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First United Methodist Church
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Frequently Asked Questions

What do United Methodists believe?

That's not an easy question, since United Methodists don't agree on all aspects of Christian doctrine.  Click here to learn more.


How do I get to the church?

We are located east of I-35, at 600 Daubitz Dr. in Red Oak, Texas next to the old Jr. High football stadium. Coming northbound on I-35 E, take exit 410 and come east on Red Oak Road about a quarter mile. Coming Southbound on I-35 E take exit 410 and turn left on Red Oak Road to cross the highway. Continue to Daubitz drive and turn right to get to the church parking lot. From Hwy 342, take Red Oak Road west about 1 mile.  The phone number is (972 617-9100).


When is your worship service?

Worship is vital to the life of any congregation. We currently offer two Sunday Morning Worship Services. The 8:30 a.m. service generally follows a classic format. The 10:50am service is a Praise - Casual Contemporary service using both classic and contemporary music in a wide variety of styles. We come together each Sunday to find God, to hear what God has to say to us, and to be challenged to go into the world to be the Body of Christ in action.


What do I wear?

Jesus said, "Why do you worry about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these."

People come to worship at our church wearing a wide range of clothing styles.  Men wear everything from jeans and casual shirts to suits and ties.  Women wear skirts, slacks, jeans, or dresses.  As befits a suburban, semi-rural congregation, we tend toward being less formal in our attire. Wear what you are comfortable to worship in.  We are less concerned about what you wear in worship than about what you experience while you are with us.


Where do I park?

We have a large well-lighted concrete parking lot on the east side of our building. You may park anywhere you like. There are marked places for guests and for the physically challenged. There is a covered unloading area in the front part of our parking area, at the sanctuary entrance.


What do I do when I first get to the church?

Enter the church building by the covered unloading area to enter the main lobby/foyer. If you need help, just ask the ushers located at the main entrance to the worship center. As a medium sized church, there are many people around who can answer just about any question you might have. As you enter the worship center, an usher will greet you and hand you a worship bulletin. You may seat yourself, and sit anywhere you like, in the worship area. We encourage everyone to sit towards the front of the worship center to build a greater sense of community.


Will there be someone to help me?

Yes. Greeters, ushers, members and staff are all glad you are here and ready to help you. Name badges will help you identify them. Greeters are in the foyer before and during worship. Ushers will also be stationed at main entrances to the worship center before each service.


What about my children?

We have excellent nursery facilities with a regular staff at the south end of the central hallway. Your children are also welcome in any of our services. Our pastor will invite them up to the front with all the other children just before the sermon time for a special story or a time to talk together. They are also welcome to come to communion with you. During the Contemporary service, a Children’s Church is offered (Ages 3 through 2nd grade) in the Fellowship Hall. This is optional and not required; all are welcome and invited to attend our services.  You can pick your children up there after the service is over if they choose to attend children's church.


Is your order of worship easy to follow?

Our worship guide has everything you need to know about our worship service and is arranged so that it is easy to follow. We also project songs, readings and other details of the service on a screen at the front of the sanctuary. Our pastor and worship leaders also give good verbal directions during the course of the worship service. Congregational responses are in bold or are clearly marked for you.  Our goal is to make worship easy to follow so that praising God can be the focus and not worrying about the order. 


Am I welcome to participate in Holy Communion/Lord's Supper?

Absolutely. The United Methodist Church offers an open table to all who seek to know the love of God through Jesus Christ. Holy Communion is offered the first Sunday of each month as a part of our traditional worship service and every Sunday during the Contemporary service. Communion is open to anyone who wishes to participate.  If you feel like you are unable to come to the front of the sanctuary during communion for any reason, but wish to receive Holy Communion, we will come to you in the pew. 


How long does worship last?

Both services last about one hour. There are times and occasions that sometimes cause it to last a bit longer.


How long are the sermons?

Our pastor's sermons are about 20 minutes in length and usually include: scripture verses, stories, personal applications, and humor.  Sermons should be easy to follow and provide challenging insights. We strive to achieve a level of participation with the congregation that keeps them challenged and excited to come back the next week. 


Will I be singled out as a guest?

We don't single out guests in worship or do anything that would cause you embarrassment. We ask everyone attending worship to register their attendance. You may also indicate any interest you have in activities for children, youth, men and women. Our follow-up with first-time guests includes a letter and information mailed to you from our pastor. You will also receive a copy of our current newsletter. If you would like the pastor or one of our congregation members to visit your home, please call the church office. We would be glad to visit with you, to answer any of your questions, or to have you as a guest at the church.


What kind of hymns do you sing?

We worship using traditional, gospel, and contemporary hymns and praise music. During our 8:30 a.m. classic service, we generally sing from the United Methodist Hymnal. During the 10:50 a.m. praise/contemporary service we sing songs from a variety of sources. During most services, we project the words on a screen at the front of the sanctuary. Worship music may be accompanied by piano, organ, brass, strings, woodwinds, or other instruments depending on the day or season. Special music is led by various music groups, such as our adult choir, children's choirs, hand bell choir, and youth group.   But no matter what we are singing or saying there will be clear direction either in the bulletin or projected on the screen.


Are your facilities accessible for the physically challenged?

Our building complex meets or exceeds accessibility requirements for the physically challenged. There are several pews with spaces at the end of them so those who are in wheelchairs can worship with their families. We also have a hearing-assistance system available to anyone. Simply ask one of the greeters and they will help you with it.


What's your seating like?

Comfortable padded pews with two wide aisles make up our worship center seating. The pews are in a semi-circle to give a comfortable community feel.


Will I be expected to give money?

Regular giving by our faithful members underwrites our operating expenses. Gifts given by our guests are not expected, but welcomed. We do, however, emphasize financial giving as an important act of worship, as an expression of our Christian commitment, and as a gift of thanksgiving for the work of God in each of our lives.


Are there people my age?

Our church is filled with people of all ages. We have families with children who enjoy our child-friendly worship services and active children’s programs. We have families with teenagers who enjoy our active youth program currently directed by our youth minister and a group of committed volunteers. We also have empty-nesters and senior adults who enjoy our adult Christian Education classes, Bible studies, and worship style.


How do I join?

There are three ways to join our church:

  • By Profession of Faith and Baptism
  • By Transfer of Membership from Another Christian Denomination
  • By Transfer of Membership from Another United Methodist Church

Click here to learn more.


    Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.
    First United Methodist Church
    P.O. Box 25 | Red Oak, Texas 75154 | PH: (972) 617-9100