The United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church has been called “the church of the warm heart” because we have a history of caring about and working to create peace for all people. The heart of our Christian faith is Christ’s ministry of outreaching love. We are all called to minister wherever Christ would have us work to heal and free others.
We believe in God’s grace, which means the unearned and loving action of God in our daily lives. In spite of suffering, violence and evil in the world, we assert that God’s grace exists everywhere. Despite any circumstance, we remain creatures brought to life by a just and loving God. The reign of God is both a present and a future reality.
Ionia First
At Ionia First, we offer two worship services each Sunday:
A Traditional Service (9:30 AM)
including all the time honored components that are our heritage.
Hymns (accompanied by our Mohler Pipe Organ) and the Order of Worship
(as set out by the United Methodist Church), set the tone for this service.
We also have a Contemporary Service (11:00 AM)
designed to meet the needs of those who prefer a more informal worship experience.
This service begins with contemporary praise songs led by our Praise Band,
featuring guitars, bass, keyboard, saxophone and drums.
Pastor Larry Brown explores the same theme with us in each service.
Several times each month we also feature various soloists.
We also have a full choir as well as a men’s chorus that occasionally grace our services.
Every Sunday we have “Children’s Time” as an integral part of our contemporary service. Beverly Brown (the pastor’s wife) has the children in the congregation join her in exploring how the Bible relates to their everyday experiences. During the pastor’s sermon, she conducts a “Kid’s Church” in our chapel where they further explore God’s word.
We believe strongly in the power of prayer. Each Sunday we share our “ Joys and Cares” giving updates on our members situations.
Our Pastor uses PowerPoint presentations to help illustrate the points of his sermons that stress scripture and how it relates to our modern lives.
All services are video taped and converted into CDs and DVDs that are made available at no cost to shut-ins and people who were unable to attend Sunday service. An archive of past services is available for those who would like to view them. You will find them (CDs & DVDs) on the “Greeting Table” located in the hall outside the Sanctuary.
