Mid-Week Updates
February 24, 2021
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From the Pastor - To Live Is Christ
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This is one of Paul’s boldest claims – to live is Christ. Pastor Jim Bell reflects on what it means to live in Christ.
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"The Lord High and Lifted Up: Worship"
February 28, 2021
The theme of our in-person worship service on February 28, at 10:00 a.m. is The Lord High and Lifted Up: Worship. The scripture lessons are Isaiah 6:1-8 and Revelation 5:6-14. To worship is to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of the gathered community. This sermon is part of a sermon series, Spiritual Disciplines – Pathways to Life. A copy of the Order of Worship can be found here. (Please note that the scripture text and song lyrics are now included in the Order of Worship.)
We need to be vigilant. Nash County is now in the Red Category – critical community spread of COVID-19. If you do not feel safe in attending worship or if you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and worship online.
Please make a reservation for worship through our new church app. You may 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: To get an accurate account of those planning to worship indoors
on February 28, we will need for each person/youth/child to register individually. You may register here, via our church app above or call the church office.
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 Doug Scott and Mother, Emma Lehmann,
by Adelaide Scott.
or
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In-person Worship Has Returned
All of the protocols remain that were utilized in the fall. Our church is seeking to help keep people safe, to help stop the spread of the virus, and to help our health system from becoming overwhelmed. We seek to love our neighbors as ourselves.
The protocols include:
- Face coverings are required.
- Social distancing in the sanctuary. People will be seated in every other pew.
- There will be vocal and instrumental music to enjoy. However, we will not sing together as a congregation.
- You may give online or place your offering in the offering buckets at the rear of the sanctuary.
- When you exit after the service, we will dismiss pews one at a time with ushers starting with the back rows, exiting to the wall aisles, not the center aisle.
- Pews will be cleaned following every service.
For those who are not ready to attend worship in person, we understand. All worship services will be livestreamed at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.
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Horizon/William Whitehead Sunday School Class to Meet
The Horizon/William Whitehead Sunday School class will meet in person at 8:45 a.m. in the annex. Sign up here or call the church office at 252-977-0400 to register.
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Overview of the 2021 Church Budget
Shown below is the summary of the calendar year 2021 church budget that was approved by the Finance Ministry Team and Church Council:
Income $880,062
Expenses $955,062
Net Deficit $-75,000
Income is determined by the pledges made on Consecration Sunday and past giving patterns of active church members that did not pledge. Also included in income is investment interest from our Endowment accounts and local money market accounts.
Expenses consist of all operating costs to operate the church including mission and service outreach programs. Leaders of each program/ministry area developed their budget based on a missional focus in support of the church’s Mission Statement. The long term goal is to have a balanced budget by 2023.
Expenses in the 2021 budget include the following:
- Salaries/Wages & Benefits for the church staff
- Administrative/Office Supplies & Communication Costs
- Utilities
- Apportionments
- Family Ministry Programming for Children, Youth & Adults
- Mission & Service Outreach – Local & International
- General Church Ministries
- Property Repair & Maintenance – Church & Parsonage
- Contemporary & Traditional Worship – Music Materials & Media
- 2021 Re-Organization costs
The Net Deficit/(Loss) of $-75,000 will be funded by the general fund cash reserve, carried over from 2020. A quarterly financial performance summary will be published in the church newsletter. If you have any questions about this budget, please feel free to contact Wendi Beck or David Johnson. We will be glad to answer any questions.
In His Service,
David Johnson
Chair of The Finance Ministry Team
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Registration
FUMC Kindergarten and Preschool registration for the 2021-2022 school
year is underway for currently enrolled preschoolers and FUMC family.
Registration opens to the public March 1. FUMC Preschool and Kindergarten offers: Mother's Morning Out for babies (aged 2 months-1 year), Mother's Morning Out for toddlers/preschoolers (aged 1-4 years), pre-school for 2- and 3-year-olds, pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds, and a state-certified, half-day kindergarten. Please call Cheryl Stanton in the Preschool/K office for a registration form at 252-977-0475.
FUMC is a happy place for children!!
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Preschool Celebrates Dr. Seuss Week
FUMC Preschool will celebrate Dr. Seuss the week of March 1-4. We will have people from our community to come read their favorite Dr. Seuss book to our children. The following people will be reading for us: Joe Stanton, Assistant Director for NC Emergency Management; Ministers and Staff from Word Tabernacle Church; Beverly Thompson, Retired Librarian from Nash School System; and Sandy Roberson, Mayor of Rocky Mount. Each day our students will have special activities to go along with the book that was read. We will post pictures on our Facebook page for everyone to see what we are doing at FUMC Preschool.
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Sermon Series:
Spiritual Disciplines – Pathways to Life
through March 14, 2021
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.
March 7: “Guidance – Living in Response to God’s Voice”
Acts 15:6-21
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus guides his people today.
We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
March 14: “The Joy of Celebration”
John 15:7-11
Celebration brings joy into life, and joy makes us strong.
Worship themes are prayerfully and carefully selected.
Make regular worship a priority in your life.
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Camp Sunday – February 28
Camp Sunday is a time to highlight the ministries at Camps Chestnut Ridge, Don Lee and Rockfish as vital partners in faith formation. Camps Chestnut Ridge, west of Durham, Don Lee, near New Bern; and Rockfish, southeast of Fayetteville, offer many wonderful summer camps for children and youth and also have retreat centers for families. Click on the links below to get information on the camps and answer questions on how children, youth, and families may attend one of these camps/retreats:
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NCUM Camp Sunday Video 2021 |
Church Pew Available
With the handicap-accessible reconfiguration of our sanctuary in 2019, we have one 5-foot pew left. We can provide the name of a master craftsman to create pew ends and legs for you. If you would like this church pew, please email Wendi Beck (wbeck@fumcrm.org).
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The Upper Room
The March-April 2021 editions of The Upper Room are now available in the church office. Small daily devotional guides are $1.00; the large size is $1.50.
We have a limited supply, so please call the church office (252-977-0400)
if you are interested in purchasing a copy.
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Local Missions moving forward during COVID Season
Monday Morning Community Breakfast: With the increase in COVID cases in Nash County, the MMCB Committee has decided to "pause" the Monday Morning Community Breakfast going forward. When the numbers improve and the decision is made to resume MMCB breakfast, an announcement will be made via the FUMC outdoor sign.
Backpack Buddies: We continue to deliver backpacks to Johnson School, Fairview and Swift Creek.
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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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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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 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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Dear Church Family,
Thank you for all the prayers, cards, meals, flowers you gave us during our recent hip-replacement surgeries. You really helped us both during painful times.
Sincerely,
Dan and Nancy Cantu
AKA "The Hipsters"
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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
Memorials
In Memory of Will N. and Helen H. Alston by Alton G. & Ethel M. Wilson.
Prayer Concerns
Please lift up in prayer:
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Anne Davis and family, in the passing of her husband, Rev. Charles Davis, February 21
- Beverly Rackley
- The Butler family
- The Spencer family
- Bob Steele
- Dan Pulver
- Melody Bell
- Dan Cantu
- Jim Patton
- Janet Keyes
- Marilyn Jenkins
- Barbara Taylor
- Milton and Gaye Mann
- Steve and Sandy Pernell
- Bob Allen
- All Hospital/Medical Personnel and First Responders
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Click here for the March 2021 Calendar.
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Contact Info
First United Methodist Church
252-977-0400 Office
252-977-0475 Preschool
252-977-1748 Fax
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