Anyone may attend our church services and our open Communion. Eureka United Methodist is a church that uphold the traditional values and the Bible is central to our faith and how we practice it. Our ministries are geared for all ages and when you enter the door the door on your first visit you will be welcomed by our Hospitality staff.

Our worship service starts at 9:00am. It is a combination of traditional with standard hymns and liturgy and contemporary with a Praise Band. You will get a warm welcome and a smile because we are glad you are here. Eureka UMC also has a nursery and Children’s Church. We do not have a dress code at church and hope you feel comfortable during your visit.

We are a caring congregation located off the square in Eureka Illinois (population 5,600). We are young and older, traditional, and contemporary, new Christians and mature believers. We have weekly opportunities for worship, Bible study and fellowship. We have a strong and active Youth Group (6^th – 12^th grade). In addition to nurturing our own, we have a focus on mission outreach to the community and the world.

Lunch Bunch – Every Monday at 11:00am all ages are welcome to come study the Bible or topics related to the Christian faith and then enjoy lunch together either by brown bag or out at a local restaurant. The Bible study lasts an hour.

Wednesday Evening – Every Wednesday at 6:30pm all ages are welcome to come study the Bible or topics related to the Christian faith. The Bible study lasts an hour.

On the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday nights of each month at 6pm, the youth gather downstairs for a lesson and discussion, play games or volleyball and basketball in the gym/Fellowship Hall, or take a trip top area fun parks. The youth also take part in Earth Day as well as other mission activities. Also, at every youth gathering there is food! The youth have their own area with refrigerator, pink pong table and other fun games.

In 1858, Methodism was introduced to the village of Eureka by a traveling pioneer Methodist preacher, “Uncle” Zadock Hall of Worth Township. Hall found 13 listeners, and the group began meeting in a wagon shop near the railroad, organizing into the Eureka Methodist Episcopal Church on Dec. 5th of that year.

In 1862, a 36’ x 50’ frame church building was erected at a cost of $4,000.00. Church membership grew and in 1881 Eureka was chosen as the site of the lively and successful “camp meetings” sponsored by the Streator District of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1883, the church building on Callender Street was built.

As the church moved into the 20th century, the Ladies’ Aid Society and the Epworth League for Youth were mainstays, providing opportunities for Christian mission, service and learning. In 1918-1920 the church had no preacher and no worship service, but the Ladies’ Aid and the Sunday school kept functioning.

A name change to Eureka Methodist Church occurred in 1939. Another name change to Eureka United Methodist Church occurred in 1968.

For over 160 years, and under the leadership of nearly 60 pastors, the Methodist Church has opened its doors to all those wishing to meet Jesus Christ and grow in faith and service.

The most fundamental distinction of Methodist teaching is that people must use logic and reason in all matters of faith. Also important is the acknowledgment of “prevenient,” “justifying,” and “sanctifying” graces. It is taught that people are blessed with these graces at different times though the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prevenient grace is present before they are saved from the error of their ways.Justifying grace is given at the time of their repentance and forgiveness by God.Sanctifying grace is received when they have finally been saved from their sins and sins of the world.

The Methodist Church puts a great emphasis on missionary work and other forms of spreading the Word of God and His love to others.

To learn more about the Methodist denomination, visit www.umc.org.

The Methodist Church branch of Protestant religion traces its roots back to 1739, where it developed in England as a result of the teachings of John Wesley.  Wesley’s three basic precepts that began the Methodist tradition consisted of:

1. Do Good;
2. Do No Harm; and
3. Stay in Love with God

We welcome all believers to an open communion table, and we act on our commitments to love God and others and share Christ through shared worship, Bible study, fellowship, outreach programs to our local community, and support missionary work around the world.

• God is all knowing, possesses infinite love and goodness, is all powerful, and the creator of all things.
• God has always existed and will always exist.
• God is three-persons in one: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• God is the master of all creation and humans are meant to live in a holy covenant with him. Humans have broken this covenant by their sins, and can only be forgiven if they truly have faith in the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ.
• Jesus was God on Earth (conceived of a virgin), in the form of a man who was crucified for the sins of all people and who was physically resurrected to bring them the hope of eternal life.
• The grace of God is seen by people through the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and in their world.
• Close adherence to the teachings of Scripture is essential to the faith because Scripture is the Word of God.
• Christians are part of a universal church and must work with all Christians to spread the love of God.
• Baptism is a sacrament or ceremony in which a person is anointed with water to symbolize being brought into the community of faith.
• Communion is a sacrament in which participants eat bread and drink juice to show that they continue to take part in Christ’s redeeming resurrection by symbolically taking part in His body (the bread) and blood (the juice).
• Wesley taught his followers that Baptism and Communion are not only sacraments but also sacrifices to God.
• People can only be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, not by any other acts of redemption such as good deeds.