This Week at First Church

Find out what's happening this week in the life of First Church!

FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS

Support those affected by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene has moved through Florida, Georgia, and much of the southeast leaving destruction in its wake. UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) is many times the first one in and last one out when it comes to US disaster response, and they are already on site coordinating with conference disaster ministries throughout the southeast. Here are some ways you can support those affected by the storm. Let’s support our neighbors and extend them kindness with our gifts and service.

Pray
Make Flood Cleaning Buckets (List) and Hygiene Kits (List)
Donate to UMCOR
Serve on a Response Team (More info below)

Disaster Relief Trip - Volunteers Needed

The Emergency Response team at FUMC Pensacola is looking for people to deploy to Valdosta. GA on Friday, October 4 for a three day disaster relief trip. Volunteers will be using chainsaws and removing debris. Food, shelter, transportation, and tools will be provided. Those interested are asked to contact Andrew Rasnick (Andrew87rasnick@gmail.com).

October is Clergy Appreciation Month

During the month of October, there will be a card collection box in the church office and the Staff Parish Relations Committee invites you to write to your Pastors and let them know personally, how much they are loved and appreciated. You can also join us each Wednesday night in October to enjoy a different clergy’s favorite dessert! Help us to let Rev. Emily Kincaid, Rev. Brandon Bures, Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Lentz, Rev. Heather Nysewander, and Rev. Dr. Rick Branch let them know how great they are!

MID-WEEK AT FIRST CHURCH

Mid-Week Fellowship Dinner

Wednesday, October 2 | 5:00 – 6:00pm | The Wright Place

Join us for dinner and fellowship with your church family! Dinner can be purchased for $10/adult, $4/child, with a max cost of $27/family. Menu: Bratwurst, Pepper and Onions, German Potato Salad, and Dessert

Pastor's Bible Study Living In Love: Learning From the Letter of John Wednesdays | 6:00 - 7:00pm | The Wright Place, Great Hall

Adults are invited to remain in the Great Hall after dinner for the Pastor’s Bible Study. Dr. Geoffrey Lentz will be leading us in a study called “Living in Love: Learning from the Letters of John.

First Kids: Mid-Week (for Preschool–5th Grade)

Wednesdays | 5:50 – 7:00pm | Gym, Education Building (Drop-Off In Gym)

This Wednesday evening program is a great time of fellowship and faith building for Preschoolers and Elementary kids. Each age group will have a devotion/story and play time while parents enjoy a class and fellowship with others.

First Students: Mid-Week (for 6th - 12th Grade)

Wednesdays | 6:00 – 7:00pm | Youth Building

Students, 6th to 12th Grade, are invited to the Youth Building for fellowship, games, learning, and worship on Wednesday evenings.

First Church Respite Ministry Kick-Off & Volunteer Training Speaker: Daphne Johnston, Co-Founder of Respite for All Foundation

Thursday, October 3, 2024 | 10:30am | Wesley Abbey

Volunteer Training & Lunch | 12:00 noon (register for training & lunch below) VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM

First Church is launching a new Respite Ministry in November 2024. This ministry is designed to support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Daphne Johnston, Co-Founder of Respite for All Foundation, will be joining us on October 3 and we are excited to hear more about their foundation’s mission to inspire, grow, and mentor Respite Volunteer Ministries across the country. Those interested in volunteering with First Church Respite are invited to stay for our training and lunch. Please fill out the interest form using the link above. Email Emily Kincaid for more info.

Tanzania Tea Fundraiser

Saturday, October 5 | 12:00pm (doors open at 11:45am) | Consulate Café

Seating Options: Table of 2 - $50, Table of 4 - $100, Table of 8 - $200

Click HERE to Register

Come enjoy a spot of tea while supporting the Children’s Ministries of Tanzania. In 2024, we will continue the Alabama West Florida Conference partnership, Teaming with Tanzania, by offering the third in a series of three workshops dedicated to the training and support of UMC children’s leaders. To raise support for this ministry, our team will be hosting a Tanzania Tea Room, complete with a traditional style tea that will include a variety of teas, tasty scones, savory tea sandwiches and yummy sweets. We hope you will invite friends to come enjoy a wonderful tea while supporting a wonderful ministry. Cost is $25 per person which includes sandwiches, scones, baked treats and your choice of three teas. Seating options include tables of two, four or eight. Contact Lisa Bond at 850-549-8967 with any questions.

