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Breakthrough Prayer
God, break through my mistaken confidence in my own limited "power." Show me new ways to invest myself in your spiritual power. Help me to connect more continually with your Spirit. Amen.
| | Meet the Finance Department Day and Realm Connect | | |
Sunday is "Meet the Finance Department Day!" Everyone is invited to come to the Fellowship Hall following the 8:45 a.m. service and throughout the morning. Here, you will be able to:
- Meet the Finance committee, volunteers, and staff members
- Update your information in our church database, Realm
- Get set up in our new online directory, Realm Connect, and learn how to access your information quickly and easily
On Sunday morning, everyone with an active email address in the church database will receive an invitation to Realm Connect.
PLEASE NOTE: Within the week, you may receive an email saying your privacy settings have changed. This was simply to get your name listed in the online directory. You will have the option to share more contact and personal information in the online directory when you create a login.
Through Realm Connect, you will be able to update and add personal information on your own, upload profile pictures, view your financial statements and giving at any time, and see pictures and contact information for other church members (an online, on-demand church directory)!
Don't miss this opportunity to connect more fully in the life of First Church!
| | Important Update: Willing Workers Spring Work Day | | |
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 2. The Willing Workers are ready to help you with tasks around your house once again. Do you need hoses hooked up? Bushes trimmed? Bulbs or batteries replaced? These are just a few examples of what the Willing Workers can assist you with on the Spring Work Day. Note the update: Please call Mark Diemer at 865-389-6525 to set up a time to review your needs or schedule a home visit to assess what services can be provided on May 2.
May God continue to bless and guide you always!
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Second Saturday Servants is a new opportunity for you to help out First Church “by our service." The church needs YOU to help with projects both inside and outside the building. The May focus will be organizing spaces, cleaning pews, and garden cleanup.
We will meet on Saturday, May 9, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. near the front entrance of the church.
If you can’t attend the May event, please add us to your calendar.
Questions? Contact Janet Townsend (townsend1625@gmail.com) or Gielda Reese (gieldareese@gmail.com).
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In the next series of the Social Concerns Committee’s Difficult Conversations, you are invited to join us for a four‑week discussion and study of The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy by Matthew Boedy. This study will explore the history, theology, and political implications of the Seven Mountains Mandate movement and consider how Christians can thoughtfully engage faith, democracy, and public life.
We will meet on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
May 21 - Introduction to the Seven Mountains
May 28 - Matthew Boedy, author, will present on the “mandates,” with Q & A. (RSVP is requested – please call the church office at 865-483-4357)
June 4 - Conversation around the Seven Mountains
June 11 - Wrap-up and Conclusions
Together we will read, reflect, and discuss how Christian faith can be practiced with integrity, humility, and respect for democratic values. All are welcome, whether you have read the book or are simply curious to learn more.
Please join us in the Multipurpose Room for a thoughtful conversation and community.
If you have questions or would like help obtaining the book, please contact Bruce Spangler, pottspangler@icloud.com.
We hope to see you there.
| | Mission Buckets for Liberia | | |
The 2026 Holston Annual Conference Hands-On Mission Project is here! This year, First Church will work with the other churches of the Tennessee Valley District to send food buckets to Liberia. Beginning this Sunday, April 19, you can pick up a 5-gallon bucket and lid in the Welcome Center. Fill the bucket with the items listed below, include $5.00 for shipping (make checks payable to First UMC with "mission kits" in the memo line), and return the packed bucket to the Welcome Center no later than Tuesday, May 5.
2 bags of sugar (4-5 lbs)
1 bag of self-rising flour (4-5 lb)
2 bags of rice (2 lbs) or 1 bag (4lbs)
1 bag of dried beans (2 lb)
1 oatmeal (18 oz. or less)
1 bottle of cooking oil (48 oz or less)
Plus, in 2026, we are invited to sponsor Virtual Kits for Zimbabwe. A $5.00 donation will support the Virtual Zimbabwe kit (food, school, health supplies). Materials will be purchased in Zimbabwe and assembled for children at Ishe Anesu. Items will be bought at wholesale prices to maximize our support this year. Please drop off those checks, also with "mission kits" in the memo line, at the church no later than Tuesday, May 5. For more information, contact Pastor Ken (ksauer@fumcor.org).
Thank you for helping us provide important resources to our brothers and sisters.
| | Our Nursery is in need of volunteers on Sunday mornings! If you would be interested in serving our church in this way, please connect with Billy at bprice@fumcor.org. Your gentle, friendly presence with some of our youngest ones is a wonderful way to give of yourself to the life of our congregation. | | Summer Shoppe Is Coming Soon! | | |
Summer Shoppe planning is in full swing, and we need your help!
This year, the Summer Shoppe will be held on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, with set-up on June 5, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
This year's Summer Shoppe will be serving a minimum of 50 families and 200+ individuals who need support with food and hygiene items. Our two biggest needs are financial support for purchasing the items and volunteers to help set up and distribute.
As we all know, food costs are rising. We can make the largest impact by purchasing in bulk. Financial contributions will help make that happen, and they are incredibly appreciated. If you would like to make a financial donation to the Summer Shoppe, you can do so on the church website. Please have all donations submitted by May 15th to ensure orders are placed in time for delivery.
If you would like to be hands-on, we would love your help with set-up and/or distribution! The setup includes sorting food items, organizing, and setting up rooms for hygiene, books, and toys. We would really like to have 10-12 volunteers to help with set up. On distribution day, we need people to staff each room, help load vehicles, and assist with breakdown after the event. Again, 10-12 volunteers would be greatly appreciated. To sign up for a volunteer slot, please fill out this volunteer form.
Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus, for loving your neighbors, and for feeding the hungry.
| | Opportunities from Social Concerns | | Youth Pride: Oak Ridge's second Youth Pride event will be held Saturday, May 9, from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike). Volunteers are needed to help run the event (set up, adult supervision, run the snack booth, etc.) and to provide snacks. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Greg Smith (smit92611@gmail.com). | | |
Educational Resources at Powell Presbyterian Church (for more details on these classes, please contact Powell Presbyterian Church directly or visit their Facebook page):
- De-Clobbering (An Affirming Look at the Bible): Wednesday, April 29, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Ally Training: Wednesdays, May 6, 13, and 20, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
| | Mark Your Calendars for VBS | |
April Special Offering -
Children's Ministries
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During the month of April, our congregation will have the opportunity to support our Children and Family Ministries through our special offering. The church’s financial support for this ministry means that we can continue to provide a safe, loving, and fun environment for families.
Regular fellowship events give children and their families an opportunity to spend time with one another, connect with others, and grow in their relationship with God. In addition to these regular events, we have yearly events that could not happen without the financial support of our church family. This summer marks our fifth year creating our own Vacation Bible School curriculum. Creating our own curriculum is wonderful, but it comes with a larger financial burden as we are creating and purchasing all the materials needed to make a memorable week for the students who join us. Your financial gifts will help us bring the Bible alive for our students!
The children's ministries of First Church are filled with wonderful families who are eager to connect and be invested in First Church. We ask that you help support them by supporting this ministry through your gifts of giving or volunteering.
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Worship for April 26
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Scripture Readings:
Acts 2: 42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2: 19-25
John 10: 1-10
8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Ken Sauer, Rev. Clair Sauer
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In the Hospital
Jerry Johnson
Dismissed
Ed Ducko (home)
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Offering 4-13-2026 through 4-19-2026: $30,121.80
2026 YTD Offering: $472,808
2025 YTD Offering: $465,802
April Special Offering (Children's Ministry): $1,545
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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