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“Infrequent prayer teaches a church that God is needed only in special situations–under certain circumstances but not all. It teaches a church that God’s help is intermittently necessary, not consistently so. It leads a church to believe that there are plenty of things we can do without God’s help, and we need to bother God only when we run into especially difficult situations.” -John Onwuchekwa
During the month of February, First Church will come together in a 28-day prayer experiment. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this exercise, whether individually, with their Sunday School class, or in their small group. We will use the book, Dynamite Prayer, to guide us daily through Scripture, meditation, and breakthrough prayer. Breakthrough prayer is a way of praying where we ask God to open new doors and reveal new possibilities. As we practice breakthrough prayer daily, we will also gather in worship each Sunday and reflect on the characteristics of the Holy Spirit that make God's movement real in our lives and in our world.
We will be placing an order of the Dynamite Prayer books in mid-January. If you or your group would like to order copies of the book, please let Pastor Clair (csauer@fumcor.org) know the number you need by January 15. Books will cost $10/each, and will be due when you pick up your book(s). If you have questions or need more information, contact Pastor Clair.
We are going to learn to listen to God and hear God. We are going to experience great adventures for God’s Kingdom. We hope you will plan to be part. Contact Pastors Ken (ksauer@fumcor.org) or Clair if you have questions or would like more information.
| | This month’s Community Celtic Worship service will take place this Sunday, January 11, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. All are invited to come and experience some quiet, sacred time inspired by scripture, liturgy, and beautiful music. All are welcome. For more information contact Jenny Caughman at jcaughman@fumcor.org. | | The Senior Adult Luncheon for January will be held on Wednesday, the 21st. The program will feature Rex Redd, a professional artist and Executive Director of the Oak Ridge Art Center. If you would like to enjoy the lasagna meal and program, please make a reservation by calling the church office (865-483-4357) no later than Thursday, January 15. The cost for lunch is $15. | | |
The loss of a loved one or another cherished relationship is often overwhelming, and we find ourselves in need of companionship in order to face our grief and move forward.
Recognizing this need, First Church is offering a Grief Support Group for those suffering loss, recent or chronic, on Thursdays, January 29 - March 19, 3:00-4:30 p.m. in Room 203. The group provides a safe, confidential setting where participants can better understand and express their grief. Brief weekly reading assignments will guide group discussion.
Co-facilitators are Gielda Reese, a retired school teacher who lost her 14-year-old daughter to cancer, and retired pastor Bob Cantrell.
Advance registration is encouraged, but not required. For more information or to register, contact Pastor Denna Hornby at dhornby@fumcor.org or 865-483-4357.
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Do you know how many people work at First Steps, the church’s full-time child care center? At any given time, there are 23-25 employees, equaling all of the rest of the church staff. Julie Martin is the Director of this outreach service to the community, assisted by Susan Whitney. The Center is licensed annually for 70 children and has a current enrollment of 69 with 65 attending on its busiest day. First Steps has an independent budget of around $900,000, 97% of which is funded through student tuition. Compare that to the total church budget of $1.52 million.
First Steps celebrates that it received a 98% quality rating for the 2024-2025 school year. This was the second highest score in the greater Knoxville surrounding area. The Center’s compliance consultant noted that First Steps is the most academically credentialed of all the centers he visits. First Steps is in the process of receiving national accreditation for its program. When that happens, the quality score is expected to be 99%.
First Steps would like to thank the church for its support. The program is particularly grateful for facilities manager extraordinaire Mike Corcoran, the patient Finance office, and reliable custodians Tammy and Jessica. If you would like to contribute to the success of First Steps, these are ways you can help: serve on the First Steps Board, volunteer at one of the major events (December holiday program, start-of-summer picnic, etc.), participate in the classroom by reading or acting out a book, leading a cooking lesson, teaching a dance or a song, demonstrating a science experiment, or donating money to the First Steps Commitment to Excellence Fund. Contact Julie Martin at 865-483-6291 for details.
| | "Persisting in Unity and Respect" will also include a combined community choir. If you would like to be part of the choir, rehearsals will be held at Oak Valley Baptist Church on January 10 at 3:00 p.m. and January 15 at 6:30 p.m. | |
January Special Offering -
Community Assistance Fund
| | The special monthly offering for January will support the Community Assistance Fund. The pastors use these funds to provide gas and utilities assistance to our neighbors in need. On average, the pastors support 8-12 households each month, spending approximately $2,000.00 to help people in times of emergency. To support the January Special Offering, mail a check to the church with "Community Assistance" in the memo line, or follow the link below. | |
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Worship for January 11
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 42: 1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10: 34-43
Matthew 3: 13-17
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
We offer prayers for the family and friends of Betty Pitts, who joined FUMC on March 16, 1980, and died on December 14, 2025. A service for Betty will be held at FUMC on Saturday, January 17, at 2:00 p.m., with a receiving of friends beginning at 1:00 p.m.
In the Hospital/Dismissed
None that we are aware of at this time.
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Offering 12-22-2025 through 12-31-2025: $35,874
2025 YTD Offering: $1,415,209
2024 YTD Offering: $1,341,799
December Special Offering (Clean Water): $8,215
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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