THIS SUNDAY
August 7, 2022
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In Person, Facebook Live & YouTube
Rev. Bud Reeves
Offertory “A Time for Everything”
Soloist: Mercy Trahan
Organist: Benjamin Henderson
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In Person. Facebook and YouTube @ 6pm
Rev. DeeDee Autry
“Everlasting God”
“Gracefully Broken”
“Build My Life”
“Great I Am”
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In Person,Facebook Live,
YouTube and FM 103.5
Rev. Bud Reeves
Anthem “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
Anthem “Hast Thou Not Known?”
Chancel Choir
Gaye Mings, Chancel Choir Director
Benjamin Henderson, Organist
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Sunday, August 7
8:30 am Chapel Service
9:30 am Holy Grounds
9:45 am Sunday Small Groups
11:00 am Connexion Worship, In Person,
11:00 am Sanctuary Worship, In Person, Facebook Live, YouTube & FM 103.5
5:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting, In-person or Zoom
6:00 pm Connexion Premier on Facebook & YouTube
Monday, August 8
CEC Closed
9:00 am Club 45 Reading Club
Tuesday, August 9
CEC Closed
10:00 am Circle Rebekah, Conference Room
6:00 pm Young Adult Ministry, Fireside Room
Wednesday, August 10
CEC Closed
10:00 am Casserole Group, Aldersgate Room
6:30 pm Praise Band practice
7:00 pm Chancel Choir
Thursday, August 11
CEC Closed
10:00 am Knitters & Knotters
5:30 pm Modern Widows Club, Fireside Room
Friday, August 12
CEC Closed
8:00 am Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, Future School
Saturday, August 13
8:00 am Market Ministry at the Farmer’s Market, Chaffee Crossing
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YOU ARE SUPPORTING VITAL MINISTRY! |
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If you remember from last month, our church-wide theme for the fall is “Come Together.” We believe God is preparing us for a time of revival. In August, we will continue a “Season of Prayer,” as we pray for God to reveal the path forward and the Holy Spirit to empower everything we do. In September and October, we will have a “Season of Invitation,” as we invite folks to return to church and reach out to new people who do not have a church home. Then in November and December, we expect a great “Season of Harvest,” as we celebrate our generosity and enjoy the seasons of Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas. |
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We are already seeing signs of the coming revival. We are having more guests in worship than we did a year ago. We have assembled a great team of young staff who are full of ideas and energy. Ashley McNeal led our first in-person VBS since 2019, and it was awesome. July has seen several events for the children, and we have a big “Back-to-School Bash” planned in August. The BTS Bash is a community outreach event, and Tiffany Pierce has organized that along with Ashley, as well as other events downtown and at the med school to get the church out in the community. Tiffany and the Chapel Class revived the Last Sunday Breakfast on July 31. Benjamin Henderson is reviving the Children’s Music Camp the first week of August, and his leadership of the choir and artistry on the organ has been exceptional in his first two months here. The youth have remained active through the leadership of DeeDee Autry and a dedicated group of parents. Now we are welcoming Brandon Bates on staff as our new youth minister, and he brings a record of excellence in youth ministry that is known statewide. |
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When we consider our continuing online presence in worship, we are close to, if not exceeding, our engagement from before the pandemic. We’re going to work on getting more to in-person worship, too. |
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Everything I am seeing is pointing to God at work and a revival on the horizon. |
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We are depending on the support of our congregation for these vital ministries and our future growth. Expanding ministry costs more. Assembling a great staff team costs more. We are all under the inflationary pressure of our time, and even our fixed costs (utilities and maintenance) are going up. Summertime is often a slow time because of vacations and absences, and we always experience a “summer slump” in giving. I want to encourage every church family to re-examine their giving and catch up if you’re behind, or take a step upward as we see all that God is doing in our midst. I’m not worried. I’m starting my eighth year here and my 43rd year in ministry; I know that when the church does God’s work, God supplies the means to do it. But God supplies through God's faithful people. Will you be one this summer? |
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Pay attention to the seasons–Prayer, Invitation, and Harvest–and we will see the church “Come Together” in an amazing way! |
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Nostalgia is a Funny Thing |
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Recently while puttering around my house, I was admiring a few things I have that belonged to my grandmothers. Most things in my house have sort of meaning, be it a gift, a travel memory, or something from years past that hold special memories. Some people could walk into my house and wonder why I would want to hang on to such old treasures. Perhaps they may judge me for hanging on to the past. But for me they serve as an anchor and a reminder. An anchor that grounds me and reminds me of who and who’s I am. Memories and mementoes from the past help me often see how far I’ve grown as a person and as a believer in Jesus Christ. |
