Welcome to First United Methodist Church!

We are so pleased to participate as one of the host congregations in the annual Advent Sights and Sounds tour of the downtown Newark churches. On behalf of our congregation, I extend a warm invitation to you to discover all that First Church has to offer!

I am privileged to be the senior pastor of this thriving downtown church. First UMC has a rich heritage of mission outreach, ministry programming for all ages and stages, thoughtful and challenging preaching, as well as an outstanding music program under the direction of Jeff Rings.

We are also home church for the New-Ark Emmaus Community which seeks to help people grow deeper roots in their faith through a weekend spiritual retreat experience. Additionally, First UMC reaches out to our Newark Community with our Child of God Preschool. We also provide emergency assistance through our Food Pantry as well as participate in many community wide mission directed activities.

We have a strong leadership team at First Church including Mark Chow, our associate minister, Lori Michael, our Director for Youth and their families, Ali Chann, our Director for Young Family Ministry, Mary Lutz, our Director for Lay Leadership Development and Adult Spiritual Formation, as well as Jeff Rings, Choir Director.

I invite you to worship with us on Sundays. Our early service, First Word, begins at 8:30 a.m. It is an informational service blending the gifts of the ancient church with the technology of today’s culture. Our 11:00 a.m. service includes formal liturgy, our outstanding Sanctuary choir, youth and children’s choirs, our bell choirs, and a host of talented individuals and instrumentalists. The sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month in all services and on the high holy days of the liturgical church year.

Christmas Eve First UMC will share one morning service at 10:00 a.m. followed by a 5:00 p.m. family service and our Traditional Christmas Eve service with communion beginning at 10:00 p.m. If you do not have a church home on Christmas Eve, we welcome your presence with us on this special day. Returning during the season of Advent, is the delightful music ensemble from Columbus, “The Early Interval.” Join us on Sunday, December 10^th at 2:00 p.m. The Early Interval is a nationally renowned group and this year’s program will be a unique compilation of some of EI’S work from throughout the years. You won’t want to miss this experience!

As I begin my third year as the senior minister I am excited by the ways that I see our fellowship growing. In this 200^th year as the Methodist s of Newark First, we renew our mission to be the body of Christ for the world. The people of First UMC are striving to live our Christ’s mandate to make disciples for the kingdom by reaching in to our church, reaching out to our community and reaching up to God. Join us and discover the joy that First Church has to offer!

Blessings,
Reverend Barbara Sholis, Senior Pastor

Sights | Sounds | Volunteers | Sponsors | Food Pantry Network

info@sightsandsoundsofchristmas.org