What's most important here?

A church isn't just a building. It is a gathering of people. First Church has over 900 members and an average weekly attendance of 400 in our two worship services.  We come together often to worship God, to celebrate the fellowship of this church family, to engage in ministries of justice and service, to learn of God and grow in God's love. Church isn't just about Sunday morning. It is about the meals we serve on Mondays and Thursdays at the homeless shelters, the trips the kids take to go bowling, the children who gather every week to sing songs of praise, the old folks who get together to tell jokes, the young adults who play volleyball, the people who come to talk to a pastor about their hopes and fears and joys, the... well, you get the idea, don't you? First Church is a church family that is growing and dynamic. We are involved in the world and we try to empower one another to see God and serve God.

Our Beliefs

First United Methodist Church is a diverse fellowship of believers. We stand in the great cloud of witnesses of faithful people and hold some core convictions in common with Christians in all times and places. These basics are foundational elements of our Methodist heritage and they remain the cornerstone of our faith. We profess the historic Christian faith in God, incarnate in Jesus Christ for our salvation, and ever at work in human history in the Holy Spirit. We live in God's grace under the Lordship of Jesus, and we participate in the ever-unfolding reign of God as we pray and work for its full realization on earth as in heaven. We believe that every person stands in need of a life-changing experience of faith centered in Jesus Christ.

Beyond these basic affirmations of faith, United Methodists are not known to be a confessional people in the sense that there is a set creed to which we adhere. Indeed, we know that each person arrives at a confession of faith in his or her own way. Here at First Church, we trust that we are guided by God's Holy Spirit as together we "work out our salvation with fear and trembling." Coming to a clear faith is a struggle in these times. Do not fear if you struggle with faith, for you are not alone!

United Methodist theology is firmly rooted in grace. We understand God's grace to be all around us, found within us, and made real in the world through us. We define grace as God's love given to us for no reason other than that God loves us. And God does love us, no matter what! Our response to God's love, and our living in God's love, is what life is all about.

We continually offer classes here at First Church to help people explore faith. We aren't afraid of the hard questions, and we invite you to come and grow in faith with all of us. Our pastors are always willing to talk about faith questions. We hope and pray that First Church can be a place where you will not only feel welcomed, but also a place where you will grow in your faith!

Joining the Church

We welcome you to walk with us in your spiritual journey. The following membership vows are made by those who choose to affiliate with the church.

• Do you here, in the presence of God and this congregation, renew the solemn promise made at your baptism?

• Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world and repent of your sins?

• Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?

• Do you confess Jesus Christ as your savior, put your whole trust in his grace and promise to serve him?

• Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?