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Nostalgia in the church can sometimes get us in trouble, because it can hold us back from all that God has planned for us. One of my most favorite passages of scripture comes from Philippians 3: 12-16. A part of that passage says this: |
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I say all of this because recently I’ve had some ask me the question; “what’s happened to our church?” It is a question being asked all across our country when it comes to church and church participation. Every week my inbox in flooded with articles of people who are writing articles trying to answer this question and figure it all out. I don’t know that I have the answer either…except that 2 plus years of a pandemic has definitely revealed the stark reality of the once marginal or nominal religious church goer’s absence and as a church we have some deep spiritual work to do…which may mean we can’t necessarily rely on the past. |
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Over the past year, we have been leaning into the leading of the Holy Spirit. As of August 1st the Program Staff will be completely new. This is all very exciting because we have assembled an amazing team of passionate visionary leaders who are ready press on toward the goal and the call of God in Christ Jesus. This team is very mindful of the strong legacy that we stand on, but we are also aware that we have a responsibility to move this congregation into the future so that it can continue to grow and prosper. There are countless lives in our community who have yet to come to know the love of Christ, and it is our job to lead you as a community of faith empowered by the Holy Spirit, growing together in God’s grace, sharing the love of Christ with the world. |
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So here’s what I will ask of you…when those pangs of nostalgia come over you, and you have those memories of “I sure wish we could…like we did before,” seek out a staff member and talk through those memories and give opportunity for new fruit to grow from such memories. We never know how the Spirit may take what once was and use it to press us on toward what lies ahead. |
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We enjoyed movies, pool time, and our first Annual Putt-Putt Palooza. We look forward to many more “months of fun” in the future. |
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Looking forward to August, we have our big Back to School Bash on August 14th. We will be giving away backpacks full of school supplies, free shoe vouchers, and haircuts. Our local fire and police department will be there. Imagination Library will be in attendance and we will be giving away books. We will have an inflatable, a little Debbie cake walk, games, and food. It is going to be so much fun!! EVERYONE is invited. We’d love to see our church and community come together for this awesome event. We need LOTS of volunteers, so don’t hesitate to give Ashley, Dee Dee, or Tiffany a call!!
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August is a Busy Month for OUTREACH
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Everyone is preparing for back to school. As people start back into normal rhythms and routines, there is an opportunity to invite families to church. We want to help our teachers feel loved and supported, so we’ll be involved with a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast for all teachers and feeding Darby Middle School teachers as they start back to school. One lucky teacher will win a Sonic drink for each week of the school year! |
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Back-to-school time is also happening for the college students at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. Our team is taking cookies to Welcome week to treat students as they start a new semester. |
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Before we start school, join Ashley McNeal and me at the City Play Day at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Saturday, August 6th, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. You can join us and participate in making crafts and playing games with kids in the community. You can help or attend with your family.
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Outreach is excited to share that our team is attending the Farmers Markets to meet people in the community. Shoppers at the Farmers Market in Chaffee Crossing on Saturday, August 13th, will receive a free reusable shopping bag with an invitation and information about our church. If you would like to help pass out shopping bags and connect with new people, I have two slots open from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. My contact information is listed below.
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Guest Services is gearing up for fall with a Guest Services Training Night on Wednesday, August 17th, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. This training includes dinner, fun, and more information on continuing to be a welcoming church for new and existing guests. Please make plans to attend if you currently serve on the Guest Services team or if you’re interested in joining the team.
