REV. DON HANSHEW, SENIOR PASTOR

REV. RACHEL COLLINS, PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP

The Revised Common Lectionary is a really cool tool that helps take the church through the majority of the Bible in a three-year cycle. It gives an Old Testament reading (the first reading), psalm, New Testament (second reading), and a Gospel reading. There are passages set out for every day but there are also picks for Sundays that guide us through themes. 

We are not using the lectionary passage this week. Since we are in the midst of the Bedrock Sermon Series, we will be focusing on Blessings. However, the lectionary passages for this Sunday are so powerful we have to talk about them today. 

Take a moment and read Isaiah 58:1-12. I recommend the NRSVUE or the NIV version. 

Done? 

Okay. What were your take aways? 

There is a very haunting sermon title in here. “The Fast I Choose.” 

Which do you choose? 

Walter Brueggemann has a particularly cutting phrase:

“The Israelites enjoy worship” 

He says this because the Israelites are infamous for worshiping in a performative way. It was often for the purpose of looking holy and following the letter of the law but without the heart and focus on the Divine. 

We crave worship! After two weeks of not being together, we are hungry to be together to worship in word and song. But we are cautioned in this passage to not simply see it as something that leads us towards God being useful to us. Rev. James Howell says, “It is not just our foolish thinking we might use God as a tool for what we want; it is also our failure to get in sync with God’s vision for justice.”

This is heavy stuff! But it speaks to us in some really important ways as we look around us at the needs of our neighbors, the needs of our community, region, and world. 

I find two incredibly hopeful things in these passages. When we pair it with the Matthew 5:13-20 passage, we hear the call to no longer hide our light under a bushel. You’ll immediately think of “This Little Light of Mine.” The cool thing is that we are told that we have a light. Something to share in a world of darkness. When we share the light that we are given, others will know us, therefore be drawn to God. 

Isaiah tells us that when we love our God, we work alongside God in finding Shalom, peace, for all people, then not only will we have light that is shining forth… But “Your light will break forth like the dawn!” “Then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like noonday!”

These are exciting words that give us hope is a world that is heavy, harsh, often devoid of hope in the face of injustice, oppression, addiction, mental health crises, health trials, and death. Your healing will come. 

I am going to leave you with a Franciscan Benediction.

May God bless you with discomfort,

At easy answers, half-truths,

And superficial relationships

So that you may live

Deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger

At injustice, oppression,

And exploitation of people,

So that you may work for

Justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears,

To shed for those who suffer pain,

Rejection, hunger and war,

So that you may reach out your hand

To comfort them and

To turn their pain to joy

And may God bless you

With enough foolishness

To believe that you can

Make a difference in the world,

So that you can do

What others claim cannot be done

To bring justice and kindness

To all our children and the poor.

Pastor Rachel

Second Sunday Study: February 8

9:45 a.m. | Wesley Hall

Watching the news can turn up the volume on what we are already carrying, including stress, worry, and fear about the world around us. On Sunday, February 8, we’ll open Matthew 5:1–12 (The Beatitudes) and ask a very real question: When fear is in the air, what kind of people does Jesus form? We’ll draw wisdom from two influential African American theologians, Howard Thurman and James H. Cone, to help us hear Jesus with fresh clarity and deeper courage. No prior Bible knowledge needed. Come for a thoughtful, Scripture-first conversation that stays grounded, honest, and practical for everyday life. Grab some coffee from the Welcome Center and come to Wesley Hall ready to talk at your table.

Ash Wednesday Services | February 18

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day season of reflection and preparation leading up to Easter. Join us as we begin Lent with prayer, Scripture, and the sign of ashes.

• Traditional Ash Wednesday Worship | 6:45 p.m. | Sanctuary
• Imposition of Ashes | 7:45 a.m. & 12 p.m. | Chapel
• Imposition of Ashes (in the community) | 7:45 a.m. at Partial Coffee and 12 p.m. at Starbucks in Fountain City

Come as you are! Whether you can stay for worship or simply stop by to receive ashes and a brief prayer, we look forward to seeing you!

Fountain City Fellowship on Wednesday Nights

Our fellowship meal and discipleship classes bring meaningful opportunities for children, youth, and adults - all in one evening. This semester offers a rich variety of ways to learn, grow, and connect, along with a tasty, shared meal.

Join the 5:30 p.m. dinner, followed by classes at 6:30 p.m. Whether you're coming for the food, the fellowship, or the chance to deepen your faith, there is a place for you. Meals are $5 per adult and children 18 & under eat free.

February 11 Menu: Little Cheddar Meatloaves (recipe by Amy Dendrinos) Please register for meals to help out our kitchen staff. Meal Registration >>

A new class began on February 4 - check it out!

3 Simple Questions: A 6-Week Study with Bishop Rueben Job | February 4–March 25

Join a six-week study that leads us more deeply into our understanding of our faith and who we are as United Methodists. Using Bishop Rueben Job’s Three Simple Questions as our guide, we’ll explore three foundational questions -Who is God? Who am I? Who are we together?-and discover how they shape the way we live, worship, and serve.

Pastor Don Hanshew will lead this study with his thoughtful, down-to-earth teaching style, creating space for reflection, conversation, and growth as we lean into the heart of our Wesleyan identity. This study is organized into three two-week sessions with brief breaks in between.

Check out all of the classes available this semester and register for a class >>

SERVING OTHERS

Community Meal | February 28 | 5:30 p.m

Join us in Wesley Hall as we open our doors to the community for a warm meal and fellowship! This event is open to everyone in the church, our housed and unhoused neighbors, and anyone else who is HUNGRY. We have some great cooks so come and eat with us!

