Worship
Worship at Central UMC a traditional style 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.
Early Service: 8:45 AM
A congregation of about 75 persons gathers to worship in a setting more quiet and meditative. Special music is offered. 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.
Late Service: 11:00 AM
A congregation of 150 to 200 people gather with energy and excitement. We are led by our exceptional adult chancel choir. 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.
Our adult chancel choir, 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 (4:00 pm for children and 7:30 pm traditional,) all which include candle lighting and Holy Communion), Ash Wednesday, and Easter Sunrise (7:00 am).
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 around the nation.
A nursery for younger children is provided at all worship services.
Houston Preaching Mission
The Houston Preaching Mission was envisioned in 1948 under the guidance of Dr. and Mrs. William Cyrus and Nina Houston, faithful leaders in Central United Methodist Church. Their enduring vision is to enhance the lives of the people of Central and our Concord community by introducing them to the “highest ideals of the Christian faith.” Along with their pastor, Dr. Frank Jordan, the goal was “Great biblical preaching should be continued with a flourish.”
In 1949, the first Houston Preaching Mission was held with Dr. David Maclennan of Canada as the guest speaker. Dr. and Mrs. WC (Cyrus and Nina) Houston, faithful church members, set up a perpetual fund to be used to secure fine preachers of any denomination hold and annual preaching mission.