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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.


Sunday, March 2, 4 p.m.

Do you sing, dance, juggle, tell jokes, do magic or have some secret talent you’re longing to showcase? Get your acts ready for Gary’s Got Talent, a fun night featuring Gary’s talented kids, youth and adults!


No-cut auditions: Sunday, Feb. 9, 3–4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 12, 4:30–6 p.m.

Sign up for a 10-minute audition spot. Acts should be no more than three minutes.


Rehearsals: Sunday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m. & Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m.


Sunday, March 2, 5-6:30 p.m.

You are invited to a night of fun, fellowship and good-natured competition. Enjoy the Gary’s Got Talent! variety show, eat dinner and make bids at the auction. The menu will include a variety of chili, and we will provide small bowls so you can try as many as you would like. As you eat, vote for your favorite chili, and bid on all sorts of services and items.

 

The chili that wins the most votes takes home the Golden Ladle Trophy! If you would like to enter the competition and/or if you have an item or service to donate to the auction, register by Wednesday, Feb. 19. All donations will be used to help fund our high school mission trip to Appalachia, Saturday, June 21-Saturday, June 28.

Registration is now open!

 

Questions about the chili cookoff and auction? Contact Pastor Dan Lee.


Wednesdays, March 12-March 26 and April 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Commons

Thursday, April 17, 5:30 p.m. (before 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday worship), Commons

Soup Supper provides a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, food and faith during Lent. We need help with set up, clean up and providing soup and other treats. Sign up to volunteer and to eat at garychurch.org. (There is no Soup Supper on Wednesday, April 2.)

Friday, March 14–Saturday, March 15

SuperStart is the nation’s largest pre-teen Christian event. Fourth and fifth graders won’t want to miss this year’s tour where they’ll be “shaped” for kin-dom work! Plus, they’ll get to get experience Gary Church in a new way when they’re locked in for the night! Cost: $100 (Includes the SuperStart event, meals, extra activities, and a T-shirt.) Scholarships available. Register today!


“Plants with a Purpose” raises funds to support the ministries and missions of Gary Church. We offer a wide variety of beautiful items, from pre-potted hanging baskets and patio pots to ready-to-plant flowers, accents and veggies. 


Order your plants online by Sunday, March 16. You can also print this paper form and turn it in to the Church Office.


Delivery day is Saturday, May 3. The plants will arrive at the Gary Church Parking Lot that morning, and orders will be ready to pick up around midday. Adults and youth are welcome to help with the delivery and pickup process on Saturday, May 3, between approximately 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. This involves unloading the plants and sorting them into individual orders. 


If you can help, or if you have questions, contact Linda Tresner through the Church Office.


Sunday, May 4, 2 p.m. (1 p.m. check in)

First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn, 424 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn

 

CROP Walk raises funds for and awareness of the ever-present food security issues in DuPage County and around the world. A portion of CROP funds supports DuPage Seniors, the People’s Resource Center in Wheaton and Glen House Food Pantry.

 

The 3-mile walk will start and end at First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn where we will join other Wheaton and Glen Ellyn faith communities.

 

Join the Gary UMC CROP Team!  Register to walk and/or donate to a specific walker:

https://events.crophungerwalk.org/crophungerwalks/team/gary-church-2025

 

You can also donate through the Church Office (remember to write “CROP” in the memo area of the check.) Donations are welcome through the end of May. Contact Judy Selby through the Church Office with questions.


Wednesday, May 7, 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. Upcoming dates: Aug. 20 and Nov. 19.

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.

2025 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 open wide your heart 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.

 

This ministry provides free one-on-one help with homework and basic English and math to low income elementary students in the area. This year we are partnering 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. If you have questions, contact Jeff Bray through the Church Office. Register here.


Order T-shirts and/or sweatshirts with our 2024-2025 theme, "Open wide our hearts," based on 2 Corinthians 6:13. Order 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.

Participate in additional events and groups

Anti-Racist Book Club
Join our monthly discussion. Register above and read the book(s) on your own.
 Usually the fourth Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m.


Parent’s Night Out

Friday, Feb. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

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. Limit 20. Suggested cash donation of $5 per child. Register here.


Gary Kids and Gary Youth music groups
Register for the various singing and ringing groups.


Gary Kids & Gary Youth Participation Form 2024-2025

Each ministry year, we ask all Gary Kids and Gary Youth to fill out this form.