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The church-wide soup luncheon is this 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.
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This Sunday will be my last day as an FUMC employee. It marks just a couple of weeks shy of the 13th anniversary of my hiring. To call it bittersweet is a vast understatement. It is bitter, sweet, exciting, terrifying, happy, remorseful, and many other conflicting emotions all at once.
Many of you have been thanking me for my efforts. I appreciate the thought, but to be honest, I feel like it is me who should be thanking all of you. This has been a near perfect job for me at this time of my life. Music has always been a passion of mine. I had blissful days when all I did was make music. I was asked to design and install audio and lighting systems and had the happy task of learning to operate those systems. I've been surrounded by capable, fun-loving, and dedicated people. Most importantly, it has been an opportunity to serve God in the congregation that raised me from birth. What an overwhelming honor!
What’s next? Gerald Boyd once told me that in Oak Ridge everyone retires three times and that sounds about right. This is retirement number two and I look forward to discovering what it is that will be number three. Nancy and I hope to spend more time with our four amazing, fantastic grandchildren and explore our national parks - so many vacations (is it still vacation in retirement?).
I will be absent for a while. My successor needs space to develop their own version of our Contemporary service without me hanging around. Even as I step away for a while, you all will remain a part of me.
With sincere thanks,
Jeff Kile
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Welcome Our New A/V Tech Lead | |
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Please join in welcoming Andrew Fowler to the staff of First Church as our new Audio-Visual Tech Lead! Hopefully, you already know Andrew from his service alongside his wife, Shelby, in the Children and Family ministry area. We are thankful for the knowledge that Andrew brings to this position and his willingness to serve the church in this way. You can find Andrew bouncing between sound booths on Sunday mornings or supporting Shelby in the Children's ministry. You can also reach him via email at avtech@fumcor.org. Welcome, Andrew!
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Celtic Worship Service Rescheduled | |
The Celtic Worship service that was postponed earlier this month due to weather has been rescheduled. Mark your calendars for this 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. | |
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Beginning on Sunday, February 2, the Fellowship Class will host a seven-week study on the book Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life: 7 Gateways to Spiritual Growth by Jane Marie Thibault. The study, which will run during the Sunday School hour each Sunday through March 16, will be led by the Rev. Bob Cantrell.
All are invited to join in this study. Participants will need a copy of the book. You can order the book from Amazon by following the link below.
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Scholarship Applications Are Now Open | |
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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).
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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.
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Worship for January 26
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Scripture Readings:
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12: 12-31
Luke 4: 14-21
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 Sympathy
Christian love and sympathy are offered to the family and friends of 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. tomorrow, Saturday, January 25, at FUMC. Receiving of friends will begin at 1:00 p.m.
In the Hospital
Jeff Martin (MMC)
Charlene Reynolds (MMC)
Dismissed
Joanne Boyle
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Our Giving
Offering 1-16-2025 through 1-19-2025: $18,346.35
2025 YTD offering: $79,079
2024 YTD offering: $77,630
January Monthly Special Offering: $1,045.00
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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