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Sing the Resurrection Song!

One of the greatest of all hymn tunes is the “Hymn To Joy” by Beethoven. One of the two lyrics set to that tune in our hymnal was written by William J. Irons in 1873. It starts, “Sing with all the saints in glory, sing the resurrection song!” (#702 in the Hymnal) We use this hymn for Easter season and for All Saints’ Sunday sometimes.

As I look around, I see the resurrection song everywhere. The trees and flowers are really showing off. The azaleas are in full bloom. The dogwoods are out--a sure sign of Easter approaching. Coming back to Arkansas after a week in Colorado, where it was still snow-covered (or muddy), has made me appreciate the Arkansas springtime once again. It is simply beautiful.

It does seem like the long shadow of Lent is lifting. We can see the dawn of a new day ahead. Easter is like the rays of the sun peeking over the horizon of evil, sin, and death, spreading the light of joy, peace, grace, and eternal life. As the hymn says, “Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, to the former days belong.”

Lent gives way to Easter. The cross gives way to the empty tomb. Death gives way to life. It is a glorious thing! It fills our hearts and thrills our souls and makes us want to sing. That’s why the music of Easter is always so thrilling--and it will be again in church this year. It’s the resurrection song.
I hope you will be a part of our resurrection song this Easter. Start on Maundy Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and Good Friday at either noon or 7:00 p.m. These dark services before the crucifixion enable us to see the light of Easter so much better.

Then on Easter Sunday we will start bright and early at the riverfront with a sunrise service at 6:30. I am so excited about this new venture into bringing the Gospel to the city of Fort Smith. And we are being joined by our friends from Goddard, St. Paul, and Mission United Methodist Churches.
Our on-campus services follow the regular schedule, but they will be anything but regular. I believe they will be extraordinary! And the little ones will have their Easter Egg Hunt during Sunday School. It will be a great day at the church.

So make plans to be a part of our resurrection song. Invite your friends and family. Be especially mindful of our guests on Easter and be welcoming to them. For the glory of God and the praise of Jesus, let’s make this Easter all that it can be!

Rev. Bud Reeves

Senior Pastor
breeves@fsfumc.org

Easter 2017

We Belong to the Resurrection

A few weeks ago, I was visiting my alma mater, Duke Divinity School, for my first meeting as a member of the school’s National Alumni Council. I was thrilled to be back at my old stomping grounds, spending time in familiar spaces and hearing about the future of Duke Divinity. While there, I was able to spend some time learning about Henri Nouwen. In his book, Bread for the Journey, Nouwen writes, “The Spirit reveals that we belong not to a world of success, fame, or power, but to God.” This struck me as an Easter message for us all, we have fasted in someway(s) during this Lenten season from the worldly things of food, drink, success, money, fame, and power in hopes to prepare our hearts for Easter morning. When we arrive at the empty tomb on Easter morning, we know that God is up to something. It is in this Resurrection that we find we do not belong to the world, but to God. It is the Spirit that reminds us, we belong to the Resurrection, we are an Easter People. Let us live this good news in a broken and hurting world.

Rev. Sara Bayles

Associate Pastor
sbayles@fsfumc.org

SPOTLIGHT ON FSFUMC MISSION: Food at First

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.

This month, we feature a longtime mission, Food at First, a feeding ministry that provides food for those who struggle to afford food for their home. Those wishing to receive food, must fill out an application that is then checked at the Clearinghouse. Once approved, each applicant is eligible to receive the Food at First box for three consecutive months. Each applicant receives a family meal box of frozen meats and vegetables. These boxes typically cost $31 from the distributor, but through the Food at First fund those receiving the box purchase the food box at a discount rate of $5. Currently, those receiving food boxes include 20 residents at Bost and about a dozen people from Arkansas Family Services, all of whom have different disabilities. There are also several senior citizens, many of whom are raising their grandchildren, who receive Food at First boxes.

If you would like to be part of this mission you can:

1. Pray for Food at First ministry and their applicants
2. Give a donation, either one time or monthly to support the cost of a box.
3. Talk to your Sunday School class or your Bible study groups who may be able to support the cost of a food box each month.

Following Jesus to McDonald’s

For Lent, I have quit drinking sodas. I was drinking too many too often. Diet Coke and Diet Dr. Pepper are my preferred habits. They may seem trivial, but exercises like giving up soda or chocolate are about naming the negative influences shaping our lives. That was certainly true for me. Too much soda had become an unhealthy pattern.

But I’m not crazy! I still need caffeine! So I’ve been drinking a lot of sweet tea. Jill informed me she’s not so sure replacing one bad habit with another is the point of Lent, but I’m only human. Sweet tea drinkers will know it’s tough to beat the holy nectar sold at McDonald’s. Highbrow types may prefer McAlister’s, but Mickey D’s ain’t bad, especially for $1. Luckily, the McDonald’s on Grand Ave. is only a few blocks from church. I often go by the drive-thru, but time-willing, I may actually go in and sit down. Maybe have a biscuit. Maybe even have some quiet prayer time before beginning my work day.

