Ministries/Committees-First United Methodist Church Oswego

   On November 3, 2009, Oswego First held their first Worship Team meeting. We previously had a Worship Committee that met about once a year but was never really involved in the actual planning of worship services. That responsibility was firmly delegated to the Pastor and the Director of Music. In 2009, we created a Team: the pastor, the director of music, three members of the choir, and chair of Altar Guild. We have a spiritual leader and a music leader, both of whom are experienced and knowledgeable in connecting scripture with music to enhance the meaning of our worship services. Our meetings were held on a somewhat regular basis every couple of months and we reported our activities to Administrative Council. Oswego First has always had a worship service that engages the congregation and tries to appeal in some way to all members. Our service is considered a traditional service in that it has a formal worship liturgy that follows Methodist liturgy. Music is a mixture of traditional hymns and contemporary hymns and anthems. We support visitors and guests through the use of a cantor and a liturgist along with our pastor. There is opportunity for lay involvement as cantor and liturgist as well as through the children’s moment, communion servers, and other special moments. And of course, all are welcome to join the choir and the bell choir. In 2011, a second worship service was added – a fully contemporary service led by our own praise band. The liturgy is much less formal and the music is very much contemporary. It was our hope that with two services, our church would appeal to a broader spectrum of our community, including the college population. In July 2012, with the arrival of our new pastor, we became even more intentional with our worship planning and established a regular meeting schedule: the fourth Thursday of the month, 7:00 pm, at the church. It was a combined group from both services. The Team does not have a formal charge; we discuss and make decisions, with the pastor, on questions that are directly related to worship. All members of the congregation who are interested in participating more actively in worship, or are just curious about our worship service, are welcome at our meetings. We did want to involve as many people in the worship experience as possible. Robert Schnase, author of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, tells us, …”worship connects people to God and to one another”. We want to create a worship experience that is genuine, alive, creative and understandable to all – where we can experience the life changing presence of God in the presence of others. Worship can draw people to Christ, deepen understanding and relationship with Christ, and transform lives as disciples grow in the image of Christ. (paraphrased from Mr. Schnase in Five Practices – Passionate Worship, page 9).

Kristine Bushey Team Leader, Worship Team April 2012 If customers can’t find it, it doesn’t exist. Clearly list and describe the services you offer. Also, be sure to showcase a premium service.

March 2020 the COVID-19 Pandemic hit the world, many changes were made. Just before the pandemic we had made the change back to one service at 10 AM and Tom Norton took over as Worship Team Chairperson. During COVID-19 our long time choir director Sherri Metz decided it was time for her to step away to spend more time with family. Our choir hasn't been able to sing since the pandemic hit, however we are hopeful that we will hear their beautiful voices in our sanctuary once again. During our shutdown in March 2020 Tom Norton kept our music alive playing instruments and  singing,  from his living room with his family members. Then livestreaming from the sanctuary each Sunday until we opened partially again in August 2020. He continues to help on the technical end to keep us livestreaming for those that worship online.

We welcomed Elizabeth "Beth" Smith this Fall, 2021, as our Accompanist. 

  The music ministry at First United Methodist of Oswego is one of our most important and beloved ministries. Methodists love to sing and praise God through music and this church is abundant in musical talent of all kinds. I am proud to have served as the Director of Music for the last twelve years and to have shared in some wonderful works of praise and worship.

The heart of the music program is the choir. They are a dedicated and passionate group of men and women who give it their all every Sunday. I have had choir members come and go over the years but I have never been short of talent and spirit. Their commitment to and love for their ministry is a testimony of service and witness to our congregation every week.

In 2005, the church purchased a new “hybrid” organ. It is a mix of digital sound and some original ranks of pipes from the previous organ. Set behind a beautiful façade of decorative pipes above the altar, the sound fills the vaulted-ceilinged sanctuary with a rich, harmonic resonance that inspires even the shyest singer to lift their voice in praise.

If the choir is the heart of the music program, our contemporary praise band is the soul. Leading our 9:00 am Sunday contemporary worship service, this band is sure to lift your spirits as well as your voice all the while clapping your hands and tapping your feet! Their mission is to spread the word through their music, to praise God with songs that minister to those who enjoy a more contemporary style of music.

In addition to these programs, we also have some wonderful individual talent in the church that are always happy to lend their instruments to any of the groups performing or treat us with a solo performance. We have flutists, clarinetists, trumpeters, guitar players, drummers, saxophonists, violinists, and cellists. Even marimba, ukulele and auto harp players!

FUMC of Oswego is a veritable cornucopia of musical talent and I give thanks every week that I am a part of it!

  The Missions Committee at the First United Methodist Church of Oswego is committed to serving people around the world and in our own neighborhood, as God leads us. We are dedicated to extending the love of Christ to communities, organizations, families, and individuals divinely placed in our paths through direct financial gifts as well as through the power of prayer. This committee is the link between mission opportunities and the people of the church. 

FUMC is once again participating in the Souper Bowl and Pet Bowl campaign.  Attendees are asked to bring in cans of soup or pet supplies--such as food, treats or litter.  Donations will be donated to Human Concerns and the

 Prayer Warriors Group meets each Saturday in our Sanctuary at 8 AM. This is a time of meditation and powerful prayer, followed by fellowship.  You do not have to be a member of this church attend.  All are welcome. 

Women's Fellowship and Prayer Group meet every 3rd Thursday of each month  in our Sanctuary at 7 PM.  This is a time of bonding, fellowship, discussion, prayer and meditation.  You do not have to be a member of this church attend.  

All are welcome.