THIS SUNDAY
August 2, 2020
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Hard Times: Hope from the Prophets
A New Kind of Covenant
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Facebook Live
Rev. Bud Reeves
“Your Grace is Enough”
“Jesus Messiah”
“The Stand”
“Remembrance”
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Facebook Live and FM 96.7
Rev. Bud Reeves
Anthem: Behold, I Make All Things New
Communion Anthem: The Sacred Feast
Gaye Mings, Keely Sattazahn, Breck Cogswell, Soloists
Nancy W. Vernon, Organist
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First United Methodist applied for a grant through the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church 200,000 Reasons Grant Program...and GUESS WHAT? We received the grant!! Now, I need your help. Get a group together (10 or less) and I will schedule a time for you to come to the kitchen and prepare casseroles to be donated to The Next Step Dayroom, The Hope Campus and The Community Rescue Mission. If you don’t have a particular group that would like to cook, don’t worry, I will find you a group. I will have the recipes, ingredients, masks and gloves. You just show up ready to cook and fellowship. This will be great fun and provide food for our neighbors in need.
Email Elizabeth at ethames@fsfumc.org if you would like to participate.
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SWIMMING ON TOP OF THE WATER
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By this time of the summer, I have usually spent a week on a beach somewhere, enjoying the sun, the sand, and the water--and the seafood! Not this year. But I do feel like I am experiencing something that always happens at the beach. You can be standing up to your waist or your chest in the water, bobbing along peacefully, when you see it coming. A big wave, rising out of the ocean, coming straight at you. You can get ready for it and try to plant your feet solidly on the bottom and maybe even brace yourself for the impact. But when that wave hits, you’re going to move. Maybe even get knocked over and lose your hat and sunglasses. It’s what happens at the beach.
I feel like we have all been hit by a big wave in the last few months, and it is still tumbling us head over heels. We are still trying to find our footing. We are living in an overwhelming time. There is almost too much to process: pandemic, economic disaster, civil and political unrest. Every day there is more to think about, more to deal with. Several people have told me they have just turned off the news; they can’t take any more.
In addition to the actual crisis events we are experiencing, there are all the people who are trying to make sense of it all. There is no lack of opinion, research, background, and projection on any aspect of this crisis. Every day I am reading reactions, responses, and reflections--especially with regard to church leadership. What are we learning about doing church and programming online, maintaining connections with people, keeping church finances healthy, preaching in a crisis, keeping our spirits healthy? It’s a constant barrage of information to process.
Sometimes I want to say, like Sergeant Friday in the old
Dragnet
series, “Just the facts.” Just give me the bullet points. Boil it down. Leave out the fluff. Just tell me what I need to know. In case you are having a similarly overwhelming experience, let me give it to you straight. This is what we need to do right now:
1.
Stay safe.
We are nowhere near the end of the curve on the coronavirus. Practice all the safety measures the medical and scientific people have been recommending for weeks. It’s inconvenient. We’re not getting to do the things we’d like to do. We want normal back. Nevertheless, be patient, and don’t let your guard down.
2.
Practice therapeutic detachment.
You will go bonkers if you spend all your time in your news feed, and it is possible to do that. I’m not recommending total disengagement, but I am saying to disconnect and do something fun, healthy, and happy as often as you can. Play something, from a sport to a board game. Make something, from a craft project to a garden. Laugh at something funny. Pray. Breathe. A little detachment will be good for you.
3.
Stay connected.
This may seem the opposite of the last point, and it is in a way. But we need to stay strong in the things that give us life. Not news reports and social media, but the deep connections that feed our soul: family, friendships, church, God. It takes more effort now than it did six months ago, but it’s worth it. Staying connected will give you strength to outlast the crisis.
4.
Don’t lose hope.
Mental health issues are cropping up everywhere. Some places have seen increases in stress-related disorders and suicides. Hope is the one thing we can’t afford to lose. The virus/economy/injustice storm will one day be over. God will still be here. Our church and community will still be here. Even if we suffer losses and hardships, we will emerge on the other side. And we want to be whole. Our ultimate victory comes from God, whose presence and promise is not even limited to this world or this time. God’s got this, and God’s got us, too. That is our undying hope.
When I took swimming lessons as a child, my teacher was a former competitive swimmer we called Ms. Dot. After a few weeks of lessons, she asked us to swim across the deep end of the pool. I was anxious about such a dangerous enterprise, until Ms. Dot gave me a word of wisdom I have never forgotten. She said, “No matter how deep the water is, you always swim on top.” I made it without a sputter.
