A Church with Two Worship Hours and a Schoolhouse Next Door
Green Valley United Methodist Church sits at 2200 Robindale Road in Henderson, Nevada, where it has built a rhythm around two very different Sunday services, a packed mid-morning Sunday school hour, and a long-running preschool and kindergarten. The congregation describes itself as an open community of faith where all are welcomed to feel and share the love of God. Pastor, staff, and volunteers run the church alongside the school, and the building is busy nearly every day of the week with choirs, classrooms, and small groups.
Two Sunday Worship Hours
Sunday mornings at GVUMC are built around two services separated by a Sunday school break.
At 8:30 a.m., the traditional service fills the sanctuary with hymns accompanied by the Chancel Choir. Members of the choir wear burgundy robes and provide an introit and special offertory music each week, giving the early service a classical feel.
At 9:45 a.m., between the two services, the education hour meets. Most Sundays offer Sunday school classes for children and youth alongside adult education, so families with kids can drop them off and head to a class of their own.
At 11:00 a.m., the contemporary service begins. A praise band leads modern worship songs, and the room takes on a more relaxed feel. Both the 8:30 and 11:00 services are livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook so that travelers, those who are unwell, and home-bound viewers can worship alongside the in-person congregation.
A Music Program at the Center of the Week
Music Director Dr. Lindsay Whelan runs one of the busiest programs at GVUMC. Raised in Methodist churches where the hymns stuck with her long after the service ended, she now oversees three ensembles that rehearse on Thursday evenings.
The Chancel Choir sings weekly at the 8:30 service from September through June. Rehearsals are Thursday nights from 6:00 to 7:00 in the sanctuary. Reading music is helpful but not required.
The Handbell Choir rehearses from 7:00 to 8:00 on Thursday nights in the music room downstairs. Each ringer handles two to four bells, no previous experience is needed, and the group plays in worship roughly once a month plus on special holidays.
The Praise Band covers all of the music for the 11:00 contemporary service and rehearses from 5:00 to 6:00 on Thursday evenings. Vocalists, guitarists, bassists, and anyone with an instrument that might fit a rock band setting are invited to join.
Dr. Whelan also leads seasonal events such as a December afternoon of singing, scripture, special music, and refreshments, and a handbell concert.
Sunday School and Adult Education
Children and youth gather during the 9:45 hour for their own Sunday school classes. Adults head to Room E4 in the Education Building for Adult Education, which runs in series and welcomes drop-ins at any point.
The current series is Questions Jesus Asked: A Six-Week Study in the Gospels by Magrey De Vega, led by Duane Smith. The study works through six of Jesus's questions in the Gospels, including Why are you terrified? and Who do you say that I am? Books are available from the class leader or through Amazon, and questions can be sent to texon54@cox.net.
Vacation Bible School
Each summer GVUMC runs a Vacation Bible School week that ends with a Sunday worship wrap-up service at both the 8:30 and 11:00 hours. The wrap-up recaps the week, shares stories, sings songs, and recognizes the leaders and volunteers who made it possible.
Green Valley Methodist Preschool and Kindergarten
The Green Valley Methodist Preschool and Kindergarten is an extension of the church's ministry, sharing space and a Christian educational mission with the congregation. Director Tracy VanAken oversees a staff of teachers and aides.
The preschool serves children ages three and four. Preschool classes meet Tuesday and Thursday with a half-day option from 9:00 a.m. to noon and a full-day option from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pre-K classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the same schedule. Tuition is $275 per month for half-day preschool and $375 for full-day; $350 per month for half-day Pre-K and $475 for full-day.
The kindergarten serves children who are at least five years old by September 30 and runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monthly tuition is $600. A $125 registration and yearbook fee is due at enrollment.
The school welcomes children of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, or religion, and parents receive a registration packet that must be completed before the first day. The school office can be reached at 702-405-2952 or preschool@gvumc.org.
Worship from Home
Both Sunday services are livestreamed, and recordings are posted on the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page. The online worship page invites anyone who is traveling, feeling unwell, or home-bound to join from wherever they are and emphasizes that online worshipers are a valued part of the congregation. The weekly bulletin, scripture readings, and music list are also posted so that viewers can follow along at home.
Giving and Staying Connected
GVUMC offers several ways to give. Members can mail a check to the church address, set GVUMC up as a payer through their own online banking, or use the church's online giving system. Giving can be made as a one-time contribution or scheduled as a recurring gift, and the system is run through Fellowship One, which keeps the information secure. Creating an account lets givers track contributions, print year-end statements, and opt into the online church directory.
The newsletter is emailed on Thursday evenings and is the best way to keep up with everything happening at the church. The bulletin and the newsletter are both posted online each week.
Office and Practical Details
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is closed on Fridays. The main phone line is 702-454-7989, and the general email is greenvalleychurch@gvumc.org. Staff members can also be reached directly through quick email links for the pastor, communications, the office administrator, the music director, the preschool and kindergarten, and the children and youth ministry.
Worship is held in English, the dress ranges from casual to traditional Sunday best depending on the service, and families with young children are welcome. Sunday school, a Christian preschool, an adult education program, three music ensembles, and Vacation Bible School give the church year-round ways for children, youth, and adults to plug in.