We at Glendale UMC want you to know that no matter: Where you’ve come from or where you are going; what you believe or what you may doubt; what you are feeling or just not feeling; what you have or don’t have; and no matter the color of your skin, who you love or how you identify – all of who you are is welcomed into this community of faith by a God who loves you and knows you by name.

Worship for Sunday, September 21, 2025:
In Person + Live Online @ 10am

Weekly Note from Pastor Steph Dodge

This week when news of violence once again flooded our timelines, I noticed the usual blame-the-other-side rhetoric, but I also noticed a fair amount of people asking how we have gotten here. How have we, as a nation, lost our way so much that people are turning to political violence? This is a noticeably different response than blaming others, because it centers ourselves in the problem. Violence isn’t an individual issue in a nation that has significantly more gun violence than any other developed nation; it’s a societal problem. As members of society, we are a part of the problem. We have lost our way. Even if we don’t own guns or use violent rhetoric, we have allowed those around us to lose their way and it is all of our jobs to help our nation find its way back.

How do we find our way back?  Jesus has some words this week in Luke about finding what is lost. We may be lost at the moment, but hope is not lost. With God’s help we will keep searching until we find our way back.

Rev. Steph Dodge
Lead Pastor
Glendale UMC – Nashville

Nursery + Childcare // Sundays from 9:45am-12:15pm

For Infants through 4 Years Old

Infants & children are always welcome in worship! However, we know that it might be easier for parents, grandparents, guardians and caregivers of young kids if they play in this safe + fun place just for kids during worship.  Our nursery is staffed with experienced caregivers that have undergone a comprehensive background check. Find more information on our nursery here.

Godly Play // Sundays from 9:45-11am

For Children Ages 4/5 through 10

We’re thrilled to invite children to join us for Godly Play each Sunday! This experience is designed to help children grow in their understanding of Bible stories, deepen their faith, and engage in worship in fun and creative ways.

Each Sunday, your child will:
Hear a Bible story presented in a child-friendly, engaging format.
Create crafts related to the story.
Enjoy a tasty snack and time with friends.

We look forward to seeing your child as we journey through faith together!

Questions? Reach out to our Glendale Kids Director Cassie.

Worship at Glendale // Sundays @ 10am

Worship at Glendale is an inclusive experience for all people that includes a message of God’s unending love + grace, upbeat music and a growing community of people with diverse faith journeys, backgrounds + experiences, sexual orientations + gender identities. We have live ASL Interpretation and communion is served with grape juice rather than wine with an option of gluten free bread. We practice an open table where all people are welcome – no matter what. #YallMeansAll

Don’t live nearby or want to worship online before coming in person?

Worship alongside us live on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch or on our website here at 8amPT/9MT/10CT/11ET.

Groups After Worship // Sundays @ 11am

Adult Bible Study

Stay after worship as we continue our exploration on the sermon and scripture of the day.  We will review the main points of the sermon and then do a deep dive into the Bible passage it was based on to discover what other lessons we can draw from it, share how we may have been inspired by the passage, and explore what practical actions we can take to live out God’s Word in our faith journeys.  Come + bring your thoughts and questions with you each week! Questions? Reach out to Ben.

Glendale Sunday Brunch

Want to go grab a bite to eat after worship? Come and eat with us at a different nearby restaurant each Sunday! This will be a great time to meet someone new or deepen our friendships over some delicious food. Meet up with the group leader (who will be holding up a sign) after worship each Sunday and we will head on over! All are welcome to join! Questions? Reach out to Adam.

Glendale Handbell Choir

Our new Handbell Choir (formed in 2025 and fun group name coming) for youth and adults who are interested in learning to play handbells or already have some experience. This fun, energetic group will play in worship throughout the year.  Rehearsals are typicall after worship on Sundays when we are preparing for our next performance. All are welcome to join! Questions? Reach out to Pastor Steph.

Roleplaying Tabletop Gaming Groups

Two adventures open to all regardless of prior experience. Explore a treacherous jungle in a fantasy campaign inspired by Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park, or become a space scavenger in a sci-fi campaign inspired by Killjoys, Firefly, and The Expanse. Both games meet on alternate Sundays after church at 11:30 AM. No long-term commitment is required. Questions? Reach out to Pastor Derek or Brandon.

Want to join a LifeGroup?

These groups are intentionally smaller gatherings of our church community that meet regularly to journey together in faith + life. Our groups meet at restaurants, in each others’ homes, coffee shops and other places around the Greater Nashville Area to deepen their faith, have fun and serve in mission together.

If you are interested and/or have a question about our LifeGroups, reach out to Chris.

Glendale Prayer Team

Meets Weekly on Tuesday Mornings @ 10am

We meet in the fellowship Hall each Tuesday to pray for the prayer concerns of our church and community. This will also be a time of devotion and meditation. Please join us and find spiritual comfort from our supportive community. Questions? Reach out to Gwen W.

Women’s Group at Glendale

Meets Monthly on Tuesday Evenings from 5:30-7pm at a home nearby the church

Join us for our next gathering of our Glendale Women’s Group and is inclusive of cis women, trans women, and those who are non-binary who would find this group to be life-giving and life-affirming.

This group will:

Support one another through fellowship, love, respect and prayer.
Share how our lives were going and support each other’s joys and concerns.
Provide meals to those going through rough times.
Service projects that the group chooses to do.

Come and join us! Questions? Reach out to Gwen H.

Glendale Foodies

Meets Monthly on Tuesday Evenings

Looking to check out new restaurants around Nashville? This group is for you! We will find a new local eatery each month – all ages are welcome to join! Questions and RSVP: Reach out to Ben

LGBTQ+ Support Group

Have questions about any of our small groups or are we missing something you would be interested in? Email Pastor Steph

Even though we are not able to meet in person, your financial gifts still support ongoing mission + ministry – check out these ways you can easily continue to help support Glendale:

1. Send in your check to Glendale UMC, 900 Glendale Lane, Nashville, TN 37204.
The mailbox is checked daily.

2. Donate via Venmo, Cash App or on PayPal.
via Venmo by searching for @GlendaleUMC
via Cash App by searching for $GlendaleUMC
or via PayPal directly at PayPal.me/GlendaleUMC

3. Donate online at GlendaleUMC.org/Give.
(You can also set up weekly or monthly recurring giving so you
don’t have to worry about it in the future.)

4. Give on Facebook through the DONATE button on our Facebook page here.