8:30 p.m., Lower Level

Drop off your kiddos at Gary Church and enjoy some well-deserved time away. Each month features a movie, craft and free play for kids ages preschool 3s through fifth grade.

 

Suggested cash donation of $5 per child. Register for Feb. 13 here.


Thursdays, starting Feb. 19, either 2-3:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. (based on interest), led by Rev. Fred Kelsey

Our best decisions about life's most important events are seldom made in a time of crisis. Living Fully, Dying Well is a class designed to assist us in making careful, wise and prayerful preparation for meeting life's most important moments. Register here.


Saturday, Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., lunch included

Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grownups who love them are invited to sing, play, and share a meal together. Led by Wee Heart Music Center Director Rhonda Sisson, this joyful gathering is specially designed for families with children five and under. Register here.

Friday, Feb. 27 and Monday, March 30, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Looking for something fun for your kids to do on their day off from school? Kids will spend the morning playing, crafting, snacking, and hanging out with friends. And if you need it, you’ll have access to a quiet workspace stocked with coffee and donuts. 

 

Register for preschool 3s through fifth grade.

 

We’re also looking for volunteers (psst…high schoolers, this is an easy way to earn service hours!)


2026 Prairie Central Spring Lay Academy

Sundays, March 1-22, 2-5 p.m., Our Savour’s UMC, 701 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg
Access the registration form here. Register by Sunday, Feb. 22. 


Northern Illinois Conference website link

Cultivating a Resilient Faith in a Turbulent World: A Lenten Study Over Zoom

Wednesdays, March 4 through April 1, 7 p.m., led by Pastor Mary Zajac

 

In The Long Winter, Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about her father tying a guide-rope from the house to the barn during blizzards so he wouldn’t get lost while walking the short, well-worn path. It was a matter of planning ahead. He knew that storms can be dangerously disorienting. Yet he also knew that the animals needed to be tended every day.

 

We live in changing times that can be disorienting, and yet the work of Christ still needs to be done every day. Let’s gather during Lent to learn some spiritual practices that can serve as our guide-rope through turbulent times. We’ll discuss a new practice each week.

There’s no book needed for this journey. Participants will be asked to stay current with the news, and engage in a practice during the week. Registration coming soon.


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

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.

Plants with a Purpose (coming soon)

“Plants with a Purpose” raises funds to support the ministries and missions of Gary Church.

  • Order taking begins: Sunday, Feb. 15
  • Order deadline: Sunday, March 15
  • Delivery day: Saturday, May 2

The plants will arrive the morning of May 2, and orders will be ready to pick up around midday. If you can help, contact Linda Tresner through the Church Office.

Creative Arts Open Studio

Saturday, March 7, 10-11:30 a.m., Gary Youth Rooms
Unleash your creativity in our Creative Arts Open Studio. This flexible, hands-on class invites participants to design and create a project of their choice in a welcoming, inspiring environment. The Creative Arts team will provide a wide range of materials, including:

  • Drawing materials
  • Watercolor and acrylic paints
  • Mixed media paper canvas
  • Collage supplies
  • Creative writing prompts
  • Illustration tools

Bring your own ideas, projects and materials from home, or use the materials provided — it's all about your vision! Our experienced Creative Arts instructors will be available to offer guidance and support as you work. Your masterpiece could be featured in our Art Gallery this June. Suggested donation: $5 for materials. Registration coming soon.


Thursday, April 2, 6-7:30 p.m., Commons

Join us for a shared meal in the Commons during Holy Week, held as part of Maundy Thursday worship on April 2. Soup makers willing to share their culinary talents are wanted. We also need people to provide salad, bread and dessert. Sign up here.


Chili Cookoff and Auction

Sunday, March 15, 5-6:30 p.m., Commons
Enjoy the musical "Fired Up" at 4 p.m., then eat dinner and make bids at the auction. Vote for your favorite chili, and bid on services and items.


The chili that earns the most votes wins the Golden Ladle Trophy! All donations will be used to help fund our participating high schoolers’ mission trip costs and other costs related to the mission trip. 

Do you think your chili has what it takes to win the Golden Ladle Trophy or have an item or service to donate? Register by Sunday, March 1. If you have any questions, please contact the Church Office or Dan Lee. Registration coming soon.

Sunday, May 3, 1 p.m. check in, 2 p.m. walk, host church to be determined

The 2026 CROP Walk raises funds for and awareness of the ever-present food insecurity issues in DuPage County and around the world. 


Portions of the CROP funds support Wheaton and Glen Ellyn food pantries who provide for families and children in local school districts. CROP also supports global resilience efforts in Ukraine and other areas of need!


Donate to the Gary Church Team:  Click the "Donate" Button on this webpage

Register to Walk the 3 Miles:  Click "Join The Team" on this webpage



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.

 

Order T-shirts and/or sweatshirts with our 2025-2026 theme, "Love courageously," based on 1 Corinthians 16:13b-14. Order here.

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.

This ministry provides free one-on-one help with homework and basic English and math to elementary students. We partner with World Relief to help students in need. Consider offering an hour from your week to tutor children from our community. Although we try to keep tutors and students paired, we understand that you cannot be there every week. The children are a joy and glad to get your attention. There is some preparatory training required, and we have some experienced educators to provide support as needed.

 

The timing is Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m. during the school year. If you have questions, contact Jeff Bray through the Church Office. Register here.


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.

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.

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.