First United Methodist Church

Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity is blessed to have deep roots within our church. In 1987, through the vision and actions of First Church members Rev. Vernon Stutzman and Dr. Ernest Yelton, Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity was born. The following year, a lot was cleared, a foundation was laid, walls were raised, and a roof was placed on our first house. And our first Habitat family realized the dream of homeownership - a dream that would have been unattainable for them if not for the loving and caring nature of people like Vernon and Doc.

As Habitat continued to grow, so grew the deep roots in our First Church community.  In 2006, 19 years later, Habitat completed its 43rd house. And still, a large contingent of Habitat's board of directors and volunteers continue to come from the FUMC family.

In 2004, Habitat initiated the FaithWorks Coalition, a collaborative venture among 17 local churches to finance and build the "Matthew House". First Church was a vital partner in that endeavor, contributing financially and providing many hours of volunteer labor to construct the house that became a home to a family who  previously had little or no prospect of ever owning their own home.  In subsequent years came the "Mark House", then the "Luke House". First Church has continued to take a foremost role in each of these missions and has pledged continued support and leadership for the years ahead.

Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity's mission is to ensure that all of God's children have a simple, decent, affordable place to live. Habitat's ministry is based on the conviction that to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, we must reflect Christ's love in our own lives by loving and caring for one another. Our love must not be just words; it must be a love which demonstrates Faith in Action. With continued support from churches like ours, Habitat will continue to spread God's love and to care for one another.

Habitat Work Day

August 20, 2011



Outreach works to carry out the church's purpose by supporting programs like the Boys and Girls Scouts, Bethlehem Center in Charlotte, USA Disaster Response, World Hunger & Poverty, Project Agape, Good Samaritan Clinic in the Dominican Republic.

Our church actively sends teams to work on disaster relief and recovery in the US and locally in Clyde, NC. Teams have also gone to build affordable housing in our conference with Wesley Community Development.

FUMC is represented on Volunteer in Missions building teams around the world, too. The church participates in the Christmas Cheer Program of Rutherford County in December. 



Each week, a group of people meet on Thursday mornings from 6:45 – 7:30 am for prayer. (You are most welcome to join this group!) The prayer group begins with a brief devotional time in the Perry-Moore House (with coffee!) and then moves to the Sanctuary for a time of prayer. If you have specific prayer requests or perhaps you have a private request “known to God” that you would like for this group to pray over, there are several options available:

1. Green prayer request cards are in the Hospitality Pads in the Sanctuary. Fill one out and drop it in the offering plate on Sunday mornings.
2. Drop your request in our beautiful Prayer Box in the hallway near the church office.
3. Prayer pages are available for Sunday School classes to turn in each week to the office.
4. You may e-mail requests to: firstchurchadmin@bellsouth.net

Of course, there may be times when you have prayer concerns that are very private. Please know that you can speak with Pastor Jack anytime for your concerns and they will be kept in confidence.

Organized in 1930 as the Ladies Aid and Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, women of the church joined together for the purpose of mission at home and abroad.  There are over 75 members in three Circles - Agape, Betty Wolfe, and Murphy Nelson. 

Christian women of all ages participate in raising funds for missionaries and local charities while enjoying a unique fellowship with each other.