Building a vibrant Christ-centered community where ALL are becoming deeply committed Christians.

Plan a visit to FirstNac.

Our vision is to share God’s love by touching hearts, changing lives and transforming our community.

Now Hiring

We are excited to announce that FirstNac UMC is now hiring a Chancel Choir Director! If you are passionate about choral music and would like to lead our choir, we encourage you to apply.

Chancel Choir Director Job Description

We’re so excited you are here!

FirstNac is a church deep in the heart of Nacogdoches where all are welcome, valued and loved.

Please join us for worship or anywhere you encounter our church family serving the community.

Join us this Sunday for Worship

8:45 am

Praise Worship

10:00 am

Discipleship Classes

11:05 am

Traditional Worship

Worship Series:

Join a Sunday School

10:00 am

Sunday School is an easy way to engage in our community here at First Nac. You will meet new and lifelong friends as you join us in studying scripture and sharing our experiences. We offer a number of classes listed below. We would love to have you.

Visitors are always welcome.

  • Cornerstones

    Room 201

    This group provides a network of support in many diverse areas that affect the lives of families who are working, volunteering, and raising children, and those who have grandchildren, while still maintaining a strong Christian faith.

    Led by Dr. Steve Westbrook.

  • Friendship

    Room 108/Library

    This is a welcoming class for active senior adults which is dedicated to inspirational discussion, spiritual renewal and participating in church and community service.

    Contact Lynn Teague.

  • Gather

    Room 204

    Members represent a wide range of ages, occupations, and theological backgrounds. They supplement intensive Biblical study with contemporary scholarship, video series, and stimulating discussion. The class is welcoming and inclusive.

    Contact Garry and Le’Ann Solmonson.

  • Live Oak

    Room 205

    Live Oak is a Sunday School class for all adults. The study is led by Pastor Andrew Hook and meets in Room 205. All are welcome.

    Contact Pastor Andrew.

  • Journey

    Room 207

    This is class is for busy families and professionals. Journey offers a way to explore scripture and have meaningful conversations. Together we support and encourage one another as we grow in faith and build relationships.

  • Roundtable

    Room 202

    This is a class of more mature couples and singles with children and grandchildren. Various class members serve as leaders of roundtable discussions, using Adult Bible Studies or video-assisted lessons. This class is extraordinarily engaged in numerous ministries of FirstNac and provides critical manpower and support for our children, youth and in our community through partners such as Godtel, HOPE, and Love INC.

    Led by Carolyn Hardy.

Bible Studies at FirstNac:

Join Pastor Andrew for a deep dive into The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller as we continue to explore the richness of the parable. This engaging study will take place on Sundays at 5:00 p.m., from September 7 through 28, in the Parlor. The cost for the book is $12.00.

Join Pastor Lorraine Brown for a 6-week Bible Study using Matthew: The Gospel of Promised Blessings. This study will begin Wednesday, September 10 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor. 

Upcoming Events:

Join us at the Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, October 5, at 2:00 p.m., Bonita Park.

Sponsored by the Humane Society and Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance.

Stone Fort Chorale Fall Concert

Stone Fort Chorale presents its fall concert on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All are welcome!

Our annual Charge Conference will be held on Saturday, October 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Lufkin FUMC.

Lunch will be provided.

Save the Date for Trunk or Treat happening Wednesday, October 29th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the church parking lot. Please contact Karen Barnes at karenmariebarnes11@gmail.com to register your trunk for the event.  You will be provided with candy to pass out.

Candy Donations: Please drop off your individually wrapped candy in the collection bins in the hallway near the Sanctuary.

Reminders:

Plastic Bag Collection

The mobile food pantry is a growing ministry! We serve more than 400 families on the third Tuesday of every month. Please save your plastic bags to support our distribution efforts and drop them off in the collection box by the choir room. 

Candy Donation Request

We are requesting candy donations for Trunk-or-Treat. Please bring candy to the church by Tuesday, October 28. The Candy collection center is outside the Sanctuary.

Youth Project Teal Trunk or Treat

This year, our youth group will be participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project sponsored by the nonprofit, FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). We recognize that not all kids can enjoy Halloween trick-or-treating due to the risk of allergen exposure. So, our trunk at the annual FirstNac UMC Trunk or Treat on October 29th will offer non-food treats.  Help us fill our trunk by donating items like glow sticks, stickers, and bubbles! The collection bin is located in the hallway near the Sanctuary. 

