|
On Sunday, January 19, at 4:00 p.m., all are invited to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy. A community service, "Persisting in Unity and Respect—The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.," will be held at Oak Valley Baptist Church (194 Hampton Road) and accessible virtually at oakvalleybc.com. Speakers from the civic and faith communities will participate, as will a community choir that will include voices from First Church!
Check out these other opportunities to honor MLK this weekend.
| |
Enjoy Soup and Celebrate Jeff Kile | |
|
The church-wide soup luncheon is next Sunday, January 26, following 11:00 a.m. worship. We will enjoy fellowship and celebrate Jeff Kile as he begins retirement. Stop by to share your gratitude for his many years of dedicated ministry as our Contemporary Worship Director.
Here's how the potluck will work: anytime before 11:00 a.m. on the 26th, bring a crock pot of soup, a labeled ladle, and a recipe card that folks can photograph after they enjoy your offering. Also helpful is any dietary information such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. Leave the soup in the kitchen or on one of the tables in the Multipurpose Room. The church will provide lemonade and water, bowls, napkins, utensils, and bread or crackers.
Can’t bring soup or maybe just forgot? Come anyway, there is always plenty to eat. We will all enjoy the food and fellowship.
| |
Grief Support Group Begins Thursday | |
|
Anyone grieving the death of loved ones or suffering from other losses is welcome to attend a Grief Support Group at First Church. A new, 7-week group begins on January 23. The group will meet each Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. in Room 203.
This group provides a safe, confidential setting where participants can better understand and express their grief. Brief reading assignments will guide group discussion. Co-facilitators are Gielda Reese and retired pastor Bob Cantrell.
Additionally, FUMC offers a monthly Parents and Grandparents Grief Support Group for those who have lost a child. Meetings are on the second Monday of each month, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m., in Room 203.
Advance registration is encouraged but not required. For more information or to register, contact FUMC Co-Lead Pastor Ken Sauer at ksauer@fumcor.org or 865-483-4357.
| |
|
All are invited to a special email writing party sponsored by your Social Concerns Committee this Tuesday, January 21. This is a chance to reach out to your legislators and express your opinion about a matter that will impact our public schools.
Governor Bill Lee has called Tennessee lawmakers into a special session (set to begin on January 27) to take a vote on a statewide school voucher program. This email writing party is a non-partisan effort. We will meet in room 204 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Contact Greg Smith (smit92611@gmail.com) for more information.
| |
Celtic Worship Service Rescheduled | |
The Celtic Worship service that was postponed last Sunday due to weather has been rescheduled. Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 26, at 5:00 p.m. This month's service will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Contact Jenny Caughman (jcaughman@fumcor.org) for more information. | |
Music and Worship Arts Week Registration | |
|
Join us for Music and Worship Arts Week (MWAW) on the campus of beautiful Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. MWAW is a fun time to be together as worship leaders, musicians, artists, dancers, actors, and pastors for education and renewal in a spirit of inclusivity and grace. There are opportunities for children’s choir, middle high choir, senior high choir, young adult choir, adult choir, handbells, orchestra, and dance!
Attendees can expect to share a house right up the street from all the rehearsals and other activities. A week of music, fun, and fellowship all for only $100 for each adult and $50 for each child or youth. To register, please submit a registration form along with payment in the form of cash or check made out to FUMCOR with "Music Week" in the memo line no later than February 23. Please reach out to Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org), Denna Hornby (dhornby@fumcor.org), or Shelby Fowler (sfowler@fumcor.org) for more information.
| |
Scholarship Applications Are Now Open | |
|
Are you a graduating senior or current college student? Please visit https://fumcor.org/scholarships/ to apply for scholarships made available through our church.
Applications are due by April 15. For further information, please contact Pastor Denna Hornby (dhornby@fumcor.org).
| |
Small Group with Caroline Beidler | |
January Special Offering - Community Assistance Fund
In January, First Church's special monthly offering will support the Community Assistance Fund. These funds are used by the pastors to provide gas and utilities assistance to our neighbors in need. On average, the pastors support 8-12 households each month, spending approximately $2,500.00 to help people in times of emergency.
| |
|
Worship for January 19
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Scripture Readings:
Amos 9: 13-15
Psalm 29
2 Corinthians 5: 16-21
John 2: 1-11
8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Clair Sauer, Rev. Ken Sauer
| |
|
In Sympathy
Christian love and sympathy are offered to the families and friends of:
Carolyn Henderson, who joined FUMC on September 15, 1963, and died on January 11, 2025. Services will be held later in the year.
Robert (Bob) Canady, who joined FUMC on February 9, 2014, and died on January 12, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at FUMC. Receiving of friends will begin at 1:00 p.m.
Barry Saunders, who joined FUMC on December 22, 1991, and died on January 12, 2025. Services arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Irene Lands, the mother of Ron Lands, who died on January 6, 2025.
In the Hospital
Joanne Boyle (MMC)
Jeff Martin (MMC)
| |
|
Our Giving
Offering 1-1-2025 through 1-16-2025: $60,732.90
2025 YTD offering: $60,732.90
2024 YTD offering: $75,591.35
January Monthly Special Offering: $85.00
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
| | | | |
