Here are answers to frequent questions. For other questions, please send us an email HERE.
Traditional Service in the Chapel
This warm, friendly worship service begins with a piano-accompanied hymn sing. The smaller setting of the chapel creates more intimate worship. The service lasts about forty-five minutes.
Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
The more formal service features superb music with organ, piano, and choir. Professional and gifted musicians enhance the worship experience which lasts about forty-five minutes.
There are two different and unique services:
- 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship in the Chapel
- 11:00 a.m. – Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
Like many churches, we offer Holy Communion to those attending. Currently we offer Communion on the first Sunday of each month.
What happens during Communion? We remember the sacrifice that Christ made for us with bread representing his body and grape juice representing his blood. During the celebration, the pastor prays for the Spirit's outpouring to make the bread and juice be for us the body and blood of Christ so we, who receive them, may be for the world the body of Christ redeemed by his blood.
Who can participate in Holy Communion? In the United Methodist community, our liturgy states: "Christ our lord invites to the table all who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another." You don't have to go to "confession," be a member of this or any other church, or even be baptized to receive Holy Communion. All are welcome.
How do I take Communion? At First UMC we offer two ways to celebrate. We have individual cups in our pews which contain a wafer and grape juice, for those who wish to partake where they are. For all others, we offer Communion through "intinction". You come to the table at the front of the church. The server hands you a small piece of bread which you then dip into another server's grape juice before eating. You may then return to your seat or go to the Communion rail to pray, as you prefer.
I am gluten-free. What should I do? The servers have gluten-free wafers at the table, with fresh juice. Just ask.
First United Methodist Church is located at 104 South Pineapple Ave. in downtown Sarasota, FL 34236. The entrances to the office and the Family Life Center are on Mira Mar Court.
There is plenty of free parking. Complimentary parking is available at the Mira Mar Court entrance (in the rear of the building). We ask that this be used by those with limited mobility issues if possible.
Valet Parking is available at the Mira Mar Court entrance. Valet service begins at 10 a.m. YOU MUST RECLAIM YOUR VEHICLE BY 12:30 p.m.
Directly across the street from our front entrance, the Mark (111 S. Pineapple Ave.) has 40 designated parking spaces for those who attend service at First UMC. Our designated spaces are the first ones you come to upon entering the parking garage. While a First UMC parking sticker is not required, we do have them available at the Welcome Desk in the Narthex on Sundays or at the church office during the week.
In addition to street parking, the city’s State Street Parking Garage and Palm Avenue Parking Garage are also available.
Monday – Thursday | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed Friday and Saturday
The office is closed on the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Good Friday
Monday after Easter
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving and the Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas and the day after Christmas
There is no dress code. Dress as you choose!
Yes. Beverages are allowed in both the chapel and sanctuary. In fact, coffee, water, and juice are served before and after services.
We welcome all requests for prayer. Click HERE for the prayer request page. You may also write prayer requests on the back of the Connection Card and leave it on the pew or hand it to Rev. DeHart after the service.
While membership isn’t required to worship or participate at First UMC, it is an important step for those who are growing in faith and commitment. Membership is a way of saying, “This is our spiritual home. These are our people.”
Being a member means joining with others to learn, grow, and serve as part of the Body of Christ. It’s not just belonging to an organization—it’s becoming part of a living, Spirit-filled community that seeks to love God and serve others together.
When you join, you’ll be making a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and committing to support this church with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
Here’s how the process works:
1. Contact Pastor Brett at [email protected] or 941-955-0935 to obtain a Membership Information Form.
2. Complete the form and return to Pastor Brett.
3. Choose a Sunday to take the membership vows at the end of worship.
4. If you or anyone in your family has not yet been baptized, we can celebrate that either that day or at a later date.
The Nursery for infants and toddlers begins at 11:00am upstairs in Youth Hall. The older kids sign in at 10:45am in the Narthex and attend worship service until the Passing of the Peace. Our dedicated and enthusiastic teachers then bring the kids upstairs for Sunday School class for the remainder of the 11:00am service.