We, the First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs, are a church connecting people to God, to each other, and to the world.
Our Mission
What Does it mean to be united methodist?
We accept God's love as a gift that is meant to be shared; so the mission of United Methodists in Arkansas is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world - one person at a time.
We are an inclusive church - everyone is welcome at our Communion table. We have a place for you, and your prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness are needed. As members of a worldwide connectional church, we have a human connection of fellowship, a theological connection of belief, a purposeful connection of mission, and a structural connection of practice. Through our worldwide connection, United Methodists are often first responders to disasters and human need.
Thinking for yourself is encouraged through founder John Wesley's practice that incorporates scripture, experience, reason and tradition. Living the United Methodist way includes Wesley's general rules: Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God through following the means of grace - prayer, meditation, searching the scriptures, public worship, the sacraments, and Holy Conferencing.
Four areas of focus for United Methodists are developing principled christian leaders for the church and the world, creating new places for new people by starting congregations and renewing existing ones, engaging in ministry with the poor, and stamping out killer diseases by improving health globally.
To learn about the United Methodist Church and to connect to our church, our faith, our people, and our world please visit umc.org. View the United Methodist Handbook here.
Spiritual gifts
Just as each of us has one body with many members with different functions, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
"If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the King will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you d it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." Matthew 25:35 – 39
John Wesley (the founder of the Methodist movement) lived a life that truly embodied the Matthew scripture. He visited and cared for those in prisons, the sick, the homeless and welcomed all to the table. We are called to that ministry today. So how do you determine which ministries to devote your time? We suggest prayer and meditation (listening to God ), a Spiritual Gifts Inventory, discerning the passions that God has given you, and being aware of your talents and experiences.
If you would like to talk to someone on staff about where you might be able to use your spiritual gifts in ministry, contact the church office at (501) 623-6668. Visit the Outreach page also has many church wide and community ministry opportunities.
View the special gifts inventory here.