The Advent Season is a time of anticipation of the birth of Jesus. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, we marvel how God became human, walked among us, experienced bumps and bruises, andtaught us to care for one another.
Spend time with family and friends, grow in community, and prepare your hearts for this special season together!
We're Glad You're Here!
At First United Methodist Church, we are alive in Christ, united in nurturing fellowship, reaching out to share God's boundless love.
Plan a Visit
Join us in person! Find service times, directions, and what to expect on Sunday morning at First UMC.
We are United Methodists
The United Methodist Church is a world-wide denomination that opens hearts, opens minds and opens doors through active engagement with our world. The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
A United Methodist is someone who joins in that mission 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.John Wesley started the Methodist movement in 18th century England. His teachings on practical divinity (living out our faith) and appeals to reason and experience form important aspects of United Methodist practice today.
We are a Lighthouse Congregation
First United Methodist Church—Lexington, NC opens its doors to individuals and groups whose churches are disaffiliating, yet wish to remain United Methodist. We are a congregation who has a desire to welcome, love, and nurture.
At First United Methodist Church, we are
...Alive in Christ and here for you as you strengthen your faith and grow closer to God.
...United in Nurturing Fellowship and committed to creating an environment of joy and acceptence where everyone can feel welcome and at peace.
...Reaching Out to Share God's Boundless Love and make a positive difference in the lives of our members and our community.
We're glad you're here.
No matter what you've been through or what questions you might have about God and faith, our church is a place where you'll find the love, grace, and forgiveness Jesus gives to everyone.
We are a Lighthouse congregation of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.
We offer a grace-filled welcome to all who come through our doors!
What to expect on Sunday morning.
- What time are Sunday services at First UMC?
Early Worship is at 8:45am in the Fellowship Hall.
Morning Worship is at 11:00am in the Sanctuary.Sunday School for all ages is at 9:45am.
- What are the directions to First UMC?
You will find a map located at the bottom of our Home Page.
- Where do I park?
Parking lots are available on the 4th Avenue and the State Street sides of the church.
- How long is a First UMC Service?
In total, a First UMC service is about 60 minutes in length.
- What’s the culture like at First UMC?
Come as you are and expect to feel welcomed as our guest.
- What about my kids?
Infants through 4 years of age
A safe, caring environment is provided during the 8:45am & 11:00am worship services in our child care area for infants through 4 years of age. During the Sunday school hour, age-appropriate Biblical themed experiences are offered for infants through 4 years of age.
A Time for the Child in All of Us
During the 11:00am worship service, all children are invited to join us down front for a time just for them! Afterwards, children in kindergarten through 2nd grade are invited to follow the leader to the Godly Play Room for Children's Church.
Each week, the children hear a different story told with the use of beautifully crafted materials, and then are invited to explore the story through hands-on play, art work, and “I wonder” questions. After each story is told, the children are asked to “wonder” about it through a series of questions that begin with the words, “I wonder...” Its hands-on approach is meant to fully engage children in the stories of the Bible and the church year.
We believe that kids should have a hands-on and fully engaged experience at church every single week — and at Godly Play, we make this a priority.
See What's Happening
Explore the full calendar of services, ministries, meetings, & events and the latest news.
Get Involved
Explore the life of our church including our vibrant ministries and opportunities to serve.
View our most recent Sunday worship service on YouTube!
Support Our Missions & Ministries
You may give to our missions & ministries using our secure server. Using this system, you may give using your checking account, debit account, or credit card.
Text the amount you wish to send to 855-222-3109 – then follow the directions on our secure server.
From your desktop or Ipad, scan the QR code above with your phone's camera to give using our secure server. When you first enter the secure site, you will need to create a profile before you can make a contribution. Using this system, you may give using your checking account, debit account, or credit card.
The QR code is also located in our weekly bulletin for your convenience.
You may mail a check to the church office:
First UMC
310 S. Main Street
Lexington, NC 27292
You may give your gifts, tithes, and offerings during the 8:45a and 11:00a worship services each Sunday.
Meet Our Pastors and Staff
Meet Our Pastors and Staff
Rev. Cheryl Skinner, Co-Pastor
Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Co-Pastor
Rev. Amy Higgins, Assistant Pastor of Next Generations Ministries
Lee Mabe, Director of Music
Donna Huskins, Administrative Assistant
Phyllis Jones, Organist
Kelly Leonard, Nursery Staff
Alma Carlton, Financial Secretary
Kimberly Leonard, Nursery Staff
Jill Michener, Nursery Staff
Teams & Church Council
Administrative Teams
- Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees – Co-Chairs: Billy Hunt and Donna Smith - chair elected annually by Board of Trustees
2025: Steve Smith, Pat Langley, Larry Swing
2026: Glynda Smith, Bob Burchette, Bill Distler
2027: Richard Browne, Billy Hunt, Donna Smith
Ex-offico: Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Co-Pastor (non-voting) – Alma Carlton, Financial Secretary (non-voting) – John McWhorter, AC Lay Delegate
About: The Board of Trustees serves First UMC by maintaining and improving the building, furnishing, equipment, & grounds; managing bequests and gifts to the church; and overseeing legal responsiblities of the church.
