SALVATION:

Must we be saved? 

From what? For what?

Romans 3:23-25

Ephesians 2:8-10

World Communion Sunday

In Person

Rev. Bud Reeves

Offertory “For the Bread Which You have Broken”

Bart Sills, Soloist

Organist: Benjamin Henderson  

11:00 am Connexion

In Person, 6pm Premier Monday on Facebook and YouTube

Rev. DeeDee Autry

“Glorious Day” 

“Jesus Messiah”

“Broken Vessels”

“Communion”

11:00 am Sanctuary

In Person,Facebook Live,

YouTube and FM 103.5

Rev. Bud Reeves

Anthem “Be Strong in the Lord”

Offertory “For the Bread Which You have Broken”

Chancel Choir

Gaye Mings, Chancel Choir Director

Benjamin Henderson, Organist

WHERE'S YOUR SPOT?

“Will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church and uphold it with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness?”

“Will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church and uphold it with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness?”

This is the vow we all make when we join the United Methodist Church. We have been so blessed lately to have a bunch of new members join our church! We commit to pray for the church and the staff, to be present in worship and at activities of the church, to support the church financially, and to share our faith through our words and deeds in our daily life. Some, of course, fulfill these vows better than others.

We also commit to serve the Lord and the church. The Holy Spirit gives believers gifts that are best used in service of the Kingdom. Sometimes this service is outside the church in the community. But many times our gifts can be used in service to the church. There are many moving parts in a

church like ours, many activities to support, many ministries to do, and many support functions that make the rest of the things go smoothly. Fulfillment comes when we find a place to serve that pairs well with our spiritual gifts, whether it’s with children, youth, music, Sunday School, worship, missions, or whatever. It’s good to serve.

We have recently published a folder to encourage folks who feel led to help in the various ministries around our church. We handed it out in church on September 24, and it is online on our website (fsfumc.org). We are asking folks to look it over, pray over it, and follow the Spirit’s leading to volunteer for one or more service opportunities. You can fill out a paper form or fill it out online. (Scan the QR code in this newsletter.) We will have a dedication of these folders on Sunday, October 8, although you can volunteer any time, and we will be glad to let you serve!

Thank you for your membership in our church, your dedication to your vows, and your ministry of service!

And by way of review….

Last month’s newsletter had some strategies for revival. Don’t forget these important pieces of church growth and health; these are supposed to be ongoing activities!

1. Pray for the church and its growth.
2. Revive your own practices of discipleship.
3. Wear your nametag.
4. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join you in church.
5. Practice the rule of 10 + 3: Greet everybody within 10 feet of you in worship, and spend 3 minutes before and after church seeking out and talking to someone you don’t know well.

Methodist Foundation of Arkansas to present Legacy Workshop

On Sunday, October 29, following the 11:00 a.m. services, the Methodist Foundation of Arkansas will present a “Planning Your Legacy” workshop in the Fireside Room. This valuable seminar will include information on all the things individuals and families need to consider as they plan for their future: wills and bequests, funeral planning, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, etc.  

The presentation includes:

● A helpful binder of organized information

● Q and A with an attorney

● Lunch

● Child care if needed

And it’s all FREE, funded by our friends at the Methodist Foundation of Arkansas! Please put this event on your calendar, and RSVP by October 23, 2023 to Abbie Cox at acox@fsfumc.org or by calling her at 479-462-1440 to reserve your spot at the presentation.

FSFUMC Foundation Awards 5th Year of Community Grants

The Community Grants awarded by the FSFUMC Foundation have blessed countless numbers of people in our community and area over the last five years. In total, we have given over $480,000 to do the work of God in the community, meeting human needs and sharing Christ’s love through our non-profit partners. This year, the Foundation awarded 23 grants amounting to $80,090 to the following agencies:

• Antioch Center for Youth and Families–$3,000
• Back To School Bash Shoe vouchers (FUMC)–$2,500
• Beds for Families (Frt Smith Public Schools)--$2,000
• Reynolds Cancer Support House–$1,000
• CASA Volunteer Training–$3,740
• Community Clearinghouse Backpack program–$3,000
• Community Rescue Mission–$2,000
• Children’s Service League Hygiene Project–$1,500
• Feed the Fort/Neighborhood Eats (FUMC)--$3,000
• Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club Garden Project–$5,000
• Girls Shelter–$2,000
• Golden Rule Clothes Closet–$2,500
• Good Samaritan Clinic–$3,000
• Hope Campus–$6,000
• Methodist Village—$5,000
• Next Step Homeless Services–$5,000
• River Valley Widows Group (FUMC)–$3,000
• Sack Lunch Program–$10,000
• Salud Y Paz (Guatemala Mission)--$5,000
• Salvation Army–$800
• Single Parent Scholarship Program–$3,000
• Sleep In Heavenly Peace (beds)--$2,500
• UAFS Student Emergency Fund–$2,500

The funding for the Community Grants comes from endowments that were given to the FSFUMC Foundation designated for missions. Some of our missions (as indicated) are FUMC-related. All the agencies receiving grants have significant participation by members of FUMC. No money intended for other ministry purposes is expended for grants. The Foundation also makes a significant grant to the Guatemala mission trip out of the mission endowment. What a wonderful opportunity we have to do great things for Christ through our community grants!

FUMC KIDS

September brought wonderful lessons and the start of a new semester of Wednesday Children’s activities. We were honored to have Bishop Merrill visit this month. I took this opportunity to have a special Sunday school lesson on United Methodist history. The children soaked up the knowledge and loved making United Methodist family trees to take home as reminders. We played games and created a larger project to really make the history come alive!  

Wednesday Children’s Activities have started once again. This semester we are learning about friendships in the Bible. Just last week we learned about David and Johnathan’s friendship. If you haven’t read this Bible story, I encourage you to! As children learn about what it means to be a good friend, they are encouraged to invite others to come join us. 

