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The 2025 Holston Annual Conference Hands-On Mission Project is here! This year, First Church will work with the other churches of the Tennessee Valley District to send food buckets to Zimbabwe. Beginning this Sunday, May 11, you can pick up a 5-gallon bucket and lid in the Welcome Center. Fill the bucket with the items listed below, include $8.00 for shipping (make checks payable to First UMC with "buckets" in the memo line), and return the packed bucket to the Welcome Center no later than Sunday, May 25.
1 bag of sugar (4-5 lb)
1 bag of self-rising flour (4-5 lb)
1 bag of rice (2 lb)
1 bag of dried beans (2 lb)
1 powdered milk (no larger than 64 oz)
1 bottle of cooking oil (48 oz or less)
2 cans of meat: ham (2 - 1 lb cans) or spam, tuna, chicken
Thank you for helping us provide food to our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe!
| | Oak Ridge Youth Pride Fest | | The Oak Ridge Youth Pride Fest will be held this Saturday, May 10, at First Presbyterian Church from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. This year's theme is "Freedom to Express Ourselves." LGBTQIA+ Youth will have the opportunity to experience fellowship and fun in a safe space. Our own Rev. Ken Sauer has volunteered to be the "dunkee" in a dunking booth sponsored by the Social Concerns Committee. Contact Greg Smith at smit92611@gmail.com for more information. | | Community Celtic Worship Service | | This month's Community Celtic Worship will take place on Sunday at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church at 5:00 p.m. Next month, the service will be back at FUMC on June 8. For more information about this contemplative worship experience, please contact Pastor Jenny Caughman, jcaughman@fumcor.org. | | Bakeless Bake Sale Is Sunday, May 18 | | |
The United Women in Faith (UWF), formerly known as United Methodist Women, will host a Bakeless Bake Sale on Sunday, May 18, in conjunction with Sunday morning activities. Our organization has been aiding families since 1870, with the unit here at First Church contributing since the 1940s. We have consistently supported local and regional organizations such as Wesley House, the Morgan Scott Project, Church Women United, and Second Harvest.
This year, we would like to donate $250 to our church's Community Assistance Fund. The Community Assistance Fund provides gas and utility assistance to our neighbors in need. Our pastors spend approximately $2,500 each month on behalf of about 10 households.
In addition, we would like to donate $250 to our Community Meal ministry. Each Wednesday evening, approximately 180 meals are served here with a take-out option available. This ministry is not funded through the church budget, but by external grants.
We would greatly appreciate your support by participating in our Bakeless Bake Sale on Sunday, May 18.
| | Register now for Vacation Bible School! Students Pre-K (5 years) through 6th Grade can join us for a week of fun as we learn about the Fruits of the Spirit through engaging Bible stories, crafts, games, and more! | | Volunteer for Vacation Bible School | | |
Would you like to be part of an amazing week teaching students about God's love for them? Join us for Vacation Bible School and have fun alongside our students by playing games, making crafts, hearing Bible stories, and more. Volunteers are vital in making VBS a successful week, and we can't wait for you to join our team!
Volunteers must meet Safe Sanctuary guidelines and attend a volunteer meeting. If you would like to know if you meet our guidelines for volunteering, please contact Shelby Fowler at sfowler@fumcor.org. Follow the link below to register as a volunteer!
| | Children and Family Ministries invites you to celebrate the end of the school year at the annual Glow Dance Party! This year, the party will be held in the Multi-purpose Room on Friday, May 30, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Contact Shelby Fowler (sfowler@fumcor.org) for more information. | | May Special Offering - Music Ministries | | |
Throughout the month of May, the special offering will support the FUMC Music Ministry. For years, this church has influenced many lives through music, bringing congregants closer to God in worship and offering activities for all ages. The Music Ministry currently involves approximately 75 regular participants in various groups, including the Parish Adult Choir, Parish Youth Choir, Children’s Treble Choir, Schola Cantorum, Carillons handbell ensemble, and the brand new FUMC Orchestra. Other musicians contribute through vocal or instrumental solos and by participating in special choirs.
In traditional services alone, around 223 musical pieces are performed or sung each year. This number only includes preludes, anthems, offertories, and postludes. If additional music such as psalms, service music, introits, and unique hymns were accounted for, the total would well exceed 300. In the past year, the children's choir, adult choir, and handbells have experienced growth. FUMC has seen the emergence of another large ensemble in the form of the orchestra. On June 21, 2025, FUMC will host a concert by the internationally renowned, professional handbell ensemble, The Raleigh Ringers. Our own Carillons handbell ensemble just attended the Smoky Mountain Ring handbell festival. This June, a group of church members from children to adults will attend the Music & Worship Arts Week at Lake Junaluska.
There are so many additional expenses for the activities listed above (as well as many others not listed) that are not included in the budget, such as music, robes, stand lights, and other necessary tools. Tuning and maintaining the pipe organ and six pianos also require financial resources. The line items for handbell-related purchases and children's choir-related purchases were removed years ago. Additionally, any trip taken by the Music Ministry incurs costs. Our music ministry is revitalizing in tangible ways, but it needs your support to continue growing.
Music has a profound impact on us, creating lasting memories and friendships. The Music Ministry humbly asks for your support of the May Special Offering, which will benefit all musical endeavors at our church so that FUMC can continue to inspire the community through song.
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Worship for May 11
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Scripture Readings:
Acts 9: 36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7: 9-17
John 10: 22-30
8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Clair Sauer, Rev. Ken Sauer
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In the Hospital
None that we are aware of at this time.
Dismissed
Sam Snow (to Canterfield, Hospice)
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Our Giving
Offering 4-28-2025 through 5-4-2025: $22,170.00
2025 YTD Offering: $516,952
2024 YTD Offering: $484,963
April Monthly Special Offering: $1,263.00
May Monthly Special Offering: $855.00
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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