“Together In A Lonely Place”

Matthew 14:13-21

At God’s table, we are all welcomed & fed

Holy Communion will be celebrated in all services.

In Person

Rev. DeeDee Autry

Offertory “Give Me Jesus”

Jonathan Karrant, Soloist

Organist: Benjamin Henderson  

11:00 am Connexion

In Person, 6pm Premier on Facebook and YouTube

Rev. Bud Reeves

“This Is The Day”

“Blessed Be The Name”

“Jesus Messiah”

“Breathe”

11:00 am Sanctuary

In Person,Facebook Live,

YouTube and FM 103.5

Rev. DeeDee Autry

Anthem “Bless this Gift”

Offertory “Rejoice in the Lord Alway”

Communion Music “Give Me Jesus”

Jonathan Karrant, Soloist

Chancel Choir

Gaye Mings, Chancel Choir Director

Benjamin Henderson, Organist

DON’T LET THE DOG DAYS DOG YOUR DAYS!

I have heard the expression “the dog days of summer” all my life. I used to think it referred to the hottest part of the summer, when the dogs would lie around the yard (I knew nothing of indoor dogs as a child), lethargic with heat exhaustion, panting and salivating. Only a few years ago did I learn that the “dog days” expression has nothing to do with dogs. It’s an astronomical term that goes back to the ancient Greeks. It refers to the phenomenon in the summer time of Sirius, the Dog Star, rising in the east at sunrise. The dates of Dog Days this year are July 3 through August 11. It usually happens to coincide with the hottest time of summer, so we refer to the scorching time as “dog days.”

We have been experiencing lots of heat this summer. June was bad, then we got a little reprieve in July, but the intense heat has returned with a vengeance. I’m ready for the dog days to end! Across the country and the world, intense heart waves have made misery for many millions of people, many not blessed with air conditioning as we are. Some of this heat is due to climate change; some it due to a strong El Nino; and sometimes it just gets hot. I remember several long and brutal heat waves in the past.

I hope you are taking all the precautions not to let the heat affect your health. Drink plenty of water. Use sunscreen and wear a hat when you’re outdoors. Stay inside if you can during the hottest part of the day. Take care of yourself, and conserve your energy.

My major concern is that we don’t let the heat sap our spiritual strength. It sure is easy, I know, to choose a swimming pool or a lake over a church pew this time of year. Or it’s easier to sit at home and watch a service online or listen on the radio. If you have health conditions that prevent your attending in person, by all means join us another way. But if you’re able, join us for the benefit of in-person worship. All our worship spaces are air-conditioned! In addition, there is the encouragement of the church family. It raises our spirits and intensifies our worship when we gather together in person.

Every year, the dog days come to an end. The weather cools off, and before long we are complaining about the cold. Every year, summer comes to an end, and we gear back up for school and church activities. We have so many good things coming up this month and in the weeks to come: Youth Week, Back-to-School Bash, Blessing the Backpacks, a special service with our new bishop on September 10, a new season of Dinner Church, a special Women’s Conference. Plus all the usual cool stuff we do around here all the time.

It’s going to be a great fall season at FUMC! Be a part of it as much and as often as you can. Shake off the dog days, and get involved. 

 Janice Powell Remembers the FUMC Foundation in Her Will

Janice Powell entered the Church Triumphant on May 5 of this year. Shortly afterward, we learned that she had left a gift to the Foundation endowment. Her gift will continue to provide support for ministry in perpetuity and continue Janice’s legacy of faithfulness and generosity. We appreciate her remembering her church in her estate planning.

If you would like to bless First United Methodist Church with perpetual funds for ministry through our Foundation, either by bequest, charitable annuity, or other instrument, please consult with your financial advisor, contact a pastor, or connect with the Executive Director of the FUMC Foundation,

Mrs. Abbie Cox ([email protected]).

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Beginning on September 6th at 9:30am in the Fireside Room. This fall we will be doing 2 different Beth Moore studies. The first one is called “Now that Jesus Has Come” a study of Galatians.

