First UMC Update
August 5, 2020
From the Pastor - Additional Spiritual Resources 
for Healing and Renewal
                                  
August 5, 2020 Spritual Resources for Healing and Renewal
August 5, 2020 

During these challenging days with the coronavirus, Pastor Jim Bell shares some more spiritual resources for healing and renewal.
      
"Lessons in Forgiveness"
August 9, 2020

The theme of our remote worship service on August 9 is Lessons in Forgiveness.  The scripture lessons are Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 and Matthew 5:38-45.  Jesus teaches us to love our enemies - not an easy task!  When we love our enemy, we demonstrate the power of forgiveness.  

Watch via the church website:  fumcrm.org
or
Pre-Worship "Coffee Hour" & Interactive Worship

Want to "hang out" virtually before the worship service?  You will receive an email on Sunday morning with the Zoom link to join us for a time of hanging out and visiting with each other.  "Drop by" anytime between 9:15 - 10:00. 
 
Then head over to our YouTube channel at 10:00, where you have the opportunity to connect with FUMC staff and other church members while viewing our worship service together and chat as we watch the service live. 

Hope to "see" you Sunday morning!
Outdoor Worship Service - Today
 
An outdoor, in-person worship service 
is planned for today at 7:00 p.m. in the open field at the corner of Franklin Street and Western Avenue.  This field is adjacent to the City of Rocky Mount Business Services Center and is one block from our church.  Bring your own chair or blanket and join us for this informal time of worshiping the Lord.  We are grateful to our friends at First Baptist Church for allowing us to use their property.
 
 
The reservation is in case we need to contact you if a worshiper later tests positive for COVID-19.  Please make sure your notifications are on in case we have to cancel worship because of inclement weather.
FUMC Virtual Learning Center 

Need a place for your child to do virtual learning this year?  First United Methodist Church Preschool is providing services and a place to do virtual learning for students in grades Kindergarten to 5th grade.  Our Virtual Learning Center will give students a supervised opportunity to do their lessons Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  Students will be responsible for their own device to work on and a snack for each day.  A teacher will be available to help the students with lessons they find difficult.  The cost is $25 per day, but you must commit to 5 days.  There is limited space, so please call the preschool at 252-977-0475 or email preschool@fumcrm.org to register your child or for questions. 
 New FUMC APP Launched

Our new app has launched!  In our new app, you will find features we have never had before:  watching or listening to sermons wherever you go, signing up for small groups, registering for events, giving, and much more.  Here are few ways to download our app:  Text "fumcrmapp" to 1-888-364-4483; go to get.theapp.co/5jbt on your smartphone or tablet; find links to download our app at the bottom of the homepage of our website; search for "fumc rocky mount" in your devices app store.  Download today as we look forward to using our app to connect with one another!
Christmas in August continues this Sunday
 with a FREE Outdoor Movie Night.
 
Where:  NC Wesleyan College (HWY 301 entrance)
When:  Sunday, August 9
Time:  Grounds open at 7:30 p.m.; Movie begins around 8 p.m.
Bring:  Your own blanket or chairs for seating and favorite movie snack and/or drinks.
  
Please plan on respecting all social-distancing guidelines.
Local Missions moving forward during COVID Season

Monday Morning Community Breakfast:  We will continue a modified "drive-thru and pick-up" breakfast on Mondays, 7:30-8:15 a.m.   
 
Food Bag Ministry:  We will distribute food bags on Tuesday, August 11, 
2-3 p.m. at the annex.  We look forward to seeing our friends again!  
Please note that there will be no food bag distribution in September. 

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.  
VIM Fish Fry Update

Due to the continued concerns with COVID-19, the Mission & Service Ministry Team has reluctantly decided to cancel the annual VIM Fish Fry scheduled for October 9.  The logistics of holding this event while abiding by current health recommendations pose insurmountable issues which would prevent us from safeguarding both our volunteers and our customers.  We will miss the camaraderie of the event and the financial support it provides for our missionaries in Costa Rica and El Salvador.  We are working on other means of funding these ministries, so be on the lookout for these recommendations in the coming weeks.  Thanks in advance for your continued support. 
Weekday Morning Prayer 
 
Join Pastor Matt for Morning Prayer - Live! Monday through Friday at 7 a.m.  Get your day started with 10 minutes of prayer and scripture readings and interact with Pastor Matt during the service!  Is 7 a.m. too early?  Then catch the recording any time of the day or night on our YouTube channel 
or your favorite podcast venue. 
 
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 New church app (see above); or by sending your check to: 
First United Methodist Church
100 S. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC  27804
CDC & NCDHHS Recommendations

For essential practices you can do to reduce the impact of COVID-19, click on the links below: 
Our Church Family

Memorials

In Memory of Barbara Ann Fuller Drake by Joseph Fountain. 
 
In Memory of Virginia Wood Ward by Marty & Danelle Cauley and Kevin & Debra Boudreau. 

In Memory of Jane Gay White by Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Harris, Jr. and Carl W. Joyner.

Prayer Concerns
 
Please lift up in prayer:
  • Bill Thomas, health concerns
  • Ellyn Dubberly
  • Gaye Mann
  • Bob Allen
  • Joe and Cheryl Stanton 
  • Steve Pernell
  • All Hospital/Medical Personnel and First Responders
"To Know Christ and to Make Christ Known"
  
Contact Information
FUMC
100 S. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
252-977-0400 Office
252-977-0475 Preschool
252-977-1748 FAX
www.fumcrm.org

Church Office Hours: 
Due to COVID-19, the church office will be closed until further notice. 

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