FUMC Newsletter

The scripture Lesson for this Sunday Is from Luke 23:33-43

33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[ 34 Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ 38 There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 43 He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

 

Dear FUMC Family,

Many of you are participating in our churchwide Sunday School lesson on The Treasures of the Transformed Life, based on the book of that name by Rev. John Ed Mathison. I am excited that so many of you are taking part, and the feedback I have received thus far has been very positive. If you haven’t been able to join us, the study is on the commitment we should offer to better follow Jesus Christ and to be faithful members of His church. While I have seen a high degree of commitment within our congregation since I arrived, it never hurts to be reminded of what faithfulness requires of each of us and to then take a personal inventory, asking ourselves how faithful we are to our Lord and His church.

Toward that end, you will find something added in your worship bulletin this Sunday. It is something you may not have seen in quite a while. I’m told they were once routine here at FUMC but haven’t been utilized in a number of years. Even if you have seen one recently, it may look different than you may remember. It is a pledge card. So that you won’t be taken by surprise when you see it this Sunday, I am including a copy of the card in this week’s newsletter.

How is it different from pledge cards you received in years past? Well, this pledge card isn’t all about money. It is about the five things we all promised to do when we joined the United Methodist Church, to support the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. This pledge card speaks to each of these. John Ed’s study looks at these promises we have all made as members and allows us to assess our effectiveness in each one. This pledge card is a tool you can use to evaluate your current faithfulness and to plan your faithfulness into 2026 and beyond.

I realize some folks might find this threatening, like I am trying to put you on the spot. That is the last thing I want to do! I will never see your pledge card. Unless you share it, no one else will see it either. You can complete it for yourself and for your family’s household, but once you place it in the envelope, it will be known only to you and God. Our plan is to return it to you next autumn so that you can again assess your faithfulness and prayerfully consider your commitment in 2027.

You will receive this card in worship this Sunday. I ask you and your family to pray over it together. Then complete the card. Put it in the included envelope, seal the envelope, and sign the envelope so that we can return it to you next year. We will gather the sealed envelopes in worship on Sunday, November 23, the Sunday before Thanksgiving which is also known as Christ the King Sunday. Celebrating Christ with Thanksgiving seems like the perfect time to pledge our faithfulness!

Please understand that turning in a pledge card so that it can be returned to you won’t be an empty gesture. I believe the very act of prayerfully completing the card will spur us on toward a stronger commitment. By pledging this commitment, I believe we might see each member supporting the church in all five avenues of giving: our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. By prayerfully completing these pledge cards, we will be asking God to work powerfully through us. Imagine the good we can do for God and God’s Kingdom when we commit ourselves to His work in this way!

So, begin to pray now for God’s power to help you make and keep these important promises, these promises which each of us as members have actually already made. God’s Kingdom will benefit, our church and community will benefit, and you will benefit as you receive the treasures of a transformed life.

The Lord be with you!

Rev. Bill Roberts

ChurchWide Christmas Cantata

Children will meet promptly at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the choir room with Ms. Jane, Ms. LeeAnne, and Ms. Michelle as we prepare for our special Christmas Cantata to be presented on Sunday, December 14, in the morning worship service! We’ll be learning joyful new songs and assigning parts-so come ready to sing, learn, and be part of the celebration!

 

Christmas Is Coming… and So Is Our Cookie Decorating Party! 

Mark your calendars! Our annual Cookie Decorating Party will be held on Wednesday, December 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We’re looking for a few volunteer bakers to help by cutting out and baking cookies ahead of time. If you are willing to help, please contact Kristin to receive supplies and instructions.

This fun and joy-filled tradition brings our church family together in the spirit of Christmas—thank you for being part of it!

 