The apostle Paul didn’t plan to go to Galatia. God used a physical ailment to direct him there, carrying the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The relationship Paul would build with the Galatian converts―and his determination for the truth of the gospel to be preserved among them―led to one of the most passionate letters in the New Testament. Paul would not sit quietly by and let those who’d been liberated by Christ’s glorious gospel submit again to a yoke of slavery. He’d send a letter with the volume turned up, calling believers to stand firm in the truth, stay bold in love, and walk by the Spirit. He’d remind them what it looked like to live for God’s approval rather than human approval. The eternal words God entrusted to Paul for the churches of Galatia are as needed today as they were when the ink was still wet on the ancient pages.

This is a six-week deep dive into Paul’s captivating letter to the Galatians. Come to know the letter’s original recipients. Study its original context and embrace its timeless relevance. Discover―or perhaps rediscover―what makes the gospel of Jesus Christ revolutionary to those who choose to believe. Find out how everything has changed, now that faith has come.

The second study we will do is from the book of Philippians. This study will begin on November 1st. The apostle Paul was an extraordinary individual by any measure. From the moment he was introduced to Jesus by name in a blinding flash of light to his final days chained like an animal in a Roman dungeon, he relentlessly pursued Christ and preached the gospel entrusted to him. Paul’s fervor could not be starved, smothered nor drowned.

No slander nor accusation could sideline him. No beating with rods could silence the melody of his midnight song. The power of the Holy Spirit that first came gently to Europe in a riverside prayer-gathering soon burgeoned into an earthquake beneath a jailhouse, loosing the chains of every prisoner and dousing a jailer and his household in the waters of baptism. 

What kind of mindset makes a person like Paul: unstoppable in love, faith and good works even in a steady flow of frustration, conflict and opposition? What keeps a person from becoming cynical when people are notoriously exploiting the gospel and preaching Christ out of selfish ambition? Paul’s brief letter to the saints in Philippi may well capture the mindset that set him apart like no other piece of correspondence from his pen. The book of Philippians is exhortation driven by unabashed affection, inviting the reader to join in imitating his joyful, single-minded pursuit of Jesus. 

If you are interested in participating, please contact DeeDee @[email protected]. 

Books are $20.

Save the Date! 

Women’s Fellowship Gathering…November 4th at 10am. Join us for brunch, special music and guest speaker Patti Kimbrough from the Good Samaritan Clinic. Tickets will go on sale in September. If you are interested in being a table host, please contact DeeDee at [email protected]

NEW Sunday School class beginning on Sunday, September 10th. Are you looking for a small group connection? Join Rev. Ben Anderson for a new Sunday morning small group. If interested, please contact DeeDee at

[email protected]

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

This summer the we welcomed 23 campers to our annual Music Camp! Together with the support of many volunteers, we had a week of song, crafts, scripture, and snacks! During the week the children learned about food insecurity and how they, too, could join the fight against food security by supporting missions such as the Antioch Food Ministry. There was a wonderful show of support for these children on Friday Night during our production of “Rescue in the Night”, the story of Daniel in the Lions Den. About 130 people were in attendance, and funds were raised during our love offering for the Anitoch Feeding Ministry. The new Director of Antioch, Mr. Isaac Salazar, shared about his experience with his new ministry and his two children attended the camp! 

Thank you to all for the support of such a beneficial mission and these wonderful children!

FUMC KIDS

Back to School Bash is quickly approaching. This year almost everything is INSIDE, so we would love to have everyone involved. Back to School Bash is a great opportunity to volunteer as a family or get a group of friends together to volunteer!

• Here are ways you can get involved:
• Help register kids for Imagination Library
• Manage sign-ups for Shoe Vouchers, giveaways, physicals, or haircuts
• Personal shoppers for kids getting school supplies 
• Line management (both inside and outside)
• Serving hotdogs, hamburgers, and water
• Donate school supplies 

If you have a monetary donation, please make your check out to the church and indicate Back to School Bash in the description. 

On August 13th, be sure to bring your backpacks/ bags to be blessed in each service. We will also have a small gift and a special blessing for teachers. 

