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REV. DON HANSHEW, SENIOR PASTOR
REV. RACHEL COLLINS, PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP
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Not long ago I was standing in my normal “post-worship-hand-shaking” spot and watched something that made me smile. A new guest, who seemed to be a single mother, was holding her little one and trying to juggle a diaper bag, a phone, and she had that tired look people get when they have carried heavy things in their heart. She did not ask for help, but she did not have to. I watched a person step toward her and just bless her with, “I’m really glad you’re here. Can I help you?”
I want everyone to have that experience. As I drove home, I thought about how many people in our lives are doing their best and still feel alone and overwhelmed. I can think of far too many examples of how quickly life can get heavy without warning. We would be naive if we think “church” can solve every problem people carry, but I am confident our church can put loving shoulders under the weight others carry, and we can remind a person that God sees them, we want to know them, and that together we can find a path to a good place.
Here is what I want to ask you to do this week, and I want you to hear it with a gracious urgency.
Pray, and listen for one name.
It might be a neighbor you have worried about, a co-worker who has been quiet lately, a friend who has stopped returning texts, or a family member who keeps saying, “I’m fine,” but you know they are not. You do not have to pressure anyone, and you do not have to craft the perfect elevator speech, but you can be lovingly direct, and you can trust God to guide you in how you can invite them to church.
When a name comes to mind, and I trust it will, make a call or send a simple text: “Hey, you have been on my mind. Would you come sit with me on Easter at my church?” If they say yes, it could literally be a step that changes everything for them. If they say no, you can still be kind, and you can still leave the door open.
Easter is when we tell the truest story we know, and it is also when people are often most willing to take a first step. Our hospitality team works hard to reduce barriers for newcomers. You can expect our worship to be meaningful and inspiring, and you will not be asking someone to act like everything is okay. You will be inviting them to breathe, to belong, to take the pressure off, and to hear the Good News!
So, pray today, take the risk tomorrow, and trust that God can do ever so much more with a simple invitation than we can imagine.
In Christian Love,
Pastor Don
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Compline Prayer Service at 9 p.m. | YouTube Live
Join Pastor Rachel along with various guests online every week night during Lent to close your evening in prayer.
Lenten Worship
During Lent, our worship series is based on the Bishop Will Willimon book The Last Supper. Pastor Don and Pastor Rachel will preach out of the key verse each week. Read along on your own as we meet Jesus around the Table on the way to the cross.
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Most of us carry questions about death, and the season of Lent is a time to reflect on what lies beyond this life. On March 8, you’re invited to a stand-alone Bible study taught by Pastor Don, where we will take a clear, hope-filled look at what the Bible actually says about life after death, what Christians can say with confidence, and where Scripture leaves room for mystery.
No pressure. No “gotcha” answers. Just a welcoming room, tables for conversation, and a pastor-led guide through the Bible. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your story. You don’t need to prepare anything, and you’re free to participate as much (or as quietly) as you’d like. Our Second Sunday Study is always: Accessible. Honest. Grounded in Scripture.
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United Women in Faith Call to Prayer and Self-Denial Unit Service
This Sunday, March 8 at 4 pm
We invite, encourage, and welcome you to attend the UWF Call to Prayer and Self-Denial Unit Service in the chapel on March 8. Our own Ashley Garren, FCUMC financial secretary, will share her mission calling with us. We hope you will join us!
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There is no Fountain City Fellowship meal or programming next Wednesday, March 11 due to Knox County Schools spring break.
We look forward to seeing everyone on March 18!
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Day of Hope Prayer Breakfast Coming to FCUMC
Next Tuesday, March 10 | 8–10 a.m.
Fountain City United Methodist Church will host the Metro Drug Coalition’s Tennessee Day of Hope Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, March 10. This annual event brings our community together around a shared message of hope for those impacted by substance use disorder and mental health challenges.
This year’s theme, “Hope Lives Here,” highlights the power of faith, connection, and community support. The morning will include breakfast, prayer, music, a live art demonstration, and time to connect with others who care about recovery and hope in our city.
Day of Hope is a meaningful reminder that hope is not just an idea but something we can live out together as we support our neighbors and loved ones. If you are interested in volunteering to help with this event, please email Seth Charles. Volunteers play a vital role in creating a welcoming and encouraging environment for all who attend.
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They may look like simple bags of rice and soy, but Rise Against Hunger meals represent the hopes and dreams of people worldwide. Join our 12th Annual Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event on Saturday, March 28, when we will package 40,000 meals to help alleviate hunger worldwide!
We need volunteers to sign up to package meals, 100 individuals per meal packaging shift, as well as a clean-up shift. We also need strong individuals to unload the truck and set up on Friday night. This is a family-friendly and multi-generational project, and there are tasks for all ages!
Friday, March 27 | 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Unload the Rise Against Hunger truck & set up for Saturday’s meal packaging event. We need strong, able-bodied folks to unload the truck and carry food and equipment (up to 50 lbs.) to the Gym.
Saturday, March 28 | Three Shifts
Meal Packaging Shift One: 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Meal Packaging Shift Two: 12:00-2:30 p.m.
Clean up shift: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Sign up for a shift!
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For decades, Holston Conference has made a significant impact on children in Liberia and Zimbabwe through Hands-on-Mission kits.
Thanks to the generosity of Holston churches, millions of dollars of school supplies, food buckets, and health kits have continued to flow to our mission partners in Liberia and Zimbabwe, serving as vital lifelines of support.
