Moving Ahead On All Fronts!

I’m very excited about the ministries we have coming up in the next few weeks. Wednesday Night Life will be starting up, with a new Pack Shack party (20K meals for our local kids!) and offering some great small group experiences for children, youth, and adults. Our 175th birthday party is in October--it’s going to be awesome! And everything else we do just picks up speed and intensity right through the holidays. I often joke that we dive in at Labor Day and don’t come up for air until Christmas day--but it’s all good! I hope you will be part of as much of our ministry as you can this fall. I’m also very excited about a special “sermon” Dane and I are doing on September 10. Together we are going to talk about some strategic directions for the church that we believe will take the church to a new level of fruitfulness and effectiveness. Sara is very much a part of this leadership process, too, but Dane and I usually handle most of the preaching duties. Rather than preaching in different services on September 10, we are going to have a conversation together in all the services. It will be different; but I think it will be fun and hopefully effective communication. Not to steal our own thunder, but there are several issues we will address: ·  Being proactive about the financial health of our church ·  What it means to be a “downtown regional church” ·  Staying true to our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ ·  What the church will look like in five years   After focusing on prayer all summer, this sermon will be more focused on the state of the church and strategic directions moving forward. But it will be no less “spiritual,” because we believe God is calling us at this time to make some decisions that will affect our church for years to come. We have a great history and tradition at FUMCFS--175 years’ worth!--but I believe we have a great future as well. With God, the best is always yet to be!

Rev. Bud Reeves Senior Pastor breeves@fsfumc.org

Each month, we’ll feature a short article on one of the many mission ministries of our church. We hope to let our church family know of the ongoing missions and the ways in which they can support this great work.

Our monthly missions highlight includes a more recent addition to our mission work, THE PACK SHACK Party. The past two years we’ve started WNL with a Pack Shack Party and we’ve gotten so good at these events that we pack 10,000 meals in about 30 minutes. Last fall the 10,000 meals were in such a high demand that by November our partner schools needed more. These meals go to our school partners -- Tilles Elementary, Darby Junior High, Northside High School, and Belle Point Tech Academy to feed children during the weekends and holidays when school is closed and school meals are not offered -- and the need is great. So, for Fall 2017, we’re packing 20,000 meals!! Be there Wednesday, September 13th, from 6pm until 7:30pm for dinner and packing party. All ages, all skillsets are needed for this mission. It’s an annual way to impact children in our community everyday by providing food! As Arkansas United Methodist, we are all about feeding and caring for children. Come and join in on this vital and fun mission!

To Downtown and Beyond

Friends, I am writing this month on a more technical note than usual as I share with you a recent update regarding what was tentatively called “The Barling Project.” If you remember, Barling UMC closed in June and our church was given permission to explore this property and its fittingness for ministry. At our most recent Administrative Board meeting, I shared that after much research and conversation our committee concluded that the Barling UMC property itself is not of particular value to our church. During our research we found many positive signs associated with Barling and East Fort Smith. We were hopeful that the Barling UMC property would provide a pathway to be more engaged with that side of town. But the renovation needs, the size of the lot, the location of Barling UMC relative to roads, homes, and new development left us with the sense that the property itself would not be an asset to FSFUMC at this time. But our research was not wasted! We learned a great deal about the development of East Fort Smith. We are excited about the growth of our community in that area including the Arkansas College of Health Education and the new ArcBest office in Chaffee Crossing as well as the many homes and apartments going up. Our church is invested in the future of Fort Smith across the region and shares our ministry with all areas of town. In fact, many of our recent guests and new members live in East Fort Smith. Our church truly has a regional footprint. We should and will continue to explore ways to be involved in East Fort Smith. At the same time, our team and your pastors affirmed repeatedly our great enthusiasm for Downtown Fort Smith. Our church has a particular interest in and history with downtown. We are thrilled to see the recent developments on Garrison Avenue including apartments, trails, and businesses not to mention concerts and social events. In fact, our SHARE team has been joining the Downtown “First Tuesday” events to better engage our community and downtown neighbors in particular. We are already involved and will continue to be deeply committed to Downtown Fort Smith. The good news is we don’t have to choose one neighborhood or development over any other. We are a downtown, regional church. Our membership spreads from Roland, Oklahoma to Alma to Greenwood. We will seek to continue to serve our entire region with excellent worship, discipleship opportunities, missions, and outreach efforts. We will keep an eye on growing areas as we hope to reach even more new people for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Dane Womack Executive Associate Pastor dwomack@fsfumc.org

In Our Prayers

Glen Carter in Mercy Hospital Denise Jones in Mercy Hospital   Joel Parker on the loss of his brother-in-law Morris Brown.

