First United Methodist Church of Lakeland (Florida)

First United Methodist Church of Lakeland (Florida) First United Methodist Church was founded in 1884 with a mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
In-Person & Online:
8:15 & 11am Traditional Services
9:30 and 11am Contemporary Services

05/29/2026

📣Registration Closing on May 31!

Get ready for an unforgettable week at Vacation Bible School! ❄️🏔️

Kids are invited to join us for Snowball Mountain Challenge at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland as we discover what it means to find our strength in God through fun, faith, music, games, and new friendships.

📅 June 22–26, 2026
⏰ 8:45 AM–12 PM

We can’t wait to welcome your children for a week full of joy, learning, and adventure. Mark your calendars and invite a friend to join the fun!

For more information or to register, visit firstumc.org/vbs. ⛄✨

Next week, First United Methodist Church of Lakeland will have the joy of welcoming guests from across the Florida Annua...
05/29/2026

Next week, First United Methodist Church of Lakeland will have the joy of welcoming guests from across the Florida Annual Conference!

As clergy, laity, staff, volunteers, and ministry leaders gather in Lakeland, several conference-related events will also be happening right here on our campus. We are grateful for the opportunity to offer hospitality, welcome new faces, and help create a meaningful experience for all who will be joining us.

If you are on campus next week, you may notice extra activity, additional guests, and more movement around our buildings. We invite our congregation to join us in offering a warm First UMC Lakeland welcome to everyone who will be here.

Thank you for helping us be a place of hospitality, connection, and ministry. We look forward to welcoming our Florida Annual Conference guests!

Our Renewed Hope Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic is coming up August 4–11, 2026, and we invite you to prayerfully...
05/29/2026

Our Renewed Hope Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic is coming up August 4–11, 2026, and we invite you to prayerfully consider being part of this meaningful opportunity to serve.

This mission trip is a chance to come alongside Renewed Hope, build relationships, and share God’s love through service and partnership.

Trip deposits are due June 15. For more information or to learn how to participate, please contact Forrest White, Director of Missions.

We hope you’ll consider joining us for this important mission opportunity!

Celebrate the Seasons with us! 🎶🔔Join us Sunday, May 31 from 4–5pm in the Sanctuary for Handbell Ringers & Singers: Cele...
05/29/2026

Celebrate the Seasons with us! 🎶🔔
Join us Sunday, May 31 from 4–5pm in the Sanctuary for Handbell Ringers & Singers: Celebrate the Seasons, a joyful and uplifting concert featuring handbells, ChoirChimes, and beautiful vocal harmonies.
This special group of musicians will ring and sing together — sometimes at the very same time — creating a rich and inspiring sound that captures the beauty of every season.
This concert is free and open to all. A love offering will be taken to help support their mission tour in June 2026.
📍 First UMC Lakeland
72 Lake Morton Drive
Sanctuary
We hope you’ll join us for this beautiful afternoon of music! See less

As hurricane season begins on June 1, we invite you to take time to prepare—not only for yourself and your household, bu...
05/28/2026

As hurricane season begins on June 1, we invite you to take time to prepare—not only for yourself and your household, but also for the ways we can help our neighbors recover after a storm.

Join us for Hurricane Season Preparedness and Recovery Sunday on Sunday, June 7, in the Parlor. There will be two opportunities to attend:

🕘 9:00–9:30 a.m.
🕥 10:30–11:00 a.m.

This will be a helpful time to learn, ask questions, and think through how we can be ready as individuals, families, and a church community. We hope you’ll stop by!

At First UMC Lakeland, we believe every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy, friendship, and faith-b...
05/28/2026

At First UMC Lakeland, we believe every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy, friendship, and faith-building moments of summer camp.

This year, we are raising funds for camperships — camp scholarships for children and families who do not currently have the resources to attend Warren Willis United Methodist Camp & Conference Center. The cost is $580 per child, and every gift helps make camp possible for a child who might not otherwise be able to go.

Thank you for helping us create a place where kids can grow in faith, build friendships, and make memories that last a lifetime.

05/28/2026

Listen to the whole sermon at firstumc.org/sermons.

Join us for worship on Sunday, May 31, as we welcome Rev. Patrick Hamrick, Pastor of Church Administration, here at Firs...
05/28/2026

Join us for worship on Sunday, May 31, as we welcome Rev. Patrick Hamrick, Pastor of Church Administration, here at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, to the pulpit at 8:15 and 11:00. We are grateful for Pastor Patrick’s leadership on staff, and we look forward to hearing the message he will share.

We hope you’ll make plans to worship with us this Sunday. Come be part of a meaningful morning of faith, community, and connection!

We are grateful to share that First United Methodist Church of Lakeland has been recognized by the Florida Annual Confer...
05/27/2026

We are grateful to share that First United Methodist Church of Lakeland has been recognized by the Florida Annual Conference for paying 100% of our allocated apportionments in 2025.

This milestone is possible because of the faithfulness and generosity of our congregation. A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed through your offerings. No matter the amount, you have had a hand in helping us reach this goal.

Your generosity and commitment help support the shared ministry of The United Methodist Church here in Florida and around the world. We are deeply grateful for the ways you continue to give, serve, and make ministry possible through First UMC Lakeland.

Join Bishop Tom Berlin, Derrick Scott III, and Rev. Dr. Brett Opalinski for a Wesley Heritage Tour for Laity through Eng...
05/27/2026

Join Bishop Tom Berlin, Derrick Scott III, and Rev. Dr. Brett Opalinski for a Wesley Heritage Tour for Laity through England, September 23–October 1, 2026.

This pilgrimage is designed especially for laity in The Florida Conference and offers a meaningful opportunity to learn more about the life and ministry of John Wesley, the roots of the Methodist movement, and the places that helped shape our Wesleyan faith.

The cost starts at $4,698 and includes round-trip airfare from Orlando or Tampa, lodging, ground transportation, entrance fees in England, and some meals. Registration is now open with a $300 initial deposit.

This is more than a trip. It is a chance to grow in faith, connect with our Methodist heritage, and experience the story of our movement in a powerful way.

Learn more and register through the Florida Conference website: https://www.flumc.org/wesley-heritage-pilgrimage

Join us for two special Sundays as we celebrate Rev. Andy Whitaker-Smith and his family with gratitude, love, and apprec...
05/27/2026

Join us for two special Sundays as we celebrate Rev. Andy Whitaker-Smith and his family with gratitude, love, and appreciation.

On Sunday, June 7, following the 11:00 a.m. worship services, we will gather in the Welcome Center for a farewell reception in Andy’s honor. Come share your appreciation, offer your prayers, and celebrate the many ways Andy and his family have blessed First UMC Lakeland.

Then, on Sunday, June 14, Pastor Andy will preach his final Sunday with us at all worship services. For this special Sunday, our 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship and The Current will worship together at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Center.

We hope you’ll join us as we give thanks, celebrate, and send Andy and his family into their next chapter with love. 💙

Address

72 Lake Morton Drive
Lakeland, FL
33801

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday 8am - 12:30pm

Telephone

+18636863163

Website

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