Home

Worship & S.S.

Prayer Requests

Children/Preschool

Contact Us & Links

News/Events

Music

Youth & Youth Devotion

Counseling

Church Life/Outreach

Location & History

Leisure

Guest Book

Search Sacred Text

Worship With Us!
Sunday School classes for all ages
"Why We Practice Blended Worship" by Dr. Thielen (see below)

 

8:30 Contemporary with Traditional Service

9:15 - 9:45 Fellowship Time in Fellowship Hall
(coffee, donuts, & juice)

9:45 - Sunday School
See Below

11:00 Traditional with Contemporary

 

 Nursery provided for newborn - 3 yrs

Quiet Bags - for those not attending Children's Church (located in the narthex)

Children's Church ages 4-Kindergarten,
(see children's page for details)

  

 Additional Christian Education Opportunities:

 

Disciple Bible study, Monday morning Women's  Bible study, Wednesday evening Men's Bible study, Mid-Week Journey classes,
seasonal Small group studies (ex: Beth Moore studies),
Vacation Bible School, Sunday evening UMYF and Youth small groups

 

 Contact: Lori Reynolds (615-444-3315)
Director of Christian Education
for information on Christian Education opportunities

  Christian Education will allow us to grow as disciples of Christ by

  • Devoting ourselves to the life of Christ
  • Being bound to a community of those who believe in Christ
  • Spending time together in the church
  • Giving to those who are suffering
  • Active involvement in the world along with withdrawal into the community of believers for support

Sunday School - 9:45 am

 Christian Education options to reach us where we are, to nurture our faith and to become disciples of Christ each Sunday morning.

 

  Children's Classes
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." - Matthew 19:4

2-year olds: learning in room 101
Children are stimulated with Bible stories and hands-on learning.

3-year olds:  learning in room 103
Children learn through stories, music and role play. 
They are also introduced to basic Bible exploration and foundation.

4-year olds:  learning in room 106
Children enjoy age-appropriate curriculum to experience biblical truths.

5-year olds:  learning in room 108
Children learn through bible stories, songs and crafts.

1st grade: learning in room 107
First graders learn the Bible stories from individual as well as interactive  group activities.  Worship readiness sessions are held the second half of the class year.

2nd-5th grade: learning in rooms 207, 214, 215, 216
Children use the rotation model of study of bible stories through
cooking, music, drama and movies.

6th grade: learning in the Spain House
Sixth graders participate in discussion of basic Bible truths and Bible usage.  Confirmation classes are held separately.  

Youth
Youth grow in Christ through lecture and discussion using curriculum developed by the Youth Ministry Architect team for LFUMC. 

7& 8 grade: learning in the Spain House
9 & 10 grade: learning in the Spain House
11&12 grade: learning in the Spain House
 


Adult Classes
 Opportunities to learn the faith and to explore ways of living the faith every day?..
 
Agape: learning in the Spain House
A small group of adults that enjoy biblically-based studies. 
Group members are encouraged to discuss and share their own opinions.
 
Dean Stroud/J.O.Y.: learning in room 122
A class of mature adults who diligently study the United Methodist curriculum,
Adult Bible Studies, in a lecture-style format.
 
Faithful Followers: learning in room 201
An adult class of active Christians who have biblically-based discussions of current events and books of the Bible. Members are encouraged to follow the example of Jesus and reach out to those in the class and the community. 
 
Fellowship:  learning in room 121 (library)
This is a class of mature adults whose primary focus is the Adult Bible Studies series, with Bible study and discussion as the key to learning.
 
Footprints: learning in FLC (youth lounge)
This group of  30s and 40s (many with young children) studies current issues of the church as well as thought-provoking biblical discussions.
 
Great Expectations: learning in Fellowship Hall
A wide variety of ages of couples and singles. 
A welcoming atmosphere of learning and discussion of many Christian-related topics.  Guest speakers are also invited for programs.
 
H.O.P.E. for the Journey: learning in rm 202
A group of younger adults who enjoy studies of Christian books, as well as intense Bible studies, in a comforting, smaller-group setting. 
 
Men's Discussion:  learning in room 122
A small group of mature Christian gentlemen who discuss current topics
of the church and society.
 
