FUMC Newsletter

The scripture Lesson for this week is from Jeremiah 17:5-10

5 Thus says the Lord:
Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals
   and make mere flesh their strength,
   whose hearts turn away from the Lord.
6 They shall be like a shrub in the desert,
   and shall not see when relief comes.
They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness,
   in an uninhabited salt land.

7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
   whose trust is the Lord.
8 They shall be like a tree planted by water,
   sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
   and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
   and it does not cease to bear fruit.

9 The heart is devious above all else;
   it is perverse—
   who can understand it?
10 I the Lord test the mind
   and search the heart,
to give to all according to their ways,
   according to the fruit of their doings.

 

Employment Opportunity

Paula Rogalski will be retiring from her position of Administrative Assistant at the end of March, and the church is currently taking applications for her position. A job description may be downloaded here.  Interested parties are encouraged to submit their resume to office@fumcforestcity.com.

 

Souper Bowl Sunday 2025

Thank you to all who donated cans of soup and money on February 9.  We collected 200 cans of food and $165.00 which will be donated to Yokefellow Ministry and will be used to support their community outreach program.  Thank you for your support.  We appreciate you.

 

Wonderful Wednesday 2025

We are looking forward to our Wednesday evening meals.  Diane Warner, Michele Okpych, Cherry and Russ Garmon, Rosemary Spradlin, and Neil Danner are planning these gatherings.  We will meet on the SECOND and FOURTH Wednesdays of the month beginning this Wednesday, February 12.  Mark your calendars and come hungry!  Food will be served at 5:30 p.m.  Menu for February 12: Homemade Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED so we can plan accordingly.  Please call the church office to make a reservation.
Cost:  $5.00 per person or $15.00 per family. 

KIDS ZONE…We are planning a special menu for the kids.  Tables will be set up in the back of the Fellowship Hall so the kids can eat together.  Activities will be planned.  We are looking forward to this fun time with our church friends!

 

Winter Wonderland Dinner

The Youth are planning their annual Winter Wonderland Dinner on Saturday, February 22 at 5:00 p.m.  The menu includes:

New York Strip Loin

Baked Potatoes

Roasted Vegetables

Homemade Rolls

Homemade Desserts

The cost of the meal is $15.00 per person. Reservations are required by Monday, February 17.

 

FAll 2025 preschool registration

Hello Church Family,

Our preschool registration for church members begins Monday, February 3, and ends Friday, February 14. This is for 2’s, 3’s, and 4/5’s. They must turn two on or before August 1st. Registration forms are available in the church office. For question, please contact me. Thank you.

                                              Friends in Christ,

                                              Jill Smith, Preschool Director

 

Church Calendar

  • Wonderful Wednesday – Wonderful Wednesday happens at 5:30 p.m.
  • Food for Friends – The next Food for Friends meal at the Town and Country Hotel will be this Sunday, February 16. Desserts are always welcomed!
  • The WoW Factor Senior Group will meet next Wednesday, February 19 at 11:30 a.m., for lunch and a program. Please RSVP to the church office by Monday, February 17.
  • Winter Wonderland Dinner – Saturday, February 22, at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Cost $15.00/person. Please RSVP to the church office by Monday, February 17.
  • FUMC Community Meal will take place on Monday, February 24, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. If you would like to provide individually wrapped desserts, please bring them anytime to place in the freezer.
  • The Mountain Dulcimer Group will now meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Choir Room. Anyone who is interested in taking a beginner dulcimer class led by Anna and Gene at Providence Methodist, please contact the church office. 
  • 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.
  • He-Brews Coffee and Conversation meets on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. at Hope House Coffee Co. 1066 S. Broadway in Forest City. Our current series is on the book of I Peter. Everyone is invited to attend.
  • The Handbell Choir rehearses Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to join this group, please see Jane.

 

FUMC Youth

  • This Sunday, February 16 – Meet at 3:30 p.m. to load the vans for Food for Friends.
  • Next Saturday, February 22 – Winter Wonderland Dinner sponsored by the Youth
  • Next Sunday, February 23 – No UMYF
  •  

Joint Lenten Services

We will be having three joint services this year with other churches in our community. Please join us.

  • Ash Wednesday – 7:00 p.m., March 5, at First Baptist Church of Forest City
  • Maundy Thursday – 7:00 p.m., April 17, at First Presbyterian Church of Forest City
  • Good Friday – 7:00 p.m., April 18. at FUMC

We are looking forward to this Lenten journey with our neighbors.

 

Mark Your Calendars – VBS 2025 will be June 1-5  from 6-8:00 p.m.

We are counting on your participation and support.

Please contact Leanne Summey to volunteer.

 

Income and Expenses 

Weekly Budget Needs: $8,479.33

Tithes and Offerings February 3-9 – $7,690.00

Expenses February 3-9 – $17,687.73

Received YTD – $31,885.35

Budget needs YTD – $50,875.98

 

 

 

Worship Helpers

This Sunday, February 16

Lector – Freida Phillips

Finance – Matt Brown, Denise Gavin

Greeters – Russ & Cherry Garmon

Ushers – Gerry Holland

Head Usher – David Eaker

 

Next Sunday, February 23

Lector – Lea Danner

Finance – Freida Phillips, Gary Shipley

Greeters – L.A. & Suzan Rhyne

Ushers – Tripp Flack, Brian Gooch

Head Usher – David Eaker

 

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

 

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

Curtis Goforth            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 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.