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Feb 17 2017

I came across Access in a bulletin during a traditional service at First United Methodist Church Richardson.  I attended church services alone, as my husband has another commitment on Sunday mornings.  As much as I enjoyed the morning worship, I was always a little self-conscious about attending alone.  I decided to try Access in the evenings to see what that was like.

I can clearly remember that coming to Access was like coming home!  It was a smaller service, and therefore more intimate, but also allowed me to meet new people and not feel “alone.”  I also LOVED the music!  Since I listen to contemporary Christian music on the radio all the time, I actually knew most of the songs.  It felt like I was singing along with the music just like I do in my car! Worship through singing is something I enjoy tremendously.

From then on I felt very connected in Access, with the welcoming worshipers I sat near, and faces of some people that I recognized from places outside the church.  My dear friend, Shelia, began to attend, too, and it is a very special place to be each Sunday evening for us. Now I have a wonderful time volunteering at Mark Twain Elementary with other Access worshippers too!  We are so valued by the school, and it is always fun to be with the kids – “Serving people in Christ.”

Cori Pratt posing with a student at Mark Twain Elementary while volunteering at their Accelerated Reader Prize Store

Of course, the messages I hear each week are the most important part of the service, and those are why I keep coming back.  Rich and Julie always teach the Bible in original and creative ways that help me to think “outside the box” about my faith.  I grow each week!  And the entire worship leadership team all make me feel very much a part of the worship experience.  I love Access! It has gotten me through some tough times!

Cori Pratt, FUMCR member & ACCESS attendee

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Feb 17 2017

I had been with First United Methodist Church Richardson for 1 1/2 years when I was invited to Access by someone I first met in Sunday School class to come and join her small group. The Access community is a friendly place. I got connected with a new group of young adults,  I was introduced to the contemporary music and found out how awesome it is!

I love coming to Access because of the people. The pastors teach us, challenge us, and give us messages in a way we can relate to in our lives. The band leads us in beautiful and uplifting songs.  The contemporary worship style is a better fit for me.

Amy Jernigan, FUMCR member and ACCESS attendee

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Feb 17 2017

Like many things in our 30+ years of marriage, it was my wife Vonnie, who lead me to the Access service.  We had been members of First United Methodist Church Richardson (FUMCR) for many years and our son, Sam, grew up in the church.  However, over the years with lots of changes occurring in our life, life’s many challenges and blessings and changes within the church we had drifted away from regular worship attendance.  

So, what drew us back?  And how did we come to know and love the Access family?  Well for one we had experienced some bumps and bruises that life often deals out and we needed to do some healing which we found thru God’s grace.    I had realized too that while I had been part of a church all of my life, I was kind of going thru the motions and taking it for granted – I was in kind of a faith rut.  

With Access we found the less formal, warm and open style of worship not only refreshing but very conducive to connecting with others who like us desire to live a life enriched by God’s love and share it with as many people as we can .   And what we have come to know is a wonderful connection to the Access community.  And I’m finding the more I attend, grow and share in my faith together with my Access friends the more blessings I receive in return. Being a part of Access is a relationship that I definitely benefit from in so many ways.  I have come to realize that living a life in gratitude and taking on life’s hardships not alone but with my faith to guide me and provide comfort, I feel I’ve grown to become a better person and proud to call myself a Christian.  Thru Access I’m able to give more freely and sincerely to my family and friends and pray for God’s blessings for all.

Randy & Vonnie Howard, FUMCR members and ACCESS attendees