UWF Sunday and Blanket Collection | | |
This Sunday, October 19, First Church will observe United Women in Faith (UWF) Sunday. We will welcome guest preacher, Rev. Leah Burns, in the Traditional services. You can read more about Leah by following the link below.
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Additionally, part of the day's celebration will include collecting blankets before and after all worship services. Please bring new or gently used blankets, which will be donated to the Ecumenical Storehouse. Alternatively, you can make a cash donation, which will be given to the local unit of Church Women United (CWU). The CWU movement has held a vision of Christian unity and prayerful action since 1941. If you wish to donate by check, please make checks payable to UWF (not FUMC). UWF appreciates your support.
| | New Wednesday Bible Study on Matthew | | Support Christmas Shoppes | | |
The 2025 Christmas Shoppe is quickly approaching! As we prepare to enter the holiday season, the Shoppes Committee is accepting donations of the following items to assist with the families we will be serving:
-Wrapping Supplies: Paper, Gift Bags, Bows, Tissue Paper
-Stuffed Animals (in like-new condition)
-Books for all ages: infant - high school (in like-new condition)
You can drop these items at the front office, or if you bring them on Sunday Morning, they can be taken up to room 302.
The Sign Up Genius Form to select a child to sponsor for Christmas will be available very soon as well, so watch for that announcement in the next few weeks!
If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Craven at 423-620-4796 or email fumcorshoppes@gmail.com.
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Wear a FUMC church t-shirt, and represent our church in the community as you live your faith! We can wear shirts to Coffee in the Community, on the prayer hike, serving in Food for Kids, Community Meal, and other servant opportunities. T-shirts are available for a nominal price of $12. If you would like a t-shirt, call the church office (865-483-4357).
| | Music Ministry Opportunities | | |
Handbells Basics Workshop
Ever considered joining the FUMC Music Ministry, but don't want to sing every Sunday? Then handbells are for you! Come enjoy time getting to know some new people and learn about handbells from our Choirmaster, Josh, as well as some of our experienced ringers.
Meet in the sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. after the traditional service on Sunday, October 26. We will go out to lunch together and come back for sessions on back music and handbell techniques. Contact Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org) for more information.
Christmas Choir Begins
| | Beginning October 27, rehearsals for our annual Christmas Choir will resume for this year's service of Lessons & Carols. Christmas Choir rehearsals will take place every Wednesday from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the choir room (105). The dress rehearsal will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 10:00 a.m. The service of Lessons & Carols is on Sunday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols will take the place of the usual concert and will include the Adult Choir, Schola Cantorum, Children's Choir, Carillons, and a brass ensemble. Please let Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org) know if you would like to participate ASAP so the music will be ready for you. | | Scripture reminds us time and again of the importance of hospitality as well as the importance of offering ourselves in service to God and to others. As we approach our season of stewardship, consider giving to the church by joining one of our teams of ushers. On Sunday, November 2, training for ushers will be offered directly after the 11:00 a.m. services. Please meet in the Fellowship Hall around 12:00 p.m. to grab a free lunch (sandwiches and chips) and to begin training. This event is meant for ushers who have been doing it for years, those who are brand new, and even those who might just be interested in learning more before committing to anything. Please contact Josh Sumter (jsumter@fumcor.org) no later than October 27, with your availability to attend, as well as any dietary restrictions. | | Willing Workers Set Work Day for October 25 | | Need a little help with your fall to-do list? The Willing Workers are ready to help you with an extra set of hands on Saturday, October 25. Light bush trimming and hauling, putting up water hoses for the winter, changing out batteries and light bulbs are just a few of the tasks that the “W W s” can do for you at your home. Please contact Mark Diemer at (865) 483-5410 to schedule your appointment and let him know of your specific needs. Blessings to all at this wonderful time of the year, and we will see you soon! | | Stephen Ministry Training Rescheduled | | The Stephen Ministry training class, originally scheduled to start in September, has been postponed until January, so you still have time to sign up for this special opportunity. The class will run on Tuesday evenings for 17 consecutive weeks beginning January 6 and ending April 28. Classes will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in joining the class, please contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org), Dan Ingersoll (dingersoll3@comcast.net), Anne Leitnaker (anne.leitnaker@gmail.com), or Peg Ashline (ashline27@bellsouth.net) no later than November 21. For more information, check us out at fumcor.org/stephen-ministry. | | Do you know of people who have recently been unable to leave their homes except for essential appointments such as medical visits? If so, please contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org) so that our list of homebound members can be updated. We want to care for our aging disciples properly and offer them the love of Christ in their homes. | | Student Lunch Service Opportunity | | |
Are you free on Thursday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon? Student lunch needs you! We have had a couple of people become unable to help and would appreciate your support on 5th Thursdays in particular. Please reach out to Pastor Denna Hornby for more information (dhornby@fumcor.org).
