First United Methodist Church sits on East Wooster Street in Bowling Green, Ohio, where a congregation shaped by traditional liturgy, a multi-generational music program, and a steady rhythm of community outreach has gathered for generations. The church describes itself in three words: "Worship. Grow. Serve." That rhythm is visible in everything from a 10 a.m. Sunday service that pairs communion with a full choir, to a First Friday food pantry that draws residents from across Wood County, to a licensed child learning center that fills the building with young voices Monday through Friday.
A Vision Built on Worship, Growth, and Service
First UMC's stated vision is "a vibrant, welcoming, and caring community where traditional worship, spiritual growth, radical hospitality and a commitment to service leads to faithful discipleship in Jesus Christ." The mission statement names four commitments: worshipping faithfully, growing spiritually, welcoming genuinely, and serving passionately. Three core values flow from that mission. The church treasures the corporate gathering of the community in worship, treats growth in discipleship as something that happens through small groups, Bible studies, and serving, and lives out the conviction that "Jesus came into the world to serve" and that serving is an essential part of being a disciple.
The congregation describes itself as "a diverse group of people who agree on one thing, loving our neighbors as ourselves just as Jesus instructed." Members see themselves on a journey of faith with a God who "continues to call each of us to proclaim God's kingdom here and now."
Sunday Mornings: Worship, Children's Sunday School, and Adult Classes
Sunday morning is the heart of the week at First UMC. Children's Sunday School meets at 9:00 a.m. in Room 110, across from the church office, with classes running from September through May. The 10:00 a.m. worship service runs about an hour, and child care is available from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. After worship, Adult Sunday School classes begin at 11:15 a.m. and run until about noon.
A welcome desk sits just inside the main entrance from the large parking lot, and greeters are there to point visitors to restrooms, the sanctuary, and the nursery. Inside the service, the atmosphere is "mostly traditional including a full choir, liturgy, and communion on the first Sunday of each month." The dress code is intentionally relaxed: "Whatever you want! Well, within reason. Our worship service is fairly casual, we just want you to be comfortable."
For families, the sanctuary includes a "pray ground" at the front so the youngest children can play while still engaging in worship, and busy bags with quiet activities are available at both the welcome desk and the sanctuary entrance. Nursery care is offered for children up to age five. From September through May, Children's Worship provides a structured time of play and worship for children during the service. The church describes itself as intergenerational, with programs designed to engage people "at all ages and stages of our lives."
A Music Ministry That Fills the Sanctuary
Music is one of the defining features of a Sunday at First UMC. The service is liturgical, follows the lectionary, and blends traditional structure with a wide range of hymns and choral music. Worship is supported by several ensembles and instruments, and the relationship with Bowling Green State University runs deep.
- Chancel Choir: a multi-generational ensemble that prepares anthems and leads congregational singing from September through early May. Repertoire ranges from classic choral literature to contemporary anthems and African American gospel spirituals. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:00 and is led by Dr. Mark Munson, the church's minister of music.
- Choral Scholars: Bowling Green State University voice majors who sing with the Chancel Choir and provide solos and small ensemble pieces during the academic year.
- Collegiate Ringers: an official BGSU student handbell ensemble that plays on a five-octave set of Malmark handbells given to the church as a memorial gift.
- Instrumental and singing soloists: featured throughout the year, drawn from both community musicians and younger students.
Two instruments anchor the music program. A twenty-rank M. P. Moller pipe organ, installed in 1978, carries preludes, postludes, and accompaniments to choir anthems and soloists. A five-foot-eight Yamaha G2 grand piano is used both as a solo and accompanying instrument during worship.
The First Friday Food Pantry
One of the most visible ministries in Bowling Green is the church's yellow food pantry truck. First UMC's Food Pantry distributes food on the first Friday of every month, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., in a drive-thru format. The pantry serves residents of Wood County who fall within federal income-assistance guidelines or who have experienced recent hardship or job loss. Volunteers are needed on distribution days as well as during the month to set up and pack boxes.
Love BG Community Meals
The Love BG Community Meal is held on the third Saturday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The meal is free and open to anyone in the community. The church also partners with Crim Elementary School, supports a community garden, and welcomes volunteers for a range of neighborhood ministries.
Small Groups, Bible Studies, and Adult Education
Beyond Sunday morning, First UMC runs a wide network of small groups that meet during the week. A Women's Zoom Bible Study meets on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., and a Wednesday Bible Study meets at 1:30 p.m. A needlework group gathers on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m., and a women's widow group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the narthex. A men's Methodist breakfast group gathers quarterly. In the warmer months, pickleball is played on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the outdoor courts of the BG Community Center, with rain dates moving into the church gym.
The Sunday morning Adult Sunday School hour at 11:15 a.m. (September through May) includes a College Student Discussion Group in the Parlor, a Bible Study on the Gospel of John in the Library, an Upper Room Book Study in the Prayer Room, and the SonShine Class. A separate children's class for ages preschool through upper elementary meets at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday in Room 110.
FUM Child Learning Center
The FUM Child Learning Center is a licensed Christian childcare program run out of the church building. It is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to care for up to 85 children, ages two through fifth grade, and has earned a Step Up to Quality 3 Star rating. The center follows the Creative Curriculum for toddler and preschool classes and the Cincy Afterschool program for school-age children. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The center accepts ODJFS publicly funded child care for qualified families. Tours can be scheduled by contacting Director Jennifer Ballez.
What the Church Believes
First UMC's stated beliefs are rooted in classical Christian doctrine. Members confess that Jesus is the Son of God, who took on humanity to reveal God to the world, died on a cross for the sins of humanity, and rose again so that all may live eternally with God. The Bible is held to be the inspired Word of God. The church confesses one God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is believed to dwell in believers and empower them to live godly lives. Prayer is treated as a vital practice, and all are encouraged to bring their hearts to God through it. Salvation is taught to be available to all people, who are made in the likeness of God, through Jesus.
Serving at First and Beyond
The church organizes its serving opportunities in three buckets. "Serve @ First" includes roles such as greeter, liturgist or scripture reader, money counter, chancel choir or music ministry, digital ministry, Children's Sunday School teacher, Children and Worship volunteer, adult Sunday School leader, congregation care team, ministry teams such as Trustee, Membership, Finance, and Staff Parish, and the Family Ministry Team. "Serve @ The Food Pantry" covers monthly distribution days as well as setup and packing during the month. "Serve in the Community" includes the Love BG monthly community meals, Crim Elementary partnership, FUMCLC board, and the community garden.
Staff and Leadership
- Judy Guion-Utsler - Lead Pastor
- Stacy Kerr - Director of Family Ministry and Outreach
- Dr. Mark Munson - Chancel Choir Director and Organist
- Jennifer Ballez - FUM Child Learning Center Director
- Carol Lenox - Church Administrator
- Margie Harris - Treasurer
- Debbie Long - Lay Leader
- Joey Harris - Digital Media Coordinator
- William Burgess - Church Maintenance and Grounds
- Deonia Ezell - Custodian
Visiting First United Methodist Church
Worship is held Sundays at 10:00 a.m., and childcare is available from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. The main entrance off the large parking lot leads to a welcome desk where greeters point visitors to restrooms, the sanctuary, and the nursery. Sunday dress is casual, and a coffee and conversation time follows worship. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with shorter summer hours. The address is 1526 E. Wooster St., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402, and the phone is (419) 353-0682. Services are livestreamed at fumcbg.online.church for those who want to join from home.