Ministry Programs

First UMC has a variety of options for you to connect with in ministry—some are more formal groups, others more informal.

Music ministry

The music ministry at First UMC plays music from multiple genres: traditional hymnody, global song, contemporary worship music, and more. Do you sing? Play an instrument? Please come and share your gifts with us. The choir rehearses every Sunday morning at 9:30 in the sanctuary and all are welcome to participate.

Christian Education

The purpose of Christian Education at First United Methodist Church of North Andover is to provide an opportunity to: experience the transforming love of God as shown through the life and teachings of Jesus; learn within an environment of trust and mutual respect where tradition, experience, scripture and reason are share; challenge our beliefs openly and honestly; grow in our faith; and decide how to live faithfully.

YOUTH CHRISTIAN ED meets on Sundays at 8:45 a.m., in the Nursery for the time being. Contact the office or Carrie Mazza 617-257-1789 for more information as well as before your first week of participation.

 In December, we used a lesson about the angel who appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and he need not be afraid to marry her.   We also examined the symbolism of the candles in the Advent wreath.  The craft was a mini advent wreath made from pipe cleaners and buttons. 

 The next Sunday, we did a religious escape room called “Seeking the Manger.”  This was a big logic puzzle with several layers.  The youth had to first hunt for 17 clue/puzzle pieces and 8 doors, which had been hidden in 2 classrooms. Then, using the clues and solving the puzzles, the youth needed to number the doors and figure out which inn (out of eight) contained the manger for baby Jesus.  Congratulations to the youth for determining the correct answer!  Our youth really enjoy this type of activity, and they work very well together to figure it out.

 The lesson for the Third Sunday of Advent was “The Word Made Flesh,” based on John 1:1-18.  We played a game called “Christmas Chaos” to illustrate how we can get so caught up in the flurry of Christmas preparations that the focus on the birth of Jesus can get lost.  We made a manger out of craft sticks, a section of a carboard tube, and construction paper.