MEMBERS
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A History of Growth
The history of Grandview United Methodist Church can be summed up with one word, growth. The growth and development of the building from the ground up, the growth and development of families, generations, and community, and the growth of disciples and diversity.
Grandview's Beginning
Grandview UMC has been at the corner of 23rd and Phelps Ave. for 70 years. The first service was July 25th, 1948 in a tent on the front lawn. Services where then moved inside a renovated Army Barracks later that Fall.
Groundbreaking for the present building was October 17th, 1948. The first service in the new building was the First Sunday of October 1949 with its dedication on December 4th of that year.
Grandview Church is the outgrowth of the merger in 1946 between the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren in Christ Church. With this merger there were, on Akron’s North Hill, two Evangelical United Brethren churches within a few blocks of each other.
Thirty-nine men, women and children of the former United Brethren Church, located at the corner of Dayton Street and Tallmadge Avenue, voted to come to this site to start a new mission in the midst of a large housing project known as Buena Vista Allotment.
As the congregation grew, it was decided that a new Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall were needed, which were dedicated in September 1967.
With the merger of the E.U.B. Church and the Methodist Church in 1968 we became Grandview United Methodist Church.
Grandview's 15 Minutes of Fame
Grandview had the honor of being a location for the film 25 Hill starring Corbin Bernson and Nathan Gamble. The film is about a boy’s hope of keeping the Soap Box Derby Race alive in Akron, OH. The movie was released directly to DVD in 2011. The DVD can still be purchased from the 25 Hill website, just click on store.
The crew spent a lovely April day filming at the church in 2010. Many people from the community as well as some church members were on hand to serve as extras. The following YouTube video was shot by one of the extras. It is a bit grainy but it gives you nice behind the scenes look at filming the movie as well as a tour of the church.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkEw9O7nVDM
Grandview Believes
As a United Methodist congregation we emphasize the importance of God’s grace in our lives. Follow the links below to learn more about the UMC. At Grandview we believe that experiencing Grace-Growth-Gratitude are essential components of our discipleship.
http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/basics-of-our-faith
Grandview Today
Today we are a multi-ethnic and multi-generational faith community featuring American and Nepali-speaking Bhutanese cultures. Our mission is to experience the Blessings of Grandview: Grace-Growth-Gratitude. We invite you to experience them with us.
Does your future become part of our history?
Worshiping in tent 1948
Current Sanctuary (dedicated 1967)
An Abundance of Grace
We believe grace to be the free and unmerited favor of God. His grace is abundant and so are the many ways you can personally experience that grace at Grandview UMC.
Experience God's Grace Through Worship
Worship is vital to our Christian faith. Grandview UMC offers several worship experiences in a Hybrid format (In-Person, Virtual and Parking Lot) throughout the year to draw us closer to Christ.
Regular Worship Services
Legacy Service
Sundays at 10:30 a.m. (September - May) Sanctuary
Our 1 hour Legacy service honors the worship traditions of the church through hymns and liturgy in a hybrid format (In-Person & Virtual). This service includes an Affirmation of Faith, Scripture readings from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures and Psalter. We also celebrate the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism. For young believers we offer a regular Children’s Moment during the service. Music accompaniment is led by Organ or Piano and the Anthem Choir or Handbell Choir. Service is in English. Our In-Person Worship does not require masks for vaccinated individuals. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to wear masks. We currently require masks for all In-Person Worship singing. The church doors will be open at 10:00 a.m. prior to service with Prelude and announcements beginning at 10:20 a.m..
Outdoor Worship
1st & 3rd Sundays at 10:30 a.m. (Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day Weekend)
Outdoor Worship takes place during summer months on the church lawn. In the event of rain service is moved indoors. This service has elements of the Legacy service and may include guitar and keyboard accompaniment. Chairs will be provided; you may bring your own chair or blanket. There will also be Outdoor Worship on the the 5th Sunday in August.
Saransthan Mandali (Refugee International Fellowship)
Sundays at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Sanctuary
Our Nepali language service honors the worship traditions of the church through use of guitars and drums. Service also includes Holy Communion, Praise choir and readings from the Hebrew and Christian scriptures.
United Fellowship
Quarterly at 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary
United Fellowship is a quarterly worship experience between Grandview UMC and Saranthan Mandali honoring the worship traditions of the church in English and Nepali Language. This service includes Scripture readings from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures in English & Nepali, Holy Communion, Children’s Moment and Choir Anthems. Music accompaniment is typically led by Organ, Piano, Guitars and Drums.
Special Worship Services
Senior Sunday 3rd Sunday of the Month
during Legacy Service (September - May)
Service will include scripture readings from the King James Bible (KJV) and hymn sing. Sermons will include illustrations relevant to older adults.
World Communion Sunday
1st Sunday in October 11:00 a.m.
Sanctuary
United Fellowship service that celebrates the Communion of Christians throughout the world.
Ash Wednesday (Date Varies)
7:00 p.m. Sanctuary or Narthex
Ash Wednesday service begins our Lenten journey of penitence. This service includes hymns, choir, Bible message and Imposition of Ashes.
Maundy Thursday (Date Varies)
7:00 p.m. Sanctuary & Narthex
Maundy Thursday we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, Foot washing and Stripping of the Church.
The Passion on the Porch
Good Friday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Self guided tour under the Portico reading the stations of the cross.
Resurrection Sunday (Easter)
10:30 a.m.
Celebrate the risen Lord. Resurrection Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. includes elements of the Legacy service and Saransthan Mandali led worship at 12:30 p.m.
Pentecost Sunday (Date Varies)
10:30 a.m.
Wear red as we celebrate the birth of the church.
All Saints Sunday 1st Sunday of November
A time to remember loved ones through the reading of names.
Tea Light Service Sunday before Christmas
1:00 pm Fellowship Hall
Celebrate the birth of Christ as a family through an interactive worship service. Service will scripture readings of the birth narrative, Christmas carols and signing of Silent Night (with battery operated tea lights).
Christmas Sweater Sunday 3rd Sunday of December
For the 10:30 a.m. worship service on the 3rd Sunday of December, don your ugliest or most festive sweater and help us fill the sanctuary with laughter and color.
Blinking lights and electronic sound encouraged!!!!!
Christmas Eve
Sanctuary 7:00 p.m.
Celebrate the Birth of Christ with scripture readings of the birth narrative, Christmas carols and signing of Silent Night by candlelight.
Christmas Day
Sanctuary
Celebrate the Birth of Christ with Saransthan Mandali.
Experiencing God's Grace Through Music
The Music Ministry at Grandview includes a Handbell Choir, Chancel Choir, and also Special Music on occasion during the 10:30 a.m. worship service as well as a worship band during the 2:30 p.m. Nepali service.
Handbell Choir
This group is open to men and women, high school age and up. They practice on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for 1 hour. They perform during the 10:30 a.m. worship service once a month, and break for summer. Contact the church office to get in touch with the Handbell Choir Director Sue Koeberle-Smith for more information.
Chancel Choir
Choir is open to all singers high school age and up, both men and women. They sing four part anthems (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass). They perform during Sunday morning 10:30 a.m. worship service. Practice is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., and break for summer. Contact the church office to get in touch with the Choir Director Josephine McGrath for more information.
Experiencing God's Grace Through Classes
Adult Sunday School
Kid's Sunday School
Jr. Church
Fall & Spring Bible Study
Experiencing God's Grace Through Groups
UMW
Prayer Group
Grief Group
Which experiences of grace fit you?