MESSAGE FROM RICKY
Dear Friends,
Sunday was amazing! It was inspiring to see the names of 17 young people who stepped forward and said Yes! to following Jesus. To baptize and confirm people in the faith is a high moment in the life of any church, and it was great to see our church full of energy and excitement. We also debuted our livestream broadcast of both morning worship services, which you can now watch on our Facebook page or the church website. We had several adult Sunday School classes resume in person meetings, and our Youth United Night resumed in person as well (also live broadcasted).
I'm grateful that as a church we have expanded our ministry options to provide for virtual and in-person gatherings. We are the church whenever and wherever we meet!
In many ways, this past Sunday felt like a fall kickoff and the months of October and November have a lot in store for us. Make sure you read this and future editions of The VOICE to stay up to date. Here are just a few of the things to look forward to:
- Our annual Missions Garage Sale is this weekend, October 9-10!
(We need a few more volunteers to help setup and takedown! Sign up Below!)
- Our Blood Drive in honor of Beverly Yeates is this Sunday, October 11
(Be sure to register for a time to donate!)
- Providing meals to our homebound members (and more service opportunities are scheduled for Wednesday nights!)
- Our Stewardship Series culminating on Commitment Sunday, October 25
- Our first ever Pumpkin Parade family event on October 28!
- Hosting an Election Day Prayer Vigil in our Sanctuary, November 3
And before you know it, we'll be celebrating Christmas!
I know that things are still different, but I've started saying, "We can be different and still make a difference!"
So, I hope you find a way to help us make a difference this fall in our worship, in our service, in our missions, and in our giving! Thanks for all that you do!
Grace and Peace,
Ricky
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GARAGE SALE SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEKEND
YOUR PARTICIPATION IS NEEDED
Submitted by Mike Norcom and Patty Fyke, Missions Team
The garage sale is officially scheduled to take place this weekend.
As you all are aware, this fundraiser event has been very important for the financial support of our missions projects. We need your participation to assist with the set up, tear down, and staffing the days of the event. In keeping within the guidelines of social gatherings we will be setting up the event to keep our volunteers and customers safe by doing the following:
• Placing posters encouraging physical distancing for customers to see upon arrival and while shopping.
• Set up tables and sections of merchandise at least 6 feet apart.
• Provide a clear traffic flow for customers to follow throughout the sale.
• Ask customers to stay safely spread apart, during high traffic times and checkout.
• Ask everyone to wear a face mask during the sale.
• Have hand sanitizer stations available for event staff and customers to use.
If you would like to help with this mission fundraising event please contact Mike Norcom or Patty Fyke.
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UPDATE FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP
SERVICES & NURSERY
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We are currently offering our one hour 9AM Traditions and 11AM Connections in-person worship services on Sunday mornings. We will also continue the online pre-recorded service at 10AM. You can access the online service through our website or facebook page whenever convenient to your schedule.
Each in person service still requires a reservation as we continue to abide by attendance guidelines with limited seating arrangements. Please Note: Nursery for children 3 years of age and under will be available with advanced registration for the worship services. At this time nursery for Sunday School is not included. Please read and follow the instructions for making a nursery reservation once you have clicked on the desired service registration below.
The 9AM Traditions service has increased attendance to 200 while the 11AM service is currently offering seating for 110 people. During the check-in process and service masks and social distancing will be observed.
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.
NURSERY INFORMATION & CHECK IN PROCESS
The Nursery will be available for children 3 years of age and under on Sundays beginning October 4 during both the 9:00am and 11am services. Please note that Nursery will not be offered for the Sunday School hour due to cleaning maintenance between worship services. For the safety of the children and our staff, we are requesting you make online reservations in advance. Reservations for each Sunday will open the Monday through Thursday prior to service in order to ensure that we have the staff and spaces prepared.
Here's What To Expect:
- Limited number of people in the nursery.
- Nursery staff and children will have their temperatures taken before entry.
- Nursery staff will wear masks at all times.
- Increased cleaning, including high touch areas and in between services.
- Children's hands will be cleaned as they enter.
Check In Process:
What time to arrive?
8:45am for the 9am service and 10:45am for the 11am service
What Room?
