Hard Times: Hope from the Prophets
A Vision of Peace
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Facebook Live
Rev. Roy Beth Kelley
“Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?”
“In Christ Alone”
“City On A Hill”
“Agnus Dei”
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Facebook Live and FM 96.7
Rev. Roy Beth Kelley
Anthem Duet:
“O Day of Peace
That Dimly Shines”
Anthem Duet:
“Lamb of God, Grant Us Peace”
Gaye Mings, Breck Cogswell, Soloists
Nancy W. Vernon, Organist
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DISCIPLINES FOR THE LONG HAUL
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It wasn’t supposed to take this long.
Earlier in the spring, we were sure that this pandemic thing would be on its way out by the summer, and we would pretty much be back to normal by now. Instead, the coronavirus has surged in the last few weeks, and we are looking at record numbers of new infections and increasing numbers of hospitalizations and deaths. We are obviously in for a long war, not a quick battle.
With July 4th coming up, I found myself thinking of the Washington Monument in our nation’s capital. This stately symbol of our national pride was a long time coming. George Washington, the father of our country, died in 1799. The monument to his memory was started in 1848. Construction was halted in 1854 for lack of funds, and because of obstacles like the Civil War, was not re-started until 1877. The monument was completed in 1885, and with additional work on the grounds and internal ironwork, it was opened to the public in 1888, 40 years after it was begun. Yet today, for 132 years, the monument has welcomed millions of visitors.
It seems like the pandemic has halted us mid-construction. We were right in the middle of building a great church! It’s frustrating, heart-breaking, and scary to be living through these days. Some churches have re-opened; many have reported covid-positive members attending worship. The CDC pinpoints worship services as one of the most dangerous places to be. In conversation with our church leaders (Executive Team, medical professionals, and Trustees), there has been a broad consensus that we don’t need to rush to re-open in-person worship. We have no desire to put anyone at risk of infection. We want to take seriously our Wesleyan mandate to “Do no harm,” as well as our commandment from the Lord to “Love your neighbor.” Patience, safety, and caution need to be our watchwords.
This enforced separation is creating a new (or reviving an old) understanding of church. It’s not about the building or even the gatherings. It’s about our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and our connections to other people, which are not dependent on proximity. Being the church as the spiritual Body of Christ is much harder now, both logistically and emotionally. But fundamentally it still consists of some basic spiritual disciplines:
1.
Prayer and Scripture reading on a regular, if not daily, basis.
2.
Worship with the gathered Body. Though right now it has to be on Facebook or the radio, worship is still the center of our fellowship and the high point of our week. I believe we are reaching more people online and by radio that we were before the pandemic.
3.
Small group study and fellowship. Small groups of disciples learning and growing together is the strength of the church. Every small group in the church can still be meeting--electronically, indoors in groups of ten or less, or larger groups outside (the latter two with masks, please!) If you’re not in a small group, we can help you find one. Sign up for the sermon discussion sheets and start your own.
4.
Do something helpful. There are still neighbors in need and people in our community who need help. Get some groceries for someone. Distribute church stuff. Collect food. Call us and we’ll give you some suggestions. These acts of mercy are an important spiritual discipline.
5.
Give. Financial support of the church has never been about just paying the bills. It’s about honoring God by putting our money second to our faith. Keep up with your giving electronically, online, or by mail. (And it may be affected if you have lost a job or income because of the pandemic, I know.)
This pause in church activity may be spiritually healthy in the long run; we may come out of this more focused on what really matters. Or it could lead to the death of the church. It all depends on whether we as individuals and families maintain our spiritual disciplines in the interim. I believe God is at work and will bring something good out of this chaotic time. (Romans 8:28) It’s like a long-term building project. If it seems delayed, we have to hold the line, stay the course, keep our eyes on the prize, and it will come in due time.
Most of us will be able one day to look at this historic disruption in the rear view mirror. My hope is that we will see that this was a moment that propelled us forward into a new day of vitality, strengthening our resolve to build the church, community, and nation that pleases God.
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Senior Pastor
breeves@fsfumc.org
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As the economy begins to reopen, it is very tempting to think we can return to normal activities. Unfortunately, that is not the case. We simply cannot ease up on common sense behavior that can lessen the likelihood of transmitting or contracting the Covid-19 virus. This would include:
Social distancing
—try to maintain at least 6 feet of distance from persons with whom you come in contact.
