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, May 28, 2023:
In person + live online @ 10amCT.

Your Weekly Note From Our Lead Pastor

If you’ve read a lot of leadership books (as I have recently), you know that one of the widely accepted beliefs about leading change is that you need to raise the “temperature” in the system you are trying to change enough to make people a little uneasy, but not too much lest people fight back against the change you are trying to lead.  People’s natural tendency is to try and maintain the status quo and a good leader will begin to shake things up at a pace that people can handle.

The story of Pentecost, however, is not about good human leadership.  Pentecost, in the Christian tradition, is the story of how the Spirit came and set the church on fire.   The Spirit doesn’t just raise the temperature within the group of people gathered for Pentecost, but the Spirit changes the whole system at a rate that wouldn’t be possible if it were merely a human-led initiative.

This Sunday @ 10am, as we celebrate Pentecost once more, let us remember that the Spirit of God is capable of much more than we are capable of ourselves.  When our church and our world seem hopelessly divided, we still have hope that the church might be set on fire with God’s love once more.

Rev. Steph Dodge
Lead Pastor, Glendale UMC – Nashville

What’s Happening This Sunday | May 28, 2023

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

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.

Worship at Glendale // Sunday @10amCT

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

This Sunday’s Message:

Setting the Church on Fire by Rev. Steph Dodge

If you will be joining us in person:

Masks are optional for all indoor services + events. However, we have extra masks available for anyone who would prefer to wear one.

If you will be joining us online:

Find the worship livestream on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Twitch or on our website here at 8amPT/9MT/10CT/11ET.

Kids, Youth + Adult Groups // After Worship @ 11amCT

The nursery will be open for children age 4 and younger during this hour so kids (age 5+) and adults can gather together in their groups – more info below:

Glendale Kids Small Group // Sunday @11amCT

Meets in the Glendale Kids Room in the Hallway

Route 66 drive through the Bible each week—right now we are exploring the New Testament! We will have games, science experiments and crafts all about the Bible passage of the day! Questions? Reach out to our Glendale Kids’ Leader Caddie Woodroof.

Glendale Youth // Sunday @11amCT

Meets in the Youth Room in the Hallway
Come and join us after worship for time of devotion and conversation!

You can keep up to date with what’s coming up with our Youth Group on the Remind app by using class code: @cd8ck8.

Questions? Reach out to our Youth Director Sveta Griffin

Adult Group // Sunday @11amCT

Meets in the Fellowship Hall

Each Sunday our adults gather in the fellowship hall after worship for coffee + conversation. We cover various topics related to faith + the world. Questions? Reach out to Rev. Steph Dodge

LifeGroups + Small Groups

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 Brazell.

Prayer Group

Tuesdays @ 10am at the church
All are invited to be part of our prayer group gatherings as we pray for our community and the world while working to deepen our individual prayer lives. Interested or have any questions? Reach out to Gwen Watson.

#WhateverWednesdays

Wednesdays @ 6pm at the church
We have kicked off Whatever Wednesdays each Wednesday night as a time to get together midweek. Maybe it is  cooking class led by Pastor Steph, painting class or a game night – each gathering will be something different and gives us a chance to take a break during the week, have some fun together and even meet some new people! All ages are welcome to this weekly gathering. Interested or have any questions? Reach out to Rachel Dolezal.

Coffee and Theology Adult Group

Meets every other Friday @ 7pm at the 100 Oaks Panera
We dig into theology over coffee every other Friday night. Topics like Hell and who is Jesus has been recent topics we’ve looked at. We’d love for you to join us.  Bring your thoughts and questions and join us for some good conversation. Interested or have any questions? Reach out to Gabe Horton.

Glendale Foodies

Meets Monthly
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 Lee

Moms and Allies Group

Meets Monthly
Our Moms and Allies Group has formed to help us be even more intentional in our support, advocacy, and care of our LGBTQIA+ siblings at Glendale and throughout our Greater Nashville community! This group will be at the front doors and around the sanctuary during worship services if you are ever in need of a hug, resources or to talk. Thanks to Heather Gee-Thomas for organizing this new group! Interested or have any questions? Reach out to Heather Gee-Thomas.

Quilting Group

Meets Monthly
Calling All Quilters and All Who Want to Learn! Lezleigh Kleibrink will be leading hand quilting classes for all who are interested!  We will be learning techniques that are very simple, extremely portable, and VERY versatile! Interested or have any questions? Reach out to Lezleigh Kleibrink.

Have questions about any of our small groups? Email Pastor Steph Dodge

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.