Ministries
The people of Goddard United Methodist Church are all ministers of Jesus Christ. We all have gifts for God's ministry within the church, within the community and within the world. God calls each of us to grow into the likeness of Christ through worship, study and service. Below is a list of opportunities provided by Goddard United Methodist that enables people to grow spiritually and share their time, talents and resources:
Worship
Three worship services are held each Sunday morning.
Two traditional services are held in the Sanctuary at 8:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. These services feature traditional liturgy, chancel choirs and preaching. During the 10:50 a.m. service, the children go to Children's Church in Boyd Chapel with the children's director, Carrie Vick.
A casual service is held in the Great Room at 9:40 a.m. This service features a casual atmosphere, praise and worship music by The Praise Team and a sermon that includes a video/power point presentation.
Services are held on special days during the year that include Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Christmas Eve.
Wednesdays @ Goddard
Children, youth and music ministries are busy on Wednesday afternoons and evening.
Kids Quest - the ministry for children, begins with Snak-n-Play and RWT (read, write and think - an opportunity to do homework and have help from a tutor) from 3:15 to 3:55. From 4:00 to 4:55 Little Musicians and Young Musicians sing and learn new music. The two children's music groups plan to present a musical during Advent in early December. At 5:00, the children all go to Faithweaver Friends.
RUACH - the United Methodist Youth ministry, begins at 3:30 with Chill Time (time to do homework, play games, just chill). Supper is served at 5:30 and then group begins at 6:00.
Bible Studies
Disciple Bible Study classes include: Disciple I, II, III, and IV. A Disciple student must take Disciple I the first year and then may choose Disciple II, III, or IV the following years. Other short term Bible studies are offered during the year. For more information, please call 479-785-1415.
Adult Sunday School Classes
Ten Sunday School classes are available for adults at Goddard United Methodist Church. The following Sunday School classes meet at 9:30am.
- The Gap Sunday School- Adults 20's -40's- Room 202
- Pair's and Spares Sunday School- Room 210
- Genesis Sunday School- Room 147
- New Beginnings Sunday School- Room 207
- Crusaders Sudnay School- Room 136
- Wesley Sunday School- Young Hall Room 301
- Men's Bible Class Sunday School- Young Hall Room 304
- Susan C. King Sunday School- Young Hall Room 305
- Adventures Sunday School- Young Hall- 306
The following Sunday School class meets at 10:40am.
- The Gathering Sunday School- Harvesters Room
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is open each week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Persons seeking assistance from the Food Pantry will need to bring a photo ID and a proof of address. Church members are encouraged to bring canned goods and other staples to the church to be distributed through the Food Pantry.
Hospital House
A house near the church is available for those needing a place to stay while they are having out-patient treatment at our local hospitals, or the family members who need a place to stay while visiting loved ones in the hospital. To reserve the Hospital House, please call 479-785-1415.
Hospital Ministries
Patients in the hospital or physical rehabilitation centers can be added to our visitation and prayer lists by calling 479-785-1415. Volunteers called The Flower Girls take flowers from the Sunday worship services and share them with patients each week.
Ozark Missions Project
Goddard Youth participate each summer in OMP by sending youth and adults to be involved in service projects in and around Arkansas. The church also will host teams of young people from across the state as they participate in service projects for needy families in the area. For more information about Ozark Mission Project, please call youth director, Greg Pair at 479-785-1415.
Catch the Vision
Goddard participates annually in this ministry dedicated to help start new churches and to help support struggling existing churches.
Neighborhood Activities
The church works to offer spiritual and physical support to the neighborhood where it is located and to the River Valley area. The members of Goddard live in Fort Smith, Van Buren, eastern Oklahoma and the surrounding area.
On the Sunday afternoon before Halloween, the Goddard Youth sponsor Trunk of Treat for the children of the church and the neighborhood. This provides a safe environment for children to go "trick or treating."
On the Friday afternoon that public schools dismiss for Christmas holidays, the church sponsors the Neighborhood Christmas Party for needy children in Fort Smith. A meal is served, the children hear the story of Jesus' birth and each child receives a bag of Christmas presents from Santa.
Special Offerings The church participates in the following General Church Special offerings: Human Relations Day, Native American Awareness Sunday, World Communion Sunday, One Great Hour of Sharing, Peace with Justice, and United Methodist Student Day.
