“Finding the Balance”

Mark 1:29-39

Communion Sunday

In Person

Rev. Bud Reeves

Offertory “How Will They Know?”

Mercy and Becky Trahan, duet 

Organist: Benjamin Henderson  

11:00 am Connexion

In Person, 6pm Premier Monday on Facebook and YouTube

Rev. DeeDee Autry

“Who You Say I Am”

“Christ Be Magnified”

“Great Are You Lord”

“O Come To The Altar”

11:00 am Sanctuary

In Person,Facebook Live,

YouTube and FM 103.5

Rev. Bud Reeves

Anthem “Let the People Praise Thee”

Offertory “Hast Thou Not Known”

Chancel Choir

Gaye Mings, Chancel Choir Director

Benjamin Henderson, Organist

It’s the most meaningful time of the year!

No, I didn’t just get confused and mess up a Christmas carol! I’m talking about Lent, which starts in just a few days. To me, it’s the most meaningful time of the year, as we think about the days leading up to Holy Week and the crucifixion of Christ, and then as we celebrate the resurrection on Easter. Advent and Christmas are wonderful, but Lent and Easter speak to the core of our faith.

Lent is the 40 days (not counting Sundays, because every Sunday is a “little Easter”) preceding the festival of the resurrection. The 40 days reminds us of the 40 days of rain in the Noah story, 40 days Moses was on Mount Sinai, 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, 40 days of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The term Lent” comes from an Old English word lencten, which refers to the spring season and the lengthening of days.

In the early church, Lent was a specific season of spiritual discipline in preparation for baptism on Easter. Thus several practices have been associated with Lent from the beginning of Christianity: an increased emphasis on prayer, fasting from particular foods or activities, giving extra gifts, especially to the poor.

In order to consider the loving sacrifice of Jesus and to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter, we have several special events planned during Lent:

• Before Lent even gets here, you can join us for our Wednesdays @ First activities, including Communion in Roebuck Chapel and Bible study or prayer study on Wednesday evenings through March 13.
• On Ash Wednesday, February 14, we will have two opportunities to receive the imposition of ashes as a sign of the beginning of Lent. At noon in Roebuck Chapel, and at 5:30 in the sanctuary, we will mark (literally) the beginning of the season. Following the 5:30 service, we will have a special Valentine’s dinner in the Great Hall (not fasting).
• My Lenten sermon series this year (February 18–March 31) will be “The Day That Changed The World.” It will be an in-depth look at the last three days of Jesus’ life, especially the day of his crucifixion. It is the most powerful and impactful story in the world, and examining it in detail only increases our appreciation of it.
• We will participate in the Downtown Churches Lenten lunch services again this year. Each Monday at noon, we will gather at a different church, hear a different preacher deliver a homily, and eat lunch together. (See the schedule in this newsletter.)
• We will also enjoy getting together with our United Methodist community in the Lenten round robin on Sunday evenings. Like the lunches, it will put different preachers in the different churches, and we will worship, then eat. (See that schedule also in this newsletter.)
• Finally, during Holy Week, March 28 and 29, we will have Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services at our church, 6:30 each evening. The children are planning a special treat for us on Maundy Thursday, too; you won’t want to miss it!

There is lots to look forward to this Lenten season. I plan to cherish every moment and opportunity to be with you this year. I hope you will join me for the journey.

