First Time Guests
Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church is located a third of a mile north of the intersection of Hwy 55 and Dodd Road in Mendota Heights, MN. We are on the corner of Wesley Lane and Dodd Rd.
Parking
We have a large parking lot on the east side of the church.
Entrances
Two entrances to the church are available from the parking lot – the east door will lead you through our Fellowship Room to the main entry.
The main door will take you directly to the front entry. The church has only one floor, so there are no stairs and it is handicapped accessible.
The worship space will be directly in front of you.
Greeter
If you enter by the main doors, you will be greeted by a member of the congregation.
Enter the Church
Once you enter the church through the front door, you will see that there are two hallways on either side.
The right hallway takes you to the Education Wing, where you will find the Sunday School rooms, the Youth Group room, Nursery, Parents’ Lounge, and bathroom.
The left hallway takes you to the Bertlesen Library. It has comfy couches and chairs and has windows that look out on the sanctuary. We use this space for meetings and classes. Across from the library are bathrooms and a water fountain. Then you will walk into our large meeting area, the Fellowship Room. There is a roomy kitchen off the Fellowship Room.
Coffee
Would you like a cup of coffee before the church service? You will find some in the Fellowship Room. Donations are accepted and benefit one of our local missions.
Nametag
We have a Nametag Tower and ask all of our members to wear their nametags. There are blank nametags for you to fill out next to the tower.
Enter the Sanctuary
Find a seat and make yourself comfortable. The order of worship will be projected on two screens at the front of the church. .
Worship Books
There should be three books in front of you. The smaller book is the Bible. You may want to follow along with the readings during the service. The larger book is our traditional hymnal. The smaller black paperback, The Faith We Sing, contains more modern songs. Some Sundays we use both. Some Sundays we use one or the other. It is noted which one the songs are in are posted on the screen.
Children’s Chat
Children attending the service (and all the young at heart!) are invited to come up to the front of the church and sit on the steps while someone tells a story, uses props or whatever else might help to illustrate that Sunday’s sermon topic. At the end, children are dismissed to either return to their parents in the church or go to the Education Wing, where they will be supervised by an adult.
Sermon
The theme of the sermon will be noted in the bulletin. Pastor Amy Jo doesn’t stand behind the podium when she speaks. She likes to move around down by the congregation. So don’t be surprised to see her walking back and forth!
Communion
We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion the first and second Sunday of each month. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church welcomes to the table all who profess their love of Jesus Christ. You need not be a member of this or any congregation to take part. Participants are instructed to walk to the front of the church, take a piece of bread and take an individual cup at the communion rail. You are invited to kneel at the rails if you wish. There will be an opportunity at the end of Communion to indicate you prefer to be served at your seat.
Offering
There’s always an offering. As a first-time guest, you are exempt.. there are guest envelopes in the pew in front of you.as well as a QR code for electronic giving. Collection plates are on either side of the sanctuary doors. Drop your offering in a plate as you exit.
Leaving
At the end of the service, the Pastor will position herself near the Sanctuary doors to greet everyone as they exit. Don’t worry…it’s painless. Stand in line and either shake her hand or greet her with something like, “Fine sermon, Pastor!” or just “Thank you.”
Coffee and Fellowship
Coffee is always available before and after church. Small snacks are also usually available. If you aren’t in a hurry, find a seat in the Fellowship Room and enjoy.