The Heart of Market 4 Missions

Friends, November is almost here! It is amazing how quickly time can pass by. Less than a month ago I was away for my wedding and honeymoon. After months of planning, Elizabeth and I got married and had some time with one another in God’s beautiful creation. It was the most special day of our lives and truly an amazing trip. We are so grateful for the love and support of so many (including our Front Street family)!

But now, after months of planning, Market 4 Missions is here! And we want you to be present for this and to not just watch it pass by. On November 14th, we will have our 4th Annual Market 4 Missions! We hope you will join us for a day full of holiday cheer with vendors, casseroles, bake sale, Santa visits, and so much more.

While I am excited for Market 4 Missions (and so grateful for everyone helping make it happen), I want to bring our focus back to its heart. Fellowship, fun, and shopping are all wonderful, but they are not the primary purpose of M4M. Its heart is helping people discover how God is inviting them to support God’s mission through our church. Front Street supports many missions and partners with numerous organizations, and every one of these ministries can be supported through your prayers and time. What we pray for and how we spend our time are good signifiers of who and what our hearts are oriented towards. As Matthew 6:21 says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The heart of Market 4 Missions is one that is in line with who Front Street is and with who you are—a heart of generosity. A heart that loves God and our neighbors. A heart that lives out thoughts and prayers through faithful action. A heart that is eager to support and participate in God’s missional activity in Burlington and beyond.

As Market 4 Missions quickly approaches, please take a moment to be in prayer for this event and all the missions that it will help support. Take a moment to consider how you might generously invest your time, talents, gifts, service, and witness in God’s mission through our church.

If you have questions about how you might be in prayer or volunteer for Market 4 Missions, please reach out to me (daniel@frontstreetumc.org) or Kelby Hardy (market4missionsfsumc@gmail.com). And be sure to check out our Market 4 Missions page for all information!

-Rev. Daniel Haas-Polito

The Good Life: What is Good?

~ A Sermon Series (November 15 and 22)

Everyone is searching for the good life—a life filled with meaning, peace, purpose, and joy. But the life we were created for isn’t found in success, comfort, or self-centered living. The Good Life is a sermon series about discovering the fullness of life through loving like God loves and living like Christ.

In this series, we’ll explore what it means to reflect the heart of Jesus in our everyday lives—living generously, showing compassion, extending grace, serving others, forgiving freely, and walking in truth. As we follow Christ’s example, we’ll learn that the good life is not about pursuing what the world values, but becoming who God created us to be.

When we love like God loves and live like Jesus, we don’t just find a better way to live—we find the life that truly satisfies.

• Nov 15 I Loving Like God Loves I Genesis 1:24-31
• Nov 22 I Living Like Christ I Luke 18:18-30

Worship with us online at 9:00 and 11:00 AM here.

Bishop Connie Shelton and Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton Visit Front Street – November 8

Join us Sunday, November 8, as we welcome Bishop Connie Shelton, resident bishop of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, who will preach at both the 9 AM and 11 AM worship services. Elected bishop in 2022, Bishop Shelton brings years of pastoral and denominational leadership and a passion for helping congregations live out Christ’s mission.

We will also welcome Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton during the Adult Sunday School hour for a presentation titled “Understanding Christian Nationalism.” Through a Wesleyan lens, he will explore the influence of mass media on faith and public life, how Christian nationalism shapes our society, and how Scripture, reason, experience, and church tradition can help us distinguish fact from myth.

Rev. Dr. Shelton is a retired elder of the Mississippi Conference and currently serves as Associate Pastor of Education and Missions at Horne Memorial United Methodist Church in Clayton, NC. His experience includes pastoral ministry, law, higher education, and leading workshops on Christian nationalism, dementia care, and racial healing.

Mark your calendar for November 8 and invite friends to join us for this special opportunity to learn from and worship with two dedicated United Methodist leaders. Learn more here.

Market for Missions

Our annual Market for Missions is coming up on Saturday, November 14, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Front Street UMC! As we prepare for another wonderful day of fellowship, shopping, and supporting missions, we invite you to help make the event a success:

Interested in helping in other ways? Contact Kelby (kelbylwest@gmail.com) or Daniel (daniel@frontstreetumc.org) to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how you can serve.

Thank you for helping make Market for Missions a meaningful tradition at Front Street UMC!

Front Street Seniors: Friendsgiving Potluck Lunch

Join us for our 3rd Annual Friendsgiving Potluck Lunch on Thursday, November 19! Front Street seniors ages 65 and older are invited to gather for an afternoon of fellowship, friendship, and gratitude in the Heritage Center from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, with the meal beginning at noon.

Bring your favorite holiday dish to share as we celebrate the joy of community and the blessings of friendship. Please RSVP to Leslie (lesliebpeavy@gmail.com) to let her know you will be attending. We look forward to sharing this special time together!

Advent Study: Heaven and Earth

All are invited to join a four-week Advent study as we celebrate and anticipate the earth-shaking, life-transforming good news that God is coming to us! Beginning November 30, we will gather on Monday evenings from 7–8 PM in Room 401 to explore Heaven and Earth: Advent and the Incarnation by Will Willimon.

