YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN US!
Strahan United Methodist Church
SUNDAY SERVICE AT 9:45 A.M.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 8:45 A.M.
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL at 10:45 A.M.
64632 360th St., Hastings, Iowa 51540
Click address to map
OUR MISSION AT THE STRAHAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS:
Our Vision and Core Values
Our Vision
Our Core Values
Our Core Values
To inspire those who enter the doors of the Strahan Church to find
friendship in Jesus Christ and with one another.
Our Core Values
Our Core Values
Our Core Values
We work to fulfill the mission of the Strahan Church with passion, humility, authenticity, integrity, intentionally being mission-oriented.
The UMC Mission
Our Core Values
The UMC Mission
The mission of the global United Methodist Church is to “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” For us at Strahan, a disciple is one who is being obedient by loving and worshiping Jesus, growing in faith, serving others and sharing God’s love with the world.
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About the Service at Strahan United Methodist Church
Overview
Sunday morning worship service begins at 9:45 a.m. A typical service includes a Call to Worship, Prayers, Scripture Readings, Message, Prayer of Confession and Words of Assurance, Offering, Children’s Chat, and lots of music. People of the congregation take turns as Ushers, Candlelighters, Liturgist, leading Children’s Chat, and providing special music.
Music
Music is an extremely important part of worship at Strahan. We usually sing hymns from the United Methodist Hymnal and The Faith We Sing accompanied by piano. On the 3rd Sunday of each month we have a more contemporary service using videos on the big screen to lead the singing. We have Senior Choir which sings for holidays and special events. Choir director and pianist is Harva Paul.
Communion
Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday of each month and is an open table in the United Methodist Church.
Giving
An offering is collected weekly that is used to pay our church’s expenses as well as the payments we make to the Iowa Conference United Methodist Church. We collect special offerings each month for specific mission projects either local, state, national, or international. If you would like to give a gift, please consider making an online donation from the donate page.
CCC
On the 2nd Sunday of most months we enjoy refreshments before worship. Members take turns bringing food to enjoy. Peg Smiley makes the coffee, sets up, and cleans afterwards.
Our history
The Strahan Methodist Church
began as the idea of pioneer Clark Miller. At his organization, neighbors began holding regular services in the East Sunbeam Schoolhouse. Rev. Farlow of Clarinda was called to the charge.
In May of 1884, plans were drawn, fund raising started, and work to build a church building began. However, on April 15, 1886, a tornado blew the church apart. New plans for a 32’ x 44’ church to be built in the same location also included a belfry on the east side of the building. The new church building was dedicated September 1886. At that service a special offering of $163 was collected which was enough to pay off all debts.
In 1929, the church
needed repair. The men dug a basement by hand, installed a furnace, removed the belfry, built a new vestibule with the entry doors facing south, and made other needed improvements. WWII took many men from the community, but the church remained a steady place of hope and encouragement.
In 1941, the Ladies Union
became the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS). Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) grew tremendously. The first stained glass window was installed in 1958 and many other major revisions were done throughout the decades. The Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren Church united in 1968, which formed the current United Methodist Church. In 1973 WSCS changed to United Methodist Women (UMW).
The Centennial
was celebrated in grand style during a two-day celebration August 11-12, 1984. Over 300 people gathered to socialize and recognize the importance of the church to its members and the surrounding community. 25 years later, in August of 2009, the congregation celebrated the 125th anniversary. In 2019 a special event was held to mark the 135th year of the church.
During the years many changes took place that reflected a changing world, changes in the farming community, and changes in family structures. Yet even in the face of so many changes, the focus and priorities of the church remained basically the same—mission, community service, worship, and fellowship. Strahan has always emphasized children and youth. Strahan’s United Methodist Women furnish leadership at district, conference, and national levels. Mission, both local and internationally, has long been an important at Strahan.
In a time of history when other churches are dwindling and aging, it is pleasant to state that attendance at Strahan is increasing! The little country church on the hill continues to offer what people are seeking.
There is lots more history available in the three books produced for significant celebrations.