Frequently Asked Questions

What are the worship services like?
Each of our worship services has its own unique style, but all share the same scripture readings and sermon. This summer and into early fall, all are invited to in-person worship at 9 a.m. in our parking lot, near the portico followed by fellowship at 10 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., a second in-person worship is available to all in the sanctuary.

Where is the church located?
Barrington Church is at the corner of Route 59 and Algonquin Road in Barrington Hills.

Is parking available?
Plenty of parking is available in our main parking lot off of Algonquin Road. Specially marked handicap parking spaces and spaces for pregnant or new mothers are available near the front entrance.

Is the building handicap accessible? 
The Barrington Church building is handicap accessible – doors are wide enough for wheelchairs and walkers, all restrooms are accessible and the sanctuary has pews designed that those using wheelchairs can sit with their families. For those who are vision or hearing impaired, we have large print hymnals and assisted listening devices available at the sanctuary entrance.

May I participate in communion?
Yes! We believe that God’s table is open to all – you are welcome and invited to join us for this sacrament as it is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month at all worship services. We offer a gluten-free option at each service to make this sacrament available to all, regardless of dietary restrictions.

Can I participate in classes or programs even if I am not a member?
Of course! All of our programs, activities, missions and ministries are open to all, regardless of membership status. We hope that you will join a Sunday morning or weekday class or participate in a mission or service project. Participating in these programs is a great opportunity to get to know people and to walk the faith journey in ways that are most meaningful to you.

How can I find out more?
You can contact Rev. Matthew Johnson or call (847) 836-5540 with questions or requests for more information.

Sacraments at Barrington Church
The sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion are practiced in the Wesleyan tradition because of God’s “prevenient grace,” i.e, God’s saving grace that precedes, goes ahead of us, reaches out to us and gives us new life. Both sacraments are biblically based and were given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptizer in the river Jordan at the beginning of his ministry, and the Church has always regarded the sacrament as central to salvation. In the Methodist tradition, the sacrament of baptism is usually, but not always, done by sprinkling water on the head of the person being baptized. Most often baptism is given to an infant, who later in life, usually adolescence, goes through the process of Confirmation, in which the vows that others made on behalf of the infant are confirmed, made real in one’s personal commitment, by the youth. Baptism is also practiced in our tradition for youth and adults by pouring water on the head of the person or by full immersion.

Holy Communion was instituted by our Lord on the last night of his life, and the words he used as he gave bread and wine to his disciples, ”Take and eat…drink this…every time you do this, do it in remembrance of me…” are central to the liturgy of the Sacrament. However, it is about much more than remembrance. It is about grace, the real presence of God in the bread and wine, about forgiveness of sin and new life offered.

These realities of grace, forgiveness and new life are amazingly given to us in life’s simplest elements—water, bread, wine.