Facebook Live and In-Person
Rev. Roy Beth Kelley
“Unwavering”
“The Lion and the Lamb”
“Praise The Father Praise The Son”
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Facebook Live, FM 96.7, and In-Person
Rev. Roy Beth Kelley
Anthem: “In Bright Mansions Above”
Communion Anthem: “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”
Keely Sattazahn, Gaye Mings, Breck Cogswell, Soloists
Nancy W. Vernon, Organist
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GENEROSITY EMPHASIS TO LEAD US TO A BETTER FUTURE |
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2020 has been a challenging year in so many ways. But through it all, we have found creative ways to stay on mission--through worship, outreach to the community, children’s and youth ministries, and study opportunities for adults, much of it online and all of it surrounded with the precautions of the pandemic. The people of FUMC have remained faithful to support the church during this time, and we are actually in good shape financially.
So we feel very positive about our generosity emphasis coming up in November. We are calling it “To A Better Future,” Because we believe we are going to get through the pandemic and see great thing happen for our church and our ministry in the next year. Here are the high points coming up:
This week, every family in the church will receive a letter and brochure describing the generosity emphasis in more detail. Beginning this Sunday, November 1, we will have testimonies from some of our faithful supporters and worship highlighting the spiritual gift of generosity. In the middle of November, we will receive “Estimate of Giving” cards to let the church know what to expect in terms of financial support for the new year in 2021. On November 22, we will begin to gather the Estimate cards in worship, online, or through the mail. When we have a good idea of what we can expect, we will plan our ministry for 2021. We hope we can develop some new ministries just because our support is going to be so awesome!
Right now, begin to pray, “Lord, where do you want me to be in my giving?” This simple prayer can open your heart to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your generosity. Give the church an estimate, and get ready to be blessed by God for your faithfulness. God is at work in First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith, and God is taking us to a better future!
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Church, I have to be honest, this election season has been really stressful. There is a lot of argument, division and disagreement even among us Christians. Am I right? So, the question becomes--how can each of us love our neighbor in times like this? It all seems too hard and a little hopeless.
But then I saw a campaign advertisement that gave me a bit of hope. Did you see the ad made by the opposing candidates for governor of Utah? The video went viral because it is entirely different from any other political ads out there. There is no name calling and no negativity. Democrat Chris Peterson and Republican Spencer Cox released a joint ad using the hashtag “stand united.” The candidates say this: “We can debate issues without degrading each other’s character. We can disagree without hating. Win or lose, in Utah we work together. Let’s show the country there’s a better way.”
I think that’s a pretty good stand for us to take as followers of Jesus. How can we show our neighbors that there’s a better way? How can the way we respond to others during election time become a witness for the good news of Jesus Christ? How can we stay united when we disagree, oftentimes passionately? I am praying that the Holy Spirit might give every one of us the answers to these questions. May the Spirit help us to listen to our neighbor more than we speak; may the Spirit give us the right words and actions to show our world there’s a better way.
I encourage you to vote if you haven’t already. I also encourage you to pray. On election day, Tuesday, November 3, Roebuck Chapel will be open for you to drop in and pray from 11-1 and from 5-8 p.m. We have created a simple prayer guide for you to use either at the Chapel or at home if you are unable to come in person. You may access the prayer guide on our Facebook page
Please join me in praying this prayer for unity,
Grace and peace to you,
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Executive Associate Pastor
rbkelley@fsfumc.org
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In almost any human endeavor, it is important to know why you undertake a course of action. Why is something meaningful? Why do you take the steps you take? Why does it matter? Especially with regard to our giving to the church, it is important to know why we emphasize generosity.
There are corporate reasons to support the church, of course. We have a great, historic church that does much good in our community, and we want to see that continue. As many have said, “The church is the hope of the world,” and we should maintain organizations that bring light, love, joy, and hope to the world. The church has a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the good news of Christianity is an important message to share with the world. Those are all good “whys,” but I believe there are even more personal reasons to be generous.
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We want to follow Jesus. He taught so much about the proper use of money and material things. Our generosity is putting into practice what Jesus taught.
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We believe Scripture. Not only in the teaching of Jesus, but throughout Scripture, there is a consistent message of transformational generosity. We are blessed by God in our giving; “the Bible tells me so.”
