MESSAGE FROM RICKY
Dear Friends,
One thing that I have missed immensely during these past months is the regular practice of Holy Communion. This special meal that reminds us of the death of Jesus and unites us together as the body of Christ is an essential practice of the people called Methodist. John Wesley was known to celebrate communion daily, early Methodists took communion weekly, and here on the American frontier Methodist pioneers received communion every time the Circuit Rider came around (leading to our current practice of once a month!)
While, we have held a weekly come-and-go communion during the pandemic, I'm excited to share that this coming Sunday, we'll resume our monthly celebration of the sacrament. During our 9:00 a.m. chapel service, we will celebrate Holy Communion in the sanctuary. We will serve communion at the rail, using our regular cups and with servers wearing masks and gloves for your safety.
Also, we will have a new option to celebrate Holy Communion during our online worship service. We will celebrate the liturgy together virtually, and then invite you to receive the elements in your home. Be sure to have some bread and any type of grape juice (although Mr. Welch was himself a Methodist!).
I'll share this Sunday about the power and importance of Holy Communion in our life and how my opinions on the sacrament have been shaped by Scripture.
Whether you join us in the Sanctuary or from your homes, it will be good for the Body of Christ to gather together around the Lord's Table!
Grace and Peace,
Ricky
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SUNDAY CHAPEL REGISTRATION
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We are now entering into a re-opening phase which will be a 45 minute Sunday Chapel Service. This service will have limited attendance with social distance seating arrangements. A maximum of 100 people may attend. During check-in 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 building’s capacity restraints.
- Comply with record keeping so that we can undertake contact tracing if required.
Please CLICK on the registration button to attend on August 23.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this phase of re-opening in-person services.
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SUNDAY CHAPEL SERVICE / ALTAR FLOWERS |
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RESUMING ALTAR FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS
A floral contribution to our Sunday Chapel Service is a meaningful way to honor someone special, commemorate a special event, or remember a loved one. We are resuming the placement of Altar flowers at the in-person Chapel Service. If you have a date that was previously reserved our office staff will contact you to confirm your request. A listing of upcoming dates with openings for altar flower reservations are as follows: September 13 and September 20. These dates could be updated daily and may not reflect the most current openings. Please call the church office to reserve any dates for altar flowers or confirm your previous calendar request(s).
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Our Cokesbury Sunday School materials for Fall are available for pick-up at the church office! If you need Sunday School materials sent directly to your home, please let us know, and we'll be happy to deliver them to you.
Contact: Sharonda [email protected] to request materials or to get connected with an online Sunday school class!
Sunday School via Zoom
The following adult Sunday School classes are meeting on Sunday mornings:
The Beginnings
Leader: Pam Stuart
Primarily ages 50 and older, married or single, working or retired, but ALL ages are welcome.
The Differents
Leader: David Langston and Sandra Rushing
Ages range from 35 to 85.
Faith and Fellowship
Leader: Anna Prestwood
Ages range from mid 30s- mid 50s
The Redwoods
Leader: Jonathan Pennington
All ages and stages.
The Upper Room
Leader: Tim Waltman
Ages 20-retirement; couples and singles.
If you would like to connect with a class, want more information,
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KIDS MINISTRY / SUNDAY SCHOOL |
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We have Sunday School offered online each week for Preschool, Elementary, and Preteen students. To learn more or to subscribe to our Kids Ministry updates contact Nikki at [email protected].
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OUR PRAYERS OF COMFORT TO
THOSE WHO ARE RECOVERING
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Music has been used to express almost every emotion known to man over the centuries. Today, it is a mournful tune that is being sung by our neighbors to the west who are digging out from under Hurricane Laura.
As you have your quiet time with God each day, please remember the plight of everyone that happened to be in the storm's path and pray for a swift recovery. Pray for the healing of bodies where there is injury and for comfort where there is loss. Pray for God to deliver a comforting tune to the hearts of His people through the Holy Spirit.
Have a great week and look for ways to help someone along the way. I'll see you all in worship on Sunday!
