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About Who Are We? We are committed to our vision, “Find Hope Downtown.” ​ Like all other families, we are not perfect. We don’t know all the answers. Some days, we don’t even know all the questions but we try, with the Lord’s help to be better -to serve better and to love better today than yesterday. Our Leadership Our Beliefs Our History We witness to the hope in Jesus Christ by loving God passionately, by growing in our faith intentionally, and by serving others generously. Love God • Grow in Faith • Serve Others Our Services Our Ministries

Our History Our History 200+ YEARS of MINISTRY Zadok Casey A group of pioneer settlers met on Nov. 1, 1818, in Edward Maxey’s log cabin 4 miles northwest of what is now modern-day Mt. Vernon. It was there that they organized a Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Zadok Casey preached the first services. A month later, Illinois was admitted into the Union and seven months later, Jefferson County was formally organized. Born in Greene County, Ga., Casey was an avid disciple of John Wesley and became a community leader. Very little is known of his early life, but one story suggests that he witnessed a murder and because he did not wish to testify, he fled to the western frontier. Following the War of 1812, Casey ventured into the Illinois Territory. After founding the community of Mt. Vernon, she became an influential political leader in Illinois. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1822, to the Illinois State Senate in 1826 and was the fourth state Lieutenant Governor in 1830. He served in U.S. House of Representatives from 1833 to 1843 whose politics was as a Jacksonian Democrat. His final term was as an Independent Democrat. Returning from Washington, Casey was elected again to the Illinois House from 1848 to 1852, served as Speaker in 1852 and then in the State Senate from 1860 to 1862. Casey's popularity among his neighbors was such that he twice received the support of every other voter in Jefferson County — when he ran for the Senate in 1826 and for Lieutenant Governor in 1830, only one opposing vote was cast in either election, and that vote was Casey's own. Casey Creek, a tributary of the Big Muddy River, is named in honor of Zadok Casey. Casey Middle School and Casey Avenue in Mount Vernon are also named after him. In later years, Casey lived in Caseyville, Ill., also named after him because of his assistance in financing the Mississippi and Ohio Railroad through the center of town. He died in 1862 and is buried in Old Union Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Early years Following the Society’s organizations, the first church, known as Union Church, was located about 1 mile north of Mt. Vernon. In 1835, the Methodists purchased ground the constructed a building on 11th Street, just north of the present-day city hall. Because it was the largest building at the time, it was also used as a courthouse. In 1854, continued growth necessitated the need for a larger two-story building on Main Street where the present education wing is located. Casey presented the church with a bronze bell. On Feb. 19, 1888, a devastating tornado destroyed the church and much of the city. Only the bell and a few records were salvaged. The entire downtown region was destroyed. However, once again, Methodists rose to the occasion and the present-day structure, at the corner of 12th and Main streets, about 50 feet west of the 1854 building, was completed in just 10 months. Some of the more recent records unearthed show that carpenters from around the state to help rebuild the church. The stained-glass windows, ceiling beams and architecture are from the 1888 building. Wings to the wings to the east and west sides of the sanctuary were added in 1914. Balconies and a full basement were added. In 1957, the education wing was finished, and the exterior of the church was given a veneer of Bedford stone to match the educational building. The pastors The 200th birthday party was the beginning of the bicentennial celebration Nov. 3. The church’s past was highlighted in the service. Scott Gibbs, a former member, composed and arranged Through the Ages for the service. It was performed by the composer’s brother and sister-in-law, Curt and Monica Gibbs. The Rev. David Eadie, who served as pastor from 2002 to 2010, gave the morning prayer at the Nov. 3 service. Rev. Dr. Victor Long found a copy a prayer handwritten by the Rev. Dr. Billy Hahs, who served as pastor of the church from 1978 to 1993 – the church’s longest pastorate. Rev. J.W. Van Cleve, who was pastor from 1892 to 1896, wrote the hymn, Hallelujah! Jesus Saves Me, which was sung at the bicentennial service. Several of the former pastors ruffled the feathers of town folk through the years. One of the church’s pastors upset a merchant so much he vowed he would whip him. The pastor was of slight build and the merchant was stout. One day, the pastor walked by the merchant’s store and he came out of his store ready to fight. The pastor got on his knees and prayed for God to save this man. The merchant couldn’t go through with it and there was no fight. The Rev. Dr. John F. Harmon, was waging a fight against saloons during his five years in Mt. Vernon (1897-1902). During the first four years, the pastor, who stood more than 6 foot tall, wore a long Prince Albert coat and a derby hat, procured more than 400 indictments for illegal traffic in liquor, including a sheriff and several deputies. It was during this time that a dynamite bomb was thrown at the parsonage. It failed to explode. Conference officials moved Harmon to East St. Louis, where the pastor commented about his ministry in Mt. Vernon, “We did some good work there. Mt. Vernon is a moral town now.” Harmon was also responsible for helping the church to establish a mission on the east side of Mt. Vernon where Epworth UMC is located. At least five former pastors of Mt. Vernon First served as president of McKendree College in Lebanon (now McKendree University). Long says that Mt. Vernon First is a congregation where “some quality people live their faith in tangible ways.” He noted some families have been connected to the church for five and five generations.

