Welcome to First UMC of Santa Monica!
Friends near and far, welcome to the worship, service, and fellowship of Santa Monica First United Methodist Church. First UMC is committed to a ministry that touches the lives of people in many significant ways. Through our worship and music, study opportunities, social groups, mission involvement and ministries of care, we proclaim the good news of God’s love for all people. We also work to help make the world a better place in which to live, here in the communities of the Westside and around the world, and eagerly invite your participation in this beloved community. Our church has been a significant presence in the larger Santa Monica community for over 125 years.
Lent/Easter at First UMC
The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 22. Lent is a 40-day season given to us as a time of spiritual preparation for the astonishing story of Easter. Traditionally, Lent is a time to fast—to refrain from excess and experience our hunger for God; a time to pray and study the Word of God—to quiet our thoughts and open our hearts to God’s call on our lives; and a time to repent—to turn away from words, thoughts, behaviors that close us off to the fullness of God’s kingdom and the fullness of all that our lives might become.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP: In-Person and Online
Masks are optional, but always acceptable and welcome. If you feel ill, please choose to worship from home online.
You may join in the service Livestream in real time or later at your convenience. Let us know if you need assistance in joining online.
Give Online: Your continued financial support of the church is now more important than ever. You may give online here, via mail, or onsite through the office mail slot. Thank you!
Easter Flowers! Now is the time to donate toward the purchase of Easter Flowers for Easter Sunday morning worship in celebration of a loved one, an event, a joy, or a remembrance. Order online here or stop by the Sunday Welcome Table and fill out a form. Flowers are $15. Deadline to order is April 4, 2023.
If you have any questions, or are having trouble joining the Sunday online worship service, call the church office at 310-393-8258, or email us at info@santamonicaumc.org. We welcome you into this community of faith!
MISSIONS
We at First UMC work in partnership with a variety of groups and organizations throughout our community and the larger UMC to bring hope and healing where it is needed most. Together we can change lives and transform the world. To view our Outreach and Missions page, click here
GROUPS AND EVENTS
“God is never far from us, no matter where we are. We need God, and we need one another. God’s angels are always near at hand to minister unto us. God never lets us go. God never gives up on us. God is always just a prayer away with new life and hope….”
– Rev. Patricia Farris, excerpt from “Seeking: Living Water” Sermon from March 12, 2023. Read sermon
PRAYER
Good Friday April 7
GIVE ONLINE
Your continued financial support of the church is now more important than ever. You may give online here, via mail, or onsite through the office mail slot. Thank you!
FIRST UMC PRESCHOOL
First UMC Preschool is more than a school. It is a community of parents, teachers and staff to whom the children’s health, safety and well-being is the highest priority. The Preschool was started in 1948 and over the years has gained the reputation as one of the finest in the city. Read more: www.santamonicaumc.org/preschool
STAY CONNECTED
Click button above to sign up for our weekly Friday Community emails, the
monthly newsletter, Children and Family email, and more!
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Horizons – March 2023
“This Lent, we have adopted the theme “seeking: honest questions for deeper faith” from worship materials provided by a group of pastors and scholars called “Sanctified Art.” The Gospel stories for Lent this year offer us many stories of Jesus encountering people who are seeking: Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman at the well, a man born without sight. Each person is seeking a new beginning, a different life, a deeper faith. What unfolds is an exchange with Jesus filled with questions and exploration…”
Rev. Patricia Farris, from Horizons March Sentinel. Read full article here
Read this month’s Sentinel Newsletter here
Safe Sanctuaries®
First UMC takes the safety of the children and youth very seriously. We follow Safe Sanctuaries® practices, which is our commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all of our children, youth, and adults. Read More