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First UMC Update
October 7, 2020
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From the Pastor - Jesus Is Always There
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| | October 7, 2020 Jesus is Always There |
Pastor Jim Bell talks about the reassuring truth that in times of trial and uncertainty Jesus is always there for us. He recently discovered a hymn, written by Bertha Mae Lillenas over a hundred years ago.
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"Hurray for Our Church!"
October 11, 2020
The theme of our worship service on Sunday, October 11, at 10:00 a.m. is Hurray for Our Church! The scripture lessons are Exodus 15:1-6, 19-21 and Romans 12:9-18. In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul paints a compelling picture of the Church in action. In this sermon, we will learn how First United Methodist Church responds to God's love with dedication.
To get an accurate account of those planning to worship indoors on October 11, 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 memory of Dr. J. Allen Whitaker and Belle G. Whitaker by
George G. Whitaker and family.
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Volunteers Still Needed for Cleaning
As we move to 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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New Sermon Series:
"Spiritual Disciplines - Pathways to Life"
October 18-25; 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.
October 18: "Meditation - Listening to God"
Mark 1:35-39
In Christian meditation, we hear God's voice and obey his word.
October 25: "Prayer - Channel or Transformation"
Matthew 6:5-15
Prayer is the central avenue God uses to 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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Consecration Sunday Is Coming
Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way for the church to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church's mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.
Our congregation's Finance Ministry has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.
New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who
want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday
encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, "What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?" During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, November 8, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church's missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.
Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday, November
8. We urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.
We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship, our guest leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.
We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and Church Council members. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.
Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events.
Powell Jenkins, Church Council Chairperson
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Church-wide Family Farm Day
Sponsored by Family Ministries
Sign up to join us at Deans' Farm on Sunday, October 25. We will meet at the farm at 1:00pm. The cost is $5 per person, but you must sign up by Sunday, October 18th. Sign up here.
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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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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 be with us. Sign up here.
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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.
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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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:
- Leslie Bauer and family, in the passing of her mother, Patricia Wilson Kues, Saturday, September 26
- Mike Berry
- The Pearsall Family
- Renee Lovell, upcoming surgery October 7
- Kathy Alston
- Gaye Mann
- Roxanne Taylor
- 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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