MESSAGE FROM RICKY
Dear Friends,
I hope that you’ve heard the news that this coming Sunday, September 20, we’re taking the next steps in our reopening plan.
We’ll be adding an 11:00 a.m. worship service in the Worship Center. Additionally, we’re expanding capacity in our 9:00 a.m. service to 200 people in attendance in the Sanctuary. We will still have a reservation system for both services, so click the links below to sign up or call the church office.
We will still have the online service option as well, so however you choose to worship this coming Sunday we’re grateful to be the Body of Christ together.
Also, mark in your calendar October 4th, because in just a few short weeks we will gather on that Sunday morning to confirm our 2020 Confirmands! This has been delayed since April because these students wanted to wait and be confirmed in person when the time was right. So, we’re excited to celebrate these young people as they make their professions of faith in Jesus and officially become church members.
That’s also going to be a big day as our youth resume in person United Night Sunday worship. We’ll also be live broadcasting United Night, so if you’re not ready to return, you can still participate.
We’ll continue to follow all the best guidance around social distancing, hand sanitizing, masks, etc., so be sure to check THE VOICE each week to see any changes and
I hope you have a great week, pray for our friends along the Gulf Coast, and see some of you Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Ricky
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SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES / REGISTRATION
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We are currently offering two in-person worship experiences. We will continue the 9AM Sunday Chapel service located in the Sanctuary and will be adding an 11AM service in the worship center. Each service will require a reservation as we continue abide by attendance guidelines with limited seating arrangements.
The 9AM service will increase attendance to 200 while the 11AM service will offer seating for 110 people. Both services will run for 45 minutes. During check-in social distancing will be observed and temperatures will be checked before entering the spaces.
To be able to operate under the current COVID guidelines / restrictions we need to know in advance who will be attending our services. This registration process enables us to:
- Ensure we remain within the room’s capacity restraints.
- Comply with record keeping so that we can undertake contact tracing if required.
Please CLICK on the desired service registration button to attend.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this phase of re-opening in-person services.
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CLICK BELOW FOR THE 9AM SERVICE |
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CLICK BELOW FOR THE 11AM SERVICE |
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SUNDAY CHAPEL SERVICE / ALTAR FLOWERS |
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ALTAR FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS / OPEN DATES AVAILABLE
A floral contribution to our Sunday Chapel Service is a meaningful way to honor someone special, commemorate a special event, or remember a loved one. We are resuming the placement of Altar flowers at the in-person Chapel Service. If you have a date that was previously reserved our office staff will contact you to confirm your request. A listing of upcoming dates with openings for altar flower reservations are as follows: The openings we have currently are Sept. 27th, Oct. 11th, and Oct. 18th. These dates could be updated daily and may not reflect the most current openings. Please call the church office to reserve any dates for altar flowers or confirm your previous calendar request(s).
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GOD IS AT WORK IN YOUR OWN WORLD |
Hopefully, cooler weather is just around the corner. And as we enter into the fall season in a couple of weeks, we are also slowly opening back up. I know that you all miss doing the things that we could do before the pandemic, as do I.
Let's all continue to pray for a treatment / cure in order to get back to our "normal". That being said, God is still at work in our lives and in our church. My prayer for you this week is that you will take a little extra time to observe the hand of God at work in your own world.
Have a blessed day and I'll see you all in worship on Sunday!
In His Service,
Tommy
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AMAZING RESPONSE
TO OUR WISH LIST
Submitted by Jamie Steadman, Director
Your support of our After School Care Program through their Amazon Wish List has been amazing! Both the teachers and the students have loved all that they are receiving. We sent out the Wish Lists for both Preschool and Mother’s Morning Out last week to our Weekday Ministry families. I am sharing both lists with you today just click of the buttons below and check out our list!
Are you a fan of our Weekday Ministries Facebook Page? If not, please visit and like our page to follow along. [ Facebook Page Link ] You can see what we have going on each week and see all that has been donated to the programs so far. Due to privacy, each of our programs has a private Facebook group that the teachers share pictures of the students and their daily activities with just the parents. I sure wish I could share all of their precious pictures with you through Facebook as well!