Large indoor gatherings
—avoid crowds of 50 or more especially if you are 65 or older.
Face masks or facial covering
—There is growing evidence that this can reduce the transmission of the virus and may protect the wearer from contracting the virus. This is most important in settings where it is difficult to maintain social distancing. If you don’t have a mask or if you are in need of a replacement, we have several ladies in the church who are sharing their talents by making masks. There are child and adult masks available. Call Elizabeth Thames at the church office at 782-5068 to request masks or email
janice.sudbrink@arumc.org
. We can deliver or mail the masks to you.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Frequent and proper hand washing or using
hand sanitizer
—This involves 20 seconds of careful washing the front and back of the hands and the areas between the fingers. Special attention should be paid to the thumbs and the fingernails. If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, use hand sanitizer. Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of both hands, including between your fingers and up around your fingertips and nails. Rub hands together to allow your hands to completely absorb the product and the hand sanitizer to completely dry.
While we are all eager to return to in-person worship services, the pandemic is just not well enough controlled at present to do so. Our pastor and bishop have provided us excellent guidelines and we should follow those guidelines. We will get through this together.
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Minister of Pastoral Care
jsudbrink@fsfumc.org
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During these days of Covid-19, I think it is pretty clear that we live in a visual age. Visuals play a huge role in how we learn and process information. Did you know that our eyes process visuals 60,000 times faster than text? Understanding the power of visuals and the role they play in our everyday lives is crucial to planning and creating meaningful, engaging worship services. The truth is that visual arts used in worship bright the gospel to life.
Our modern worship is informed by a rich heritage, a collection of sacred symbols and icons, and tangible things like bread and wine. How can we integrate visuals into our worship services on a more regular basis? How can we depict the story of the gospel through art and media? How can we enhance the spoken Word, the prayers, the rituals, the music with visual art forms?
What if we saw the arts in worship as part of discipleship? What if we saw the arts as essential, rather than optional, to the Spirit's work of forming us in the image of Christ when we gather as a corporate body? What if a carefully crafted work of visual art enabled a congregation to see its mission in a radically new light? What if art in worship could yield a substantively formative experience?
It is my desire to develop a team of people in our church who would like to use their gifts and talents to bring our worship services alive with visuals and the utilization of art. If this is something you might be interested in, I would love to hear from you.
The term “worship arts” can mean different things; altar decorations, paraments, banners, visual aids in worship, flower arrangements, audio/visual technology/dance/drama. So if you have a creative mind, and a desire to serve on a team that will help carry our weekly messages a step further, then perhaps this is a place for you to serve. The work that we will do together goes above and beyond what our faithful Altar Guide does on a weekly basis. This work is meant to enhance, not to replace.
As we begin to put together a team we will begin meeting to consider the themes and images of our sermon series and how we might make those come alive. So please, call me, text me, email me!
I look forward to hearing from you!
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Associate Pastor
deedee.autry@arumc.org
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ARE YOU READY FOR A BURNING BUSH MOMENT?
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John Wesley, the father of Methodism, believed that the idea of “holy solitaries” was wholly inconsistent with the Gospel, saying that “
the Gospel of Christ knows no religion but social; no holiness, but social holiness.”
In other words, growing in faith is a group effort! “Social” holiness happens within Christian community in two ways: first, by loving our neighbors who make up the community, and second by growing in grace within the community. So, not only do we give to the community, but we also receive from the community. We grow in faith when we engage with God’s people. If you have been a part of The Wesley Challenge the last three weeks, you’ve learned that Wesley believed commitment to small groups is a primary way that followers of Jesus experience God in life-changing ways.
I don’t know about you, but the times I have been most deeply committed to a small group have been the times that I have grown the most in my love for God and for others! During these times of pandemic when it is much harder, we here at FSFUMC want to encourage you to be especially intentional about connecting with God via a time-tested and simple method -- meeting regularly with a small group either online or socially distanced.
So, we are providing a framework so that you can continue the momentum you may have already begun with your Wesley Challenge team or to participate in a new way! Each Sunday we will email you a group guide which will provide you with a framework to help you dig into the scripture of the week and then apply it to your life. A little effort on our parts will produce great rewards -- God will be present, and we will grow! That’s a promise from God!
