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Breakthrough Prayer
God, set me free from the limits of a self-focused prayer life. May your Spirit inspire and empower me to expand into power-infused prayer on behalf of as many others as possible throughout this day. Amen.
| | Evening Grace Worship This Sunday | | Join us this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel for our Evening Grace service, where we will discuss "Chosen for Sanity." We will examine Step Two and related scripture, accompanied by innovative music by our talented FUMC musicians. We look forward to seeing you at Evening Grace on Sunday! | | Mission Buckets Due May 5 | | |
If you picked up a 5-gallon bucket from the Welcome Center to fill for our friends in Liberia, please be sure to return it to the Welcome Center no later than Tuesday, May 5. Fill the bucket with the items listed below, include $5.00 for shipping (make checks payable to First UMC with "mission kits" in the memo line).
2 bags of sugar (4-5 lbs)
1 bag of self-rising flour (4-5 lb)
2 bags of rice (2 lbs) or 1 bag (4lbs)
1 bag of dried beans (2 lb)
1 oatmeal (18 oz. or less)
1 bottle of cooking oil (48 oz or less)
Plus, in 2026, we are invited to sponsor Virtual Kits for Zimbabwe. A $5.00 donation will support the Virtual Zimbabwe kit (food, school, health supplies). Materials will be purchased in Zimbabwe and assembled for children at Ishe Anesu. Items will be bought at wholesale prices to maximize our support this year. Please drop off those checks, also with "mission kits" in the memo line, at the church no later than Tuesday, May 5. For more information, contact Pastor Ken (ksauer@fumcor.org).
Thank you for helping us provide important resources to our brothers and sisters.
| | New Bible Study Begins Wednesday | | A new Bible Study begins on Wednesday, May 6. Come join Pastor Ken at 10:30 a.m. (room 207) or 6:00 p.m. (room 205) every Wednesday and learn more about Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. For more information, contact Pastor Ken (ksauer@fumcor.org). | | |
Second Saturday Servants is a new 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. The May focus will be organizing spaces, cleaning pews, and garden cleanup.
We will meet on Saturday, May 9, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. near the front entrance of the church.
If you can’t attend the May event, please add us to your calendar.
Questions? Contact Janet Townsend (townsend1625@gmail.com) or Gielda Reese (gieldareese@gmail.com).
| | Opportunities from Social Concerns | | Youth Pride: Oak Ridge's second Youth Pride event will be held Saturday, May 9, from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike). Volunteers are needed to help run the event (set up, adult supervision, run the snack booth, etc.) and to provide snacks. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Greg Smith (smit92611@gmail.com). | | |
Educational Resources at Powell Presbyterian Church (for more details on these classes, please contact Powell Presbyterian Church directly or visit their Facebook page):
- Ally Training: Wednesdays, May 6, 13, and 20, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
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In the next series of the Social Concerns Committee’s Difficult Conversations, you are invited to join us for a four‑week discussion and study of The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy by Matthew Boedy. This study will explore the history, theology, and political implications of the Seven Mountains Mandate movement and consider how Christians can thoughtfully engage faith, democracy, and public life.
We will meet on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
May 21 - Introduction to the Seven Mountains
May 28 - Matthew Boedy, author, will present on the “mandates,” with Q & A. (RSVP is requested – please call the church office at 865-483-4357)
June 4 - Conversation around the Seven Mountains
June 11 - Wrap-up and Conclusions
Together we will read, reflect, and discuss how Christian faith can be practiced with integrity, humility, and respect for democratic values. All are welcome, whether you have read the book or are simply curious to learn more.
Please join us in the Multipurpose Room for a thoughtful conversation and community.
If you have questions or would like help obtaining the book, please contact Bruce Spangler, pottspangler@icloud.com.
We hope to see you there.
| | Summer Shoppe Is Coming Soon! | | |
Summer Shoppe planning is in full swing, and we need your help!
This year, the Summer Shoppe will be held on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, with set-up on June 5, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
This year's Summer Shoppe will be serving a minimum of 50 families and 200+ individuals who need support with food and hygiene items. Our two biggest needs are financial support for purchasing the items and volunteers to help set up and distribute.
