The scripture Lesson for this Sunday is from Acts 10:34-43
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’
Chicken Pie Fundraiser
This Sunday, October 18 | 11:45 a.m. | Donation Accepted
Join us for a delicious homemade chicken pie meal prepared by Patti Hopper! We invite you to stay after worship for good food, fellowship, and an opportunity to make a difference in our community.
Every donation will help provide food for the Thanksgiving Food Boxes distributed to families through the Rutherford County School System. These boxes help ensure local families have food on their tables during the Thanksgiving season.
Bring your appetite, invite a friend, and enjoy a wonderful meal while supporting this important outreach ministry. Your generosity will help us share God’s love in a practical way with families in need.
We look forward to gathering around the table and serving our community together!
Every Dollar Makes a Difference!
Small gifts can make a big difference! Our Every Dollar Makes a Difference mission continues to provide opportunities for our church family to support those in need in our community.
Through this ongoing outreach, even the smallest donation can help meet practical needs and share the love of Christ with others. Every dollar given adds up and helps us make a meaningful impact in the lives of our neighbors.
Thank you for your generosity and faithful support of our church’s mission to serve others. Together, we are reminded that no gift is too small when it is given with a loving heart!
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
Sock-tober: Share the Warmth!
This October, we invite our church family to join us in supporting Sock-tober, a community service project led by Eli Tate, a member of the Beta Club at Ellenboro Elementary School.
Eli and his fellow Beta Club members are collecting socks to help people in need through various local shelters. Something as simple as a new pair of socks can make a meaningful difference for someone experiencing hardship.
We encourage everyone to participate by donating new socks of all sizes, for children and adults.
A collection container is located at the back of the church. Thank you for helping us share warmth, kindness, and Christ’s love with those in our community who need it most!
Every pair makes a difference!
Celebrating Pastor Bill and Lisa
Today, as we celebrate Pastor Appreciation Sunday, we want to take a few moments to express our gratitude for Pastor Bill and Lisa and the many ways they bless our church family.
Pastor Bill, we are thankful for your passion for the church, your love for God, and your commitment to sharing the message of Jesus Christ. Your heart for ministry is evident in the time, energy, and prayer you pour into our congregation. You remind us that the church is more than a building or a Sunday morning service. We are the people of God, called to love one another, serve our community, grow in faith, and share the hope of Christ with the world.
One of the greatest gifts a pastor can offer a congregation is the encouragement to grow—not only as individuals, but together as the body of Christ. We are grateful for your leadership and your desire to see us become all that God has called us to be.
Our prayer is that we will continue to grow into the church God is calling us to be—a church that prays faithfully, seeks opportunities to serve, is bold in its faith, and challenges and encourages one another in love. May we build connections that go beyond Sunday morning, sharing one another’s burdens, celebrating one another’s joys, and working together to make Christ’s love known in our community.
As United Methodists, we are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Pastor Bill, thank you for helping us remember that this is not the work of one person, but the calling of an entire congregation. May we be a church that not only hears God’s Word, but lives it; not only gathers for worship, but goes out to serve; and not only professes faith, but lives it boldly every day.
Lisa, we want you to know that our appreciation extends to you as well. We recognize that ministry touches the lives of the entire family, and we are grateful for the love, encouragement, and support you share. Thank you for being part of our church family and for walking alongside Pastor Bill in this shared journey of faith and ministry.
Pastor Bill and Lisa, please know that you are loved, appreciated, and prayed for. Thank you for your faithfulness, your hearts for ministry, and your commitment to serving God and His people.
May God continue to strengthen and encourage you, renew your joy in ministry, and guide our congregation as we grow together in faith, deepen our connections, and serve as the hands and feet of Christ in our community.
On behalf of our church family, thank you for sharing your lives and your faith with us. We are grateful that God has brought you into our lives, and we look forward to seeing how He will continue to work through you and through our church in the days to come.
With love and appreciation,
Your Church Family
Here are the upcoming readings for our study of The Bible Year: A Journey Through Scripture in 365 Days
Day 285 Mon. Oct. 12 John 1-2:12
Day 286 Tue. Oct. 13 John 2:12-3
Day 287 Wed. Oct. 14 John 4
Day 288 Thurs. Oct. 15 John 5-6:21
Day 289 Fri. Oct. 16 John 6:22-7:9
Day 290 Sat. Oct. 17 John 7:10-8
Day 291 Sun. Oct. 18 John 9-10
Day 292 Mon. Oct. 19 John 11-12
Day 293 Tue. Oct. 20 John 13-14
Day 294 Wed. Oct. 21 John 15-17
Day 295 Thurs. Oct. 22 John 18-19
Day 296 Fri. Oct. 23 John 20-21
Day 297 Sat. Oct. 24 Acts 1-2
Our study of the Bible Year will continue after Wonderful Wednesday on October 21. We hope to see you there!