We decided to postpone Putt-Putt Palooza until August 20th. Come enjoy a bit of back-to-school fun with putt-putt, food, and fellowship! Putt-Putt is a game for all ages. Even if you’re not sure if you’ll want to play, come enjoy the time together. If you’d like to decorate a hole, give me a shout! The more, the merrier! 

OUTREACH

The UMCOR Missionary Team is collecting hygiene kit materials to take with us to the Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, LA. The team will leave on Sunday, September 17th and return on Friday, September 22nd. The team will be working at the depot to prepare supplies for shipping out to provide relief to those in crisis. Listed below are the items that we need. Supplies can be dropped off in the containers located in FLC, in front of the Sanctuary doors, and by the office. 

Hand towel (15 x 25 –17 x 27 inches)

No kitchen, cleaning, or microfiber towels 

Washcloth 

No kitchen, cleaning, or microfiber towels 

Comb 

Must be sturdy with at least 4-7 inches of teeth.

No pocket combs or picks 

Toenail or fingernail clipper 

No emery boards or metal nail files 

Bath-size soap (3 oz. bar or larger) 

No Ivory or Jergen’s soap 

Do not remove from packaging 

Adult Toothbrush 

Do not remove from packaging 

Personal advertising not acceptable 

Adhesive Bandages (¾ by 3 inches) 

Common household bandages acceptable

Our cooking classes have been going well and will finish in August. We have seven families for a total of 21 adults and children attending. The team teaching the classes has been doing a great job. They have interacted with the families to get to know them and make them feel welcome. We have cooked roasted vegetable pasta, turkey tacos with homemade tortilla chips, and breakfast burritos with fruit salad. The families learn about nutrition, stretching budgets, and basic cooking skills. Each week the families earn a kitchen tool and a bag of groceries to take home to practice what they have learned in class. We’ve had a great time! Ask one of our team members about it and thank them for serving. I’ve listed their names below.

Neighborhood Eats is a new grocery program that strives to alleviate food insecurity in our neighborhood. In 2 months, we have served over 139 individuals and given out over 800 pounds of food! We get to talk to recipients in the pickup line and give them recipes to help them utilize the contents of their grocery bags. We also give children’s books out to help children have literature in their hands. This program and the cooking classes are efforts to help families learn how to stretch their budgets. There’s been growth in such a short time, and we pray these people will feel welcomed one day to step into our church for a Sunday service.

FIRST YOUth 

July 17-21 we took 6 youth to Jr. High Assembly, a statewide United Methodist Youth event held at Hendrix College. It was a week of fun, small groups, worship experiences, and connecting to God and others. Big thanks to Brandi Garner for helping chaperone and Kimberly Swaim with helping with transportation. One of our YOUth, Paige Faldon, was the 3rd generation in her family to attend, after her father Scott, and grandmother Becky. Here is some testimony from Lily Garner:

“I saw and felt God so much this week, through the people, worship, small groups, workers, and all around the campus. I felt God through all the people around me at Assembly, whether it was during worship, small group, the activities, and even meals. Worship was definitely my favorite part and I loved coming together as a group and expressing our gratitude and love towards God. Being able to go up there and sing was magical, and I definitely felt God during that time. Some of my highs of the week were the Peter’s walk, skit in a bag, workshop, minute to win it, and ALL of the worship. There are so many other times I felt God this week, but these are my favorite.”

Young Adult Happy Hours

AUG 8 @ La Huerta Downtown 6pm

AUG 22 @ Hideaway Pizza 6pm

PACESETTERS

August 4 Dr. Taylor Prewitt returns to share his research on the Second Great Awakening, in which Methodist circuit riders fervently spread the gospel far and wide. Many beloved hymns we still sing expressed the spiritual renewal spreading the country.

August 18 Dr. Rosilee Russell, founder and executive director of the Community School of the Arts, updates us on the progress of the new school under construction next to the Marshal’s Museum.  Upon her arrival in Fort Smith, Dr. Russell was on the music staff at UAFS.