"Welcome Home" 175th

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about how “rare” the solar eclipse was… well, on October 22nd, we’ll be celebrating something so BIG and so rare that it only happens once every 175 years! It’s even more rare than a solar eclipse, it's our 175 Celebration! It’s both our church’s birthday and our church’s anniversary. But, it's bigger than our church, it's the celebration of Methodism coming to Fort Smith in 1842. This will be the celebration like no other! We’ll have a joint worship service at 10:30am in the Sanctuary, followed by a meal in the Family Life Center. You won’t want to miss it! You need to not ONLY be there, but invite your family, friends, neighbors, children, grandchildren, and everybody. So spread the word, it's a great homecoming for grown children that have moved off, or members that have moved away from Fort Smith. Everyone needs to be here to join the festivities. We’ll celebrate our past, enjoy the present, and join in prayer for the future. There’s something for all ages with a coloring contest, historical tour, mayor proclamation, worship with an internationally famous preacher, music that is out of this world, and a free meal for all. It’s something you cannot miss-- it only happens once every 175 years, so invite your friends, family, and neighbors, and let’s celebrate 175!

Rev. Sara Bayles Associate Pastor sbayles@fsfumc.org

Report from 2017 Music Camp

Forty-seven campers presented the musical “Once Upon a Parable” on July 28 in our Family Life Center. During our week together, we studied five of Jesus’ parables: the mustard seed, house built upon the rock, the good Samaritan, the prodigal son and the workers in the vineyard. We had singing, ringing, and dancing rehearsal each morning; each camper had their own solo and speaking part. After lunch we spent the afternoon doing crafts, painting backdrops, studying our Bible stories, getting fitted for costumes and making decorations. We even baked cookies! We also learned about food insecurity and the work of the Antioch Community Garden. The garden was the beneficiary of our love offering as part of 200,000 Reasons to End Childhood Hunger, our Arkansas conference mission project. We presented our show to a large, appreciative audience on Friday night. Many people deserve thanks for helping making Music camp possible. Youth Helpers: Emma Marsh, Nicholas Spicer, Gracie Weidman, Micah Alt, Connor & Julia Gustafson, Elizabeth Ivey, Remi Weiler, Catherine Ivey. Adult helpers: Kelly DeSoto, LeeAndra White, Debbie Hicks, Selina Jones, Rhonda Monroe, Scott Monroe, Tina Price, Janell Gulstad, Linda Reid, Erin Bouxsein, Christy Wisley, Kim Weiler, Nicole West, Mardell McClurkin, Kelly Jacimore, Rowland Vernon, Sally Ware, Rev. Sara Bayles, Rev. Dane Womack, Deanna Newman, Maria Edwards, Regina Butler and to ALL parents who support their children in their Christian mission work! Later, we’ll report the final amount of our donation to Antioch Community Garden. -Much love, Miss Nancy

First Kids

Children need to know that they should tell the teachers if bullying is happening and that it’s okay to ask for help. Most bullying happens on the school playground; children shouldn’t be afraid to run and play during recess. The bullying often spills over into other areas where children are more vulnerable, such as before or after school.   Children should tell their parents, and parents need to really listen. Talk to teachers or the school administrators and work together to fix the problem. Bullying is a problem that must be addressed and not dismissed as “children being children”. Pray with and for your children before school; pray for other children, teachers, custodians and bus drivers. Pray with your children, that they can be peace keepers not instigators. Pray with them that they can become friends with their classmates and understand their differences. In today’s world we must help guide our children to make good decisions and to get along with our neighbors (schoolmates).

