FUMC: Houma, LA: Visitors' Page

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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Houma, LA
6109 Hwy 311, Houma, Louisiana 70360 985/868-7787

VISITORS' PAGE

This page is designed to make your visit at FUMC as comfortable as possible. If you would like any information not given here (or elsewhere at the site), please contact us.
Greetings from our pastor Sunday morning schedule Where is FUMC in Houma? Where can I park? Getting into the sanctuary	What are the services like? Sunday School classes Finding out about church activities Becoming a member I'm new to United Methodism How does a local UM church function?

Greetings from our pastor, Rev. Barry Hoekstra
I am so happy that you have discovered our website. We try to keep it updated with the latest information about our great church. I hope that you will consider visiting us if you are in the Houma area. There are plenty of opportunities for worship and service at FUMC. Let me know if I can help you find your place here. My email address is BarryHoek@aol.com. I hope to see you or hear from you soon!

Peace!
Barry Hoekstra, Pastor

What is the Sunday morning schedule?

    * 8:45AM Contemporary worship.
       Stop by the Fellowship Hall after worship for coffee and donuts.
    * 9:45AM Sunday School .
    *11:00AM Traditional Worship.

Where is FUMC located in Houma?
Our church is located at 6109 Hwy 311. It is just across the bayou from the Civic Center. Check out the map on the Location page for more help.

Where can I park?
The largest parking lot is located to the left of the church (as you face the front doors). It can be entered from the side street or the street behind the church. Limited parking is also available along the street in the front and right side of the church. A small parking lot, located between the Activities Building and the Fellowship Hall, is available for older visitors and members.
Check the Location page for a layout of the church property.

How do I get into the sanctuary for services?
There are 2 entrances leading into the sanctuary. The large front doors would be the easiest to find. You will find greeters there who will hand you a bulletin. If you have any questions or concerns, they will be glad to answer your questions. Also, if you need help in hearing the service they have hearing amplifiers for you to use.
The entrance is at the "front" of the church at the side of the altar. You may enter the main building through the arcade entrance. The entrance is set back beside the stairs.

Arcade between the sanctuary (left) and the Fellowship Hall (right)

Bulletins are located at both of these entrances. Check the Location page for a layout of the church facilities.

What are the services like?
Our 8:30 and 11:00 worship services could best be described as "informally traditional." While we observe the Christian year and there are formal traditional elements to our service, our pastor's "laid-back" style breathes an air of informality into the service as well. No matter the Christian tradition in which you were raised you should feel very comfortable in our worship service.
For those who prefer contemporary worship style, we have a contemporary service at 9:45. Music is provided by a band and the order of worship is projected at the front of the church..

sample bulletin

Where are the different Sunday School classrooms?
     Nursery
     Children's Classes
         There are children's classes for preschool through 6th grade. The specific classes may change
          in the summertime, so check with us for specific locations for the various ages.
     Youth Class
     Adult Classes (roughly in order of average age of members ... but anyone is welcome in any class)
          Let's Talk It Over Class - located in Rm 207 (2nd floor of the education bldg.)
          Disciple Class - located in the kitchen of the Activities Building
          Discovery Class - located in the Fellowship Hall
          Fellowship Class - located in the classroom of the Activities Building
          Patterson Class - located in the chapel in the Activities Building
          Wesley Friendship Class - located in the parlor of the Fellowship Hall

How can I find out about the activities in the church?
This website contains the Circuit Rider, which is the weekly newsletter for the church. If you would like a printed copy mailed to you, please drop a note to the church office.

Am I welcome to receive communion?
Communion services are held on the first Sunday of every month. The United Methodist tradition is an "Open Communion." This means that communion is available to any and all who wish to share in God's grace.

What should I know if I'm interested in becoming a member of FUMC?
Our pastor would be more than happy to talk to you about church membership. You can join by profession of faith or by transferring your membership from another United Methodist Church or Christian denomination. The United Methodist Church recognizes baptisms from other Christian churches so you would not have to be re-baptized to join FUMC.

I'm new to United Methodism ... where can I find out about their beliefs and doctrines?
The United Methodist Church maintains an excellent website that has tons of information about the Church. If you want a general information page on our denomination, be sure to go to the 'About The UMC' page.

What should I know if I'm interested in becoming a member of FUMC?
As of 1996, UM churches were given flexibility in structuring themselves. For years, we at FUMC Houma have handled programming through our Council on Ministries (COM) and administrative duties through our Administrative Board. We decided to continue with that model. For more information on our structure of programming and administrative structure, check out this page.