THIS SUNDAY
November 7, 2021
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A Generous Creation
COMMUNION SUNDAY
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In Person
Rev. Bud Reeves
Special Music “Consider the Lilies of the Field”
Caroline Beneux, Soloist
Nancy W. Vernon, Organist
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In Person, 6pm Premier on Facebook and YouTube
Rev. DeeDee Autry
“All Creatures Of Our God And King”
“Great Are You Lord”
“So Will I”
“At Your Name”
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In Person, Facebook Live, YouTube, and FM 103.5
Rev. Bud Reeves
Anthem “First Fruits”
Anthem “Consider the Lilies of the Field”
Bayliss Hall Singers-
Rylee Norton, Linda Dooly, Leaders
Chancel Choir
Gaye Mings, Choir Director
Nancy W. Vernon, Organist
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Sunday, November 7
8:30 am Chapel Service
9:30 am Holy Grounds
9:45 am Sunday Small Groups
11:00 am Connexion Worship, In Person,
11:00 am Sanctuary Worship, In Person, Facebook Live, YouTube & FM 103.5
4:00 pm Fall Festival
6:00 pm Trustees
6:00 pm Connexion Premier on Facebook & YouTube
Monday, November 8
6:00 pm Scouts
6:00 pm The Prayer Course, Zoom
Tuesday, November 9
10:00am Circle Naomi, Parlor
10:00am Circle Rebekah, Conference Room
10:00am Circle Ruth, Friends Room
6:30 pm Circle Mary, Margaret’s patio
7:00 pm Young Adult Ministry, St. Paul UMC
Wednesday, November 10
10:00 am Ladybells, Bayliss Hall
10:00 am Casserole Group, Aldersgate
5:30 pm Evening Prayer, In Person and Facebook Live
6:00 pm Wednesday Night Life & Classes
6:30 pm Praise Band practice, The Great Hall
7:00 pm Chancel Choir, Choir room
Thursday, November 11
10:00 am Knitters & Knotters, Fireside Room
12:00 pm Modern Widows Club, Fireside Room
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In Mercy Hospital:
- Kim Friery
- David Matlock
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Bob Weile
Loss of loved ones and friends:
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Josephine Decker - She is survived by one son: Peter Arlen Decker and Jonna; 3 grandchildren: Natalie Decker-Wiley and Spencer, Morgan Lea Decker, and Jonathan Peter Decker and Gabby; 3 great-grandchildren: Bradley Scott Kifer, Layla Paige Kifer and Josie Grace Kifer; nieces and nephews: Albert Snider, Richard Snider, Tyler Ayres, Andrea Ayres, Laurie Martin, David Martin and Tim Martin; several other relatives and friends.
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Rudell “Rudy” Pannell - He is survived by his wife, Anna Joyce Pannell; daughter Lori (Phillip) Poston of Fort Smith, AR; grandchild Cameron Poston; sister Mary Jean Pannell; and numerous friends and extended family.
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I have shared a little before about our family saga this summer, following the abrupt entrance of a huge oak tree into our den the last week in May. The most frequently asked question this summer was, “Are you back in your house yet?” After a long process involving getting labor and materials in a timely manner (or not), we moved back into our house in mid-October. It was almost a five-month process! We are so thankful we had good places to lay our heads and cook our meals while we were displaced, but it sure was good to get back into our house. As Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home!”
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But getting back in our house was just the first step. So many of our belongings had been removed and stored, it is almost like moving in again. We have a path cleared from the bedroom to the bathroom to the kitchen, and the TV works, but with Carey and I both being fully employed, it is slow progress putting everything back in order. One day at a time, as they say… |
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I have reflected all along on how our home situation has been parallel to the church in this season of disruption. Everything has felt sort of temporary and weird for a while, but things are slowly returning to something resembling normal. We had to go back to masks during the Delta variant resurgence this summer, but now we have returned to optional masks for fully vaccinated people. The new worship schedule that we tried for a few months did not prove to be acceptable to many people, so we are “pivoting” back to our pre-pandemic schedule this Sunday, November 7. I hope the removal of these two impediments to participation will open up more participation in our in-person worship and Sunday School. (And I hope it doesn’t eliminate anyone who liked the new schedule.) |
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However, the church is like our house. Even if we can “move back in,” so to speak, there is still much work to be done. Relaxing the mask requirement and changing worship times are not going to create a flood of returning attenders. It won’t be that easy. Many have been out for over eighteen months. We will have to make many personal contacts with those who have not returned to remind them that they are loved and missed and important to our church family. (Of course, this means you need to come back to see who all is missing!) |
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It’s going to be a process. Some people will not come back, because they have drifted away during the pandemic, or they prefer to engage in a virtual way. Another critical strategy moving forward will be to invite, welcome, and retain new people. We are having guests every week that may choose to be part of our church family. |
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Here’s what we need to do in this season of re-construction, as we seek to partner with God in the renewal of our church: |
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PRAY. Pray for our pastors, staff, members and friends. Ask God to guide us and provide the abundant fruit of our ministry.
