FUMC Newsletter

The scripture Lesson for this Sunday Is from John 20:19-31

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28 Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

 

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

Day 99   Thurs. April 9   II Chronicles 10-13

Day 100   Fri. April 10   II Chronicles 14-16

Day 101   Sat. April 11   II Chronicles 17-20

Day 102   Sun. April 12   II Chronicles 21-24

Day 103   Mon. April 13   II Chronicles 25-28

Day 104   Tue. April 14   II Chronicles 29-32

Day 105   Wed. April 15   II Chronicles 33-36

Day 106   Thurs. April 16   Ezra 1-3

Day 107   Fri. April 17   Ezra 4-6

Day 108   Sat. April 18   Ezra 7-10

Day 109   Sun. April 19   Nehemiah 1-4

Day 110   Mon. April 20   Nehemiah 5-7

Day 111   Tue. April 21   Nehemiah 8-10

Day 112   Wed. April 22   Nehemiah 11-13

Day 113   Thurs. April 23   Esther 1-4

Day 114   Fri. April 24   Esther 5-10

Day 115   Sat. April 25   Job 1-5

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.

 

Bud Vases Needed

Please bring your extra bud vases to the church office. Lisa Roper delivers the fresh flowers used in the sanctuary to those who cannot get to church. Thank you for supporting this visitation ministry.

 

Church Calendar 

  • The Administrative Council will meet this coming Monday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • The More or Less Circle will meet this coming Tuesday, April 14, at 11:00 a.m. in the Parlor. Please  bring lotion for Abounding Grace.
  • The Grace Circle will meet this coming Tuesday, April 14, at 1:00 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • Wonderful Wednesday will be wonderful again on Wednesday, April 22. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $5/person, $15/family. Pastor Bill will be hosting a discussion group on the Bible Year readings afterwards.
  • Pentecost/Confirmation Sunday is May 24.
  • The Ladies Sunday School Class is studying Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda. This study focuses 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, will meet again on Tuesday, April 21. 
  • Choir Practice is on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the choir room.
  • 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.
  • The Handbell Choir will not meet again until the summer.
  • The 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 2 by J.D. Greear. In this twelve-session series, Pastor Greear guides us through the second half of Luke’s Gospel, offering an orderly and compelling account of Jesus’ life and ministry. Through Luke’s writing, we are invited to consider a central question: How do you respond to Jesus? This study explores who Jesus is, what He did, and how those around Him responded as He moved toward people with love and grace. Luke reminds us that Jesus came to seek and save those in need—including us—and calls each of us to respond. Come enjoy good coffee, meaningful discussion, and a deeper look at the life of Christ. 

Looking Ahead

  • VBS is Sunday, June 7 through Thursday, June 14. Please see Kristin if you would like to help.
  • Camp Promise will be July 20-24, concluding with a special worship service on Sunday, July 26.
  • Homecoming – Sunday, August 9. This will also be Back-to-School Sunday. We will have a covered dish lunch afterwards.

 

 FUMC Youth

  • This Sunday, April 12 – Confirmation Class at 5:00 p.m. led by Pastor Bill
  • Next Sunday, April 19– Confirmation Class at 5:00 p.m. led by Pastor Bill

 

Income and Expenses

Tithes and Offerings Mar. 30-Apr. 5 – $4,840.59

Expenses Mar. 30-Apr. 5 – N/A

Received YTD – $108,066.84

Budget needs YTD – $17,116.25

 

Worship Helpers

April 12

Lector – Sarah Gooch

Finance – David Eaker, Mike Gavin

Greeters – Suzan Rhyne, Denise Gavin

Ushers – Parker Tate, David Eaker, Chuck Summy

Head Usher – Cooper Flack

 

April 19

Lector – Carlene Adair

Finance – Chris Cross, Tim Ridenhour

Greeters – Barbara Millwood, Martha Jones

Ushers – Kevin Keever, Brian Gooch, Baxter Carpenter

Head Usher – Cooper Flack

 

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

 

April Birthdays

Landon Gooch           04/01

Steve Roper               04/08

Susan Reepe              04/11

Brian Gooch              04/12

Harper Melton            04/15

Charles Bass              04/16

Michelle Okpych        04/17

George Holleman       04/19

Carol Holder              04/21

Logan Gooch             04/22

Ella Bass                    04/24

Linda Cross               04/25

Jasper Fagan              04/25

Sydney Flack             04/25

Grayson Hill              04/26

Maggie Taunton         04/26

Harrison Bass            04/29

 

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!

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