Our two primary services are at 8:45 and 11:00 each Sunday morning. These services are basically the same except that the earlier service omits some elements and is therefore somewhat shorter. The choirs for these services are also different and so the choral offerings will vary.

Our sanctuary was built in a gothic style whose floor plan is in the shape of a cross. The focal point of our worship space includes the Christ window which the congregation faces from the nave and the cross placed on the table at the center of the chancel area.

Within the chancel area are the pulpit on the right side, from which the Word of God is preached, and the lectern on the left, from which the Word of God is read. In the center of the chancel below the cross is placed the Table, a reminder that we are all invited to the table of the Lord to receive God’s grace and the elements of Holy Communion.

West End follows the traditional church calendar for the seasons of the Christian year, often reflected in the themes of the services, the readings and music. The colors of the paraments (linens on the tables, lectern and pulpit) also reflect those seasons. A nursery is provided for any child 5 years old or younger, but all children are welcome in worship. The services can also be heard in Bishop’s Parlor if parents prefer.

Sample Order of Worship.pdf

The Taizé Service takes place every third Sunday at 5 p.m. except for December, when it is at 6:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

Learn more about Taizé Services.

The Altar Guild is a wonderful way to get involved at West End United Methodist Church. As a member of the Altar Guild, one learns about the "inner workings" of the church worship services and participates in providing services vital to our worship experiences.

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of people, all ages, each with different duties to help ensure that the Sunday worship services run smoothly. The Guild is broken down into several different committees responsible for their own tasks.

These are the committees of the Altar Guild:

• Altar flowers,
• Communion preparation,
• Weddings,
• Funerals,
• Altar linens,
• Communion presenters,
• Lenten service,
• Christmas Eve service,
• Sanctuary check,
• Vestments/paraments,
• Advent decoration,
• Ushers.

Communion preparation, Communion presenters, and Altar flowers are further broken down into quarters thus allowing more people to be able to be involved in these activities. Each of these groups provides necessary service throughout the entire year.

The individual duties themselves are simple and the rewards are great. The Altar Guild is not only a good way to get to know the members of West End United Methodist Church but, more importantly, a way to serve the Lord in a very useful way! For more information about the Altar Guild, or to volunteer as a member of the Altar Guild, please contact Melanie Paulson at mpaulson@westendumc.org.

Volunteer for the Altar Guild

There are several special services held throughout the year. Christmas is marked by several. The first is the Candlelighting Service held the second Sunday of December at 5:30 p.m. Through a service of lessons and carols, all choirs participate in this retelling of the story of Christ’s birth. The service ends with the lighting of candles and singing of Silent Night. There are two Christmas Eve services, an early service particularly designed for children and a later one (10:30 p.m. with music beginning at 10:00 p.m.) that celebrates the service of Holy Communion and ends with changing of the paraments at midnight. Then in Lent we have services on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Please check the church calendar for times.