Each week, participants will read a Gospel passage and a corresponding chapter from the book. Our Monday gatherings will include a 12-minute video followed by discussion and reflection. The study will also connect with our worship services and sermons throughout Advent.

Books are $19. If you would like a copy, please contact Daniel Polito at daniel@frontstreetumc.org by November 16. Learn more about the book here.

Study Schedule (7–8 PM, Room 401)

• November 30: Meanwhile — Mark 13:24–37
• December 7: Surprised — Mark 1:1–8
• December 14: Light — John 1:6–8, 19–28
• December 21: Rejoice — Luke 1:26–55

Morning Circle

The Morning Circle will meet on Monday, November 2, with the November Work Group providing refreshments and devotion. The Mission Program will focus on preparing vendor bags for Market 4 Missions on November 14. The Evening Circle has also invited us to join them in collecting new and gently used hardcover books for the Eastlawn Elementary School library. Please see the book drive information and suggested titles below (under Donation Requests) or at frontstreetumc.org/events.

Evening Circle

The Evening Circle will meet on Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Center. The program will feature the media specialist from Eastlawn Elementary School, and the mission project will be collecting hardcover books for the school library.

All women of the church are welcome to attend either circle. We look forward to seeing you!

Fall on the Farm



As the pace of the year begins to shift, take some time to slow down, enjoy the beauty of the season, and make space for what’s to come. Join us at Dinner Bell Farm on Sunday, November 15, from 4:00–6:00 PM for a relaxed fall afternoon together.

We’ll spend time enjoying the farm and its animals, gathering together, and ending the afternoon around a fire with s’mores. It’s a chance to step away from the busyness of everyday life, reconnect with one another, and simply enjoy being together.

Come enjoy a little Fall on the Farm as we slow down, savor the season, and make room for the moments ahead.

Please RSVP to melissa@frontstreetumc.org so we can plan accordingly. Additional details about the afternoon will be shared with those who RSVP as the event gets closer.

Sunday Morning Nursery Worker

We're seeking a caring and dependable Nursery Worker to provide a safe, welcoming environment for infants and toddlers on Sunday mornings (8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.).

If you enjoy working with young children, are friendly, patient, and dependable, and are willing to complete required background checks and child safety training, we'd love to hear from you.

For pay information and to apply, contact Ms. Melissa. Please share with anyone you think might be interested.

Daniel’s Den: Youth News & Upcoming Events



In this week’s Daniel’s Den, Pastor Daniel shares upcoming youth events, reminders, and opportunities for youth and families to connect, have fun, and grow in faith. Click the image to read this week’s newsletter and see what’s coming up!

Wheelchair Ramp Build – Volunteers Needed!

Our next wheelchair ramp build is Saturday, November 7 at 8:30 AM. Youth and adults volunteers are welcome, and no experience is needed.

Interested in helping? Contact Tom Sineath (tom.sineath@gmail.com) for details. We’d love to have you join us!

Thank You for Supporting the CROP Walk!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s CROP Walk on October 3! Front Street had 21 walkers (and a dog!) and has raised more than $4,050 so far. Donations are still coming in, including online contributions.

A heartfelt thank-you to all our walkers, sponsors, and donors for your generosity and support. Your contributions make a difference in the lives of those facing hunger.

God bless you all, and thank you again!

— Beverly Thomas

CROP Walk Team Leader, FSUMC

Thank You for Supporting Our Blood Drive

Thank you to everyone who participated in our blood drive earlier this month. We collected 19 pints, providing up to 57 transfusable units to help patients in need. Thank you for your support!

— Gene Fonville

Good Friday morning, Front Street and Friends!

What a wonderful afternoon of service, fellowship, and generosity we shared at the fifth annual Front Street/Feed the Hunger Packathon!

Thank you to the 63 volunteers who gave their time on Sunday afternoon. Together, we packed 64 boxes, providing an incredible 15,360 meals for children and families in need.

We are especially grateful for the leadership of Scott Hahn and Jason Ferrara from Feed the Hunger. We were also delighted to welcome youth and leaders from First Presbyterian, along with three MYF alumni—Ethan Johnson, Timmy Klein, and William Overby—who stopped by to join the effort.

Although we did not quite reach our goal of 17,000 meals because volunteer participation was lower than expected, the impact of this group’s work is meaningful and lasting. Please mark your calendars for next year’s Packathon so that we can build on this momentum together.

In the coming months, the meals we packed will be processed and sent to Bangladesh and Ghana. Through this mission, children will receive not only essential nutritional support, but also a reminder that they are seen, cared for, and loved.

During this season of extravagant generosity, this ministry is made possible through your gifts of time and financial support. Each meal costs $0.38, and we are also contributing an additional $10 per box to provide Bibles. In this way, children receive both daily nourishment for their bodies and spiritual “daily bread” through God’s Word.

On behalf of our youth missions and Feed the Hunger, thank you for supporting this life-changing ministry and for helping make a difference far beyond our community.

-Chris Huneycutt

Financial Generosity Update (thru 10/29/2026)

 YTD Actual Giving: $897,707.43

YTD Budgeted Giving: $1,065,461.30

YTD Ending Balance (Excess/Deficit): ($119,448.83)