Stewardship Ministry Fair | | The Stewardship Ministry Fair is set for this Sunday, September 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Mark your calendars and set aside a few moments to browse displays in the Fellowship Hall and Welcome Center that highlight the many ministries of First Church and ways that you can get involved! Contact Pastor Clair for more information (csauer@fumcor.org). If you would like to see the groups that will be represented and where you can find them, follow the link below. | | |
This Sunday, the Community Celtic Worship Service will be celebrated at Chapel on the Hill, with the Rev. Suzanne Blokland leading. As always, the service will combine scripture, beautiful music, candle lighting, and communion, along with a brief message and periods of meditative silence. This week, as a nod to the coming Autumnal Equinox, when we experience equal amounts of darkness and light, the service theme will be about balance in our lives, and welcoming and honoring both the darkness and the light.
This peaceful, contemplative service will be on Sunday, September 14, at Chapel on the Hill (85 Kentucky Ave.) at 5:00 p.m. Come celebrate God's quiet goodness with our wider community. For more information, contact Pastor Jenny (jcaughman@fumcor.org).
| | New Prayer Walk Opportunity Begins Monday | | |
Come join Pastor Denna on Monday, September 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Haw Ridge Park, 821 Edgemoor Road, where we will begin our first “Beauty of Creation Prayer Walk.” Haw Ridge has a mostly level, paved trail that we will enjoy! We will tailor this hike to the preferences of the group gathered that day. We can make it a short hike or a longer hike, depending on the desire of those present.
Feel free to bring your leashed, well-behaved, 4-legged friend if you like. We celebrate all of creation and want to share this time with all of God’s creatures!
We will plan a weekly hike depending on the leadership of the group and the weather. We will also plan an occasional weekend hike. For more information, contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org).
| | Pickleball Friends and Fun! | | |
On Monday, September 8, a group of hopeful pickleball champs came together for exciting games of pickleball at the Oak Ridge High School tennis/pickleball courts. Fortunately, we had all levels of abilities - from beginners to seasoned players; we laughed and cheered each other on, and for a few, it felt like communion.
If you would like to join us, feel free to show up on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. at the high school courts. You’ll want to wear athletic shoes and comfortable clothing, and consider bringing a water bottle and a towel. If you don’t have a pickleball paddle or pickleballs, don’t worry, we have extras to share.
Just a word of caution, the courts at the high school are not the best, so play at your own risk. If you need more information, you can contact Phyllis Spangler at pspangler@fumcor.org or call 865-483-6631.
| | Senior Adult Luncheon Resumes Wednesday | | Coffee and Difficult Conversations | | |
On Thursday, September 25, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room, the Social Concerns Committee invites you to join an important and timely discussion about Matthew D. Taylor’s book, The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy. The book challenges us to ask: What does faithful, peace-centered Christianity look like in this moment?
Bruce Spangler will lead the discussion, which will focus on:
-What does Taylor reveal about the intersection of faith, violence, and political power?
-How do we recognize when faith is being distorted into an ideology of domination?
-What biblical and theological resources offer a counter-witness rooted in peace, justice, and love?
-What role can the church—and people of conscience—play in protecting democracy and human dignity?
Let's come together to reflect, ask questions, discuss, and consider faithful responses to the challenges Taylor describes. For more information, please reach out to Bruce Spangler (spangler.strategies@icloud.com).
| | Support Ecumenical Storehouse | | |
During the month of October, First Church volunteers will help to oversee the Ecumenical Storehouse. We have volunteer opportunities in the office and the warehouse. No heavy lifting is required.
Volunteers are needed on Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Even if you are only available for an hour, your help is still appreciated!
If you have questions or would like to sign up to volunteer, please contact Barbara Hudak-Scheirer at 731-780-5689 or bhs4639@gmail.com
| | Church Council Retreat Highlights | | On August 22 and 23, the Church Council gathered for a retreat at Camp Wesley Woods in Townsend. Though it was rainy outside, that did not dampen the work happening inside as the Council discussed First Church's many ministries and our hopes and plans for the future. Church Council Chairman Dan Ingersoll has prepared a summary of the retreat. You can read more below. | | Travel to the Rocky Mountains | | Adult Ministries is sponsoring a trip via air, Mountaineer Railroad, and motor coach to the Rocky Mountains and five national parks in Utah next June 1 - 9. A trip chosen for its brevity, beauty, and benefits, it will be explained by Collette Representative, Patrick Kinsella, on Wednesday, September 17, at 4:30 p.m. in room 207. Come to learn of the travel arrangements, the itinerary, and the stipend returned to FUMC from those going. If you have questions, please call Kay Moss (865-850-6521). | |
September Special Offering -
Youth Ministry
| | The Special Offering for the month of September will support FUMC’s Youth Ministries. This growing ministry engages youth in 7th-12th grades through Sunday School, weekly youth gatherings, and regular fellowship activities. Additionally, First Church provides a Student Lunch each Thursday during the school year. This is for ORHS juniors and seniors who have off-campus lunch. Over 85 students were fed at our second lunch this school year! Investing in today’s youth is necessary in growing the body of Christ. Teaching young people in the church and helping them grow in their relationship with God can prepare them to serve Christ in all they do. As a result, this nurtures the congregation and allows the church to flourish. To support the September Special Offering, follow the link below. | |
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Worship for September 14
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 1: 4-10
Psalm 113
Hebrews 12: 18-29
Luke 13: 10-17
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 Robert "Bob" Henderson, who joined FUMC on September 15, 1963, and died on August 24, 2025. We ask for prayers for Bob's sons, Scott and Bruce, and all of Bob's family and friends. A funeral service will be held at FUMC on Saturday, September 13, at 1:00 p.m., with a receiving of friends beginning at 12:00 p.m.
In the Hospital
Pat Ryan
Discharged
Linda Varnell
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Offering 9-1-2025 through 9-7-2025: $21,097.21
2025 YTD Offering: $923,433
2024 YTD Offering: $870,886
August Special Offering (Youth): $780
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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