JANUARY 9, 2024

MESSAGE FROM KATIE

Do you remember when we didn’t experience a single raindrop for over three months in the Clinton area, depending on where your house is located? Do you recall when we were in a 4+ month burn ban? I do. I was so very sad during the burn ban because all I wanted was to host a bonfire for our youth ministry families while it was cold.

Today, on Monday January 8, 2024, as I write this, I am listening to it thunder as rain pours down. As I drove back to the office from lunch, it started sprinkling and by the time I parked in the parking lot, it had progressed to a continuous pour. I felt myself immediately get frustrated as I made my way through the cold rain into the office until I stopped and remembered something.

Mere months ago, even weeks ago, I was hoping and praying for rain. Isn’t that funny? I got exactly what I had wanted for so long, and was annoyed by it! I often find that we are so quick to pray away the season that we are in. Maybe you’re in such a season right now. Or maybe you’re like me with this rain - something that you’ve prayed for has come to fruition and now that it has, you’re frustrated. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to enjoy the season that you are in, or at least find contentment. And if it is a hard season, just remember: hard seasons always come to an end. Just like all burn bans finally get cancelled.

On another note, the ministry council will meet on January 21^st at 12:15 P.M. in the Worship Center.

See you in Sunday for worship!

Katie

TOP 3 AT FIRST UMC

MEN'S BREAKFAST

The Men's Wednesday Morning Prayer Coffee will resume NEXT Wednesday January 17th at 7:00 AM in the college hut.

Methodist Men's Breakfast - NEXT SUNDAY January 14th in the Gym. Serving line opens at 7:15 AM. Because January 11th is "Human Trafficking Awareness Day," I've asked our own Alli Mellon from the Hard Places Community to be our guest speaker.

Just let me know by text or email by noon Thursday January 11th if you are planning to attend and how many guests you are planning to bring, I will need a good count to purchase groceries for our breakfast. Cost is $5.00 per person.

Wayne Carson

601/720-6391, cell

[email protected]

SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES

Mark your calendar now for Wednesday night suppers and small groups coming back on January 17th. Meal reservations start this Sunday!

On Wednesdays at 6 PM, join Pastor Jimmy in the worship center for a bible study.

On Friday mornings, join Cynthia Street at 10 AM in the worship center for an exercise program.

College students, we will continue meeting at Cups this semester! Contact Katie if you want all the details

UNITED NIGHT SNACK SUPPER

Each Sunday night our youth gather together for a night of worship, small groups and fellowship. One of the ways that we fellowship together is by eating a meal together, just as the disciples did with Jesus. Every Sunday that we meet, a Sunday school, family or individual graciously provides the students with a snack supper. As we look toward the new year, we are beginning to schedule out our meals. Would you be willing to feed our students and small group leaders one Sunday night? If so, simply click here to sign up. Feel free to email Katie with any questions.

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

BREAKTHRU

By Katie Giedd

Over the New Years, our youth ministry went to Timber Creek for the 46th Breakthru. We had three students accept Christ as their Lord and Savior for the first time ever! It was an amazing moment to witness. We came in third place in our Color Wars this year, and our students had a lot of fun, which is what counts! Trace McDavid won us the food games for the Junior High team and several of our students did “Don’t Forget the Lyrics.” Many thanks to all of our small group leaders who went!

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST

SHARE YOUR REQUEST

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.

Prayer Request Update: If you have requested a loved one or friend to be placed on the church wide prayer list and they no longer are needing prayers, please call the church office or email [email protected] for removal. The people who are on the Church Prayer Request are added by the request of church members.

Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570

Download Prayer List