LENTEN SERMON SERIES:

Downtown Churches

Lenten Lunches

FEB 19 First Presbyterian • Rev. Bud Reeves

FEB 26 Goddard UMC • Fr. Jim McDonald

MAR 4 FUMC • Rev. Tasha Blackburn 

MAR 11 Immaculate Conception • Rev. Chase Green

MAR 18 St. John’s Episcopal • Deacon Greg Pair

Service 12:00 pm  

Lunch 12:30 pm

United Methodist Lenten 

Round Robin Services

FEB 18 FUMC Rev. David Bassham

FEB 25 St. Paul UMC Rev. Chase Green

MAR 3 Hackett UMC Rev. DeeDee Autry

MAR 10 Faith UMC Rev. Jana Green

MAR 17 Cavanaugh UMC Rev. Donna Ward

MAR 24 Goddard UMC Rev. Latoya Shepherd

Service 5:00 pm 

Fellowship Supper afterwards

FUMC KIDS

This month we are continuing our Jesus Around the World series. So far, we have explored Haiti and Bolivia. We are looking forward to learning about a plethora of other cultures and their faith. In an effort to continue to foster the talents and interests of our children, we have decided to start a drama club.

Maundy Thursday we will be performing a Living Last Supper. All kids, K-5th are welcome to attend and bring a friend!

Our third annual Bible Bootcamp will happen on February 10th. We won’t be spending the night at the church this year, but we are still packing our day full of adventure and learning. We will be going bowling and grabbing pizza as an extra treat for the kiddos.

Be sure to check your mail for a Lenten calendar with daily challenges. 

OUTREACH

Prom Closet needs donations for the Prom Closet Event on Saturday, April 6th. Donations of dresses, men suit pieces, hanging racks, dress bags, shoes, and jewelry can be dropped off at the main office or my office. Last year, the Prom Closet was a blessing to high school students that needed prom attire. We would love to help many more this year!

The Guatemala mission trip is quickly approaching. The team leaves on February 17th and returns February 24th. Last year, we became aware that women needed pads and cotton underwear. Donation tubs for these items are at the office, by the side Sanctuary doors, the Narthex, and Family Life Center. The mission team would like to thank Katherine Apple for raising over $6,000 in donations at her recital. She played beautifully!

Neighborhood Eats has an increase of new families at the grocery pick up. We have received calls of appreciation from recipients who have benefited from the groceries. One call that encouraged the team was from a gentleman that fell on some hard times and is back on his feet. He told us he no longer needed the food each month but would like to donate to this program because it helped him immensely. The team loves to hear stories from families finding jobs and recovering from hard times. The need for food is evident in our community. Thank you for your continued support.

FIRST YOUth 

On Jan. 19-21 we headed off with most of our confirmation class for a retreat to Camp Egan, a UMC retreat center outside of Tahlequah. It was a great weekend, even with the cold, with plenty of learning, laughter, and games. We had time to learn about the means of grace, the Holy Spirt, and more, along with a trust walk, quiet time, and breathe prayer. Thanks to Dee Dee and Bud for coming that Saturday to teach some of the topics, and a huge thanks to Christen Pryor for going as our other chaperone. 

Our annual Wall of Support Fundraiser has begun! This is a way for people to directly invest in the YOUth and the ministries and service that they do. There are walls with envelopes with instructions on the wall and in the envelopes. If you, or someone you know, would like to participate in the fundraiser online instead of getting an envelope at church, go to https://bit.ly/firstyouthwallofsupport24

This is for YOUth in grades 6-12 and friends are welcome to come. We will have a great week of serving, learning, and having fun. Cost for the trip includes travel, lodging, lunch and dinner while in Atlanta, and admission to the World of Coca-Cola.

Our work will include the Furniture Bank of Atlanta, which builds furniture for people coming out of homelessness or for people who have left abusive family situations, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children which sorts and assembles equipment for people with physical disabilities, plus more is being finalized. We will also visit the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and the Human Rights Museum in Atlanta. Signup by Feb. 19

Register at https://bit.ly/firstyouthspringbreak24

To download the YOUth calendar: 

https://bit.ly/firstyouthfeb24

YOUNG ADULT

HAPPY HOUR

FEB 6 • 6PM

La Huerta on Rogers Ave

FEB 20 • 6PM

Hideaway Pizza

Church members Janie Weber, Mary Pruitt and Becky Rickman attended the Church Women United meeting at Mission United Methodist Church in Fort Smith. Mission UMC hosted a wonderful breakfast with lots of good tasting food. The fellowship was great. As members of FSFUMC, we are invited to attend these meetings. Church Women United is a multi-denominational group of women who promote love and peace for all with special attention to women and children.