| | Palestinian Olive Oil for Sale | | |
Certified Organic Extra Virgin Palestinian Olive Oil is available for you to enjoy and share with others again this year. This oil is a Fair Trade product distributed by Equal Exchange.
Think about it. As long as there are Palestinians and olive trees in Palestine and Equal Exchange Certified Organic, Extra Virgin Palestinian Olive Oil for sale and markets to support them, there is hope! Here are the costs, pickup, and payment information.
Costs
$16.00/500 ml bottle (1 6-bottle box = $96.00)
$15.00/bottle for 12 or more bottles
Bottles come in 6-bottle boxes. The cost of 1 box (6 bottles@$16/bottle) = $96.00; 2 boxes (12 bottles @$15.00/bottle = $180.00.
Cash, Check, or Venmo. Make checks to Olive Branch Oil.
Pick Up Dates and Time
Saturdays, October 18 and 25, and November 1, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: 106 Ulena Lane, Oak Ridge
If other pick-up times or a delivery is more convenient for you, let Bob Cantrell know, and that can be arranged (robtcanjr@gmail.com).
Thank you for supporting Olive Branch Oil. Your enjoyment of it and sharing it during the holidays enhances health and does a good and just deed to Palestinian olive growers.
| | First Steps Spaghetti Dinner | | The First Steps Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction is Friday, November 7th. Tickets are on sale starting October 16, and will be available for purchase in the church office and at First Steps' door. Tickets are $20 each, $5 for children ages 3-10, with a family cap of $50. Children under 3 are free. Call 865-483-6291 or stop by the church office to get your ticket. | |
October Special Offering -
(Trustees) Building Contingency Fund
| | The Special Offering for the month of October will support our facilities and the work of FUMC’s Trustees by bolstering the Building Contingency Fund. The Office and Vienna Road parking lots were recently resealed and repainted. This is routine maintenance work required every 5-10 years to ensure the longevity of our parking lots. The Building Contingency Fund helps keep our facilities functioning through routine maintenance projects and when unexpected needs arise. To support the October Special Offering, follow the link below. | |
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Worship for October 19
United Women in Faith Sunday
Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 56: 6-8
Mark 7: 24-30
Luke 18: 1-8
8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Multipurpose Room
Preaching: Rev. Leah Burns, Rev. Ken Sauer
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In Sympathy
FUMC mourns the loss of:
Ann Munz, who joined FUMC on September 18, 1977, and died on August 25, 2025. We ask for prayers for Ann's daughters, Julie and Diane, and all of Ann's family and friends. A service celebrating Ann's life will be held at FUMC on Saturday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m., with a committal afterwards. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall following the services.
Louise Mixon, who joined FUMC on May 7, 1961, and died on October 15, 2025. Please be in prayer for Louise's family and friends. Service arrangements are incomplete at this time.
In the Hospital
None that we are aware of at this time.
Dismissed
Gerry Hahs
Dan Nagle
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Offering 10-6-2025 through 10-12-2025: $45,835.90
2025 YTD Offering: $1,079,677
2024 YTD Offering: $1,014,491
October Special Offering (Trustees): $1,000
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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