We appreciate each of you and would love for you to follow us on Facebook: FUMCClintonWeekday
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MISSION OPPORTUNITY / HURRICANE RECOVERY |
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Hurricane Laura plowed through southern Louisiana and is one of the most powerful storms to strike the Gulf Coast in decades and has left several communities in need of assistance and recovery. The Mississippi Conference Disaster Response Team stands ready to support the needs of those impacted, and are in conversation with the Louisiana Conference about anticipating their needs. To continue to learn about the updates in the recovery process click on the link and subscribe to receive future updates from The Mississippi Conference Disaster Response Team. |
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Eight Days of Hope is a Christian, non-profit organization that is both evangelical and non denominational. The organization exist to demonstrate the love and hope of Jesus Christ by serving those in need.
Their commitment to local communities is to work with local churches and organizations in meeting physical and spiritual needs.
Their commitment to donors is to use the resources they have been given to the fullest potential for the greatest good among those in need.
Their commitment to volunteers is to provide them an opportunity to use their skills and talents to the Glory of God.
P.O. Box 3208
Tupelo, MS 38803
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Eight Days of Hope Responds to
Hurricane Laura
In the middle of the night, a category 4 hurricane hit the coast of Louisiana and Texas. With winds 150 mph at landfall, there are over 410,000 and counting without power, most structures are damaged beyond repair, and flooding has taken over most homes in its path. Our country has not experienced a storm of this magnitude in a decade.
God has given us a straightforward mission -- when there is a need, meet it. We have three rapid response trailers, hundreds of chainsaws, lifts, bobcats, muck out kits, dehumidifier trailers, laundry trailers, shower trailers, feeding trailers, and the list goes on and on. Why have we been blessed with so much? Because God has called us to meet needs, and He has equipped us to do so on a moment’s notice.
Today, the need is in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the surrounding area.
The organization plans to serve this community until October 3rd! Please visit their website to read the FAQs for details for this event!
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GARAGE SALE DONATION UPDATE
Submitted by Mike Norcom
If anyone has furniture or other large items for the Garage Sale, please
contact the church office 601-924-6671 and let them know who you are and
what item(s) you have for the sale.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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NEW DATE FOR THE BLOOD DRIVE
TO HELP BEVERLY YEATES
Date: Sunday, OCTOBER 11 Time: 8am - 1pm
Making a donation for Beverly is now more convenient! MS Blood Services will now be on campus Sunday, October 11th, 8am-1pm! This rescheduled date will allow them to be on-site during morning worship hours, so plan to stop by before or after the services! If you are not available on this date but would like to help here are two options:
• Visit your local Ms Blood Services location and sign in with Code DZ06 at your convenience.
• Make a financial contribution through our Helping Hands Ministry. Contact the church office for more details.
To sign up for the October 11th event click on the Reservation Button below or call the church office or email [email protected]. Sign up times will be 15 minutes apart.
-Letter from Beverly-
Dear Church Family
I consider it a great blessing to have such a wonderful church family. Over the 20+ years I have been a member of this church, I have seen so much love and kindness shown to others. Whenever there has been sickness, family loss, fires, tornados and many other disasters or needs, our members have pulled together to help others. Sometimes it has been through giving of items needed, time, effort, meals, or money, but it truly does show God’s love to all.
Many of you may know (or not), but in May 2020, I was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This is a bone marrow failure that doesn’t produce enough good red blood cells or platelets, which creates the need to receive red blood cells. Right now, I must get an infusion of red blood cells about every 3 to 4 weeks, usually it’s one unit at a time, but on several occasions, it has been two units. I am currently taking shots of a chemo medicine called Vidaza. I receive the shots for one week, two shots every day for 5 days in a row, then wait 3 weeks and repeat the shots. I go once a week to have my blood count checked. My next set of shots will begin on September 14. This medicine is not a cure, but hopefully it will bring up my red blood count and platelets and reduce the frequency for the need of a blood infusion. The only possible cure is a bone marrow transplant. We currently do not have a time frame on when we will do the transplant.
I am so thankful and blessed to say that right now, I am not having a lot of side affects from the chemo medicine, but I do get tired easily. I have been able to continue to go to work through both this and COVID. God is Good, and we are so blessed.
Russell, Noah and I, want to ask for your prayers during this time and to also give blood if you are able. By having 25 units of Blood donated to MS Blood Services in my name, they will intern help cover some of my cost (after insurance) for the blood infusions I have to receive. So far, I have received 11 units of blood since May. I really do appreciate you taking the time to donate blood for me and for your prayers. It is hard for me to ask this of others, I would much rather be helping someone else.