If you have the opportunity, you should go sit in the McDonald’s on Grand Ave for a spell. It’s very busy. Many folks are just there to use the Wi-Fi. Some folks come and go to use the restroom. Some of course are there for their morning coffee or even breakfast. The demographics are all over the place. Young. Old. Caucasian. African-American. Hispanic. Middle-class. Lower-class. Homeless or at least those without traditional housing. None of this is bad, mind you. Everyone is perfectly kind. You might say the McDonald’s really “looks like the neighborhood.” McDonald’s looks and feels and sounds a little different than our church. Same neighborhood, of course.

Following Jesus, even to McDonald’s for sweet tea, has a way of surprising us. I know this all sounds trivial, but my trips to Mickey D’s really have changed the way I see (or don’t see) the folks most near us. Many people who live around our church will never walk through our doors. This Lent has left me wondering what it might mean to walk through theirs. Bible study at McDonald’s, maybe?

Rev. Dane Womack

Executive Associate Pastor
dwomack@fsfumc.org

First Kids

The excitement of processing with the palms on Palm Sunday morning will truly begin Holy Week for our children. Later that same day, we will have our annual Holy Land Marketplace, where we will ‘travel back in time’. We transform the Youth Loft into our Jerusalem Marketplace. Gathering in the Narthex at 3:00 pm on April 9th, the children will visit the synagogue school where ‘Rabbi Bud’ will discuss the importance of Holy Week along with some traditions from Biblical times. Next the children will travel through the marketplace, stopping at the bakery for some yummy treats, the jewelry shop where they will make a treasure to take home, and the spice shop where they will mix their own blend of spices. We invite all families with children ages 4 years old through 6th grade to come see the sights and hear the sounds of our Jerusalem marketplace. There is no cost for this event but please register your children and their friends by April 6th. Child care for younger siblings will be available. (Thank you to the Youth for helping us with our event and letting us borrow their space for the week)

NEWSFLASH: VBS will be June 12th -16th. This year our theme is Hero Central, where we will discover our strength in God and learn about Heroes of the Bible. Each day Flame and Captain Shield will entertain and teach our kids how to be Heroes for Christ.

Sally Ware

Director of Children's Ministry
sware@fsfumc.org

First Youth

As I’m writing this, I have just stepped back into my office after a week of being with the youth at Copper Mountain, Colorado. One could say that I’ve got mixed feelings about exchanging my view of the Rocky Mountains for the view offered from my office of the church’s front lawn. Though green grass isn’t quite as breathtaking as the Front Range, I’m glad to be back where God has called me here at FSFUMC.
Our theme for the ski trip was rest. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Falling down a mountain trying to ski doesn’t sound very restful, Michael.” But for the student that spends 7 hours a day sitting at a desk in a classroom, skiing can be a great way to rest from all the exertion of mental energy used to pay attention and learn at school. Without good rest of the mind, body, and spirit, any of us would burn out! My prayer was for each student, parent, and volunteer to find God’s rest during our ski trip.
Besides skiing and snowboarding for three days, our group also had a couple of service projects in Denver. The junior high students prepared food at Project Angel Heart, while our senior high students served a meal at The Salvation Army. Several of our youth seemed to enjoy this part of our trip the most! This goes to show that there is fun to be had on the slopes and on the mission field. Way to go, First Youth!

The ski trip was crazy, fun, wild, spiritual and chaotic all rolled up into the same burrito. (Welcome to youth ministry!) Check out some of the pictures we got on the trip!

Michael Mings

Director of Youth Ministries
mmings@fsfumc.org

This Sunday 4.9.17

“God on the Cross: Holy Love”
Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 26:14-27

8:30 am - Roebuck Chapel - Rev. Bud Reeves
Offertory “In His Love He Redeemed Us”
Mercy Trahan, Soloist
Nancy Vernon, Organist

11:00 am - Sanctuary - Rev. Bud Reeves
Children’s Anthem “Hosanna to the Son”
Children’s Anthem “Cry Out Hosanna! Hosanna!”
Chancel Choir, Ladybells, Bayliss Hall Singers
Janell Gulstad, Children’s Choir Leader
Gaye McClure, Chancel Choir Director
Nancy Vernon, Organist
Acolytes: Maggie Jacimore & Finley Rossi

11:00 am - Connexion FLC - Rev. Dane Womack
“The Victory” “Til Kingdom Come”
“Lamb of God” “Lead Me to the Cross”
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

