HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

When my first grandson, who is now six, had a birthday a year or two ago, he did not want to get left out of the singing of “Happy Birthday To You.” It’s a big moment, after all. So he joined in with the rest of us, singing, “Happy birthday to me!!!” It may not have been exactly the way it is supposed to go, but nobody cared.  We were all celebrating together. I’m very excited that we will be singing, “Happy Birthday To Us” later on this month. The big day is upon us. I guess you could say that it has been coming for 175 years! I certainly hope that you will read and internalize the schedule for the “Demisesquicentennial” (175th anniversary of our founding) and make every effort to be here and bring family and friends to share in the day. Be sure to be at church at 10:30 ! This great celebration comes at a good time for us. We are in a strong season at the church. It feels like we’re gaining traction and moving forward at an increasing rate. Dane and I shared some strategic directions for the church a couple of weeks ago. (I encourage you to download that sermon or go look at the video on the website if you weren’t there.) Our attendance has topped 500 several times recently. Wednesday Night Life got started with a big Pack Shack event, and the classes all started strong. The youth group is growing in excitement and numbers of kids. Our missions are reaching many folks in the community. We’ve received several excellent new families into the church. It’s just a great time to be a part of FUMC Fort Smith. So plan to be a part of the party. Even though it’s partially for you, you can still celebrate yourself and your church on October 22. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

Rev. Bud Reeves Senior Pastor breeves@fsfumc.org

MISSION SPOTLIGHT: UMCOR

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.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been busy responding to the hurricanes in TX, LA, & FL. At FSFUMC we’ve had special offerings and made flood buckets and hygiene kits, but did you know that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has been in Sierra Leone, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, the Caribbean, Mexico, the Pacific Northwest-- and more! The United Methodist Church provides administration and organization for UMCOR so that all donations and funds go directly to help in response to natural disasters. UMCOR is early on the scene as first responders and often the last to leave as we stay not only for recovery, but for relief and restoration. The United Methodist Church is having a daily impact on lives all over the world because of UMCOR. Here are ways to get involved: 1. Donate online at UMCOR.org 2. Make flood buckets, hygiene kits, school kits etc. as are listed at UMCOR.org 3. Volunteer to help in relief efforts in Texas or Louisiana. → You’ll need have ERT (Emergency Response Team) training for safety and certification, but this will provide the necessary skills to be part of the teams that are leaving from the Arkansas Annual Conference each week to assist in Texas and Louisiana. To learn more, contact, Rev. Sara Bayles.

ALL WHO ARE WEARY

September has been a death-laden month at FSFUMC. We’ve had more funerals than usual and we are grieving with a number of families who have suffered the untimely loss of a loved one. September is a season of renewal as we return to school, begin our Fall programming, and sense a bit of relief from the summer heat. But our church’s positive momentum has been met with anguish as death has cut short the lives of friends and family. In this season I am reminded of the odd ways death comes to us. Of course it would be a great blessing to live a very long life. But I’ve done more than a few funerals where the deceased has outlived their spouse, friends, and most of their contemporaries. Which means they lost most everyone they once knew and loved - and that’s a shame. I’ve also been to funerals where the deceased was later in life but hardly prepared to die. Their death was very much unwelcome. And unfortunately we’ve all known tragic deaths - middle-age people unable to recover from cancer, young persons struck down by an unforeseen tragedy. I’ve even been involved in one funeral for a child. Church is by and large a place of joy, fellowship, and celebration. But this month the sharp sting of death weighs heavy in the air. And that’s okay. This September we learn again that there is no good time to die. Death is always unwelcome, always a disappointment, and always leaves us lamenting. Our grief is real and appropriate and welcome at church. Even Jesus cried over the loss of a friend. Disappointment, sadness, and even anger are not signs of a weak faith, but rather reminders of the gifts of rich relationships. We have much for which to give thanks and even more to look forward to at FSFUMC. Pack Shack was an awesome kickoff to what will be a great Wednesday Night Life. The upcoming 175th Anniversary Celebration (Oct. 22) will be a real joy! And yet, we grieve with those who grieve, we weep those who weep. Christ’s church is big enough for our greatest joys and our most serious sorrow. In the words of Jesus, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

