Recognizing the Christ: Getting Real (Part 2)

Matthew 16:20-28

Suffering is part of the deal, 

but so is Victory!

Holy Communion will be celebrated in all services.

In Person

Rev. DeeDee Autry

Offertory “Peace, Perfect Peace”

Rylee Norton, soloist

Organist: Benjamin Henderson  

11:00 am Connexion

In Person, 6pm Premier Monday on Facebook and YouTube

Rev. DeeDee Autry

"The Way"

"Jesus Only Jesus"

"Build My Life"

"Great I Am"

11:00 am Sanctuary

In Person,Facebook Live,

YouTube and FM 103.5

Rev. DeeDee Autry

Anthem “Prelude on ‘Repton”

Offertory “Wonderful Grace”

Jackson Uts, organ

Chancel Choir

Gaye Mings, Chancel Choir Director

Benjamin Henderson, Organist

HOW TO START A REVIVAL

We often pray for revival at our church. Although we are doing significant ministry, and new people are getting involved all the time, we are still climbing out of the crater caused by the pandemic. We don’t seek to grow just for numbers’ sake, but because every person we know needs to know Jesus, and FUMC in Fort Smith is a great place to get to know him. These are not new strategies, but we need to remind ourselves to do the things that we know work. This is how to have a revival:

PRAY. All ministry is undergirded in prayer. Make the health and growth of our church your daily prayer, and God will answer!

PRACTICE ON YOURSELF. A pastor friend of mine used to say, “If you want a revival, draw a three-foot circle around yourself and pray for revival in that circle.” We can’t expect something to happen in the church if it is not happening in ourselves. In order to experience revival, get revived. Practice the ways of discipleship (Wesley’s means of grace): prayer, Scripture reading, worship, Communion, faithful conversations, acts of mercy and service. Be the church you want to see.

INVITE, INVITE, INVITE! The most effective tool of church growth is personal invitation. The vast majority of new people come to church because a friend or family member invited them. The churches that have recovered their pre-pandemic attendance are churches with an invitational culture. If only half of our regular church attenders were successful in bringing someone to church with them, we would be back to our pre-pandemic attendance in two short years. (Here’s a little secret: you will get a better return on your investment of time and energy if you invite new people as opposed to long-time inactive church members.) Check out this article: 

One Invitation Away from Returning. 

WEAR YOUR NAMETAGS. Nametags are the easiest and most visible sign of a friendly congregation. We know who we are, but we want guests to know who we are as well. If you lost your nametag, never got one, or your glove compartment ate it, call the church office, and Gail Oakes will get you a new one.

PRACTICE THE RULE OF 10+3. Make sure everyone within 10 feet of you in worship receives your personal greeting every Sunday you are there. Even if you don’t know them, take a moment to say good morning. Then spend 3 minutes before and after the service talking to someone you don’t know well. They may be a member or a guest; it doesn’t matter. Building relationships with people does matter, because that’s what keeps people in church.

I know I have said all these things before, so just take this as a reminder. The lazy summer is over; the busy fall is upon us. It’s a great time for new people to get involved and for all our regulars to get back involved.  

I’m ready for a revival! How about you?

Rev. John Fimple, Army Chaplain, connects with FUMC

United Methodist pastors who are appointed as military chaplains must establish a relationship with a local UM church in their home annual conference. Rev. John Fimple is originally from Van Buren and served Arkansas UMC’s for 11 years. In 2008, he was called into the Army chaplaincy, serving first in Iraq. He said, “After several deployments and duty stations since first joining, I still find daily satisfaction in serving as an Army chaplain. We have many young soldiers and family members in need of spiritual guidance, many away from loved ones and their support systems for the first time in their lives. Along with other community providers, Army chaplains are part of the support system to help guide them. Some of what chaplains provide are Sunday chapel worship services, weekly Bible studies, pastoral counseling, weekend workshops for single soldiers and families.We also give religious advisement to our commanders.”

We are pleased that Rev. Fimple has put his conference relationship with us, and we support his ministry to our men and women in uniform!

NEW SERMON SERIES TO ADDRESS TOUGH QUESTIONS OF FAITH

CHURCH LEADERS VOTE TO BECOME A “BEACON CHURCH”

In August, the Administrative Board voted unanimously to become a “Beacon Church.” This is a designation for Arkansas United Methodist Churches who are planning on staying United Methodist. They will become part of a website where people who have been estranged from their local churches due to disaffiliation can look up a Beacon Church in their area and attend with the assurance that the new church will remain United Methodist. Becoming a Beacon Church doesn’t change anything about what we are doing or who we are; it just offers a welcome to those who are searching for a new United Methodist Church. For more information, visit the Beacon Church webpage.

BRING YOUR FAVORITE HOMEMADE ICE CREAM!

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Interested in Handbells but have a scheduling conflict with Ladybells? We are trying to put together another possible handbell group that meets later in the day, so that those who have commitments during the day might be able to participate! Tentative schedule would be Thursday nights for an hour (Time TBD) Please forward any interest and/or questions to Benjamin Henderson.