As we all know, food costs are rising. We can make the largest impact by purchasing in bulk. Financial contributions will help make that happen, and they are incredibly appreciated. If you would like to make a financial donation to the Summer Shoppe, you can do so on the church website. Please have all donations submitted by May 15th to ensure orders are placed in time for delivery.
If you would like to be hands-on, we would love your help with set-up and/or distribution! The setup includes sorting food items, organizing, and setting up rooms for hygiene, books, and toys. We would really like to have 10-12 volunteers to help with set up. On distribution day, we need people to staff each room, help load vehicles, and assist with breakdown after the event. Again, 10-12 volunteers would be greatly appreciated. To sign up for a volunteer slot, please fill out this volunteer form.
Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus, for loving your neighbors, and for feeding the hungry.
| | Our Nursery is in need of volunteers on Sunday mornings! If you would be interested in serving our church in this way, please connect with Billy at bprice@fumcor.org. Your gentle, friendly presence with some of our youngest ones is a wonderful way to give of yourself to the life of our congregation. | | New Stephen Ministers Graduate | | April 28th marked the completion of 17 weeks of Stephen Ministry training for ten enthusiastic souls representing four different congregations. The graduating class includes: Bill Alender, Leah Baker, Debbie Buchanan, Lynne Burchell, Donnie Macklin, Mary Murray, Teri Smith-Pearson, Alan Owen, Terry Pfeiffer, and Linda Triolo. We encourage you to congratulate these people for enduring 40+ hours of training and for their dedication to the Stephen Ministry program. They will be formally commissioned as new Stephen ministers on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, in the 11:00 a.m. traditional service. | | |
Back Row: Donnie Macklin, Bill Alender, Debbie Buchanan, Lynne Burchell, Alan Owen
Front Row: Teri Smith-Pearson, Linda Triolo, Terry Pfeiffer, Leah Baker, Mary Murray
| | All Friends Welcome To Walk | | |
Can I bring my four-legged friend on the weekly prayer walk? Yes! Feel free to bring your on-leash, four-legged friend to join us on the prayer walk! All good boys and girls are welcome! We meet each Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the Calhoun's parking lot for prayer and a walk. We have multiple ability levels: some people walk a long distance, and some walk a shorter route. We look forward to sharing this time with you!
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The new Realm Connect online directory is live! Approximately 100 people have already gotten their profiles set up in our new church management system and online directory, Realm Connect.
Through Realm Connect, you are able to update and add personal information on your own, upload profile pictures, view your financial statements and giving at any time, and see pictures and contact information for other church members (an online, on-demand church directory)!
Everyone with an updated email address in the church database received an invitation to Realm Connect last Saturday evening. If you did not receive an email but would like to get signed up for Realm Connect, please call the church office at 865-483-4357.
| | Are you interested in serving kids at Vacation Bible School this summer? There are multiple ways to serve. Follow the link below to sign-up as a VBS volunteer. Email Billy Price (bprice@fumcor.org) for any questions you may have. | |
May Special Offering -
First Recovery
| | The May special offering will benefit the First Recovery ministry. First Recovery offers help, hope, and healing to individuals struggling with substance misuse disorder. Ministries like First Recovery show us how faith-based healing, recovery coaching, and peer encouragement can be transformative. They offer a blueprint of second chances rooted in spiritual care and human dignity. First Recovery is a vital and growing ministry that serves a significant need in our community. Your support is greatly appreciated! | |
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Worship for May 3
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Scripture Readings:
Psalm 31
1 Peter 2: 2-10
John 14: 1-14
8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Ken Sauer, Rev. Clair Sauer
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In Sympathy
FUMC mourns the loss of Terrell Horne, who joined FUMC on February 17, 1980, and died on April 25, 2026. Please be in prayer for Terrell's wife, Connie, and all of his family and friends. Service arrangements are incomplete at this time.
In the Hospital
Sandra Voina
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Offering 4-20-2026 through 4-26-2026: $21,556.59
2026 YTD Offering: $494,365
2025 YTD Offering: $494,782
April Special Offering (Children's Ministry): $1,764
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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