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

A WORLD WITH OCTOBERS

To echo L.M. Montgomery in Anne of Green Gables , “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” The fall is always one of my favorite times when I can see the leaves changing and the temperatures cooling, and I know that God’s hand is over all creation. I’m so glad for this October, not only for leaves and cooler weather, but the exciting time and momentum in our church. The deep roots of faith for over 175 years are bearing much fruit. In the past month alone, we’ve taken up special offerings for UMCOR and have served as the regional collection point for UMCOR flood buckets and hygiene kits. We’ve celebrated the ministries of one of our downtown feeding partners, the Sack Lunch Program, hosted fifteen organizations that work on the foster care crisis in Sebastian County, served over 150 at Last Sunday Breakfast, and packed over 23,000 meals with Pack Shack that will go to children at Tilles, Darby, Belle Point, and Northside -- and that is only our mission and outreach work with the serve team! We’ve also launched our fourth year of Wednesday Night Life with ten classes for all ages. We’ve continued our women’s bible studies, and more. I’m so glad I live in a world where the church is making a difference in the lives of the community. I’m so glad to be here in Fort Smith for such a time as this. My prayer in this season is  that God’s kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. We’ve seen these signs of God’s kingdom all around us.   We’ll celebrate our deep roots and fruitful future in a SPECTACULAR day of worship on October 22nd-- you won’t want to miss it! This is going to be a great October; let us be glad in God!

Rev. Sara Bayles Associate Pastor sbayles@fsfumc.org

FIRST KIDS: 3rd Grade Bible Presentation

One of the highlights for our 3rd graders is to receive a student Bible from the church. We will be presenting these Bibles in the 11:00 Sanctuary Worship Service on October 15th. Following the worship services on October 15th and then again on October 29th there will be special classes called 3rd Grade Bible Explorers, where the children can learn to use their new Bibles. Please fill out the registration below if you have a 3rd grader and would like them to receive a Bible.

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

CANDY DONATIONS NEEDED

FUMC is sponsoring a ‘Trunk-Or-Treat’ in conjunction with ‘Ghouls on Garrison’ this Halloween.  We need your help! Please bring fun sized individually wrapped candy to Sally’s office by October 25 th .

Our Children's Choir II had a blast touring the outside AND inside of our sanctuary organ today! Ask them about the doors that open inside the two story organ chamber. Come join choir!

GROWING OUR YOUTH GROUP

“Prayer is the foundation of revival.” — David Yonggi Cho     This semester at FIRST YOUTH we have been blessed to see many new faces on Sunday nights in the Loft. Seeing God at work in the lives of the youth at our church is a truly incredible sight. God is moving with power in our midst! I want to invite you to play a part in the growth that we’re seeing in our youth program. Our youth program and our church will not grow unless we are experiencing the winsomeness of God’s Holy Spirit. You can help our youth group and our church grow by praying deliberately for God to draw more and more people to Him (John 6:44). Please also pray that God would call and gift more people to serve  as evangelists/missionaries to the youth of our    city (Matthew 9:38). Lastly, please pray for the expansion and acceptance of the gospel message that God may be glorified in our lives and at our church (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Thank you for joining in ministry to the youth of Fort Smith through your prayers! Go Jesus!

Michael Mings Director of Youth Ministries mmings@fsfumc.org

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Eric, Kristin, Ellie, and Kate Bunnell joined August 27. They are transferring their membership from another UMC. They recently relocated to Fort Smith from the Kansas City area. Eric is employed at Arvest Bank and Kristin is an Occupational Therapist. Ellie is in the 8 th grade and Kate is in the 4 th grade. Nancy Wittman joined Sept 3. Nancy is transferring her membership after moving to Fort Smith from Michigan. She's a longtime active church member and is already finding ways to plug into FUMC.  Mike and Laura Davidson transferred from another UMC Sept 17. Mike is a retired school superintendent and Laura teaches online math courses. They have grown children and grandchildren.