- Endowment Trust Fund Team
Endowment Trust Fund Team – Chair: Richard Foust - elected by the Endowment Team from its members
Trustee Representative: John McWhorter - elected annually by Board of Trustees
Church Council Rep: Lauren Hall - elected annually by Church Council
Finance Comm. Rep: Betty Pope – elected annually by Finance Team
Co-Pastor Pastor: Rev. Kirk Tutterow
The following are nominated by Nominations Team and approved by Charge Conference to three-year terms.
Investment Advisor (non-voting): Steve Jackson
Financial Secretary (non-voting): Alma Carlton
Accountant: Jennifer Everhart, 2027
Legal Advisor: Richard Foust, 2027
Past Finance Chair: Monty Oliver, 2027
At-large member: Olen Easter, 2027
About: The Endowment Trust Fund Team serves First UMC by overseeing the investment and use of the church's endowment trust funds & providing for an ongoing planned giving program for the funds.
- Finance Team
Finance Team – Chair: Clark Smith, 2026
2025: T.J. Strickland, Mike Hall
2026: Jennifer Everhart, Monty Oliver
2027: Frank Cagle, Ron Coleman
Ex-officio: Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Co-Pastor – Rick Samuels, Church Council Vic-Chair – John McWhorter, AC Lay Delegate – Larry Swing, Trustee Rep. –Betty Pope, Stewardship Chair – Steve Jackson, Church Council Chair – Wendy Norris, SPR Chair - Alma Carlton, Financial Secretary (non-voting)
About: The Finance Team serves First UMC by planning for and managing the church's finances to support the church's mission and ministry.
- Nominations Team
Nominations Team – Chairs: Rev. Cheryl Skinner & Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Co- Pastors
2025: Lynne Leonard
2026: Clark Smith, Ann Easter, Kathy Hester
2027: Debby Brown, Helen Morris, Jim Myers
Ex-officio: Helen Fitzgerald, Lay Leader
About: The Nominations Team serves First UMC by prayerfully discerning the nominees who are selected to serve as Administrative and Ministry Team members.
- Parsonage Team
Parsonage Team – Chair: Donna Smith
2025: Varner Sink, Jill Hayes
2026: Judy Stoner, Linda Saintsing, Donna Smith
2027: Marie Kernoodle, Nancy Roach
Ex-officio: Rev. Cheryl Skinner & Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Co-Pastors
About: The Parsonage Team serves First UMC by providing the minister(s) & family with a comfortable, safe living space.
- Planned Giving/Stewardship Team
Stewardship Team – Chair: Betty Pope
2025: John McWhorter
2026: Betty Pope
2027: Olen Easter, Planned Giving
Ex-officio: Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Co-Pastor – Rick Samuels, Church Council Vice-Chair – Alma Carlton, Financial Secretary (non-voting)
About: The Stewardship Team serves First UMC by educating church members about stewardship & generosity, planning giving campaigns, and raising funds for church ministries.
- Scholarship Team
Scholarship Team – Chair: Donna Long
2025: Wendy Norris
2026: Donna Long
2027: Pat Harrison, Joyce Oliver
Ex-officio: Rev. Cheryl Skinner, Co-Pastor – Lauren Hall, Church Council Chair – Helen Fitzgerald, Lay Leader – Susie Hubbard, AC Lay Delegate – Donna Smith, Trustee Rep. – Katherine Parsons, Children’s Council Chair – Alma Carlton, Financial Secretary (non-voting)
About: The Scholarship Team serves First UMC by managing the scholarship application and distribution process.
- Staff Parish Relations Team
Staff Parish Relations Team – Chair: Wendy Norris, 2026
2025: William Deal, Ron Leonard, Bill Distler
2026: Nancy Conrad, Lloyd Brown, Wendy Norris
2027: Jane Hedrick, Betty Pope, Abby SMith
Ex-officio: Rev. Cheryl Skinner & Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Co-Pastors – Helen Fitzgerald, Lay Leader – Mike Hall, Finance Rep/AC Lay Delegate
About: The Staff Parish Relations Team serves First UMC by assessing the church's current staffing needs and provide supervision, guidance, and support for the church staff.
Ministry Teams
- Children's Council
Children’s Council – Chair: Katherine Parsons
2025: Woody Smith, Christie Strickland, Martha Williams
2026: Donna Long, Katherine Parsons
2027: Betsy Cook, Debbie Hill, Jessica & Travis Phifer
Ex-officio: Rev. Amy Higgins – Associate Pastor Next Generations
About: The Children's Council serves First UMC by developing and planning ministries that form and nurture the faith of our children birth through fifith grade.