In Christ,
Beverly Yeates, Russell & Noah
MS Blood Services Patient # DZ06
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NEW SERIES FOR YOUTH MINISTRY
Is there anything more complicated than family? Whether your students are dealing with changes, fights, fractures, or more, navigating family matters is no easy feat for them. And for many students, the temptation to give up is present. To check out. To say, “in a few years (or months), I’ll be out of here anyway.”
But as leaders, we know family doesn’t stop affecting us when we leave high school. For the rest of our lives, family matters. And maybe that’s why Scripture has so much to say about it! In this series, we’ll talk about life with every family from picture perfect to totally fractured. And as we do, students will discover no matter what your family looks like...family matters.
We will start this series 9/13.
Click the button below for resources to help you connect with your student during this four week series!
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YOUTH WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Youth large group and small groups are on meeting via Zoom! Below is the youth weekly schedule and small group leaders! If your student needs to be connected to a group please email Hunter Lacefield for information on how to join in this week!
United Night via Zoom Sundays @ 4:00pm
SCHEDULE
4:00-4:10 // Log-on/hangout time
4:10-4:15 // Prayer and announcements
4:15-4:30 // Message
4:30-5:30 // Small Groups in break out rooms
Small Group Leaders
HS Boys // Jake Craft and Hunter Lacefield
JH Boys // Christian Sutherland and Jake Clarke
HS Girls // Amanda Pennington, Jenna Miller, Olivia Roberts, Rachel Rogers
JH Girls // Rachel Townsend, Shreve Bland, Shelby Dean, Anna Prestwood
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I will be "in the office" at Cups Espresso Cafe located at 101 West Main Street from 4p-7p every Monday and Tuesday for the month of August.
Students or parents are free to call or text and schedule a time to come meet with me during these times! Be sure to bring a mask!
Also, as always, I am available to set up zoom or FaceTime meetings as well!
- Hunter
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SHARE YOUR REQUEST
Our church continues to serve our congregation and community during this season. If you have a prayer request or if you, or someone you know, has a need complete a short request form (click on button). These requests will be reviewed by our Pastoral team.
Please review the prayer list download. If you would like to add to the prayer list please continue to use our digital form for submission which can be accessed by clicking on the link in this email or on our website.
Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570
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September 2020
September 6: $33,175
September 13: $14,778
September Giving: $47,953
August 2020
August Giving: $93,748
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July 2020
July Giving: $73,144
Other Income: $6,399
Total Income: $79,543
July Expenses: $102,240
July Deficit: ($22,697)
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2020 Year to Date
Through July
YTD Giving: $602,754
Other Income: $65,428
YTD Total Income: $668,182
YTD Expenses: $733,479
YTD Deficit: ($65,297)
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Thank You For Your Continued Generosity! |
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Missed last week? You can catch up online!
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September Sermon Series: To-Don't List
Since we’ve been spending a lot more time at home lately, perhaps you’ve finally gotten around to that never ending “to-do” list. Tackling projects and crossing off tasks gives a sense of accomplishment. But there are also things that we shouldn’t do, things to avoid, things to give up that will also help us grow in our faith. Join us as we look at our “To-Don’t List.”
September 13- Don’t Judge- Romans 14:1-12
The church in Rome has a big problem. Some members won’t eat meat, preferring only vegetables. Some members are worshipping just on Sunday, instead of Saturday. The church can’t seem to agree who’s right and who’s wrong. Paul points out the real problem is something different: judging others.
September 20- Don’t Hoard- Exodus 16:2-15
The Israelites are told that God will provide, but do they believe it? God says he’s given them food every day, but don’t collect more than their daily need. In a time of uncertainty, we’re tempted to take more than we need, but what does that do others in need, and what does it do to our own soul?
September 27- Don’t Forget- Psalm 78:1-4
It’s easy to forget. With all the stress of life and the challenges that lie ahead it’s easy to forget that we’re still here, still breathing, still alive. It’s also easy to forget who got us here. Psalm 78 reminds us of all the deeds and wonders God has done to bring his people thus far. Don’t Forget, that God is still in charge.
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The Voice is our weekly update for the latest announcements, ministry activities and event information at First United Methodist Church.
Want to know more about us? Head on over to our website, Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. If you missed last week's sermon, you can catch up by visiting our sermon archives. See You on Sunday!
We are so glad that you are interested in the ministry of First Methodist Clinton!
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PASTORAL CARE INFORMATION
If you have an emergency need or need to speak
with a pastor please feel free to call.
Pastoral Care Number: 601-460-0570
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Submitting information for The Voice:
All content submitted is subject to approval and editing. Thank you for your cooperation!
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