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First UMC Update
October 21, 2020
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From the Pastor - Coping during COVID
Pastor Jim Bell shares some ideas about how to cope with the tremendous emotional stress from the coronavirus.
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"Prayer - Channel of Transformation"
October 25, 2020
The theme of our worship service on Sunday, October 25, at 10:00 a.m. is Prayer - Channel of Transformation. The scripture lessons are
Psalm 103:1-12 and Matthew 6:5-15. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. A copy of the Order of Worship can be found here.
To get an accurate account of those planning to worship indoors on October 25, we will need for each person/youth/child to register individually. You may register here, via our church app below or by calling the church office.
To make a reservation for worship through our new church app, download the app here. The reservation is in case we need to contact you if a worshiper later tests positive for COVID-19.
Please note: When entering for worship each Sunday, there are two entrances open at the rear of the sanctuary. To avoid congestion at the Sunset Avenue door, you are invited to utilize the ramp door under the steeple into the narthex (along Church Street). Parking is available in the gravel lot south of the church, adjacent to Bulluck Furniture Company.
The flowers on the sanctuary altar this Sunday are given to the glory of God
and in celebration of Phil's birthday, October 29, by Joy Lane.
or
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Greeters Needed for Sunday Morning Worship
Greeters are needed for our Sunday morning worship service. Greeters check people off the registration list and register anyone who is not on the list. They may join their family in the pew ten minutes after the service starts. Please contact Susan Johnson at 955-7163 if you are able to help. |
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2020 Charge Conference Is October 27
The 2020 Charge Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. During the coronavirus, the Charge Conference will be held via a Zoom video call. This year every church will have an individual Charge Conference. The Rev. Ismael Ruiz-Millan, our new Heritage District Superintendent, will preside over the Charge Conference.
A time of worship will begin the Conference. We will elect 2021 church officers, approve 2021 compensation for our appointed pastors, and conduct other business.
All Church Council members are voting members of the Charge Conference. They will receive a Zoom link. If you would like to attend the Conference via a Zoom video call or a telephone audio call, please contact the church office. We will send you the information for the Conference.
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Volunteers Still Needed for Cleaning
As we continue our indoor worship, we still need additional volunteers to clean and sanitize the pews, touch points (inside/exterior door handles, light switches, etc.), railings, bathroom areas (door handles, faucet handles, light switches, toilet handles, etc.) after worship each Sunday. Cleaning supplies and instructions will be provided.
If you are willing to help serve on a clean-up committee, please sign up here. We are hoping to have enough volunteers to group into teams and rotate the teams during the month. Hopefully, a team will only be required to clean once or twice a month at best.
Thank you in advance for your willingness to help provide a safe environment for our FUMC family.
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Weekday Morning Prayer
Join Pastor Matt for Morning Prayer! Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. Get your day started with 10 minutes of prayer and scripture readings with Pastor Matt. Morning Prayer has now moved 100% to podcast. Find it wherever you get your podcast. Or click here. You may listen to it on your phone or computer.
You may send prayer requests to Pastor Matt and the rest of the staff by emailing prayer@fumcrm.org.
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All Saints Sunday, November 1
The Christian Church has recognized All Saints Day on November 1st for centuries. At FUMC, we will celebrate the lives of church members who have entered the Church Triumphant during the past year on All Saints Sunday, November 1. We will read the names of those we are remembering at the 10 a.m. worship service. Candles will mark each of those who have died, and a family representative will be invited to come forward and light a candle of remembrance. This special service is a time for us to remember and give thanks for all the saints who surround and encourage us. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
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Sermon Series Continues:
"Spiritual Disciplines - Pathways to Life"
November 15-22
Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, study, service and worship help facilitate an enriched spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deep understanding of God. Utilizing the disciplines helps set us free from slavery to self-interest and fear. This sermon series will demonstrate how the disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that God can transform us.
November 15: "Study - Renewing Our Minds"
Romans 12:1-3
Study replaces old, destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits.
November 22: "Simplicity - Focus Brings Freedom"
Luke 12:13-21
A focus on simplicity brings freedom, joy and balance.
Worship themes are prayerfully and carefully selected.
Make regular worship a priority in your life.
