Orange First Church

Welcomes You Today!

We want you to know how very glad we are to have you visit this site today. If you do not have a church home and are searching for one, we want you to know there is a special place here just for you.

Worship       The reason we come together is to focus our attention on God. We give Him praise and worship through singing, praying together and the study of God’s Word.

Enrichment    We offer many opportunities for every age level. Special programs and ministries for children, youth and adults to keep your calendar filled with activities that will enrich your daily life.

Learning         Study of the Bible is important not only intellectually but spiritually as well. We believe it and accept it as God’s Word to man, a Book that is relevant to today’s world. Learning its truths is a thrilling adventure.

Congregation     Nothing compares to the joy of Christian fellowship. That’s why we make it a priority to build bonds of friendship among our people. We all are people needing people, caring about the needs of each other. We would love for you to be included.  

Opportunity        There are many areas of opportunity for you to serve whether it be helping with food for families in need, teaching a Sunday School Class, assisting with children’s activities and the list goes on.

Missions        One of our priorities is reaching out to others in need. Not only within the confines of the church or community, but around the globe through our World Missions programs, in order that we might spread the Gospel around the world.

Education    Our church offers a variety of opportunities in higher education through our colleges and universities. We will be happy to share information with you.

10 Areas of Ministry to Be Involved In:

1.     Sunday School

 2.     Children

                        3.     Youth

 4.     Women’s Ministry

5.     Senior Adults – Prime Timer’s / Joy Club

6.     Music / Choir

7.     Outreach / Evangelism

8.     Men’s Ministry

  9.     Missions – NWMS

 10.   Recreation – Open Gym Night

Sunday School Ministry

Finding just the right class!

We offer a wide array of Sunday School classes based on age and interest. You are sure to find a class that is right for you. These classes will help you learn Bible-based truths and provide a source of inspiration and encouragement as we grow together.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

1.     Pastor’s Welcome Class

This class is broken into three parts: Discipleship 101, Membership 102 and Ministry 103. It gives answers to many questions that one may have over Christianity, the Church of the Nazarene, Church history, walking daily with Christ, spiritual gifts and much more. The Pastor’s Welcome Class lasts for 9 weeks and is taught by Pastor Bruce McGraw and Pastor Steve Vaughn.

2.     Women Who Worship

This is a class designed especially for women. Cindy Crumpler is the teacher. The structure of this class is one that allows for women to discuss topics that relate to women and issues as they pertain to life today.

3.  Bible Class

Christian educator, Maureen Street, teaches this class. Maureen teaches Bible at a private Christian school and has a deep love and understanding of the scriptures. This class offers deep insight and revealing truth from God’s word, through and informal, lecture style format. These truths are then applied to everyday life situations.

 4.     Faith Class

Adult ministries director, Louise Maberry, leads the Faith Class. You will always be able to count on the members of the Faith class to be there in time of joy or trials of life.

5.  Couplehood Class

This class focuses on the day-to-day problems and trials that Christian young couples face today. It is co-taught by Sherri Harris.

6.     Rigby Bible Study

The Rigby Bible Study meets each Thursday evening from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. in the home of John & Tami Rigby. This exciting study is taught by Maureen Street. Come hungry for dinner and His Word! Everyone is welcome. Fellowship Class

7. Fellowship Class

The Fellowship class, taught by Kathy Emmert, is a great place to discover practical application of Biblical principles. Informative lecture, coupled with discussions creates an enjoyable atmosphere in which to learn. This class engages in activities outside the classroom including soup suppers, picnics, class prayer meetings, and much more.

8.     Turning Point

Focusing on contemporary issues, Turning Point is facilitated by Kermit Kinsley. Turning Point is not age restrictive, offering a great mix of young adults through senior. This blend lends itself to interesting discussion, sharing of faith and allows for times of accepting differences and drawing on one another’s strengths.

Nursery / Preschool

  1.     Nursery I (Birth – 12 Months)

  2.     Nursery II (12-23 Months)

Our nursery is staffed by caring individuals from our church that will provide loving care for your child during the Sunday School hour and all worship services. We have a new handbook that explains in detail the care taken with your children. You may pick one up from Kay Sattler. Kay Sattler is the Preschool Director.

 3.     Pre-Kindergarten (2-3 years)

Toddlers are taught and encouraged through Bible lessons, songs and structured playtime. This class is available during the Sunday School hour and morning worship service. Kay Sattler is the Preschool Director.

 4.     Kindergarten (4-5 years)

These early years in which children begin to grasp who God is and understand His love for them are so crucial. Here, Bible lessons are creatively taught through stories, songs and craft projects during the Sunday School hour and Morning Worship serviced. Kay Sattler is the Preschool Director.

   5.     Grades 1-6

Our Children’s Department is directed by our Children’s Pastor Marilyn Ball and is staffed by parents and volunteers who possess a strong concern and love for children. They are dedicated to the task of guiding the spiritual development of each child and we appreciate them so much! Age groups divide the department. Bible-based truths are introduced through the study of lessons and applied through activities, sharing and praying. Children participate in their own worship service on Sunday morning at 10:45. This service includes and exciting praise and worship time through singing. The messages, which are presented creatively, allow for genuine involvement in praising God and learning more about Him. The children also have a Bible Quizzing program which meets on Wednesday nights at 7:00. This is a very strong area for our children to learn the scriptures and compete with other teams at the district and even world levels. Caravans, a church scouting program, meet on Sunday nights at 6:30 for a time of hands-on learning. At different times of the year, the children are involved in musical productions, which allow all children to participate in drama and music. Our Children’s Department also provides many social activities throughout the year such as Camp at Lake Tomahawk, Lock-ins, Kids Crusade and a variety of other activities.

