Welcome!

Welcome

We are a growing multigenerational church in south Fort Myers with a proud United Methodist heritage. We, like all United Methodists, believe that we are called to share God’s love and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

What to Expect

Join us on Sundays for traditional worship at 8 and 11 am, or the contemporary praise service at 9:30 am. All services take place in the Sanctuary (the large building facing Cypress Lake Drive). Before the service, visit the Welcome Center in the center of the Sanctuary. Our volunteers will provide you with a welcome packet and answer any questions you might have.

Nursery and children’s programs are offered at the 9:30 and 11 am services. The nursery (children under 3 years) is at the east end of the Sanctuary, and is open every Sunday during the 9:30 and 11 services. At the 9:30 service, children (ages 3 through 5th grade) begin worship with their families and leave early in the service for children’s church. Check in for children’s programming at the kiosk in the Sanctuary Lobby at 9:30.

There is no Children’s Sunday School on the first Sunday of the month, because our kids lead in worship as greeters, acolytes, and communion servers, and sit with their families during the service. Click here for more details on children’s programs.

What should I wear?

Some people wear shorts, some people like to put on their Sunday best, and many people dress somewhere in between. You will be welcome in whatever you are comfortable wearing.

Services

Whichever service you decide to attend, you’ll hear the same message. Our senior pastor, Rev. Thom Shafer, preaches most Sundays, assisted by our associate pastor Rev. Robert Bledsoe. Traditional worship (8 and 11 am) features hymn singing, organ music, the Chancel Choir (11 am service), and liturgical traditions like the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed. Contemporary worship (9:30 am) features worship songs led by a praise team (guitars, keyboards, and drums). This service is the most casual and younger families tend to attend this service.

Communion

On the first Sunday of every month we celebrate Holy Communion together. The United Methodist Church welcomes all to the communion table. You do not need to be a member of this or any other Church to participate. The juice and bread that we share represent the life He gave up so that our sins could be forgiven.

What We Believe

Cypress Lake is proud to be a United Methodist congregation. All people are welcome; God’s grace is available to all people, no matter where you’re from, what you look like, or how you grew up.

United Methodists Believe:

• We believe that God is understood in three distinct forms. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are commonly used to refer to the threefold nature of God. Sometimes we use other terms, such as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
• We believe in one God, who created the world and all that is in it. We believe that God is sovereign; that is, God is the ruler of the universe. We believe that God is loving. We can experience God’s love and grace.
• We believe that Jesus was human. He lived as a man and died when he was crucified. We believe that Jesus is divine. He is the Son of God. We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the risen Christ lives today. We believe that Jesus is our Savior. In Christ we receive abundant life and forgiveness of sins. We believe that Jesus is our Lord and that we are called to pattern our lives after his.
• We believe that the Holy Spirit is God with us. We believe that the Holy Spirit comforts us when we are in need and convicts us when we stray from God. We believe that the Holy Spirit awakens us to God’s will and empowers us to live obediently.
• We believe that God created human beings in God’s image. We believe that humans can choose to accept or reject a relationship with God. We believe that all humans need to be in relationship with God in order to be fully human.
• We believe that the church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today. We believe that the mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We believe that the church is “the communion of saints,” a community made up of all past, present, and future disciples of Christ. We believe that the church is called to worship God and to support those who participate in its life as they grow in faith.
• We believe that the Bible is God’s Word. We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.
• We believe that Christians need to know and study the Old Testament and the New Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures). -Adapted from “What Every Teacher Needs to Know about Theology,” copyright 2002, Discipleship Resources.

The United Methodist Church has a library of FAQs that answers many of the “tough questions” of theological and social significance.