REV. DON HANSHEW, SENIOR PASTOR
REV. RACHEL COLLINS, PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP
| |
Showing Interest Equals Helping People Belong
Every Sunday is somebody’s first Sunday. Guests are looking for a place to worship, but more importantly, they are looking for a place they can belong. The truth is people will remember about 10% of what they hear on a Sunday and 100% of how we make them feel. I am very thankful for the dedicated folks who are doing a good job at building out our hospitality and welcome team, but there is room for more!
We will hold an all-commers training this Sunday, November 3, in Wesley Hall, directly following our 11 a.m. worship services. Lunch is provided. This is a great entry point if you are new to our church and want to connect with others. Our training will cover best practices and new developments as we strive for excellence.
But even if you are not one of the trained helpers on Sunday, you are still part of the “welcome team". What do I mean? The best way to make people feel welcome is to take the time to have a conversation. Invite someone new to coffee in the Welcome Center, or at one of the shops in Fountain City.
But what do I say? Here are a few conversation starters you might want to try this week:
- Offer a handshake and say, “Hello. My name is ____. Have we met?"
- Perhaps even ask for the person’s name, repeat it, and write it down later so you can connect again in the future.
- “It’s nice to have you here. Let me introduce you to ____.”
- “We have refreshments down the hall. Would you like to come with me?”
- If you think you know the face but can’t recall the name, try this approach: “Hello, I’m ____. I see you all the time, but please forgive me. I have forgotten your name.”
- Don’t be embarrassed if you are greeting a member and don’t know that person’s name or be offended if someone doesn’t remember yours. We need to offer grace to one another.
Don’t underestimate the power of a simple greeting. For many, this is the difference maker in helping someone feel like they belong.
Walking In Faith Beside You,
Pastor Don
| |
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.
| |
Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal • 5:30 p.m.
Meals are free at Fountain City Fellowship through November 20!
November 6 Menu: Chicken Fajitas, Beans and Rice, Salad, and Brownies
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.
| |
The church staff is in need of the following greeting cards: Thank You, Congratulations, Sympathy, and Get Well. If you have any you would like to donate, please drop them off in the church office. Thank you! | |
Coats for the Cold 2024
Drop off coats for donation at any KARM Stores Donation Center or Fountain City United Methodist Church through November 8.
The donated coats will be given away free of charge with a coat voucher to those in need in our community at participating KARM stores. Contact the church office at 865-689-5175 if you know of someone in need of a coat voucher.
In 2023, 8,985 coats were donated and distributed in the Knoxville area! Details on Coats For The Cold can be found on the KARM website.
| |
Blessing Box needs:
- Individual packs of cereal
- Shelf stable individual milk
- Snack crackers
- Snack bars
- Fruit cups
- Juice boxes
- Tuna pouches
- Hygiene items
- Toothpaste!!
- Cottonelle wipes
We have a high need for all of these items! Thank you and God bless!
| |
Helping Mamas Diaper Drive
The Sarah Circle of the FCUMC United Women in Faith would like to express our thanks to all who participated in our recent Diaper Drive for Helping Mamas Knoxville! In the last few weeks, Helping Mamas has been able to help the surrounding areas affected by Hurricane Helene with much needed supplies. The diaper need is ongoing. Again, thank you so much for your participation!
| |
Some of the church staff dressed up for Halloween to hand out candy to the preschoolers. Looks like they had a bit of fun themselves! | |
It's Time To Deck The Halls
On Tuesday, November 19. 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. Note: The date for Deck The Halls in the November edition of The Spirit was incorrect.
Mark your calendar to volunteer! By the way, you will meet new people and have some fun as we kick off our Christmas season with decorating.
| |
Come To Bethlehem
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!
| |
Chancel Choir Retreat
Who gives up a Friday evening and Saturday morning in October to rehearse for something that doesn’t happen until December? Our Chancel Choir, that’s who! These dedicated volunteers are so faithful to offer their time and voices in service to God, our church, and this community. We believe that music is a gift from God, and that it touches hearts in ways that only music can. We also believe that the more excellent our music is, the more likely the message of our sung texts is to reach those who need to hear it. We so loved our time together last weekend, and we can’t wait to share our music with everyone on December 15 and 16. Mark your calendars now!
| |
We will not have Communion this Sunday, November 3. However, all K-5th grade students will attend 11 a.m. worship services with their families for All Saints Sunday. | |
Oh, what a night!
Such a fun glow party with great kiddos and volunteers. We love serving families at FCUMC.
| |
Hey Youth… What a week we had! Thanks to the Iglehart's for hosting our youth for a wonderful bonfire evening! If only we could have captured pictures from Midnight Ghost. | |
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, followed by The Word Players Christmas Performance
Sunday, December 8: Come to Bethlehem
Wednesday, December 11: Youth Christmas Party!!
| |
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 grades 6th-12th 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 >>
| |
GriefShare Fall Session • Wednesdays • 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Through November 13, 2024
It hurts to lose someone. Find help at GriefShare, a friendly, caring group who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. If you have questions, please contact Dixie Bopp. To register and check out the class schedule, visit the GriefShare website.
| |
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 3, 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!
| |
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.
| |
NEXT UP AT FCUMC
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
| |
November 1: Come To Bethlehem Travel Pass Registration Opens
November 12: UWF Unit Meeting 11am-1pm
November 12: Sarah Circle Meeting 1-2 pm in Wesley Hall
November 20: Team Craft Fundraiser 4:30-8:30 pm in the Gym and Hallway
November 20: GriefShare's Surviving The Holidays
November 27&28: Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving
| |
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.
| | | | |