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Breakthrough Prayer
God, clear away any roadblocks of my own assumptions in order that the miraculous open road of your power-filled wisdom may be revealed for me. Amen.
| | Holston Annual Conference | | Every June, United Methodist clergy and laity from around the Holston Conference (East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Northwest Georgia) gather at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, for an annual meeting. The Holston Annual Conference is much like the local church Charge Conference, where we approve a budget, elect our leadership, and celebrate the ministries of the United Methodist Church in our region. Next week, May 31 - June 3, First Church's appointed clergy (Ken, Clair, and Denna) and lay leaders from our congregation (including Kali Bargiel, Linda Morel, Josh Sumter, and Anne Travis) will represent First Church in this annual meeting. Please keep each of them and the Holston Conference in your prayers throughout the week! Learn more. | | Vacation Bible School is almost here! Participant registration is now open. You can follow the link below to register your child today. Email Billy Price (bprice@fumcor.org) for any questions you may have. | | |
This week, five-year-old Ellie and her Nana, Darla Miller, went shopping for 60 packages of freeze pops to sweeten up the food boxes we will soon be packing for this year's Summer Shoppe. It's not too late to volunteer or to make a donation in support of the Summer Shoppe.
The Summer Shoppe will be held on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, with set up on June 5 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
If you would like to be hands-on, we would love your help with set up and/or distribution! The setup includes sorting food items, organizing, and setting up rooms for hygiene, books, and toys. We would really like to have 10-12 volunteers to help with set up. On distribution day, we need people to staff each room, help load vehicles, and assist with breakdown after the event. Again, 10-12 volunteers would be greatly appreciated. To sign up for a volunteer slot, please fill out this volunteer form.
Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus, for loving your neighbors, and for feeding the hungry.
| | Difficult Conversations Conclude | | |
Next Thursday, June 4, will be the final meeting in the series of the Social Concerns Committee’s Difficult Conversations series on The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy by Matthew Boedy. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room, Dr. Bruce Spangler will facilitate a concluding conversation around the Seven Mountains Mandate and consider the question, "Now what?" in light of FUMC's history of social justice, love, hospitality, and welcome.
If you missed the first two meetings or would like to learn more, you can watch the recordings online using the links below.
May 21 - Introduction to the Seven Mountains (Watch online)
May 28 - Presentation by author Matthew Boedy (Watch online)
If you have questions, please contact Bruce Spangler, pottspangler@icloud.com.
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| June 14 Is Rainbow Sunday | | Rainbow Sunday is coming, and you’re invited to a day overflowing with joy, color, and courageous love. On June 14, we’ll celebrate the diversity of God’s creation, honoring the Christ who embraced outcasts, lifted the marginalized, and defied the boundaries of exclusion. The morning begins with a full breakfast at 8:45 in the Multipurpose Room, followed by one vibrant combined worship service at 11:00 in the Sanctuary, featuring the Equality Chorus, our Choir, and Contemporary Worship Band. Rev. Caryl Russell will bring a message of hope, justice, and belonging. Come shine with us; your presence makes the rainbow brighter. | | Ecumenical Storehouse Volunteer Opportunity | | Volunteers are needed in June for the Ecumenical Storehouse. In 2026, First Church is only responsible for providing volunteer leaders for one month. June is it! Volunteers are needed for warehouse and office duties on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon. No heavy lifting is required. For more information or to sign up, please call or text Barbara Hudak-Scheirer at 731-780-5689 or follow the link below. | | What's the best thing in the world on a hot summer day? Ice cream, of course! It's time to dust off the old ice cream maker and pull out those "tried and true" recipes (or polish the spoon and empty the stomach). First Church is having an Ice Cream social on Sunday evening, July 5, following Evening Grace worship. Gather on the front lawn (we'll move to the MPR if the weather requires) to enjoy homemade (or not) ice cream, a little bit of friendly competition (who does it best?), and plain old-fashioned fellowship. It's guaranteed to be a great summer evening with even better company. All are welcome! | | The Centering Prayer group that used to meet at First Church is now gathering at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. The group meets every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in St. Stephen's Chapel. Centering prayer lasts about an hour, with 20 minutes of silent prayer time. Everyone is invited. For more information, contact Carol Gardner at (865-304-2093, gardnerwe@gmail.com) or Judy Smith (yahyahjude@yahoo.com). | |
May Special Offering -
First Recovery
| | The May special offering will benefit the First Recovery ministry. First Recovery offers help, hope, and healing to individuals struggling with substance misuse disorder. Ministries like First Recovery show us how faith-based healing, recovery coaching, and peer encouragement can be transformative. They offer a blueprint of second chances rooted in spiritual care and human dignity. First Recovery is a vital and growing ministry that serves a significant need in our community. Your support is greatly appreciated! | |
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Worship for May 31
Trinity Sunday
Scripture Readings:
Genesis 1: 1-2, 4
Matthew 28: 16-20
Acts 8: 26-39
2 Corinthians 13: 11-13
8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Ken Sauer, Rev. Denna Hornby
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In the Hospital
Wayne Houlberg
Pat Ryan
Dismissed
Lucretia Pack
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Offering 5-18-2026 through 5-24-2026: $34,151.86
2026 YTD Offering: $634,177
2025 YTD Offering: $585,244
May Special Offering (First Recovery): $2,915
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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