MESSAGE FROM RICKY
Dear Friends,
It was a wonderful sight to see so many of you coming to the front of the church this past Sunday to make your financial commitments for 2021. This is a tangible sign of our ReCommitment to following Jesus. Your generous gifts will enable us to be ready to launch into a new year, reaching out with the Good News of Jesus Christ. While much about next year is still uncertain, I believe without hesitation that God is with us, and that makes all the difference.
If you haven't made your commitment yet, there is plenty of time. You can mail your commitment to the church office, drop it by at your convenience, or download a copy at www.firstmethodistclinton.org/giving. No matter the size of your gift, when you share with us your intention, it helps our staff and volunteers to better plan for the coming year.
It may be helpful as you plan, to have a bit more information about how we're doing this year financially. I know not everyone likes numbers, so feel free to skip the next paragraph and rejoin me at the end.
We approved a 2020 budget of $1,553,683. This was approved months before we had ever heard the word COVID. Through the end of September, our total income from all sources is $847,304. If we divided our budget into equal monthly amounts, that would mean that we were behind our year-to-date need by $317,957. If that sounds like a big number, it's because it is. However, the staff and lay leadership of the church have responded by holding down expenses, and learning to do ministry in new, cost-effective ways. Our year to date expenses through September have been $933,738. So, we've spent $86,435 more than we've collected. How do we make that work? Well, we are able to do that because our church has no debt, and for several years we've been holding on to a reserve fund of at least 3 months operational expenses (Dave Ramsey would be proud). This means that even though we're behind in giving, we're still able to pay all our bills, and fulfill our mission commitments around the world. Most churches collect up to 30% of their total yearly income in the last two months of the year, so even though we're behind a bit, we are still on strong financial ground thanks to your generosity and the wise stewardship of our staff and lay leadership.
Ok, if you skipped the "numbers" paragraph, thanks for rejoining us. All I have left to say is thank you for your generosity. Keep up the good work and be sure to turn in your commitment for 2021 as we look forward to what God will do in a new year!
Grace and Peace,
Ricky
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PLEASE REGISTER TO ATTEND WORSHIP |
It is important to pre-register for worship attendance. This pre-registration helps our staff to prepare our facilities each week and expedites the Sunday morning check in process upon arrival. 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.
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CLICK BELOW FOR THE 9AM SERVICE |
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CLICK BELOW FOR THE 11AM SERVICE |
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ALTAR FLOWER CALENDAR OPENINGS
A floral contribution to our worship service is a meaningful way to honor someone special, commemorate a special event, or remember a loved one. We currently have open dates in November as follows: November 8 (1 arrangement) and November 29th (2 arrangements). Please call the church office to reserve any dates for altar flowers or confirm your previous calendar request(s).
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Do not wait until some deed of
greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar;
To the many duties ever near
you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor
you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!
Just above are clouded skies
that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall
your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Here for all your talent
you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand
the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.
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The year was 1912. A lady named Ina Ogden was scheduled to sing at a Methodist camp meeting in western New York. She had composed a brand new song for this occasion where there was expected to be a crowd of several thousand in attendance. But just before the event, her father was in a bad car accident and she chose to be at his side, where she sang her song to an audience of one rather than thousands. Although disappointed, she decided that she would just try and brighten the corner where God had placed her. Ina thought that she would reach thousands that day, but her song "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" went on to reach millions over the years.
For the next 22 years, it was used as the theme song by Billy Sunday and Homer Rodeheaver and it was shared with over 100 million people in the 200 tabernacles they built across America. Another story of proof that God's ways aren't always our ways, but His ways are always best!
Whenever I think of this song, it makes me think of Mrs. Marjorie White. She always asks to sing it during our Heritage Singers choir rehearsals. She and so many others of our church are a living testimony to the song itself. As we go about our lives this week, let's all try to brighten our corners just a little bit, as well.
In His Service,
Tommy
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FUN FAMILY EVENT RESCHEDULED |
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Drive-thru family event for all ages
SATURDAY October 31st, 4pm-5pm
Prizes for Costumes & Car Decorations • Treat Bags for Children
WE ARE RECEIVING CANDY DONATIONS IN THE CHURCH OFFICE.
THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
Would you like to help with this event? We are looking for folks to dress up as pumpkins, wear orange, or come as farmers to help greet the kiddos, hand out treat bags, and be judges for our costume and vehicle decorating contests! Some help at set-up and tear-down would be appreciated too. Please call the church office if you are interested in assisting with this event. This is going to be a lot of fun for all ages! Oh and . . . Pumpkin masks are welcome!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE LACEFIELDS GET READY FOR BABY WESLEY! |
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SUPPORT THE HARD PLACES COMMUNITY |
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RESTORATION TEE
FUNDRAISER FOR
THE HARD PLACES COMMUNITY
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The Hard Places Community has existed since 2009 with the purpose of bringing hope and restoration into the dark places of this world whether that be sex trafficking in Cambodia or refugee care in Greece.
Without the ability to do big fundraisers in 2020 the organization wanted to give you the opportunity to support the work of HPC by purchasing the first ever "Restoration" design in a tee shirt, long sleeve shirt, or hoodie. *Shirts will print in batches so be patient on shipping.
*End date is OCTOBER 31
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OCTOBER MIDWEEK IMPACT OPPORTUNITIES |
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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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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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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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UNITED NIGHT SCHEDULE
& Youth Groups
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Our schedule for Sunday nights will be as follows:
4:00pm // Free Time
5:00pm // Worship and Message
5:30pm // Small Groups
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YOUTH WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Youth large group and small groups are meeting via Zoom! If your student needs to be connected to a group please email Hunter Lacefield for information on how to join in this week!
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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- 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.
- 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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GET READY!
IT'S TIME TO REGISTER FOR BREAKTHRU 2021
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Breakthru 2021 will be held at TimberCreek Camp in Pulaski, MS from December 30 - January 2. The total cost for each indivitual is $195. This time together will be focused on how, with all of the options in our students' lives, Jesus is always at the door waiting for them. TimberCreek Camp has been hosting groups since June with ZERO Covid-19 cases reported or in connection to them. The staff has done an excellent job to safely provide a place for students to meet and learn about Jesus
This year we have a limited number of spots, so after December 1, any spot that has not had its $50 non-refundable deposit paid will be at risk of being given up to someone on the waiting list. Registration is now open and will close on December 1. You may sign up by clicking the button below.
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AMAZING CRAFT SUPPLIES
As you can see our After-school Care students K-5th grade are absolutely loving all of the amazing craft supply donations that have been gifted to them through our Amazon Wish Lists. It has been a welcomed addition to their daily routine. Of course don’t get me wrong, they still enjoy snack and outdoor time. But the addition of art and crafts has become something they look forward to that is constantly changing and a welcome surprise for them! As you can see, they love to display their finished products in the gym. Thank you to all of you who played a part in the addition of this creativity to our After-school Care Program. You are appreciated!
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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
October 11: $15,015
October 18: $14,957
October 25: $21,214
Total Giving: $82,367
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September 2020
September Giving: $71,080
Other Income: $8,007
Total Income: $79,087
Sept Expenses: $99,036
Sept Deficit: ($19,949)
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2020 Year to Date
Through September
YTD Giving: $767,108
Other Income: $80,196
YTD Total Income: $847,304
YTD Expenses: $933,738
YTD Deficit: ($86,435)
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Thank You For Your Continued Generosity! |
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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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