Sermon
“The Least of These”
Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey
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In Person, Facebook /YouTube Live
and FM 103.5
Special Music “Build My Life”
Anthem “Christ Is Our Cornerstone”
Anthem “The Beauty of This Sacred Place”
Guest Preacher: Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Louisiana Episcopal Area
Rev. Dr. William O. (Bud) Reeves, Senior Pastor
Rev. DeeDee Autry, Executive Pastor
Rev. Janice Sudbrink, Liturgist
Chancel Choir
Ladybells
Brass Quartet: Ron Lewis, Dylan Kyle,
Alexandra Zacharella, Eric Krigbaum,
Trevor Hardcastle and Praise Band
Gaye Mings, Chancel Choir Director
Nancy W. Vernon, Organist
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Centennial Homecoming 2022 Committee |
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Rev. Bud Reeves
Rev. DeeDee Autry
Nancy Vernon
Bill and Tracy Culp
Robert and Mary Young
Jack Green
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Charles Paris
Susan Schulte
Staci Goodman
Lady Jane Cohen
Larry and Sharon Weir
Jeanne Starr
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Sunday, May 1 Centennial Homecoming
9:00 am Holy Grounds
9:30 am Sunday Small Groups
10:30 am Combined Service, Sanctuary, In Person,
Facebook/YouTube Live & FM 103.5
12:00 pm Sunday Dinner
Tuesday, May 3
7:00 pm Young Adult Ministry, St. Paul UMC Study
Wednesday, May 4
10:00 am Ladybells, Bayliss Hall
5:00 pm Children’s Choir, Bayliss Hall
5:30 pm Evening Prayer, Roebuck Chapel
6:00 pm Children’s Ministry
6:30 pm Praise Band Practice, Great Hall
7:00 pm Chancel Choir
Thursday, May 5
10:00 am Knitters & Knotters,
Friday, May 6
10:00 am Pacesetters, Fireside Room
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Maybe you’re curious about why we have put so much effort into a Centennial Homecoming. What’s the big deal? I think there are four reasons to celebrate this weekend, and I hope you celebrate them all. |
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- Our history, of course. Our sanctuary building (including what is now the choir space and Bayliss Hall downstairs) was 100 years old last year. Because of the pandemic, we had to delay a year. But to be worshiping in a building that has survived a century without burning down or being blown away in a tornado is a significant accomplishment. But along with that history comes 180 years of witness and ministry in the Fort Smith community. FUMC has been a leader, an institution, and a force for good in our city. We have a great story as a church.
- We also celebrate our tradition. We have been Methodists in Fort Smith for 180 years. That brings with it a certain perspective, a way of doing church that is different and unique. We are proud to be descendants of John Wesley and the Methodist movement and to be United Methodists now and into the future.
- We celebrate our people, the saints on whose shoulders we stand. Many people sacrificed a century ago to build a visionary building. Others carried on the legacy, up until the current generation, who will be present as we celebrate this weekend. We have some great people!
- Finally, we celebrate our mission. I don't want this Centennial Homecoming to be merely a look back, but also a look forward. This is “Come Back” Sunday, coming out of the pandemic and facing the challenges of the future. Though we honor and celebrate the past, we do not want to go back there. (Have you seen the cars they drove back then? And ceiling fans in the sanctuary?) God has a great future for us, and this Sunday is about claiming who we are, whose we are, and where we are going.
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If nothing else, I hope we all get a sense–and I especially hope this for our younger people–that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We have a great history, a faithful tradition, wonderful people, and a challenging mission. This is God’s church, and we are fortunate, privileged, and blessed to be a part of it. |
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Come be part of something big this weekend! |
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Oh what a glorious day it was! |
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In early February, 16 youth gathered to begin the journey of Confirmation. I’ll never forget that first Sunday we met. I didn’t know them and they didn’t know me. We had a long road ahead of us. But week after week, we kept showing up to learn and discover more about God, and Jesus, the church and each other. And over time we learned each other’s names and forged lifetime friendships. So on Sunday, April 24th, those that gathered at the chancel rail were no longer strangers, but friends who loved and supported one another and will continue to do so in all of life’s ups and downs. |
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As I shared in my sermon this is not the end, but only the beginning. For us to recognize that the church is alive and vital you gotta keep showing up, keep leaning in, keep listening, and keep learning. I was 17 when I began to realize that just maybe God was calling me into some type of ministry. And that only happened because of the people who surround me with love and support, who encouraged me and affirmed me for who I was. All because I kept showing up. And I’ve never given up…some 40 years later, I’m still learning, still showing up, still listening, still leaning in. The church needs all of us, because we are the church…right now! |
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And we all have to show up at the table together…inviting one another into opportunities to build relationships…to learn each other’s name…to recognize Christ presence with us. |
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Friends…it’s time we come to our senses and recognize what is right in front of us. There is a revival brewing among us…God is up to something. I have seen it first hand as I’ve had the privilege to walk alongside these young people in our Confirmation Class. Today we celebrate how we have kept our promises…but we also get to work…doing the kingdom work that God has called us too. Let us join together on a new pathway…inspired by all the future has to bring us! |
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I don’t know about you, but that word from John 20 has always resonated with me. So much of ministry is believing curriculum and plans will connect with and spiritually edify children without knowing for sure that it actually will. That was the case with Easter this year. I planned and prayed. I used my skills and God-given talents, but I didn’t know if it would be successful. I had yet to experience an Easter here at FSFUMC. It was successful! The presence of the Lord was felt as we read Twas the Morning Of Easter by Glenys Nellist, as we made a darling food craft and talked about the tomb, as we did an unusual egg hunt that affirmed the message of Easter, Jesus Christ is Risen! God was there in every moment. |
