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First Things is taking a summer break! Please note that there will be no First Things weekly next Friday, July 3.
Additionally, in observance of Independence Day, the church building, including First Steps CDC and Keystone Adult Day Program, will be closed on July 3.
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Breakthrough Prayer
God, may your resurrection power break through to bring new faith focus and meaning to me in the midst of this season and also in the season of life for those I name now...Amen.
| | July 5 Evening Grace and Ice Cream Social | | |
Mark your calendars for Evening Grace worship on Sunday, July 5, at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel. All are invited! Matt Holder will bring a message of grace centered on examining and testing our ways. Come out to support this new service and connect with the First Church family!
Then there's the sweet stuff! Stick around after Evening Grace for our homemade Ice Cream Social on the front lawn (or MPR if it is raining) at 7:00 p.m. Bring your best homemade recipe to compete for the ultimate ice cream trophy, or just come ready to taste-test. It's guaranteed to be a great summer evening with even better company. All are welcome!
| | A Better Way! (Realm Connect) | | 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.
| | Coffee in the Community at Panera | | Attention! Calamity's Coffee will be closed next week for summer vacation. So, on Monday morning, we will gather at Panera at 9:00 a.m for Coffee in the Community. We can't wait to see you there! | | Upcoming Women of the Bible Study | | |
A new short-term Bible Study is in the works, and your input is important as this study is planned and prepared. During the late summer and fall, Pastor Clair will lead a 12-week study (likely in two 6-week segments or three 4-week segments) about women in the Bible. The 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.
If this study sounds interesting to you, please follow the link below to complete a survey intended to gauge interest and determine the best meeting time.
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).
| | We are so excited about the enthusiastic response to the Mahjong classes happening this summer! The class is now full. If you are interested in taking a Mahjong class at another time, please share your interest with Pastor Denna (dhornby@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). | | VBS Success and Gratitude | | |
HUZZAH!!! VBS was a huge success! We spent the week focusing on lessons like trusting God when we're cornered, when we're waiting, when we're outmatched, and when we're preparing for battle. Battling what exactly? Battling our fears and temptations. We revisited passages on Moses parting the Red Sea, Joshua conquering Jericho, David defeating Goliath, and putting on the armor of God. Snacks were eaten, crafts were created, games were played, stories were told, and dances were performed and perfected! It was a very energetic and fun week for our 25 registered kids!
A HUGE thank you is due to all the leaders who volunteered to make the week spectacular and meaningful for our kids! Thank you to Stephanie and Sydney Shults for handling our check-ins and maintaining security of our area. Thank you to Shelby Fowler and Ella Morton for handling all of the opening and closing productions and dances. Thank you to Andrew Fowler, Jaimie McMahon, and Finnley and Will Mindrup for handling all of the games for the week. Thank you to CJ Huskey, Cheryl Beams, and Laurel Evans for handling all of the crafts for the week. Thank you to Anne Travis and Cara Weigel for handling all of the snacks for the week. Thank you to Mary Palmer, Raelynn Beebe, Evelyn Bonner, Katie Peters, Katie Wilson, Ciara Matlock, Sara Mindrup, and Ashley Fee for escorting and staying with our groups as they went from activity to activity throughout the week. And finally, thank you to Richard Pack and Greg Hinkel for setting up a functional trebuchet for the kids to witness and enjoy! Your sacrifices of time and presence made the week what it was for these kids. Rest assured, God used you, including all your seemingly insignificant interactions that week, to plant seeds of faith in the lives of these young people. Perhaps now they move into the future with a little more courage and trust, having learned that God goes with them into whatever battles they face. Thank you, volunteers, for your willingness to serve, and thanks be to God for inviting people like us be a part of such a thing!
| | 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).
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Connecting in the Community -
Fireworks on the Lawn
| | Would you like to celebrate July 4th and enjoy the City of Oak Ridge fireworks display with both the best view AND the best company! All are invited to gather on the front lawn on Saturday evening, July 4. Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket, your family and friends for casual fellowship around the fireworks show. The Community Band will be performing at Bissell Park beginning at 7:30 p.m., and the fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:45 p.m. We'll see you there! | |
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 June 28
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Readings:
Jeremiah 28: 7-9
Psalm 89: 1-4. 15-18
Romans 6: 8-14, 20-23
Matthew 10: 40-42
8: 45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Clair Sauer, Rev. Denna Hornby
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Worship for July 5
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Readings:
Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Romans 8: 35, 37-39
Matthew 11: 28-30
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 the Hospital
Dan Ingersoll
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Offering 6-15-2026 through 6-21-2026: $20,073.55
2026 YTD Offering: $724,337
2025 YTD Offering: $688,329
June Special Offering (RMN): $1,265
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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