The Nursery located in the Education Building
What Entrance to use?
Please enter through the Breezeway for the 9am service and through the Mt. Salus entrance door for the 11am service.
Please Note: There will be no nursery available during the Sunday School hour (10am), so that the space may be sanitized.
Here's how you can help:
- Please make sure to stay home if your child or anyone else in the home is sick or has any symptoms of illness.
- Please register your child for the nursery; reservations open the Monday prior.
- Please have only one parent drop off and pick up from the nursery.
- Please provide a snack if your child would like one.
- Please clearly label your child's cup or bottle.
What's not changing:
- Same happy and helpful staff who love your children!
- A comforting and loving environment for your child to experience!
Please CLICK on the desired service registration button to attend. Please list your need for childcare in the comment box by supplying the name(s) and age(s) of your children.
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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We had our first adult handbell (Angelicas Ringers) rehearsal last Wednesday night. It was great to see everyone and be able to play some music together again after over six months of downtime. We are also planning to do a special Christmas music program on the morning of December 20, with carols, handbells, soloists, and various instruments. Watch this article for more details coming in the next week few weeks.
It was nice to finally be able to have some congregational hymns in our worship this past Sunday. We do ask that you sing through your mask for the time being. Hopefully, this won't be for too long, but anything is better than nothing! Thank you for your cooperation as we slowly but safely move forward with getting our worship services back up to full speed.
Have a wonderful week and I'll see you all in live and virtual worship on Sunday!
In His Service,
Tommy
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Onsite Sunday School 10AM
Discovery Class
Location: E-205
Leader: Beverly Oliver
The Upper Room
Location: E-203 (Fellowship Parlor)
Leader: Tim Waltman
Hybrid Sunday School
*Hybrid classes offer both in-person and virtual options.
*Beginnings
Location: Sanctuary Parlor
Leader: Pam Stuart
*The Differents
Location: The College Hut
Leaders: David Langston and Sandra Rushing
Virtual Sunday School
Faith and Fellowship
Leader: Anna Prestwood
The Redwoods
Leader: Jonathan Pennington
For more information about classes- on-site, hybrid or virtual- please contact Rev. Sharonda Medina, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Sharonda@firstmethodistclinton.org or at (601) 924-6671.
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OCTOBER WISE NETWORK EVENT |
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JOIN THE WISE NETWORK
Submitted by Rev. Sharonda Medina
How do you maintain relationships with clients, co-workers, and even family and friends, when it seems like people disagree on so much? Navigating all the division in our world today can be exhausting if you don’t have a strategy. Join the WISE Network on Zoom at 7pm on Tuesday, October 13th, as Rev. Sharonda Medina, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at First United Methodist Church in Clinton, leads us in a discussion about what it means to “take the high road”.
Ladies, won't you come join us on Zoom! Register Today!
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COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY FOR WOMEN |
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COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY
Fridays from 9:15 - 11:15am (October 2 - November 20)
Cost: $16
First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
Leaders: Mot Lyons & Daphne McLaurin
Please wear a mask and social distancing will be practiced.
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Drive-thru family event for all ages, on Wednesday, October 28th, 6pm-7pm
WE ARE RECEIVING CANDY DONATIONS IN THE CHURCH OFFICE.
THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
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MMO PROGRAM IS OFF TO A
FABULOUS START
Submitted by Jamie Steadman, Director
The Mother’s Morning Out Program for one and two year old students has four classes and three of the four are full with waiting lists! They have had a fabulous start. How has an entire month passed already?! They are getting the routines down and having fun learning through play while in a new environment. We do have openings in our Monday/ Wednesday two year old class if you want to send anyone our way please let them know that they can call me (601-924-9961)
Have a great week... I know we will!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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LAST WEEK TO SIGN UP AS A DONOR!
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 dianne@firstmethodistclinton.org. Sign up times will be 15 minutes apart.
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1 Peter 4:10
Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards
of the many-colored tapestry
of God's grace.
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October 7th
Garage Sale Set-up
Help our Missions team prepare for their biggest fundraiser of the year!
