A Word from Pastor Bob

Over the last few months, you have learned many things about me, some more interesting than

others. In fact, some of you may want to send Jamie, Payton, and Connor sympathy cards, ha-ha.

Well, I have another treasure for you. I like to be prepared; I am a bit over the top about it. For example, I pack for trips, perhaps excessively. I can honestly say I take more clothes, shoes, etc., than my family does. When going away, I check the weather and itinerary and evaluate what I may need. The problem is, I always try to prepare for the what-ifs. What if I spill something on my shirt? What if it is colder or hotter than expected? What if the shoes I am taking are uncomfortable? These are just a few of the considerations.

This Sunday, we will begin a new sermon series titled Kingdom Work. This week, we will focus on preparation. In our text for Sunday, Jesus made it clear that there would be wise and foolish

bridesmaids. Some were ready, and some were not prepared. Guess who I relate to? I would have all the oil I need in my lamp, just saying. We will look at this story to see how we are prepared to serve God in the Kingdom as we live into our calls. 

I hope you will join me on Sunday at 10:00 AM, either in person or via live stream, as we discern our readiness for Kingdom work. I look forward to worshiping with you all.



Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bob

Worship

This Sunday in Worship

Farmville United Methodist Church

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

November 8, 2026

GATHERING

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS ----- Rev. Bob Michalides

PRELUDE --------- Prelude #5 in D Major ---- Dr. Gordon Ring ------------------------------- J.S. Bach

INTROIT ----- Sweet Hour Of Prayer ---- The Sonrise Singers

----------------------------------------------- Donna Fuller, Director

CALL to WORSHIP* ---------------------------------- Joanna Baker

HYMN* --------- I love Thy Kingdom, Lord -------- (UMH) #540

PROCLAMATION

THE CHILDREN'S MOMENT ----------------- Rev. Dr. Paul Baker

Children are invited to come forward to the chancel steps

OPENING PRAYER ---------------------------------- Joanna Butler

SCRIPTURE READING ---- Matthew 25: 1-13 ---- Joanna Baker

SERMON --------- "Kingdom Work: Preparation" ------------------------------------------------------------------- Rev. Bob Michalides

RESPONSE

HYMN* ------- Stand Up and Bless the Lord ------ (UMH) #662

OFFERING OUR GIFTS --------- Louisa Lackey and Brad Fuller

OFFERTORY ---------- He Leadeth Me -----The Sonrise Singers ----------------------------------------------- Donna Fuller, Director

DOXOLOGY* ------ Doxology #94, UMH

OFFERING OUR PRAYERS and THE LORD'S PRAYER -------------------------------------------------------------- Rev. Bob Michalides

SENDING FORTH

HYMN* ---------- O Jesus, I Have Promised --------- (UWF) #94

BENEDICTION* ------------------------------- Rev. Bob Michalides

CHORAL BENEDICTION ----- What a Friend We Have in Jesus -------------------------------------------------- The Sonrise Singers

----------------------------------------------- Donna Fuller, Director



POSTLUDE ----- Postlude in Classic Style ---- Dr. Gordon Ring

------------------------------ Gordon Young



*Please stand as you are able.



Last Sunday, November 1, FUMC celebrated All Saints Sunday and recognized all of our members that passed over the last year.

Graham Rusty Carter - 11/6/25

Nancy Day Anderson Haga - 11/17/25

Donna Godfrey - 12/16/25

Carl Blessing, Jr. - 6/2/26

James Austin Forsythe, Jr. - 6/14/26

William Winford Crawley - 6/26/26

Agatha "Jo" Dearing Smith - 6/29/26

Joyce Garrett Ward - 7/12/26

Shirley Childress - 9/12/26

Bettye Anne “B” Williams - 10/18/26

Sunday School Classes

Seekers – 9:00 AM - Fellowship Room

Young Adult - 9:00 AM - Library

Youth - 9:00 AM - Youth Suite – Rm 1

Children - 9:00 AM - Children's Classroom – Rm 25

Coffee Chat – 11:00 AM - 2nd Floor, Rm 31

Brunch Series, The Chosen - 3:00 PM - Wesley Center

Coming soon: Advent study with Pastor Bob.

Join Pastor Bob this Advent season as we explore this 4-week series to prepare our hearts for Christmas.

We will have the study in a hybrid format. If you'd like to join in person, we will meet in the fellowship hall; if you'd rather join on Zoom, we will provide a link.

We will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM for 4 weeks beginning Tuesday, Nov 24, and ending Dec 15th.

If you would like to participate, please email or call the office so we can order a book.

Worship with Us on Sundays on YouTube

To worship with us, live or later, go to

https://www.youtube.com/@FarmvilleUMC_FarmvilleVA



Connect

The Church Office is Open:

Monday through Thursday

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

The Halloween Parade in downtown Farmville saw the whole community turning out, and FUMC was there with Play-doh and good will for all. Cindy Davis, Joanne Baker and Jen Kinne are pictured above.

Pastor Bob and Jaime Michalides, along with Jen Kinne, joined Cainan Townsend, Executive Director of the Robert Russa Moton Museum, for the November Community Prayer Breakfast.

The FYC (Farmville Youth Collective) had a fun evening on October 25 as they designed aerodynamic pumpkins for the great "Pumpkin Toss." Competition was fierce as contestants vied for bragging rights. FYC will be meeting at Farmville Baptist Church in November and December.