5:00 pm—Youth Meal/Devo/Games, Loft

ATTENDANCE

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sunday, April 9

8:30am Worship, Roebuck Chapel

8:45am Holy Grounds, Narthex

9:45am Sunday School

10:00am Newcomers Coffee With the Pastors, Narthex

11:00am Worship, Sanctuary

11:00am Worship, Family Life Center

3:00pm Holy Land Market Place, Loft

4:00pm Confirmation, 3rd Floor

5:00pm Youth, Loft

5:00pm Executive Team Meeting, Friend’s Class

6:00pm Staff Parish Relations Meeting, Conference Room

Monday, April 10

11:45 am Lenten Lunch, Goddard UMC

6:00pm Women’s Bible Study, Fireside Room

6:30pm Boy Scouts, 3rd Floor

Tuesday, April 11

8:45am BSF, 3rd Floor

9:30am Staff Meeting

10:00am UMW Circles, meeting in various locations

Wednesday, April 12

10:00am Prayer Group, Prayer Room, 2nd Floor

3:30pm Children’s Choir, Various Rooms

7:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, April 13

7:00am Youth Breakfast Club, Chick-fil-A

10:00am Knitters & Knotters, Narthex

12:00pm UMM Bible Study/Lunch, Fireside Room

Friday, April 14

6:30am UMM Bible Study/Breakfast, Fireside Room

Pacesetters

Thanks for the prayers, cards, phone calls, flowers, food and remembrances for Herschel. A special thanks for the $220 to the Kibler & Alma UM Churches for their Youth Program in Herschel’s honor.

April 7 at 10:00 am in the Fireside Room. Susan will do blood pressures. Our C.E.C. children will sing. Our program will be Jamison Bonds on Elder Law. He will answer your questions about getting your “life in order” and will do a free meeting one-on-one later. Lunch $5: Beef Soup, garlic bread sticks, peach cobbler.

April 21 at 10:00 am in the Fireside Room. Susan will do blood pressures. The Weekday children will sing. The program will be “The Time Is Now”, given by our own Alice Alt, about the Marshals Museum. (She is Jane Kline’s daughter) She will have the “latest” news about the museum.
Lunch $5: Meatloaf mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and b-day cake.

Spring Trip to Univ. of Ozarks, Tuesday, May 2. Sign-up NOW. Meet in the FLC Fireside Room at 10am.

United Methodist Women

UMW unit meeting is April 18 at 10:00am in the Fireside Room.

UMW Circles meeting April 11 at the following locations:

Hannah-Elizabeth-1:30pm-Aldersgate Room
Ruth-10:00 am in the FLC-101
Deborah-10:00 am in the Narthex
Rebekah-10:00 am-AR College of Osteopathic Medicine, 7000 Chad Colley Blvd., in Chaffee Crossing.
Naomi-10:00 am –Home of Marlene Brown

Recent Memorials

In Memory of:

Wilberta Spears by Rebecca Phillips, Sherron Shuffield, Ted & Ginger Taylor

Marion Thomas by the Aldersgate Sunday School Class

Milt Holliman by Patricia Ann Payne

Lucille Eubanks by Patricia Ann Payne

Bernice Campbell by Sherron Shuffield, Ted & Ginger Taylor

Dr. Ted Skokos by Lori Hardin & Mike Willis, Joel & Sandy Parker, Lynnell & Tony Leraris

Bill Hutcheson by Lynn Curry, M.G. Corley, Kay & Richard Aclin, Larry & Becky Evans, Aaron & Nell Barling, Sherron Shuffield, Jay Angell, David & Ann Turney, Mrs. Crawford Sandefur & Jerry Lancaster, Susan Bradley, JC & Patsy Burberry, Judith Heninger, AR Colleges of Health Education, Kyle & Renee Parker, AR Council on Economic Education, Nancy Wenderoth, Mr. & Mrs. Doug Parker, Sr., Linda & Marvin Mumme, Comprehensive Juvenile Services, Inc., Kelly & Marilyn Newton, Joel & Sandy Parker, Harry Jr. & Nancy Robinson, Lynnell & Tony Leraris, James Alexander, Charles & Carey Polland

Pam Weiler by Leanne & David McClanahan, Mr. & Mrs. Albert Newton, Mitchell & Jill Wells, Keith, Laura, Hayden, & Grant Blythe, Lynn Curry, Courtney & Colby Beland, Larry & Sandra Clark, Marlin & Janet Fretheim, Ronnie & Tim Risley, Joel Jr. & Sandy Parker, Ronald & Rebecca Yates, Sally Ware, Kelly & Marilyn Newton, Susan Chaney, Jack & Louanna Green, Floyd & Judy Bradberry, Margaret Swann, Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Udouj, Mary Kay & Richard Aclin, Thomas & Susan Webb, Richard & Jan Beauchamp, Randy & Jill Cutting

Tommy Fleri by Ralph & Ruth Phillips, Cornerstone Sunday School Class

Herschel McClurkin by Stormy & Pat Jenkins, Patty Payne, Kelly & Marilyn Newton, Janice & Bob Powell, Pat Fleri, Thelma Carter, Dr. Richard & Jane Hinkle, Jim & Wanda Foster, Jim & Dixie Spears, Margaret Thompson, Aaron & Nell Barling, David & Joanne Phillips, Fran Bateman

In Honor of:

David & Carol Matlock by Glenda Brown & Sheri Cole

Rev. Bill & Earline Cheyne by the Uplifters Sunday School Class

Bernie Houser by Jack & Louanna Green

Quick Tip

Want a quick and easy way to access the church website from your phone or other mobile devices? Watch this video for the step-by-step instructions on how to add the website to your home screen. It's 4 simple steps. If you need help, contact Diane Wing at dwing@fsfumc.org.

Tutorial: How to Add Church Website to Phone Homepage

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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