Our Mission
To be a loving church with a mission to worship God, serve and nurture one another, and bring people to meet, know, and love Christ.
The History of Our Church
The Church and Ampitheater on the Lake Shore
Our church is a fairly young church since it began in 1998 in a double wide mobile home north of its current location with the services conducted by Dr. Gary Fitzgerald. On December 15, 1999, 29 acres were purchased at the current site of the church. The property had been at one time been the old Red Ackers Restaurant, known for their catfish.
Groundbreaking for the building began on October 7, 2001. The Methodist Men and other volunteers built the entire church and on March 17, 2002, the church was chartered by Bishop Alfred Norris. On July 7, 2002, the first worship service in this facility was conducted. On December 2, 2007 groundbreaking was started on the amphitheater.
What are the beliefs of the The United Methodist Church?
We believe the people of the church should put their faith into action by making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World. John Wesley and early Methodist placed the primary emphasis on Christian living, putting faith and love into action. John Wesley referred to it as ``practical divinity``, and it has continued to be a hallmark of the UMC today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are you like? We are a casual church, so come as you are. No need to dress up. We are more interested in your relationship with God, nurturing one another in our journey with Christ, and supporting each other through lives joys and challenges.
When are your services? Every Sunday at 10:30 am in our Church Sanctuary and Live on Youtube. If you are unable to attend or missed the Live Service online. You may go to Youtube and watch at a later time.
When do you have services outside? Outdoor services are held on occasion. You can find announcements online when they are scheduled.
How long do services last? Services run about an hour.
Where do I park? Park in the church parking lot for inside church services. For Amphitheater services and events, you can park at the church and walk to the amphitheater, you may park at the paved side lot, or at the top of the hill before going down to the amphitheater. Disabled individuals can park to the side of the amphitheater or behind the stage. You can stay in your car if you wish.
Where do I sit? Our sanctuary has individual seating. Some of our chairs feature arm rests to assist you in standing and sitting. At the amphitheater, you can sit on the rock wall, bring your own lawn chair or stay in your car.
What about my kids? We currently don’t have children’s Bible School, but they are welcome to join us during service.
How do I get connected in the church? Send us an email and let us know you have visited. Someone will contact you soon. If you have attended an outside service, come say hello to the pastor before or after the service.
What about tithing? Your generosity helps support our church and it’s mission to the community. We offer several convenient ways to give: online through this website, by mailing your gift to the church ( a secure, locked mailbox) or by participating in the offering during our service.
- For online giving: Select the “Giving” tab from the Home Page of this website and then click on the blue “Give Now” button. You can also set up a recurring gift for convenience.
- For mailing: If you prefer to give by mail, you can send a check or money order to Lake Palestine UMC at the address listed on this website.
- For the offering: During our service, you can place your offering in the collection plate as it is passed.
As a church, we hold your privacy and confidentiality in the highest regard. We do not share your information with third parties. We will not use your contact information for unsolicited
emails or phone calls.
Again, thanks for coming. We are glad you’re here.