Our Programs

  Music

  Jr. Church

  Sunday School

  Bible Study

  UM Women

  UM Men

  UM Youth

  Happy Helpers

  Missions

Weekly Events

Programs at Van Buren United Methodist

To view our programs scroll down this page or click on the links to the left.

Music Ministry

We are blessed to have several talented musicians amongst our congregation.  Every Sunday morning, we enjoy the beautiful sounds of our pianist and organist.  Our recently restored organ is a beautiful instrument with many pipes and chimes.

The members of our congregation also enjoy our adult choir.  The choir performs an anthem every Sunday during the choir season.  It is our mission not just to entertain, but to convey God’s Truth through music.  During the Christmas and Easter seasons, the Choir presents a cantata of songs proclaiming the Good News of Christ Jesus.  The choir ends its season in May with a singspiration, a special night of testimony in song, praising God for His many blessings throughout the year.

Jr. Church

Young children are also very important to us at our church.  We offer a child-centered church program for elementary aged youth during our Sunday morning services.  The children are present and involved in the first part of the worship service with their families, and then are released during the service to participate in an age appropriate lesson that provides beginning Biblical knowledge.

Sunday School

Sunday School is held after our Sunday morning worship services and provides another time for spiritual growth through small group interaction.  There are classes for all ages from preschool to adults at all stages of life.  We have a preschool, elementary and Jr./Sr. High class for the kids.  For the adults there are 5 different classes in which you may choose to participate.  All are led by capable leaders and many meet outside of Sunday morning for parties and meals.

Bible Study

On Thursday evenings at 7:30, all ages gather for Bible Study.  Adults are treated to a Bible study led by Pastor Blake Neff.  Bible study provides a time in which we can become more knowledgeable of the Truth we proclaim.  It also enables us to learn to apply this knowledge to our everyday lives.

United Methodist Women

The women of our church meet on a monthly basis for devotions and fellowship.  They also do much, much more.  Our ladies give to missions, raise money at the Popcorn Festival and provide support to our church whenever they can.

United Methodist Men

The men of our church also meet on a monthly basis.  On the first Saturday of every month at 7:00am the men begin their day with a time of devotion and coffee.  This is a great time for men of all ages to engage in fellowship and mentoring.

United Methodist Youth

Our church has a long history of youth ministry.  The youth from grades 6 to 12 meet weekly on Sunday evenings at 6:00pm for a time of games, refreshments and program.  On Thursdays, the youth gather along with the rest of the church for Bible Study.  They also participate in other exciting special activities throughout the year.  “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

God’s Happy Helpers

God’s Happy Helpers is a clown ministry that was started several years ago.  In that time, these wonderful servants have made countless visits to our local nursing homes and retirement facilities.  It is their goal to knock down the mountains of loneliness many folks feel.  They also participate in other events throughout the year such as the Popcorn Festival.  Their clown motto is “With God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26.

Missions Ministry

Our vision statement calls us to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to be active on behalf of those with spiritual as well as physical needs.  1 Peter 5:2-3 calls us to “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”  In 2001, our church gave more to missions than any other time in our church history.  Our Mission of the Month program in part facilitates this record.  We invite representatives of different missionary programs to share with our congregation so that we may learn more about the missions we support.  The support then comes through a special offering that is taken up.  We support missions within and without our church doors, on a local, national and international level.