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Visitor Info


Welcome to First Church

Welcome to First United Methodist Church. Founded in 1821, First Church is the oldest Protestant church in the area and the oldest Methodist church in Florida. This historic church with four Sunday services has a membership of 3000 and is overflowing with life. We hope that you will consider becoming a member of our church family. You may join any Sunday by profession of faith or transfer of membership. Come and be a part of what God is doing here.

Sunday Morning Worship Schedule

08:30 A.M. - Traditional Worship, Sanctuary
09:45 A.M. - Communion Service, Sanctuary
09:45 A.M. - Sunday School
11:00 A.M. - Traditional Worship, Sanctuary
11:00 A.M. - ICON, New Style of Worship Service, Wesley Abbey

Our Pastors

Dr. Wesley H. Wachob -Senior Pastor
Rev. Geoffrey Lentz - Associate Pastor
Rev. Ken Autrey - Associate Pastor of Evangelism
Rev. Karen Evans - Minister of Spiritual Formation
Rev. Rick Branch - Minister of Music

Complete List of Ministers and Staff

Nursery and Children’s Bulletins

Nursery and Children’s bulletins are available for every service on Sunday mornings. Ushers and greeters are also available If you need assistance locating the nursery.

Introduction to First Church Class

We welcome all visitors and new members that are interested in learning more about First Church to an introduction class that consist of four parts. The class assembles at 9:45 A.M. in PH101 in the Governor Perry Home to the left of the sanctuary.

Introduction to First Church, which is led by the Rev. Geoffrey Lentz, gives you an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the history, theology, worship, and membership of this great church. Introduction to First Church is held on the first Sunday of each month.

Ministries of First Church is about all the programs and ministries of the church. Ministries of First Church is held on the second Sunday of each month.

Serving at First Church helps you find your place to use your gifts and talents in service in the church and community. Serving at First Church is held on the third Sunday of each month.

Tour of First Church, walks you through the historic buildings of our campus. Tour of First Church is held on the fourth Sunday of each month.

Address

First United Methodist Church of Pensacola
6 East Wright Street
Pensacola, FL 32501

Phone Number

850-432-1434

Email Address

fumc@pensacolafirstchurch.com

Our Beliefs

United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. According to our foundational statement of beliefs in The Book of Discipline, 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.

The 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.

Human Beings

  • 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 that the kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope.
  • We believe that 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 that although the fulfillment of God’s kingdom–the complete restoration of creation–is still to come.
  • We believe that 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 that 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.

Read By Water and Spirit, the church’s official statement on Baptism

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.

Read This Holy Mystery, the church’s official statement on Communion