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Breakthrough Prayer
God, I say no to all fear and yes to your power, selfless love, and sound mind of faith. Amen.
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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 July focus will be cleaning and organizing the kitchen and outdoor weeding (weather permitting).
Second Saturday Servants will gather this Saturday, July 11, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. near the front entrance of the church.
Even if you can't make it every month, be sure to add Second Saturday Servants to your calendar.
Questions? Contact Janet Townsend (townsend1625@gmail.com) or Gielda Reese (gieldareese@gmail.com).
| | Realm Connect, a Better Way! | | You are going to want to watch this video! | | |
We want to connect with you through Realm Connect!
First Church has transitioned to a new Church Management System and online directory called Realm Connect. Through Realm Connect, you will be able to update and add personal information on your own, upload profile pictures, view financial statements and giving at any time, and see pictures and contact information for other church members (an online, on-demand church directory)!
Follow the links below to get signed up and for step-by-step directions in setting up your Realm Connect account.
If you need assistance with Realm Connect, you can call the church office during regular business hours (865-483-4357) or stop by the Welcome Center on Sunday, July 26, between 8:45-11:00 a.m.
| | All who have been part of the grief support groups offered by First Church in the past are invited to take part in the monthly grief support group, which meets each second Monday from 4:00-6:30 p.m. in Room 203. The next Monthly Grief Support Group meeting is this coming Monday, July 13. Contact Bob Cantrell for more information (robtcanjr@gmail.com). | | Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 2, when First Church students will be "popping up" to their new Sunday School classes during the Sunday School hour. As part of this promotion and in preparation for the new school year, we will also have a backpack blessing during worship, and we will pray for our school leaders and employees. Please make plans to join together in showing support for our students and their teachers and leaders as a new school year begins. For more information, please contact Billy Price (bprice@fumcor.org). | | Women of the Bible Study Begins August 16 | | |
A new short-term Bible Study is coming together. Beginning on August 16, Pastor Clair will lead a 12-week study (in two 6-week segments) about women in the Bible. The study will meet weekly on Sundays (late afternoon or early evening) from August 16 - September 20 and October 18 - November 22. This study will loosely follow the new book, Her Faith Still Speaks, edited by Sheri Carder Hood with contributions from Holston Conference Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett and FUMC's own Rev. Stella Roberts. Stella will lead the lesson about Ruth, as that was her contribution to this book. All are invited to any or all of this study about women in the Bible.
If you would like to purchase the book, you can find it on Amazon or through Market Square Books, but it is not required for participation in the study. For more information, please contact Pastor Clair (csauer@fumcor.org).
| | Join Summer Choir this June and July! No experience or long-term commitment is required—simply show up in the choir room on any Sunday at either 8:25 a.m. or 10:40 a.m. to participate. Summer Choir is a great opportunity to sing, meet others, and contribute to worship during the summer months. For more information, contact Josh Sumter at jsumter@fumcor.org. | | Gospel of John Bible Study | | Weekly Wednesday Bible Study with Pastor Ken just began a new study. This is a great opportunity to jump in for an in-depth exploration of the Gospel of John. There are two opportunities each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. (Room 207) or 6:00 p.m. (Room 205). Contact Pastor Ken for more information (ksauer@fumcor.org). | | Summer Fellowship Opportunities | | Spiritual Direction Opportunity | | |
A note from Jenny Caughman:
Since my retirement in October, I have been taking an in-depth program in Contemplative Living. I spent 10 months learning different Contemplative Prayer Practices and then learning how to apply them to life. One of the applications my cohort and I will be learning about in this coming year is Spiritual Direction.
Spiritual direction is a gentle, attentive practice of listening for the presence and movement of God in one’s life. It offers space to reflect, wonder, pray, and deepen awareness of the sacred in everyday experience.
As part of my training in spiritual direction at Columbia Theological Seminary, members of my cohort and I are seeking individuals who may be open to meeting with a trained spiritual director-in-training for a short series of sessions.
What’s being offered:
● Six one-on-one spiritual direction sessions (50–60 minutes each)
● Typically meeting once a month over six months
● Offered at no cost
In spiritual direction, it is thought to be best to work with someone with whom you do not have another relationship. So, if you are interested in this opportunity, you would not be working with me, but a member of my cohort.
If anyone is interested or would simply like more information, please let me know (jennycaughman@gmail.com, 865-256-1026).
| | KARM Card Ministry Update | | |
First Church’s KARM Card Ministry is coming to a close, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated over the years.
Through your handwritten notes of encouragement, you helped support Knox Area Rescue Ministries’ mission of sharing hope and kindness with individuals staying in their overnight shelter. Each card was a simple but meaningful reminder that someone cares.
Thank you to all who wrote notes, organized cards, and supported this ministry, and a special thank you to Judy Smith for her faithful leadership in recent years. We give thanks for the many lives touched through your compassion and generosity.
Your ministry has been a blessing, and we are grateful for the difference you have made.
| | The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has long been important in disaster response and relief around the world. If you would like to support people recently affected by natural disasters in our region (flooding) or in Venezuela (earthquakes), you can follow the links below to give through UMCOR. | |
July Special Missions Offering -
Family Resource Center
| | The July Special Offering will benefit the Family Resource Center (FRC) of Oak Ridge. Housed at Willow Brook and Glenwood Elementary Schools, the FRC offers a variety of services to our Oak Ridge Schools students and their families. Programs include: Food for Kids (hosted and coordinated by FUMC volunteers together with other community volunteers), school supplies, a Clothing Closet, and tutoring programs. The FRC also offers community resource networking, case management, and emergency assistance for families for rent, utilities, medicines, gasoline, food, clothing, and transportation. Adult programs include parenting and budgeting classes and job skills and resume assistance. The FRC is a vital community resource right here in Oak Ridge. If you would like to support the July Special Missions Offering, follow the link below or mail a check to: First UMC, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Notate “monthly offering” in the memo line. | |
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Worship for July 12
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Readings:
Deuteronomy 32: 1-4
Psalm 65: 1-8
Romans 8: 1-11
Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
8: 45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Clair Sauer, Rev. Ken Sauer
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In Sympathy
Please be in prayer for the family and friends of Tanyia Creasey, who joined FUMC on July 1, 2008, and died on June 24, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held at FUMC on Saturday, July 25, at 12:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
In the Hospital/Dismissed
None that we are aware of at this time.
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Offering 6-22-2026 through 6-28-2026: $18,031
2026 YTD Offering: $743,021
2025 YTD Offering: $697,519
June Special Offering (RMN): $1,445
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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