Mid-Week Updates

January 20, 2021

From the Pastor - How to Flourish during COVID-19 –

Part 2

As COVID-19 cases increase in our community, in North Carolina and across the United States, there is cause for heightened concern. What can we do not only to cope with the uncertainty but to flourish during this challenging time? Pastor Jim Bell suggests three more ways to flourish.

"Focusing on Jesus"

January 24, 2021

The theme of our live-stream worship service this Sunday, January 24, at 10:00 a.m. is Focusing on Jesus. The scripture lessons are II Corinthians 1:16-22 and Matthew 14:22-33. Living by faith is trusting Jesus to save us and worshipping him. This sermon is the grand finale of a sermon series titled If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat: Living by Faith. A copy of the Order of Worship can be found here.

Watch via the church website: fumcrm.org

Our YouTube Channel

Virtual Worship Only on January 24 and 31

The Into the Future Team decided it was wise and prudent not to have in-person worship services or adult small groups, except for A Creative Faith, on Sundays, January 24, and 31. This decision was based on the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and the high-positivity rate in Nash County and North Carolina. Our church is seeking to help keep people safe, to help stop the spread of the virus, and to help our health system from becoming overwhelmed. We seek to love our neighbors as ourselves.

All worship services for the remainder of January will be livestreamed at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Please complete the comprehensive congregational survey. We want to learn how COVID-19 has affected you, and what you think about in-person and virtual worship services, classes for adults, programming for children and youth, communication methods, and other opportunities.

This will provide important direction for next steps during the coronavirus pandemic and give us ideas for how to move forward when the restrictions because of COVID-19 are lifted.

Congregational Survey

The past year has presented many challenges and opportunities for growth for our congregation. COVID-19 has stretched our collective imagination as we have striven to worship, study, and carry out God’s mission in new and different ways.

The Into the Future Team has been diligent in its decisions to keep people safe while also offering meaningful options to connect with God and each other.

Decisions have been difficult, but we have done our best to seek God’s will.

We are now hoping to hear from you as we continue to manage our way through the COVID-19 pandemic. We also desire your input on what the future may hold for our church when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

We invite you to follow the link below to help us as we navigate together into the future which God is calling FUMC-Rocky Mount.

https://bit.ly/2XSqOqa

Winter/Spring 2021

Sunday Night Adult Classes

It's not too late to take advantage of our Adult discipleship opportunities! Most will be available virtually, with a variety of options as listed below. So take a moment to reflect upon where you need to grow most and sign up today, using the App, clicking the link below, or by calling the church office. (Please note the class times.)

Sunday Nights:

A Creative Faith: “Come and paint your way to new friendships. We'll start this class with working on pre-cut wooden pieces and go from there. You do not have to have prior painting skills or consider yourself creative and artistic. You just need a willingness to walk through the door and snag a seat."

Led by Erin Miniard. (4:15-5:45 p.m. in The Well, beginning January 24)

This class is FULL.

Meeting Jesus, by Leighton Ford: Facilitated by Jim Bell (6-7 p.m. via Zoom)

Once you've met Jesus, you are never the same again. His teaching challenges your thinking. His compassion softens your heart. His love turns your life around. In this thirteen session LifeGuide® Bible Study, evangelist Leighton Ford leads you through thirteen studies from the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) that will open your eyes anew--or for the first time--to Jesus Christ.

Who is My Neighbor? Learning Spanish as Church Hospitality: Facilitated by Matt Seaton (4:30-5:45 p.m. via Zoom)

Who Is My Neighbor? (¿Quién es mi vecino?) is a field-tested resource through which English speakers of any church and congregation can learn basic Spanish-speaking skills to be able to communicate and provide a welcoming atmosphere to the Hispanic communities surrounding them. The six-session resource developed by the Northern Illinois Conference covers basic conversational Spanish, and simple and easy to follow Spanish-language worship material. The program encourages openness toward Spanish-speaking neighbors, understanding of different cultures, and compassion for those who struggle to learn English.

Sunday Nights, 7:30 p.m.:

Bible Study - The Book of Amos: This bible study will look at the book of Amos, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Facilitated by Ryan Minster via Zoom

Soul Feast: Facilitated by Nancy Ferguson via Zoom

Few books in Westminster John Knox's publishing history have been so embraced and so loved as Marjorie Thompson's Soul Feast. First released in 1995, this spiritual classic continues to be a best-seller, as thousands each year accept her invitation to the Christian spiritual life. Offering a framework for understanding the spiritual disciplines and instruction for developing and nurturing those practices, Soul Feast continues to be a favorite for individual reflection and group study. Now engagingly redesigned to appeal to contemporary spiritual-seekers and repackaged for easier use in study and reflection, Soul Feast is a must-have.

Registration

FUMC Kindergarten and Preschool registration for the 2021-2022 school year begins February 1 for currently enrolled preschoolers and FUMC family.

Registration opens to the public March 1. FUMC Preschool and Kindergarten offers: Mother's Morning Out for babies (aged 2 months-1 year), Mother's Morning Out for toddlers/preschoolers (aged 1-4 years), pre-school for 2- and 3-year-olds, pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds, and a state-certified, half-day kindergarten. Please call Cheryl Stanton in the Preschool/K office for a registration form at 252-977-0475.

FUMC is a happy place for children!!

Holy Land Journey

Informational Meeting

Wednesday, February 10

6:30 p.m. - Fellowship Hall

We are still planning our trip to the Holy Land on February 17-26, 2022. Missionary Will Bailey (Costa Rica), Sarah Williams (FUMC Morehead City) and Daniel Mullens (FUMC Rocky Mount) will be hosting this wonderful opportunity!

On February 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, Daniel Mullens will facilitate an informational meeting; and Will Bailey will join in via Zoom to share information about the trip. This is not a commitment to the trip, but a great way to learn more and to help you ultimately decide to join us!!!

We will be adhering to all social distancing requirements for this meeting and ask that all in attendance wear masks. If you have any questions prior to/about this informational meeting, you can click here to email Daniel.

New Sermon Series:

Spiritual Disciplines – Pathways to Life

January 31-March 21, 2021

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.

January 31: “Solitude – Inner Fulfillment”

Luke 5:12-16

Jesus call us from loneliness to solitude.

February 7: “Submission – Self-Denial for Christ”

Mark 8:34-38

Submission is the freedom to hold others’ interests above our interests.

We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

February 14: “Service Cultivates Humility”

John 13:1-17

The discipline of service cultivates the grace of humility in our lives.

February 21: “Confession: from Sorrow to Joy”

Luke 15: 11-24

At the heart of God is the desire to give and forgive.

February 28: “The Lord High and Lifted Up: Worship”

Isaiah 6:1-8

To worship is to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of the gathered community.

March 7: “Guidance – Living in Response to God’s Voice”

Acts 15:6-21

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus guides his people today.

We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

March 14: “The Joy of Celebration”

John 15:7-11

Celebration brings joy into life, and joy makes us strong.

March 21: “Recovering from Abortion”

Psalm 103:11-18

Acceptance of God’s forgiveness is the pathway to healing from abortion.

Worship themes are prayerfully and carefully selected.

Make regular worship a priority in your life.

Local Missions moving forward during COVID Season

Monday Morning Community Breakfast: With the increase in COVID cases in Nash County, the MMCB Committee has decided to "pause" the Monday Morning Community Breakfast going forward. When the numbers improve and the decision is made to resume MMCB breakfast, an announcement will be made via the FUMC outdoor sign.

Backpack Buddies: We will be delivering backpacks to Johnson School, Fairview and Swift Creek in the new year.

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.

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.

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 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