Time Change - Fall Back One Hour! | | |
We'll be happy to greet you an hour early at church this Sunday, but you might be glad to get an extra hour of sleep! Be sure to set your clocks back one hour before you go to sleep this Saturday night.
| | Celebrating All Saints on Sunday | | |
This Sunday, November 2, First Church will join together in a celebration of All Saints Sunday in all three worship services. As a part of this celebration, we will have an opportunity to remember saints in our lives who have passed on. We will also read the names of each member of First Church who has died in the last twelve months. We hope you will be a part of this important service in the life of the church.
8:45 a.m. - Traditional Worship (Nave)
11:00 a.m. - Traditional (Nave) and Contemporary (MPR) Worship
| | Usher training is happening this Sunday, November 2, following the 11:00 a.m. services. If you signed up for a refresher or to learn more about ushering in the Traditional or Contemporary services, please meet in the Fellowship Hall around 12:00 p.m. to grab a free lunch (sandwiches and chips) and to begin training. This event is meant for ushers who have been doing it for years, those who are brand new, and even those who might just be interested in learning more before committing to anything. Please contact Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org) if you have any questions. | | First Steps Spaghetti Dinner | | The First Steps Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction is on Friday, November 7, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at First Church. Tickets are on sale now and will be available for purchase in the church office and at First Steps' door. Tickets are $20 each, $5 for children ages 3-10, with a family maximum of $50. Children under 3 are free. Call 865-483-6291 or stop by the church office to get your ticket. | | November is the month for Thanksgiving, and it's also the month for the annual First Church Stewardship Campaign, which will kick off next Sunday, November 9. For more information about Giving in Gratitude, follow the link below. | | November Senior Adult Luncheon | | Support Christmas Shoppes | | |
The 2025 Christmas Shoppe is quickly approaching! As we prepare to enter the holiday season, the Shoppes Committee is accepting donations of the following items to assist with the families we will be serving:
-Wrapping Supplies: Paper, Gift Bags, Bows, Tissue Paper
-Stuffed Animals (in like-new condition)
-Books for all ages: infant - high school (in like-new condition)
You can drop these items at the front office, or if you bring them on Sunday Morning, they can be taken to room 302.
The Sign Up Genius Form to select a child to sponsor for Christmas will be available very soon as well, so watch for that announcement in the next few weeks!
If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Craven at 423-620-4796 or email fumcorshoppes@gmail.com.
| | Stephen Ministry Training Rescheduled | | The Stephen Ministry training class, originally scheduled to start in September, has been postponed until January, so you still have time to sign up for this special opportunity. The class will run on Tuesday evenings for 17 consecutive weeks beginning January 6 and ending April 28. Classes will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in joining the class, please contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org), Dan Ingersoll (dingersoll3@comcast.net), Anne Leitnaker (anne.leitnaker@gmail.com), or Peg Ashline (ashline27@bellsouth.net) no later than November 21. For more information, check us out at fumcor.org/stephen-ministry. | | |
Any elves out there?
We need help to decorate the Chrismon tree in the FUMC sanctuary on Monday, November 24, at 5:00 p.m. It will take about 90 minutes.
The tree will be assembled; we’ll be adding the beautiful Chrismons. Invite new friends and join the fun. We need tall and not-so-tall helpers, ladder climbers, and people who stay grounded. All are welcome!
Contact: Vicki Hinkel (vhinkel@comcast.net).
| | First Recovery Annual Thanksgiving Dinner | | |
The First Recovery ministry will be holding its annual Thanksgiving Dinner on November 26. This is one of the biggest events of the year for the recovery ministry—a celebration of gratitude that, for many of the people we serve, may be the only Thanksgiving meal they experience.
This special evening is made possible through the support of our congregation and dedicated First Recovery volunteers. We are currently seeking donations of side dishes, as well as volunteers to help with preparation and serving.
If you feel led to help, please contact Matt Holder at mholder@fumcor.org or 865-603-7932.
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Wear a FUMC church t-shirt and represent our church in the community as you live your faith! We can wear shirts to Coffee in the Community, on the prayer hike, serving in Food for Kids, Community Meal, and other servant opportunities. T-shirts are available for a nominal price of $12. If you would like a t-shirt, call the church office (865-483-4357).
| | Do you know of people who have recently been unable to leave their homes except for essential appointments such as medical visits? If so, please contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org) so that our list of homebound members can be updated. We want to care for our aging disciples properly and offer them the love of Christ in their homes. | |
November Special Offering -
Christmas Shoppe
| | The monthly Special Offering for November will go to support First Church's Christmas Shoppe. Shoppes season is in full swing, and your support is greatly appreciated! Monetary donations will help provide Christmas meals and staples for families, as well as Christmas gifts for our neighbors in need. To support Shoppes and give to the November Special Offering, follow the link below. | |
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Worship for November 2
All Saints Sunday
Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 12: 1-3
Luke 6: 20-31
John 14: 1-4
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
FUMC mourns the loss of:
Hal Travis, who died on October 26, 2025. Hal is the father of Co-lead Pastor Clair and father-in-law of Co-lead Pastor Ken. A memorial service will be held here at First UMC tomorrow, Saturday, November 1, at 2:00 p.m. A receiving of friends will begin at 12:30 p.m.
Ann Shatley, who joined First Church on April 4, 2004, and died on October 26, 2025. Please be in prayer for all of Ann's family and friends. A private graveside service will be held.
In the Hospital/Dismissed
None that we are aware of at this time.
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Offering 10-20-2025 through 10-26-2025: $11,807
2025 YTD Offering: $1,110,077
2024 YTD Offering: $1,056,481
October Special Offering (Trustees): $1,130
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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