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Breakthrough Prayer
God, demolish my tendency to ignore your living presence in every detail of my life and fill me anew with an attitude of welcome and openness to your Spirit. Amen.
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| Youth Fall Break Gatherings | | With the upcoming Fall Break, there are some special activites planned for the youth! All youth in 7th-12th grade are invited to two afternoons of fun and fellowship. First, mini golf at The Greens on September 27, then a picnic at Melton Lake Park on October 4. For both events, the youth will gather at the venue at 1:00 p.m. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Billy Price (bprice@fumcor.org) or CJ Huskey (nextgenassistant@fumcor.org). | | It's Trunk or Treat Time! | | |
This year's Trunk or Treat will be held on Friday, October 30, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the lower and upper parking lots.
We are looking for candy donations as well as volunteers. Food and drinks will be provided. For any questions, contact CJ Huskey at nextgenassistant@fumcor.org.
All of First Church is invited to put on your best costume, bring a friend, and have fun!
| | Bible Studies Take a Fall Break | | Can you believe the Oak Ridge Schools' Fall Break begins this weekend! The heat of summer may be lingering, but fall has arrived. Both the weekly Wednesday Bible Studies and the Sunday study of Women in the Bible will be taking a break from September 27 through October 7. | | The Women of the Bible Study will resume with a look at Esther on Sunday, October 11. We meet at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Pastor Clair for more information (csauer@fumcor.org). | | A new study on the Gospel of Luke will begin on Wednesday, October 14. There are two opportunities to take in this study each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Room 207 and 6:00 p.m. in Room 205. Contact Pastor Ken for more information (ksauer@fumcor.org). | | October Senior Adult Luncheon | | |
Mark your calendar for a special afternoon of food, fellowship, and music on Tuesday, October 21, beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Multipurpose Room.
Back by popular demand after a stellar 2024 performance, “Passin’ Thru” is returning to FUMC! This dynamic five-piece band delivers a high-energy blend of contemporary folk that will have you singing along. Be ready to experience timeless classics from legends like Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, and Roger Miller—reimagined with a vibrant, fresh sound.
Our luncheon will be catered by Whitney Dodd Chambers and will feature a delicious menu of apple cider-marinated pork loin, brown sugar and cinnamon apples, macaroni and cheese, green beans, dinner rolls, and carrot cake.
Bring your friends, bring your family, and join us for familiar tunes and wonderful community fellowship!
The cost is $15 per person. Please contact the Church Office at 865-483-4357 by October 15 to reserve your place. We look forward to sharing this memorable afternoon with you!
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Connection is special.
Jesus teaches, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit." (John 15: 5) These words remind us that our lives are shaped by connection. We are connected to Christ, who nourishes and sustains us, and through Christ we are connected to one another.
Stewardship season is around the corner, and as we look toward Commitment Sunday on October 25, we invite you to consider how God is calling you to connect and commit. Mark you calendars and join us for a Stewardship Town Hall on Sunday, October 18, at 10:00 a.m., or follow the link below to learn more, connect, and commit.
| | Next Gen Ministries Updates | | |
Next Gen Ministries made some changes at the start of the school year, and we think folks have adjusted well to those. The nursery (now located in room 206) continues to be a lively place every Sunday morning! And our FIRSTKids Sunday School classes (grades K-3 in room 305 & grades 4-6 in room 306) have adapted well to the new spaces as they've studied a curriculum this month on hearing from God. Also, several of the children participate in the Children's Choir, which rehearses on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in room 306. All kids PreK-4th grade are encouraged to join!
The youth had a great time attending a worship night at Concord UMC with other local UMC youth last month! Our youth continue to meet on Sundays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. up in the Youth Loft. There they spend quality time checking in with each other, listening to worship music, discussing and reflecting on a lesson, and fellowshipping over games and activities. And as you saw above,they have a couple of outings coming up over Fall Break!
We remain grateful for those who have stepped up and answered the call to volunteer in the nursery and children's classrooms! If anyone else is ever interested, simply reach out to Billy (bprice@fumcor.org) or CJ (nextgenassistant@fumcor.org)
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Our Senior Travelers enjoyed a day at the Mennonite community at Muddy Pond in Monterey, TN. We saw sorghum making and spent time in the sorghum mill, which was hot! We also enjoyed lunch and shopping in their country stores and leather shops.
Mark your calendars for our next Senior Traveler trip on Wednesday, November 11. We will be enjoying a luncheon cruise on the Knoxville Star Riverboat. We depart the church parking lot at 10:00 a.m. and return in the afternoon. The cruise leaves at noon and lasts an hour and a half. The menu is herb-roasted chicken breast, fragrant saffron rice, seasoned green beans, fresh broccoli salad, warm homemade cobbler, freshly baked buttermilk biscuits, and freshly brewed coffee, iced tea, soft drinks, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
The cruise requires a minimum number of passengers, so please make your reservation with Pastor Denna by October 21. The cost is $40, and scholarships are available. Please contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org) with questions. We hope you will join us!
| | Do you have information about church ministries, missions, programs, or activities that you need to communicate to the First Church congregation? There's a form for that! Content submitted through this form will help facilitate communication of all important information. Please follow the link below whenever you have communications needs! | | Connect with Realm Connect | |
September Special Offering -
Youth Ministry
| | The Special Offering for the month of September will support FUMC’s Youth Ministries. This vital ministry engages youth in 7th-12th grades through 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. 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. Your gifts to the special offering will help us keep youth ministry going so that we can continue to bless the young people in our community in new and exciting ways. We are so grateful for your support! If you would like to support the September Special 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 September 27
Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Readings:
Exodus 17: 1-7
Psalm 78
Matthew 21: 23-32
Philippians 1: 1-13
8: 45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Denna Hornby
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In the Hospital
Brenda Latham
Dismissed
Ed Ducko
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Offering 9-14-2026 through 9-20-2026: $28,586.55
2026 YTD Offering: $1,023,841
2025 YTD Offering: $996,234
September Special Offering (Youth): $2,020
Thank you to all of you who mail in your financial gifts or continue to give online.
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