FUMC Newsletter

The scripture Lesson for this Sunday Is from Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’

3 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ 2 The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.” ’ 4 But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

 

FUMC PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION

Dear Church Family,

Our Fall 2026 in-house/church member preschool registration is now open! If you have a child you would like to enroll, please stop by the office for a registration form. We offer classes for 2, 3, and 4 year old children. Registration closes on Wednesday, February 18. Please contact Jill Smith if you are interested or would like more information. Church (828)245-6446 Cell (828)289-0260

Thank you!

Jill

 

Ash Wednesday

The Christian year is filled with transitions, and a very important one happens on February 18. Of course, I mean Ash Wednesday. We may not perceive Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent to be as joyful as Christmas and Easter, and its inspiration may come to us differently than Advent and Pentecost. But, Ash Wednesday and Lent offer revealing clues toward understanding who we are as the people of Jesus Christ and why we need him as our Savior.

Ash Wednesday is the one day in the year when we hear these words: “From ashes you have come. To ashes you shall return. Repent, and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.” We need to hear these words, perhaps more than once a year. We need to be reminded that we were created from the dust of the earth, and that human mortality is our shared fate. This isn’t contrary to our assurance of eternal life in Christ. This blessed assurance is something we can and should always celebrate! But, to appreciate the gift of eternal life, we must also acknowledge that this gift is not given to us because we are worthy but because God through Christ took on our mortality and overcame our sin and death by the power of his love. And so, once a year at least, it is right that we should come and worship in a somber and reflective way, receiving the sign of our mortality in the cross of ashes, and thus being reminded of the One who makes our repentance effective by his blood.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m., we will observe our Ash Wednesday service of worship. This will be a community service lovingly shared with First Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, and First Untied Methodist Church. First Presbyterian Church will be the host site for this special service, and pastors and lay members from these congregations will assist in leading our worship. Everyone is encouraged to attend, and we hope you will feel free to invite friends and family to join in this special gathering with us.

Ash Wednesday is our annual entryway into the season of Lent. Those forty days of Lent allow us to better understand our need for our Savior Jesus Christ. In Lent, we begin to prepare ourselves for Good Friday and Easter, better understanding ourselves so that we might better understand what Jesus Christ has given to us. Join us on Ash Wednesday, and let’s begin our journey to the cross and the empty tomb together in worship and in praise.

 

The Lord be with you!

Rev. Bill Roberts

 

Service for Polly Holland

The service for Polly Holland will be this Saturday, February 21, at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the service. Please continue to keep Gerry and family in your prayers.

 

Care Team Ministry 

The Care Team Ministry, a part of the N.O.W. Team (Nurture, Outreach, and Witness), is forming new visitation teams. We are seeking pairs of volunteers who are willing to visit once a month and provide updates to the pastor. If you feel called to this ministry of presence and care, please reach out to the church office. Thank you for your willingness to share Christ’s love and extend His care to those in our community.

 

Mile of Money – Children’s Service Project

Our children are leading the way in service through the Mile of Money project! This hands-on ministry invites children to collect loose change and dollar bills with a goal of raising $1,000 to support the ministries of Yokefellow, an organization that provides food, comfort, and care to neighbors in need.

This project helps children learn that even small gifts can make a big difference when shared in love. As they give, they are living out the words of Scripture:

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give…for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:7)

Thank you for encouraging our children as they grow in faith, generosity, and compassion while serving others in meaningful ways. The children will be sharing more information about this project during our worship service this Sunday.

 

Here are the upcoming readings for our study of The Bible Year: A Journey Through Scripture in 365 Days

Day 48   Tue. Feb. 17   Deuteronomy 21-25

Day 49   Wed. Feb. 18   Deuteronomy 26-30

Day 50   Thurs. Feb. 19   Deuteronomy 31-34

Day 51   Fri. Feb. 20   Joshua 1-3

Day 52   Sat. Feb. 21   Joshua 4-6

Day 53   Sun. Feb. 22   Joshua 7-11

Day 54   Mon. Feb. 23   Joshua 12-17

Day 55   Tue. Feb. 24   Joshua 18-24

Day 56   Wed. Feb. 25   Judges 1-3:6

Day 57   Thurs. Feb. 26   Judges 3:7-5

Day 58   Fri. Feb. 27   Judges 6-8

Day 59   Sat. Feb. 28   Judges 9-12

Pastor Bill will be hosting a discussion group on the Bible Year readings after our Wonderful Wednesday meals in the Fellowship Hall. We hope to see you there.