Margaret Silf said, “We stand before a burning bush whenever other human beings share with us something of their relationship with God or something of the movements of their hearts. In such moments may we always realize that we stand on holy ground.” There is something holy about sharing our lives and faith with others.
So round up the people in your life, send us your email addresses, and don’t be surprised if you realize you are standing on holy ground in the presence of the Lord together!
Praying for a burning bush for each of you,
Pastor Roy Beth
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Executive Associate Pastor
rbkelley@fsfumc.org
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APPS. FOR COMMUNITY GRANTS NOW OPEN
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The FUMC Foundation Board invites you to consider participation in year two of the First United Methodist Church Community Grant Program.
The community grant program is meant to enhance the ministry of FUMC and shine the light of Christ in the community. We hope to engage individuals, especially our church family, in new meaningful mission. A special priority in 2020 will be projects in our area which respond to the needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other priorities include:
- Projects designed to help and empower marginalized populations in our community;
- Projects which address basic human needs – for example projects to alleviate hunger, provide clean water and address other environmental needs; to combat homelessness; to create safe environments for children, and the like; and,
- Projects with matching funds or additional sources of financial support.
- The above list identifies priorities; however, all grant applications will be reviewed by the Foundation’s grant committee for consideration.
Timeline:
Grant applications will be accepted until July 31, considered by grant committee and the full foundation board in August, and awarded in the fall. A guide and grant application form can be found on the foundation page at fsfumc.org. Please contact Executive Director Patti Cox with any questions.
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Executive Director of the Foundation
pcox@fsfumc.org
479.782.5068
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Dear FSFUMC,
It is with great excitement that I announce to you I will begin attending seminary online at Fuller Theological Seminary starting this fall of 2020!
Throughout the years, my spiritual upbringing has taken place in the cabins of summer camps, the rooftops of Memphis, the dirt of Mozambique, and in the sanctuaries of the United Methodist Church. It is clear to me that the time has now come to be in the (online) classroom for a new season of intentional learning and formation. My great desire is to know and experience the depth of God’s love made available to all people through Christ. I am confident that this will be offered to me, and in turn many others, through my attendance of Fuller Theological Seminary.
I plan to continue to serve our church as the Director of Youth and College Ministries while simultaneously attending seminary. Though I recognize that I may well be entering the busiest years of my life, I also recognize that the long term benefits will be manifold. In my 4 years of ministry at Fort Smith First United Methodist Church, it has become apparent to me that I have a great need for continued development. I welcome seminary as an opportunity to grow as a leader, a communicator, a teacher, and an evangelist.
This undertaking will require me to work less hours at the church for a time so that I can work more towards developing as a minister. I will need to rely even more on our team of youth ministry volunteers! So many of you have communicated your willingness to administrate, coordinate, and implement the mission and vision of FIRST YOUTH. I trust that our team is more capable of doing this than I can express. In my honest opinion, I think that FIRST YOUTH will see amazing growth as you all have a greater share in the ministry to young people!
Finally, I want to thank you all for the support that you’ve offered to me and my family. I love our church deeply and I pray for many more years of service to our young people. May God be glorified in our planning and in our midst!
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Director of Youth Ministries
mmings@fsfumc.org
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We have great news! The Board of Directors of the First United Methodist Church Foundation is pleased to announce foundation endowment funds will be transferred this summer to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas, joining Arkansas United Methodist individuals, churches, and institutions. The Methodist Foundation holds more than $165 million in assets and consists of more than 800 accounts.
Originally with the Arkansas Methodist Foundation, for the past several years the FUMC Foundation funds have been well-managed by TIAA. However, the mission of the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas – to strengthen and expand Methodist ministry for Arkansas – and the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas’ comparable and successful record of fund management, presented a compelling reason to make a change.
The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas distributes more than $4 million each year to Arkansas churches in support of Methodist ministries. A large portion of the Foundation’s budget supports educational opportunities for clergy and lay leaders. Rev. Dane Womack, Rev. Sara Bayles, and Rev. Roy Beth Kelley are all recent beneficiaries of seminary education funded by the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas.
