Thank You Reception for Shelby Fowler | | |
Shelby Fowler's last Sunday as our Children and Family Ministries Director is this Sunday, August 31. While Shelby and Andrew will not be leaving First Church, Shelby is beginning a new career. You have an opportunity to say "Thank You!" to Shelby and offer your well-wishes. From 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 31, there will be a reception in the Welcome Center and Children's Sunday School Room 206. All are invited to take a moment to greet Shelby, drop off a card if you like, and celebrate Shelby's wonderful ministry at First Church!
| | Last Chance to Sign Up for the Stewardship Ministry Fair | | On Sunday morning, September 14, First Church will hold a Stewardship Ministry Fair in the Fellowship Hall and Welcome Center. If you would like to showcase your ministry at the Stewardship Ministry Fair, please have one person from your group contact the church office (officemanager@fumcor.org, 865-483-4357). The deadline to sign up is August 31. Contact Pastor Clair (csauer@fumcor.org) for more information. | | Last Chance to Sign Up for Stephen Ministry Training | | This is your last chance to register for the upcoming Stephen Ministry training, which begins on September 23. The lead time is needed to determine if we have a sufficient number of participants to conduct the class, and if so, to order the training material. If you have not already done so, please contact the church office (865-483-4357) or any Stephen Leader no later than Monday, September 1, to sign up. You won't regret it! | | Due to the Labor Day holiday, the church office and building will be closed on Monday, September 1. This includes Keystone, First Steps, and all church meetings and activities. Additionally, Coffee in the Community will not be meeting. We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend! | | New Bible Study Begins Wednesday | | On September 3, Pastor Ken is kicking off a new Bible Study, "What does the Bible really say about heaven, hell, and the afterlife?" There are two opportunities to join this study each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. (room 207) and 6:00 p.m. (room 205). Please contact Pastor Ken (ksauer@fumcor.org) if you would like more information or will need childcare. | | Ensemble Rehearsals Resume | | Beginning Wednesday, September 3, all FUMC ensembles will resume their rehearsals for the 2025-2026 music season! Check the graphic above to see which ensemble might be best for you and to see when they rehearse. Additionally, there will be a choir Boot Camp on Saturday, September 6. Boot Camp is for singers of all ages. A handbell class for beginners is also in the planning stages for later this Fall. For more information about how to get involved, please contact Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org). | | Share Your Covenant Prayer | | During the final worship services of the Covenant Prayer Series this past Sunday, all were invited to write their own Covenant Prayer. If you would like to share your Covenant Prayer with our congregation, we would love to include it as a prayer resource in a Midweek Devotional one week! Simply email your prayer to Pastor Clair (csauer@fumcor.org) and let her know if you wish it to be shared with your name or anonymously, then be on the lookout for your prayer in the Wednesday Midweek Devotional emails. We are grateful for your willingness to share and the opportunity we all have to strengthen our relationships with one another and with God as we join together in prayer. | | |
First Kids Worship Is Back
After a summer break, First Kids Worship is back for the 11:00 a.m. services (except on the first Sunday of each month)! All are invited to join in gathering worship in the Traditional or Contemporary spaces, after which children in grades K-3 may go to Room 206 for children's church, where they can be picked up by their parent(s)/guardian(s) when services end. Also, nursery care is always available throughout Sunday morning services and activities.
| | Senior Adult Luncheon Is Back for the Fall | | Senior Adult Luncheons resume on September 17. The menu for September will feature a spiced apple cider marinated pork loin, catered by Whitney Dodd. The program will be "History of the Blues" by Doug Harris and Robert Higginbotham. Doug and Robert, two masterful Blues musicians, will share a delightful program of music, soul, and history. Both artists began their musical journeys in a church choir. This is a program that promises to keep your foot tapping and your spirit lifted. Reserve your seat by calling the church office (865-483-4357) by September 11. | | Support First Recovery - With or Without a Ticket! | | |
Burgers and Bluegrass tickets are all sold out! But if you were hoping to support First Recovery at this fundraising event on September 21, you may be able to buy tickets at the door, weather permitting. Watch for more information as the event approaches.
