What to expect
We know that when you first walk in to a place that is unfamiliar it can be an uncomfortable experience. However, we believe when you visit First UMC, you’ll get a sense of our welcoming spirit. We are a diverse family of faith who wants you to know that you have a place here with us. We understand the importance of creating a loving and inviting atmosphere, especially for our guests. We hope the information on our website, and the following information will help you to feel at home with us.
Dressing for Church
We want you to feel comfortable. After all, we are thrilled that you're joining us and want you to be more focused on the service than what you're wearing. In the summertime, it's not uncommon to see people wearing sandals, shorts, and a shirt. Others prefer to still put on their "Sunday best," and that's fine too! We think you'll fit in no matter how you dress. At church, you may notice some of our members wearing nametags. We do this to make it easier to meet new friends. If you would like a nametag, please request one at the Welcome Center located in the Gathering Area of the church.
Arriving as a Guest
We welcome you on your first visit. We won't put you on the spot or call you to the front. Before or after worship, please stop by the Welcome Center in the Gathering Area of the church and let us know this is your first visit with us. We’d like to answer any questions that you have. Ushers and Greeters are available to assist you should you have any questions or special needs regarding seating or other general questions. Please feel free to go to an usher to request assistance.
Hearing assistance
Our Sanctuary is equipped with a hearing loop. We also offer ComfortAudio devices to make use of the Teleloop in our Sanctuary. Hearing Loops allow people who wear hearing aids, that are equipped, to directly receive the sound from the church’s PA system in their own hearing aids by switching to a T-coil (telecoil) program. Hearing loops help hearing aid users by broadcasting sound, without background noise or reverberation, directly into the hearing aid. The user has to switch the telecoil on and off. The sound comes into the hearing aid user's ear as if it was plugged in to the sound system.
We have a Hearing Loop installed in our Sanctuary and Room 108. If you have a telecoil in your hearing aid all you need do is switch it on when in our Sanctuary or Room 108 and you will receive sound directly from our sound system.
Please see an Usher for a handout with more information. Also, Hearing Loop receivers are available if you do not have a hearing aid but have difficulty hearing. They can be checked out at the Welcome Center. Please supply your own ear phones.
Sermons
Every Sunday, you will hear a relevant message that is based on Scripture and is designed to be helpful in your everyday life. We trust that these messages will help you develop a growing, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ and provide a strong biblical foundation for your life.
Offering
Each week there is a time to worship God through the giving of tithes and offerings. As a guest, you are welcome to give, but please do not feel any pressure to give. This is an act of worship allowing us to thank God for all of the great work he is doing in our lives.
Communion
On the first Sunday of each month, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together. All are welcome to participate in this time of reflection and prayer – you do not need to be a member of First United Methodist Church or of any church. The Lord's Table is open to all who seek relationship with Christ Jesus. The juice and bread that we share during this Holy Sacrament represent the life He gave up so that our sins could be forgiven. Gluten-free bread and juice are available.
Childcare
The youngest members of our church family are always welcome in worship services. For your convenience, we have a Family Room available in the Side Chapel Sanctuary. As a ministry for children and their parents, we also provide Nursery care during services for children up to 4 years old in Room 209. Paid staff provide quality care in an inviting atmosphere. During our program year (September through May), Sunday School classes are offered for children 3 years old and up. Classes begin following the 8:45 AM service and are located on the second floor. We adhere to our church’s Safe Sanctuary Policy.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located on all three levels of the church building.
Handicap accessible restrooms are located on the main level.
Dressing for Church
We want you to feel comfortable. After all, we are thrilled that you're joining us and want you to be more focused on the service than what you're wearing. In the summertime, it's not uncommon to see people wearing sandals, shorts, and a shirt. Others prefer to still put on their "Sunday best," and that's fine too! We think you'll fit in no matter how you dress. At church, you may notice some of our members wearing nametags. We do this to make it easier to meet new friends. If you would like a nametag, please request one at the Welcome Center located in the Gathering Area of the church.
