Welcome to a faith filled church practicing a religion filled with grace
Searching for a place where you'll feel loved, inspired, and challenged? Then H.U.M.C. may be for you. Come check us out! Sunday Service is at 9 a.m.
Our Church
Our Church
A church can be an intimidating place. We want you to know you're welcome here. Hospitality is a big thing for us. We want to to assist you with any questions you may have.
I want to personally invite you to come experience God's presence at Hartford UMC. Our goal is to impact the world we live in by making disciples. We do that by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Come and be a part of life at Hartford United Methodist Church.
In Jesus name, Pastor Doug
9:00 A.M. service
The 9:00 a.m. service is an indoor, in-person worship service in the sanctuary. Also it is live streamed on our Facebook page: the Bridge at HartfordUMC
Gifts and Giving
Your support and contributions will enable us to further our mission as a church.
You can give through PayPal below,
Venmo ( www.venmo.com/u/TheBridgeat-HartfordUMC ),
Give+ app on your phone,
or your bill pay at your financial institution
Weekly Scripture
April 20th - Ezekiel 37:1-14 Easter Sunday
April 20th - Ezekiel 37:1-14 Easter Sunday
April 20th - Ezekiel 37:1-14 Easter Sunday
The Valley of Dry Bones
37 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath[a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”
April 27th - John 20:19-31
April 20th - Ezekiel 37:1-14 Easter Sunday
April 20th - Ezekiel 37:1-14 Easter Sunday
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Missions
Our Church Missions
Our church is mission minded. We have been involved with Cooperative Food Pantry and The Backpack program. We are also involved with the United Methodist Church monthly mission focus on both local, regional, national, and world mission programs.
Cooperating Ministries open 3-6 pm every Thursday
The Cooperating Ministries Food Pantry is made up several churches in the area that works together to provide food for those in need. It is housed here at Hartford United Methodist Church. They distribute food every Thursday from 3 pm - 6 p.m. They are able to provide the food because they get generous donations from many people in our town, the Pokagon Fund has awarded them grants, The Four Winds Casino also helps out at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, Catholic Charities also donates food to the food pantry, along with many of our local farms will give produce and fresh fruit when they are able to. They have been lucky to get donations from Burnett packing and the local Harding's store as well.
Backpack Mission
The Backpack Mission is a program that involves volunteers from the church and members of the Hartford Public Schools to provide food for children and their families for the weekend. Money for this program is donated by concerned community members to help with food scarcity for our elementary students and their families when school breakfasts and lunches are not provided on the weekend. If you would like to volunteer with packing the bags weekly, delivering the bags to the elementary, or donating so that we can provide the food to our children just contact the church or send your monetary donations to the church and designated it to the backpack program.
Monthly Mission
For the Month of April our Mission Offerings will be going towards Christian Education. We will accept offering for the month of April.
What is Christian Education?
Christian Education Sunday is a day focused on recognizing and supporting the ministry of Christian education within a church, often involving a special offering to fund educational and small-group ministries. Here's a more detailed explanation:
- Purpose:Christian Education Sunday aims to nurture growth and learning within the church community by supporting educational and small-group ministries.
- Activities: Churches often use this day to recognize and thank those involved in Christian education, including teachers, leaders, and volunteers.
- Offering: Many churches hold a special offering on Christian Education Sunday to support the ministry of Christian education, both within the local church and in broader contexts.
- Focus: The focus of Christian Education Sunday is on teaching individuals of all ages about their Christian faith and motivating service in the church, community, and the world.
Photo Gallery
Tammy playing at the United Women of Faith Christmas party 2025
United women of Faith Christmas party 2025
United women of Faith Christmas party 2025
United women of Faith Christmas party 2025
United women of Faith Christmas party 2025
United women of Faith Christmas party 2025
United women of Faith Christmas party 2025
The United Women of Faith at the Annual Christmas Bazaar
It was a great success for them and would like to thank everyone who donated or purchased items
If you are ever in need of Rada ware please contact the church and they will direct you to the person in charge.
The High School students
spent their May Day
with us doing backpacks
They filled the 137 bags for this week.
They also cleaned the church
inside the church
and outside of the church
We appreciated all of the students
and staff's hard work
We just wanted to say thank you for everything.
Parent Night Out on December 2nd
Back to School Bash August 23, 2023
Passing out school supplies
Passing out Bibles
Signing families up for Backpack food.
On Monday August 7th We started a three day Vacation Bible School
Popcorn for evening snack
They raked not only the entire front yard they did the side yard as well.
On Friday, September 23rd we had our first movie night.
The small crowd agreed it was something they would like to do again.
The team was happy to take part on this first day activity.
On August 24, 2022 Our church attended the Back To School Bash.
We passed out water bottles and suckers.
Susie and Deanna getting the table ready for the Bash
Karymn and Cristela ready to give out the suckers to everyone.
Preparing the bottles for the Back to School Bash.
Preparing the bottles for the Bash.