Welcome Home! It's good to see you! Church is all about relationships, and communication is key to healthy relationships. So here's what you should know about us! ​ Join us for worship on Sundays at 10:00 AM Find us during the week from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM #BeUMC We are proud members of the United Methodist Church denomination. We are focused on love, grace, and inclusivity. Come see for yourself what it means to #BeUMC! Find Hope Downtown We are located in the heart of downtown Mount Vernon, IL and have no plans on leaving! Our location is just one way that we meet people where they're at. Come on in! Ways to Worship We worship every Sunday at 10:00 am and you're always invited in! But if you can't make it to through the doors somedays, we get it! You can worship online right here on our website or app! LEARN MORE CHECK IT OUT Sunday is just the start MINISTRIES EVENTS ABOUT US Let's start talkinG! ASK US ANYTHING! SCHEDULE A VISIT! GET OUR NEWESLETTER DOWNLOAD OUR APP

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Kids' Quest Bluford-otterbein LOVING GOD LOVING KIDS What is Kids' Quest? ​ Kids' Quest is an extension of the Mt. Vernon First United Methodist Church. We meet at Otterbein UMC in Bluford every Thursday after school until 5:00 PM. ​ The goal of Kids' Quest is to provide a safe space where kids can come to learn about God, build relationships, have fun, finish homework, and share a meal. ​ This church has no worshipping adult congregation and operates as a church for kids from kindergarten through high school. WANT TO Volunteer or Provide a meal? Please contact Rev. Gina (618)242-1030

Children's ministry LOVE GOD CREATE SMILES MAKE MEMORIES BUILD FRIENDSHIPS WHO Kindergarten - 5th grade students WHAT Our group is called D.I.G. which stands for Delighting In God! WHEN We meet every Tuesday evening from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm WHERE We meet downstairs in the Mount Vernon room. You can pick up and drop off by our side door on the south parking lot WHY Our goal is for your kids to know they are overwhelmingly and eternally loved by God. MEET THE PASTORS Gina Ellis Contact info: gina@mountvernonfirst.org (618) 242-1030 ext 108 "He has told you what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God. " - Micah 6:8 (CEB) ​ Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. - The Lorax Hope Kobbert Contact info: hope@mountvernonfirst.org (618) 242-1030 ext 108 "He has told you what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God. " - Micah 6:8 (CEB) ​ Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. - The Lorax