We visited the Bakery District July 21. Frank Shipley, third-generation owner of the former Shipley Baking company, shared the company’s history and explained the layout of the historical building’s operation. Bill Hanna purchased the original building and has developed it into retail, educational, restaurant, meeting, and entertainment spaces. Bill explained how he came to purchase and develop the amazing Bakery District. Ram Cunningham, The District’s Director of Fun, led our tour of the various spaces. Sara Putnam, owner of Bookish in the Bakery District, obtained our speakers and meeting space. Box lunches were prepared by the Fort Smith Coffee Company.”

Pacesetters meet at 10:00 in the Fireside Room the first and third Friday mornings of each month.  

Everyone is welcome. Come and stay for lunch.

August Gathering

Thursday, August 10, 2023 @ Noon

Our topic is

“Getting Acquainted” 

Strawberry salad with chicken strips,

Garlic bread sticks, ice cream & cookies

RSVP by Monday, August 7

SAVE THE DATE

September 14 @ 5:30pm

Charcuterie Boards

Make and Take

With Devan Engster of Amazing Graze Fort Smith 

For more information email Gail Oakes at [email protected]

Or call 479-459-0479

WELCOME NEW CHURCH MEMBERS!

Joel and Melissa Johnson transferred their membership to FUMC from another congregation. Joel is an attorney, and Melissa is retired from teaching preschool. They have 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren (which now occupy Melissa’s time).

IN OUR PRAYERS

Loss of Loved Ones:

• Betty Monjay - grandmother of Tiffany Pierce (Robert) and great grandmother of Lily and Aubrey.
• Edianne Cheek - daughter of Hannah and David Cheek, sister of Thomas and Cal Cheek, granddaughter of Randy and Leslie Jackson, and niece of Sam Jackson (Jillian) and Cassie Dyer ( Walker).
• Charles (Ed) Beman - husband of Jayne.

Nadine Hardin Miller

Nancy Baker

Richard & Betsy Eiseman

Danny & Robbie Campbell

Ben & Karen Baker

Ruth Ann Berry

Tim & Jane Battle

Janelle Ware

Bob & Jan Cooper

James & Barbara Saviers

Clay & Lynn Gilliland

Hyden, Miron & Foster, PLLC

Kelly & Marilyn Newton

Linda Schmidt

The Floyd E. Sagely Family

Roundtable SS Class

Lisa K. Robinson

Jack & Louanna Green

Jerry & Jane Hartfield

Floyd & Judy Bradberry

Lady Jane Cohen

Fran Bateman

Jack & Mary Freeze

Kent & Nancy Blochberger

Larry & Patsy Cochran

Patricia Jenkins

Marlin & Janet Fretheim

Richard & Jaunice Griffin

Bob & Judy Dawson

Byron & Linda Ware

Bill & Kathy Priakos

David & Leanne McClanahan

George & Carole Beattie

Blanche Donoho

Massard Creek Animal Hospital

Barrett Karvis

James & Pat Kimbrough

Ann Matthews & Jennifer Taylor

Charlotte Whaley

Phil & Kimberly White

Michael & Susan Schulte

Bill & Nancy Blume

Dr. T. W. Brown

John & Jane Stauffer

Beth Coulson

Jerry Hartfield III

Blanche Donoho

Gail Cowart

Lark Cowart

Mary Ellen Fraser

George & Carole Beattie

David & Leanne McClanahan

Dr. Pat Phillips

Blanche Donoho

Franky Brown

Jack & Louanna Green

Larry & Marilyn McLinn

Jerry & Jane Hartfield

Mary Circle

Fran Bateman

Joe & Carla Byars

Gordon & Amy Manley

Gary & Tracy Keifer

John & Jane Stauffer

Sandra Clark 

David & Leanne McClanahan

Michael & Susan Schulte

Nancy Baker

Robert & Madeline Marquette

Pat Shaw

Janice Williams

Suzanne Beauchamp McCord

Blanche Donoho

CORRECTION

Janice Powell

John & Jane Stauffer

Bill & Kathy Priakos

Sue Benham Plattner

Suzanne Beauchamp McCord

Clay & Lynn Gilliland