When and where are services?

Sunday worship services are at **8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.** in the **sanctuary**. Good Shepherd United Methodist Church is at **9155 Hungary Road, Henrico, VA**. ( https://gsumcrva.org/services/ ; https://gsumcrva.org/what-to-expect/ )

What languages are services conducted in, and is translation available?

Services appear to be conducted in English, based on the sermon recording. The church’s website does not say whether translation is available. ( [24:17 from November 09, 2026] ) ( https://gsumcrva.org/what-to-expect/ )

What happens during a typical service, and how long does it last?

A typical Sunday service includes gathering and praise, scripture and a sermon, prayers, and the offering (“our gifts”), with music such as hymns and anthems throughout. The 10 a.m. service also has a children’s message; communion is offered on the first Sunday of the month. The church lists services at 8:30 and 10 a.m., but does not specify how long they last. ( https://gsumcrva.org/services/ )

What is the worship format, and does it vary by service?

Good Shepherd’s Sunday morning worship follows a traditional “Word and Table” liturgy: gathering and praise, Scripture, prayers, a sermon, and the offering, with music such as hymns and anthems woven throughout. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. ( https://gsumcrva.org/services/ ) Yes, some details vary by service. The 8:30 a.m. service is midsize, with the choir singing on Communion Sundays. The 10 a.m. service is the largest, includes all ages, and has a children’s message and choir (with special music during the summer instead of the choir). The 6:30 p.m. FUEL service for students in grades 6–12 is a youth worship and small-group gathering that begins with a meal. ( https://gsumcrva.org/services/ )

Can someone attend while exploring Christianity or questioning their beliefs?

Yes. Good Shepherd says, “Come as you are. We have a place for you,” and describes its small groups as welcoming people on unique spiritual journeys, with encouragement for every season. ( https://gsumcrva.org/what-to-expect/ ; https://gsumcrva.org/springsmallgroups/ )

Is registration required, or can someone simply arrive?

For a regular visit, you can simply arrive—the church invites people to “come as you are,” and doesn’t mention registration. Some activities, such as spring small groups, do ask you to RSVP. ( https://gsumcrva.org/what-to-expect/ ; https://gsumcrva.org/springsmallgroups/ )

Where should a first-time visitor park, enter, and check in children?

Park at the end of the entrance driveway off Hungary Road; although the lot looks like it’s behind the church, it leads to the building entrance. Follow the sidewalk to the portico and enter through the glass lobby doors, where greeters can help you. ( https://gsumcrva.org/what-to-expect/ ) For infants or toddlers, ask a greeter to direct you to the nursery. You’ll be asked to sign your child in; let the nursery workers know about any special needs or allergies. ( https://gsumcrva.org/what-to-expect/ )

Do children need advance registration, and can visiting families participate?

The website doesn’t mention advance registration for Sunday children’s activities; children are invited to join Kids Worship on the second through fourth Sundays, or use the Kids Corner on the first Sunday. Visiting families are welcome, and children don’t need to be members to participate. ( https://gsumcrva.org/kids-worship/ ; https://gsumcrva.org/children-and-family-ministry/ )

What denomination or network does the church belong to?

Good Shepherd belongs to the United Methodist Church. Its website identifies it as “Good Shepherd United Methodist Church” and refers to the congregation’s practices and beliefs as United Methodist. ( https://gsumcrva.org/membership/ ; https://gsumcrva.org/discipleship-survey/ )

What are its stated core beliefs?

The church’s stated beliefs center on becoming more like Jesus Christ by learning how he lived and taught and putting that example into action through caring for others. It also describes serving the world as a cornerstone of United Methodist belief, affirming peace, justice, human rights, environmental stewardship, and shared mission. ( https://gsumcrva.org/grow/ ) ( https://gsumcrva.org/serving-our-world/ )

What roles can women hold in church leadership?

The website shows women serving as clergy and small-group leaders: Rev. Renee Delgado facilitates Moms Connect and a virtual group, Rev. Lisa McGehee facilitates the Elizabeth Women’s Class, and Valerie Robnolt and Mary Beth Mitchell facilitate Ladies in Faith Together. It doesn’t specify the full range of church leadership roles women may hold. ( https://gsumcrva.org/springsmallgroups/ )

What are its stated policies concerning LGBTQ people?

The materials provided state **no specific LGBTQ policy**—they do not address LGBTQ membership, marriage, or leadership. The website does invite visitors to “come as you are” and says there is “a place for you” ( https://gsumcrva.org/what-to-expect/ ). In a sermon, we describe God’s invitation as extending to “all of God’s children” and encourage welcoming people who are “new” or “different” as siblings in Christ. The sermon does not specifically mention LGBTQ people or define a related policy. ( [43:34 from November 09, 2026] ) ( [39:56 from November 09, 2026] )

Which recent sermons would help someone understand the teaching?

The clearest fit is **“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (November 8, 2026)**. Rev. Jae Song reflects on God welcoming both the child who returns and the child who stayed home, and on extending that welcome to others. ( [40:54 from November 09, 2026] ) ( [41:35 from November 09, 2026] ) For another recent sermon to explore, **“The Parable of the Great Banquet/All Saints Sunday” (November 1, 2026)** may also connect with the theme of welcome, based on its title. The church’s recent sermon list also includes “Whose Apple Is It?” (October 25), “Receiving and Giving of God’s Blessing” (October 18), and “The Barn That Couldn’t Hold a Life” (October 11). ( https://gsumcrva.org/live-worship/ )

How does the church talk about sin, confession and forgiveness?