Angels on Assignment Angels on Assignment Phone: (618) 242-1108 Email: angels@mountvernonfirst.org 1201 Broadway, Mount Vernon, IL 62864 OUR SERVICES FOOD PANTRY Read More THRIFT STORE Read More FINANCIAL AID Read More Have questions or want to talk to us? Call 618-242-1108 and leave a message, and someone will call you back or you can e-mail us at angels@mountvernonfirst.org This is OUR story Food Pantry Food Pantry Fridays 9:00-11:00 am To receive food you must be a Jefferson County resident. You will have to sign in, give an address, and the number of people in your family. There are income guidelines posted so the client may verify their income before signing in for free food. A client may obtain food once every 4 weeks. Food sources include USDA, Midwest Foodbank, churches, food drives, and community contributions. Clothing Store Thrift Store Thursdays 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ​ Fridays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ​ Saturdays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Want to come in? The thrift shop, which is open to the public, receives donations of clothing, household items, and furniture that are resold to the public to help as many people as possible. Every dollar made in the thrift shop goes back into our food pantry and financial assistance program to continue helping our community. Clients in need may request clothing vouchers and then are give some items free. Bag days are generally the last Friday of the month and anyone can come in and fill a bag full of clothing for a low price. ​ Looking to donate? Thrift shop donations are important; they are sold and provide the funds for the Financial Assistance Programs and Food Pantry. You can save our volunteers some time by remembering this about your donations: All donations should be clean/gently used–if you are not wearing it/using it because of tears/stains/worn/broken then we will not be selling it either! Household items should be in clean/good condition and if small appliances–working. Drop-offs may be made on Wednesday mornings, Thursdays, Friday mornings, and the first Saturday morning of each month. Call 618-242-1108 for pick-up for larger items. ​ Angels on Assignment Donation Guidelines Angels Thrift Shop happily accepts the following new or gently used items: Clothing (Men’s, Women’s, Teen, Children’s, Baby) Shoes Boots Purses Scarves, jewelry, belts Coats, hats, gloves, mittens Games, toys Housewares: dishes, glassware, serve ware, pots and pans, silverware, kitchen utensils, small appliances Lamps, small rugs Craft goods: knitting yarn, knitting needles, crochet thread, needles, needlework kits Books, records, DVDs Paper goods: cards, stationery, wrapping paper, gift bags, Collectibles, antiques, knick-knacks, and other giftware Domestics: linens, curtains blankets, comforters, tablecloths, draperies, etc Luggage, backpacks Home health items: shower seats, wheelchairs, canes, etc. All items should be clean, useable, and free of dirt, stains, tears, in working order, etc. ​ ​ Financial Aid Financial Aid By Appointment Only To receive financial assistance from Angels on Assignment a person must be a Jefferson County resident for at least 6 months. Please call 618-242-1108 to make an appointment for an interview. When a client comes for that appointment they must provide information including their driver’s license, Social Security card, landlord’s information, utility, and other bills and income, if applicable. Financial help is available once every 6 months. ABOUT US The Mission of Angels on Assignment is to honor God by serving those in need with care and dignity. ​ Angels on Assignment began in 1991 with a vision to help those in our community who were struggling to survive in tough economic times. The ministry continues because the need continues. Angels on Assignment is an all volunteer organization with volunteers from multiple area churches and the community. Angels on Assignment is the signature ministry of the First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, Illinois, providing assistance for basic family needs — including rent, food, & utilities — for Jefferson County residents.

Music Homepage MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE! Our Church Choir Our choir sings during our 10:45 Traditional Service. The goal of our choir is to enrich the praise and worship that we give to God. ​ If you are interested in sharing your passion with us, please contact: john@mountvernonfirst.org Our praise team *Our Contemporary Service is postponed until further notice Our praise team leads us in worship each Sunday during our 8:45 Contemporary Service. ​ Their goal is to energize our spirits so we can praise God fully. ​ Our HANDBELLS Choir Our handbell choir plays at our 10:00 Traditional Service. ​ If you are interested in sharing your passion, please contact; john@mountvernonfirst.org Our Music Specials The First United Methodist Church is thankful for the many gifts that are shared in our sanctuary. ​ Musicians of all ages and talents worship alongside us in our 10:00 Traditional Service. Musicians play everything from solos to quintets, and we are always amazed by the new ways they find to worship! ​ If you are interested in sharing your passion, please contact; kathyjust@mountvernonfirst.org

Find Hope Downtown I'M NEW HERE WORSHIP ONLINE SERVICE TIMES 10:00am Sundays OFFICE HOURS 8:30am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri CONTACT INFO office@mountvernonfirst.org (618) 242-1030 1133 Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL The people of the First United Methodist Church welcome you in God's love! Our hearts, our minds, and our doors are open to you! ​ We witness to the hope in Jesus Christ by loving God passionately, by growing in our faith intentionally, and by serving others generously. LOVE GOD GROW IN FAITH SERVE OTHERS Read more Get Involved! Helping others find hope downtown Donate now Newsletter GET OUR NEWSLETTER! or view it here !