Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Hopewell. We thank you for spending this moment with us on the web, and we hope to see you on Sunday morning. Our church is a community that rejoices to have faith in Jesus Christ. We enjoy studying God’s word in the Bible and gathering together in friendship. We are always looking to meet new friends.
The people of our church have a heart for mission. We want to reach out to our own community and to people in need all around the world. We have great opportunities for families and people of all ages. Recently, our work with youth has been growing. We have a new Pioneer Club fellowship group for children. Our Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are very active.
Perhaps you have a problem or a bout with sickness, or something else that you are worried about. We would love to talk to you and be there for you.
It is a wonderful adventure to have a relationship with God and to know the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ. And the love of God enables us to love each other in a powerful way.
These are the things that we like to lift up at First United Methodist Church. Come and spend a little time with us. We would like to get to know you better.
Freedom
Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then,
and do not submit yourself to the yoke of slavery again!
Galatians 5:1
Freedom is something very precious to us Americans. Just the sound of the word inspires us. We love to sing patriotic hymns such as “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) “From every mountains side. Let Freedom Ring.” These last words became the climactic phrase of one of the most famous speeches in our nation’s history: “Let Freedom Ring! Let Freedom Ring!” And, there is no school child in Virginia who has not heard the words of Patrick Henry spoken on March 23, 1775 in Richmond, Virginia, which helped to inspire the American Revolution:
“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Freedom. The words of Paul from Galatians 5:1 are one of the greatest statements ever regarding Freedom: “Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not submit yourself to the yoke of slavery again!” Powerful words. This verse has been called “the Magna Carter of faith”, “the manifesto of Christian liberty.”
We Americans cherish our freedom. We are willing to fight for liberty in the face of tyranny and in the midst of a troubled world. I hope that you will take time to thank the Lord for the blessing of freedom that you have from living in the United States of America.
We have a heritage of faith as well as of freedom. I hope you will also make a clear commitment to Jesus Christ and his salvation so that you will know his salvation and freedom from sin and death.
Dr. Michael H. Browder
fumc2pastor@verizon.net