Sally Ware Director of Children's Ministry sware@fsfumc.org

First Youth in Full Swing

The Fall 2017 semester has started and FIRST YOUTH is rocking and rolling! Our FIRST YOUTH family is growing as we’re seeing new faces, new seventh graders, and friends bringing friends. If you’re in junior high or high school, come hang with us! We would LOVE for you to be a part of what we’re doing.   This month at FIRST YOUTH we’ll be starting our devotional series called Pop Song Theology . We’ll be talking about songs by Taylor Swift, Chance the Rapper, & more! We’ll also have a carpool karaoke competition/ scavenger hunt to benefit the Community Services Clearinghouse. Follow us on Instagram at @fs_firstyouth for more information. Bless up, y’all!

Michael Mings Director of Youth Ministries mmings@fsfumc.org

Fall is right around the corner, and so is an exciting line-up for the Wednesday Night LIFE (WNL). Please consider joining a LIFE Group as we learn and grow in our Christian faith. Not only will we take the time to study and learn together, we also will get the opportunity to partake in Communion at 5:30, followed by sharing a meal. Sharing meals together has been part of the Christian faith since the days of Jesus and the disciples. Mark your calendars as we kick-off Fall Wednesday Night LIFE with exciting opportunities to learn, grow, and fellowship together! WNL Dates: begins on Wednesday, September 13th with the Pack Shack Kick-Off. LIFE Groups begin Wednesday, September 20th, and meet for 9 weeks, ending Wednesday, November 15th, the week before Thanksgiving.

Sign Ups: You can sign up online at fsfumc.org, or by calling the church office, or at our kickoff event September 13.   Meals (5:45pm - 6:30pm): As we fellowship together over dinner, all are welcome to attend. Dinner is $5.00 per person, with a $15.00 limit for families. If the cost is a concern for anyone, please speak with a minister. This will be a brief, simple meal as we quickly transition to 6:30 LIFE Groups. The menu is posted on the church website.   LIFE Groups (6:30-7:30): ·  Serving From the Heart ·  Halftime: Moving From Success to Significance ·  Caring Through Cards ·  Women's Class: Busy Women ·  Chrismon Class ·  Revelation ·  Youth ·  College ·  Children   Pack Shack WNL Kickoff Event September 13th 6-7:30pm Join us for a light meal at 6:00 followed by the Pack Shack event from 6:30-7:30.  We will come together to pack 20,000 meals to be used in local hunger relief for the children and youth of our neighborhood partner schools, Tilles, Darby, Northside, and Belle Point Center. This is part of the Arkansas United Methodist Conferences 200,000 Reason Initiative! There will be information about all the studies being offered for WNL.  You can discuss the content and style of various LIFE groups to help you better decide which group you’d like to join, and you may sign up at the Kickoff!

** Books and materials for each class will be provided at the first life group meeting**   SERVING FROM THE HEART with Laura Keener & Dixie Spears God's plan for the church calls for each member of the body of Christ to play a vital role, and God wants us to find joy and fulfillment when we serve. That happens when we serve in a role that matches who God created us to be. This study will help you assess your own spiritual gifts, talents & abilities, resources, individuality, dreams, and experiences in order to learn more about your place and function in the Body of Christ.   HALFTIME: MOVING FROM SUCCESS TO SIGNIFICANCE with Rev. Bud Reeves Using Bob Buford's classic motivational book, this class for men will examine the strategies for getting the most out of life in the "second half." Recommended for men who want to make a positive impact after age 40.   CARING THROUGH CARDS with Kelly DeSoto & Gail Oakes This card-making class is for individuals interested in hand-making Seasonal Greeting cards to be sent out to congregation members. There will be a short devotional & prayer each week. The class is fun with lots of fellowship and no prep work, homework or outside reading required.   WOMEN’S CLASS: BUSY WOMEN with Rev. Sara Bayles We all have calendars that are packed, to-do lists that are long, and an overwhelming sense of busyness. This group will look at the lives of 9 women from scripture, along with outside resources including podcasts, ted talks, and books by Jen Hatmaker, Brene Brown, Betsy Singleton Snyder, and others to figure out how to find time for spiritual growth among the chaos and clutter of our everyday lives.   CHRISMON CLASS with Jane Stauffer & Beth Watson (early class 4:30-5:30pm) This class will focus on the Christian tradition of Chrismons and will work to repair the Chrismon collection of FSFUMC. This class can also explore making new Chrismons. No prior skills or knowledge necessary.   REVELATION with Rev. Dane Womack End times! The mark of the beast! The seven signs! The lamb! God's final victory! These are the themes and phrases in the final book of the Bible known as the Revelation of John. Its literary devices and John's visions make the Book of Revelation famous and infamously difficult to read. Join Rev. Dane Womack this fall for a Bible Study on the Book of Revelation as we discuss and digest this wonderful and strange bit of scripture. We'll use Professor Bruce Metzger's well known and easy-to-read book, Breaking the Code, as our guide. Bring your study Bible .   YOUTH with Matt & Alice Alt During our fall session of WNL, the youth (grades 7-12) will be learning about the differences between fans of Jesus and followers of Jesus. As disciples, we’re not meant to sit on the sidelines and cheer for Christ’s cause. In Kyle Idleman’s book, Not a Fan, we will be challenged to go from fair weather fans to full-time followers.   COLLEGE CLASS with Michael Mings Our college students will be working through Richard Foster’s book “The Celebration of Discipline”. In this book we will discuss new and fresh ways to experience God’s grace. Together, with God’s help, we will grow in our faith by practicing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, worship, and celebration.   CHILDREN with Sally Ware, Karen Wyatt, & Kelly Jacimore 1 st through 6 th will be playing Survivor 2017-- “Out Wit, Out Play, Out Pray!!” We will have challenges each week, games and weird wacky snacks. Nursery available for ages 0- Kindergarten.