We are swimming in deep water right now. It might threaten to overwhelm us. But we are swimming on top. Our life is more than the trials we face. Our God is greater than the obstacles we confront. Take heart. Keep swimming. Stay on top. We will come out on the other side.
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Senior Pastor
breeves@fsfumc.org
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We have very exciting news! On Sunday, August 9, at our 11 a.m. service, six wonderful young people will be confirmed: Caroline Beneux, Max Blackwell, Joshua Jenkins, Alicia Peregrino, Stella Stites and Lucy Thames. This will be a very special service where those being confirmed will profess their faith in and their desire to follow Jesus. They will officially become members of First United Methodist Church! This is a huge milestone in their spiritual journey, and we invite you to watch online via Facebook live or listen on the radio (FM96.7). In fact, it is really important that you join us this day because we all have roles to play in their journeys! You see, as part of the service we will affirm our own faith and covenant to hold the young people in our love, care and prayers and to do whatever is in our power to “increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.”
One of the important things we will be talking about with the confirmands before their big day is what it means to be a member of the church. That sounds like a simple idea, but actually there are Biblical, theological and personal meanings associated with church membership. Jesus called twelve disciples who would learn and grow together. Since the beginning of the Christian faith, the followers of Jesus gathered together to worship, share meals, pray, study scripture and help those in need (Acts 2:42-46). The founder of Methodism John Wesley insisted that the way we grow in our faith is through a
shared
life of loving God and loving our neighbors. Christ becomes real to us when we gather as the church; Christ becomes real in us when we as a church serve the world. .
But, the meaning of church membership is also personal. As members, we promise to support the ministries of the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness; we also
receive
this same love and support as members of the church. For me, the church has prayed for me in times of trial and discernment; the church has cooked for me; the church has challenged me; the church has taught me. The church has brought God’s presence and strength into my life through sermons, Bible studies, music, prayer, serving together, fun and laughter. It brings tears to my eyes to think about what church membership has meant to me, and I am grateful. I am thrilled to have six new brothers and sisters in Christ joining us in this life-changing experience.
Because of the ongoing pandemic and the need for social distancing, those attending the service in person will be very limited. It is tough to not be able to witness this momentous event in person and to encourage the confirmands with a hug or a handshake. So, we have a request. Would you consider writing a note, letter or card to each confirmand describing what being part of the church has meant for you and encouraging each in his/her faith journey? If so, we suggest this process:
1.
Write or type your thoughts about what it means to be part of the church and offer encouragement to the confirmands.
2.
Email or mail to us, and we will copy and give your note to each of the confirmands.
3.
OR make six photocopies of your words and put in envelopes with each confirmand’s name and get them to the church by mail or personal delivery.
Then, we will gift the confirmands with your encouraging words on Confirmation Sunday. What a special way to express our love and support during a time when we cannot do so in person! I thank you in advance for joining worship online or on the radio that day, for your personal notes, for your prayers for the young people and for committing to walking beside them on their ongoing journey as disciples of Christ.
Signing off as a person who is thankful to be a member of this body of Christ,
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Executive Associate Pastor
rbkelley@fsfumc.org
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Caroline Marie Beneux, daughter of Bryan and Nancy Beneux, was baptized July 10, 2020, at Lake Dardanelle. We rejoice in her decision of faith and welcome her in Christian love!
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As students, teachers, faculty, and parents all prepare to return to school, I invite you to join me in daily praying to God on their behalf. Below you’ll find a prayer of blessing for all those who will be going back to school this month. Hang it on your fridge, in your prayer space, or anywhere that will remind you to pray over our schools! Let’s join together:
Heavenly Father,
Today we pray for students, teachers, school faculty, and parents. This school year will look different in many ways, but even when everything around us is different, you remain unchanged. We find peace in knowing that you love your Creation and your Children more than we could ever know. Being confident of this, we trust our schools into your Care.
Bless the wearing of masks and the washing of hands.
Fill minds with learning and hearts with love.
Give teachers a spirit of grace and compassion.
Give students the gifts of knowledge and friendship.
Help all who serve to do so with wholehearted joy.
And in every way, cover our schools with your mighty love!
All of our trust, hope, and strength is in You, Jesus. In Your Name we pray. Amen!