 

Church Calendar 

  • Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner – This Tuesday, February 17, from 4:30-6 p.m. Donations are welcomed, and will be given to Yokefellow Ministries. Thank you for your support of our outreach and ministry programs.
  • FUMC Preschool In-House Fall Registration ends this Wednesday, February 18. 
  • The WoW Factor Senior group will be going out to lunch this Wednesday, February 18. We will be leaving the church at 10:30 a.m.—so be there before that—to travel to Landrum, SC for lunch at Southern Manners Restaurant. Please be on time as we are trying to beat the lunch crowd and sit together. Please RSVP to George Holleman at (828) 755-4830 or georgeholleman@gmail.com to make your reservation.
  • Ash Wednesday Service – This Wednesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Forest City. First Presbyterian will be hosting FUMC and First Baptist Forest City. Join us as we remember our faith and usher in the season of Lent.
  • The Administrative Council will meet on Monday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • The Ladies Sunday School Class has begun a year-long series Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda. This study, with inspiring stories, reflections, and  devotions, focuses weekly on 52 remarkable women of the Bible at 9:30 a.m. in the workroom across from the pastor’s office.
  • Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
  • FUMC-ERHS Baking Ministry – happens on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 8:45-10:45 a.m. in the kitchen.
  • The Mountain Dulcimer Group – taught by Gene and Anna Feagin, meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Choir Room. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact the church office.
  • Choir Practice is on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the choir room. If you would like to join this group and sing with the choir on Sundays, please see Jane. 
  • The Brookdale Visitation Team meets at Brookdale at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. This is a special interactive time of fun and worship for the residents. Call the church office for more information.
  • Wonderful Wednesdays will be on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Bill will be hosting a discussion group on the Bible Year readings afterwards. We hope to see you there.
  • Handbell rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. If you would like to join this group, please see Jane.

  • He-Brews Coffee and Conversation – All are welcome to this weekday Bible/Book Study Group with open conversation which meets on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. at Hope House Coffee Co. 1066 S. Broadway in Forest City.

    Our current study is The Gospel of Luke: Part 1 by J.D. Greear. 

     

    FUMC Youth

  • This Sunday, February 22 – Confirmation class with Pastor Bill at 5:00 p.m.
  • Next Sunday, March 1 – Confirmation class with Pastor Bill at 5:00 p.m.

 

the Confirmation Class of 2026

Beginning this Sunday, February 22, the Youth, led by Pastor Bill, will gather at 5:00 p.m. for Confirmation Classes. All youth are warmly encouraged to participate, including those who were confirmed in previous years. Adults are also invited to join the group to support and guide our students as they rediscover what it means to be a United Methodist Christian. Please keep this group in your prayers as they continue their important journey of faith, learning, and discipleship. For more information, please contact Pastor Bill or the church office.

 

Income and Expenses

Financial reporting will resume in March

 

Worship Helpers

February 22

Lector – Matt Brown

Finance – Chris Cross, Tim Ridenhour

Greeters – Russ & Cherry Garmon

Ushers – David Eaker, Don Hastings, Marc Duncan

Head Usher – Matt Bright

 

March 1

Lector – Freida Phillips

Finance – Scott Webber, Michele Smith

Greeters – Suzan Rhyne, Sharon Shipley

Ushers – Cooper Flack, Steve Roper, Gary Shipley

Head Usher – Matt Bright

Communion Stewards – Cathy Hoyle, Judy Toney

 

Online Giving

Your gifts help us serve our neighbors, support our ministries, and share Christ’s love. If you’d like to give online, you can do so safely and easily using this link https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z5HF/home

 

February Birthdays

Gaye Ridenhour         02/01

Russ Bennett              02/02

Gladys Hernandez      02/02

Egan Newton             02/02

Claire Jackson             02/03

Joanne Eaker              02/04

Gerald Holland           02/08

Jexxton Smith             02/09

Josh Duncan               02/10

Chris Cross                 02/11

Jonathan Warner         02/13

Don Heath                  02/15

Tyler Brown               02/17

L A Rhyne                  02/21

Tim Arnold                 02/22

Brennan Jacob             02/22

Joyce Waters               02/24

Christy Brown            02/25

Tripp Flack                 02/25

Josh Roper                  02/25

Barbara Millwood       02/26

Iris Sechriest              02/26

Jennifer Thompson      02/26

 

The FUMC Newsletter

This page on the church website is the permanent home of the newsletter. Text-to-speech apps will work on this page. Older newsletters are archived, and the current newsletter will always be at this address. This mobile-friendly format is much more accessible and allows for immediate updates to information. Feel free to check by as often as you like. The goal is for major updates to happen on schedule by Wednesday, and a print edition will still be sent via US Mail to those who request it. Please let the church office know if you no longer wish to receive the printed copy.

May the Peace of the Lord, and His Blessings be with you all, and we hope to see you on Sunday!

Services are livestreamed on our YouTube Channel.