Church Calendar

  • Churchwide Breakfast – This Sunday, November 23, at 8:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Join us for breakfast before the last Transformed Living Sunday School class. Menu: Frittatas, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, grits, mixed fruit, and pancakes. We will finish before class starts at 9:30. 
  • Worship Committee Meeting this Thursday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • Poinsettias for Advent – Poinsettias may be purchased for $10 in memory or in honor of a loved one to  be placed in the sanctuary for the Advent season. Order forms will be in the bulletins on Sunday and must be received by this Sunday, November 23.
  • Decorating the Church for Advent – Join us this Sunday, November 23, at 4:00 p.m. as we decorate the Sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas season. Your helping hands make this joyful tradition possible. We’re grateful for everyone who joins in this wonderful task of preparing our church for the season of celebration!
  • Community Thanksgiving Service at Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church this Sunday, November 23, at 4:00 p.m. (note time change)
  • The last FUMC Community Meal of the year – Next Monday, November 24, from 4:30-6 p.m.
  • Trustees Meeting – Monday, November 24, at 6:00 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • The Church Offices will be closed from next Tuesday, November 25, at 12:00 Noon through Friday, November 28, for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
  • The Ladies Sunday School Class will begin the series Advent by JD Greear on Sunday, November 30, at 9:30 a.m. in the room across from the pastor’s office.
  • Cookie Decorating – Wednesday, December 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Admin Council Meeting – Monday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • The Grace Circle will have their Christmas Covered Dish Lunch on Tuesday, December 9, at 12 noon, at Joanne Eaker’s house. 
  • Wonderful Wednesday – Christmas Wonderfulness happens December 10, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Parsonage Open House – Sunday, December 14, from 3-5 p.m. There will be a shuttle from the church to the parsonage.
  • Preschool Christmas Program – Wednesday, December 17, at 10:00 a.m.
  • The WoW Factor will have a Christmas luncheon on Wednesday, December 17, at 11:30 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, please contact the church office.
  • Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
  • 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.
  • Handbells rehearse on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. If you would like to join this group, please see Jane. Rehearsals will be at 6:30 on December 3 and 10 for Cookie Decorating and Wonderful Wednesday.
  • 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 new study, Advent by J.D. Greear, goes beyond the sentimental myths and peaceful manger scenes. It is the powerful good news of God entering the darkness of our world. Through a four-session series, we’ll explore Jesus as Emmanuel, our Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father, and the great “I Am.” When you truly know Jesus, you’ll see that Christmas is more than just a story. The arrival of Jesus changes everything. We look forward to your participation. 

 

Advent Calendar at a glance

  • November 30 – 1st Sunday in Advent -10:30 a.m. worship service.
  • December 7 – 2nd Sunday in Advent
  • December 14 – Children/Youth/Adult Christmas Cantata
  • December 21 – Moravian Love Feast
  • December 24 – Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 p.m.
  • December 28 – Christmas Brunch and Worship in the Fellowship Hall 

 

 

FUMC Youth

  • This Sunday, November 23 – Meet at 4:00 p.m. to help decorate the church for Advent. Dinner afterwards.
  • Next Sunday, November 30 – No UMYF
  • Sunday, December 7 – Meet at 5:00 p.m. to go shopping for the Christmas Outreach Program.
  • Saturday, December 13 – Meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. for the Christmas Party at the Hopper’s.

 

Income and Expenses 

Weekly Budget Needs: $8,479.33

Tithes and Offerings November 10-16 – $6,209.00

Expenses November 10-16 – $3,703.42

Received YTD – $339,419.17

Budget needs YTD – $381,569.85

 

Worship Helpers

This Sunday, November 23

Lector – Cherry Garmon

Finance – Matt Brown, Denise Gavin

Greeters – Linda Cross, Bobbi Pinson, Judy Toney

Ushers – David Eaker, Tim Ridenhour

Head Usher – David Eaker

 

Next Sunday, November 30

Lector – Pam Blice

Finance – Chris Cross, Tim Ridenhour

Greeters – TBD

Ushers – Don Hastings, Chuck Summey

Head Usher – David Eaker

 

The food item for Yokefellow Sept.-Dec. is any variety of canned beans. Please bring items to the office.

 

November Birthdays

Brad Huckabee           11/05

Robert Wolf                11/05

Lynda Collins             11/06

Denise Gavin              11/06

Caleb Landis               11/07

Lisa Roper                  11/07

Samantha Flack          11/08

Meriwynn Jones         11/10

Tim Ridenhour           11/14

Alyssa Toney              11/14

Natalie Flack               11/15

Jason Morgan             11/19

Steven Jones               11/20

Gary Thompson          11/20

Lexie Still                   11/22

David Eaker                11/23

Don Hastings              11/23

Skyland Hoyle            11/24

Matt Hopper               11/25

Emily Thompson         11/25

Shannon Sims            11/26

Roger Lowe                11/27

Austin Street               11/28

Eliza Huckabee            11/30

 

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.