REV. DON HANSHEW, SENIOR PASTOR
REV. RACHEL COLLINS, PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP
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After the Vote
Elections are part of what makes our country great! It also can contribute to a lot of stress and anxiety. Kids pick up on this as well. So, if you candidate won or lost, I wanted to offer a few pointers on how we can talk with our kids, model the values we want our children to inherit, and make it fun.
Have a Practice Vote With Your Kids
Help them get the feel of how voting works by deciding on what show to watch, what to eat for dinner, or book to read together. Heck, even let them get on a box and make a speech to the rest of the family about why their choice is best! This will help them get a feel for how voting works, how to win well and how to lose well. Remind them that no matter who wins a vote, God’s love is more significant than any election, and we are called to love one another—even in disagreements.
Discuss Feelings, Not Fears
Create a safe space for kids to express their feelings. Encourage them to draw, write, or pray about what they’re feeling. Share comforting words from Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you.”
Highlight Kindness and Respect
Model respectful discussions. Role-play how to handle disagreements with kindness, showing that it’s okay to feel differently. Help them understand that you can disagree, but don’t have to be disagreeable. Model for them how to apologize when we step over the line and lose our cool. Even take the extra step of helping them learn how to self-sooth by finding a quiet place to take a deep breath or take a walk. Remind them Jesus calls us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).
Pray Together
Conclude by praying for leaders, the community, and each other. “Dear God, thank You for loving us. Help our leaders make wise choices and help us show love and kindness every day. Amen.”
Children want to model the people they respect. What we say is important. But how we act is even more important.
Let’s not just talk about peace, but be peace,
Pastor Don
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Commitment Sunday
On Sunday, November 24, in all three worship services, you will have an opportunity to make a commitment to the ministry budget of 2025. We look forward to what God will accomplish through you and through our church as we continue to be a living letter of God’s amazing love.
For more information, please check out our website.
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Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal • 5:30 p.m.
Meals are free at Fountain City Fellowship through November 20!
November 13 Menu: Italian Meatballs, Green Beans, Roasted Potatoes,
Salad, and Cheesecake Bars. A light meal of baked chicken tenders with mixed steamed vegetables is available each week.
Even though the meal is free, please register those attending so we may be good stewards of the church's finances and reduce waste. You can register on our website, in the notes section of a pew pad or by calling the church office at 865-689-5175. Registration closes at midnight on Tuesday.
Fountain City Fellowship on Wednesday Nights
The Unlikely Story of Advent • Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Are you new to the church? We are guilty of using phrases and acronyms that may not yet make much sense. One word that may be new to you is Advent. Have you ever wondered what makes Advent so special? Join us for a compelling study facilitated by Rev. Rachel Collins as we uncover the surprising and transformative story behind the season—a story of waiting, hope, and the unexpected ways God moves in our lives. Together, we’ll explore how the birth of Christ reshapes our past, present, and future. Don’t miss this chance to prepare your heart and mind in meaningful ways!
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Volunteer To Deck The Halls
On Tuesday, November 19 beginning at 10 a.m. we will literally deck the halls with Christmas trees! Our trees have been in storage all year and it’s time for the trees and our outside lights to be on display. Mark your calendar to volunteer! You will meet new people and have some fun as we kick off our Christmas season with decorating.
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Warming Center Potential
The Church Council will hold a one-item meeting on Sunday, November 10, at 9:50 a.m. in the Chapel to decide if our Old Fellowship Hall should become a warming center from 9 p.m.-7a.m. when the temperature drops below 25 degrees. This is a volunteer-heavy ministry. All are welcome to share input at Church Council; however, only Church Council members may vote.
For more information, you can check out the 52-minute conversation with Erin Read, Director of the Office of Housing Stability, from an October 30 Fountain City Fellowship meeting.
Sign up as a volunteer, and learn more about the warming center with this form.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Gail Clift, Charley Grey, or someone else on the Unhoused Neighbor Ministry Team.