Coming in October, a colleague of mine Joshua Ehlebracht from the Eastman School of Music will be presenting a concert on our fabulous organ! He will give a benefit concert the afternoon of October 15th in the Sanctuary. This concert will benefit the Missions Ministry to help support the mission of the church in our world. Joshua Ehlebracht is 24 years old and has received a master’s degree in organ performance from the Yale School of Music, studying with Prof. Martin Jean. Joshua has always had a passion for music and his previous studies include a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance from the Eastman School of music studying with Professors Nathan Laube and Anne Laver, as well as a Colleague diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists. Joshua is currently serving as interim organist at St. Paul’s on the Green in Norwalk, Connecticut, and has previously worked in Lutheran and Presbyterian churches with his first church position at the age of 15. Joshua is from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and began his musical journey at the age of six with piano lessons, followed by organ lessons with Dr. Peter Nikiforuk at the age of 10. Joshua holds second place prizes from the Albert Schweitzer organ festival in 2017 and the RCCO run Fairclough competition in 2016. Joshua also placed 2nd in the RCCO national competition this past summer. He also spent time performing solo recitals around Ontario in London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Brantford, and Toronto at St. Paul’s Bloor Street and Metropolitan United Church, as well as several performances around Rochester, NY, and New Haven, CT, including performances at Woolsey Hall, Dwight Chapel, and the United Church on the Green.

FUMC KIDS

There were so many things to praise God for in the month of August.

Back To School Bash was a huge success. We were able to establish a new partnership with Good Samaritan Clinic. We saw 730+ people. We gave away backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, lunch, and physicals.

Blessing of the Backpacks and Teachers is always one of my favorite times of the year. We saw so many familiar faces we hadn’t seen all summer! We were also able to bless our Weekday School and CEC teachers.

Putt Putt Palooza was a great time of relaxation and fun before the start of the second week of school. We saw some new faces and all those in attendance had a great time!

This month we are looking forward to starting our Wednesday Kids Activities back up. We will be focusing on what it means to be a friend!

OUTREACH

September is a month full of engaging in the community. On Saturday, September 16th, you can find our team at Darby Middle School for the Wellness Fair. This event is a Celebration of Community Connections to share about our resources, volunteer opportunities, and church services. 

The East Side of Fort Smith is where you’ll find our team at the Fall Market at The Village at Heritage. This event is another opportunity to share with the community about First United Methodist Church. We’ll visit with attendees and give away some promotional items.

Feeding Ministries are continuing in September with Neighborhood Eats happening on the last Thursday from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm of each month. Casserole groups meet on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of the month. Food Patrol sack lunches are the fourth Wedesday of the month. 



We have opportunities for every church member to be involved and serving those around them. As we get back into routine, I encourage you to find a place to use your gifts. You’ll be seeing more details about all the areas and opportunities. Please call me if you have any questions about finding your place to serve.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God..  

- Hebrews 13:16

FIRST YOUth 

Summer has wrapped up and some semblance of normalcy can begin as school has resumed. Summer was filled with times to fellowship like our kayaking the Illinois River, mini-golf, seeing the new Indiana Jones movie, Progressive dinner, water wars, bowling at 810, and more, with each of our gatherings having a devotional component. We also did approximately 100 hours of local service with Children’s Service League, Community Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, work at the church, and helping some members of the River Valley Widows, and more. Now we are kicking off the school year as we get back into a groove of growing, learning, serving, worshiping, and having fun.

The YOUth are selling mums again this fall, and will be available for purchase until Sept. 10. To order mums, you may purchase them from a youth that is selling them, or you can do it online with the option to pay with credit card. Orders will be available for pickup at the church on Sept. 17 & 20.

Young Adult

 Happy Hours

SEPT 6 - Walk-Ons 6pm

AUG 22 - Bricktown 6pm

All Widows are Invited!!

Our First Bunco Evening will be

Friday, September 8, 2023

5:00pm

and

September Gathering will be

Thursday, September 14, 2023

@ 5:30pm

This month we will be doing

Charcuterie Boards

Make and Take with Devan Engster of 

Amazing Graze Fort Smith.

We will have sandwiches, chips, and for dessert we will learn to

make a charcuterie board.

For more information email Gail Oakes at rvwidowsgroup@gmail.com

Or call 479-459-0479

Pacesetters are fun-loving, vibrant folks gathering at 10:00 in the Fireside Room on the first and third Friday mornings of each month for fun, food, fellowship, crafts, singing, devotionals. and informative programs.   

Three of us Pacesetters spent the first two weeks of Fort Smith's blazing hot August in the cooler elevations of Montana and the Canadian Rockies. Susan Chaney, Blanche Donoho, and Louise traveled with Making Memories on a bus tour, visiting national parks, lakes, and mountains. We saw one black bear cub and herds of buffalo, elk,deer, and bighorn Sheep.

August 4 Dr. Taylor Prewitt shared his recent research on the Second Great Awakening, a Protestant religious revival during the early 19th century in the United States, which spread religion through revivals and sparked many reform movements.

August 18 Dr. Rosalee and Dr. Phillip Russell updated us on the progress of the new state-of-the-art Community School Of the Arts building rising along the Arkansas River next to the Marshals Museum.  Projected opening date is fall of 2024.

Everyone is welcome. Join us and stay for lunch.

WELCOME NEW CHURCH MEMBERS!

IN MEMORY OF:

Nadine Hardin Miller by

Tony & Lynnell Leraris

Jim & Dixie Spears

Mary Kay Aclin

Randy & Jane Bittle

Larry & Janet Nelson

Janice Powell by

Jeff & Tracey Geren

Franky Brown by

George & Carole Beattie

Jim Cheyne by

Larry & Janet Nelson

Jack & Louanna Green

Chris & Melinda Campbell

David & Leanne McClanahan

Kelly & Marilyn Newton

E. Brent & Deborah Griffis

Cousins: Jim, Rick, Bill & Bob Wilkins

Edianne Cheek by

David & Leanne McClanahan

John & Harriet Beasley

IN HONOR OF:

To honor Karen Hutcheson’s 80th Birthday by

Darla Hutcheson 

Danny & Maria Hutcheson & Family