We are the church

The building is closed. There's no Sunday morning worship in the Sanctuary, or Sunday School in the classrooms. There's no Wednesday WINDOWS. No Wednesday night dinner, Bible study or book clubs. The Choir Room is empty and silent. The Learning Academy is eerily quiet. 


But First United Methodist Church Garland is not closed. Because our church is not a building. It's the people. It's us. The church - our church - is who we are, not where we go. 


As we shelter in place, doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, we continue to do the work for which we are tasked as disciples of Christ. 


We worship together on Facebook Live (Sundays, 11:00am).* 


We also offer Sunday morning adult fellowship (9:00am) and Sunday School (9:40am) via Zoom. 


Senior Pastor Valarie Englert leads a Bible study Mondays at 1:00pm, also on Zoom. (Email Pastor Valarie for invitation.) 


Associate Pastor and Pastor for Children and Families Caroline Noll offers "Knowing Jesus in a New Way" (Wednesdays, 10:00am), also on Facebook Live.* 


Director of Music Ministries Kitty Williams and the Chancel Choir harmonize online, and Artist-in-Residence Eldred Marshall shares his gifts on the piano, both on Facebook. 


Josh Medlock, Director of Student Ministries is in fellowship with our First Youth via Zoom at least twice a week. 


We pray for one another. 


Your pastors and church staff are connecting with church family and friends by phone, text, email and Facebook to stay connected and to address pastoral care needs when humanly possible under these extraordinary circumstances. 


In short, we're all in this together. We are all responsible for carrying on the work of the church, even when there's no sanctuary and no church building available to aid us. 


First United Methodist Garland is shuttered, but not closed. Now more than ever, we are the church. 


* Recordings also available on YouTube. 

Our mission

Cultivating Christian Community: 

Loving God, Living Faith, Serving Others, Inspiring Hope


Planting, nurturing and growing Christian disciples in a manner reflective of our proud, 160-year heritage as a faith family with strong Methodist roots and a firm commitment to both our local and global communities. 


Loving God

Putting God first, mirroring God's love in all we do


Living Faith

Proactively living out God's plans for our lives, individually and collectively


Serving Others

Reaching out to those in need at home, in our neighborhoods and around the world


Inspiring Hope

Bringing comfort today while inspiring hope for a future filled with God's peace and love

Sunday morning worship

NOTE: The schedule below is suspended indefinitely as we shelter-in-place due to COVID-19. (See "We are the church" (above) for our schedule of online services and other offerings.) What our schedule will look like once our building re-opens for use is subject to whatever measures are necessary to ensure the safety of our congregation. 


We offer two different worship experiences on Sunday mornings, each with traditional hymns and a timely message based on the wisdom of Holy Scripture.


8:30am A Service of Morning Prayer and Communion

An opportunity to center and focus for the coming week with contemplation, remembrance and celebration. Includes Holy Communion each week.


10:50am Traditional Service

A full worship celebration in the Methodist tradition, led by our Chancel Choir and Pure Joy! Youth Choir. Includes Holy Communion the first Sunday of each month.


Children Welcome

We believe children are important participants in worship, and we invite them to attend one of our worship experiences with their parents. (Childcare available for those who don't.) A children's bulletin is available each service to help teach them about worship. The Traditional Service also includes a special Children's Time to help relate the message to their lives.


Childcare

A dedicated staff provides childcare for infants thru age 4 during Sunday morning worship. The Betsy Henderson Mother's Room (119) is also available during worship for mothers needing privacy to feed, change or comfort infants.

Sunday School

NOTE: The schedule below is suspended indefinitely as we shelter-in-place due to COVID-19. (See "We are the church" (above) for our schedule of online services and other offerings.) What our schedule will look like once our building re-opens for use is subject to whatever measures are necessary to ensure the safety of our congregation. 


We offer Sunday School between worship services (9:30am), providing small group fellowship, Bible study, faith formation and topical Christian teaching.


Sunday School classes are available for Children, Youth and Adults.


Children age two thru 6th grade meet on the 2nd floor. Curriculum is based on Godly Play, a Montessori-based approach that enables children to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language, and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play.


Youth grades 7 thru 12 meet on the 3rd floor.


Adults meet on the 1st floor and in the basement. Offerings range from young, primarily college-age adults and 30's-40's with children to 50's, 60's and beyond.