First Things for January 10, 2025

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First Things Online

Inclement Weather Preparations

Church Building Closed Today: In accordance with our inclement weather policy, the First UMC building is closed today, Friday, January 10. "FUMCOR, First Steps, and Keystone will close when Oak Ridge Schools are closed due to bad weather." This includes all programs, ministries, meetings, and activities.

Sunday Services: We are closely monitoring the weather system, forecasted to move through our area today and tonight. By 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, an email will be sent out with information about the worship services on Sunday. For now, you may assume that worship will proceed as usual, but you will hear for sure either way tomorrow afternoon!

Celtic Worship: The Celtic Worship Service scheduled for 5:00 p.m. this Sunday at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church has been postponed. The rescheduled service will be announced at a later date.

Warming Shelter: For those in our community without any warm shelter on these bitterly cold nights, Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is once again opening its warming shelter through the weekend. Anyone interested in volunteering, please contact them at ORUUCwarmingshelter@gmail.com

Inclement Weather Policy: FUMCOR Inclement Weather Policy: FUMCOR, First Steps Child Development Center (CDC), and Keystone Adult Day Program will close when Oak Ridge City Schools are closed due to bad weather. If City schools open one hour late, FUMCOR, First Steps CDC, and Keystone Adult Day Program will open one hour late; if City schools close early, FUMCOR, First Steps CDC, and Keystone Adult Day Program will close early.

Always be mindful of your driving capabilities and comfort level in various conditions. Be safe and be warm!

Small Group with Caroline Beidler

Grief Support Groups

Anyone grieving the death of loved ones or suﬀering from other losses is welcome to attend a Grief Support Group at First Church.

The first 7-week group will meet on Thursdays, January 23 - March 6, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. in Room 203 at the church. Two other 7-week groups will be oﬀered later in the year.

This group provides a safe, confidential setting where participants can better understand and express their grief. Brief reading assignments will guide group discussion. Co-facilitators are Gielda Reese and retired pastor Bob Cantrell.

Additionally, FUMC oﬀers a monthly Parents and Grandparents Grief Support Group for those who have lost a child. Reese and Cantrell also facilitate this group. Meetings are on the second Monday of each month, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m., in Room 203.

Advance registration is encouraged but not required. For more information or to register, contact FUMC Co-Lead Pastor Ken Sauer at ksauer@fumcor.org or 865-483-4357.

Enjoy Soup and Celebrate Jeff Kile

After the success of the church-wide potluck and soup lunch last year, we have another soup lunch planned for January 26 following 11:00 a.m. worship. Anytime before 11:00 a.m. on the 26th, bring a crock pot of soup, a labeled ladle, and a recipe card that folks can photograph after they enjoy your offering. Also helpful is any dietary information such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. Leave the soup in the kitchen or on one of the tables in the Multipurpose Room. The church will provide lemonade and water, bowls, napkins, utensils, and bread or crackers.

Additionally, January 26th marks Jeff Kile’s last Sunday as contemporary music director. Stop by to share your gratitude for his many years of dedicated ministry and to wish him the best.

Can’t bring soup or maybe just forgot? Come anyway, there is always plenty to eat. We will all enjoy the food and fellowship.

Scholarship Applications Are Now Open

Are you a graduating senior or current college student? Please visit https://fumcor.org/scholarships/ to apply for scholarships made available through our church.

Applications are due by April 15. For further information please contact Pastor Denna Hornby (dhornby@fumcor.org).

Apply Today

Instrumentalists Wanted

Mark Your Calendars

On Sunday, January 19, at 4:00 p.m., all are invited to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy. A community service, "Persisting in Unity and Respect—The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.," will be held at Oak Valley Baptist Church (194 Hampton Road) and accessible virtually at oakvalleybc.com. Speakers from the civic and faith communities will participate, as will a community choir that will include voices from First Church!

January Special Offering - Community Assistance Fund

In January, First Church's special monthly offering will support the Community Assistance Fund. These funds are used by the pastors to provide gas and utilities assistance to our neighbors in need. On average, the pastors support 8-12 households each month, spending approximately $2,500.00 to help people in times of emergency.

Give Today

Worship for January 12

Baptism of the Lord

Scripture Readings:

Isaiah 43: 1-7

Psalm 29

Acts 8: 14-17

Luke 3: 15-18, 21-22

8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room

Preaching: Rev. Clair Sauer, Rev. Denna Hornby

Worship Service Livestreams

In Celebration

Together with parents Gwen and Connor Gulmire, we celebrate the birth of Sara Jane Gulmire on December 20, 2024. Proud grandparents are Wendell and Anne Lawson.

We celebrate the marriage of Bill Martin and Louise Mixson, who were wed in Charleston, South Carolina, on January 9, 2025.

In the Hospital

Carolyn Henderson (MMC)

Jeff Martin (MMC)

Barry Saunders (Parkwest)

Dismissed

Sally Dagenhart (to Patricia Neal)