Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our journey to Easter. This day, we remember our own humanity and our need for God through the imposition of ashes made from palm fronds from last Palm Sunday. There are four opportunities to receive ashes.

• 7:00-8:00 a.m. drive-thru imposition of ashes at America Street.
• 12:10 and 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary services with imposition of ashes.
• 6:30 p.m. Mid City Ash service at Counterspace (Government St.)

On Wednesdays starting February 25 and concluding April 1, a service of Holy Communion will be held in the Aldrich Chapel at 12:10 PM.

Men are invited to experience the Men’s Walk to Emmaus, a three-day spiritual retreat hosted at Broadmoor United Methodist Church. The Walk to Emmaus is designed to
inspire and equip Christian disciples and leaders. It is a meaningful opportunity for anyone seeking spiritual renewal. Several members of FUMC will serve in leadership roles, including Rev. Brady Whitton as Spiritual Director. For more information, please email Pattye Hewitt at phewitt@firstmethodist.org.

You are invited to a daylong retreat, “Open the Door,” to seek spiritual disciplines that enhances your awareness of how the doors of Christ are opening in your life. As we approach the season of Lent, this day will focus your faith journey. Saturday, February 28 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Registration is $15. Led by Mary Rotenberg. Register here. 

Ladies are invited to attend “Free to Be Women’s Retreat” on March 20-22 at the Feliciana Retreat and Conference Center. This weekend will center around rest, reflection, prayer, and making space for the presence of God. This is your invitation to remember that faith is meant to heal and restore the whole of who you are: body, mind, heart, and soul. For more information, and to register, visit www.fumcbr.org/freetobe.

The FUMC Easter Walk is on Saturday, March 28 from 10am-12pm at Robin and Dan Reed’s house. All FUMC families and their guests are welcome at this free event! Make sure to bring an Easter basket, a blanket, and a friend!  Email us for the exact address.

Worship services at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 AM include the Palm Processional.

At 6:30 PM, join our Mid City Church campus for a dinner at Barracuda Tacos as we gather together in observation of Palm Sunday. 

Worship with us at 7 PM in the Sanctuary.

Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the climax of Holy Week as Jesus shares his last meal with his friends before he is betrayed. The word “maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, the first word of the Latin phrase meaning, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus says this in John’s Gospel shortly after he washes the disciples’ feet. Maundy Thursday is also the night that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper with the words, “Do this in remembrance of me.” At the conclusion of the service, all worship articles and adornments are removed from the altar and chancel. This stripping symbolizes both the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples, and the stripping of Jesus by the soldiers before his crucifixion.

On Good Friday, Christians recall the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Although Good Friday is one of the saddest days of the Christian year, the Church continues to call it “good,” believing that Christ’s suffering and death were not in vain but served to liberate humanity from sin and death. Scripture tells us that the earth went dark at the “sixth hour,” or noon. The noon service includes scripture and reflective music. The evening service reflects upon the final words of Jesus. 

• Noon in the FUMC Sanctuary 
• 6:30 PM at Wesley UMC (544 Government Street).​​​​

At the Easter Vigil, we explore the mystery of the light of Christ around a campfire. All are welcome to attend this gathering at 6:30 PM at the home of Jim and Rhonda Kemp. Email us for the exact address.

Celebrate the resurrection of Christ with us on Easter Sunday!

• Youth-led sunrise service: 6:30 AM at Rhorer Plaza downtown. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on! 
• Sanctuary services at 8:30 and 11:00 AM.
• America Street service at 9:45 AM.

Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal—and also a time to practice simple acts of love. One meaningful way to share that love is by welcoming others as they arrive for worship. A smile, a kind word, and an open door can become a holy invitation into God’s presence. If you would like to help set the tone of hospitality and grace during this Lenten season, please consider serving as a greeter. The time commitment is just 30 minutes, and you may choose the date and time slot that works best for you. Sign up here. Questions about the hospitality ministries of FUMC? Contact Pattye Hewitt at phewitt@firstmethodist.org.

6th-12th grade youth students are invited to help at Easter Walk on March 28. Please email Rev. Kale Wetekamm at kwet@firstmethodist.org to sign up.

Easter Walk is a special FUMC annual tradition hosted by the FUMC Children's Ministry and Dan and Robin Reed. Your sponsorship provides for many of the "extras" the attendees have come to love like the balloon artists, pony rides, and the petting zoo.  Click here to sponsor.​​​​