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ENGAGE. Be a part of the worship experience, in person if possible, and virtually if not. Engage with a small group or ministry outreach of the church. Your enthusiasm will return if it has left or grow if it hasn’t.
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SUPPORT. Respond to our generosity emphasis by making an estimate of giving for 2022. The financial support of our ministry has been great; let’s keep it up so your discipleship will grow, and so will our church!
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INVITE. Make some personal contacts to those you miss from pre-pandemic days, and think of your family, friends, and acquaintances who need a great church home and a wonderful church family. Invite them to come visit us and see what that’s like.
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CHILL. Do not be anxious about the future of our church. It’s not about trying to restore our pre-pandemic attendance. It’s about reaching people with the love of Christ, making disciples, and making a difference in our community. It’s about doing our ministry with excellence to the glory of God. If we take care of that, God will take care of us.
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It’s great to be home again. It’s great to have a church home where we can always come to be loved, supported, and encouraged. I’ll look forward to seeing you there soon! |
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NOVEMBER IS GENEROSITY MONTH |
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We are “Seeing The Light” of giving to God! |
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It seems like in some ways we have been through a dark time for the last 18 months, as the pandemic has made people sick, taken lives, and disrupted schools, churches, and communities. Now we hope we are “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel” as the pandemic recedes (again), and we hope that COVID-19 becomes a bad memory. |
Throughout this dark time, we have maintained the strong ministry of FUMC. Thanks to the generous support of our congregation, we have retained all our staff, kept our buildings in good repair, and continued our ministry, especially our outreach to the needy in our community. |
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It has been a time of rapid learning and deep spiritual growth for many people. Now that we are seeing the light breaking ahead, we are being called once again to affirm our financial support for our beloved church. |
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This week the congregation will receive a letter and brochure explaining the process and spiritual emphasis of generosity. An estimate of giving card will follow in about two weeks. On November 21, we will have opportunity to make estimates of our financial support for 2022 in an act of worship in all three services. These commitments may also be made by mailing the card in or by filling one out online. |
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We hope you will pray the generosity prayer, “Lord, where do you want me to be in my giving?” If you do, God will answer, and you will experience the joy of generosity. Your soul will prosper, and the ministry of the church will benefit.
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If you need information about your current estimate or giving, contact the church office. If you would like to have a conversation about your generosity commitment, contact one of the pastors. May God bless you as you respond in faith! |
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There aren’t not enough words... |
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I have treasured your many cards and expressions of love to me and my family over these last few weeks. I find myself reading them over and over, especially in those times of loneliness. Your words of support, encouragement, affirmation and love give strength for the journey. The wisdom that many of you can share with me of having walked this road already does not go unnoticed. |
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Two and half years ago when John and I moved back to Fort Smith, I knew how important it was to be close to my dad. His health was starting to change and things were becoming more challenging. There was a day he helped me change a faucet on the kitchen sink, and I knew then that I could no longer ask my dad to help me with little “fix-it” projects. It was then that I began the journey of realizing life without my dad. We celebrated his birthday in July, and I knew then it would be his last. |
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The beautiful part of the process of grieving is the reflections we can take from scripture. In Hebrews 12:1-2 says to us; “So then, with endurance, let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.” My dad has always been my biggest fan. And all through out my ministry he has stood witness to my preaching and leading worship, experienced the ups and downs of ministry with me. And because of these words found in Hebrews I am comforted, knowing that my dad is still present with me in my preaching, and teaching, and leading, and trusting God to lead me each and every day. |
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May we each find strength and comfort for the journey in that great cloud of witnesses that surround us. And may we lean on each other, being lifted up by the Spirit that connects both in the here and now and all that is come. |
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Poinsettias for 2021 Advent/Christmas Season |
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Ready or not, the Holidays are coming. A tradition we have had here at FSFUMC for many years was to invite our members to purchase poinsettias that would adorn our worship spaces during the Advent season. Your gift gave you the opportunity to remember and honor your loved ones, which were then listed in the Sunday bulletin. There is no doubt this is a special tradition. However, just as so many things have changed…so has our opportunity to provide poinsettias at an affordable price. |
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For the 2021 Advent season, we will be placing beautiful silk poinsettia arrangements in our worship spaces. And you will be invited to make a contribution toward the local mission efforts that our congregation is actively involved. We will still be listing those you desire to remember and honor and these names will be placed in the bulletin as always. So this year when you make your contribution, not only will your loved one be listed, but others will be helped as well as our congregation seeks to feed the hungry and help others in our community. |
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Be watching for future announcements and information for you to submit your request and contributions for these special memorials. |
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Remember the money we raised for a scholarship for a student at Lydia Patterson Institute? |
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Meet Anne Marie Vidana! She is 16 years old and in the 11th grade at LPI. She lives in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and attends the school in El Paso. Her father died of COVID recently, and her mother is being treated for cancer. The scholarship allows Anne Marie to continue her education. Her grade average is 97.8%, according to school officials. Thank you, FUMC, for making a difference in a young person who will make a difference in her world! |
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Lydia Patterson Institute is a United Methodist mission school in El Paso, TX, which has been helping students graduate high school, attend college (98%), and break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. |
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We did SO many fun things. We learned more about the Fruits of the Spirit during Wednesday Nite Life. We had a special Sunday school series called Spooky Bible Stories where we learned about stories in the Bible that may be scary at first but really reveal how awesome and powerful God is. We did fun, age appropriate crafts, and had lots of yummy snacks.
