You are welcome here. Anyone and everyone is welcome at Canaan. We see you and invite you to simply be who you are. Seeking to follow Jesus’s example, we offer a safe, healing and transforming place for you, as a child of God, to receive unconditional love and grace. Our minds are open, our hearts are open, our doors are open.
You are welcome here as we seek to connect to God, each other and the world. We are a United Methodist Church (UMC). The UMC is a world-wide church that opens hearts, opens minds, and opens doors through active engagement with our world. Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Canaan UMC is a local church: in the Yadkin Valley District of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.
What is distinctive about United Methodists? Our Wesleyan theological heritage points to an emphasis on practical divinity. That is, the implementation of genuine Christianity in the lives of believers. We believe that the living core of the Christian faith is revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason. Scripture, however, is primary, revealing the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation.Each United Methodist is obligated to reflect critically on all issues of faith, using these four guidelines. This individual responsibility means that we are a church of great diversity and variations. There is also an emphasis on grace – God’s unmerited favor towards us.
Our Worship Service is held at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. This unified service will be a worship service with music by the choir, congregational singing, prayers, scripture readings, and the pastor’s sermon. The service will provide you with times of reflection, inspiration, and worship that will empower you to go out and share the difference with the world throughout the week.
A nursery is provided at our 10:30 Worship service and is staffed by dedicated volunteers who cherish the opportunity to “rock and play.”
Children’s Church
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. -1 John 3:2
Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m. Classes are available for all ages from young children to senior adults. This time provides opportunities for study, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
A class consisting of our college students and young adults
We are a diverse group of “40 to 60 something,” both married couples and singles, whose focus is to study God’s Word, fellowship with one another, and strengthen our faith. Our study is normally outside the International series and is led by a wonderful group of teachers who rotate in leading the class. Please come join us!
Our class is made up of members sixty years of age plus, but the friendly, easy-going environment makes all ages feel welcome. We welcome new members to our Christian family. A variety of excellent teachers lead the class in a fuller understanding of God's Word. We are world-mission focused, providing support for the Lord’s Table Food Pantry and assisting with community needs as they arise. We have activities throughout the year for fun and fellowship.
The youth ministries of Canaan United Methodist Church are dedicated to:
Encouraging and enabling the spiritual journey of youth as they grow in their faith and understanding.
Supporting, strengthening and maintaining the involvement of young people in the church.
Facilitating the participation of youth in services to others.
All youth grades 5-12 are invited to participate in:
We always welcome the sharing of the special gifts and talents of our youth in seasonal events, special services, worship, mentoring and teaching. Our youth can help you see the difference god can make in the lives of teenagers with open hearts and willing hands.
“You are not defined by your age but by your purpose in life. Let’s find our purpose together.”
What better place for children to grow, learn and be nurtured than in a church that respects and values them, than in a church that welcomes small hands, than in a church that smiles at cookie crumbs and noise, than in a church that weeps at the prayer of a tiny voice. Canaan Church delights in children and embraces them in our children’s ministry.
Children’s Sunday school is at 9:30 am and serves children from birth through grade 4. For our younger children, a nursery and a more traditional style Sunday School is offered, while our pre-kindergarteners through 4th graders participate in Sunday School.
We believe every child is welcome here. We are happy to support children with unique needs. Please let us know if your child requires any special accommodations so that you and your child feel comfortable at church.
If you are visiting with us head down the stairs, where you will find our children’s Sunday School classes and a warm welcome!
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. -Matthew 19:14