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Director of Youth Ministries
mmings@fsfumc.org
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Our first ever Virtual Vacation Bible School (VBS@home) was posted on Facebook last week and I am so happy to let you know that we have reached 125 children in 81 different families, here in Fort Smith, as well as mailing packets to several towns throughout Arkansas, plus FL, TX, IL, OK and TN! The Church has left the Building!
With this new form of ‘VBSing', comes the possibility of VBS lasting all year! I will continue to take registrations and make packets for those who have not had the chance to become involved yet. So it is not too late to receive a packet for your child, or friends, neighbors, a grandchild, nieces or nephews! Just let me know!
Kelly DeSoto
kdesoto@fsfumc.org
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I feel like I just wrote my introduction. What a crazy, interesting, and fulfilling summer that it has been! When I think about the work weeks of the past few months spent at Fort Smith First UMC, they are full of solitude, deep conversations, and inspiring people. I honestly would have never imagined that my first summer as a pastoral intern would be serving during a pandemic, however, ministry never stops. I experienced so much comfort, motivation, and confidence from all of our staff during this time. The best days were always Sundays and Wednesdays. Those days gave me a lot of hope. The thrill of seeing comments on our feed makes all the lonely, trying days during the week worth it. Just to see that people wake up to enjoy worship with us from home is amazing! The best week of the summer was hands down VBS @ Home. It was such an honor to get to work with all of the creative women that lead this project. The week that the videos finally came out was so exciting and really showed how all of our hard work paid off! This ministry should be something we as a church can all take pride in and celebrate. Our summer food drive for the Community Clearing House was a huge success! We were able to collect several cart loads of food throughout the months of June and July. Although the halls were mostly empty this summer, your presence was felt and God was amongst us. I’m so grateful for my church family here at FSFUMC. This summer has been a great opportunity, and I know that God has used this time to grow my faith and my skills in ministry. My next adventure starts August 14th! I have been chosen to be a US-2 Missionary for the United Methodist Church. I’ll be living in Miami and St. Petersburg, Florida and serving the Southern Florida District for the Florida Conference of United Methodist Church. As a Coordinator for the Fill the Table Initiative, I’ll be participating in organizing 100,000 Florida United Methodists in serving three million meals, to alleviate hunger in ways that address social justice, racial inequities, and asset-based community problem solving. As we all know, Florida is a huge hot spot right now, so I’ll need all the prayers I can get as I begin to do God’s work in this new community. I also ask not only for your prayers, but I also ask for you monetary support as well. You can learn more about my calling and give at
https://advance.umcmission.org/
. Searching Emily Autry in the search bar, click ‘Learn More’ and then scroll to the bottom of the page to give. 100% of your gift will be used to fund my projects and mission work. I cannot say thank you enough to this church for supporting me. Thank you to all the pastors and staff for leading me, loving me, and trusting me this summer. I am truly blessed!
Emily Autry
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Just like most things this year, Blessing of the Backpacks will be a little different! We will hold the event in the Family Life Center parking lot on August 16th at 5:00PM. We will remain socially distant and stay at our own cars, but please bring the kids with their backpacks to receive this blessing and a special gift bag from their church to start the new school year right!
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Loss of Loved Ones and Friends:
- Dorothy Bardwell—Mother of Kaye (John) O’Daniel, Grandmother of Lance (Ambria) O’Daniel, Becky (Jonathan) Clopton, Jenny (Sammy) Hassen, Great grandmother of Devyn, Everly, Flannery and Linus O’Daniel and Harper, Ella, and Nora Clopton and Easton Hassen
- Rev. Lewis Chesser—Member of Annual Conference, Father of Dawn Chesser and husband Scot Danforth, Wilburn (Frances) Chesser and William (Alison) Chesser.
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John and Michelle Harp—Joined in May
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7 LITTLE REMINDERS TO HELP WITH THE FEAR OF UNCERTAINTY
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Whether we want to realize it or not, we are always dealing with some level of uncertainty and lack of control. The last few months though have added a new level of fear and confusion when it comes to uncertainty.
Here are a few things to try and remind ourselves when faced with the feeling of uncertainty.
1.
It will take as long as it takes
Try your hardest not to ask the following questions:
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Why is this taking so long?
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How long will it take?
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Will it really take that long?
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Are we there yet?
Surrender to things taking as long as they take.
2.
The stuff that surrounds you affects what’s inside you
If the fear of uncertainty is causing extra stress, reduce other stress that is within your control. We all know that we place all kinds of stress upon ourselves that can go!
3.
It’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, “No, This is what’s important.”