Even if you aren't able to make it to Burgers and Bluegrass, you can still support First Recovery and the new endowment that will provide enduring funds for this vital ministry. A generous donor will match every dollar donated up to $50,000. Over $30,000 has already been given! Help us reach $100,000 before the fundraising event by donating today!
If you would like to donate to the First Recovery Endowment, follow this link (enter the amount you wish to donate in the "Fundraising Events - First Recovery Endowment" line).
Thank you for helping us secure the impact of First Recovery for years to come!
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Each week, our traditional services are made a bit more special by the floral arrangements surrounding the altar. Giving altar flowers reminds us not only of the beauty of God's creation, but also that any gift we offer is acceptable in God's sight. As a reminder, you may sign up using the paper sheet found on the wall between the Chapel (201) and the Parlor (202). Please complete all information, including whether you wish the arrangement(s) to be in honor or in memory of someone or something special to you. If you do not desire to sign up, but appreciate the beauty the flowers bring to worship, a fund was started by a donor that you may contribute to for Sundays when only one arrangement has been purchased by a donor or when no arrangements have been purchased. You may pay via check or online donation. Simply indicate that the funds are to be used in the "Altar Flowers" line item. Thank you for making our worship more attractive!
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The Blessing Box outside St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is for community use. Take the food and supplies you need, and donate whatever you can. It’s best to drop donations at the St. Stephen’s church office, which is inside the drive-thru entrance. Office hours are 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The most-needed items are: canned meats, ravioli/spaghetti cans with easy-open tops, peanut butter, protein bars, individual tuna packs, feminine pads, adult pull-ups, water, and protein drinks. Contacts: Vicki Hinkel (vhinkel@comcast.net) at FUMC or Suzanne Norman (snorman04@comcast.net) at St. Stephen’s.
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August Special Offering -
First Recovery
| | This month’s special offering will benefit the First Recovery ministry. Though we are in the midst of a fundraiser to establish an endowment for First Recovery, this monthly offering will support First Recovery's ongoing services. First Recovery offers help, hope, and healing to individuals struggling with substance misuse disorder. Ministries like First Recovery show us how faith-based healing, recovery coaching, and peer encouragement can be transformative. They offer a blueprint of second chances rooted in spiritual care and human dignity. First Recovery is a vital and growing ministry that serves a significant need in our community. Your support is greatly appreciated! | |
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Worship for August 31
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 13: 1-3, 15-16
Luke 14: 1, 7-14
8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Ken Sauer, Rev. Clair Sauer
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In Sympathy
FUMC mourns the loss of:
Paul Haas, who joined FUMC on September 3, 2000, and died on August 1, 2025. Please be in prayer for Paul's wife, Princess, their children and grandchildren, and all of Paul's family and friends. Services will take place on Saturday, August 30. There will be a receiving of friends at 1:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the FUMC Missions Endowment Fund.
Tillie Carden, who died on August 22, 2025. We ask for prayers for her son, William, and all of Tillie's family and friends. Tillie, who was residing in Rockledge, Florida, joined FUMC on August 8, 1948. A committal service for Tillie will be held in the FUMC Memorial Garden at a later date.
Robert "Bob" Henderson, who joined FUMC on September 15, 1963, and died on August 24, 2025. We ask for prayers for Bob's sons, Scott and Bruce, and all of Bob's family and friends. A funeral service will be held at FUMC on Saturday, September 13, at 1:00 p.m., with a receiving of friends beginning at 12:00 p.m.
Ann Munz, who joined FUMC on September 18, 1977, and died on August 25, 2025. We ask for prayers for Ann's daughters, Julie and Diane, and all of Ann's family and friends. A funeral service will be held at FUMC on Saturday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m. with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.
In the Hospital
Judy Statzer
Discharged
Gayle Boroughs
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Offering 8-11-2025 through 8-17-2025: $8,220.35
2025 YTD Offering: $884,578
2024 YTD Offering: $834,577
August Special Offering (First Recovery): $2,655
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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