First Things for January 3, 2025

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First Things Online

PJ and Movie Day on Sunday

Are you looking for some good, wholesome family fun to close out the Winter Break? Join in a pajama and movie day this Sunday, January 5, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room!

Volunteer to Help with Food for Kids

Grief Support Opportunities for 2025

Catherine Sanders, a psychologist who lost her 17-year-old son in an accident, writes, “Grief is a strange paradox. We are forced to let go of beloved persons at exactly the time our souls are screaming to have them back.” Yet, she adds, “If we have the courage to allow ourselves to go into our grief and feel its positive and negative eﬀects, we can shorten the time it takes to survive a major loss.” (Surviving Grief…And Learning to Live Again, 26, 27).

First Church will oﬀer three identical 7-week Grief Support Groups in 2025. Anyone grieving the death of loved ones or suﬀering from other losses is welcome to attend.

The first 7-week group will meet on Thursdays, January 23 - March 6, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. in Room 203 at the church. Two other 7-week groups will be oﬀered later in the year.

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, a retired school teacher who lost her 14-year-old daughter to cancer, and retired pastor Bob Cantrell.

Additionally, FUMC oﬀers a monthly Parents and Grandparents Grief Support Group for those who have lost a child. Reese and Cantrell also facilitate this group. Meetings are on the second Monday of each month, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m., in Room 203.

At the next meeting on January 13, the group will discuss Dr. Catherine Sanders’ book and the importance of self-care in the grief process.

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.

Senior Adult Luncheon

You have one more week to get your reservation in for the first Senior Adult Luncheon of 2025! Join us for an opportunity to show your support for and get to know the wonderful staff who serve our church family! They will share their background stories and tell what led them to serve here. We are so grateful to have Mike Corcoran, who will be the MC for this program.

The first luncheon of the year will be in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15. The cost is $15.00 per person and will cover the champagne chicken meal catered by Whitney Dodd Chambers.

Please call the church office (865-483-4357) by January 9 to make a reservation for this event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Instrumentalists Wanted!

Do you or someone you know play an instrument? Have you been thinking of new ways to devote yourself to God in the new year? If the answer to one or both of these questions is, "Yes!" then there is an opportunity for you at FUMC!

A new ensemble opportunity is now available for church members (or family and friends) who play typical band or orchestra instruments to contribute their talents in worship. Depending on interest, this new ensemble will play a few times per year on big Sundays or other festive occasions. Most instruments are accepted, and all skill levels are welcome.

Please contact Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org) for more information or with leads on instrumentalists.

Small Group with Caroline Beidler

Join local author and FUMC member, Caroline Beidler, for a 3-week class on January 12, 19, and 26 at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Caroline will be discussing her most recent book, You Are Not Your Trauma. Caroline is a mental health and addiction recovery expert who will help identify unhealthy patterns that keep you stuck. She will also offer insight to increase your awareness to live more freely without your trauma - or your family's trauma - holding you back.

Copies of Caroline's book are available from Pastor Denna. For more information, contact Pastor Denna at dhornby@fumcor.org.

Mark Your Calendars!

After the success of the church-wide potluck and soup lunch last year, we have another soup lunch planned for January 26 following 11:00 a.m. worship. 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.

Additionally, January 26th marks Jeff Kile’s last Sunday as contemporary music director. Stop by and wish him the best.

Can’t bring soup or maybe just forgot? Come anyway, there is always plenty to eat. We will all enjoy the food and fellowship.

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.

Give Today

Worship for January 5

Epiphany Sunday

Scripture Readings:

Isaiah 60: 1-6

Psalm 72: 1-7, 12-14

1 John 2: 9-11

John 1: 1-18

8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room

Preaching: Rev. Ken Sauer, Rev. Clair Sauer

Worship Service Livestreams

In Sympathy

We offer sympathy and prayers to Terry Pfeiffer in the loss of her brother, David Copeland Jr., on December 23, 2024. In accordance with David's wishes, there will be no funeral services.

In the Hospital

Jeff Martin (MMC)

Dismissed

Judy Statzer (to Viva)