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Blessing Box Needs
- Microwave mac and cheese
- Individual cereal packs
- Juice pouches
- Canned spaghetti sauce
- Spaghetti noodles
- Tooth paste
Thank you for your generosity!!
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Coats For The Cold
What a success our Coats for the Cold coat drive was in support of Knox Area Rescue Ministries! Coats for the Cold is an annual coat drive to collect thousands of coats for those in our area who otherwise may not have a coat during the quickly approaching winter months. Thanks to the generosity of our church family, we have sixty coats in the church office ready to take to KARM. Well done, FCUMC!
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Preschool Pajama Drive • November 11-December 6
We are collecting new pajamas in sizes newborn through adult for donation to the Fountain City Ministry Center. The preschool will celebrate the end of of the pajama drive with a preschool-wide pajama day on December 4 and 5. Collection boxes will be located in the Welcome Center and the Preschool hallway. Help us collect pajamas for those in need!
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UMCOR Early Response Team Information
Mission: Provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster.
Role of Early Response (ERT) Teams:
- Provide a Christian presence
- Take steps to prevent further damage
- Manage donated materials, gather information, and understand community needs
- Observe survivor’s needs, and report to local operations team
- Be part of a caring ministry of “listeners" who help in the healing process
- DO NO HARM-requires ERT leader permission and homeowner's written permission before work can be done
- ERT only performs work at the relief stage (ie. debris removal, mold remediation, placing tarps on building, etc.) and nothing more
How Does It Work:
- The ERT Team will consist of certified personnel who understand the process with specific roles and responsibilities assigned as needed
- Only certified personnel will work on a project although each ERT can bring two uncertified people to help on a project
- Project will last three days
- All workers are advised how to respond to the survivors as it can be a delicate situation, and will be done in Christian love
- More certification training will be made available for those interested in working as an ERT member
Scope of Disaster Example: Newport has about 400 homes with some level of damage.
For more information contact:
Kurt Wiberley
kwiberley@mac.com
865-313-3295
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Come To Bethlehem Registration Is Open!
Join us for our annual Christmas experience Come To Bethlehem. It will feature live music, games, a community meal, a Christmas photo booth, and of course the town of Bethlehem. Admittance will be timed entry allowing everyone to enjoy each station sufficiently.
Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. Admission is free and walk in registrations will be accepted at the door. This is a community favorite! Register for a travel pass!
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Provide & Protect Seminar
Sunday, November 17 following 11 a.m. Worship
This invaluable one-hour workshop, provided by the Holston Foundation, is designed for adults of all ages. Participants will gain insights into:
- Critical end-of-life decisions
- Responsible choices for parents regarding their children
- Decisions for children concerned about aging parents
- Understanding how wills function
- Leaving a legacy to your church and favorite ministries
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Rev. Mark Gooden will share creative strategies for making a difference, leaving a lasting impact, and potentially saving on taxes through strategic giving. Mark has faithfully served as a pastor in the Holston Conference for forty years, and retired from First Centenary UMC in Chattanooga before serving as Vice-President of Development for the Holston Foundation. Our church has partnered with the Foundation for decades. He will be preaching in all three services on November 17.
To help in our planning, please signup here or by calling the church office at 865-689-5175 by Wednesday, November 13.
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The Bicentennial (Party!) Team Is Working Hard
We have a lot to celebrate next year, and our Bicentennial Team has a number of fun, informative, and inspiring events planned for us! We would love to have you on this growing team and will even feed you lunch! Meet us this Sunday, November 10 at 12:15 p.m. in Wesley Hall. See you then!
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Annual Community Thanksgiving Service
Don’t miss the opportunity to be in ecumenical worship with our brothers and sisters on November 24 at 5 p.m. at Inskip Baptist Church. An offering will be taken to benefit our long-term ministry partner, Fountain City Ministry Center.
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Recreational Ministry
The goal of our recreational ministries is to foster relationships, promote physical and mental well-being, and create opportunities for individuals to connect with each other and with their faith in a relaxed environment. We have a variety of activities to choose from. All are welcome!