This Sunday 9.3.17

Touching Heaven: Great Prayers of the Bible Revelation 22:20   8:30 am - Roebuck Chapel - Rev. Dane Womack Offertory   “Organ Solo” Linda Chapman, Guest Organist   11:00 am - Sanctuary - Rev. Dane Womack Offertory “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” Chancel Choir Gaye McClure, Chancel Choir Director Linda Chapman, Guest Organist   11:00 am - Connexion FLC - Rev. Bud Reeves “Even So Come” “Song of Hope” “Revelation Song” “Victory in Jesus” “Your Love is Extravagant”

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sunday, September 3 8:30am Worship, Roebuck Chapel 8:45am Holy Grounds, Narthex 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship, Sanctuary 11:00am Worship, Family Life Center No Youth for Labor Day weekend   Monday, September 4 Office Closed-Labor Day   Tuesday, September 5 9:30am Staff Meeting, Conference Room   Wednesday, September 6 10:00am Prayer Group, Prayer Room, 2nd Floor 5:30pm Holy Communion, Roebuck Chapel 7:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal   Thursday, September 7 7:00am Youth Breakfast Club, Chick Fil A 10:00am Knitters & Knotters, Narthex 12:00pm UMM Bible Study/Lunch, Fireside Room   Friday, September 8 6:30am UMM Bible Study/Breakfast, Fireside Room

Pacesetters

Pacesetters meets in the Fireside Room of the Family Life Center these dates:

·  SEP 1 - Our program is given by Dave Whiteis-”What’s Bugging You!”. He will give us helpful info about our health. Blood pressures taken by Susan Chaney.        $5 Lunch menu: Pork loin, mashed potatoes & gravy, carrots, rolls, apple pie. ·  SEP 15 - Our program given by Rev. Bud Reeves, Sr. Pastor of FSFUMC. He will share thoughts on the future for Seniors(including Pacesetters). Weekday children will sing. $5 Lunch menu: Burgers, baked beans, potato salad, birthday cake.   Call (479)782-5068 if you need a ride. Everyone is welcome to attend. Invite a friend!

Recent Memorials

In Memory of:   Ralph A. Stephens by Suzanne Stephens Dr. Bob Janes by Lynnell & Tony Leraris Gordon Apple by Patty Payne Carmen Fleck by Dana & Joe Kleine, Fran Bateman, Jim & Marilyn Rauser, Helen Couvillion, Ruth Circle Subgroup, Kathy & Gerald Joubert, Jane Williams, Lori Hardin & Mike Willis, Jessica Dyer by Patty Payne Peggy Guthrie by Nancy Flake   In Honor of:   Glenda Brown by Charles & Jeanne Ledbetter Rev. Janice Sudbrink by Gary & Tracy Keifer

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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