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As we switch gears to VBS season, my prayer is that God will continue to fill the children and our volunteers with His spirit. We will allow God to work through us in real and powerful ways. If you’d like to be involved in this season of Children’s Ministry here at FSFUMC, email me! I’d love to have you plugged in. You can lead a small group of kids around to each station, showing them the love of Christ through kindness. You can help provide snacks for our volunteers so they feel appreciated and poured into. You can be a part of the design team, recognizing that every little detail counts when creating an environment for children to experience Christ. |
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We want you to be involved. We want you to feel the reward of a child’s smile as you tell them about our awesome Savior! |
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Email me today. amcneal@fsfumc.org
Blessings in Christ,
Ms. Ashley
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As many of you know, my last day serving as the Director of Youth and College Ministries will be May 15th, 2022, as I have accepted a new position with the City of Fort Smith as the Mobility Coordinator. This will be a bittersweet transition for me as I have found so much joy in leading our youth and young adults. I have seen God move in some truly incredible ways through the lives of the young people at our church. For the powerful grace of God that has been at work through FIRST YOUTH and the Young Adults ministry, I give thanks! |
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While I will always look back with gratitude for the 5 years I was able to serve on staff at our church, I am also looking ahead with excitement for the new opportunity to do good within our community. As the Mobility Coordinator, I will be working towards a strategic and comprehensive city-wide plan to improve the mobility of Fort Smith. So, whether it’s driving, biking, skating, scooting, walking, or utilizing handicapped or public transit, my goal will be to make sure Fort Smithians can get from A to B safely, enjoyably, and in a timely fashion that fits the diverse lifestyles of the people who live here. With tremendous potential for trails, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways, I’m really looking forward to putting in the work to keep Fort Smith rolling in the right direction!
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I want to thank you all for the love and support that you’ve given to my family and I over the years. Even before I was on staff at FSFUMC, that love and support has always been there. Growing up in the children’s and youth ministries of our church, my life was shaped by our faith-community. After graduating college, I was able to spend a summer in Mozambique learning about cross-cultural missions because of the generosity of many of you. When I applied for the job at FSFUMC, our church took a risk and hired a young guy with not a lot of experience, but with plenty of love for young people and for the Lord. Thank you all for taking that risk and for providing me with every opportunity to grow into the person I am today. Over the years, I feel that your support has only grown as my family has grown. I can’t express how grateful I am for the love and care you have shown to Sarah, Miriam, and Judah. The love that binds us in the family of God is felt with every greeting, every hug, every high five, and even in all the banter! Praise God! |
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But this isn’t goodbye. My family and I will continue to worship and participate in the community of faith at FSFUMC. We look forward to being active at our church in new ways, and we hope this will allow us to connect and build relationships with those of you who we haven’t yet enjoyed that with. Let us continue in our mission to see God’s Kingdom come, here on earth as it is in heaven!
BLESS UP!
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One of the spiritual gifts of our church is generosity. We love helping people! Lately we have made two extra-mile gifts:
- We took an offering for the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief in Ukraine. On April 14, we sent $7,615.80 to help the people devastated by the war.
- We took an offering this year at our Community Sunrise service on Easter. On behalf of the 5 churches involved in the service, we donated $726 to feed hungry people in our region.
Thanks, FUMC, for your generosity and the love of Christ you show through your offerings!
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Starting May 15, we will begin a five-week series based on our Vacation Bible School theme, “Food Truck Party.” We are calling the series “Food For The Soul,” and we will take one of the key Scriptures from the VBS curriculum for our sermon each week. (Spoiler: Each one has to do with food.) This will build the excitement for a great VBS event on June 9-12. Vacation Bible School Sunday will be June 12. |
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Next, we are going to do something you may never have done before. It’s called “Sermons By Request.” All sorts of media are available “on demand” nowadays– movies, TV, podcasts, books, etc. Why not sermons? Although “demand” may be a little strong, we want to offer the congregation the opportunity to hear sermons on Scriptures or topics that interest you. Have you ever thought, “I wish the preacher would preach on …”? This summer, you will have a chance to fulfill that dream. Be thinking about what topics or Scriptures you would like the Revs. Reeves and Autry to address. We will make a request form available later in May. We will pick 8 of the suggestions to develop messages. You may be surprised what you hear sermons on this summer. Will yours be picked? |
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On May 8, our church will be celebrating our graduating high school seniors from the class of 2022 as we hold our annual Senior Sunday event. We would like to invite the congregation for a time to visit with the seniors and to wish them well in all the new ventures that lay ahead for them. There will be a senior “meet and greet” in the Narthex before Sunday school from 9-9:45AM, where our students will display project boards that include their accolades and plans for the future. Seniors will also be participating in both worship services. Your presence at this event will be a major blessing to our graduates as they take their first steps into adulthood! |
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In Memory of:
Dick & Ann Appleton
Jack & Louanna Green
Terry & Joann Mount
Randy & Jane Bittle
Janice Powell
Friends Sunday School Class
Frank & Mary Shipley
Byron & Linda Ware
Randy & Janie Goins
Ronnie & Lynda McDaniel
Kent & Nancy Blochberger
Dick & Ann Appleton
Randy & Jane Bittle
Dick & Ann Appleton
Dick & Ann Appleton
Dick & Ann Appleton
Dick & Ann Appleton
Dick & Ann Appleton
Dick & Ann Appleton
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In Honor of:
- Rev. Dr. William Reeves by:
Mike & Susan McFerran
Blanche Donoho
Mike & Susan McFerran
Blanche Donoho
- Dorothy Collier Committee by:
Blanche Donoho
- Rev. Dr. Michael Mattox by:
Blanche Donoho
Blanche Donoho
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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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