Youth Ministry

1.     Grades 7-12

The U.F.O. , United for Others, Youth Department is divided into four classes – girls and boys Jr. High and girls and boys Sr. High. All classes are highly interactive and focus on current issues. They are designed to help students develop and strengthen their relationship with Christ and with other Christian teenagers. Puppet, Drama and Praise Team rehearsal is once a month on a scheduled Sunday evening. The Youth also meet on Wednesday night for games, Bible Study and prayer with a live Praise Band. There is a calendar of social activities for the youth throughout the year.

Women’s Ministry

This is a vital part of OFC’s outreach to all of the women in our community. They have exciting programs to be involved in such as WOW (Wisdom of the Word) bible Study, Newcomer Welcome Tea’s, Martha’s Pantry (OFC’s food pantry), the OFC library, ladies shopping trips, retreats and so much more! Join today and be involved with other ladies who love the Lord!

Senior Adult Ministry

1. Joy Club

The Prime Timer’s Club, which is called our “Joy Club”, is directed by Harold & Grace Smith. They meet the third Friday of each month with an average of twenty-five senior adults enjoying a covered dish dinner and an evening of table games. In the Fall, they entertain the Beaumont Zone with a night of eating and games. This event usually has fifty or more. Each December the Prime Timer’s fix goody bags of fruit and candy to be given to the congregation and guests. After filling about 500 goody bags, they have their annual gumbo luncheon. December is also the time that they enjoy a Special Christmas Party. In February, they host the S.A.M.’s (Prime Timer’s) Banquet at our church. These banquets always have a great attendance. It seems like our “Joy Club” just has a lot of fun – and they do!

2.     Senior’s on the Roll

This sightseeing activity for Seniors 68 and older, is led by John and Tami Rigby. They go out to lunch and to an attraction within a 2 or 3 hour perimeter of Orange at least once a month. Come join the fun!

Music Ministry

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”  Psalm 150:6

The STORY of the development of music has always been closely associated with that of the church. Man’s quest for God has seemed to find expression through the medium of song perhaps more than any other way. Church Music is the universal language that speaks to the very soul of man. You will experience music at its best and God’s blessings at there fullest here at OFC.

Ø     Sanctuary Choir

Rehearsal on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. Seasonal Musicals are presented two times a year and is directed by Bruce McGraw

Ø     Children’s Choir

Seasonal Musicals directed by our Children’s Pastor, Marilyn Ball

Ø     Special Music

Every Sunday, gifted persons from our own congregation sing specials. We call them, “Ministers of Music”

Ø     Teen Praise Teams, Puppets and Drama

Our youth are vital part of our music program here at OFC

Ø     Spirit Filled Worship Services

Our focus on Sunday’s is to experience the presence of God and He is always faithful!

Ø     OFC Café

The first Sunday night of each month is set aside for our OFC Café. A place where you can relax with a good dessert and drink and listen to a concert of music provided by the OFC Music Department or a professional artist

Outreach & Evangelism Ministry

Outreach and evangelism, which is directed by Don Ball, has several different ministries in our church.

Ø     Prayer Warriors are a vital part of our ministry. It is only through the consistent prayer and support of these warriors that make all of our ministries successful.

Ø     Discipleship is a one-on-one Bible study designed to strengthen, encourage and cause growth for the individual Christian.

Ø     Visitation is extremely important to our church. People will only attend where they feel wanted and can easily make friends. Visitation teams can help make that happen.

Ø     Friendship Evangelism is a program designed to witness to our friends and neighbors as well as our own families. Training is provided to show people how to answer questions about the bible and present the Gospel as well. It also trains people how to bring their friends to Christ.

Ø     Men’s Ministry are open to all men of our church who would like to be a part of this program. We meet once a month for breakfast, singing, fellowship and from time to time we take on special projects for people in need as well as helping other churches through our district work and witness younger men how men to live and serve the Lord.

Nazarene World Mission Society Ministry (NWMS)

Our NWMS president is Cap Ball. The mission of the local NWMS is to proclaim the gospel to all peoples of the world through….

Ø     Prayer—praying for missionaries in American and abroad.

Ø     Monthly Meetings – presenting a study of different countries.

Ø     Alabaster Offering – once a year: 100% is used for the building of churches, schools and pastor homes.

Ø     Faith Promise Offering – given weekly or monthly above the tithe for the purpose of paying missionary salaries and district expenses.

Ø     LINKS – this is our part in supplying special supplies needed for missionaries.

Ø     Radio Ministry – getting the Gospel to places missionaries can’t always reach.

Ø     Medical Missions – making possible supplies for hospitals and clinics

Ø     Work & Witness Teams – helping missionaries with buildings and repairs

Ø     Compassionate Ministry – supplying food and clothing for disaster relief throughout our world