God-Given Vision--The Kingdom of God Here on Earth. Love Unconditionally! Serve Unselfishly! Rejoice Unceasingly! Our vision helps us set priorities, allocate resources and direct our worship, ministries, missions, and other programs. Relevant. What we do makes sense, has meaning, and makes a difference. Inclusive. Every aspect of life and every person is included in our faith experience. Creative. We encourage one another to embrace new ways of learning, loving, serving and understanding. Generous. We celebrate blessing, serving and sacrificial giving in all we do.
WHO WE ARE: Firestone Park United Methodist Church was founded in 1918, in the heart of the historic Firestone Park neighborhood in Akron, Ohio. After 100 years, we continue to be a Christ-centered community full of life, love, faith, praise, and good works. Worship, service, spiritual growth, fellowship, family, and community are at the core of what it means to be a Christian, and they are central to the congregation's ministries and missions. We are an inclusive congregation, welcoming all people to come and share their spiritual gifts as part of the one body of Christ. Christ is alive in us. Come and see!
WORSHIP: Worship is the heart of our response to God. Worship begins each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in our beautiful sanctuary, which is fully handicap accessible. Worship is a blend of traditional and more contemporary vocal and instrumental music, spoken prayer, scripture reading, preaching, and celebration of special moments. Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month, and a gluten-free option is available. United Methodists believe that Christ invites all people to his table, which means communion is offered to everyone, regardless of age, faith or membership status. Dress is casual, and you are encouraged to wear whatever is comfortable. Instrumental music is offered on our beautiful vintage Wicks Pipe Organ, our grand piano, our hand bell choir, our brass quartet, or by special guest instrumentalists. Vocal music is provided by our adult choir, children's choir, or guest soloists or ensembles. Special worship services include Christmas Eve Candlelight, Healing Services, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and others.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH: All Christians must continue to grow spiritually in order to be alive in Christ. We offer classes and small groups for all ages and ability levels. Our classes and small groups create a safe and sacred space to ask and discuss the most difficult questions about God, the Bible, humanity and all of creation. Joys and cares can be shared and considered, and issues of faith can be explored. In all of these ways, we grow spiritually, and learn to love God and our neighbors more fully, just as Christ taught us to do!
Children's Ministries: Sunday School, choir, hand bells, Christmas program, Easter egg hunt, worship activity bags, church camp. Church Library: Books for all ages. Adult Education: Bible and book studies, creative/special interest groups, choir, hand bells.
MISSION AND CARING: When someone is hurting, we can help. Caring for others who need help or are in crisis is at the heart of what it means to be a Christian, and is central to our congregation's Mission and Caring Ministries. Whether it's a meal after a funeral, prayer support, short-term pastoral care by our Pastor, or helping our neighbors locally or far away, we are called by Christ to care and humbly serve.
Caring Ministries: Pastoral Care, TLC Funeral Care, Prayer Chain, Visitation. Mission Ministries: Trunk or Treat, UMCOR (cleaning buckets), Firestone Park Elementary School (backpacks and school supplies), East Ohio Conference Missions. Other Groups: Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts.