Visitor Information
Clay Church – A United Methodist Community of God’s Love
We are a two-campus ministry!
Where are you?
Clay Church
North Campus-Adult worship and Children’s Ministries
52866 Ironwood Rd.
South Bend IN 46635
South Campus-Firehouse Youth Center
17646 Cleveland Rd.
South Bend IN 46653
What’s the phone number?
574-272-8068
What are office hours?
Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Offices are located at the South Campus on Cleveland Rd.
What’s the Sunday Schedule?
North Campus- Adult Worship
9:15 am – Spirited -Traditional worship services that includes our
choir, organ, and hymns.
10:45 am – Soul Journey worship service that includes our praise band.
Adult educational opportunities are available at 8:00 am, 9:15 am, and 10:45 am
Coffee and fellowship are available between worship services in the cafe.
North Campus – Children’s Ministry
9:15 & 10:45 am – Nursery available
9:15 & 10:45 am – Worship and education for ages birth through 5th grade.
South Campus-Firehouse Youth Center
Refinery Discipleship (Christian education) hour for 6th through 12th grade.
9:00 & 10:30 am – Firehouse Youth Worship
What do I wear?
Some people dress up and some dress down. Come in your “Sunday Best” and you’ll feel comfortable. Prefer jeans and a t-shirt? You’ll feel comfortable, too! You might not want to wear that bright orange tutu that you have in the closet, but other than that it’s pretty much wide open. Relax.
We want you to feel comfortable in whatever you wear and focus on the message of God’s love for you.
Where do I go when I get there?
When you get onto the campus, we suggest parking in the visitor spots near the main entrance and go to the Connection Point where our hospitality team is available to guide you. If you are bringing children they will be able to direct you to the correct location for your child. If you’re concerned about your child’s safety, a childcare worker can fill you in on our
extensive safety measures.
How many other people will be there?
Each of our adult services has between 250-350 people in attendance.
Our youth service has between 75 - 130 in attendance each week.
What do my children do?
We welcome families and children of all ages to worship with us, however, we are very proud of our age level ministries for both children and youth and encourage you to check those out.
What is worship like?
The scripture lesson and sermon message is the same at all three services. The variation between services is primarily music style. At 9:15 am, the music is traditional, including a full choir, hymns, organ, and handbells. At 10:45 am, the music is led by our Praise Team that includes vocals, guitars, drums, and a horn line. We sing praise choruses, as well as hymns done in a modern style.
All worship services utilize multi-media and creative arts.
Do you have Communion?
Yes, the first Sunday of each month, Holy Communion is served at both services. All are welcome to participate and receive at God’s table. We receive by intinction, meaning a server will give you a piece of bread that you will dip into a cup of grape juice to receive the elements together.
Where are the bathrooms?
Women’s and men’s restroom are on your left as you enter the main doors to the building. We also have another women’s restroom and a family restroom behind the nursery check-in desk across from the café. Please feel free to get up as you need to during the service.
Do you take attendance?
When you enter the sanctuary, you will have been handed a LIFE Guide by one of the ushers. Inside, there will be an attendance card. Take a moment to write down your name and address so we can get to know you better. Include your email address if you’d like to receive our
weekly e-mail newsletter.
I’ve been once or twice and want to get involved; how do I learn more?
Our website contains information on service opportunities, small groups and other ways to get involved. Church leaders will be happy to speak to you in person or by e-mail about ways to connect. Pizza with the Pastors is held four to six times a year and offers an opportunity to connect with the pastors and other staff members, their families as well as others who are new to Clay Church.
It’s a great way to meet people, hear more about Clay Church and get connected to our community of faith.
Hospitality
At Clay Church, we practice a warm welcome that brings together people of many beliefs, backgrounds and abilities to strive toward common goals: Connecting to God and others, Growing in our Faith, and Sharing God’s love with the world around us. We call this LIFE – Living In Faith Every day,
and that’s our mission at Clay Church.
We are glad you are here!
