Connect Online

First UMC makes every effort to livestream our contemporary worship service using dedicated volunteers. The service is broadcast on our church Facebook page. Since our page is public, you are not required to have a Facebook account to view the video. Simply go to the church Facebook page, scroll down to the video, and click on it. If a dialog box pops-up and asks you to log-in or create an account, you can simply close that box and proceed. If you do have Facebook, please "Like" our page and subscribe to notifications. We also broadcast on our church YouTube channel.

Do you want to worship with music throughout the week? Our musicians and singers have created contemporary and traditional playlists that are accessible through our church Facebook page. In addition, we offer contemporary playlists with songs from popular artists that we sing in worship. These can be accessed on YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify.

In addition to our full worship services, you can also access Pastor Mark’s sermon on YouTube and various podcast apps. For the podcast, search "Pastor Mark Reynolds" in your preferred app. 

If you would like daily scripture readings to guide your devotional times, go to the Revised Common Lectionary on the Vanderbilt Divinity School Library website. If you have a smart phone, you can also download an app. called Daily Office Lectionary that will give you daily readings in the Old and New Testaments. 

You can access the Bible on many websites, but we recommend Bible Gateway. You can also download the Bible app, YouVersion, on your smart phone. 

As you read the Bible daily, we encourage you to pray through the scriptures using an ancient method called lectio divina (i.e., sacred reading). Here is a simple guide:

1. As you read scripture, what grabs your attention? What word, image, or verse speaks to your heart? Close your eyes, and memorize the word, image or verse in your heart.
2. Ask yourself, "What is God trying to say to me?" Reflect on this in personal and concrete ways to discover where you need insight, encouragement, correction, or change.
3. Say a conversational prayer being honest with God about what you are feeling and thinking. What do you need to do in obedience to God? Write down a concrete and specific application that you will implement today.
4. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and clear your mind. Sit in stillness and silence with God. It may help to focus on your breathing. As distractions come, simply observe them without judgment, let them go, and return your focus to the cadence of your breath. The goal is to relax into the presence of God without an agenda. To simply be with God.

Pastor Mark loves to learn and is truly a teaching pastor. When he has the time, he also enjoys writing. You can get to know how he thinks by checking out several articles and devotionals he has written on his blog (www.revmarkreynolds.com).

We continue to offer hybrid classes and Bible studies through video conferencing so people who cannot attend in-person can still connect. Check out our online calendar for options and let us know if you would like more information. Those who sign-up for classes offered online will get an email from the leader with links and credentials to connect to the group. You can also request to be added to our church email list to get announcements about new opportunities. We also encouraging you to connect with us through social media pages and groups.

"First UMC is a teaching church with a knowledgeable pastor who brings people together to grow their faith."

-Lora Resch