THIS SUNDAY - OCTOBER 1

Scripture: James 3:13-18   8:30 am - Roebuck Chapel - Rev. Bud Reeves Offertory   “Come Share the Lord” Sandy Hunt, Soloist Nancy W. Vernon Organist Judy Bradberry, Lay Reader   11:00 am - Sanctuary - Rev. Bud Reeves Communion Anthem “Lamb of God, Grant Us Peace” Offertory “Come Share the Lord” Chancel Choir Gaye McClure, Chancel Choir Director Nancy W. Vernon Organist Sydney Jacimore, Lay Reader Joseph Udouj, Dylan White, & Anna Claire Roberts, Acolytes   11:00 am - Connexion FLC - Rev. Dane Womack “ As it is in Heaven“  “Great Are You Lord” “Come Alive (Dry Bones)”  “I Will Rise “ “Let There Be Peace on Earth”

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sunday, October 1 8:30am Worship, Roebuck Chapel 8:45am Holy Grounds, Narthex 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship, Sanctuary 11:00am Worship, Family Life Center 5:00pm Youth, Loft   Monday, October 2 2:00pm Staff Meeting, Conference Room 6:00pm Women’s Bible Study, Fireside Room 6:00pm Cub Scouts, 3rd Floor 6:30pm Boy Scouts, 3rd Floor   Tuesday, October 3 6:30pm Ladies Night, Savoy Tea Company   Wednesday, October 4 9:15am Women’s Bible Study, Fireside Room 10:00am Prayer Group, Prayer Room, 2nd Floor 3:30pm Children’s Choir 5:30pm Holy Communion, Roebuck Chapel 5:45pm Shared Dinner, FLC 6:30pm Wednesday Night Life, Various Rooms 7:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal   Thursday, October 5 7:00am Youth Breakfast Club, Chick Fil A 10:00am Knitters & Knotters, Narthex 12:00pm UMM Bible Study/Lunch, Fireside Room   Friday, October 6 6:30am UMM Bible Study/Breakfast, Fireside Room 10:00am Pacesetters, Fireside Room

Pacesetters

Pacesetters meets in the Fireside Room of the Family Life Center these date(s):

FRIDAY, October 6 th Patti Kimbrough, Director of Good Samaritan Clinic will give the program. Our weekday school children will visit. No blood pressures taken. Lunch menu: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, roll, birthday cake.

** No meeting on October 20—instead we are going to take a Fall Foliage trip on Monday, November 6 from 9am to 3:30pm. Everyone is welcome to go to Fayetteville on top of Boston Mountains with lunch at Mt. Sequoyah. The cost for everything (includes food & gas) is $15. Call Mardell McClurkin for reservations. 479-461-5209.

Recent Memorials

In Memory of:   Sally Frick by Pat Shaw, Uplifters SS Class, Patty Payne   Jay Thompson by Gene & Teja Nelson   Herschel McClurkin by Harry Shipley, Mary Ellen Jesson   Pam Weiler by Mary Ellen Jesson   Brad Jesson by Jack & JoAnn Gedosh   Billy Pat Bostick by Disciples SS Class   Bill Hutcheson by Harry Shipley, Karen Hutcheson, Mary Ellen Jesson   Charlie Reutzal by Bill & Toka Beall, George Cranford, Thomas & Nancy Robertson, Jr., Jack & JoAnn Gedosh, Janice Hobbs Powell, Pat Shaw, Fran Bateman, Susan Chaney, Maurice Carter, Patty Payne, Jack & Louanna Green, David & Joanne Phillips, The Brignac Family, Gary & Tracy Keifer,  Tom & Amanda Goldsborough   Carmen Fleck by Sue Reed, Holly Hilburn, Frank & Lisa Armstrong   Joe Kirksey by Mary Lee Kulin, Pat Shaw   Dr. Robert Janes by Jack & JoAnn Gedosh   Sondra Wiggins by Bob Dawson, Kimberly & Phil White   Alice Stoner by Shirley Cothren   In Honor of: Jeanne Starr by Mary Lee Kulin

FUMC Card Ministry Handmade cards made during Wednesday Night Life

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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