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We want to grow in faith. Generosity is one of the spiritual gifts. (Galatians 5:22-23) It is a spiritual discipline that will deepen our relationship with Christ. The point is to grow stronger as a disciple. Along with other means of grace, meaningful giving helps that happen.
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We want to make an impact. Our charitable dollars are limited, and we want to give where our giving makes a difference. Giving to God through the church makes an impact on people who are led into a relationship with Christ, taught the faith, comforted in times of trouble, and helped in times of need. In the church, we transform lives, communities, and the world. Our dollars make a difference.
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We want a robust ministry and a vital church in the future. We are going to come out of the pandemic in the coming months. We want to emerge stronger, more vital, more focused, and more effective in our program of ministry. Nobody wants to give to a ship that’s going down. If we all develop the spiritual practice of generosity, we can be sure that the best days of the church are ahead of us.
Those are my “whys” for giving generously to the church. What others can you think of? Join me this month in praying and thinking about what God is calling you to do with your giving. I believe generosity can be an instant blessing and lead us to a better future!
As you plan for year-end giving, did you know…?
The CARES act for pandemic relief established some new rules for charitable giving.
1. If you itemize your contributions, you may deduct up to 100% of your Adjust Gross Income, instead of the former 60%.
2. If you take the standard deduction, the CARES act allows for an extra $300 deduction for cash gifts per household.
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Senior Pastor
breeves@fsfumc.org
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ALL SAINTS’ PRAYER EXPERIENCE |
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It is a custom that every year congregations remember and celebrate those who have died. FUMC has done this in a variety of ways over the years. It is always a deeply moving and meaningful time. But 2020 has presented this to us differently. Due to the challenges of the pandemic, many have not been given the opportunity to grieve the loss of loved ones, celebrate their life, or commemorate the day in the custom we are familiar with.
This year we at FUMC will be given the opportunity to remember and celebrate the 31 members of our congregation in a meaningful and moving experience. During our worship services on November 1st, we will mark the occasion with the reading of names, lighting of candles and ringing of bells. And you will also be given the opportunity to participate in an All Saints Prayer Experience in the Narthex.
On Sunday, November 1st during our morning services, as well as on Monday the 2nd and Tuesday the 3rd, this prayer experience will give you space to lift up prayers for those who are now a part of the Great Cloud of Witnesses. You will also be guided to life up prayers for the lives lost due to COVID-19, and space to release your own grief and pain and rest in the hope of God’s eternal love. When you join us you can enter through the Narthex breezeway door, church office door, or visit the Election Day Prayer first in Roebuck Chapel and then make your way to the Narthex.
This prayer experience will be self-guided with instructions provided so that you will find meaning during this time. We ask that you wear a mask while participating. The prayer stations will be spread out in such a way to provide for social distancing. So please, make time to stop by and take part in this power witness…you may stay as long as you wish.
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Associate Pastor
deedee.autry@arumc.org
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Forgive this terribly obvious observation, but COVID-19 has changed a lot of things, hasn’t it?
I know you’ve had many areas of your life disrupted, and that it’s been difficult. Perhaps these disruptions have even been a major point of grief. If you’ve ever burped into your facemask while wearing it, you know full well how miserable things can be in 2020.
But not all is lost. The light of Christ continues to shine. We adjust to meet the needs of our day, and the Spirit continues to guide us as we walk in faith. In fact, the pandemic has given us the time to reflect and to change things that we thought to be “unchangeables”.
One thing about being Methodist is that we like our methods. I guess you could say there’s a method to the madness, right? Though we like knowing the structure of our services, and having a general idea of what we can expect when we come to worship at our church, sometimes we simply need to allow God the space to disrupt the milieu so that we can experience a fresh and new wave of his grace.
Throughout my time directing FIRST YOUTH, we’ve more or less kept the same rhythm. Come to the Loft on Sunday night, eat dinner together, have some fun, worship, and talk in small groups. That was a rhythm we enjoyed and it worked great! But now we’re not serving dinner on Sundays, we’re restricted with the games we can play, and we are consciously trying to maintain social distance (which makes small groups designed for close proximity difficult!)
Yet God is continuing to work!