Recent Concerns

Kimberly Long who is beginning cancer treatments

Sharon Forsythe had surgery to reattach her left retina on October 29. All went well but recovery will take a while. Prayers are requested for healing and complete restoration of eyesight in her left eye.

Jim Gussett remains in rehab.

Susan Paul (moved to Babcock Manor) 4151 Pumping Station Road, Appomattox 24522

Hedy Thomas for continuing treatment

Val Montgomery for continuing cancer treatment

Keep Bennie Walker, in your prayers as he undergoes medical treatment.

Celebrations

Our November Birthdays

----------------------------------------------------------------

Happy birthday to all - and if we missed YOUR birthday, please contact Office Manager Nancy Alexander in the church office at officemgr.fumc@gmail.com and let us know!



Our November Calendar

August Council Minutes

It's Christmas Market Time!! The UWF has dedicated hours of work to prepare for this sale. We look forward to seeing you all on November 6 and 7 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM to shop for treasures!

A Request from Sheila Hight -

If your leftover Halloween candy needs a home, I will gladly take it off your hands and use it for the Juvenile Center Christmas bags.

Place your candy in the closet under the stairs and it will make its way into the Christmas bags. Thanks for all you share with the kids.

JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER CHRISTMAS 2026

It's Time to help make Christmas Magic Happen!

This is Year 25 that the FUMC elves will sponsor a Christmas Party for the Detention Center. The items needed are posted on the Closet Door under the stairs. All items can be left in the closet and monetary donations can be placed in the Jail Ministry account.

The members of this Church should have a warm glow in their hearts and feel blessed. Wrapping arms of thankfulness around all of you for your support for this Mission. We are a blessed Church.

Sheila Hight

Any questions you can call Sheila at:

434.390-1803

September to December: gather the gifts; sort; deliver (Date to be announced)

Do you have 2027 calendars that you will not be using?

We are collecting calendars for the homebound clients of FACES.

We need 100+ calendars that will be provided to the Marketplace clients in the December food bags.

Please leave calendars in the Missions Closet under the stairs

Thank you!

Serve at FACES Food Pantry 

Every Fourth Saturday

(Closed on November 28)

FUMC members are invited to serve at FACES' food distribution the fourth Saturday of each month. We look forward to seeing our FUMC friends on the FOURTH Saturday, from 7:30-10:AM!

FACES' new website now has a sign-up for volunteers! 

https://www.facesfoodpantry.com/volunteer

Thursday Service Opportunity

FACES has a need for food bag- packers on Thursdays. They need three or more volunteers to pack bags of produce and staples for 1 to 2 hours at 3 PM on Thur. afternoons. Contact Joanna and Paul Baker with questions: joannahbaker@gmail.com

November 2026 Mission Opportunities

*****FUMC distribution day for FACES is closed November 28, 2026. FUMC will participate in Feeding Farmville by contributing 30 baked pumpkin pies delivered to St. John’s Lutheran church November 25, between

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Contact Tracie Pomrenke 920.901.5840 to volunteer Wednesday with the food and Thursday as drivers. PIE SIGN UP IN THE CHURCH OFFICE.

HOODIE DRIVE October 4 - November 15. Bring new and gently uses hoodies to FUMC donation bins in sanctuary and Missions Center.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS MOTHER runs through November 29. Please place new toys, books and games in the marked boxes in the back of the sanctuary and in the Missions Center.

WELCOME BAG ITEMS are being collected for Madeline’s House. ****Full-sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, lotion, and women of color hair

products are needed and may be dropped off in a bin in the sanctuary and in the Missions Center.

BETTER DAYS FARMVILLE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. The NOVEMBER BIG GIVE is Saturday, November 14th at 10:30. Community Volunteer Times are Tuesdays, 4:30 – 6:30 and Thursdays, 10:00 - noon. The Orange door is open for donations any day.

PE’s Kids seeks to provide Prince Edward County Public School students with assistance with needs like field trip money, appropriate clothing, hygiene items, etc. because we know that a little help goes a long way. To Make a

Contribution: By Mail: PO Box 524, Farmville, VA, United States, Virginia, (434) 414-1163 and PrinceEdwardKids@gmail.com Items can be easily

purchased from the Amazon wish list:

 https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3L21T2T98CTWH



An ongoing NEED. Help Women of Faith (UWF) in collecting items for the recently released from incarceration, a program sponsored by LOC Family

Services of Farmville. Especially needed: deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Items can include soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, washcloth, deodorant,

a hand towel, lotion, powder, a comb, pads or tampons, hand sanitizer and/or any other personal hygiene item you may wish to add. Collection bin is in the Mission

Center.

The PECPS FeedMore Food Market provides free food to any family with a student enrolled in Prince Edward County Public Schools. There is no income verification

required, and the food provided to families is donated by FeedMore out of Richmond,VA. Volunteers needed!!

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026

Location: Fireman's Sports Arena, 1328 Zion Hill Rd, Farmville, VA 23901

Volunteer Shifts:

 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Set up tables and groceries

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Food distribution and clean-up

 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Food distribution and clean-up



Volunteers will assist with packing, carrying, and loading groceries, so please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Contact Kelly Morgan. Kelly.Morgan@pecps.k12.va.us