Who We Are

FAITH: We act upon and share our enduring trust and confidence in God's love and will for us, in Jesus Christ and His teachings, and in the Holy Spirit.

LEARNING: We work toward spiritual maturity and discipleship through the study, teaching, and application of God's word in scripture.

RELATIONSHIPS: We strive to build bonds and family-like relationships with God, each other, our community, and our world.

CARING: Through compassion, generosity, and service, we endeavor to show love and care for one another in the example of Christ.

TRADITION: We find comfort, stability, and a sense of belonging in honoring the saints of the past while creating new traditions that honor God and represent our congregation now and in the future.

JOY: Through hope, warmth, laughter, and music, we are able to express joy in all circumstances because of Christ’s love for us.

Since 1904, the people of Central Church has proclaimed the love of Christ in the Lakewood area. Central Church has added to the tradition of Lake Odessa by being a part of Christ’s presence in the community. Today, we are an active congregation with an attendance of about 50 each Sunday - big enough to have a variety of ministry opportunities but small enough to notice a new face.

We believe in one God, who created the world and all that is in it. We believe that God is sovereign; that is, God is the ruler of the universe. We believe that God is loving. We can experience God's love and grace. United Methodists believe that God is understood in three distinct forms. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are commonly used to refer to the threefold nature of God. Sometimes we use other terms, such as Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.

We believe that Jesus was human. He lived as a man and died when he was crucified. We believe that Jesus is divine. He is the Son of God. We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the risen Christ lives today. We believe that Jesus is our Savior. In Christ we receive abundant life and forgiveness of sins. We believe that Jesus is our Lord and we are called to pattern our lives after his. 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God with us. We believe that the Holy Spirit comforts us when we are in need and convicts us when we stray from God. We believe that the Holy Spirit awakens us to God's will and empowers us to live obediently. 

We believe that God created human beings in God's image. We believe that humans can choose to accept or reject a relationship with God. We believe that all humans need to be in relationship with God in order to be fully human. 

We believe that the church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ's life and ministry in the world today. We believe that the mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We believe that the church is "the communion of the saints," a community made up of all past, present and future disciples of Christ. We believe that the church is called to worship God and to support those who participate in its life as they grow in faith.  

We believe the Bible is God's Word.  We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice. We believe that Christians need to know and study the Old Testament and the New Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures and Christian Scriptures).

During the formal school year, we hold Sunday School classes for children and adults. Sunday school lasts from 9:30AM - 10:30AM.

Worship begins at 10:30AM (9:30AM in the summer). We join together in singing both the old beloved hymns as well as some newer songs accompanied by our organist.

Communion is offered the first Sunday of every month and is presented at an open table, with gluten free options available.

Afterward, please feel free to join us for some refreshments in our Fellowship Hall prepared by the servants of the church.

Q. What should I wear?

We want you to be comfortable! You will find some folks in jeans and a few in suits and everything in between.

Q. Where can I park?

There is street parking in front and across the street from the church, as well as a large lot located behind the church on 3rd Avenue.

Q. Is the facility barrier-free/handicap accessible?

Yes! We do have stairs but we also have an elevator.

Q. Where do my kids go?

Children are always welcome in worship at Central. We have a well-appointed nursery for children age 4 and under, staffed with loving, caring, screened volunteers in the basement level. We'd love to have the little ones experience worship with their family before going to the nursery after the Children's Moment in worship.

Q. Will I be expected to give money?

As a guest, we hope you will simply pass the offering plate down the pew. Those who are members and regular worshipers practice giving a portion of their resources to the church as an essential part of worship and commitment to Christ.

Q. What is the Sunday worship service like?

We begin at 10:30AM with our organist playing. We sing, read scripture and pray. The sermon is an exposition of Biblical truth. We take an offering. The whole morning will be easy to follow with a printed bulletin in your hand and a screen projection in the front. When worship ends about an hour later, we invite you to Fellowship Hall for coffee, cookies and conversation.

In the summer, our worship schedule changes to 9:30AM starting on Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Q. May I participate in Holy Communion?

Yes! We celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month, and everyone is invited to participate as we share juice and bread in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice for us on the cross.