Preparing the suckers for the Back to School Bash.
The happy couple cutting the cake.
Pastor Wayne annouces them husband and wife.
Pastor Wayne Babcock performed the ceremony.
On July 23, 2022 Pastor Doug and Deanna were wed.
On Thursday, July 7, we had the Feed America Mobile Truck here at the church
With the help of the truck and our own food pantry ---
We have been truly blessed that we could help that many families
The Feed America Mobile Truck is here each month on the first Thursday of the month. But you can get food every week here on thursday night.
The ladies are preparing for the rummage.
The rummage is donated by church members and friends of the church.
The rummage sale will be Friday(june 17th) and Saturday( June 18th)
It is great to have this tradition back.
Please join us for this fund raiser.
The 2nd prayer walk to the police department and the schools.
Praying for our officers that serve
Praying for those who serve the community.
Praying for the high school seniors, students and teachers.
Walking to the middle school to pray.
Praying for the Middle school students , teachers, bus drivers.
Some of our graduates from the class of 2022
Tammy and Dave presented each of the graduates with a gift
What a great addition to our food pantry for those in need of food.
The volunteers sorted the food so that it was ready to be distributed on Thursday nights
On the average the Cooperating Ministries are giving food to 100 familiies each week throughout the year.
Place the heart on the cross to symbolize that God loves you.
Station 12: Justin was able to give communion.
Station 11: The pool with the water in it was where we put the rocks that represented our sin -- and how it was taken from us from his death.
Station 10: The sand bag represented the 75 lbs of aloe, Frankincense and myrrah that was used to wrap Jesus's body in inside of the tomb.
Station 9: Represented the light of Jesus being taken as he died on the cross and his spirit leaving his body.
Station 9: Autumn was there to relight the candle for each participate.
Station 8: Larry would give each of us a nail that was made to take home as a remembrance.
Station 8: We take a hammer and beat a nail into the cross to symbolize what they did to Jesus to crucify him.
Pastor Doug made the whip and we had playing on the computer the beating scene from "The Passion"
station 7: This station was to remind us the beating Jesus took.
Station 6: Symbolizes Peter denying the Lord three times before the rooster crowed.
Station 5: symbolizes Pilate washing his hands from the matter
Station 4: 30 pieces that Judas took for betraying Jesus
Good Friday Stations: Station 1 - what great things that God Created in our world
Pastor Doug Welcoming everyone to Maundy Thursday.
Autumn was the narrator for the skit of the Upper Room.
Jesus (Larry Woodley) preparing to wash Peter's Feet. ( Justin Cardenas)
Jesus:………………………………………. Larry Woodley
Simon (Peter): ………………………..…..Justin Cardenas
Andrew: …………………………………Wayne Babcock
James: …………………………… Roger Danneffel
Judas: ……………………………………….Butch Drumm
Philip: ……………………………………Nick McGlothlin
Bartholomew: …………………….…………. Bob Kuenhle
James (son of Alphaeus): ……………….…..Dale Kaucher
Simon (Zealot): …………………………….Kenneth Smith
Judas Iscariot: ……………………………….Pastor Doug
Shirley and Mickey Cochrane
Roger and Holly Danneffell enjoying Maundy Thursday's Soup and Salad meal
Maxine Melvin
Janet Melvin
Nancy Spoula
Pastor Wayne Babcock
Forground: T. J Mason and his daughter, Becky & Larry Woodley, Deanna Kniss
Table behind: Jill & Justin Cardenas, Doug Nelson, Nick McGlothlin and Des
Autumn schmaltz, Rosemary Heinisch, Wanda Maston, Ronda Kaucher
Dale Kaucher, Becky and Larry Woodley, T. J. Mason and his daughter
Nick McGlothlin, Destiny Chacon, Jill Cardenas, Doug Nelson
Our first Easter Egg hunt was held Saturday April 9th.
We had to move it to inside of the church because of the snow that fell over night.
We are grateful to all of the people that made this possible including Becky and Larry Woodley who chaired this activity.
Justin enjoying the Men's breakfast and fellowship.
The men put on a great breakfast for themselves and a few guests.
The fellowship and devotion amongst the men and guest are so important.
The Food Drive for the Super Bowl and you can tell --the Rams won the food drive as well.
The Pastor and several of the members enjoying the game.
Some of us were enjoying the game while a few enjoyed having the puppy here for the evening.
The guys were intense about the game.
This is what happens when the Pastor leaves his phone laying about and the secretary finds out there is no pass code.
Even on a cold snowday from school are teams are hard at work filling backpacks for the students at school.
This is Team 1 filling backpacks on their snow day on 1.6.22 Without our three teams we would be lost and these backpacks would not be filled.
The volunteers of the food pantry started to sort all of the can goods
The Students food drive was a great success
The Hartford Public High School did a great job collecting food for the Food Pantry
And they should lead us to our next destination.
The group walking to our last spot.
