FUMC Newsletter

The scripture Lesson for this Sunday Is from Ezekiel 37:1-14

1 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all round them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know.’ 4 Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.’

7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’ 10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

11 Then he said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’

 

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.

 

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

Day 79   Fri. Mar. 20   I Kings 1-4

Day 80   Sat. Mar. 21   I Kings 5-8

Day 81   Sun. Mar. 22   I Kings 9-11

Day 82   Mon. Mar. 23   I Kings 12-16

Day 83   Tue. Mar. 24   I Kings 17-19

Day 84   Wed. Mar. 25   I Kings 20-22

Day 85   Thurs. Mar. 26   II Kings 1-8:15

Day 86   Fri. Mar. 27   II Kings 8:16-10

Day 87   Sat. Mar. 28   II Kings 11-13

Day 88   Sun. Mar. 29   II Kings 14-17

Day 89   Mon. Mar. 30   II Kings 18-21

Day 90   Tue. Mar. 31   II Kings 22-25

Day 91   Wed. April 1   I Chronicles 1-9

Day 92   Thurs. April 2   I Chronicles 10-12

Day 93   Fri. April 3   I Chronicles 13-16

Day 94   Sat. April 4   I Chronicles 17-22

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.

 

Welcome New Members

Join us in extending a warm welcome to Scott and Katie Roach, who joined FUMC Forest City on Sunday, March 8.

 

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 FUMC Community Meal will be this Monday, March 23, from 4:30-6 p.m. Menu: cheeseburgers, baked beans, slaw, and dessert.
  • Wonderful Wednesday happens this Wednesday, March 25. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $5/person, $15/family. This week’s menu: salad, pasta with marinara, chicken alfredo pasta, garlic bread, and dessert. Pastor Bill will be hosting a discussion group on the Bible Year readings afterwards
  • The N. O. W. (Nurture, Outreach, Witness) Committee will meet this Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • Palm Sunday -Next Sunday, March 29 – Following the worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, we will have a covered dish lunch in the Fellowship Hall, and an Easter Egg Hunt for the children. The church will provide meat, rolls, and drinks. Please bring enough side dishes for your family and more. Hope to see you there!
  • Maundy Thursday Service – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at FBC Forest City.
  • Good Friday Service – 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, at FUMC Forest City.
  • The Sunrise Service will be here at FUMC – 7:00 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 5.
  • Wonderful Wednesday is wonderful again on April 8.
  • The Administrative Council will meet on Monday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • The More or Less Circle will meet on Tuesday, April 14, at 11:00 a.m. in the Parlor.
  • The Grace Circle will meet on Tuesday, April 14, at 1:00 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, will not meet until Tuesday, April 21. See you then!
  • 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.
  • Handbell rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
  • 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 1 by J.D. Greear.

 

Easter Sunday at FUMC

Join us for a Sunrise Service here at FUMC at 7:00 a.m. followed by a churchwide breakfast at 8:00. Our Resurrection Celebration continues with Sunday School classes at 9:30 a.m. followed by the morning worship service in the Sanctuary at 10:30 a.m.  Remember to bring flowers for the cross.

 

Looking Ahead

  • VBS is Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18. 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.

 

 FUMC Youth

  • This Sunday, March 22– Confirmation Class at 5:00 p.m. led by Pastor Bill
  • Palm Sunday, March 29 – Confirmation Class at 5:00 p.m. led by Pastor Bill
  • Easter Sunday, April 5 – No UMYF

 

Income and Expenses

Tithes and Offerings March 2-8 – $4,089.75

Expenses March 2-8 – $13,024.29

Received YTD – $82,031.65

Budget needs YTD – $78,940.35

 

Worship Helpers

March 22

Lector – Marla Morgan

Finance – Matt Brown, Denise Gavin

Greeters – Bobbi Pinson, TBD

Ushers – Parker Tate, David Eaker, Tyler Brown

Head Usher – Matt Bright

 

March 29

Lector – Roger Lowe

Finance – Freida Phillips, Gary Shipley

Greeters – Paula Rogalski, Judy Toney

Ushers – Don Hastings, Marc Duncan, Gerry Holland

Head Usher – Matt Bright

 

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

 

March Birthdays

Tom Spradlin              03/02

Christopher Fowler     03/03

Jonas Fowler               03/03

Jase Warner                03/03

Owen Hopper             03/06

Brenda Danner           03/08

Holly Keever              03/10

Libby Cheshire           03/11

Leigh Danner             03/11

Todd Calvert               03/12

Lisa Webber               03/12

Baxter Carpenter        03/13

Olivia Taunton            03/13

Michele Smith            03/16

Laela Humphries        03/17

LeeAnne Summey      03/18

Kellan Jones                03/23

Will Taunton              03/23

Pat Cline                    03/24

Benjamin Eaker          03/27

Steven Jones               03/27

Jim Anderson             03/28

 

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.