Get involved in the life and ministry of FirstNac

FirstNac Service Opportunities

  • Care Team

    Caring for our church family is at the heart of the Care Team. From life celebrations to receptions and church-wide events, the Care Team makes it happen. If you enjoy hosting and serving, preparing meals and working with a close knit team, this is the group for you. If you would like to help or just learn more, contact: 

    Claudia Whitley 
    cell - 936.554.5447
    email - claudiawhitley@sbcglobal.net

  • Greeters

    A greeter is one of the simplest yet important positions in the church. Greeters from the church congregation are located at three entrances of the building and welcome members and guests each Sunday for both services arriving 15 minutes before the service begins. We would love for you to join us!

    For more information, please contact Carolyn Hardy:
    cell - 936-645-4788 or
    email - hardy_carmike@hotmail.com

  • Altar Guild

    Teams of 4-6 members rotate every month to ensure that the chancel area of our Sanctuary and Chapel is always ready for any worship service at FirstNac. The teams also prepare for communion Sundays; break down altar flowers and deliver them to members needing cheering up; and assist as needed with other special services. We hope you will consider this an opportunity that suits your desire to help.

    For more information, please Stephanie Stephens:
    cell -  936-569-3243 
    email - skstephens7@gmail.com

  • Welcome Center Team

    Welcome Center volunteers are stationed at our new Welcome Center in the bell tower space. We are here to welcome first-time guests to our church and answer any questions they may have. Welcome Center team members are asked to be present at the Welcome Center 10 to 15 minutes before the service, and 10 minutes after. You will sign up for one or two months during the year.

  • Ushers

    Ushers can sometimes be taken for granted but never overlooked. They greet us as we enter worship and help with a multitude of duties. From assisting guests to providing basic security functions, ushers keep us organized and on track. Women, men and youth all participate with this group. If you enjoy helping others and making our church as welcoming as it can be, become an usher or learn more by contacting:

    Paul Smith
    cell - 936.559.3635
    email - pmsiii@hotmail.com

Community Outreach Opportunities

  • Quarterly Blood Drive

    FirstNac UMC hosts quarterly blood drives in the Family Life Center. Emergencies are always happening. Your donation could save up to three people. Give the gift of life! Contact Terri Thompson at 936-554-1721 to sign-up. If you have an account with the Blood Center you may also sign-up online.

  • Mobile Food Pantry

    We are a distribution site for the East  Texas  Food Pantry. On the third Tuesday of every month we package and distribute fresh produce to over 400 families. Each month a local corporation joins with us to package items and one of the SFA athletic teams helps with distribution. Contact Le’Ann  Solomon or Kathy Cochran.

  • Godtel

    A homecooked meal is always appreciated. Twice a month on the second Monday and Third Wednesday FirstNac members prepare and serve a meal to over 50 clients at GODTEL Ministries. Contact Cindy Hancock.

  • Adopt-A-Jack

    Every year several of our FirstNac members Adopt-A-Jack SFASU Basketball player to be part of their family; providing them with support, love and food. We welcome them to be a part of our church family.

  • SFA Wesley Foundation

    The SFA Wesley Foundation serves many college students. We partner with them to provide food, support and whatever they need. We assist with the SFA All-Faith BBQ during welcome week, The Service of the Bread, fundraisers and various activities throughout the year.

  • Buckley's Free Pantry

    Down by the Nacogdoches Farmer’s Market there is a little pantry with non-perishable items in it for anyone who might need a little help. The first Sunday of each month is ICAN Sunday. We ask everyone to bring canned items and put them in the baskets in the hallway.

  • H.O.P.E. Food Pantry

    On the second Tuesday of every month from  5 - 7 p.m. FirstNac members help out with the H.O.P.E. food pantry distribution on East Main Street. Contact Pauline Sampson

  • Love INC Newsletter

    Another one of our outreach programs that is open to anyone who just wants to help and have a little fellowship at the same time is the monthly folding of the Love INC newsletter. It is the last Wednesday of the month. Contact Cindy Hancock.

  • MissionNac

    MissionNac is a local mission where several churches from the Nacogdoches area join together the first week of June every year to help those in our own community with things like house repairs and ramp building.

  • TJR Partnership

    We have a partnership with Thomas J. Rusk Elementary to help out with all the little extra things that make going to school an exciting adventure for the kids. Contact Jan Cobb.

  • Sew Blessed

    Sew Blessed is a group that makes caps for infants and cancer patients that are crochet or knitted. If you have leftover yarn we will take it. If you want to learn to crochet or knit you are welcome. If you just want to be with a bunch like minded people for fellowship this is it! Contact Kathy Cochran.

Meet the FirstNac Staff

Rev. Melissa Garza

Pastor of Family Life

Jennifer McCormack

Director of Preschool

Rev. Andrew Hook

Senior Pastor

Rev. Lorraine Brown

Associate Pastor

Sharon Bright

Office Administrator

Michelle Gilbert

Financial Secretary