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As you can see, there are opportunities to connect and serve others. If you’ve been attending for a while and need help with your next step, let’s have coffee and get you plugged in. Let’s all be a part of inviting people to church, connecting with others in the community, and growing our faith in Christ. |
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Sunday was a whirlwind of a day,
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with meeting folks, learning youth names, almost getting lost going from the sanctuary to the Connexion service for my introductions, to finally heading home at 8:30. It was a long, good day. Thank you to all of the parents and youth for providing food at Youth and for Bud leading the program. |
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I would be remiss in not shouting out Brandi Garner for her service at Jr. High Assembly last week. I know it was a baptism by fire being around so many middle schoolers for 5 days. Our youth that went seemed to really have a great time with their experience in small groups getting to know other youth from around Arkansas, plus worship, and the activities provided. |
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My head is kind of swimming at the moment, but I'll have more later. |
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When Rev. Herschel and Mardell McClurkin joined the staff at FSFUMC in 1998, they would meet with a group of folks for fun, food, and fellowship from 10:00 to 12:00 the first and third Friday mornings of each month in the Fireside Room of the Family Life Center. |
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After Hershel's death, Mardell continued as leader until 2019, when a group of Pacesetters met and agreed to jointly continue the group.. Louise Finney secures programs, Maridee Schoenfield manages lunch and trip money, Cathy Howard provides meeting setup, Debby Underhill is pianist for group singing of Cokesbury hymns, Susan Chaney RN checks blood pressures, Glenda Brown helps wherever needed, and Pastor DeeDee, as ministerial liaison, provides devotionals, Debbie Hicks cooks up scrumptious lunches, assisted by Regina Butler. |
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August's programs include Louise's former Chaffin student, Victoria Ritter, City of Fort Smith Business License Specialist on August 5, and Doris Tate on August 19, former Sebastian County Clerk and member of Wednesday’s Casserole Group at our church. |
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Everyone in our area is welcome at Pacesetter meetings. There is no membership, no dues, no attendance requirements. You are welcome if you have the time from 10:00 to 12:00 on the first and third Friday mornings. Bring a friend and meet new friends. |
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Loss of Loved Ones:
- James Foster – husband of Wanda Foster, father of Jane Stauffer (John), grandfather of Kelli Gordon (Clayton) and Tracie Nutter (Joseph) and great grandfather of Hannah, Elizabeth and James Gordon and Elimore Nutter.
- Ann Woods – mother of Julie Moncrief, Eve McDonald (Jud), Jim Woods, and Nancy Moon, grandmother of Lily Mauroner and Ellen Blet and great grandmother of Desmond Mauroner.
- Genoveva “Mema” Martinez - Mother of Rosa Brown (James) and grandmother of Francis Brown and Christina Brown.
- Reuben Thomas Cole Jr. – father of Eddie Cole (Emily Oakes)
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In Memory of:
Stacy Jacobs & Family
Brent & Deborah Griffis
Connie Stevenson
Richard & Jane Hinkle
Mary Kay Aclin
Alan & Carol Sue Wooten
Marlin & Janet Fretheim
Barbara Kennedy
Ronnie & Lynda McDaniel
Richard & Jan Beauchamp
Suzie Tommey
The Jim Glidewell Family
Jamie & Michelle Glidewell
Patricia Janes
Shirley Williamson
John McConnell
Craig & Delilah Sanders
The Gene Thompson Family
Uplifter's Sunday School Class
Maridee Schoenfeld
David Gail Cowart
Edward & Sandi Sanders
Nancy Flake
Discussion Sunday School Class
George & Carole Beattie
Nancy Baker
Disciples Sunday School Class
John & Jane Stauffer
Tony & Lynette Leraris
Nancy Baker
George & Carole Beattie
Connie Crabtree
Karen & David Hutcheson
- Kenneth & Darline LeValley by
Karen & David Hutcheson
- Elmer & Werthena Bumgardner by
Karen & David Hutcheson
In Honor of:
- Rex & Nancy Cochran (65th Wedding Anniversary) by:
Blanche Donoho
- George & Carole Beattie 60th Anniversary by:
Blanche Donoho
- Gail Oakes (30 years of service at FUMC) by:
Blanche Donoho
- Nancy Vernon (Retirement) by:
Dwight Curry
Lori Hardin
Pamela Wren
- Karen & David Hutcheson by:
Darla Hutcheson, Danny & Maria Hutcheson & Family
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Next Meeting
August 11 @ 5:30pm • Video @ 5:00pm
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Who is ready to play some games?
Let me know if you have a favorite game you would like to bring. Grilled hamburgers will be served.
Our table decorations will be school supplies. First United Methodist collects school supplies for Tilles Elementary. If you want to bring school supplies to the meeting, we will put them in the center of the tables.
School Supplies
Pencils – 24 count package
Cap Erasers
Crayons 24 count box
Glue Sticks –4 count package
Dry Erase Marker – 4 count package
Highlighters – 2 counts package
Plastic Folder w/Pockets & Brads
Scissors
Supply Box or Pencil Pouch
Baby Wipes
Kleenex
Call Gail @ 479-782-5068 or email –
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FIRST UNITED METHODIST NEWS published weekly except the last week of the year by First United Methodist Church 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901. |
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