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Breakthrough Prayer
God, reform my view of any personal discouragement or failing so that I may instead see it as a window through which your resurrection strength and power can shine. Amen.
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| Would you like to know more about the United Methodist Church and especially First Church? Join us for First Church 101 this Sunday, September 6, after the 11:00 a.m. services to learn more about all the ministries and missions happening in and through FUMC. We will meet in the Welcome Center at 12:00 p.m. Wear your walking shoes! We will take a tour of our campus, meet church staff, and answer your questions. We look forward to sharing this time with you! If you are interested in joining First Church, the next Group Membership Sunday is September 13. Contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org) for more information. | | Join us this Sunday in the Chapel at 6:00 p.m. for Evening Grace. Melinda Holder will lead a reflection based on James 4 about our willingness and readiness for God to remove all our defects of character (Step 6). Wonderful, uplifting music will be provided by Trent Gilmore. All are invited to this special time of praise and worship. For more information, contact Matt Holder (mholder@fumcor.org) or Brandi Pedigo (bpedigo@fumcor.org). | | Because of the Labor Day holiday, the church office and building will be closed on Monday, September 7. This includes Keystone, First Steps, and all church meetings and activities. Additionally, Coffee in the Community, Prayer Walk, and Pickleball will not be meeting. We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend! | | |
Join the Senior Adult Luncheon on September 16 at noon in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $15, and reservations are due by September 10. Call the church office at 865-483-4357 to reserve your spot today!
The September presentation is by Randy Hemann. Randy has been City Manager in Oak Ridge since November 1, 2023. Since his arrival, the City has adopted a Strategic Plan, completed improvements to facilities such as the Library and City Council Chambers, and begun planning repairs to the pool and construction of a new Animal Shelter and Fire Station. Randy also helped form the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation that has attracted over $10 billion in investments and will generate 3,000 new jobs. He has also been involved in steering the community to create forward-looking plans to guide and encourage future improvements.
Before coming to Oak Ridge, Randy spent almost 40 years in City Management and downtown development in multiple North Carolina communities including Mooresville, High Point, Oxford, Salisbury, Kinston, and Benson. He led projects for new police and fire stations, parks, and libraries, and a $36 million baseball stadium. In Salisbury, he led two downtown master plans that resulted in over $70 million in investment and the designation as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods in the US by the American Planning Association.
Randy is a native of Huntington, West Virginia. He earned a BA in Political Science at Marshall University and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from East Carolina University. Randy has been married to his wife, Paula, for 40 years, and they have one son and three grandchildren.
| | Be Part of Making Worship Great! | | There are many pieces to worship leadership, and every part is important. You don't have to love public speaking or have amazing musical talents. You can help make worship at FUMC a welcoming and moving experience by serving as an usher. If you are interested in joining a team of great people, contact Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org). | | Senior Travelers September Trip | | |
Are you interested in taking a monthly day trip from Oak Ridge to area destinations and events? Join our first “Senior Travelers” event visiting the Mennonite community at Muddy Pond, TN, on September 17. Our neighbors in Muddy Pond will be making sorghum the old-fashioned way—with a horse and cane press. We will see a demonstration of sorghum making, be able to taste some, and have the ability to purchase it as well. There is also a variety store, leather shop, Muddy Mug coffee shop, and "The Country Porch" where we can have lunch. There is no fee for this trip, so just bring cash for lunch or any goods that you would like to purchase. Many homemade items will be available for purchase at the Muddy Pond businesses. Some of the shops take credit cards, but cash works best at the Pond.
We will depart our parking lot at 9:00 a.m. on September 17. Our goal is to return by midafternoon. We have 14 seats available on the church bus. Please email Pastor Denna at dhornby@fumcor.org to reserve a seat.
| | Special Jazz Mass Service | | |
In just two weeks, we will have a special worship service. Mark your calendars for a Jazz Mass on Sunday, September 20! At both 8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., worship will feature music from Bob Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass, performed by the FUMC Schola Cantorum with Josh Sumter on piano and Kevin Krapf on percussion.
Join us for a Sunday that brings together worship, choral music, and the energy of jazz. We hope you’ll come and experience it with us! And please note that on September 20, both 11:00 a.m. services will be combined in the Sanctuary.
| | Jones Memorial Library Update | | |
Do you enjoy reading? Do you like the feel of a book in your hands? The Jones Memorial Library needs a few good helpers. Please contact Pastor Denna at dhornby@fumcor.org if you are willing to be part of this team.
| | Connecting with God Through Prayer | | Connect with Realm Connect | |
September Special Offering -
Youth Ministry
| | The Special Offering for the month of September will support FUMC’s Youth Ministries. This vital ministry engages youth in 7th-12th grades through weekly youth gatherings and regular fellowship activities. Additionally, First Church provides a Student Lunch each Thursday during the school year. This is for ORHS juniors and seniors who have off-campus lunch. Investing in today’s youth is necessary in growing the body of Christ. Teaching young people in the church and helping them grow in their relationship with God can prepare them to serve Christ in all they do. As a result, this nurtures the congregation and allows the church to flourish. Your gifts to the special offering will help us keep youth ministry going so that we can continue to bless the young people in our community in new and exciting ways. We are so grateful for your support! If you would like to support the September Special Offering, follow the link below or mail a check to: First UMC, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Notate “monthly offering” in the memo line. | |
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Worship for September 6
Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Readings:
Ezekiel 33: 7, 10-11
Psalm 119: 33-40
Romans 13: 8-10
Matthew 18: 15-20
8: 45 a.m. & 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 Sympathy
Please be in prayer for the families and friends of:
John Peters, who joined FUMC on December 21, 2017, and died on August 29, 2026. Funeral services were held at FUMC yesterday, September 3.
Gayle Boroughs, who joined FUMC on May 13, 1990, and died on July 30, 2026. A receiving of friends will be held at FUMC beginning at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, September 5, followed by a celebration of Gayle's life at 12:00 noon.
Joanne Boyle, who joined FUMC on August 20, 1978, and died on July 30, 2026. Services will be held this Sunday, September 6, with a receiving of friends at 1:00 p.m. followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 p.m.
In the Hospital
None that we are aware of at this time.
Dismissed
Rudy Weigel
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Offering 8-24-2026 through 8-30-2026: $14,153
2026 YTD Offering: $936,953
2025 YTD Offering: $904,210
August Special Offering (Music): $14,300
Thank you to all of you who mail in your financial gifts or continue to give online.
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