Volleyball
We meet on Thursday Nights from 6:30-7:45 p.m. in the Gym for fellowship and fun on the volleyball court. Join us!
Basketball
Enjoy some friendly basketball in the Gym on Thursday Nights from 7:45-9:45 p.m. All ages and all experience levels welcome!
Pickleball
If you are interested in learning this popular game or you are an experienced player, everyone is welcome on Mondays from 12-3 p.m. If you don’t have a paddle and want to try it out, extra paddles will be furnished. We hope you can join us for some good fellowship, fun, and exercise. For more information, contact Woody Farrell at 865-207-3367.
Yoga
Yoga’s physical building blocks are breath and posture while strengthening muscles and releasing tension of body and mind. Katie Meade Goforth is the instructor, and this class is open to anyone, experienced or not. We meet on Mondays 7-8 p.m. in Wesley Hall through February.
Exercise with Miss Donna at Planet Fitness
Do you belong to Planet Fitness? Meet Miss Donna at 9 a.m. on Monday mornings at Planet Fitness on Broadway. We will meet at the silver tables to the left after you enter the main door and have a moment of prayer for our church and community. Then, we'll head off to the treadmills and the amazing hydromassage bed. Yes, let’s start our week with a workout, fellowship, and prayer!
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This Sunday, November 10 is Communion Sunday. Students K-5th grade will go to 11 a.m. services with families. | |
Just a reminder of our upcoming activities. Add these events to you calendars!
Sunday, November 24: Youth Thanksgiving dinner at the Castleberry’s home
Sunday, December 1: Meet at church for a meal and The Word Players Christmas Performance
Sunday, December 8: Come to Bethlehem
Wednesday, December 11: Youth Christmas Party!!
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Resurrection 2025
January 24-26 at LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN
Resurrection is an annual event of worship and spiritual growth for youth and youth mentors. Each year over 12,000 individuals come together in Pigeon Forge to celebrate the God of The Resurrection. Through inspirational words and music led by nationally known speakers and musicians, young people encounter the Lord in new and deeper ways. FRVR FREE is leading worship again this year.
Students in 6th-12th grade are invited to register for Resurrection. We will stay at Splash Mountain Cabin in Sevierville, TN. The total cost per student is $200 which includes lodging, food, and entertainment. Please pay the $50 deposit at the time of registration and the remaining balance is due on January 20, 2025. There is a discount for families with multiple students. Partial and full scholarships are available – just ask Tracie Kercher or Donna Lewis!
Register here >>
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Surviving The Holidays • November 20
Are you wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated?
Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. You’ll learn:
- How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holiday
- What to do about traditions and other coming changes
- Helpful tips for surviving social events
- How to discover hope for your future
We will have a morning and an evening seminar on November 20. Please register for the 10 a.m.-12 p.m. seminar or the 6:30-8:30 p.m. seminar.
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SUNDAY SCHEDULE
- 8:30 a.m. Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
- 9:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Discipleship
- 11:00 a.m.Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
- 11:00 a.m. 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 Littles Childcare • 11 a.m.
- Fountain Kids Bible Experience • 11 a.m.
Bulletin for November 10, 2024
COFFEE & FELLOWSHIP ON SUNDAYS AT THE WELCOME CENTER
Join us before or after worship! Stop by the Welcome Center from 8:15-11:15 a.m. and let us bless you! See you Sunday!
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THE SPIRIT NEWSLETTER
Check out the November 2024 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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November 12: UWF Unit Meeting 11am-1pm
November 12: Sarah Circle Meeting 1-2 pm in Wesley Hall
November 19: Deck The Halls
November 20: Team Craft Fundraiser 4:30-8:30 pm in the Gym and Hallway
November 20: GriefShare's Surviving The Holidays
November 24: Commitment Sunday
November 24: Youth Thanksgiving Dinner
November 27&28: Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving
December 1: WordPlayers Performance
December 8: Come To Bethlehem
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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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