HOW TO "JOIN" OUR CHURCH

WITHOUT "JOINING"

Eastern Kentucky University students and faculty and persons in Richmond for limited periods of time often wish to "“connect" with a local congregation and have a church "home away from home."

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP

If you are a United Methodist whose membership is in another city or state and you wish to retain your membership in your “home” church, you can become an AFFILIATE member. This grants you the benefits of pastoral care, fellowship, and full participation in our church. You are not counted as a full member on our rolls, but retain membership in your home church. We simply inform your home church that you are attending our church and are under our care.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Members of other Christian denominations may become ASSOCIATE members without moving their membership from their home church. Associate membership, like Affiliate membership, connects you to this congregation for pastoral care, worship, educational and fellowship opportunities, and full participation in the life our church.

Worship Services

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday morning is important to us. We come together as a community to sing, pray and hear messages about God’s love and desires for us. Our two worship services offer different styles so that all persons can find meaningful and comfortable ways to draw near to God.

 

We celebrate Holy Communion at both services on the first Sunday of each month. This time of sharing bread and grape juice is our way of remembering and experiencing the grace of God and the love of Jesus made known to us by his death upon the cross. Children and adults are invited and welcome to take part in this time of celebrating this holy mystery of our faith.

 

TRADITIONAL:

Our 8:30 service is more formal and uses traditional creeds and hymns the church has used for many years. The ministers, choir and acolytes wear robes for this service, and worship includes a variety of special vocal and instrumental music. This service provides times of participation and reflection and is designed to deepen our relationship with God and strengthen relationships within the church family.

 

BLENDED:

Our 10:45 service has a more contemporary feel. The service is designed to provide a blend of praise and worship music as well as special music offered by the choir, soloists and instrumentalists. The service offers a comfortable atmosphere and setting for persons of all ages to connect and interact with God and enjoy the fellowship of our church family.

 

FIRST SUNDAY PRAISE AND PRAYER

Our 7:00 p.m. First Sunday Praise and Prayer service is a time for lifting our voices in song and prayer. Offering thanks and praise and praying for specific joys and concerns is the primary focus of the service. Our time together is informal, incorporates a variety of musical styles, and allows all persons present to lift up prayer requests and pray individually and as a community.

 

UNITY SUNDAY

When a month has 5 Sundays we celebrate Unity Sunday. There is one worship service at 10:45 that unites the 8:30 and 10:45 worshippers into one, big, worshipping family. The worship service is followed by a pot-luck luncheon in the Fellowship Hall where everyone brings a favorite covered dish and the church provides the meat and drinks. The theme for those 5th Sunday celebrations is: One Service – One Family - One Meal.

 

MEMBERSHIP IN THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST OF RICHMOND

In addition to Associate and Affiliate membership described in "How to Join our Church Without Joining" featured on this page, we encourage those seeking to become members to participate in the "Exploring Membership and Ministry"” class offered throughout the year. The class provides information about our rich denominational heritage, who we are as a church, what we believe, how we are structured, and what we expect of our members. It is also an opportunity to ask questions about our worship life, educational programs, fellowship activities, and opportunities for personal growth and service.

 

Please contact our pastor or a staff member if you are interested in joining our church. We welcome your questions and look forward to serving you.

 

Rev. Gene Strange, Senior Pastor

Rev. Mary Lou Stephens, Adult Ministry

Vicki Moore, Childrens Ministry

Stacy Jordan, Young Adult Ministry

Jamie Jordan, Youth Ministry

Gale Price, Music Ministry

 

Church office ~ 859-623-3580