A Welcoming Congregation on Sam Davis Road
Smyrna First United Methodist Church sits at 301 Sam Davis Road in Smyrna, Tennessee, just steps from the intersection of Jefferson Street and 3rd Street. The congregation describes itself as a Christ-centered community passionate about welcoming all, loving all, and serving all so that it may offer Christ to all. Members echo that warmth in their own words: one describes it as a church that serves God and has a warm welcome, another calls it a place with genuine people who love the community.
Two Styles of Sunday Worship
From August through May, worship at Smyrna First comes in two distinct flavors. At 8:30 AM a Casual service offers a modern, upbeat atmosphere, supported by the church's Praise Band. At 11:00 AM a Traditional service draws on the Chancel Choir, Handbells, organ and piano for a more classic liturgy. Both services share the same message and meet in the Sanctuary on the corner of Jefferson Street and 3rd Street. During the summer months of June and July, the two services combine into a single 10:00 AM blended worship gathering, with Sunday School moving to 9:00 AM.
Sunday School for all ages meets at 10:00 AM during the school year. Children in PreK through 5th grade have their own class on the 3rd floor, while youth grades 6 to 12 meet in the Conference Room. Adults can choose from Bereans (Young Adults in their 20s to 40s), M.I.N.G.S. (Men In Need of God's Strength), W.I.N.G.S. (Women In Need of God's Strength), Motley Christians (Mixed Adults), Pairs & Spares (Baby Boomers), and Searchers (Senior Adults).
A Place for Children and Youth
Smyrna First Kids is the church's children's ministry, designed to help children discover God's love, grow in faith, and have fun through inclusive, joy-filled worship and learning. During the worship services, children are welcomed in the sanctuary with a PrayGround space featuring a children's table, Busy Bags filled with quiet activities, and a special children's message each Sunday. A nursery is offered during worship for infants and children up to four years old.
Smyrna First Youth meets on Sundays at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM for students in grades 6 through 12. The group uses an age-based curriculum that deepens understanding of biblical teaching and equips young people to navigate modern challenges, under the leadership of Youth Ministries Director Andi Steinberg.
Sparrow's Nest Preschool Since 1960
Adjacent to the church's ministry with children is Sparrow's Nest, a faith-based Parent's Day Out program that has been educating children since 1960. The program serves children ages two through Pre-K on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, blending secular and biblical themes to nurture spiritual, emotional, and academic growth. Tuition is $200 per month for the first child, with discounts for additional siblings. Director Betsy Jordan oversees a staff that uses child-friendly toys, learning centers, and age-appropriate activities throughout the week.
Music That Lifts the Sanctuary
Music is a defining feature of worship at Smyrna First. The Chancel Choir rehearses every Wednesday at 6:00 PM under Music Director Emilyn Badgley and prepares music for the Traditional service and special services throughout the church year. The Handbell Choir meets Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, adding a sense of reverence and spiritual beauty to worship. The Praise Band rehearses Thursdays at 6:00 PM and brings energy and contemporary Christian music to the Casual service. Organist Bobby Medlen and Pianist Jesse Bobick round out the musical leadership team.
Small Groups for Every Season of Life
Beyond Sunday morning, the church runs a wide range of small groups. Senior women gather for Fellowship on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM. The Morning Glories Bible Study meets throughout the year at 10:00 AM for short-term studies. The Pastor's Bible Study is offered in seasonal sessions. Monthly gatherings include United Methodist Men's breakfast on the second Sunday at 7:30 AM, United Women in Faith lunch on the second Sunday at 12:15 PM, and the S.A.L.T. (Senior Adults Living Triumphantly) lunch and devotional on the third Thursday at noon. A yoga class meets Tuesdays at 11:00 AM and Thursdays at 6:00 PM for flexibility, balance, and stress relief. The church also hosts Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops as part of its community life.
Outreach in the Smyrna Community
Caring for neighbors sits at the heart of Smyrna First's mission. The Food Pantry opens the Chapel every Wednesday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, distributing staple food items intended to last an average family for three days on a first-come, first-served basis. The Backpack Food Program, run by the United Methodist Women's Group, provides weekend meals for students at Smyrna Elementary School, with a goal of delivering 50 backpacks each week. During the summer, the church hosts Project Transformation, a United Methodist program that brings college-age young adults to mentor local children. The congregation also supports UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, in disaster response and humanitarian aid around the world.
Worship Online and a Warm Welcome
Sunday worship services are live-streamed and recorded on the church's YouTube channel for anyone who cannot attend in person. Coffee and Conversation is hosted each Sunday morning in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 AM between the two services, offering a relaxed way to meet others; this gathering pauses during June and July. Parking is free on the 3rd Street side near the Sanctuary and on the Sam Davis Road side near the Fellowship Hall, and the church notes there is no dress code - members arrive in everything from t-shirts to suits. Visitors are invited to come as they are.