Open Door: learning in room 200
An adult class composed of all ages. 
The class provides friendly fellowship and welcomes informative study,
ranging from current events to discussion on Christian documentaries.
 
Open Minds & Open Hearts: learning in the Spain House
A discussion-oriented adult class for those ages 20-80 that provides an opportunity for participants to experience spiritual growth through exploring how
the teachings of Jesus Christ apply to current issues.
 
Pathfinders: learning in the FLC Craft Room
A discuss-oriented adult class devoted to the study of Christian issues
and studies of how the Bible applies to us today. 
Close fellowship in a smaller, covenant group setting.
 
Questors: learning in the Thackston Room
An active group of middle-aged +, couples, and singles
studying God's word in a variety of selected materials. 
Teachers/discussion leaders are volunteers from within the class.
 
Seekers:  learning in room 204
40s and up (couples and singles) who explore a variety of topics from Bible study to current Christian authors, mixing class discussion and lecture.
 
Soul Searchers:  learning in the parlor
This class will be of interest to those adults who are single or attend church by themselves. Studies include journeys of personal faith.
 
Upper Room:  learning in room 206
Multi-age group of learners who study a variety of Christian topics and books in a smaller-group setting for comfortable discussion.
 
20/30: learning in the Thackston Room
A post-college, early career age group that focuses on discussion of lessons that apply the Bible to our lives today. 

 

Why We Practice Blended Worship
Dr. Martin Thielen

Unfortunately, "worship wars" are raging in congregations all across America. Thousands of churches are experiencing tremendous conflict over whether to use traditional or contemporary styles of music. Thankfully, we have avoided "worship wars" here at First Church. However, like every church, we have diverse music preferences among our congregation. That diversity was reflected in our recent congregational survey. The survey revealed that the overwhelming majority of the congregation is extremely pleased with our worship. However, a handful of people at the 11:00 service said they disliked contemporary music, including the new choruses we've added. One person called them "little dinky ditties!" On the other hand, others in the 11:00 service said they love contemporary music, especially the new choruses, and want more of them. The same dynamic was seen at the 8:30 service. Several people requested that we sing more traditional songs, but several others requested that we sing more contemporary songs.

What's a pastor to do! Some suggest that we have two completely different services. They suggest 8:30 be all contemporary and 11:00 be all traditional. Unfortunately, that does not work. There are many people at 8:30 who want at least some traditional music. And, there are many people at 11:00 who want at least some contemporary music. Therefore, the only viable solution is blended worship. Blended worship, as the name suggests, blends both old and new, traditional and contemporary. For us that means that the 8:30 service is mostly contemporary, but includes some traditional. And that means that the 11:00 service is mostly traditional, but includes some contemporary. This blended approach is the only way to meet the diverse needs and preferences of our congregation, and to meet the needs of those who will become part of our congregation in the future.

Of course, blended worship means that we will never please 100 % of the people 100 % of the time. As I joked in our 5th Sunday service last December, "If we didn't offend you this week come back next week and we'll try to offend you then!" It's absolutely impossible to please everybody all the time. But, blended worship does please most of the people most of the time, and that's as good as it gets when it comes to music and worship.

I'm grateful to God and this congregation that we are not engaged in "worship wars" at First Church. Quite the opposite is true. We get constant and overwhelming affirmation about our worship services. And while a few people in our survey said they don't much care for blended worship, hundreds affirmed it. Clearly, the vast majority of our congregation is extremely pleased with our blended approach. The best indicator of how people feel about worship is worship attendance, which has dramatically increased since we implemented blended worship. In fact, worship attendance is at an all time high in the history of our church.

Regardless of what music style you prefer, I have a pastoral request of every member and friend in our church. My request is that we continue to be tolerant of the diverse worship preferences represented in our congregation. Why? Because what for us is a "little dinky ditty" is for others a profound expression of worship. And what for us is a "boring old hymn" is for others a significant praise to the Almighty. So, like a family, let's continue to give and take in order to meet the wants and needs of all our members and friends, both present and future.

Thank you for your faithfulness at worship and for your enthusiastic response to our policy of blended worship. I hope to see you Sunday for the worship of God.