Arriving as a Guest
We welcome you on your first visit. We won't put you on the spot or call you to the front. Before or after worship, please stop by the Welcome Center in the Gathering Area of the church and let us know this is your first visit with us. We’d like to answer any questions that you have. Ushers and Greeters are available to assist you should you have any questions or special needs regarding seating or other general questions. Please feel free to go to an usher to request assistance.
Hearing assistance
Our Sanctuary is equipped with a hearing loop. We also offer ComfortAudio devices to make use of the Teleloop in our Sanctuary. Hearing Loops allow people who wear hearing aids, that are equipped, to directly receive the sound from the church’s PA system in their own hearing aids by switching to a T-coil (telecoil) program. Hearing loops help hearing aid users by broadcasting sound, without background noise or reverberation, directly into the hearing aid. The user has to switch the telecoil on and off. The sound comes into the hearing aid user's ear as if it was plugged in to the sound system.
We have a Hearing Loop installed in our Sanctuary and Room 108. If you have a telecoil in your hearing aid all you need do is switch it on when in our Sanctuary or Room 108 and you will receive sound directly from our sound system.
Please see an Usher for a handout with more information. Also, Hearing Loop receivers are available if you do not have a hearing aid but have difficulty hearing. They can be checked out at the Welcome Center. Please supply your own ear phones.
Sermons
Every Sunday, you will hear a relevant message that is based on Scripture and is designed to be helpful in your everyday life. We trust that these messages will help you develop a growing, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ and provide a strong biblical foundation for your life.
Offering
Each week there is a time to worship God through the giving of tithes and offerings. As a guest, you are welcome to give, but please do not feel any pressure to give. This is an act of worship allowing us to thank God for all of the great work he is doing in our lives.
Communion
On the first Sunday of each month, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together. All are welcome to participate in this time of reflection and prayer – you do not need to be a member of First United Methodist Church or of any church. The Lord's Table is open to all who seek relationship with Christ Jesus. The juice and bread that we share during this Holy Sacrament represent the life He gave up so that our sins could be forgiven. Gluten-free bread and juice are available.
Childcare
The youngest members of our church family are always welcome in worship services. For your convenience, we have a Family Room available in the Side Chapel Sanctuary. As a ministry for children and their parents, we also provide Nursery care during services for children up to 4 years old in Room 209. Paid staff provide quality care in an inviting atmosphere. During our program year (September through May), Sunday School classes are offered for children 3 years old and up. Classes begin following the 8:45 AM service and are located on the second floor. We adhere to our church’s Safe Sanctuary Policy.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located on all three levels of the church building.
Handicap accessible restrooms are located on the main level.
Find Us
We are located at 501 Howe Street in Downtown Green Bay on the block
surrounded by Howe, Monroe, Doty, and Madison Streets.
There is plenty of parking at and around First Church. We have a parking lot on two sides of our building. We also have received permission to use the following additional parking lots on Sunday morning:
YWCA on Madison across from Jackson Square Park
Green Bay Press-Gazette on Madison, just south of Doty
Merrill Lynch on Monroe across from church
Behind the Joannes Law Firm building on Monroe
We suggest that our younger, more able members park in some of the adjoining areas allowing our older members, our single parents with young children, and our visitors to park closest to the church building (in spaces painted blue).
surrounded by Howe, Monroe, Doty, and Madison Streets.
There is plenty of parking at and around First Church. We have a parking lot on two sides of our building. We also have received permission to use the following additional parking lots on Sunday morning:
YWCA on Madison across from Jackson Square Park
Green Bay Press-Gazette on Madison, just south of Doty
Merrill Lynch on Monroe across from church
Behind the Joannes Law Firm building on Monroe
We suggest that our younger, more able members park in some of the adjoining areas allowing our older members, our single parents with young children, and our visitors to park closest to the church building (in spaces painted blue).