Keystone Karaoke Fundraiser | | Do you have questions about FUMC, Methodism, or theology in general? Then join us for First Church 101 on Sunday, April 6, after the 11:00 a.m. services. We will meet in the Welcome Center at 12:00 p.m. Wear your walking shoes! We will take a tour of our campus, meet church staff, and answer your questions. We look forward to sharing this time with you! Contact Pastor Denna (dhornby@fumcor.org) for more information. | | |
Scholarship Applications are now open!
Are you a graduating senior or current college student? Please visit our website to apply for scholarships made available through our church.
Applications are due by April 15. For further information please contact Pastor Denna at dhornby@fumcor.org.
| | April Senior Adult Luncheon | | The April Senior Adult Luncheon will feature "Songs from the Heart" by the Oak Ridge High School Choral Ensemble. This previously scheduled choral performance had to be postponed due to inclement weather and snow. However, we are thrilled to announce that the performance has been rescheduled! Join us for a heartwarming presentation of beautiful music. Enjoy a delicious BBQ meal catered by Whitney Dodd Chambers. The cost is $15/person. Reserve your seat by calling the church office (865-483-4357) by April 10. We look forward to seeing you there at our April 16 gathering! | | Holy Week at First Church | | Willing Workers Can Assist You This Spring | | The dedicated team of FUMCOR Willing Workers will be on the job once again to assist you this spring. Light hauling, trimming shrubs, attaching hoses, and replacing batteries are just a sampling of the tasks that these talented people can accomplish. As the weather warms, we want to help you with your needs. Please contact Mark Diemer at 865-483-5410 to schedule a site visit to assess the needs at your home. You can also contact Mark if you would like to join this wonderful team. A late April or early May Saturday morning will be set soon for the Willing Workers to assist you. Blessings, and thank you in advance for allowing us to be the hands and feet of our blessed Lord! | | The Wednesday evening Community Meal Team is in need of dishwashers and cooks. This is a fun group that is doing a lot of good. If you are able to help, please contact Tere Murchio at 973-800-4880 or by email at tmurchio@gmail.com. Thank you! | | Volunteer for Youth Pride Fest | |
 | | The FUMCOR Social Concerns Committee is seeking volunteers to help with the Oak Ridge Youth Pride Fest 2025. As in years past, we're looking for folks from our congregation to help with this annual event to be held Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. This year's theme is "Freedom to Express Ourselves." LGBTQIA+ Youth will have the opportunity to experience fellowship and fun in a safe space. Help is needed with check-in, snacks, and activities for all or part of the afternoon. Activity stations will include Art, Games, Drama, Reading/Books, Expression (Selfies), Crafts, Zen-Tango, Face Painting, and more. Our own Rev. Ken Sauer has volunteered to be the "dunkee" in a dunking booth sponsored by the Social Concerns Committee (note that our volunteers may try their luck at "dunking the minister"!). If you can't participate in person, help is being sought to supply snacks for the event as well. To sign up, please contact Greg Smith at smit92611@gmail.com.
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March Special Missions Offering - Sallie McCaskill Scholarship Fund
In March, First Church's special mission offering will support the Sallie McCaskill Scholarship Fund. Sallie McCaskill dedicated her life to education. She was an educated woman who aimed to help college-bound students from Anderson County. McCaskill assisted these students in finding tutors and often provided help herself. When McCaskill passed away in 1993, it was only right that her legacy of supporting minority students continued. Thus, the Sallie McCaskill Memorial Scholarship was established.
To date, over 200 scholarships totaling nearly $300,000 have been awarded to minority students from Oak Ridge High School, with most recipients coming from the Scarboro Community. This money is designated for the first year of college and can be used for any 2 or 4-year program. Students are interviewed by a committee of volunteer adults who assess their academic achievements, leadership roles, and aspirations for the future. The cost of tuition for the program to which the students have been accepted is also taken into consideration. This scholarship program stands out as most of its contributions come from community individuals, with 76 contributors in 2022.
The scholarship fund operates without staff, and apart from some printing and postage costs, 100% of contributions directly benefit students. Last year, four students each received $2,550. Our church has supported this fund for several years and, with your help, we can continue to make a significant impact in assisting deserving students in advancing their education this year. You can contribute to this Special Mission Offering in the same way you make your regular donation. Just remember to mark it as “March Mission Offering” or “Sallie McCaskill.”
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Worship for March 30
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Scripture Readings:
Psalm 32
Luke 15: 1-32
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
Christian love and sympathy are offered to the families and friends of:
Kelly Luckmann, who joined FUMC on May 9, 2004, and died on March 24, 2025. We ask for prayers for Kelly's parents, Ken and Jerry Luckmann, and all of Kelly's family and friends. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Carolyn Henderson, who joined FUMC on September 15, 1963, and died on January 11, 2005. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, at FUMC. Receiving of friends will begin at 1:00 p.m.
In the Hospital
Bev Davis (MMC)
Judy Statzer (Parkwest)
Dismissed
John Norris
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Our Giving
Offering 3-17-2025 through 3-23-2025: $35,050.35
2025 YTD offering: $373,682
2024 YTD offering: $339,940
March Monthly Special Offering: $1,410.00
Thank you to all of you who mailed in your financial gifts or continued to give online.
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