We talk about sin as wrongdoing and as turning away from a shared life with God. In the Prodigal Son story, the younger son admits, “I have sinned against heaven and against you”; the sermon also describes his departure as choosing a life without his father. ( [28:35 from November 09, 2026] ) ( [34:49 from November 09, 2026] ) We encourage honest confession: bring God your guilt, shame, regret, and what has kept your heart distant. The sermon says you do not have to hide or make yourself worthy before returning. ( [44:01 from November 09, 2026] ) ( [40:54 from November 09, 2026] ) Forgiveness is presented through the father’s compassionate welcome: he embraces his son before the son can earn his way back, restores him as a son, and celebrates his return. The sermon applies this to God’s welcome of us as beloved children. ( [29:13 from November 09, 2026] ) ( [40:54 from November 09, 2026] )

How does the teaching approach community and honesty with others?

We teach that community means welcoming others as family, including people who feel different or hard to welcome, and sharing in their joy rather than keeping our distance. In the sermon’s teaching on the two sons, the father invites both children back into relationship and calls them to recognize one another as siblings. ( [39:56 from November 09, 2026] ) ( [41:35 from November 09, 2026] ) Honesty is approached with compassion: we are encouraged to name guilt, hurt, anger, or resentment rather than hide it, and to take an honest first step toward restored relationship. ( [43:34 from November 09, 2026] ) For families, the church also recommends making a safe space for children to ask difficult questions and express feelings, listening rather than brushing them off. ( https://gsumcrva.org/family-resources/ )

How does the church approach doubt and suffering?

Good Shepherd’s approach is to make room for honest questions and painful feelings, while offering spiritual welcome and practical support. For children, the church encourages adults to listen, ask questions, and not brush concerns aside; it also points families to grief and mental-health resources. ( https://gsumcrva.org/family-resources/ ) The church website recognizes that everyone can face challenges to their mental well-being and lists support options, including peer groups through Central Virginia NAMI and Full Circle Grief. ( https://gsumcrva.org/mental-wellness/ ) In a sermon, Pastor Jay invites people to bring God their guilt, hurt, anger, and resentment honestly, describing that prayer as a first step toward home. The message also stresses that people need not hide their regret or unfinished lives: God welcomes them with love. ( [44:01 from November 09, 2026] ) ( [40:54 from November 09, 2026] )

How does the church approach faith and work?

We see faith and work as connected: faith is lived out through everyday choices and practical service, not just attendance at church. Our church describes discipleship as learning how Jesus lived and putting it into action by caring for others—for example, feeding the hungry, supporting people through meal and caring ministries, and offering time and companionship. ( https://gsumcrva.org/grow/ ) We also teach that serving is not a way to earn God’s love. In the sermon on the two sons, the older son describes himself as “slaving” for his father, but the father calls him a son and assures him that he belongs. That points to an approach where work and service grow from being loved by God, rather than from trying to prove our worth. ( [37:54 from November 09, 2026] ) ( [41:35 from November 09, 2026] )

Is an answer based on an official statement or an interpretation of sermons?

It depends on the answer’s source. Information stated on the church website—such as its description of the Discipleship Survey—is an official church statement ( https://gsumcrva.org/discipleship-survey/ ). A conclusion drawn from the sermon, such as that the parable portrays God welcoming both sons, is an interpretation of the sermon’s teaching, not necessarily a separate official policy statement ( [40:54 from November 09, 2026] ; [41:35 from November 09, 2026] ).

Are there groups or introductory gatherings open to newcomers?

Yes. Good Shepherd offers adult small groups and classes for different stages of the spiritual journey. The church specifically describes its monthly Book Group as an excellent entry point for joining a small group; it meets the first Thursday of the month, September through June. ( https://gsumcrva.org/community-life/ ) You can also ask about current groups by contacting Erika Stein at Erika@gsumcrva.org. ( https://gsumcrva.org/small-groups/ )

Can someone join groups or volunteer before becoming a member?

Yes. The church website invites people to RSVP for small groups and describes several ways to volunteer, without stating that membership is required. For example, you can sign up for a spring small group, greet on Sunday mornings, help with Kids Worship, or join the Meal Team. Contact the listed group facilitator or ministry contact to get started. ( https://gsumcrva.org/springsmallgroups/ ; https://gsumcrva.org/serving-our-church/ )

Who can answer a question the published information doesn't resolve?

The website doesn’t name a general contact for questions it doesn’t answer, but it lists a **“Who Should I Call?”** resource. For questions specifically about the family resources, it identifies **Rev. Renee** as someone who can discuss her recommended books. ( https://gsumcrva.org/family-resources/ )

GoodShepherdUMCRVA

Henrico 9155 Hungary Road

45s

#WelcomeHome

“The father welcomed the younger son with open arms. The son had done wrong. He knew it. He confessed it. But his father didn't make him stand at a distance. He embraced him fully. My son. If you feel like a child who has been away for a long time, Please know, God welcomes you with this love. You can bring your confession, your regret, your unfinished life. You do not have to hide. But here what your God will say, welcome home, my child.”

See all sermon resources

44s

#UnfailingLove

“And this father never gave up. He kept waiting and watching and searching. And when the son finally appeared, still far away, the father saw him. He spotted his son and ran to him, throwing his arms around him and welcomed his son. is the heart of our God waiting for us, waiting for you. And when we return, we discover a love already reaching out to you, reaching out to us.”

See all sermon resources

31s

#RelationshipWithGod

“Pastor Jay, I'm a Christian, and I come to church. I... I'm here today. That's great. But being in the church doesn't necessarily mean we are sharing our lives with God. Have you ever been in the same room with your loved one, but still somehow feel far away from them? Living under the same roof, but somehow not really sharing the life with them.”

See all sermon resources

GoodShepherdUMCRVA

Watch

Explore

Visiting

Kids & families

Beliefs

Teaching

Community

Ask your own question