Contact: Patty Fyke at 601-720-5426 or
Mike Norcom at 769-243-4983
October 14th
Meal Ministry
Help cook, clean-up, or deliver meals. Help is also needed to make calls to schedule deliveries.
Contact: Nancy Pavy at 601-613-4598
October 21st
Church Clean-Up Day
Day-time and evening clean up opportunities.
Contact: Church Office at 601-924-6671
October 28th
Meal Ministry
Help cook, clean-up, or deliver meals. Help is also needed to make calls to schedule deliveries.
Contact: Nancy Pavy at 601-613-4598
Masks will be required and
social distancing will be practiced
as we serve together!
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NEW SERIES FOR YOUTH MINISTRY
Our students all have one thing in common: They want to be seen, known, and valued for who they are. They don’t want fake relationships; they want personal ones. In this series, we are going to look at five specific questions they can ask to make the relationships in their lives more real and more personal. How do we know it can happen? Because we’re taking a tip from the way Jesus did it to give them an idea of just how to make everything—including their relationship with Him—a little more personal.
Click the Parent Cue button below for resources and info to join me in ministering to your student during this 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 Sundays @ 4:00pm
SCHEDULE
4:00pm // Free Time
5:00pm // Worship and Message
5:30pm // Small Groups
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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NEW TIMES FOR
HANGOUT WITH HUNTER
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Hunter will be "in the office" at Cups from 4pm-7pm every Tuesday. Students or parents are free to call or text and schedule a time to come meet during these times!
And of course, you can always set up a ZOOM meeting or FaceTime meeting.
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UNITED NIGHT
First Gathering Success
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We will resume in person gatherings for youth on October 4th! Our schedule will be as follows:
4:00pm // Free Time
5:00pm // Worship and Message
5:30pm // Small Groups
- Temperatures will be checked upon arrival, and masks will be required for now.
- Free time will be outside in the Gym parking lot. We will have 9 Square set up, as well as some other games and picnic tables to hang out at!
- We will meet for worship and message in the Worship Center.
- Small Groups will meet spread out in the worship center after the message.
- We will plan to be finished at 6:00, but the first week may take a bit longer as we learn our transitions!
- No meal will be available.
- For those not ready to come back in person, you will have the opportunity to join on ZOOM for the message and for small groups!
Contact Hunter to receive the
ZOOM Meeting ID and Passcode.
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Did you know that the youth ministry has an Instagram?
Well... Now you do! Follow our youth ministry on IG for DAILY devotions on our Story!
On Sunday afternoons Hunter gives a weekly message on IG Live.
Not familiar with Instagram? Send Hunter an email, call, or text and he would be more than happy to explain!
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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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October 2020
October 4: $31,181
September 2020
September Giving: $70,991
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August 2020
August Giving: $93,274
Other Income: $6,761
Total Income: $100,035
August Expenses: $101,223
August Deficit: ($1,188)
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2020 Year to Date
Through August
YTD Giving: $696,028
Other Income: $72,188
YTD Total Income: $768,216
YTD Expenses: $834,702
YTD Deficit: ($66,486)
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Thank You For Your Continued Generosity! |
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October Sermon Series:
October is a traditional time for church stewardship and commitment campaigns, a time to “re-up” so to speak. What if this October, we took a long look at our own faith and our call to “Re” in every aspect of our lives?
October 11 / Re:New Romans 12:1-2
Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. There’s a connection between what we take in and what we give out. The world seeks to form us in ways that leave us afraid, angry, and alone. God seeks to transform us into his will to be good, acceptable, and perfect.
October 18 / Re:Concile 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Paul says that God is working in the world to reconcile people, to forgive sin, and to heal brokenness. He then makes the bold claim, that God has entrusted to us (his followers) that same task: to be ministers of reconciliation. Which means we have to give up some of our old ways and become new creations. It’s tough work, but it literally saves lives.
October 25 / Re:Commit Philippians 3:12-14 (Commitment Sunday)
Every day is a gift from God, and every day is a change to start over. We get to recommit to following Jesus, put our money where our faith is, and offering ourselves in ministry to the world. And no matter what happened yesterday, Paul reminds us to “Press On.”
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Missed last week? You can catch up online! |
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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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