Carterville First United Methodist Church

Carterville First United Methodist Church Engaging people to experience the transforming love of God!

Today, wrapped up the 10 X 10 focus on sharing faith journeys with a video from Sam Bursich. A printed faith story from...
08/31/2026

Today, wrapped up the 10 X 10 focus on sharing faith journeys with a video from Sam Bursich. A printed faith story from Esther Phillips was also shared. Each was a powerful testimony to God's presence in their lives.

Pastor Larry shared a message on what it means to be a disciple. Discipleship isn't simply knowledge...it is living what you know. It is believing so deeply, that you want to change...faith in action. The scripture lesson was "The Great Commission".

A call to prayer was held around next month's focus...back to church. Looking forward to how God will touch hearts during this month. Along with the regular Sunday worship, you are invited to attend some of the More Than Sunday morning events as well.

Last week was a busy week at Carterville First United Methodist as a new ministry with youth got a start. A great evening of fellowship, food, games, and planning was held with a group of young and old spending time together. God is at work!

What's Up Wednesday featured Songs of the Soul, but unfortunately, the program wasn't filmed this month. Stay tuned, or better yet, go to the church's YouTube channel to get a taste of what previous sessions have been like. You will be blessed!

All of the live, video, and written faith stories from the month can be found on the church's website. Use this link to experience them for yourself https://www.cartervillefirstumc.org/10-x-10-sharing-your-faith-story/

Looking for a place to belong? Looking for a deeper relationship? Looking for a place to worship the living God? I know where you can find all of that and more. I INVITE YOU to attend any Sunday morning at 9:30 am in person or online or on demand at your convenience. I INVITE YOU to attend any of the More Than Sunday Morning events. i INVITE YOU to check out the church's website at cartervillefirstumc.org or the YouTube channel .

ENGAGE AND EXPERIENCE THE TRANSFORMING LOVE OF GOD for yourself!

Powerful...a word I heard several times after worship today. Powerful...a word that defines this month's focus on shari...
08/23/2026

Powerful...a word I heard several times after worship today. Powerful...a word that defines this month's focus on sharing faith stories. Powerful...the Hope that is a vital part of faith. Powerful...the transforming love of God!

The Holy Spirit is alive and well at the Carterville First United Methodist Church! During the month of August so far, 5 people have shared their faith story either in person or via video. So far, 4 people have shared a written faith story/testimony sharing the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in their lives. Both in person and online congregants have participated. Next week, this focus will wrap up with one more video and one more written faith story. These videos and written testimonies can be found on the church's website at cartervillefirstumc.org. Today's will be posted soon.

Each week, Pastor Larry has shared powerful messages about the tradition of fearlessly declaring a story, over 2000 years strong. He has shared about hope...not a hope that the world gives, but a hope that is embodied in the Christian faith.

Last Sunday, hope sat on the organ bench, a bench that was occupied for years by the same person and in recent years has been vacant. That torch has been passed on to a young man, who answered the call on his heart, a call to fill the void. He answered the call and brought hope. Thank you, Dean, and thank you Paul!

If you have missed the services this month, you haven't missed anything at all. I invite you to go to the church's YouTube channel , and experience hope for yourself! You are always invited to come as you are, and worship in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. You are also invited to worship on demand, on your schedule...when invited, God inhabits your worship no matter where you are.

Engage and experience the POWERFUL, transforming love of God! There is nothing to compare!

Better Together... outward focused...Carterville First United Methodist Church hosted the second annual Blessing of the ...
08/09/2026

Better Together... outward focused...Carterville First United Methodist Church hosted the second annual Blessing of the Backpacks event last Sunday evening, August 2.

This ministry is cherished by the congregation, both locally and online. The mission touches the lives of so many young people. Young people that many of the church will never see. Seeds that are planted. Engagements that help others to experience the transforming love of God.

As was the case last year, the congregation donated items and money to purchase school supplies to be given to students within the Carterville School district. During the month of July, individual backpacks were prayed over each Sunday. Teachers were prayed for each Sunday.

The culmination of this mission was an evening of prayer over the teachers and administrators of the district. The evening also included video presentations highlighting how students and teachers were touched by last year's mission project. Dr. Tom Webb, spoke about the partnership of the schools and the church. He spoke about neighbors...good neighbors...and the way that the church and the school are truly good neighbors. What a blessing!

Want to experience the service for yourself? Go to the church's YouTube channel and click on "Blessing of the Backpacks."

We are truly Better Together!

Why do you go to church? The month of August in the 10X10 program is focused on sharing your faith journey. On Sunday, ...
08/03/2026

Why do you go to church? The month of August in the 10X10 program is focused on sharing your faith journey.

On Sunday, Diane Wallace shared her story, IYKYK. She shared how God was with her through a year of trials, and how God used others to strengthen her. Her message was powerful.

Pastor Larry shared why he goes to church and assured everyone that God is crazy about them and with them always.

Backpacks were given to two teachers who are members of the church but teach in other districts. This ministry continues to bless beyond the walls of the church.

The month of August will be filled with faith stories from worshippers online and in-person. The month will continue to be filled with personal stories of faith.