Blessing Box Needs:

• Water
• Shelf stable individual milk
• Peanut butter
• Tuna pouches
• Microwave mac and cheese
• Peanut butter/ cheese crackers
• Tampons

Thank you and God bless!

NEWS AND NOTES



Chancel Choir Concert | February 15 at 2 p.m

Composer Tom Trenney will spend the weekend with our Chancel Choir on February 13-15, 2026. This event will include some inspiring rehearsal time with the composer leading and teaching his music, and end with him directing our singing and playing organ in a concert. This is a free event, and you are sure to be blessed by being present! Find out more about our guest composer.

Church Council: You are invited!

Want to see how decisions are shaped at our church? The Church Council helps our congregation envision, plan, and evaluate our mission and ministry, and it guides the practical life of the church. In the spirit of openness and accountability, these meetings are open, and anyone is welcome to attend and share their voice as we learn and discern next steps together. Only Church Council members vote on actions.

The dates for Church Council are: 

• Thursday, February 12 | 6:30-8:00 p.m. | Choir Room
• Tuesday, April 28, | 6:30-8:00 p.m. | Choir Room
• Monday, August 31 | 6:30-8:00 p.m. | Choir Room
• Tuesday, October 27 | 6:30 8:00 p.m. | Choir Room
• Tuesday, November 17 | 6:30 8:00 p.m. | Choir Room
• Thursday, December 17 | 6:30-8:00 p.m. | Choir Room

Join us as we learn more about local issues around immigration and opportunities to advocate

and assist immigrants in East Tennessee. Use this link to learn more about the speakers and to register for the Zoom event.

FOUNTAIN KIDS & FOUNTAIN LITTLES



Due to The Father Daughter Dance being rescheduled for February 21, 2026, we now have a few spots available!

If you would like to attend this epic event, please register here!

February 22, 2026 | McDonalds’ and Bowling

Let’s go bowling! After 11 a.m. worship services, gather the family and join the fun as we grab lunch at the McDonald’s on North Broadway before heading to Fountain Lanes Strike and Spare (3315 North Broadway) where we will have four lanes to gather and have a striking good time! No registration is required. Come for family fun and fellowship with your Fountain Kids friends!

ADULT MINISTRY

We will jumpstart our new Young at Heart Bible Study on Thursday, February 12 at 10 a.m.! Pastor Rachel will share a quick devotion by 11 a.m. on our social media platforms. 

Young At Heart Lunch Bunch | February 19 | 11:30 a.m.

The Lunch Bunch is all about good food and good company! We gather on the third Thursday each month to enjoy a meal together while exploring new local spots. This month, we will meet at Metro Diner at 6546 Clinton Hwy. Meet at church at 11 a.m. to ride the bus or meet the group at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m.

Join a fun, engaging, eye-opening weekend designed to draw you and your partner closer to each other and to God through good food, good comedy, and good communication. We have an exciting line up for the weekend beginning with dinner and a show on Friday, March 20! Come share a meal with your partner and enjoy the musings of two comedians, Andromeda Jones and Wellington Ojukwu.

On Saturday, March 21, our keynote speaker, Jenny Boyett with The ColorWorks Group, will conduct an interactive workshop on communication. Jenny developed and collaborated on bestselling resources such as I Said This, You Heard That and A Grown-Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring focusing on how our God-given wiring shapes the way we communicate and relate to one another.

For more details on our comedians and keynote speaker, and for the schedule of events and registration, please check out the FCUMC website. We are so excited about our new This Is Us Couples Ministry! Don't miss this inaugural event!

COFFEE & FELLOWSHIP ON SUNDAYS AT THE WELCOME CENTER

Stop by the Welcome Center before or after worship (8:00-10:45 a.m.) and let us bless you! See you Sunday!

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

8:30 a.m. Traditional Service in the Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Discipleship

11 a.m.Traditional Service in the Sanctuary

11 a.m. The Journey Contemporary Service in the Gym

Childcare and children's ministry is provided from 8:30 a.m. through the conclusion of the 11 a.m. worship services.

FOUNTAIN KIDS SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Fountain Kids Sunday School • 9:45 a.m.

Fountain Littles Sunday School • 9:45 a.m. 

Fountain Kids Bible Experience • 11 a.m.

Fountain Littles Childcare • 11 a.m.

Sunday Bulletin for February 8, 2026

THE SPIRIT NEWSLETTER

Check out the February 2026 edition of The Spirit Newsletter.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Friday: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

NEXT UP AT FCUMC

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

February 8: Second Sunday Study | 9:45 a.m. | Wesley Hall

February 12: Young at Heart Bible Study | 10 a.m.

February 12: Church Council | 6:30-8 p.m. | Choir Room

February 15: Chancel Choir Concert with Guest Composer | 2 p.m. | Sanctuary

February 18: Ash Wednesday Worship Service | 6:45 p.m. | Sanctuary

February 19: The Lunch Bunch | 11:30 a.m. | Metro Diner

February 21: Father Daughter Dance | 5:30 p.m. | Gym

February 22: McDonalds and Bowling with Fountain Kids | off-site following 11 a.m. services

February 28: Free Community Meal | 5:30 p.m. | Wesley Hall

March 20-21: This is Us Couples Weekend

Pastor On Call

After Hours & Weekends

When you need urgent pastoral care while the church office is closed, text or call 865-689-7894 to reach the

pastor on call.

Pastor Don's email:

Pastor.Don@fountaincityumc.org

Pastor Rachel's email:

Pastor.Rachel@fountaincityumc.org

Live-Streamed Worship Services:

11:00 a.m. The Journey Contemporary worship and 

11 a.m. Traditional worship

 are live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Our Tuesday night Celebrate Recovery service is live-streamed on the CR North Facebook page and available on YouTube after its conclusion.

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