You are welcome here.
Whether it’s your very first time in church or you’ve been here a thousand times or anything in between — whether you’ve got your faith all figured out or you’re really not sure about God, or maybe someone dragged you here — there is a place for you at First Church, and you are welcome to belong.
That welcome is specific, not a slogan. We are a progressive United Methodist community and a proud member of the Reconciling Ministries Network. LGBTQ+ people belong in our pews, in our choir, on our committees, and in our pulpit.
Here’s what a Sunday morning looks like, so nothing has to feel like a mystery.
The basics
We worship Sundays at 10:30 AM in the sanctuary at 180 Denny Way, and online on YouTube. The service usually runs a little over an hour — somewhere between 60 and 75 minutes.
Come as you are. You’ll see everything from Sunday best to jeans, and all of it is right.
What happens in worship
Worship begins with music — our director of music playing piano or organ, joined by the Sanctuary Choir for much of the year. We sing together, pray together, and hear the scriptures read aloud. The sermon connects those ancient texts to the world we’re actually living in. We share our joys and concerns in prayer, and we pass the peace — a chance to greet the people around you (a handshake, a wave, or a simple “peace be with you” all work).
When we stand to sing or pray, you’ll hear the invitation to “rise in body or spirit” — meaning: stand if you’re able and want to, and stay seated if that’s better for you. Participate at whatever level feels comfortable.
The land we’re on
We begin every service by acknowledging that we worship on the unceded traditional homelands of the Duwamish, the first people of Seattle. We do this weekly because we believe part of moving the world toward justice is telling the truth about where we’ve been wrong — and we honor and respect members of the Duwamish Tribe, past and present, as well as the land and waters we share.
Communion
We celebrate Holy Communion every week, and the invitation is simple: this is not the table of First Church. It isn’t even the table of the United Methodist Church. It is Christ’s table — and everyone is invited. You don’t need to be a member, and you don’t need to have it all figured out. Gluten-free communion elements are available.
Kids and youth
Children are fully welcome in worship — wiggles, noises, and all. Children’s worship activity bags are on the little bookshelf at the back of the sanctuary, and most weeks there’s a children’s moment early in the service. On Sunday school days, children and youth gather with our Children & Youth Ministries coordinator in the narthex (that’s the lobby at the back of the sanctuary) and head to class together — the bulletin and morning announcements will point the way.
Worshipping online
If you’re joining from home, you’re not watching worship — you’re in it. We hope you’ll stand and sing when we stand and sing, and have some bread and juice (or whatever you have that’s close) ready so you can share communion with us. We are connected by the Spirit, even when we’re not in the same room.
After worship
Stay for coffee hour — it’s the easiest way to meet people, and we’d love to meet you.
You may also notice breakfast happening before worship: that’s Shared Breakfast, our volunteer-run ministry that has served a free hot breakfast to hungry neighbors every Sunday since 1997 — about 15,000 meals a year. It’s one of the ways we put our faith to work, and new volunteers are always welcome.
Getting here
We’re at 180 Denny Way, right by Seattle Center — across 2nd Avenue from the Pacific Science Center. The sanctuary entrance is on 2nd Ave; the church office entrance is on Denny Way.
Parking is free for worship in our garage just west of the church building — enter on Warren Avenue or from the alley between the church and the garage. First-time visitors: park on Level P5 for a quick walk across the alley to the church. More details on our parking page.
Coming by transit? We’re served by major bus lines and we’re a short walk from the Seattle Center Monorail.
Accessibility
The building has an elevator, accessible restrooms, and hearing assistance in the sanctuary. If there’s anything that would make worship more accessible for you, tell us — we mean it.
Staying connected
If you’d like to hear from us — about upcoming events, or to talk with one of our pastors — fill out a Check-in & Connection Card or sign up for our e-newsletter. No follow-up pressure; it just means we can welcome you by name.
And when you’re ready to go deeper, our Hospitality Team hosts a quarterly Welcome to First Church gathering — an informal introduction to United Methodism, life at First Church, and what membership means, with plenty of room for questions.
Questions?
Just ask anyone — or contact us. Whatever else happens on a Sunday morning, our hope is that you might have an encounter with God, and that it might change you for the better — so that all of us, together, can change the world.