A good time by our group as we walked from the church to the fire department, police department and the school.
Our group at the school praying for the school employees.
Pastor Doug leading us a prayer at the school.
Janet getting the drinks ready for this afternoon
Lisa Buddemeier and Maxine Melvin dishing up the beans
Lisa still dishing up the beans
Myra cutting the cakes.
Ready for outdoor dining.
More out door dining
Silent Auction items
More silent auction items
More silent auction items
More silent auction items
The Church's flowers in the spring of 2021
Spring flowers
The flowers on the corner of the driveway.
Karen Williams cleaning the Memory garden
The flowers we planted last November in Memory of those who passed are coming up just in time for Palm Sunday & Easter.
What a wonderful tradition and honor to those who have been here before us.
This way their memory will be with us every time we see the flowers in bloom.
When they are in full bloom they will be gorgeous. Thank you again to Becky and Larry Woodley for planting these lasting memories.
Food Truck came for a visit on March 4, 2021
We served over 166 families
That means we gave out 9316 pounds of food
We are very grateful for Feed America and for all of the volunteers that helped to make this a successful give away.
We appreciate Miller Thermometer for their help in supplying these materials.
The Backpack Mission received a $2,700 grant from the Pokagon Fund.
Cooperating Ministries gave out over 230 boxes of food on December 17th.
And hopefully every year afterwards the memory of our love ones will continue to bloom for us to enjoy. The bulbs were planted in memory of the following people: Jim Brummit; Jean Walker; Bob Kling; Genevieve Conklin; Shirley Anchor; Richard"Dick"Smith; Bonna Vanderlyn; Helen Norden. Also other's that passed Matthew Efting, The mother of Dan Fitch
So Larry and Becky Woodley took the morning and planted them in our memory garden.
They worked with the Catholic Services, Hartford Lions Club
Also Hartford Hardings
and the Pokagon Fund.
They had people lined up starting at 1:30 and went until
7:00 p.m. Thursday night.
We continue to supply food to families of our youth at Redwood Elementary School for the weekend.
Instead of cut carnations for All Saint's Day it was decided that we plant bulbs in memory of those who passed this past year.
So in the spring we will have a constant memory of those who passed.
All Saint's day - Nov 1st -
Preparing for the Food Pantry distribution on October 29th.
The last few weeks we have had between 60-75 families each week.
The Cooperating ministries team had to restock after last weeks distribution.
Unloading the truck so that we can get ready for this week's distribution.
Oct. 28th the last tailgate get together with Joanne Evans as the host.
Even though it was a typical fall day for Michigan the spirits of these church family members were happy.
It was great how everyone chips in and brings the snacks and enjoys each others company.
It will be great when they can worship together this Sunday Nov. 1st inside for the first time.
The group gathered together for coffee and conversation.
Rev Wayne and many others enjoyed the time to just chat and reconnect over some yummy snacks.
Our hostess(Joanna Evans) finally taking a break to enjoy some food and conversation.
Moon Flowers in our memory garden.
The Electric fireplace gives it a warmer feeling.
With new accents a few pieces of new furniture to bring it together. ( Also paid for with grant money)
A new paint job for the room and hallway -- volunteer labor and using the grant money that we had.
Updated the Social hall using some of our grant money.
Some of the volunteers that worked the food pantry and Feed America Food truck on June 18th
Workers - getting all of the food together as the cars pulled through
Workers planning the process
Ready to distribute the food
Assigning the duties
The crew in full swing-- as cars pull through
God's beauty
What a change --with a lot of hard work.
Lois and Wayne beautifying the front of the church
Lois and Wayne removing the weeds before making it new again.
Social Hall has been cleaned and waxed
Nursery was cleaned and waxed
Halls were cleaned in preparation of hopefully reopening soon.
Jeff Anchor and Justin Cardenas and crew worked hard to clean our floors.
The Weekend Backpack Project is still serving our community.
Each week we have volunteers who are here on Sunday taking in donations at 12:00 .
The food provides meal for the two days on the weekend for breakfast and supper.
The food is ordered from feed America from monetary donations from you.
Also on Sunday they pack roughly 120-140 bags of food for our school families.
The food is then transported to the school-- again by volunteers on Thursday morning.
we would like to thank these people for their support:
Businesses: Burnette Foods Inc., Richter Insurance, Kellogg Hardware, Mann Metal, L.E. Barber Inc. (Benton Harbor, MI), Pokagon Fund (Pokagon Grant)
Associations: Hartford Foundation for Quality Education(Grant) , Lions Club, United Methodist Church - Greater Southwest Conference (Engage Grant)
Public Institutions: Hartford Public School/Redwood Elementary
Other: Congregational Kitchen (Allegan, Mi).
CM food pantry and Feed America Truck give away.
CM food pantry give away
Gardening in the prayer garden
Gardening in the prayer garden
Our youth in Junior Church.
Feed America Truck was here on April 30, 2020
We gave food out from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
They fed 153 families.
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