50-Forward: Burgers & Bingo

Sunday, October 6 | 4:30pm - 6:00pm (doors open at 4:30)

The Wright Place | FREE | Click HERE to Register

Join us for a fun-filled evening of fellowship with the First Church Youth as they host Burgers & Bingo! It's going to be fun spending time with the future of First Church as we laugh, break bread and win some Bingo prizes. Register online or to the church office TODAY.

Youth Choir Fundraiser

The FUMC Youth Choir is selling fresh evergreen wreaths, door sprays, centerpieces, table top Christmas trees, and garland to raise funds for choir tour. Prices start at $35.Youth choir members will be taking in-person pre-orders and payments on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings through October 27. Products will be delivered to FUMC the week of December 2. Information on product pick-up will be announced. Online ordering is also available at giftitforward.com (with code FIRSTUFL008). Items ordered online will be shipped directly to your desired address and prices will vary.

Do Unto Others

Throughout September and October, as we find ourselves in a season marked by political fervor and societal divisions, First United Methodist Church is excited to extend and invitation for our congregation and community to join a movement of compassion and reconciliation. Each of the Sundays in this season will focus on an aspect of kindness from the teachings of Jesus. And there is special merchandise so that we can all promote kindness in our neighborhoods or wherever we might go.

You can buy or pick-up Do Unto Others signs, stickers and t-shirts on Sunday mornings at the table under the awning (or in The Wright Place if it's raining) and in The Wright Place during Wednesday night dinners.

You can now pick up special mugs/tumblers in the Consulate Café!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ONLINE. Please note that these items are for pick-up only.

Church-Wide Blue Lake Retreat

October 18 - 20 | (Friday Night - Sunday Morning) Blue Lake, Andalusia, AL

Click HERE to Register by October 1

The weekend will include break out sessions, pumpkin carving, canoeing, roasting marshmallows, playing games, and fellowshipping! Our guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. Joy J. Moore.

View the Methodist Witness

View our Upcoming Events Page

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

If you would like to add an announcement or purchase flowers, please contact: Ginger Raines at GRaines@FUMCPensacola.com

FLOWERS

You may place flowers in the Sanctuary in honor, celebration, or memory of someone. The arrangements are $65.00 each. Contact Ginger Raines to schedule.

Monday, September 30

Serving the Hungry

8:00am - 1:00pm | Mrs. Barbara's Place

Tuesday, October 1

50-Forward: Coffee with Friends

9:30 - 10:30am | Church Library

Prayer Shawl Ministry

10:00am | The Consulate, Room 101

Wednesday, October 2

Men's Bible Study

Wednesdays | 7:30am | Aragon Cafe

QIGONG/Tai Chi

Wednesdays & Fridays | 10:00 - 11:00am | Franklin Building | $5/class

KidConnect (for K-3rd Grade)

Wednesdays | 3:00 - 5:15pm | Start in Wesley Abbey Register Online

Chilltime (for 4th & 5th Grade)

Wednesdays | 3:00 - 5:15pm | Start in Wesley Abbey Register Online

Fellowship Dinner

Wednesdays | 5:00 - 6:00pm | The Wright Place

Pastor's Bible Study Living In Love: Learning From the Letter of John Wednesdays | 6:00 - 7:00pm | The Wright Place, Great Hall

Nursery

Wednesdays | 5:30 - 7:00pm | 1st Floor Education Building

First Kids: MidWeek (for Preschool–5th Grade)

Wednesdays | 5:50 - 7:00pm | Gym, Ed. Building

First Students: Mid-Week (6th - 12th Grade)

Wednesdays | 6:00 - 7:00pm | Youth Building

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays | 6:00 - 7:30pm | Ike Terry Rehearsal Hall

