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Breakthrough Prayer
God, open every door of my mind and heart that I've kept tightly closed or barricaded by my own self-interests, fears, or procrastination. May the power of your Spirit break through, fill, and transform me completely as I follow you fully. Amen.
| | IMPORTANT: Elevator Information | | |
Unfortunately, the motherboard that controls the elevator is no longer functional (possibly due to the recent storms). Since the elevator dates to 1990, it will take time to find a new motherboard or repair/rebuild the current one. This means the elevator at the church will be non-functional for several days, and possibly a week or more.
The elevator will not be functioning this coming Sunday, July 26. Please plan your movement around the church on Sunday accordingly. If you are able-bodied, please park across the street in the Chamber parking lot so the Office and Vienna Road parking lots are clear for those who need easier access to the first and second floors of the building.
Thank you so much for your patience and understanding.
| | Connect with Realm Connect | | |
Are you anxious to connect to First Church's new online directory, Realm Connect, but have encountered some road bumps? Do you have questions about settings or features? Stop by the Welcome Center this Sunday, July 26, between 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. for help with Realm Connect. You are also welcome to call the office during normal business hours (1-865-483-4357).
Through First Church's new Church Management System, Realm Connect, you are 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.
| | Learn more about Realm Connect by watching this fun video! | | 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). | | New Grief Support Group Beginning | | |
The death of loved ones, including pets, can be overwhelming. Feelings of loneliness, sadness, anger, or despair cry out for relief. Hoping they will go away by staying busy often only compounds the burden of grief.
Hope and healing can be found with others who are willing to confront their loss in a safe, confidential space and help bear one another’s burdens. First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge offers such a space through its Grief Support Group ministry.
The next Grief Support Group will meet Sundays, August 9 through September 27, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in Room 207. Anyone who has lost a loved one or who is facing other significant losses is welcome to attend.
Group facilitators are Gielda Reese, a retired school teacher who lost her 14-year-old daughter to cancer, and the Rev. Bob Cantrell, a retired United Methodist pastor. Together, they offer compassionate guidance and understanding drawn from both personal experience and years of service to others.
Attendance is limited. Advance registration is encouraged, but not required. For registration or more information, contact Pastor Denna at 1-865-483-4357 or dhornby@fumcor.org.
| | Two More Weeks for Summer Choir! | | |
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.
If you love singing, or have enjoyed the Summer Choir this season, consider sharing your gifts regularly by joining the choir. Rehearsals begin on August 5! For more information, contact Josh Sumter at jsumter@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 at 5:00 p.m. on Sundays 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).
| | 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). | | |
The United Methodist Church is a connectional church, meaning congregations work together to expand our ministry impact. One important area where we work together is campus ministries. Below is an opportunity to support the ministry of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
This Fall semester, the Wesley Foundation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville will be opening their brand new basic needs room available to all students and community members. We hope that the room will be something that all students, especially new and international ones, will be able to rely on when in need of hygiene products, school supplies, and more.
Please help us support their journey by donating supplies from the list below! You can donate by mail, through drop-off, or by using our Amazon wishlist here. If you prefer monetary donations, you can send a check through the mail or use Venmo/Paypal with our username @utkwesley. If you choose to use our Amazon wishlist, please put your name on the donation so we can properly thank you!
If you have any questions, please contact info@wesleyfoundation.org
Our address for mail and drop-offs is:
Wesley Foundation, 1718 Melrose Place, Knoxville, TN 37916
We would highly appreciate it if donations could be delivered by August 14th.
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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 26
Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Readings:
1 Kings 3: 5-12
Psalm 105: 1-11, 45b
Matthew 13: 44-49
Romans 8: 12-39
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 Sympathy
Please be in prayer for the families and friends of:
Tanyia Creasy, who joined FUMC on July 1, 2008, and died on June 24. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sanctuary of FUMC tomorrow, Saturday, July 25, at 12:00 p.m.
Jack Samuel Wesley, father of Brad Watson, who died on July 9. A Celebration of Life was held on July 16 in Knoxville. Jack's obituary can be viewed here.
In the Hospital
Michie Deising
Sandra Voina
Dismissed
Tim Burchell
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Offering 6-29-2026 through 7-5-2026: $19,341
2026 YTD Offering: $762,362
2025 YTD Offering: $727,128
June Special Offering (RMN): $1,445
Offering 7-6-2026 through 7-12-2026: $27,729
2026 YTD Offering: $790,091
2025 YTD Offering: $768,352
July Special Offering (FRC): $3,885
Offering 7-13-2026 through 7-19-2026: $25,282
2026 YTD Offering: $815,373
2025 YTD Offering: $800,483
July Special Offering (FRC): $3,955
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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