Ministries

Mission Statement
Our mission is helping each other serve to our full potential.

Worship and Praise Service
Worship in our small congregation is very personal and inclusive. Everyone present is incorporated into the warm feeling of love and acceptance of each other as equal members the family of God, inclusive of age, race, nationality, gender, LGBTQ, theology, politics, and legal status.

Each Saturday evening by Zoom and each Sunday worship by hybrid Zoom and In-Person celebration is a blend of contemporary and traditional spirituality, including praise, testimonies, prayers, creed, Bible readings, sermon, hymns, and invitation to Christian discipleship. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday each month and on other holy days.  Community Fellowship Meal on third Sundays is suspended due to COVID-19.

Giving Tree
We accept requests for help and pray for immediate and long-term needs as they arise. Only with their permission, we make their needs known to the church for prayer and for seeking personal and group assistance from the community. We work to develop and implement other assistance plans.

Faith Book Club
Faith Book Club meets weekly on Thursdays at 11:30 am for lunch together, followed by mission projects and discussion of the current book study.  They have volunteered with the school district as reading partners for students. (NOTE: Faith Book Club meetings are currently suspended due to COVID-19, but they continue to support church projects and individual relief efforts through offerings and phone decisions).

Church Leadership Bible Study
Our Lay Leader conducts a weekly Bible Study on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, studying the Bible through the lens of church leadership issues. The study features lively and open discussion, currently by Zoom due to COVID-19.

LGBTQ+ Services
We are cultivating supportive, missional relationships to be in ministry with our LGBTQ community. Our church is a Heartland Equality Pride Festival sponsor and had a very active booth presence at the first event. We met over 300 people, prayed with several, distributed information, and enjoyed great fellowship. We intend to be actively involved with Heartland Equality, the regional LGBTQIA+ charitable organization.  We are exploring the possibilities of developing an HIV/AIDS Awareness program in cooperation with Heartland Cares Clinic. Options include free and confidential HIV testing, hosting lectures, support groups, transportation for clinic appointments, food bank assistance and fundraisers. We are intentionally seeking more ways to expand our LGBTQ services.

Scouting Ministries
Our Scouting ministries currently include Girl Scouts. Our BSA charter has transferred to Benton First Christian Church, but our facilities remain available to the units as needed.

Parish Nursing
Our member Becky Blanchard is a certified Parish Nurse and she offers consultation, referral and assistance to people in the church and community as needed.

Third Place Ministries
Together with all the other United Methodist churches of Marshall County, we participate in the Third Place Ministries, Inc., a cooperative ministry serving a variety of needs in the community.  We host the Thanksgiving Basket distribution each November, when the Marshall County UM Youth Group gathers and distributes everything for a Thanksgiving dinner to over 100 families.  Other Third Place ministries include the New to You Shop, Day One Radio Program, Crisis Ministry, and other cooperative programs.

Oakview Center Worship
Worship services are held at Oakview Rehabilitation Center each Sunday at 9:30 am, but are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Community Event Hosting
We offer the use of our facilities at no charge for selected community events including Thanksgiving Basket Food Collection and Distribution, Scouting Ministries, 3rd Place Ministries, Marshall County Youth Group, St. Jude Benefit Dinner, Marshall County Humane Society Trivia Benefit, other non-profit community organizations, and family celebrations. NOTE:  All activities are suspended due to COVID-19 except those with specific plans for safely gathering of under 10 persons approved by the District Superintendent.