M&M's Children's Choir

Mrs. Sonja was so excited to have all her friends back in M&M's Choir last week. She had a room full! Thank you to Sue Matheny, Jennifer Bryant, and Mr. Ed for volunteering to help with this wonderful ministry. I look forward to hearing them sing soon. Our fall Sunday School and music schedule is below. Go ahead and mark those calendars!

As a reminder: children are dismissed following 11:00's A Word for All Ages for rehearsal with Mrs. Sonja and can be picked up following worship in the children's music room on the 2nd floor of the Education building.

Packed With Love

Backpack & School Supply Collection Recap

Thank you to everyone who came to our Pizza & Backpack Stuffing party! We surpassed our goal of 350, and packed and delivered 425(!) backpacks to Northwood Elementary!

Check out the video below, which includes a recap of our Packed With Love summer mission!

Prayer at the Pole

All are welcome for a special Back-to-School prayer at Northwood Elementary (818 W Lexington) on Sunday, September 7, at 3:00 p.m. We will meet on the front lawn around the flagpole to pray over all those starting a brand new year!

Bible Presentations

Do you have a rising Kindergartener or 3rd grader? Please let me know ASAP, and plan to attend worship on Sunday, September 7, at 9:00 or 11:00 to ensure they get their very own Bible!

Biscuits and BINGO

Join the fun in the Allred Center on Friday, September 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.! There will be biscuits with all the toppings and dessert, and BINGO, of course! Click the image below to RSVP by 9/10.

2025 Pumpkin Palooza

Saturday, 10/11

Our annual Pumpkin Palooza is just around the corner! Bring your whole family (and friends!) for trick-or-treating, games, food, and the First Church Pumpkin Patch with free pumpkins! This is a very popular event in the downtown community, and many hands and hearts are needed to help bring it to life. Click the image below for all the ways you can help, including entering our annual Chili Cookoff, with all entries feeding the crowd after judging!

Candy Needed for Pumpkin Palooza!

Last year we had nearly 600 attendees, and we need to be sure we have enough goodies for all our friends who visit! Please consider donating bags of individually wrapped candy. Donation bins will be located in all worship spaces.

Adopt-a-Classroom at Northwood Elementary

Mrs. Liz is still in need of volunteers to "adopt" classrooms at Northwood. This is so much fun, and everyone can do it! FUMC member Helen Mae Allred, at age 96, is one of our most dedicated, enthusiastic classroom adopters. She and her daughter, Sandy, have earned a place in the hearts of this 1st-grade teacher (all pictured below) and her many happy scholars over the past several years. What a precious relationship that has brought much joy to them and to the many children whom they have touched through their kindness! Please contact me or Liz Samuels(samuele@gmail.com) if you would like to be part of this special ministry, and read more about what classroom adoption is all about in the fall issue of Connections Magazine.