This year, we continue the special tradition but with a new twist. FCUMC will assemble kits for children in Liberia, however, we will also provide $5 virtual kits to Zimbabwe. We encourage Sunday school classes, small groups and individuals to participate in the special mission of the Holston Conference. For details and the bucket supply list, please visit our website.
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Community Meal | March 28 | 5:30 p.m
Our community meals are coordinated by the Community Outreach Team. Meals are cooked by the group that hosts them, so we have had some great meals every month. This meal is open to everyone, church members, friends, and all our neighbors. Come join us!
A big thank you for our February meal to David Hardin who smoked the meat, and Teisha Clapp and Pastor Rachel for preparing the bbq!
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Blessing Box Needs
- Chef Boyardee products
- Tuna pouches
- Granola bars
- Fruit cups
- Peanut butter
- Toothpaste
- Tampons
- Canned corn
Thank you for showering blessings!
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Crafting Workshops
Thursdays through March 12 | 1-2 p.m.
Join Team Craft Thursdays in Room 137 to learn to make simple crafts! No special skills are needed, just a desire to learn. Hands- on instructions will be provided and items will be sold at the Craft Sale on March 18 with proceeds going toward blanket supplies for Project Inasmuch. Just show up and let’s have some fun!
Craft & Bake Sale
Wednesday, March 18 | 5:15-6:45 p.m. in the Gym
Sunday, March 22 | 9:15-11:00 a.m. in Wesley Hall
Team Craft is having a craft and bake sale to raise money for their Project Inasmuch materials. They will make blankets to handout on the Project Inasmuch Day of Service. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card. You don’t want to miss out on all of the great crafts and baked goodies! See you there!
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Vision Team: Extending A Prayerful Invitation | Sunday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m.
You are invited to join the Vision Team for a simple 30-minute prayer service in the Chapel. Before we continue our work for the afternoon, we want to begin by placing our church in God’s hands together. This gathering is only for prayer. We will pray for those who are hurting, for our church leaders and staff, and for our whole congregation as we seek Christ’s calling for our church. We will ask God for unity, for a fresh movement of the Holy Spirit among us, and for our ministries to flourish as we make disciples and change lives so that we reflect the life and teachings of Jesus. No experience is needed. Come as you are and help undergird this season with prayer. If you cannot be here in person, set an alarm for 2:00 p.m. and pause wherever you are to pray with us as one.
A prayer outline for 2:00 p.m.
“Lord Jesus, we place our church in Your care. Comfort those who are hurting, strengthen our leaders, and guide our steps with wisdom. Give us unity rooted in love and renew us by Your Spirit. Let our ministries bear fruit as we make disciples and change lives, so we reflect Your life and teachings. Amen.”
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FOUNTAIN KIDS & FOUNTAIN LITTLES
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This winter, FCUMC was blessed to partner with Fountain City Recreation. Three teams ages 10 and under practiced each Monday night in our gym. We met so many great kiddos and parents.
Special thanks to Lee Iglehart and David Hardin for hosting each Monday evening. On Monday, we had an amazing end-of-year party. This is our community and FCUMC shines for Jesus.
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Fountain Kids Club
Things were popping in Fountain Kids Club on Wednesday night as we learned that Jesus can calm the storm.
Peace, be still.
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Wacky Wednesday Summer Day Camps at Fountain City UMC
Our Summer Day Camps offer opportunities for kids to get active, build friendships and explore Bible stories with their Fountain Kids friends. With three themed Wacky Wednesdays, we are sure that your kiddos will enjoy this time to engage in something they already love or find new interests! Make plans now to join the summer fun! Register for each day camp on our website!
June 10 | Sportmania
Lots of sports fun with basketball drills and competitions, a Bible lesson, lunch and a trip to Top golf!
June 17 | Cooking Class, Picnic and Sky Zone
We will have a cooking class with a lesson about food in the Bible led by FCUMC’s amazing Chef Teisha, followed by a field trip to Beardsley Farm with sack lunches for a picnic. Next, we will travel to Sky Zone Trampoline Park. What a fun day!
June 24 | Sportalooza
Let’s play basketball. Let’s play pickleball. Fun and run! We will have a Bible animal lesson, followed by an early lunch before departing for Pigeon Forge for some go carts, ice cream and more fun!
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Lunch Bunch | March 19 | 11:30 a.m. at Sweet P's BBQ
The Lunch Bunch is all about good food and good company. We gather on the third Thursday of each month, to enjoy a meal together while exploring local spots. Meet at church at 11 a.m. to ride the bus or meet the group at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m. The Lunch Bunch is sponsored by the Young at Heart Group, and all are welcome. Come join us at Sweet P's BBQ as we share a meal, laughter, and time together around the table!
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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!
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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 March 8, 2026
THE SPIRIT NEWSLETTER
Check out the March 2026 edition of The Spirit Newsletter.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
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NEXT UP AT FCUMC
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
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March 8: Second Sunday Study | 9:45 am | Wesley Hall
March 8: UWF Call to Prayer and Self-Denial Unit Service | 4 pm | Chapel
March 10: Day of Hope Prayer Breakfast | 8–10 a.m. | Gym
March 18: Craft & Bake Sale | 5:15-6:45 pm | Gym
March 19: Lunch Bunch | 11:30 am | Sweet P’s BBQ
March 20-21: This is Us Couples Weekend
March 22: Craft & Bake Sale | 9:15-11 am | Wesley Hall
March 22: Vision Team Prayer Service | 2 pm in the Chapel
March 28: Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event | Gym
March 28: Community Meal | 5:30 pm | Wesley Hall
March 29: Palm Sunday
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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
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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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