Austin First
Welcome to First United Methodist Church located in Austin, MN! We are a faith community for people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Whoever you are, and wherever you've been, you're welcome to join us in worship, find a connection, and grow through Jesus.
We’re an intergenerational congregation focused on love of God and neighbor. We value community engagement, theological curiosity, spiritual depth, and authentic relationships. We recognize that people look for God in many ways. Whether you visit in person or online, we hope you discover something here to encourage you in your spiritual journey.
If you arrive in person we invite you to come as you are. Know that you are welcomed here as a beloved child of God. If you are driving you can park on the street by the church or in the front or back public parking lot. In the main front door you will be greeted and welcomed to worship.
Open Doors. Open Minds. Open Hearts.
John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as "practical divinity" has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today. The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We strive to be an inclusive community seeking to connect individuals and families of all generations with God’s unconditional love. We believe God’s love for the world is an active and engaged. A love that seeks justice and liberty for all.
Our Beliefs:
God
God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons. God became human in Jesus of Nazareth; and his life, death and resurrection demonstrate God's redeeming love. he Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, it's the Holy Spirit at work.
Human Beings
Genesis 1:27 asserts that we are all made in the image of the Creator. Like God, we all have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create.
The Church
The church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today. We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.
God’s Reign
The kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope.
We have two Sunday worship services. Our 9:30 a.m. worship service features more traditional music and our 11:00 a.m. service features more contemporary music. There’s no “right” way to worship, and we experience God in many different ways from week to week. We sing old hymns alongside modern current selections, featuring a bell choir at our traditional services.
If you’re joining us for the first time, it’s okay to be a little nervous about trying something new. To give you a better idea of what to expect:
Wear whatever would like. We want you to feel like you can worship with us as your authentic self; for some people, that means “Sunday best” and for others it means shorts and sandals.
There are coffee, snacks, and casual conversation from 10:30-11:30, between worship services. This is a great opportunity to make connections and ask questions.
New people are welcome at any time.