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As great as October was, November is going to be EVEN better! On November 7th, the day we pivot back to our pre-pandemic schedule, we are having a Fall Festival! There will be inflatables, games, crafts, food, and fun. We are also having a Chili Cookoff that ANYONE is welcome to enter. You know you want to win the golden spoon!
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This month we will also be finishing up WNL and our Fruits of the Spirit study. However there is no reason to fret, we have a short advent study coming up that is going to be a BLAST! Our advent study starts the Wednesday after Thanksgiving and will go until December 22nd.
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Speaking of Advent, we have a super fun Advent Workshop coming up on November 28th during the Sunday school hour. This will be fun for all ages, young and old. We will have the opportunity to create our own advent wreath, spend time in prayer, learn about a mission of the church, and make a tasty snack. You don’t want to miss out on this!
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A very special mission of First Kids that was started by my predecessor, Sally Ware, is First Methodist Angel Tree. Year after year without fail we have provided gifts for families in need. As a church, you continually step up to bless these children who, without our help, wouldn’t have presents for Christmas. You will notice the trees are up once again this year. I encourage you to take an ornament, maybe even take a few if you are able. Bless a child this Christmas season! |
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As we enter into this holiday season, it is my prayer that you continue to allow God to foster the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in your hearts. (Galatians 5:22-23) |
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Lloyd Keefer joined by transfer from another denomination. Lloyd works at Arcbest, is married to Doreen , and has 3 children, Ashley (32), Amanda (31), and Ryan (21). Lloyd plays guitar in our praise band and helps out with technology.
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Bryce Dalke, transferred from another UMC. He is a retired principal, mostly in elementary schools. Bryce is married to Pam. They have a son in Massachusetts and had a son who is deceased.
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In Memory of:
Kent & Nancy Blochberger
Curtis & Jane Shipley
Marlin & Janet Fretheim
John & Kimberly McFarland
Jimmie Lou Sagely
Tom & Annette Gean
Floyd & Judy Bradberry
Laura Cunningham
Austin & Alice Rowe
Carl Corley
Mary Youmans Udouj
Natalie Udouj Devero
Alan & Carol Sue Wooten
Glen & Ann Hopkins, Jr.
Joe & Elizabeth Powers
Julie Ketcham & Family
William & Lori Hines
Mont & Ann Echols
Cole & Staci Goodman
Sue Cooley
Rodney Mills
Dr. & Mrs. Neil Crow, Jr.
Linda Ward
Sandra Clark
Sally Ware
Jack & Louanna Green
Patricia Janes & Family
Mary Kay Aclin
David & Leanne McClanahan
Robert Cooper
Dick & Ann Appleton
Patricia Janes & Family
Mary Kay Aclin
Marlin & Janet Fretheim
Harry Robinson, Jr.
Sue Cooley
Jo Frances Miller
Robert Cooper
Ted & Virginia Taylor
Jack & Louanna Green
George & Carole Beattie
Fran Bateman
Fran Bateman
David & Leanne McClanahan
Kent & Nancy Blochberger
Randy & Jane Bittle
Chris & Barbara Jetton
Marlin & Janet Fretheim
Julie Ketcham & Family
Janice Powell
Dr. & Mrs. Neil Crow, Jr.
Sally Ware
John & Harriett Beasley
Dick & Ann Appleton
Sally Ware
Marlin & Janet Fretheim
Jack & Louanna Green
- Naomi Gregg for the Bell Choir by
Sue Plattner Smith
- Pat Little for the Bell Choir by
Sue Plattner Smith
George & Carole Beattie
George & Carole Beattie
Wredgie Cochran by
George & Carole Beattie
Ruth Davis
Susan Chaney
In Honor of:
- Nancy Vernon for the Organ Fund by
Jack & Louanna Green
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Pastor on Call
M-F 8:30 AM-4:30 PM: (479) 782-5068
Weekends and Evenings: (479) 459-5060
When there is a hospitalization, a death in the family, or any other time you may need urgent pastoral care, we encourage you to use these numbers. The pastors rotate on-call responsibilities to assure that one of them is always accessible.
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FIRST UNITED METHODIST NEWS published weekly except the last week of the year by First United Methodist Church 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901. |
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