A Church on Constitution Street
First United Methodist Church sits at 224 West Constitution Street in Gonzales, Louisiana, just off Burnside. The congregation gathers for one combined worship service each Sunday morning, weaving contemporary and traditional elements into a single blended service in the Sanctuary. Sunday School for all ages begins an hour earlier, and the rest of the week fills with choirs, small groups, youth gatherings, and a steady stream of mission work that reaches into the surrounding parish.
Sunday Morning: Worship and Sunday School
The Sunday schedule is built around two anchors. At 9:00 am, classes for every age meet in the Education Building, which sits at the end of the long walkway from the main parking lot. The 10:00 am service in the Sanctuary brings the full congregation together; the music reflects both contemporary and traditional styles, and the service is available on the church's Facebook page for those who want to follow along online. Children are welcome in worship from the start. After the Children's Moment, kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to First Kids in the Youth Center, while nursery care is offered for children from birth through age five.
First Kids and Family Ministry
Family Ministry at First UMC Gonzales is designed to walk with people in every season of life. The Director of Family Ministries, DeAnna Bourgeois, helps families get connected and oversees the work across age groups. First Kids gathers children in mixed-age groups for small group learning at 9:00 am, led by trained volunteers who keep a 1:8 adult-to-child ratio. During the 10:00 hour, children begin in the sanctuary with their parents for the opening of worship and the Children's Sermon, then move to the Youth Center for an age-appropriate time of Bible study, creative arts, and games. Family Ministry also includes young adults, young professionals, and young families through a group called Roots and Wings, which pairs parents of teens with one another for support and conversation.
RISE Youth Ministry
RISE is the church's ministry for students in sixth through twelfth grade, meeting on Sunday nights for music, devotion, and time together. The program also runs retreats, mission trips, and seasonal events. The name reflects the congregation's understanding of the Christian life: God is continually raising people from death into life, and RISE is meant to be a place where students can grow at their own pace. Adults can plug in as mentors, meal providers, or a second adult at events. The church uses TeamSnap to keep families and students in the loop on upcoming events and conversations.
Adults: Classes, Circles, and Groups
Sunday School is the main entry point for adult connection, with classes meeting in the Education Building at 9:00 am. In addition, several small groups meet throughout the week, some in homes and others on campus, going deeper into Scripture in a relaxed setting. United Women in Faith runs two monthly circles, both meeting on the second Tuesday: a Day circle at 10:00 am and a Night circle at 6:00 pm, both in the Gathering Room of the Education Building. Young at Heart gathers once a month on the fourth Wednesday at noon in the Celebration Center for food and fellowship. A community volleyball group meets in the gym on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 pm and is open to all ages.
Music Ministry
Music is a central thread in the life of the church, and the worship team is open to musicians, vocalists, and curious newcomers at any skill level. Three groups anchor the ministry. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the Choir Room and sings in the 10:00 am service. The Praise Band rehearses on Thursdays at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary. The Handbell Choir rehearses on Sundays at 11:00 am in the Choir Room, with a roster that runs from four to eight ringers; newcomers are invited to sit in on a practice and try ringing for themselves.
Serving the Community
Service to neighbors near and far shapes a large part of the church's week. The Food Pantry, called Fishes and Loaves, opens on Mondays and Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. The Community Garden is planted in spring and fall, and the harvest goes directly to the food pantry. Helping Hands partners with the Council on Aging to build wheelchair ramps for those who need them. The Little Ones Project is a long-running partnership with Pine Grove Primary, providing supplies, uniforms, special treats, and birthday cupcakes for the schoolchildren; United Women in Faith coordinates that work. Other service groups include the Care Team, which sends cards and visits shut-ins, the Armed Services Committee, which honors veterans at a church-wide dinner each November and supports the Veterans Home in Reserve, Louisiana, Threads of Comfort, which knits prayer shawls and baby blankets, the Peaceful Quilters, and the Adult Feeding Bibs ministry, which supplies bibs to nursing facilities across the parish.
Little Lambs MDO and Preschool
Little Lambs MDO and Preschool is the church's weekday program for young children, combining a full preschool experience with Mother's Day Out hours. Classes run three days a week on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, following the Ascension Parish School calendar. Younger classes use a teacher-developed curriculum built around hands-on play, while the Pre-K class uses the Abeka curriculum. The year includes family events such as Donuts with Dad and Grandpa, Muffins with Mom and Grandma, a Shoebox Mardi Gras Float Parade, and a Pre-K graduation. Director Erica can be reached through the church office for tours and enrollment questions.
Visiting and Getting Connected
First-time visitors can expect a welcoming environment and a single morning service at 10:00 am. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and the staff can be reached at (225) 647-4678 or firstumcgonzales@me.com. Sunday School at 9:00 am is a natural way to meet people before the service. Giving and event sign-ups are available through the church's online center, and a weekly newsletter keeps members in the loop on what is ahead.