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Breakthrough Prayer
God, may your Holy Spirit replace my eyes of unbelief with your eyes of powerful possibilities. Amen.
| | New Worship Experience Begins Easter Sunday | | |
First Sundays at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel.
We have an exciting new addition to our community called Evening Grace. The new service stars on Easter Sunday, April 5th, at 6:00 p.m.
We often think of "recovery" as being for a specific group of people, but the truth is, we are all recovering from something—whether it’s grief, stress, broken relationships, or life’s daily challenges.
This monthly service will feature innovative music and messages rooted in the 12 Steps, applicable to every single one of us. It’s a unique, intentional space to find healing and connection. We hope to see the whole congregation there as we launch this new chapter on Easter night in the Chapel. For more information, contact the church office (865-483-4357).
| | Do you have questions about FUMC, Methodism, or theology in general? Then join us for First Church 101 on Sunday, May 29, after the 11:00 a.m. services. We will meet in the Welcome Center at 12:00 p.m. Wear your walking shoes! We will take a tour of our campus, meet church staff, and answer your questions. We look forward to sharing this time with you! Contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org) for more information. | | |
Sunday is the last chance to order Easter flowers! If you would like to order flowers to bedeck our worship spaces this Easter ($22/each), please fill out a form and submit it in the offering plate or to the church office with your cash or check, payable to First UMC, with “Easter flowers” in the memo line. Forms may be found with ushers and greeters on Sunday mornings or in the office throughout the week. Orders are due no later than Sunday, March 29th.
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It's time to plan Easter visitation for our “Stay-At-Home Saints." Flowers can be picked up on Palm Sunday, March 29, and delivered any time during Holy Week.
If you can help, please email Betty Lou Alspaugh, alspaughbl@gmail.com, with the number of visits you can make and if you have any special requests (like a certain person or a facility to visit rather than a home or to visit near your home). If you would like to see a list of those we’ll be visiting, contact Pastor Denna, dhornby@fumcor.org.
Flowers, assignments, and Easter cards will be in the back of the Narthex on Palm Sunday. If you will miss Palm Sunday, you can pick them up during Holy Week when the church is open, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday.
| | First Recovery To Host Tom Farley | | |
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
May 28
June 4
June 11
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.
| | Last Chance To Sign Up for Fall Collette Trip | | |
There is still time to sign u pto travel to the English countryside next fall. The Collette deadline is April 14 for deposits ($698 ea.) and travel insurance ( $549 ea.), both of which are discounted through that date. From October 14 - 23, the 10-day trip
includes flights, land transfers, luggage handling, a professional tour guide, along with eight breakfasts and five dinners.
We will meet with other travelers on our tour in London, then travel to iconic Stonehenge, where prehistoric natives lived over 4,000 years ago. Farther southwes,t we’ll find Cornwall’s sandy beaches and cliff,s where tin mines once flourished and the
BBC’s “Poldark” was filmed. Then there are the Cotswolds, a picturesque region in southern England known for its rolling hills, charming villages, and beautiful countryside.
Should you be interested in this trip, brochures are in the church office. To register, please call Kay Moss at 865-850-6521. To learn more, call Collette at 1-800-852-5655 and ask for more information about Booking #1356983, “Discover Shades of the English Countryside,” departing on October 14, 2026. You can pay your deposit and travel insurance online with a credit card.
If you have any other questions, call Kay Moss.
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March Special Offering -
Sallie McCaskill Scholarship
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In March, First Church's special mission offering will support the Sallie McCaskill Scholarship Fund. Sallie McCaskill dedicated her life to education. She was an educated woman who aimed to help college-bound students from Anderson County. McCaskill assisted these students in finding tutors and often provided help herself. When McCaskill passed away in 1993, it was only right that her legacy of supporting minority students continued. Thus, the Sallie McCaskill Memorial Scholarship was established.
To date, over 200 scholarships totaling nearly $300,000 have been awarded to minority students from Oak Ridge High School, with most recipients coming from the Scarboro Community. This money is designated for the first year of college and can be used for any 2 or 4-year program. Students are interviewed by a committee of volunteer adults who assess their academic achievements, leadership roles, and aspirations for the future. The cost of tuition for the program to which the students have been accepted is also taken into consideration. This scholarship program stands out as most of its contributions come from community members.
The scholarship fund operates without staff, and apart from some printing and postage costs, 100% of contributions directly benefit students. In 2024, four students each received $2,550. Our church has supported this fund for several years, and with your help, we can continue to make a significant impact in assisting deserving students in advancing their education this year. You can contribute to this Special Mission Offering in the same way you make your regular donation. Just remember to mark it as “March Mission Offering” or “Sallie McCaskill.”
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Worship for March 29
Palm Sunday
Scripture Readings:
Zechariah 9: 9-11
Psalm 118: 19-26
Philippians 2: 5-11
Matthew 21: 1-11
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 friends and families of:
Evelyn Martin, who joined FUMC on May 10, 1998, and died on March 10, 2026. Evelyn was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens on March 14.
William "Bill" Hendrich, who was a member of FUMC from 1976 to 2011, and died on January 15, 2026. A celebration of life was held on March 22.
In the Hospital
Ed Ducko
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Offering 3-16-2026 through 3-22-2026: $15,301
2026 YTD Offering: $361,527
2025 YTD Offering: $373,682
March Special Offering (McCaskill Scholarship): $805
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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