About LPUMC
Our congregation is one of the primary Methodist churches serving Lexington Park, MD. As a United Methodist Church, we are dedicated to the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Who We Are
Welcome to Lexington Park United Methodist Church. We are a community of faith rooted in a simple but powerful calling: loving God and loving others. As a United Methodist congregation, we believe that our faith is best lived out through action and open doors.
We take great joy in being a multi-generational family. Whether it’s through our vibrant kids and youth ministries — where the next generation discovers they are loved and valued — or through our unique local missions, there is a place for you here.
We are especially honored to host the only Clothes Closet in St. Mary’s County. By partnering with local health centers, social services, and nonprofits, we work to ensure that every neighbor in need has access to quality clothing. At LPUMC, we aren’t just a church in the community; we strive to be a heart for the community.
Our Beliefs
The United Methodist Church as a whole shares a great deal with other denominations. Explore what we believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and more.
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God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons.
We believe in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. God became human in Jesus whose life, death and resurrection demonstrate God's redeeming love.
The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, it's the Holy Spirit at work.
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Genesis 1:27 asserts that we've been made in the image of the Creator. Like God we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create.
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.
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The church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ's life and ministry in the world today.
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 for the transformation of the world.
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.
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We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice. We approach it in four distinct ways:
A Diverse Library: The Bible is a collection of 66 books written over 1,000 years in three languages. It includes everything from history and poetry to letters and gospels, all woven together to tell the story of God’s relationship with humanity.
Sacred Scripture: These books were tested by faith and proven by experience over generations. We recognize them as our "rule for faith and practice"—the authoritative standard for how we believe and live.
God Speaking to Us: We believe the Bible contains everything necessary for salvation. Its authority comes from God’s Spirit—inspiring the original writers, guiding the church in choosing the books, and speaking to us today as we study the words together.
A Guide for Life: We don’t just read the Bible; we put it to work. It informs our worship, our preaching, and our daily lives. We study it carefully to understand what it meant to the original hearers and how it calls us to change our lives today.
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The kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope.
We believe that God is actively transforming the world, and we are invited to be part of that work. Our hope isn't just "optimism" — it is a trust in God’s promised future.
The Vision of Shalom: The Bible points us toward a future of Shalom — a world of plenty, justice, and harmony. This is more than just the absence of conflict; it is a world where everyone has what they need and lives in right relationship with one another.
The Kingdom of God: Jesus taught that God’s reign is already breaking into our lives. Through his life and resurrection, we see the beginning of a "new creation" where greed and injustice are replaced by love and grace.
The Church as a Sign: While we are imperfect, the church is called to be a living preview of God’s future. We strive to show the world what God’s kingdom looks like through acts of courage, compassion, and reconciliation.
Our Part to Play: We don’t just wait for a better world; we work for it. As "Easter people," we join in the dawning of God’s kingdom by serving our neighbors, seeking justice, and living out our faith in everything we do.
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The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out of a faith perspective, not just respond to all the other 'mind-makers-up' that exist in our society.
A message from Pastor Anna -
"I am so glad you’ve found your way to our digital home! Since joining this incredible community in 2021, I have been constantly moved by the heart of this congregation — whether we are helping a neighbor at our Clothes Closet or watching our youth discover their unique worth, there is a tangible sense of God’s love in motion here. Whether you have been a Methodist your whole life or are just beginning to ask big questions, there is a seat at the table for you here, and I look forward to hearing your story."
Introducing Pastor Anna Schwartz! She began serving Lexington Park United Methodist Church in July 2021. Anna is passionate about creating environments where people can grow, Jesus’ invitation to come and follow is clearly heard, and people are at liberty to become the whole, authentic persons that God created them to be.
Her previous call was with Glen Mar UMC in Ellicott City, Maryland. As their pastor for Community Life, Anna oversaw programming for several ministries, including Missions, Caring, Children and Families, Youth and Young Adults, Adults, and Growth Groups (small groups).
Before answering her call to ordained ministry, Anna held a career position with the United States Bankruptcy Court. God has used this prior experience and her background in organizational management to inform her work with the local church today.
Anna loves to spend free time with her husband and family, preferably traveling. She has a passport with pages just waiting to be stamped.
