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Covered Drop Off A covered round-a-bout is located directly in front of the sanctuary entrance. Ocala West UMC is an accessible property with handicapped parking. We welcome all to be our guest at worship.
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Welcome CenterWelcome Center–Directly in front of you as your enter the Narthex (lobby of the sanctuary) is a Welcome Center. Here you will find members and friends who volunteer during worship services and at major events to answer your questions, direct you to spaces you may be looking for, and to help you feel welcomed. Please stop by the Welcome Center soon.
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The Gathering PlaceCoffee, Juice, and a Treat–Just to the right of our Welcome Center through the open double doors you will find “The Gathering Place.” The Gathering Place is the Sunday morning refreshment hub and a great place to initiate a conversation with old and new friends. It opens following the 8:00a.m. service and remains open until our 11:00a.m. service begins.
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T-Coil Assistive Hearing LoopT-Coil is an assistive listening system found in many Performing Arts Centers and University Auditoriums that works directly with many hearing aids that people wear everyday. A Hearing Loop system transmits sound directly into hearing aids or cochlear implants rather than depending on sound coming from the loudspeakers. By using a Hearing Loop, speech can retain its clarity and quality because it arrives immediately and directly in the hearing device without the presence of reverberation, echo, or background noise. To receive the Loop signal, the hearing aid or implant must contain a manual Telecoil (T-coil) or you may know it as a manual telephone setting. |
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If you don’t know if you have a T-coil or whether yours is properly programmed, consult with your audiologist or hearing aid professional. If you don’t wear hearing aids, a Loop receiver, which is a headset system, may be available to receive the sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does your Church LIke to Have visitors?
Yes–absolutely! We welcome with joy guests who have recently moved and are new to the area, guests who are seasonally in Ocala, and guests who are simply in the area for a short time. In fact, the truth is, most of the members and friends of Ocala West UMC did not grow up in Ocala. Many lived and worked other places before finding their home and home church right here! This means we all have been new at one time–and we hope that we can help those who are new feel at home with us! We hope that if you are seasonal or permanent in our community that you might consider Ocala West UMC as your church home.
What should I wear to worship?
We want you to be comfortable. During our Traditional Services most wear something between business casual to church traditional–a suit or dress. Comfortable, safe shoes are the most common choice! In the summer, Ocala is hot–the dress is often more casual. During our Contemporary Service most are business casual. Many will wear pants with a polo or button down and sandals and capris are common. We encourage you to be comfortable and to be cool in the summer. If you chill easily by air conditioning, please bring a sweater or jacket.
What is your music like?
During our Traditional Worship Services, our singing is led by both piano and organ. We sing vibrantly the traditional hymns of our faith as well as learn new and meaningful songs under the direction of our Director of Traditional Music. Our Choirs offer anthems of praise and enrich our worship experience. These services often include special music, hand bell choirs, guest singers, instrumentalists, and more! During our Contemporary Worship Service, our singing is led by our Ocala West UMC Praise Team under the direction of our Director of Contemporary Music. This service incorporates a praise band with guitar, drums, electric keyboard, and more! During this service, we praise God by lifting our voices to new or renewed renditions of hymns and contemporary songs–some of which you may hear on the radio.
do you have programming for children and grandchildren?
We have amazing nursery, children’s, and youth programs serving those 6 weeks old through high school. Our nursery is led by members of our staff ministry team who have not only been background checked, screened, observed, and supervised, but who also have a rich work history and experience working with young children. Our children, preschool-aged to 5th grade are encouraged to attend the beginning of worship for Children’s Time and then, to go to Deep Blue Sunday School for a great time of Bible adventure. Youth, who are 6th-12th grade, are invited to remain in worship with us. We like to have youth participate in worship and even help to lead worship from time to time. Please see our youth page under the ministries tab for more information on youth programming. Feel free to stop by the Family Check In Desk–by the inflatable palm tree–to get more information and to have volunteers help you find the right spaces for you and your family.
What do i do after the service?
We hope that after service that you will introduce yourself to one of our pastors. Our pastors greet people at the door following each service. We also hope that you will stop by the Welcome Center and gather information about small groups and ministries that interest you. Remember, there is also a small gift waiting for you! Additionally, we hope that you will stop in the Gathering Place for a cup of coffee and a treat. Most of all, we hope you will ask questions and get to know us better. We also hope that you will plan to visit us again soon!
Do you have hearing assistive devices?
Yes! Hearing Assist Devices are available from the Sound Booth in the back of our Sanctuary. Additionally, Ocala West has installed a Hearing Loop in the Sanctuary to assist those with hearing loss to hear more clearly during services.
Do you have large print bulletins and hymnals?
YES! Just stop by the Welcome Center on your way into the Sanctuary to pickup a large print Bulletin and a large print Hymnal. Additionally, the words to hymns and liturgy are presented in large print on screens.
Do you have Gluten-Free bread for holy communion?
Gluten-free Bread is available at the Welcome Center on Communion Sundays–the first Sunday of each month and at Special Services involving communion.