"WHY?" SERMON SERIES

Join us in worship!

Knowing Christ. Growing in Christ. Sharing Christ.

Sunday Traditional Worship Service:

In the Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m.

In-person or online

Sunday Contemporary Worship Service:
In Aldersgate Hall at 9:00 a.m.

(located behind the Sanctuary)

We're so glad you're here...

Front Street United Methodist Church is honored to be located at the center of many things: we’re at the center of Burlington, located right next to downtown; we’re at the center of serving our community in multiple ways; we’re at the center of hospitality to people who come in our door. Those same things - our community, service to others, and welcoming you - are at the center of who we are too.

Our Commitment to Christ

KNOW

GROW

SHARE

Plan a Visit

We believe you can learn a lot about God in study, but even more by experiencing God at work in the world. The same is true for us. Come and experience life at Front Street UMC for yourself.

  • What can I expect?

    At Front Street UMC you can expect to grow in your relationship with God and others. As we continue to grow ourselves you can expect to be loved as a child of God yourself.

  • What should I wear?

    We know the intention behind “Sunday best” is well meaning, and yet for some it’s a hinderance. More than that, we know God accepts you just as you are, so we will accept you in the clothes you’re comfortable in.

  • What is available for my children?

    Children teach us how to worship, so there is space for children to worship and learn and play. Visit our children and youth ministries page to learn more about what we offer.

  • View livestream

    Front Street UMC has 2 services. You can watch the live stream of our Sunday 11am Traditional Service and see past services linked from our worship page.

  • Listen to the podcast

    Our  contemporary Aldersgate service is recorded and shared via our podcast.

Opportunities to Grow

One of the core beliefs of United Methodists is that we are always moving “onward to perfection.” That’s not perfection as the world defines it. It’s perfection as God wants for each of us - which is recognizing the wholeness and potential that a loving God sees in us. So these opportunities for growth do not mean “we grow in being perfect,” but instead mean “we grow in our awareness of God’s love.” Where is God trying to show you love, and how can we at Front Street help?

YOUTH MINISTRIES

Children's ministries and youth programs for all ages.

Upcoming Events

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Notes from the Pastor

Thought provoking inspiration from our leadership team

At The Table

Video Series

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27 Mar, 2024
In the United Methodist Church, ordination is understood as one “set aside by the Church for the specialized ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Order.” A person who believes they are “called” by God to enter full-time Christian ministry embarks upon years of discernment, guidance, and accountability. Generally a person speaks with their pastor, and their local church must affirm that they too believe an individual is called to Christian ministry. Likewise, the District and Conference must also affirm an individual’s call to ordained ministry. Ordinands must complete a four-year college degree and a Master of Divinity degree. After completing all educational requirements, a candidate for ordination who wishes to become an Elder must serve as a “provisional member” for at least two (2) years. Provisional membership is a “residency program” designed by the Annual Conference (generally the State in which one resides). The provisional member status is for the continued process of discernment for the individual and the denomination to affirm one’s calling to ministry. This discernment process includes writing and defending one’s theology, calling, and sermons before the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. Additionally, ordinands must successfully complete lengthy psychology exams. It takes a minimum of nine years from the time one embarks upon the process of ordination to completion. It is a massive undertaking to be an ordained clergy in the United Methodist Church and when one completes this process it deservedly should be celebrated. Thus, it is with enthusiasm and excitement that we celebrate our own Stephan Margeson as he has successfully completed all ordination requirements, and has been approved for ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church! Stephan’s Ordination service will take place this summer at the North Carolina Annual Conference in June. The date we at Front Street will celebrate Stephan’s ordination will be announced soon. In the meantime, please join me and congratulate Stephan for this huge lifetime achievement! In Christ’s Grip, Pastor Ray
20 Mar, 2024
Imagine this, you’re living in ancient Israel. Your town is small but it’s located along a busy pathway to Jerusalem. All around you are rolling, green hills scattered with rocks of varying sizes which, though annoying, have been useful in building most of the town’s houses and stables and a small house of worship. Just outside of town on the hillside is a flock of sheep being watched over by a shepherd with a long staff standing at the crest of the hill. Because of the town’s location there are always new people visiting. There’s a group of people who take turns at the town’s entrance welcoming strangers to stop for a rest and a cool drink of water. Hospitality is common place in here, but these people are odd. You’ve never understood why, but this group welcome strangers into town by washing the feet of every person—an act normally reserved for entering a home. Time passes and you’re invited to journey with a group to Jerusalem. As you enter into the city, the group you are traveling with outright ignores the clangs of bells and drapes of color in the market. They find their way to a large bath located in a small corner of the city. Once there, the priest of your town begins to talk about baptism, which you’ve heard him talk about many times over. This time though, it’s not an invitation to learn but instead to know. One after one the members of the group step into the pool on one side and emerge from the other where a new white robe is waiting for them. Finally, you step into those same waters… When you return to your small town there’s only one thing you want to do. You walk to the entrance of the town, kneel beside one of the people you once thought odd, and you welcome the next stranger into town as the dirt falls from their feet onto your new white robes. You think, “everyone should experience what it means to be loved like this.” -Pastor Stephan 
29 Feb, 2024
I frequently meet with congregation members about making funeral or memorial service arrangements, most often when a loved one has died, but sometimes in planning their own service. We talk about their preferences for songs, scripture, visitation or reception, and other elements of the service. We discuss facets of their lives which they have lived, as well as their walk with Christ. Often I ask, "What is the most important thing you have done in your life?" or "At the end of your life celebration, what are the most important things you want people to hear and remember about you?" These two questions are asked in an attempt for them to think about the kind of legacy they hope to leave behind. These two questions most individuals appeared to find difficult to answer. The simplest responses to these questions are usually my favorites: "I helped people," "I was a good parent," or "I was kind." All of these responses represent loving lifestyles. And isn't it the reason we're here? To use loving others to help bring earth closer to the kingdom of heaven? I wonder how much more purposefully we could leave a better legacy if we lived our lives with those two questions in mind. A friend a few years ago said, “When you die, would you rather have people talk about the great things you have done, or have them stand around your resting place telling great stories about you—who you were to them?” I know my answer. Let’s pray: Almighty God, We are grateful for the legacies left behind for us. Those legacies from our church, our families and friends, who have influenced and molded us into the people we are today. Help us live our lives in such a way, that we too can make a difference in others’ lives. Amen. -Pastor Ray
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