What is a United Methodist?
The United Methodist Church is a global denomination that opens hearts, opens minds, and opens doors through active engagement with our world. Its mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.
A United Methodist is someone who joins in that mission and vision by putting faith and love into action. We believe that God loves all people, and that we share in expressing that love. So the United Methodist tradition emphasizes God's grace and in serving others. We believe that Jesus Christ is the fullest expression of God's love--showing us the fullness of God's care through Jesus' teachings, death, and resurrection.
You can find out more about the beliefs of the United Methodist Church by clicking below and exploring the denomination's website.
Sacraments
The United Methodist Church recognizes two sacraments: baptism and communion. These two acts have a special place in the church because Jesus commanded them and participated in them.
Through the years, Christians have used other sacramental acts to draw closer to God. While we do not recognize these others as sacraments, we participate in many of them in some way.
Click below to explore how United Methodists understand baptism, communion, and rites and rituals other Christian churches view as sacraments.
In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, we are initiated into Christ’s holy church, incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.
Click HERE to learn more about baptism in the United Methodist Church.
At Mechanicsburg United Methodist Church, we celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month. In all United Methodist churches, we have an open communion table. This means that all are invited to the table who love him, earnestly repent of their sin, and seek to be at peace with one another. All who present themselves are served with no questions asked.
Click HERE to learn more about communion in the United Methodist Church.
"Our spiritual goal as United Methodists is to embody the love of neighbor in a constant and consistent fashion, that when people look at us all they see is the love of God shining forth from us. This is our understanding of God's grace working in us."