Who We Are
First United Methodist Church of Hanford is a congregation of the global United Methodist Church united in God’s love that seeks to live as Jesus lived. Committed people worshiping God, growing as disciples, and serving others through the gifts God has given us. We invite others to experience God and join us on the journey of discipleship. We seek to do this by connecting people to God, connecting people to people, and connecting people to service.
Our task is to share the message of Christ through community, compassion and faith. So we exist to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
WEDDINGS
In the United Methodist Church, marriage is not a sacrament, but it is a sacred covenant. The wedding ceremony is treated as a holy moment, in which two persons are united in marriage before God, their families and friends. It is a personal time, and also a time of dignity and reverence. The altar is a place where great decisions are made in the presence of God. It is a holy place and is appropriately used for the uniting of persons in matrimony, acknowledging that God is an important part of their relationship, and with the grounding and support of the faith community.
We wish you happiness as you plan and live in a Christian marriage. We look forward to being of assistance to you in this most important event.
To schedule a wedding:
Contact Pastor Pablo, at 559.584.4075 or for dates and fees.
Weddings will not be performed at First UMC on these days: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Palm Sunday, any day during Holy Week (including the day before Easter), Easter Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Sundays.
Funeral
Death is a universal experience of life. We know that the passing of a loved one can be devastating. Our Pastor is here to provide comfort and reassurance during these days of grief, remembrance, and celebration.
A Christian funeral (when the body is present) or memorial service (when the body is not present) is an opportunity for believing people to gather in faith to praise God for the gift of life. It is also an opportunity to ask God for strength and courage to accept death.
The church seeks to help its members express their faith in their response to death as well as in their daily lives. Death presents an occasion for the church to unite in the celebration of the victory of faith. There will be mourning but the mourner is undergirded by the fellowship of the people of God.
When a church member or a loved one passes away, contact Pastor Pablo,