A Church on Huron Boulevard
Marysville United Methodist Church sits at 721 W. Huron Boulevard in the small city of Marysville, Michigan, where it has long been one of the familiar congregations on the Blue Water Area's east side. The church keeps a single weekly schedule that aims to be easy for neighbors to remember: one Sunday worship service at 11:00 AM, plus a week full of small groups, classes and mission projects that are open to anyone who wants to drop in. Its banner, "Sharing God's Love, Reaching Out, Building Community," sets the tone for everything from the monthly mission focus to the coffee gatherings with the pastor at Tim Hortons.
Sunday Morning at Eleven
Worship begins at 11:00 AM every Sunday in the sanctuary. For those who would rather stay home, the service is livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page, and the audio is also broadcast over a low-power FM transmitter on 104.5 so that people sitting in the parking lot can listen in their cars. Pastor Curtis Clarke preaches in a blended style that pairs traditional United Methodist liturgy with sermon series such as "Both/And," "Rooted," "Season of Rest," "Celebrate," and "Overcoming Obstacles to Peace," which move through the church year in their own rhythm. Previous archived series ("It's a Wonderful Life" (Advent 2019), "What Disciples Do," and "Bumper Sticker Theology") show that the church likes to take a single image or question and preach it across several weeks at a time.
Communion is open to all who love Christ, repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. The church follows the United Methodist practice of Baptism by sprinkling, immersion or pouring, and welcomes baptisms at any age. Visitors who want a low-pressure way to meet the pastor before Sunday can take advantage of Open Door Hours on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and Thursdays from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.
Kid's Club for Children
Children ages four through fifth grade are dismissed early in worship to attend Kid's Club, the church's Sunday school. Parents pick children up outside the worship center after the service. The program uses Group's Simply Loved curriculum, a widely used Sunday school resource. Beyond Sunday, the church supports a youth ministry that participates in the annual summer mission trip and helps with the can-and-bottle recycling fundraiser that supports those trips.
A Week That Touches Every Corner
If Sunday worship is the front porch of Marysville UMC, the rest of the week is the living room. Monday mornings begin at 11:00 AM with the Psaltarians women's Bible study, and every other Monday afternoon Craft & Chat runs from 1:00 to 6:00 PM for anyone who wants to bring a project, share snacks and visit.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are fitness days at the church, with Stretch & Tone at 10:00 AM both mornings, a complete body workout with gentle stretches open to everyone. Tuesday afternoons at 1:00 PM are reserved for the Pastor Led Bible Study (currently working through "The Book of Amos"), and Thursday afternoons at 4:00 PM are choir practice for anyone who would like to sing with the worship team on Sunday.
Wednesdays are the busiest gathering day. Coffee with Pastor Curtis runs from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Tim Hortons on Gratiot Boulevard (first Wednesday of the month at Tim Hortons in St. Clair), so catching the pastor is as simple as ordering a cup of coffee. At 1:00 PM, "In Stitches" gathers for knitting, crochet, crafts, cards and fellowship. In the evening, Pub Theology meets at 7:00 PM at The Fieldhouse, a local pub, where the pastor hosts a conversation about God and life that welcomes every perspective. On the third Wednesday of each month the Men's Group meets at 8:00 AM for coffee, doughnuts and conversation.
Reaching Out: Monthly Mission Focus
Mission giving is built into the calendar. Each month of the year carries a specific focus: Community Support Fund in January, Church World Service Blankets in February, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) in March, the Blue Water UM Free Store and Ministry Center in April, Michigan Annual Conference missions in Liberia and Haiti in May, Blue Water Allies in June, school supplies for local children in July, Mobility Worldwide in August, the Child Abuse and Neglect Council in September, Missionary Support in October, the Marysville SOS Food Pantry in November, and Methodist Children's Home in December. There is also a Giving Tree throughout the year, sign-ups posted outside the office.
Every summer the youth and adults travel together on a mission trip to serve in another part of the country. The trip is funded in part by a bottle-and-can return drive at the back door of the church. Parish Life is the ministry that cares for the congregation itself: members knit prayer shawls and newborn blankets, send encouragement cards and small gifts, host Lunch and Learn events and reach out to members who are homebound. Anyone interested in joining Parish Life can contact Cathy Kota.
Serving on Sunday Morning
Visitors quickly learn that Sunday mornings at Marysville UMC are run by volunteers. People serve as greeters, ushers, communion servers, scripture readers, choir members, coffee-hour hosts and technology support; they also teach Sunday school. The church invites anyone who would like to put their faith into action in a behind-the-scenes role to contact the office to be matched with a ministry.
What United Methodists Believe
Marysville UMC describes itself in classic United Methodist language. Members affirm one God in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and believe that Jesus was both fully human and divine, that he was crucified and raised, and that he is both Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit is described as present, comforting and empowering. Human beings are created in God's image, free to accept or reject relationship with God, and in need of that relationship to be fully themselves.
The church teaches that the Bible is the primary authority for faith and practice and that both Testaments should be read and studied. The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The two sacraments the church celebrates are Baptism and the Lord's Supper; Communion, as noted above, is open to all who love Christ, repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. The congregation also holds that the reign of God is both a present reality and a future hope, displayed personally as hearts and minds are transformed and socially as the world moves toward reconciliation and healing.
Meet the Pastor and Staff
The Rev. Curtis Clarke has served the church since July 2019. Before Marysville, he served the Armada and West Berlin United Methodist Churches. He was licensed as a local pastor in November 2011 and completed the United Methodist Course of Study for Licensed Local Pastors at the Course of Study School of Ohio, graduating in October 2017. He sits on the East Winds District Leadership team, chairs the Blue Water Ministry Center Governance Board and is a member of the Liberian Partners Ministry Team of the Michigan Conference. Before ministry, Pastor Curtis spent 25 years in managerial and leadership roles in the food service industry and was classically trained as a chef. He, his wife Rita and their three children (Wyatt, Emmett and Nora) live in Marysville.
Office support is provided by Tracey Larson, administrative and program assistant (in the office Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM). Marty Whitsitt directs the music ministry, and Liam Kimmel handles the church's technology needs.
Scholarships and Grants
Grants from the church help members pursue continuing education (undergraduate degree or vocational training), church-related ministry trainings and seminars, Christian camps and mission trips. Anyone actively involved in the life of the church, including worship, Sunday school, youth group, small groups, volunteering and community service, is welcome to apply. Applications are submitted online, with the spring 2026 deadline set for May 24. The committee is chaired by Pastor Curtis and includes Kristin Sawdon, Tawnya Hall, Chris Henderson, Delmar Malec and Dawn Mosteller.
Daily Devotionals and Prayer
The devotionals page links to two free resources that members are encouraged to use: The Upper Room and Seedbed. Prayer requests can be submitted online and are kept confidential; members can choose whether they want the request placed on the prayer list and email list, held in confidence for the pastor, or followed up with a personal contact from the pastor.
Plan a Visit
Office hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 721 W. Huron Boulevard, with the office phone at (810) 364-7391 and email at office@umcmarysville.com. Sunday morning at 11:00 AM is the main gathering, livestreamed and broadcast on 104.5 FM; midweek programs fill in every day from Monday through Thursday with something for every age and interest.