LaGRANGE — Visitors to West Point Lake may want to bring sunscreen to “church” this summer.

Beginning Sunday, June 5, First United Methodist Church of LaGrange will sponsor “Church on the Hooch,” a casual worship service featuring songs, prayer and a message at 9 a.m. each Sunday through July 31. Worshipers can gather on boats or on shore for the services located on the banks of the Chattahoochee, across the river from Highland Marina at Boy Scout Camp Lumpkin, between West Point Lake buoys 50 and 51; the land address is 2818 Antioch Road.

“I’m truly excited about this opportunity our church will have to offer Christian ministry to boaters, homeowners, campers, fishermen, vacationers and others who call West Point Lake ‘home’ during the summer,” said the Rev. Brian Germano, senior pastor.

Similar services flourish at Lake Harding, Lake Martin and other lakes, said Mike Wilson, a member of First Methodist Church who is spearheading the planning.

“We realized there was not an opportunity for worship on West Point Lake for people who vacation here,” Wilson said. “We hope to reach out to a community greater than LaGrange and also to unchurched people, by meeting them where they are.”

Worshipers can “anchor down” and remain on their boats or bring lawn chairs and sit lakeside for the 45-minute service, Wilson said. Those with cell phones can access the words to each week’s songs through Facebook or on the church’s website.

Different speakers will offer inspirational messages each week, beginning Sunday with Blake Trent, associate pastor at First Methodist Church, and closing with Germano on July 31. The Rev. John Mattox of West Point Methodist Church, the Rev. Vincent Dominique of Warren Temple Methodist Church, LaGrange District Superintendent Carol Cook, LaGrange College chaplain Adam Roberts, Hospice chaplain Kory Trinrud, lay speaker Linda Frano, youth leader Kali Grenus and First United Methodist Youth will round out the roster.

The Church on the Hooch site has restroom facilities and a pavilion for shelter in case of bad weather.

“Our prayer is that even in the midst of rest and recreation, these services will offer a brief time each week for all present to be reminded of God, who created the beauty of nature at the lake,” Germano said.

For more information, visit lagrangefumc.org or search “Church on the Hooch” on Facebook.