YOU are invited to worship in person or on demand anytime on the Church's YouTube channel ! Learn why people walk a life of faith.

Still God focused. Still outward focused. Still a praying church. Today was a blessed day at the Carterville First Un...
07/27/2026

Still God focused. Still outward focused. Still a praying church.

Today was a blessed day at the Carterville First United Methodist Church. Random Acts of Kindness continued as that focus wraps up for the month. Today, the congregation reported over 600 acts of kindness throughout the week, serving as the hands and feet of God. Bringing a moment of joy to someone's day.

Ruie Williams shared a beautiful rendition of "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love". Pastor Larry delivered a powerful message from Luke 7:36-50, entitled "A Woman's Tears". A story of kindness, of scars, and of complete forgiveness.

The last group of backpacks was prayed over today. What an impactful ministry to experience.

In August, the focus turns to sharing your faith journey. Members of the congregation, both in-person worshippers as well as online worshippers will share stories of their faith journeys. During the month, Pastor Larry will hold a workshop on sharing your faith.

Still looking for a place to belong? Want to be a part of something bigger than yourself? You are invited to worship as a part of the Carterville First United Methodist Church community. Come as you are, any Sunday at 9:30 am or worship online anytime on YouTube . Engage and experience the transforming love of God for yourself!

If you missed Songs of the Soul yesterday, you didn't miss it. It is now posted on the church's Youtube channel Go to Y...
07/24/2026

If you missed Songs of the Soul yesterday, you didn't miss it. It is now posted on the church's Youtube channel

Go to YouTube and click on videos to find the recording. You will be blessed!!

The story of Joseph and his brothers, the tribes of Israel, is a story about epic forgiveness. Joseph had every right t...
07/20/2026

The story of Joseph and his brothers, the tribes of Israel, is a story about epic forgiveness. Joseph had every right to seek revenge on his brothers, once he saw them again. But instead, he heaped kindness on them and their families. He knew God intimately and understood that what his brothers, out of jealousy, inflicted on him actually was a part of God's plan. Genesis 45:8 (NIV) 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God." Joseph truly experienced the transforming love of God and shared that love unselfishly with his family. Pastor Larry related this story in an impactful message.

A rousing verse of "And Can It Be" was sung with gusto! "My chains fell off, my heart was free!"

The outward focus continued this week. Random Acts of Kindness flowed all week from the congregation to people they encountered every day. Today the total topped 500 for the second week in a row. In August the 10X10 focus will move to sharing your faith journey. What a blessing that will be!

As always, prayer is an integral part of morning worship. There was a time of prayer over the backpacks today. During the Pastoral Prayer time, the altar was filled.

God is moving in midst of the congregation, both online and in person. Want to be a part of dynamic and moving worship? Give Carterville First United Methodist a try!

You are invited every week to worship live, in the sanctuary or online, or on demand at any time on YouTube. Come...experience the transforming of love of God for yourself! Experience HIS epic forgiveness! You are loved.

On Monday, a check as well as food items were delivered to the Carterville United Pantry. The church supports this comm...
07/07/2026

On Monday, a check as well as food items were delivered to the Carterville United Pantry. The church supports this community mission in various ways throughout the year.

Carterville First United Methodist Church...outward focus coupled with love for each other and devotion to God!

Learn more by worshipping on-demand .

Engaging People to Experience the Transforming Love of God!

Yesterday, marked the beginning of Pastor Larry's 8th year in ministry at the Carterville First United Methodist Church!...
07/06/2026

Yesterday, marked the beginning of Pastor Larry's 8th year in ministry at the Carterville First United Methodist Church! So thankful for the many ways they have led and continue to lead in Carterville. The church is better because of their service!

Welcome Home! There's a Place for YOU at the Carterville First United Methodist Church!It was another blessed morning t...
07/06/2026

Welcome Home! There's a Place for YOU at the Carterville First United Methodist Church!

It was another blessed morning that began as early for Pastor Larry as he prayed with the Scouts leaving for a weeklong adventure. This time of prayer in the parking lot before a trip, is a blessing to the church and to the scouts. What a wonderful way to support the youth of the community.

Supporting youth is what the Blessing of the Backpacks is all about as well. Today, the first group of backpacks was prayed over individually. What a blessing to be a part of this ministry!

Today, in honor of the 250th birthday of our country, veterans, their spouses, and surviving spouses were recognized. Each veteran present received a special challenge coin. Prior to this time, a moving video was shown about the service experience of one of the church's members. Thanks to everyone who serves and has served our country. We know that freedom isn't free.

This month's 10 X 10 focus is random acts of kindness. Today, as a congregation, 164 random acts were reported. Each week for the rest of the month, members will be intentional in bring kindness into the life of someone they encounter. Pastor Larry's sermon, based upon the parable of the Good Samaritan, challenged each to consider this well-known story in light of a present-day scenario.

Beautiful special music was shared and communion was served.

Want to experience the transforming love God? Worship on demand ! You are always invited to worship online OR in person. Carterville First United is an outward focused church. Come...be a part of the blessing!

Address

301 Pine Street
Carterville, IL
62918

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 12pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
Friday 9am - 1pm
Sunday 9:30am - 11:30am

Telephone

+16189854511

Website

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