Looking to October, we will continue our friendship series. We will start our 3rd annual “Spooky Bible Stories” Sunday school series. Be sure to also mark your calendar for Fall Fest on October 29th. We will have games, inflatables, candy, and fun. Be on the lookout for more information on how you can get involved! 

Speaking of involvement, if you’d like to be involved in Children’s Ministry, our doors are always open. Feel free to shoot me an email or arrange a time to meet. We would love to get you plugged in!

OUTREACH

Last month, I spent some time out in the community. Our church attended the Darby Middle School Wellness Fair. We had some great conversations with families that live near our church. We shared about our Childrens ministry, youth, widows’ group, feeding ministries, and worship services. We had fun passing out drinks and koozies with our church logo. We wrapped up the month at the Fall Market at Heritage on the East Side of Fort Smith. 

Serving is a part of our identity as Christ followers. We as a church are more effective as the Body of Christ and as a church community when we use our gifts to serve faithfully. There’s a new serving brochure listing all the areas where you can use the gifts God has given you. If you would like help finding a place to serve, please give us a call. I would love to help you use your gifts to bless others.

FIRST YOUth 

On September 9, Brandi Garner, Jen Faldon, Erin Bouxsein, Kim Swaim, and I attended a training about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma in Conway. The training was sponsored by the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church and 200,000 More Reasons. It was an eye opening, informative training that helped us better understand some behaviors of youth and children due to past trauma, and how to help those students more effectively. There’s so much more to learn, and I’m grateful for these youth parents who were able to go and learn.

Veritas Registration opens Oct. 30. Early bird cost is $75. Meals will be provided for the weekend. Veritas is a statewide United Methodist youth event for both Middle School and High School students. It is a big atmosphere event that brings together all youth in grades 6-12 together for a weekend to celebrate, worship, learn, experience, and be energized by the presence of one another to serve God.  

Since it is moving to Ft. Smith, we will spend the night at the church (does not mean it is a lockin!!). Register before Dec. 18, and goes up after that. Meals will be included in the cost.

Young Adult

 Happy Hours

6PM

OCT 3- El Zarape 

OCT 17- Gusano’s

OCT 31- Hideaway Pizza

All Widows are Invited!!

Next Gathering

 Thursday, October 12, 2023

RSVP by Monday, October 9

Our program will be given by Melissa Sikes, Executive Director for the Reynolds Cancer Support House here in Fort Smith. Melissa will be telling us about their services and some ways that we could volunteer.

We will have Stir fry with 

Egg Roll and Fortune Cookie.

Feel free to bring a widow friend. 

For more information email Gail Oakes at rvwidowsgroup@gmail.com

Or call 479-459-0479

You are Invited to Join

First United Methodist Church of Mansfield

for the 100th Anniversary of their building

Saturday • October 14th at 10AM

There will be refreshments in the fellowship hall after the service along with memorabilia that looks back over the past 100 years. We hope you will be able to attend, and we look forward to seeing you.

WELCOME NEW CHURCH MEMBERS!

Jim Gillespie–Jim has an insurance business. He is the father of 3, two of whom, Jennifer Foster and Melissa Dooly and their families, are also in our church

Benjamin Henderson–Ben is our organist and music director at the church. (And a fine one he is, too!) He is a native of Connecticut, and transferred in from another denomination.

Noah and Sarah Strom, Ethan and Ellie–Noah is a prosecuting attorney for Sebastian County, and Sarah is a counselor who is working to establish a Children’s Museum in Fort Smith. Ethan is 4, and Ellie is 2. We had the joy to celebrate the Sacrament of Christian Baptism for Ellie when the family joined the church.

Pacesetters meet the first and third Friday mornings of each month at 10:00 in the Fireside Room of the Family Life Center for games, fellowship, singing, devotional, and a guest presenter of various subjects of general interest. Everyone is welcome to come and stay for lunch.

In September Pacesetters gave Pastor DeeDee a chance to practice her culinary skills. I give her a 5-star review! Thanks DeeDee for sharing your varied skills. Programs included photos on the big screen from the Canadian Rockies tour Susan Chaney, Blanche Donoho, and Louise Finney enjoyed in August. Susan and Blanche narrated details of the photos.  For our second meeting Tracy Culp presented a funny, entertaining, informative, inspirational, and motivational personal story entitled “The Fifty-first Christian Woman You Should Know.”

Tracy returns October 6 to present Ancient Oil Lamps of the Holy Land. Tracy says, “The real deal; I have a collection.” October 20 our former church Outreach Director Elizabeth Thames comes to share highlights of her new career in interior decorating. She will also help us make a take-home Halloween crafts.

IN OUR PRAYERS

Loss of Loved One:

• Gina Pellettiere - cousin of Bob Catalano (Rose)

IN MEMORY OF:

Nadine Hardin Miller by

Donald & Mary Cowser

Robert & Mary Young

Jan Morrison

Sara Coen

Thane & Jill Swisher

Jim and Carol Glidewell

Richard & Ann Appleton

Jerry Pruitt by

Joel & Melissa Johnson

John & Jane Stauffer

Pat Jenkins

Jim & Dixie Spears

Jim & Pat Bolin

John & Harriet Beasley

Mary Booth

Kay Pope

Jerry Hartfield by

Richard & Ann Appleton

Edianne Cheek by

Richard & Ann Appleton

John & Jane Stauffer

Steve Kavanaugh by

Richard & Ann Appleton

Jim Cheyne by

John & Jane Stauffer

Richard & Ann Appleton

Nelson Kimes by

Jack & Louanna Green

Kelly & Marilyn Newton

Patricia Jenkins

Anna McEvoy