“Something good is always happening at Central United Methodist Church” is a statement that is true throughout the year. We are a busy church where people always seem to be in our building day and night.

Every year there are special event that are always there … year after year … events that our members and community look forward to.

Youth Weekend Retreat to Keswick – Our youth go away to Keswick for a weekend of faith, fellowship and fun one weekend every January. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner – The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
Annual Church Talent Show – Immediately following our Shrove
Ash Wednesday Service – The Lenten season begins with the symbolic application of ashes
Lenten Lunch Series – Every Wednesday during the Lenten season a community worship service and lunch is held at an area church. We host the last Wednesday service.
Palm Sunday Worship Service – Distribution of palm fronds to all who worship and a parade of our children through our church’s sanctuary. Maundy Thursday Upper Room Remembrance – We relive the gathering of the disciples in the Upper Room during a 7pm worship service that includes a special sharing of Holy Communion in candle-lit rooms where 12 individuals are led at a time to be nourished on the bread and cup.

Good Friday Service of the Seven Last Words – From noon until 3pm, we take time to remember Jesus sacrifice for all of us on the cross. Seven different messages are preached during a service featuring special music and prayer. Worshippers can come and go or stay for the 3 hours in our sanctuary.

Easter Celebration Services – We begin the day with a contemplative Sunrise Easter Worship Service and then continue by having 3 major celebrations featuring special musical presentations of traditional and contemporary music.

United Methodist Women’s Spring Boutique – Every May our United Methodist Women raise monies for missions through their traditional boutique in May. Presentation of Bibles to Second Graders – The end of the Sunday School year means that our second graders will be getting their own Bibles in a tradition that goes back many years. Confirmation Sunday – On the second Sunday in June, our Confirmation class steps forward in church to declare their faith in Jesus Christ and to step forward in membership in our church. Beach Volleyball for youth – Every Tuesday beginning with the Tuesday following the Fourth of July through the end of August, youth from our church and other churches gather on the beach of Ocean City for volleyball and devotions. Annual Chicken and Shrimp Barbecue – The last two Saturdays in July is when the community lines up on our church lawn to enjoy the delicious barbecued chicken and shrimp as we raise monies for missions. Daily Vacation Bible School – The last week of July is when our church is filled with young people excited and energized with our annual special daily vacation Bible school theme. Ocean City Weekend – High school students from throughout New Jersey including our own church come together on the weekend after Labor Day to celebrate their faith with special music and guest speakers. On Sunday morning our bishop leads a celebration worship service that includes Holy Communion. Homecoming Sunday – The Sunday after Labor Day is when our church celebrates the return of weekly Sunday School classes and the traditional end of the summer vacation season. Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin Festival – Our youth group’s major fund raiser has become a community tradition! Throughout the month of October there are beautiful pumpkins every where on our lawn and we celebrate the season with a special Pumpkin Festival! UMW Fall Boutique – In the middle of October the ladies of our church hold their second major sale of the year for missions. It’s a time to find a great bargain amidst a vast collection of items that are for sale. All Saints Sunday – We remember all of our members and friends who have gone to be with the Lord during the past year during a special ceremony during our Sunday morning worship services. Advent Dinner and Christmas Sing-a-long – A truly delicious meal of many choices starts the church family’s Advent season. After dinner we move to our Sanctuary for a joyful evening of music that includes Central’s own special version of the ’12 Days of Christmas’ that leaves everyone with a smile. Christmas Eve Services – We begin the celebration of Jesus birth with a 5pm Family Worship Service that features our Genesis Choir. In addition, we have worship services at 7:30 and 11:00.