Sundays | 8:45, 9:45 + 11 AM | Traditional Service
The Sanctuary Worship services are geared towards believers and non-believers alike. Rev. Don Underwood and Rev. Chris Dowd lead us in prayer and share the Word of God in relevant and meaningful ways that apply to our everyday lives.
Music varies each week from traditional hymns to gospel and contemporary songs performed by our Adult, Youth, and Children’s Choirs and other instrumentalists including full orchestras, jazz ensembles, piano, organ, and more.
Communion is served in the Sanctuary on the first Sunday of every month. In the United Methodist Church, Holy Communion is open to everyone. You do not have to be a member to participate – all are welcome to the table. Gluten-free communion is available at a specified station in the sanctuary with safe elements.
Whether you have grown up in the church or are just beginning your faith journey, we invite you bring a friend and join us Christ United!
Reverend Don Underwood
Reverend Don Underwood is in his 30th year as Senior Pastor of Christ United. During his tenure, Christ United has experienced rapid growth, as worship and Sunday school attendance have doubled. The church places great emphasis on lay ministry and missions, and Rev. Underwood has been intentional in developing an organizational style that focuses on ministry rather than management.
Rev. Underwood received his Bachelor’s Degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas and his Master’s of Theology from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Texas. Rev. Underwood and his wife Bobby have two children, Adam and Joshua. Don enjoys quarter horses, golf, and hunting and is an instrument-rated private pilot.
For over 30 years, Don Underwood’s weekly columns have touched hearts and changed lives. They are great reminders of how God is ever present. Visit here if you are interested in receiving these columns each week.
Don’s books “The Long View” and “Pray Like Jesus” are available Amazon.
Reverend Chris Dowd
Reverend Chris Dowd, Associate Senior Minister, is a native Texan whose family moved to Maryland when he was 7 years old. Raised Roman Catholic, Chris graduated from the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!), before serving as a Supply Officer in the US Navy for four years. After the Navy, he moved back home to Dallas, working as a consultant and then as an operations manager in the logistics industry.
After hearing a call to ministry, Chris attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, earning a Master of Divinity degree Summa Cum Laude. He has served as Associate Pastor and Youth Minister at Arapaho UMC in Richardson, Senior Pastor at First UMC of Henrietta, and Senior Pastor at First UMC of Sherman. He joined the staff of Christ United in July 2019 as Associate Senior Pastor, beginning a year of transition with Rev. Don Underwood. Chris will become Senior Pastor when Don retires in June 2020.
Chris and his wife Whitney have two sons, Max and Sam. All four of the Dowds are incredibly excited and honored to be part of what God is doing at Christ United, a congregation that takes seriously our mission statement of Loving God, Serving Others, Transforming Lives.
Read a story by Chris