In His Service,
Tommy
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Hurricane Laura plowed through southern Louisiana and is one of the most powerful storms to strike the Gulf Coast in decades and has left several communities in need of assistance and recovery. The Mississippi Conference Disaster Response Team stands ready to support the needs of those impacted, and are in conversation with the Louisiana Conference about anticipating their needs. To continue to learn about the updates in the recovery process click on the link and subscribe to receive future updates from The Mississippi Conference Disaster Response Team. |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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WEEKDAY MINISTRIES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Submitted by Jamie Steadman
HOURLY CHILD CARE POSITION / JOB OPENING
Individuals will work with K through 5th grade children on a daily basis Monday through Friday 2-6pm. Applications are available at the church office M-Friday during regular office hours.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DONATIONS
Submitted by Jamie Steadman
We are so excited to welcome our K-5 students back on campus. Our Weekday Ministries Program for grades K-5 will be providing care for our students for longer periods of time each day this school year. The students will be separated into small “classes”. With the smaller class group size, we are needing to add to our supply and activity cabinets. To address this, we have created an Amazon Wish List to share our needs with both our students' families as well as our church family. Please click the link below and view our list. You can simply purchase what you would like and the list will automatically update for us. Your purchases will ship directly to us. Thank you in advance for helping us through this difficult time!
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COOK TEAM MINISTRY
& MEAL DELIVERY
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Our Cook Teams commitment to serving others is a direct reflection of their deep Christian faith. During the month of September there will be three scheduled dates for food deliveries to help seniors and other adults at high risk to stay home and stay healthy.
The food ministry team desires to provide a tangible expression of love and peace through comfort food - meals that will bring people joy during this time of heightened anxiety and insecurity.
If you are currently receiving meals you DO NOT need to contact the church you will remain on the list for delivery.
For those who are not currently receiving meals and would like to be added or you know of someone who could benefit from a meal delivery please contact the church office during regular business hours (M-F 8am – 4pm) at 601-924-6671.
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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 via Zoom Sundays @ 4:00pm
SCHEDULE
4:00-4:10 // Log-on/hangout time
4:10-4:15 // Prayer and announcements
4:15-4:30 // Message
4:30-5:30 // Small Groups in break out rooms
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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I will be "in the office" at Cups Espresso Cafe located at 101 West Main Street from 4p-7p every Monday and Tuesday for the month of August.
Students or parents are free to call or text and schedule a time to come meet with me during these times! Be sure to bring a mask!
Also, as always, I am available to set up zoom or FaceTime meetings as well!
- Hunter
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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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August 2020
August 2: $23,611
August 9: $24,409
August 16: $20,158
August 23: $12,554
August 30: $13,015
Total Giving: $93,748
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July 2020
July Giving: $73,144
Other Income: $6,399
Total Income: $79,543
July Expenses: $102,240
July Deficit: ($22,697)
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2020 Year to Date
Through July
YTD Giving: $602,754
Other Income: $65,428
YTD Total Income: $668,182
YTD Expenses: $733,479
YTD Deficit: ($65,297)
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Thank You For Your Continued Generosity! |
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Missed last week? You can catch up online!
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September Sermon Series: To-Don't List
Since we’ve been spending a lot more time at home lately, perhaps you’ve finally gotten around to that never ending “to-do” list. Tackling projects and crossing off tasks gives a sense of accomplishment. But there are also things that we shouldn’t do, things to avoid, things to give up that will also help us grow in our faith. Join us as we look at our “To-Don’t List.”
September 13- Don’t Judge- Romans 14:1-12
The church in Rome has a big problem. Some members won’t eat meat, preferring only vegetables. Some members are worshipping just on Sunday, instead of Saturday. The church can’t seem to agree who’s right and who’s wrong. Paul points out the real problem is something different: judging others.
September 20- Don’t Hoard- Exodus 16:2-15
The Israelites are told that God will provide, but do they believe it? God says he’s given them food every day, but don’t collect more than their daily need. In a time of uncertainty, we’re tempted to take more than we need, but what does that do others in need, and what does it do to our own soul?
September 27- Don’t Forget- Psalm 78:1-4
It’s easy to forget. With all the stress of life and the challenges that lie ahead it’s easy to forget that we’re still here, still breathing, still alive. It’s also easy to forget who got us here. Psalm 78 reminds us of all the deeds and wonders God has done to bring his people thus far. Don’t Forget, that God is still in charge.
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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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