Also important to the FUMC Foundation Board, the endowment will be managed by Wespath Institutional Investments. For over a century, Wespath has managed Methodist investments worldwide, now totaling more than $25 billion in assets. With Wespath and the Methodist Foundation, we are sure that all investments will be made in alignment with the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church. Wespath uses a framework for sustainable investing that is focused on three components:
- Investing in companies that demonstrate meaningful social and environmental impact to seek higher returns;
- Engaging companies and policymakers by urging them to adopt sustainable practices and policies; and,
- Avoiding certain investments due to ethical exclusions or because they pose sustainability-related financial risks.
Our Foundation’s endowment will be in very good hands with the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. For more information, visit the website at methodistfoundationar.org or contact Rev. Bud Reeves or Foundation Executive Director Patti Cox.
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Loss of Loved Ones and Friends:
- Annette Phillips— wife of Pat Phillips, mother of Kevin (Sumer) Phillips, Sarajane (Dennis) Robertson, Patti Ann (Greg) Aclin, grandmother of Chase Phillips, Kara Phillips, Deni (Dustin) Pitonyak, David Robertson, Randle Robertson, Katherine Aclin, Sarah Aclin, and William Aclin, great-grandmother of Annie Jane Pitonyak, Parker Robertson, John David Robertson and Lucas Pitonyak
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Phone backgrounds!
Each week, go to our Facebook page or Instagram stories and save a Bible verse background for your phone! This is a perfect time to memorize scripture.
Screenshot the story or save the photo and set as your lock screen.
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Sunday, July 5
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, July 6
2:00 pm Staff Meeting, Zoom
Wednesday, July 8
5:30 pm Evening Prayer, Facebook Live
6:00 pm Chapel Class, Zoom
7:00 pm The Enneagram Journey, Zoom
8:00 pm Youth Bible Study, Zoom
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You can access a PDF copy of both
The Upper Room
and
el Aposento Alto
at
https://www.upperroom.org/standingorderchurches
. This is made available through our church’s subscription. You are free to share the PDF you download with whomever you wish.
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MUSIC...IT'S GOOD FOR THE HEART AND SOUL
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"Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” Psalm 150:1-5
I don’t know about you, but it is hard these days to turn on the television or scroll through Facebook and see such sadness and despair. Thankfully, social media has also been filled with people singing and dancing during these times of social isolation. What is the power of music to help us cope? Throughout history, people have often turned to music as a means of releasing stress and tension. Along with dopamine and serotonin that is released when listening to music, oxytocin is a hormone released while singing, which can alleviate stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that singing decreases feelings of depression and loneliness. I was scrolling through Facebook this week and saw a post from Kelly Newton with a link to a father-daughter duo Mat and Savanna Show performing a version of “The Prayer” on their YouTube channel.
You definitely need to check them out if you haven’t yet. The video brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart as I watched this father and daughter look at each other with such peace and hope.
Throughout these last few months listening to music has brought me so much joy and calmed my mind. On Sunday, I decided to go for a walk while I listened to the 11:00 service. It was a beautiful day and I headed out just before the service started. I found myself in such a peaceful moment. I listened to words of encouragement and faith and then some of my favorite hymns. With my air pods in my ears, I found myself walking down the street, stopping to smell the flowers and touch the leaves that were hanging above my head all the while singing loudly the words to “All Things Bright and Beautiful”. I began to cry as I was reminded of all the good and beauty in this world. While it might seem like everything is doom and gloom, I was reminded of all that God has provided and continues to provide for us daily. He has seen what we would consider bad times and you know what? He has never left our side, he remains the same through it all, the good and the bad. I am thankful that music that I can listen to at home, in my car, at work, and during Wednesday and Sunday Services can fill me with peace, hope, and love, and that I can be reminded that it will all be ok.
God gave us the gift of music, and I think he loves it, too.
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Director of Adult Discipleship
ethames@fsfumc.org
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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:
- Linda Bradley by Jacque Ptak, David & Leanne McClanahan
- Jane Williams by David & Leanne McClanahan, Neal & Suzanne Cowne, Richard & Terese Staton
- Brittnay Huggins by Cynthia Giss
- Mary Worley by Jerry & Carolyn Worley, John & Harriett Beasley, Allen & Marion Marshall, Mr. & Mrs. John Rather, Billy & Peggy Higgins
- Karen Davis by Jerry & Jane Hartfield, Roundtable Sunday School Class
- Judy Staggs by Nelson & Dottie Kimes
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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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