What We Believe
A Brief History of the United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church (UMC) traces its roots to the 18th century revival movement led by John and Charles Wesley in England. The Wesley brothers, both Anglican priests, sought to renew the church by focusing on heartfelt faith, personal holiness, and practical acts of love and service. Their “methodical” approach to spiritual life – regular prayer, Bible study, and care for others—earned them the nickname “Methodists.”
Methodism spread rapidly to America, where it became a powerful movement of faith, especially on the frontier. In 1784, American Methodists formally organized as the Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Over time, the church grew and changed, with branches uniting and separating through the years.
In 1968, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined together to form the United Methodist Church, uniting people of shared faith, mission, and service under one name.
Today, the UMC is a global denomination, known for its open hearts, open minds, and open doors – committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Core Beliefs and Values of the United Methodist Church
United Methodists share the foundational beliefs of Christianity — faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the authority of Scripture.
We’re guided by a few key values:
> Grace: God’s love at work – reaching, forgiving, and transforming us.
> Faith pillars that guide our faith: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience (Called the Wesleyan Quadrilateral)
> Social Holiness: Faith in action – living out love through justice, mercy, and service.
These core beliefs and practices are what unite United Methodists around the world. At Bethel United Methodist Church, we cherish these shared roots and see them as the foundation of all we do – our worship, our service, and our mission in the community.
We affirm our faith through The Apostles’ Creed, which beautifully summarizes what Christians believe, and we live out that faith through The Methodist Social Creed, which reminds us that following Christ means working for love, justice, and compassion in our world today.
For more information on the beliefs of the United Methodist Church, please explore by clicking on this link: https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/what-we-believe/our-christian-roots
Sacraments in the United Methodist Church
A sacrament is a religious ceremony regarded as imparting divine grace. In the United Methodist Church, we celebrate two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. These two practices hold a special place in our faith because Jesus both participated in them and asked His followers to continue them. Through them, we experience God’s grace in powerful and personal ways.
Many Christian traditions recognize other practices as sacraments, such as marriage and confirmation. While we don’t call these sacraments, we still honor and celebrate them as important moments of God’s presence in our lives. They help us grow closer to God and to one another as a community of faith.
In short, Baptism and Communion are at the heart of who we are as United Methodists – visible signs of God’s invisible grace – while many other special moments in life remind us of that same grace at work every day.
- Baptism
Baptism is a special and holy moment — the beginning of our lifelong journey with Jesus.
It’s a way we show that God’s love is already at work in us and that we belong to God’s family, the church.
In the United Methodist Church, baptism is open to all — babies, children, youth, or adults — because God’s love includes everyone.
We baptize in several ways — by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion — each one a meaningful expression of the same deep truth: that we are washed, renewed, and claimed by God’s love.
Baptism is received only once in a lifetime, because God’s promise in baptism is everlasting. We may reaffirm our baptismal vows as our faith grows, but the grace given in that first moment never needs to be repeated.
- Holy Communion (Also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist)
At Bethel United Methodist Church, Holy Communion is a sacred and joyful meal where we remember all that God has done, is doing, and will do through Jesus Christ. It’s a time of gratitude, renewal, and unity—a moment when we offer our thanks to God and receive the bread and cup as signs of Christ’s love and presence among us.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and cup become for us the body and blood of Christ, reminding us that God’s grace is real and available to all. As we share this meal together, we are strengthened in our faith, united with Christ, and joined with one another in love and service to the world.
In the United Methodist tradition, the Communion table is open to everyone. We welcome all people to share in Holy Communion (The Lord’s Supper) because it is Christ’s table, not ours.
You don’t have to be a member of our church or any church – if you love Christ, want to follow Him, and seek to live in peace with others, you are invited to take part, regardless of age, background, or church membership.
Come just as you are and receive this gift of God’s grace and love.
Worship and Community Life
Worship in the United Methodist Church is thoughtful, joyful, and rooted in grace. Services include prayer, Scripture, a sermon, and music – sometimes traditional hymns by Charles Wesley, sometimes modern songs of praise, depending on the service you choose — all centered on meeting God together.
Outside of Sunday worship, you’ll find many ways to connect: Bible studies, mission projects, small groups, youth and children’s programs, fellowship meals, and community outreach. Methodist life blends spiritual growth and practical service in everyday ways.