We have broken from our typical rhythm to find a new groove in the Spirit. We are partnering with different missional organizations each month. We are getting outside of our walls to worship, serve, and enjoy God’s creation. We are incorporating new crafts and projects that engage heart, soul, and mind. We’re continuing to strengthen our ties and grow our FIRST YOUTH family. Yes, a lot of things have changed, but God sure knows how to redeem something for good, even our hard times!
What fun it is to dance to a new rhythm! Amen.
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Director of Youth Ministries
mmings@fsfumc.org
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LEAVING MONEY TO A CHARITY CAN BENEFIT YOUR ESTATE |
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Have you thought about the many reasons to give to charity? Honoring a loved one, advancing a worthy cause, and a genuine interest in helping others may be just a few of the motivations that help make the world a better place. Charitable giving, however, can also come with tax benefits and leaving money to a charity in your estate can have the added benefit of helping your heirs.
First, many people give to charity out of a sincere desire to do good. The government offers certain tax benefits as an incentive, and it can be best to plan to take maximum advantage of those benefits whenever possible. This generally means reducing or eliminating asset tax liabilities and lowering the taxable value of your estate. Let us discuss several ways you may be able to accomplish this:
Give appreciated assets. Assets that have appreciated in value since their purchase, like real estate or stock, can be excellent charitable donations. Not only can the gifts reduce the taxable value of your estate by the appreciated value of the assets at the time they are donated, but your heirs may avoid capital gains taxes once the assets are redeemed.
Will or revocable trust. Consider leaving a bequest to a specific charity, or charities, in either your will or trust. Make sure to state the amount and the purpose for the funds. Establishing a gift percentage of your estate, rather than a dollar amount, can also protect your heirs from being crowded out if asset values decline in the future.
Charitable remainder trust. A charitable remainder trust involves naming a charity the beneficiary of the trust and paying designated family members distributions for a specified period of time, or even their lifetimes. Any remaining funds would then be donated to the charity.
Retirement accounts. Tax-qualified retirement accounts like IRAs and 401k’s can be directly gifted to a charity, and the benefits can be similar to donating appreciated estate assets. These retirement accounts are allowed to grow tax-free during working years but are subject to hefty tax liabilities when funds are withdrawn. Retirement accounts can also fund charitable remainder trusts, which could circumvent new restrictive retirement reforms contained in the SECURE Act of 2019.
These are complex estate planning issues, but ones that, when properly resolved, can bring many benefits to you and your loved ones. For help navigating these issues, consult with your financial and legal professionals.
--from the newsletter of Rippy, Stepps, and Associates
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We will be preparing a modified Thanksgiving take out meal this year due to the Covid19 Virus. We will only be serving to go meals and will have to limit the numbers of people that we serve in order to keep everyone safe and socially distant. If you or someone that you know would like a meal please let us know by November 11. We will not be able to take orders after this date. |
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In Washington Regional Hospital:
Loss of Loved Ones and Friends:
- Jean Annette Pryor—Cousin of Patti (Jamie) Cox
- Bobby Ray Goodman—Uncle of Carla Bay
- Chris Payne—Nephew of Patty Payne
- Joyce “Joy” Cooksey—Mother of Suzanne (Neal) Cowne, Grandmother of Megan and Troy Cowne and Greyson Goodfellow
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Sunday, November 1—All Saints’ Day
8:30 am Cornerstone Class, Zoom
9:00 am-11:00 am All Saints’ Prayer Stations, Narthex
9:30 am Believers Class, Outside at 2720 Lela Street
9:30 am Connexion Worship, Facebook Live and In-Person
9:45 am Roundtable Class, Zoom
11:00 am Sanctuary Worship, Facebook Live, FM 96.7, and In-Person
5:00 pm Club 56, Zoom
5:00 pm First Youth, Loft
Monday, November 2
8:30 am-12:30 pm All Saints’ Prayer Stations, Narthex
1:30 pm-4:30 pm All Saints’ Prayer Stations, Narthex
2:00 pm Staff Meeting, Zoom
6:00 pm Girls Troop 2, 3rd Floor
7:00 pm Boys Troop 2, 3rd Floor
Tuesday, November 3—Election Day
8:30 am-12:30 pm All Saints’ Prayer Stations, Narthex
1:30 pm-4:30 pm All Saints’ Prayer Stations, Narthex
11:00 am-1:00 pm Election Day Prayer
5:00 pm-8:00 pm Election Day Prayer
Wednesday, November 4
10:00 am Casserole Group Cooking, Aldersgate
5:30 pm Evening Prayer, Facebook Live
6:30 pm Club 56
Thursday, November 5
10:00 am Casserole Group Cooking, Aldersgate
Friday, November 6
10:30 am Roundtable Class, Zoom
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We still have shirts and signs left for pick up! Stop by during office hours to get yours, or grab one on Sunday! Share the love with your neighbors! |
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All Ingathering bags need to be delivered to the church by Thursday, November 12. Please call the church office or email Elizabeth Thames at ethames@fsfumc.org with any questions.
