About Us

First United Methodist Church invites you to discover God’s love while belonging to a church community that supports, nurtures and challenges you along the way. You will find an inviting community of people who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ and to support one another in their journey of faith.

We seek to live out Christ’s teachings in the modern world. First United Methodist Church (FUMC) offers a variety of ministry opportunities, through worship, fellowship, study and outreach. FUMC invites you to our friendly community of people on a mission, choosing Jesus Christ and serving one another.

What to Expect

What are worship services like?

The 9:30 a.m. Sunday Sanctuary Service is “blended,” with a mix of older hymns and newer worship songs, accompanied by a piano or organ and worship leaders. We use a projection system for the lyrics and other visuals. Bulletins and hymnals are also available.

Worship includes: praise songs, classic hymns, children’s message, the reading of scriptures by members of the congregation, prayer, and a message by the pastor relevant to today’s world yet still deeply connected to Scripture.

We also offer a nursery for your use during the entire service, and children’s church program is offered after the children’s message.

Come to the Chapel Service on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. to experience a traditional service in a more casual and intimate setting featuring hymns, prayer, Scripture, and message.

What should I wear?

At FUMC you will see people in jeans and t-shirts and others in coats and ties. We encourage you to wear what whatever is most comfortable for you!

What's the Sunday schedule?

8:30–9:30a.m.

Homebuilders Adult Sunday School—Homebuilder’s Room Downstairs

9:30–10:30a.m.

Worship Service—Sanctuary

(NOTE:  If you are unable to attend, or simply want to “check us out,” listen to a live broadcast of our service at 9:30 on Sunday mornings, on KNIA KRLS 1320 AM, or watch live streaming on our Facebook page or YouTube channel.)

10:00–10:30 a.m.

Children’s Church (Age 3 to 2nd grade)—East Fellowship Hall Downstairs

10:30–11:30 a.m.

Faith Forum Adult Sunday School—East Fellowship Hall Downstairs

Is there anything for kids?

We offer several ministries for your children to get involved in including:

How do I get connected?

There are many opportunities for Christians of all ages, so please feel free to explore our various programs and outreach missions sections on this site to find a specific age group or activity that most fits what you’re looking for.

Our office staff is available throughout the week to answer any questions you may have about our church and our activities, so please give us a call at any time at (641) 842-3712 or email us at first@kfumc.org. Office hours are Monday–Friday 9am-3pm.

Our Beliefs

United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. We share the following basic affirmations in common with all Christian communities:

Trinity

We describe God in three persons. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are commonly used to refer to the threefold nature of God. Sometimes we use other terms, such as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.

God
  • We believe in one God, who created the world and all that is in it.

  • We believe that God is sovereign; that is, God is the ruler of the universe.

  • We believe that God is loving. We can experience God’s love and grace.

Jesus
  • We believe that Jesus was human. He lived as a man and died when he was crucified.

  • We believe that Jesus is divine. He is the Son of God.

  • We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the risen Christ lives today. (Christ and messiah mean the same thing—God’s anointed.)

  • We believe that Jesus is our Savior. In Christ we receive abundant life and forgiveness of sins.

  • We believe that Jesus is our Lord and that we are called to pattern our lives after his.

Holy Spirit
  • We believe that the Holy Spirit is God with us.

  • We believe that the Holy Spirit comforts us when we are in need and convicts us when we stray from God.

  • We believe that the Holy Spirit awakens us to God’s will and empowers us to live obediently.

  • We believe that God created human beings in God’s image.

  • We believe that humans can choose to accept or reject a relationship with God.

  • We believe that all humans need to be in relationship with God in order to be fully human.

The Church
  • We believe that the church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today.

  • We believe that the mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

  • We believe that the church is “the communion of saints,” a community made up of all past, present, and future disciples of Christ.

  • We believe that the church is called to worship God and to support those who participate in its life as they grow in faith.

 

The Bible
  • We believe that the Bible is God’s Word.

  • We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.

  • We believe that Christians need to know and study the Old Testament and the New Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures).

The Reign of God
  • We believe the kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope.
  • We believe wherever God’s will is done, the kingdom or reign of God is present. It was present in Jesus’ ministry, and it is also present in our world whenever persons and communities experience reconciliation, restoration, and healing.
  • We believe the fulfillment of God’s kingdom—the complete restoration of creation—is still to come.
  • We believe the church is called to be both witness to the vision of what God’s kingdom will be like and a participant in helping to bring it to completion.
  • We believe the reign of God is both personal and social. Personally, we display the kingdom of God as our hearts and minds are transformed and we become more Christ-like. Socially, God’s vision for the kingdom includes the restoration and transformation of all of creation.
Sacraments
  • With many other Protestants, we recognize the two sacraments in which Christ himself participated:  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Baptism
  • Through baptism we are joined with the church and with Christians everywhere.

  • Baptism is a symbol of new life and a sign of God’s love and forgiveness of our sins.

  • Persons of any age can be baptized.

  • We baptize by sprinkling, immersion or pouring.

  • A person receives the sacrament of baptism only once in his or her life.

The Lord's Supper (Communion, Eucharist)
  • The Lord’s Supper is a holy meal of bread and wine that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ.

  • The Lord’s Supper recalls the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and celebrates the unity of all the members of God’s family.

  • By sharing this meal, we give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice and are nourished and empowered to go into the world in mission and ministry.

  • We practice “open Communion,” welcoming all who love Christ, repent of their sin, and seek to live in peace with one another.

Our Facility

Accessibility

Our building is equipped with a full-sized commercial elevator and a ground level entrance opening to a circular drive with handicapped parking.

Handicapped accessible restrooms can be found on the main floor and lower level.

Wheelchair space is provided in the sanctuary, along with a ramp leading to the chancel platform. A wheelchair is available for your use.

Features

We are blessed with a beautiful sanctuary, with magnificent stained glass windows and a large pipe organ. Our sound system with electronically controlled large sanctuary screens and computerized video projection system provides for a wide range of multimedia presentations. The sanctuary comfortably seats over 300 persons.

Assisted listening devices are available for the sanctuary. There is a T-Coil installed in the sanctuary floor for use with your personal hearing device.

A fully-equipped nursery is located just off the sanctuary. Indoor and outdoor play areas are available for young children and a recreation room with pool, ping pong, TV lounge area, etc. for teenagers and adults.

Our library provides meeting space, reference materials, and an area to study and research God’s Word. The chapel—seats 50+—serves as the location for Saturday evening services and other special services.

The expanded entryway allows space for a time of fellowship while enjoying coffee and rolls following worship services, and this area also accommodates receiving lines at special events.

Renovated rooms on our lower level provide comfortable, bright space for small groups, Sunday school classes, circle meetings, community activities, etc.

The handicapped accessible education wing along with the other church facilities are home to our Montgomery St. Preschool during the week.

The basement level with moveable walls provides space for multiple uses of the facility. Two large meeting rooms with moveable walls and numerous small rooms will accommodate most any size group.

Two modern kitchen areas join in West Fellowship Hall are ideal for snacks and hosting of dinners and special activities.   Visiting missionaries, speakers, meetings and community organizations keep the area busy.

Our Staff

Jamie Cutler

Jamie Cutler

Senior Pastor

Brent Hanna

Brent Hanna

Associate Pastor

Lauren Petersen

Lauren Petersen

Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministry

Heather Marconi

Heather Marconi

Administrative Assistant & Financial Secretary

Deb Greiner

Deb Greiner

Treasurer

Erin Harding

Custodian

Katie Bishop

Katie Bishop

Director of Mongomery Street Preschool