Thursday, October 3

Serving the Hungry

8:00am - 1:00pm | Mrs. Barbara's Place

First Church Respite Ministry Kick-Off & Volunteer Training

Speaker: Daphne Johnston, Co-Founder of Respite for All Foundation

Thursday, October 3, 2024 | 10:30am | Wesley Abbey

Volunteer Training & Lunch | 12:00 noon (register for training & lunch below)

Saturday, October 5

Tanzania Tea Fundraiser

Saturday, October 5 | 12:00pm (doors open at 11:45am) | Consulate Café

Seating Options: Table of 2 - $50, Table of 4 - $100, Table of 8 - $200

Click HERE to Register

Next Sunday, October 6

20th Sunday after Pentecost

Next Sunday's Scriptures: Job 1:1; 2:1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16

Main Sanctuary Services

8:30 & 11:00am

ICON Service

11:00am | Wesley Abbey

Online Worship

8:30, 11:00am, and ICON at 11:00am

Facebook, & FUMCPensacola.com/Livestream

Nursery

8:30am - Noon | 1st Floor, Education Building

Available for Infant - 4 years old. Click HERE for more info.

Adult Sunday School

9:45 - 10:45am

First Students: Sunday School

9:45 – 10:45am | Youth Building

First Kids: Sunday School

9:45 – 10:45am | Education Building

The Consulate Café

9:00 - 11:00am | The Consulate

GriefShare

Sundays | 4:30 - 6:00pm | The Consulate Cafe

50-Forward: Burgers & Bingo

Sunday, October 6 | 4:30pm - 6:00pm (doors open at 4:30)

The Wright Place | FREE | Click HERE to Register

Looking Ahead

View the Methodist Witness

View our Upcoming Events Page

Church Council & Special Charge Conference

Monday, October 7 | 6:00pm | Wright Place, Great Hall * Please note date & location change

Please note that our regularly scheduled Church Council meeting has been rescheduled to October 7. During this meeting, we will conduct our usual review of quarterly reports. Following the regular agenda, the Council will transition into a specially called Charge Conference session. The purpose of this session will be to vote on advancing the Project Grow Capital Improvement initiative.

Bingo Night & Mid-Week:Session 2 Preview

Wednesday, October 9 | 5:00 - 7:00pm | The Wright Place

Join us for a mid-week respite to enjoy dinner, bingo, and fellowship with your church family! We will also be giving a preview of our Mid-Week Session 2 classes. Dinner is from 5:00-6:00pm and th menu will be Ham and Potato Soup, Pretzel, Salad, and Dessert. Dinner can be purchased the following weeks for $10/adult, $4/child, with a max cost of $27/family.

Blessing of the Beasts

Saturday, October 12 | between 10:00 & 11:00am | The Fountain

Bring your beloved pets for a prayer and blessing. St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and environment, believed that God should be praised and celebrated for all His creation. We also ask that you bring donations for the Pensacola Humane Society. Click HERE for the Humane Society wish list. This year, our Blessing of the Beasts will take place on Saturday during our Community Day! All pets are invited but must be properly restrained.

DAILY READINGS

Commit this season to reading scripture each day. It's good practice. If you don’t already have a daily devotion, the scriptures below are designed to expand the range of biblical reading in worship and personal devotion. You can find them in the bulletin each week. The Daily Readings are taken from “The Daily Office Lectionary” in The Book of Common Prayer. Read the Bible each week. It will be a blessing.

Proper 21 (Year 2)

Monday: Psalm 89:19-52; Hosea 2:14-23; Acts 20:17-38; Luke 5:1-11

Tuesday: Psalms 94, [95]; Hosea 4:1-10; Acts 21:1-14; Luke 5:12-26

Wednesday: Psalms 119:121-144; Hosea 4:11-19; Acts 21:15-26; Luke 5:27-39

Thursday: Psalms 105:23-45; Hosea 5:8--6:6; Acts 21:27-36; Luke 6:1-11

Friday: Psalms 107:1-32; Hosea 10:1-15; Acts 21:37--22:16; Luke 6:12-26

Saturday: Psalms 33; Hosea 11:1-9; Acts 22:17-29; Luke 6:27-38