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FUMC Preschool Spaghetti Lunch and Dinner
October 28, 2020
$8/plate
Take-out Only!
Lunch Pick-up 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dinner Pick-up 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Please sign up here or call the church office. Deadline to order is October 23. Orders of 10 or more plates can be delivered upon request. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards supplies and
additional needs of the FUMC Preschool program.
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New Advent Women's Bible Study
We will be studying Ed Robb's MAKING ROOM: SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRISTMAS.
This study examines the "warmth of welcome at Christmas" through examining the interactions with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the magi. The focus of the coming newborn king is not only inward but also outward. How does our relationship with Jesus encourage us to widen our borders and increase our community so that others can know our Jesus? Maybe even in our own homes?
Join us via Zoom, beginning November 4 through December 2, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, as we prepare to receive the Christ Child. Sign up now!
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Youth Fundraiser
Our youth group is partnering with Manos de Dios Coffee to raise funds for a mission trip to Costa Rica next summer. Manos de Dios is a ministry that distributes coffee internationally to support Central America Missions.
The bags of coffee are 12 oz. and are $20 each. $5 pays for manufacturing, $7.50 goes to Central American Missions, and $7.50 comes to our Youth Group. The deadline to order is November 1, and the coffee is expected to be delivered between December 15-20. Just in time for Christmas!
To order, please go to Manosdedios.com. Then click on "Group Order." There you will find our church listed. Please click on FUMC-Rocky Mount and follow the prompts to order from there.
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Building Desks -
Providing Opportunity
Church-wide Family Build Day
Not every student in our area has an adequate space to do school work at home, but we'd like to fix that. We have set a goal of building 25 desks in our parking lot on Sunday, November 15. We'll need your help! There will be jobs for all ages in the family, so plan to come and "build" with us. Sign up here.
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Community Thanksgiving Meal
FUMC is continuing the tradition of the community Thanksgiving meal again this year - with Covid adaptations, of course! A drive-through/take-out format is planned for Wednesday, November 25, 12-2 p.m. We will also be delivering food to the Bassett Center and possibly the homeless shelter. All food will be prepared AT CHURCH by a small crew of volunteers. How can you help?? Please donate money, so that the appropriate food items can be purchased. You can give cash, or make a check payable to FUMC with
Thanksgiving Meal in the memo line. Call or text Spencer Batchelor at 252-883-7496 or Michelle Batchelor at 252-883-7462 with any questions. We are thankful to the staff and the Into the Future Team for working with us on a plan to continue this successful tradition of feeding our community!
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Online Giving
Did you know that one-third of our congregation gives electronically? And the majority of those who give electronically have chosen to maximize their impact by setting up a recurring donation which automates their gift to give on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly schedule. We give thanks for your continued support and for sharing the love of Christ to others during this time of great need.
To set-up your recurring gift, or to give a one-time gift, visit our website at fumcrm.org/give; give via our New church app (see below how to download); or by sending your check to:
First United Methodist Church
100 S. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Local Missions moving forward during COVID Season
Monday Morning Community Breakfast: We will continue a modified "drive-thru and pick-up" breakfast on Mondays, 7:30-8:00 a.m.
Backpack Buddies: We will begin delivering backpacks to Johnson School next Thursday with deliveries to Fairview and Swift Creek in the near future.
Please pray for leaders of local missions as they continue to find creative ways to meet the needs of Rocky Mount and the surrounding areas.
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The Upper Room
The November-December editions of The Upper Room are now available in the church office. Small daily devotional guides are $1.00; the large size is $1.50. We have a limited supply, so please call the church office if you are interested in purchasing a copy.
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CDC & NCDHHS Recommendations
For essential practices you can do to reduce the impact of COVID-19, click on the links below:
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Our Church Family
Prayer Concerns
Please lift up in prayer:
- Steven and Ellen Mayberry and family, in the sudden passing of Ellen's mother, Lisa Hathaway, October 14 in Daytona Beach, FL
-
Nancy Cantu, recovering from hip replacement surgery on October 19
- Mike Berry
- Renee Lovell
- Kathy Alston
- Gaye Mann
- Steve Pernell
- Bob Allen
- All Hospital/Medical Personnel and First Responders
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"To Know Christ and to Make Christ Known"
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