Lithopolis United Methodist Church sits at 80 North Market Street in Lithopolis, a small town in Fairfield County, and on any given Sunday morning two very different sounds drift from the same sanctuary. At nine o'clock a traditional service leans on piano and organ. At eleven a praise band with vocalists, guitars, and drums leads a contemporary service. Both welcome the same church family, and both are open to anyone walking in for the first time.
Sunday Mornings: Two Services, One Family
The two-service rhythm shapes a lot of what happens at LUMC. The 9 a.m. traditional service keeps things familiar for those who grew up with hymns, while the 11 a.m. contemporary service offers a more relaxed, band-led feel. Between the two, the church runs a bustling in-between hour. Parents can drop kids age three through fifth grade at Sunday Morning Recess in the Multi-Ministry Center, where children build friendships through play. Two adult Bible studies meet during that window: the Seekers Class in the Chapel digs into the same passages from the week's sermon, and Going Through the Gospels, a men's study in the Living Room, walks through the four gospels one chapter at a time. Rock City children's programming runs during both services for age three through fifth grade, and a staffed nursery is open for birth through age three during both services. All children's ministry staff are Safe Sanctuary trained and background checked.
A Faith That Centers on Christ and Community
LUMC's mission is to invite people into relationship with Jesus and each other so that lives and communities are changed. Five values shape how the church lives that out: Christ-centered, servant-hearted, community-focused, grace-filled, and intergenerational-minded. The intergenerational mindset is more than a phrase; it shows up in mixed-age ministry spaces, in shared meals, and in the way worship, learning, and service are designed to include people at every stage of life.
The church's statement of faith affirms one God revealed in three persons, the divinity and saving work of Jesus Christ, the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, the image of God in every human being, the Bible as the primary authority for faith and practice, the church as the body of Christ, and the reign of God as both a present reality and a future hope. Six practices flow from those convictions: passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, genuine hospitality, compassionate care, and extravagant generosity.
Children and Youth: Spaces for Every Age
Children's ministry at LUMC is built around three pieces. Rock City offers a Bible lesson, activities, and crafts for kids age three through fifth grade during both Sunday services, with kids starting in the sanctuary with their parents before being dismissed to the Multi-Ministry Center. The nursery cares for the littlest ones from birth through age three. Kids Night Out, held monthly on a Friday evening, gives kids a fun night and parents a date night, with childcare right at the church.
Youth ministry is split by age. Middle School Youth gathers on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. for students in sixth through eighth grade. High School Youth meets on Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. for students in ninth through twelfth grade. Both groups meet at The Lodge, 57 East North Street in Lithopolis, just a short walk from the main building. Each week the students play games, share a meal, do a service project, worship, and dig into the Bible together. A separate young adult group for adults meets on the second and fourth Mondays at 6 p.m., with the location rotating among members.
Adults: Life Groups, Circles, and Classes
A wide network of small groups gives adults a way to connect. Several Life Groups meet at different cadences: a Wednesday night group in the Chapel, a Wednesday morning Miller Life Group studying 1 and 2 Peter in the Living Room, a Tuesday night group hosted in a member's home, a Friday night parents' group that coincides with Kids Night Out so childcare is covered, and a Women's Life Group that meets Sunday evenings or Tuesday evenings for a Lifeway "Grateful" study. Boards & Bibles gathers women for charcuterie, Scripture, and honest conversation.
United Methodist Women circles offer another layer. The Dorcas Circle supports missions and makes handmade blankets for shut-ins. The Trinity Circle meets in members' homes on the first Mondays. The Shalom Circle makes greeting cards for residents at Winchester Place. And the Joy Circle hosts monthly mission projects. Two long-running support communities meet at the church: Hopekeepers, a Christian chronic illness and chronic pain support group that gathers on the first and third Mondays for prayer, Bible study, and encouragement; and Stone City Sobriety, an AA meeting on Saturday evenings. Co-ed volleyball on Thursday nights and the Faith Knits group, which donates handmade items to local charities, round out the calendar.
Community Dinner and Serving the Neighborhood
LUMC keeps a steady eye on its neighbors. A free Community Dinner is held on the third Wednesday of each month from January through November in the Multi-Ministry Center. Everyone is invited; bring friends, bring neighbors. Donations are accepted to keep it going. The menu has featured everything from brats and German potato salad at a fall festival dinner to whatever the kitchen team dreams up each month.
Other outreach efforts include Days for Girls, where volunteers gather to make reusable hygiene kits for girls in need; a Blessing Box stocked with granola bars, canned soup, and tuna for anyone who needs a little help; and a mission trip to El Salvador in partnership with CEDEINFA. Children and youth take part in service projects through their Sunday and Wednesday programs, and adults can sign up to volunteer in the children's ministry, youth ministry, worship and A/V teams (choir, praise team, sound board, acolytes), or hospitality teams.
What to Expect as a First-Time Visitor
A first visit can be as casual or dressed up as you like. Jeans and a t-shirt, business casual, or a suit and tie all fit right in. Reserved parking near the front door is set aside for those with mobility challenges; main parking is across the street. Worship is livestreamed on Vimeo and archived on YouTube for anyone catching up from home. Giving is available online. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 80 North Market Street, and Pastor Alex Feldman, Associate Pastor Ray Tiell, and Worship Leader Collins Cranmer lead LUMC week to week alongside a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.