FUMC Newsletter

The scripture Lesson for this Sunday is from Isaiah 43:1-7

1  But now thus says the Lord,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

2  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

3  For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I give Egypt as your ransom,

Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.

4  Because you are precious in my sight,

and honored, and I love you,

I give people in return for you,

nations in exchange for your life.

5  Do not fear, for I am with you;

I will bring your offspring from the east,

and from the west I will gather you;

6  I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’,

and to the south, ‘Do not withhold;

bring my sons from far away

and my daughters from the end of the earth—

7  everyone who is called by my name,

whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.’

 

Church Calendar

  • The Administrative Council will meet this Monday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • FUMC-ERHS Baking Ministry – Baking Day will be this Tuesday, January 14, from 8:45-10:45 a.m.
  • The More or Less Circle will meet this Tuesday, January 14, at 11:00 a.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom. Please bring hairbrushes and/or conditioner for Abounding Grace. Please bring yearly dues of $30.00
  • The Grace Circle will meet this Tuesday, January 14, at 1:00 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • The WoW Factor Senior Group will meet this Wednesday, January 15, for a trip to the Hickory Museum of Art. Please call the church to let us know how many will attend so that we can arrange transportation.
  • He-Brews Coffee and Conversation will resume this Thursday, January 16, at 10:00 a.m. at Hope House Coffee Co. 1066 S. Broadway in Forest City.  We will begin a new series on the book of I Peter. Everyone is invited to attend.
  • Food for Friends will resume next Sunday, January 19. Menu: pork loin, sweet potato casserole and green beans.
  • The Mountain Dulcimer Class will now meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Choir Room. The next class is January 21. Anyone interested in participating in a different beginner dulcimer class led by Anna and Gene at Providence Methodist, please contact the church office. 

  • Stronger Together Worship Service – Our worship service on Sunday, January 26, will be happening at R-S Central High School’s Auditorium at 11:00 a.m.  There will not be a worship service at First UMC on the 26th as we will be worshiping together with a number of other churches in our county of various denominations.  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend worship on the last Sunday in January at R-S Central High School at 11:00 a.m.

  • The Community Meal will be on Monday, January 27, from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
  • 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. Please join us!
  • The Handbell Choir will resume rehearsals in January.

 

FUMC Youth

  • This Sunday, January 12 – UMYF at 5:00 p.m.
  • Next Sunday, January 19 – Food for Friends ministry at the Town & Country Hotel.

 

Income and Expenses 

Weekly Budget Needs: $8,479.33

Tithes and Offerings December 30-January 5 – $7,138.00

Expenses December 30-January 5 – $0.00

Received YTD – $7,138.00

Budget needs YTD – $8,479.33

 

Worship Helpers

This Sunday, January 12

Lector – Cathy Hoyle

Finance – Matt Brown, Denise Gavin

Greeters – Sharon Shipley, Martha Jones

Ushers – David Eaker, Gerry Holland

Head Usher – Tim Ridenhour

 

Next Sunday, January 19

Lector – Cooper Flack

Finance – Freida Phillips, Gary Shipley

Greeters – Barbara Millwood, Lois Hasty, Russell Spicer

Ushers – William Blice, Jimmy Okpych

Head Usher – Tim Ridenhour

 

Yokefellow is collecting instant oatmeal for the months of January-March 2025. Please bring donations to the church office.

 

January Birthdays

MacKenzie Brown            01/01

Micaela Brown Endicott   01/01

Ronda Eaker                    01/01

Sharon Still                      01/05

Norman Jones Sr.              01/08

Angela Flack                    01/10

Margaret Brooks               01/11

Frances Hernandez          01/11

Elaine Wolf                      01/13

Braxton Flack                  01/15

Trent Parris                     01/15

Keely Somerset               01/16

Jim Still                           01/16

Judith Harrill                   01/24

Emersyn Tate                  01/24

Zachary Eaker                01/25

Jude Garland                   01/27

Caleb Hoyle                    01/27

Patti Hopper                   01/29

Matthew Trout               01/30

The FUMC Newsletter

This page in 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 have requested it. If you no longer need the printed copy, please let the church office know. 

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.