You can also make a monetary donation. Please specify that it is for Ingathering.
**The shelf stable milk can be found at Walmart 8301 Rogers Ave. on aisle A17 and at Walmart 2425 S. Zero St. on aisle A 16 and Walmart 2100 No. 62nd St. on aisle A9
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7 GREAT REASONS TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD |
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In this season of Fall, many people find themselves focusing more on thankfulness. But a look at the scripture reminds us that being thankful needs to be a foundation of our lives everyday. Let’s be honest though, being thankful during a pandemic is not always easy! We must remember this, having an “attitude of gratitude” adds to our physical and spiritual health all year round and can’t we just feel the difference in our lives when we live a life of thankfulness. We can and should express our appreciation to family, friends and co-workers, for basic necessities and work. For pleasant experiences and for new things. But the Bible clearly instructs us to fix our eyes on our Heavenly Father, the true source of every good thing in our lives. Verses all through the Bible point us back to God as our Creator and Sustainer, and how we are to be a thankful people. The list of things we could praise him for is endless.
Here is a list of 7 reasons to give thanks to Him all year long.
“Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4.
1. His Love “Praise the Lord. Give Thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever” Psalm 106:1.
2. His Provision “Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” Philippians 4:6.
3. His Forgiveness “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me” Isaiah 12:1.
4. His Word “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” Colossians 3:16.
5. His Creation “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” 1 Timothy 4:4.
6. His People “We ought always thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your face is growing more and more and the love all of you have for one another is increasing” 2 Thessalonians 1:3.
7. His Plan for Us “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 15:57.
Saying thank you to God hardly seems like enough in light of all of his blessings that he has bestowed upon us. Studying his word and serving those that are less fortunate will bring us to a place of humility, and a place of joy not just during the month of November but all year long and for all of our days.
This month be a blessing to someone else. If you are able to make a donation or to bring a bag of food for our Ingathering mission (see graphic with all of the details) you will feel the joy of service to others. There are also many ways to serve others through our Feed the Fort Mission Projects. If you and your family or small group would like more information on specific missions please email me and I will be happy to get you plugged in.
We all have different stories, different situations, different lives, but we have this in common, the 7 reasons above that we can all be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
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Director of Adult Discipleship
ethames@fsfumc.org
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In Memory of:
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Larry Clark by Jerry and Jane Hartfield, Gary and Kathy Schaefer, Tom and Amanda Goldsborough, Howard and Pamela McMahon, Mary Jean Holden, Richard and Jan Beauchamp, Henry and Melissa Udouj, Dr. Andrew and Mary Riche, Diane McClelland, Bob and Jan Cooper, Mike Willis and Lori Hardin, Ronnie and Lynda McDaniel, George and Carole Beattie, Ted and Ginger Taylor
- Susie McOlvin by Ronnie and Lynda McDaniel
- Lenore Payne Brown by George and Carole Beattie
- Cynthia Galloway by George and Carole Beattie, Ted and Ginger Taylor, Becky Mills, Christy Finsel, Julia Harrison
- Vernon Cooksey by Paul and Suzanne Henson, Fran Bateman
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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
- 8:30AM Cornerstone and Roundtable Sunday School Class, Zoom
- 9:30AM Believers Sunday School Class, 2720 Lela Street
- 9:30AM Connexion, Facebook Live and In-Person
- 11:00AM Sanctuary, Radio broadcast on 96.7 FM, Facebook Live, and In-Person
WEDNESDAY SERVICE
- 5:30PM Evening Prayer, Facebook Live
- 6:00PM Chapel Class, Zoom
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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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