Join United Women of Faith at our next meeting Feb. 20th in the Narthex 10am. We would love to see you there, Becky Rickman.

Pacesetters meet the first and third Friday mornings of each month at 10am in the Fireside Room of the Family Life Center. Everyone is welcome to join us for fellowship; singing; devotional; informative, interesting program, crafts; games; and trips. Bring a friend and stay for lunch.

Last week my Texas cousin Pamela Sue shared a quote on Facebook, “Dear God. I received my free trial sample of Winter. I tried it and I do not like it. Please cancel my subscription.” I imagine all of us would “Amen” that request right about now. Enough of this frigid weather, snow, snow rain, sleet, freezing rain, and just plain old rain, day after dreary day. 

 Pacesetters January 2 meeting was cancelled due to weather. Dee Dee and I made the decision Thursday night to cancel, and with Wrenetta Ritchie’s assistance, we contacted everyone we could think of. Unfortunately, I understand a couple did not get the notification and came for the meeting. I do apologize for the inconvenience. I suggest that in the future event of inclement weather, call the church office for information on the meeting’s status. The church office opens at 8:30 a.m.

January 19 Dr. William (Bill) Culp, Interventional Radiologist, shared his research and work experience on the cause and treatment of strokes. Early recognition of the signs of stroke is paramount in the successful treatment of stroke. B FAST is an easy-to-remember reminder of these signs: B balance, F face, A arm (or leg), S speech, T time. After practicing in Fort Smith, Dr. Culp secured grants, did research, and taught at the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock, holding the Jonathan Fisk Distinguished Chair for Stroke Research He was able to do his human trial while holding that chair and did cross work with the Department of Surgery and Department of Neurology.

- Louise Finney

Thursday, February 8

@ 12:00 Noon Fireside Room

We will be remembering our Valentine.

The menu will be grilled chicken salad with

bread sticks and a Valentine cupcake.

Wednesday, February 14

@ 12:00 Noon Fireside Room

Valentine’s Day Lunch

 Bunco afterwards

Tuesday, February 27

@ 10:30 am Fireside Room

Book Club Movie

“80 for Brady”

Tuesday, March 5

Road Trip - meet in C street parking lot

We will leave @ 9:00am

Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival 2024

For more information email Gail Oakes at 

rvwidowsgroup@gmail.com

Or call (479) 479-459-0479 

IN OUR PRAYERS

Congratulations on the Birth of:

• Beckham Russell Jacobs, son of Colby and Jaclyn Jacobs and grandson of Patrick and Christie Jacobs.

MEMORIALS:

Jack Gedosh by

George & Carole Beattie

Robert & Mary Young

Jack & Louanna Green

Mary Kay Aclin

Robert & Judy Dawson

Ann Smith

Kelly & Marilyn Newton

Lady Jane Cohen

Cynthia Giss

Larry Evans by 

Becky Evans designated for River Valley Widows Group

David Reutzel by

George & Carole Beattie

HONORARIUM:

Katherine Apple & Family by 

Jack Green designated for Guatemala Mission Trip

Becky Neighbor’s birthday by 

April Durham designated for Local Hunger Relief

PASTOR ON CALL

M-F 8:30 AM-4:30 PM: (479) 782-5068

Weekends and Evenings: (479) 459-5060

When there is a hospitalization, a death in the family, or any other time you may need urgent pastoral care, we encourage you to use these numbers. The pastors rotate on-call responsibilities to assure that one of them is always accessible. 

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

200 N. 15th St. Fort Smith, AR 72901

(479) 782-5068 | www.fsfumc.org

Email: fsfumc@fsfumc.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 

8:30AM-4:30PM

Closed for lunch 12:30PM-1:30PM