Iain
Thomas
Even through the fear of uncertainty, the world is still yelling. Pay attention to me! Buy me! Watch this! Read this! Scroll all the way to the end! Get on this Zoom call! Do this! Feel this way! Not this way!
And it will keep yelling. And you will keep putting your hand on your heart to remember what’s important to you. Even though things are different now, you still get to have boundaries. You still get to decide where your attention goes and when. And tomorrow, when things are different again, you can decide again. Put your hands on your heart.
4.
It’s all temporary, All of it.
The hard stuff will pass and so will the good stuff. May that thought both relieve some anxiety and encourage us to really appreciate things for what they are.
5.
Don’t wait for things to be good to be grateful.
Gratitude makes the hard stuff bearable and the good stuff even sweeter. We must remind ourselves of this over and over again, especially on really challenging days. Even in the midst of a bad day, there is something good to recognize and appreciate.
6.
Take Care of Yourself, be mindful of your
Feelings, don’t try to squelch them
We can’t shop, eat, drink or busy our way out of feeling what we feel. We can’t escape ourselves and the sooner we realize that we don’t have to fix our feelings, the sooner we can notice that for the most part, they come and go. Some need our attention. Some don’t. And the ones that do need our attention don’t need us to numb them or shove them down, they simply ask us to take care.
It’s so tempting to quiet the feelings with outside forces right now but instead, come back to yourself. Go to God with prayer. Come back to what is really important.
7.
What we are quickly learning is that so much of what we thought mattered, does not.
When we lose our footing, we search for meaning to become grounded again. It’s then that we can more easily identify what matters and what doesn’t. We can probably all attest that this has been a great reminder for us during this time.
8.
Last and most importantly. Have FAITH. Know that God is in control of everything. As a sweet 4 year old reminded me this week. “Trust in the Lord with all your Heart”
Proverbs 3:5.
I can trust God’s plan because he never changes, is all powerful, is all knowing, is always with me, is wise, is faithful, is good, is love and is merciful!
There will always be uncertainty, and there may always be some level of fear of uncertainty but we can ease that through prayer, taking care of ourselves and others and by remembering what is truly important. Loving God, Loving Others and Loving Ourselves.
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Director of Adult Discipleship
ethames@fsfumc.org
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Sunday, August 2
8:30 am Cornerstone and Roundtable Class, Zoom
9:30 am Connexion Worship, Facebook Live
11:00 am Sanctuary Worship, Facebook Live and FM 96.7
5:00 pm First Youth, Zoom
Monday, August 3
2:00 pm Staff Meeting, Zoom
Wednesday, August 5
5:30 pm Evening Prayer, Facebook Live
6:00 pm Chapel Class, Zoom
8:00 pm Youth Bible Study, Zoom
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PASTOR ON CALL
M-F 8:30 AM-4:30 PM:
(479) 782-5068
Weekends and Evenings:
(479) 459-5060
When there is a hospitalization, a death in the family, or any other time you may need urgent pastoral care, we encourage you to use these numbers. The pastors rotate on-call responsibilities to assure that one of them is always accessible.
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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
200 N. 15th St. Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 782-5068 | fsfumc.org
Pastor on Call (479) 459-5060
Email: fsfumc@fsfumc.org
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
8:30AM-4:30PM
Closed for lunch 12:30PM-1:30PM
SUNDAY SERVICES
- 9:30AM Connexion, Facebook Live
- 11:00AM Sanctuary, Radio broadcast on 96.7 FM and Facebook Live
WEDNESDAY SERVICE
- 5:30 PM Evening Prayer, Facebook Live
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In Memory of:
- Mary Worley by Randy and Jane Bittle, The Jim Glidewell Family
- Brittany Huggins by Ted and Virginia Taylor, George and Carole Beattie
- Mildred Aclin by George and Carole Beattie, Rev. and Mrs. Aaron Barling, Directors, Officers, and Staff of Bancorp South
- Shirley Mooney by Bob and Janice Powell
- Annette Phillips by Jack and Louanna Green, Bob and Janice Powell, Kent and Nancy Blochberger, Mary Kay Aclin, Tony and Lynnell Leraris, Lori Hardin and Michael Willis
In Honor of:
- Ted and Ginger Taylor to honor Tommy and Blanche Donoho
- Martha Paris to honor Martha Paris
- Margaret Thompson to honor FUMC Pastors and Staff
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FIRST UNITED METHODIST NEWS published weekly except the last week of the year by First United Methodist Church 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.
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