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. The 8:00 Chapel service is a small service with a welcoming community. The 9:30 Classic service includes the chancel choir, organ music and a children’s message. Children and youth are dismissed to attend JAM – Jesus and Me Children’s worship in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45. At 11:00 a.m. during the school year (late August—May), we offer our Crossroads worship service which is more informal with a praise band and a variety of musical styles.

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

Where do I go when I get there?
Come right in the front door! We have greeters inside and outside the front doors to welcome you and help you find the restrooms, children’s areas and nursery, chapel and the main sanctuary.  The sanctuary is our main worship space and is directly in front of you when you come in the main entrance. Be sure to stop by the Welcome Table in the lobby to receive our free gift to you of a loaf of bread – because Jesus is the bread of life!

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.

What about my kids?
Children of all ages are welcome at Barrington Church! Children are welcome to worship with you at any of our worship services. Our professionally staffed nursery is available to care for infants and toddlers throughout Sunday mornings. Programming for 3-years through 8th grade is offered during the 9:30 service. Learn more...

Will I be singled out during the worship service as a guest or first-time visitor?
You will not be asked to stand or introduce yourself during the worship services, but we hope that you will sign in on the attendance pads in the pews and provide whatever other information you are comfortable giving us – an address, phone number or email address will help us follow up with you. You are also invited to join us for a cup of coffee and conversation in the lobby or in The Well – A Gathering Space near the front entrance before or after worship services.

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.