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A Prayer on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
God of mercy and peace, on this day of remembrance, we honor the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the courage shown in the face of unimaginable sorry. Comfort all whose wounds remain, and strengthen us to love our neighbors, seek justice, and work for peace in a divided world. May light overcome darkness and love reign above all. Amen.
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| Second Saturday Servants will gather tomorrow, Saturday, September 12, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Second Saturday Servants is an opportunity for you to help out First Church “by our service." The church needs YOU to help with projects both inside and outside the building. Even if you can't make it every month, be sure to add Second Saturday Servants to your calendar. Questions? Contact Janet Townsend (townsend1625@gmail.com) or Gielda Reese (gieldareese@gmail.com). | | Special Bible Study Teacher | | The Women of the Bible Study has a special guest teacher this week! Even if you haven't been to one of the Women of the Bible Study gatherings yet, you are invited. Come join us in the Fellowship Hall at 5:00 p.m. this Sunday, September 13, as former First Church pastor, Stella Roberts, teaches about Ruth. Contact Pastor Clair (csauer@fumcor.org) for more information. | | Community Celtic Worship is this Sunday, September 13, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. All are welcome! | | |
The first Senior Adult Luncheon of the fall is this Wednesday, September 16, at 12:00 noon. For those who have made a reservation, be prepared to pay $15 at the door (cask, check, or card). 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.
| | Senior Travelers September Trip | | The first Senior Travelers day trip is this Thursday, September 17! The trip to Muddy Pond, TN, will depart from the church parking lot at 9:00 a.m. For questions or more information, please email Pastor Denna at dhornby@fumcor.org. | | Special Jazz Mass Service | | |
The special Jazz Mass worship service is coming up 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.
| | 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). | | |
Have you enjoyed learning to play Mahjong? Would you like to set up a game for 4 with your friends? The church now has its first Mahjong set! Contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org) to check out the set and reserve a room.
Or, before you jump into play, do you need one more Mahjong class? Melissa Charles is offering a refresher class on September 22 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., with guided play from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall. A $20 donation is suggested, which goes to the emerging ministries fund to cover Mahjong expenses.
Contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org) to reserve a room and check out the new Mahjong set, or for more information and registration for the September 22 class.
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Three Trips: Two Domestic and One Foreign in 2027
Collette, the oldest American travel company, will have its Southeastern Representative at FUMC this coming Monday, September 14, to discuss trips to Hawaii, Japan, and Montana. Please meet in Room 205 at 3:00 p.m. with coordinator Kay Moss and Patrick Kinsella to learn about dates, itineraries, transportation, and costs. Brochures for Montana and Japan are in the church office now.
FUMC has had a connection with Collette since 2012 because they cater to retirees, offer an easy cancellation policy, provide convenient transfers, and contribute a tenth of the cost of the trip to the church. Over the years, an income stream of over $40,000 has come to First Church from Collette trips.
| | 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 13
Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture Readings:
Genesis 50: 15-21
Psalm 103: 1-4, 8-13
Romans 14: 1-4, 10a
Matthew 18: 21-35
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 Celebration
Please join us in welcoming Ash Hardwick, born September 8, 2026, to Kailin (Tan) and Gary Hardwick. Proud grandparents are Teck and Lauri Tan
In the Hospital
Abby Caughman
Dismissed
Carole Stoops
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Offering 8-31-2026 through 9-6-2026: $11,433
2026 YTD Offering: $948,336
2025 YTD Offering: $924,664
September Special Offering (Youth): $860
Thank you to all of you who mail in your financial gifts or continue to give online.
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