Albany First United Methodist Church - Albany, Oregon

10/29/2026

Reminder: South Santiam Circuit Charge Conference

Our annual Charge Conference is coming up next Thursday, November 5, at noon at Lebanon First UMC.

This is a time for our three congregations to come together, give thanks for the ways God has been at work in our churches and communities, reflect on the past year, and look ahead to the ministry we share.

We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate and prepare for the year ahead!

Thursday, November 5 | 12:00 p.m. | Lebanon First UMC

10/28/2026

October Is Pastor Appreciation Month

Pastoral ministry involves so much more than what we see on Sunday mornings. It happens in conversations, prayers, hospital visits, moments of celebration, and all of the work of caring for a congregation.

Across the South Santiam Circuit, we give thanks for Pastor Amanda and the ways she walks alongside our congregations and communities. We’re grateful for her leadership, her care, and the many ways she helps us live out God’s love.

Take a moment to let Pastor Amanda know you appreciate her. A handwritten note, a word of encouragement, a picture from a child, or simply letting her know you’re praying for her can mean so much.

Pastor Amanda, thank you for all the ways you serve and care for us. We’re grateful for you!

10/26/2026

What does it mean for a church to be known by its love?

In Sunday’s sermon, Eric reflected on Jesus’ call to love God and love our neighbors, and what it means for that love to bear fruit in our communities. He shared a story from his own faith journey about how a simple act of welcome at Albany First UMC helped shape his understanding of God’s grace.

We may never know what grows from a kind word, an invitation, or making room for someone who has felt they didn’t belong. But those small acts of love can make a lasting difference.

As Eric reminded us, we want our churches to be known not just for saying everyone is welcome, but for helping people experience that welcome for themselves.

May the world know us by our fruit!

Watch the full sermon here:

Welcome to worship at Albany First United Methodist Church!Today w...

10/24/2026

Tomorrow morning, join us in-person or online for worship at 9:30. We're back in the Sanctuary!

10/23/2026

This Sunday is Commitment Sunday!

As we look ahead to 2027, we’re invited to prayerfully consider how we will support the ministry of Albany First UMC in the coming year.

Our pledges help us plan for the year ahead and sustain the worship, care, outreach, and community connections that are part of our life together.

As we conclude our Rooted in Love: Growing a Generous Church series, we’ll reflect on Jesus’ call to love God and our neighbors and consider how that love can bear fruit through us.

Whether you’ve already completed your pledge card or are still giving it thought, we invite you to join us this Sunday for worship as we look ahead together.

Worship at Albany First UMC: 9:30 a.m.

Thank you for all the ways you help our church share God’s love with our community!

10/22/2026

A Significant Moment for The United Methodist Church

More than 280 United Methodist leaders from four continents are gathering in Calgary, Canada, and online for a first-of-its-kind Leadership Gathering to imagine the church’s future.

After years of significant change in our denomination, this gathering is making space for prayer, listening, relationship-building, and a shared vision for what comes next. Rather than debating legislation, leaders are exploring what it means to be a church that welcomes all people, forms disciples, works across differences, and makes a meaningful difference in the world.

The gathering is a reminder that our future is not simply about preserving what has been, but discerning where God is leading us next.

Read the story and learn how to watch the gathering:

Lay and clergy leaders from four continents gathered in Canada and online to begin the work of praying, listening and striving for The United Methodist Church of the future. But first they had to grapple with the denomination’s realities of the present.

10/20/2026

Save the Date: South Santiam Circuit Charge Conference

Charge Conference is an opportunity to come together as the South Santiam Circuit to celebrate the ways God is at work in our congregations, reflect on the past year, and look ahead to the ministry we share.

It’s a time to give thanks for the people who make ministry possible and to affirm our shared commitment to serving our communities and living out God’s love.

Mark your calendar!

Thursday, November 05
12:00 pm
Lebanon First UMC

We look forward to gathering together!

10/18/2026

Due to some technical difficulties, we won't be streaming worship online tomorrow morning. We're really sorry about that. We promise to be back better than ever next Sunday!

10/16/2026

Rooted in Love: Dedicated

What does it mean to offer our whole lives to God?

This Sunday, we continue our Rooted in Love: Growing a Generous Church series with Matthew 22:15–22. As Jesus responds to a question about paying taxes to Caesar, we’ll reflect on what belongs to God and what it means to live with our lives rooted in God’s love.

Our generosity is about more than what we give. It’s also about how we spend our time, how we care for others, and how we live out our faith in everyday life.

Join us for worship!

Albany First UMC — 9:30 a.m.

10/14/2026

“Repentance must become action. Healing must involve relationships.”

The Sand Creek Massacre Interagency Task Force recently gathered in Denver to continue the United Methodist Church’s work toward education, accountability, and healing alongside descendants of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people.

From supporting the annual Sand Creek Spiritual Healing Run (Nov. 25–29) to exploring new educational resources and opportunities for global conversation, the task force is working to turn the denomination’s commitments into sustained action.

Read more from UM News:

Descendants and United Methodists gathered to advance the denomination’s ongoing commitment to education, accountability and healing around the Sand Creek Massacre.