Welcome table and folders

If you are going to come visit us, please check out the visitor's table. It is located in the new entrance. On the table you can find brochures about ministries we support, opportunites for spiritual growth, photo directories, and church newsletters.

Once you sit in the pew, you will find a folder in a holder on the back of the pew in front of you. In it you will find information about the ministries and mission of our church. You will also find information about what is going on during worship. And please, fill out a visitor's card. We won't inundate you with unwanted mail or phone calls. We just want to thank you for being with us.

During worship, we will not introduce you or make you stand up or anything like that. We usually share a time of greeting during worship, but it is usually short. Hopefully during that time you meet a few friendly faces.

Immediately after worship, you are invited to the fellowship hall for some coffee and refreshments. This is the best way for us to be in relationship with each other, and it gives us a chance to get to know you better.

Updated Oct. 15, 2009

What to expect when you visit

If you come to Chenoa United Methodist Church, you can expect a congregation full of smiling faces, and extended hands. We are a people called to bring, nurture and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Worship Time: We worship at 9:15 every Sunday

Sunday School: We have Sunday school at 10:30. There are classes for all ages. All children and youth gather in the conference room in the fellowship hall for a small breakfast before splitting up in age groups to learn about Christian discipleship.

Dress: You will see a variety of dress on a Sunday morning, but it is generally casual. Very few men wear ties, even fewer wear suits. Most ladies don't wear dresses. Whatever the case, please just come as you are, come as you are comfortable.

Kids: All churches say that they like kids, but some actually only like the idea of kids. At Chenoa UMC, we like actual kids - the kind that make noise, that don't sit still, that ask peculiar questions. There are activity bags available for kids, and if you feel like you want to leave with a child, you can still view and hear worship from the parlor. There are baby-changing tables in both the men's and women's bathrooms.

Communion: We celebrate Holy Communion on the second Sunday of every month. We, as United Methodists, believe in an open table. This means that all are welcome to partake of the bread and cup. Another interesting note is that our cup will be filled with unfermented grape juice. This is further evidence of the open table, because we would not want alcohol to keep anyone from experiencing Communion. Typically people remain seated for communion and a plate of bread pieces and inidividual cups of grape juice are passed around before all consume it at the same time. The open table extends to all people - even our toddlers look forward to sharing in the Lord's Supper.

Baptism: Baptism is a work of God and the Holy Spirit. It is marking a person as God's and entering them into the family of Christ. For this reason, all ages are welcome to be baptised. If you are an adult seeking baptism or if you are wanting to have your infant baptised, please contact Pastor Robb. He will want to meet with you a few times. If you were baptized once, and are wanting to be baptized again, we want to remind you that the work of baptism is God's work. Once is enough. It counts regardless of what you have done since your baptism. If you still feel the need to be baptized again, Pastor Robb would love to have a conversation with you.

To our Visitors

Dear friend,

I have been the pastor at Chenoa UMC since July 1, 2006. We moved into the parsonage on the busiest weekend in Chenoa, and things haven't really slowed down for us yet. My wife, Sarah, and I lived for the last three years in Saint Louis. I attended Eden Theological Seminary and worked at Eureka (Mo.) United Methodist Church and Sarah worked as an elementary schoolteacher at Confluence Academy in the city. We loved Saint Louis, and Sarah became a Cardinals fan there. I still cheer for the Cardinals as long as they're not playing the White Sox or Phillies (that's a long story).

As much as we loved Saint Louis, we're ecstatic to be in Chenoa. This is a great community with a lot of caring people. This is my first time as a senior pastor, but have been working with churches for five years. My first taste of the ministry came at Mackinaw United Methodist Church, where I was Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Sarah and I were living in Peoria at the time, and it was there that we decided that I should go to seminary full-time, so we moved to Saint Louis. We still hold the people of Mackinaw close to our hearts. While in Saint Louis I served for two years as an assistant pastor at Eureka United Methodist Church. Eureka, the home of Six-Flags, was a great place to learn and grow. While there I grew into the role of "Pastor." Eureka UMC confirmed to us that we were where God wanted us to be.

I'm so excited that you visited this website. I hope it is helpful as you search for a church home. I also hope you come to visit us sometime. Our worship is traditional, but informal, and I try to keep it interesting. Feel free to contact me at 815-945-7155, if you have any questions.

Pastor Robb

Contact Us

We are located at 204 S. Division St., Chenoa, IL 61726

The church phone number is 815-945-7155
Office hours are generally Mon-Thurs from 10-4

The email address is chenoaumc@verizon.net

The newsletter comes out monthly, usually the last week of the month. If you would like to be on the mailing list, please email us your address.

Directions

Chenoa UMC is located at 204 S. Division Street, 61726, across from the city park, north of Illinois Route 24.

If you are coming into Chenoa from the East (El Paso, Interstate 55), then turn left on Division St. There is a wooden sign on the left side of the road. If you get to Hearland Bank, you've gone too far. The church is two blocks north, on the left side of the road.

If you are coming into Chenoa from the West (Fairbury, Illinois Route 47), then turn right on Division St. There is a wooden sign on the right side of the road on the far side of Division. If you get to Casey's, you've gone too far. The church is two blocks north, on the left side of the road.

If you are coming into Chenoa from the North (Pontiac), you are heading south on Old Route 66. Turn left at the car dealership, and where there is a historic marker sign for the Matthew T. Scott House. If you miss this turn, you will get to Route 24. Turn left and follow the directions above for coming from the east. The church and parking will be on the right side of the road.

If you are coming into Chenoa from the South (Lexington), you are probably coming north on Old Route 66. Turn right at Route 24, then turn left on Division St. There is a wooden sign on the left side of the road. If you get to Heartland Bank, you've gone too far. The church is two blocks north, on the left side of the road.