Frequently Asked Questions

The church office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30AM – 2:30PM from August-May and 8:30AM-12:30PM June to July. The office is located on the First Floor, to the right of the front entrance, or just outside the door on the right side from the main Sanctuary. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call our office at (740) 593-3977. 

We are a growing congregation that seeks to be inclusive and welcoming to all. Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our community and world. We seek to do this by encouraging each person to be involved in ministries that helps us to grow in having a LOVING FAITH (where we love God and care for each other), a LEARNING FAITH (where we grow in our understanding of the Bible and our faith), and a LIVING FAITH (where we serve others and live out our faith in the name of Christ.)

We have two Sunday worship services, 9 AM in our Chapel and 10:30 AM in our Sanctuary. They are both traditional in style with hymns, prayers, scripture readings, special music, and biblically based sermons. We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month where people are invited to come forward to one of our communion stations, receive a piece of bread and dip into the chalice of grape juice and partake. People then return to their seats. Holy Communion is an opportunity for us to receive and experience God’s grace through the tangible act of receiving the bread and the juice.

Yes, and YES. We welcome all ages to all services! During the school year, we have a children’s message near the beginning of the 10:30 AM service and the children are invited to go to children’s Sunday School for the remainder of the service. It’s a wonderful place where encouragement and praises fill the air while the little ones learn about the vastness of God’s love. You and your children are always invited to join in!  All volunteers and workers follow Safe Ministry guidelines. And for the little ones that just can’t quite sit still, our Nursery is staffed for the 10:30 AM service.

We have several! Sunday worship services which includes a 10:30 AM live-stream worship on our church’s Youtube Channel, our 10:30 AM children’s and Sunday School classes, small groups that meet at different times during the week, our Chancel Choir and Bell Choir, Growing Tree Pre-School that is offered Monday through Friday during the school year, Athens First Saturday Blessing of the Community where we meet on the 1st Saturday of each month at 9 AM in our Fellowship Hall and do various service projects in our community, Pastor’s Bible Studies on Monday nights, Thirst covered-dish gatherings where a person shares their faith journey with the group, and the list goes on and on!

Our church website, Sunday morning worship includes announcements, we have monitors in our front entrance Welcome Center, and we have an active social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to receive our weekly Friday newsletter by going to the the home page of our website, scroll down to the bottom of the page and submit your email address.

Yes! We invite college students to participate in the ministries of our church which include bible studies, serving in the community, attending church events, participating in our music ministries, etc.

Absolutely not! Our congregation is made up of people from a variety of traditions. If you’re looking for a loving, Christ-centered church community, we believe you will find it at First United Methodist Church! All are welcome!

Just let us know by contacting our church office. The pastor offers a Fall and Spring new member class and we will let you know when the next class will be held. This is a great way to meet other new people who have been attending church.

Some folks come dressed casually, others prefer slightly dressier attire. It’s up to you! Be comfortable!  You’re welcome to be who you are here; so come as you are!