Support Christmas Shoppes | | |
The 2025 Christmas Shoppe is quickly approaching! As we prepare to enter the holiday season, the Shoppes Committee is accepting donations of the following items to assist with the families we will be serving:
-Wrapping Supplies: Paper, Gift Bags, Bows, Tissue Paper
-Stuffed Animals (in like-new condition)
-Books for all ages: infant - high school (in like-new condition)
You can drop these items at the front office, or if you bring them on Sunday Morning, they can be taken to room 302.
The Sign Up Genius Form to select a child to sponsor for Christmas will be available very soon as well, so watch for that announcement in the next few weeks!
If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Craven at 423-620-4796 or email fumcorshoppes@gmail.com.
| | Music Ministry Opportunities | | |
Handbells Basics Workshop
Ever considered joining the FUMC Music Ministry, but don't want to sing every Sunday? Then handbells are for you! Come enjoy time getting to know some new people and learn about handbells from our Choirmaster, Josh, as well as some of our experienced ringers.
Meet in the sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. after the traditional service on Sunday, October 26. We will go out to lunch together and come back for sessions on basic music and handbell techniques. Contact Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org) for more information.
Christmas Choir Begins
| | Rehearsals for our annual Christmas Choir for this year's service of Lessons & Carols. Christmas Choir rehearsals are now taking place every Wednesday from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the choir room (105). The dress rehearsal will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 10:00 a.m. The service of Lessons & Carols is on Sunday, December 7, at 4:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols will take the place of the usual concert and will include the Adult Choir, Schola Cantorum, Children's Choir, Carillons, and a brass ensemble. Please let Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org) know ASAP if you would like to participate so the music will be ready for you. | | Scripture reminds us time and again of the importance of hospitality as well as the importance of offering ourselves in service to God and to others. As we approach our season of stewardship, consider giving to the church by joining one of our teams of ushers. On Sunday, November 2, training for ushers will be offered directly after the 11:00 a.m. services. Please meet in the Fellowship Hall around 12:00 p.m. to grab a free lunch (sandwiches and chips) and to begin training. This event is meant for ushers who have been doing it for years, those who are brand new, and even those who might just be interested in learning more before committing to anything. Please contact Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org) no later than October 27 with your availability to attend, as well as any dietary restrictions. | | Stephen Ministry Training Rescheduled | | The Stephen Ministry training class, originally scheduled to start in September, has been postponed until January, so you still have time to sign up for this special opportunity. The class will run on Tuesday evenings for 17 consecutive weeks beginning January 6 and ending April 28. Classes will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in joining the class, please contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org), Dan Ingersoll (dingersoll3@comcast.net), Anne Leitnaker (anne.leitnaker@gmail.com), or Peg Ashline (ashline27@bellsouth.net) no later than November 21. For more information, check us out at fumcor.org/stephen-ministry. | | First Steps Spaghetti Dinner | | The First Steps Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction is on Friday, November 7th. Tickets are on sale and will be available for purchase in the church office and at First Steps' door. Tickets are $20 each, $5 for children ages 3-10, with a family maximum of $50. Children under 3 are free. Call 865-483-6291 or stop by the church office to get your ticket. | | |
Any elves out there?
We need help to decorate the Chrismon tree in the FUMC sanctuary on Monday, November 24, at 5:00 p.m. It will take about 90 minutes.
The tree will be assembled; we’ll be adding the beautiful Chrismons. Invite new friends and join the fun. We need tall and not-so-tall helpers, ladder climbers, and people who stay grounded. All are welcome!
Contact: Vicki Hinkel (vhinkel@comcast.net).
| | First Recovery Annual Thanksgiving Dinner | | |
The First Recovery ministry will be holding its annual Thanksgiving Dinner on November 26. This is one of the biggest events of the year for the recovery ministry—a celebration of gratitude that, for many of the people we serve, may be the only Thanksgiving meal they experience.
This special evening is made possible through the support of our congregation and dedicated First Recovery volunteers. We are currently seeking donations of side dishes, as well as volunteers to help with preparation and serving.
If you feel led to help, please contact Matt Holder at mholder@fumcor.org or 865-603-7932.
| | Looking for an Advent Study? | | |
Have you chosen your Advent study yet? Please consider Bethlehem: An Advent Journey, written by the Rev. David Graybeal. Dave is a United Methodist Pastor and member of The Holston Annual Conference who has served churches in southwestern England and east Tennessee. He is also an adjunct professor of religion at Tennessee Wesleyan University. Dave will be here at First Church on December 14 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss his book. Look for more information about that event as the date draws closer. If you would like a copy of Bethlehem: An Advent Journey, books are available to pick up in the office for $12.
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Wear a FUMC church t-shirt and represent our church in the community as you live your faith! We can wear shirts to Coffee in the Community, on the prayer hike, serving in Food for Kids, Community Meal, and other servant opportunities. T-shirts are available for a nominal price of $12. If you would like a t-shirt, call the church office (865-483-4357).
| | Do you know of people who have recently been unable to leave their homes except for essential appointments such as medical visits? If so, please contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org) so that our list of homebound members can be updated. We want to care for our aging disciples properly and offer them the love of Christ in their homes. | |
October Special Offering -
(Trustees) Building Contingency Fund
| | The Special Offering for the month of October will support our facilities and the work of FUMC’s Trustees by bolstering the Building Contingency Fund. The Office and Vienna Road parking lots were recently resealed and repainted. This is routine maintenance work required every 5-10 years to ensure the longevity of our parking lots. The Building Contingency Fund helps keep our facilities functioning through routine maintenance projects and when unexpected needs arise. To support the October Special Offering, follow the link below. | |
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Worship for October 26
Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Reading:
Joel 2: 23-32
2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18
Luke 18: 9-14
8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Ken Sauer, Rev. Denna Hornby
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In the Hospital/Dismissed
None that we are aware of at this time.
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Offering 10-13-2025 through 10-19-2025: $18,942.57
2025 YTD Offering: $1,098,620
2024 YTD Offering: $1,034,033
October Special Offering (Trustees): $1,040
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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