- Evangelism & Hospitality Team
Evangelism & Hospitality Team – Chair: Judy Deal
2025: Kathy Hester, Louise Van Hyning
2026: Patricia Hartley, Barbara McWhorter
2027: Karen Bennett, Karen Bias, Judy Deal
Ex-officio: Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Co-Pastor – Rick Samuels, Church Council, Vice-Chair – Helen Fitzgerald, Lay Leader
About: The Evangelism & Hospitality Team serves First UMC by connecting the church with our neighbors (non-churched) & community as well as providing hospitality for our worship & ministry event guests.
- Member Care Team
Member Care Team: Chair: elected annually by Member Care Team
2025: Ellen Crago, Cheri Murray, Judy Hench
2026: Karen Coleman, Tom Foust, Minnie McPherson, Helen Morris
2027: Toni Burchette, Fran Coppley, Libby Samuels
Ex-officio: Rev. Cheryl Skinner, Co-Pastor – Lauren Hall, Church Council Chair/Sparrow Project Rep – Helen Fitzgerald, Lay Leader – Judy Deal, Bereavement Rep
About: The Member Care Team serves First UMC by developing and implementing minitries that care for our member's physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
- Missions Team
Missions Team – Chair: Christa Weeks
2025: Clark Smith, Nancy Cagle
2026: Judy Deal, Christa Weeks
2027: Carl Bennett, Steve Jackson, Barbara McWhorter
Ex-officio: Rev. Cheryl Skinner, Co-Pastor – Rick Samuels, Church Council Vice-Chair – Susie Hubard, AC Lay Delegate – William Deal, Disaster Coordinator
About: The Missions Team serves First UMC by supporting on-going mission ministries and providing opportunities for service in the community and world.
- Worship & Music Team
Worship & Music Team – Chair: Wayne Michael
2025: Kathy Oliver, Helen Morris
2026: Nancy Roach, Abby Smith
2027: Dinah Browne, Wayne Michael, Cheri Murray
Ex-officio: Rev. Cheryl Skinner & Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Co-Pastors – Rev. Amy Higgins, Associate Pastor Next Generations – Lauren Hall, Church Council Chair – Lee Mabe, Director of Music – Phyllis Jones, Organist – Ron Leonard, Sound Team – John McWhorter, Video Team/AC Lay Delegate – Karen Coleman & Geryl Myers, Altar Guild – Richard Foust & Woody Smith, Head Ushers
About: The Worship & Music Team serves First UMC by working with the pastor(s) and staff to plan for meaningful worship.
- Youth Council
Youth Council: Chair: Christie Strickland
2025: Christie & T.J. Strickland, Amanda Bostick
2026: Jane & Bradley Hedrick
2027: Katie Moore, Elizabeth O'Connell, Jenny Varner
About: The Youth Council serves First UMC by developing and planning ministries that form and nurture the faith of our youth (Middle School & High School) and college students.
Church Council
About: The Church Council serves First UMC by providing for, overseeing, and evaluating the nurture, outreach, mission and resource ministries of the church as well as aiding in the communication and collaboration of those ministries.
- Chairperson: Lauren Hall, 2026
- Vice-Chair: Rick Samuels, 2026
- Recording Secretary: Barbara McWhorter, 2027
- Lay Leader: Helen Fitzgerals, 2027
- Lay Delegate/Annual Conference:
- John McWhorter, 2025, Susie Hubbard, 2026, Mike Hall, 2027
- Co-Pastors: Rev. Cheryl Skinner & Rev. Kirk Tutterow
- Associate Pastor Next Generations: Rev. Amy HIggins
- Director of Music: Lee Mabe
- Membership Secretary: Donna Huskins, Administrative Assistant
- President UMM: Richard Foust (elected annually)
- President UWF: Marsha Garwood (elected annually)
- Boy Scout Council: Mark Hinkle, David Stott
- Honorary Members: Bettye Gray
Administrative Teams:
- Board of Trustees Chair: Billy Hunt & Donna Smith (elected annually)
- Endowment Trust Chair: Richard Foust (elected annually)
- Finance Chair: Clark Smith (elected annually)
- Parsonage Chair: Donna Smith, 2026
- SPR Chair: Wendy Norris, 2026
- Planned Giving/Stewardship Chair: Betty Pope, 2026
- Scholarship Chair: Donna Long, 2026
Ministry Teams:
- Children’s Council: Katherine Parsons, 2026
- Evangelism & Hospitality Chair: Judy Deal, 2027
- Member Care Chair: (elected annually)
- Missions Chair: Christa Weeks, 2026
- Worship/Music Chair: Wayne Michael, 2027
- Youth Council: Christie Strickland, 2025