Services

Worship at Central UMC is traditional with a desire to touch and change human hearts.  Some persons dress casually for worship, while others wear their Sunday best.  You will find at all our services a diverse congregation reflecting a wide range of social, economic, political, and religious perspectives.  We are diverse yet unified in our worship of our one God.  You will experience warm and gracious hospitality from everyone.

At 8:45 am, a congregation of 60 to 90 persons gathers to hear our talented musician, Bill Gouge, play the piano and set a more quiet and meditative tone to the service.  We sing hymns or quiet songs from many traditions.  After a time with children, our pastor preaches.  Each week, we also celebrate Holy Communion at which all persons are invited to the Lord’s Table.

At 11:00 am, a congregation of 250 to 300 people gather with energy and excitement.  We are led by our exceptional adult chancel choir with Bill Gouge at the organ.  We enthusiastically sing hymns and contemporary songs appropriate to the day.  Each week our pastor preaches.  We celebrate Holy Communion about once a month, depending on the season of the Christian Year.

Each service includes thoughtful and engaging sermons by one of our pastors or other staff member.  They either preach using the lectionary or sermons based on the particular needs of the congregation or community.

Our adult chancel choir, directed by Donna Hill and accompanied by Bill, is among the finest in the greater Charlotte area.  They sing a wide range of choral music from classic to very contemporary.

In addition, we celebrate major holy days of the Christian Year including Christmas Eve (5:00pm for children, 7:00pm traditional, and 9:00pm meditative, all which include candle lighting and Holy Communion), Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunrise (7:00am).

Each fall, the Houston Preaching Mission welcomes one of the great preachers of the Christian world to share with us three worship services.  We also have guest preachers throughout the year from other significant congregations around the nation.

A nursery for younger children is provided at all worship services.