Church Calendar
- The More or Less Circle will meet this Tuesday, October 13, at 11:00 a.m. in the Parlor. Please bring deodorant for Abounding Grace. Hope to see you there.
- The Grace Circle will meet this Tuesday, October 13, at 1:00 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
- Worship Committee Meeting – This Thursday, October 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
- Youth Chicken Pie Fundraiser – This Sunday, October 18, after the morning worship service.
- The Endowment Subcommittee will meet next Monday, October 19, at 5:30 p.m.
- The WoW Factor Senior Group – Join next on Wednesday, October 21, for a day of beauty, fellowship & God’s Faithfulness at North River Farms in Mills River, NC. Cost of Tour: $7.00 per person (picnic shelter included). We will depart from FUMC at 8:30 a.m. and return around 3:00 p.m. We’ll learn about crops and farming in the Mills River Valley, life on a working farm, seasonal agriculture, farm equipment and farm life, the importance of water and the Mills River, and the beautiful land and mountains surrounding the farm. The church will provide a picnic lunch by the river followed by a time of devotion and sharing. On our way home, we will stop at Celtic Creamery in Hendersonville. Please RSVP to George Holleman at georgeholleman@gmail.com or (828) 755-4830 if you plan to attend.
- Wonderful Wednesday and Bible Year Discussion – Next Wednesday, October 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
- Trunk-or-Treat happens on Sunday, October 25, from 5-6:30 p.m.
- FUMC Community Meal – Monday, October 26, from 4:30-6 p.m.
- Trustees Meeting – Monday October 26, at 6:00 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
- Eastern Standard Time begins on Sunday, November 1. Remember to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night, October 31.
- All Saints Sunday is November 1.
- 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 upstairs conference room.
- Genesis Prayer Group – meets after the service on Sundays in the Chapel.
- FUMC-ERHS Ministry—Learning, Serving, and Growing Together happens on Tuesdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
- 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 this group, please contact the church office.
- 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. Brookdale will not meet on October 21 due to the WoW Factor trip.
- Handbell Choir rehearsals are Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., 6:30 on Wonderful Wednesdays.
- The He-Brews Coffee and Conversation group meets on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. at Hope House Coffee Co. – 1066 S. Broadway St. All are welcome to join us for fellowship, conversation, and study. All are welcome to join us for fellowship, conversation, and study. Our study is 1st Corinthians by Jennie Allen.
- This Sunday, October 18 – Youth Chicken Pie Fundraiser after the morning worship service. Regular UMYF at 5:00 p.m.
- Next Sunday, October 25 – Meet at 5:00 p.m. for Trunk-or-Treat.
Income and Expenses
2026 Weekly Need: $8,771.15
Tithes and Offerings Sept. 28-Oct. 4 – $10,318.60
Expenses Sept. 28-Oct. 4 – $6,931.94
Received YTD – $286,390.69
Budget needs YTD – $345,166.15
Worship Helpers
October 11
Lector – Lea Danner
Finance – Chris Cross, Tim Ridenhour
Greeters – Pam Blice, Judy Toney
Ushers – Mike Gavin, Matt Bright, Chris Cross
Head Usher – Cooper Flack
October 18
Lector – Lisa Roberts
Finance – Matt Brown, Denise Gavin
Greeters – Russ & Cherry Garmon
Ushers – Marc Duncan, Tim Ridenhour, Tyler Brown
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
Or scan this QR code:
Yokefellow Ministries is collecting peanut butter this fall. Please bring donations to the church office.
October Birthdays
Aubrie Okpych 10/02
Harper Bennett 10/04
Lynn Flack 10/05
Russell Spicer 10/07
Leah Gooch 10/09
Nicholas Keever 10/09
Jimmy Okpych 10/09
Leah Sims 10/12
Lea Danner 10/14
Neil Danner 10/19
Marc Duncan 10/20
Becky Heath 10/20
Robin Street 10/20
Kerrie Earley 10/21
Kyle Holmstrom 10/22
Hayden Blice 10/23
Maddie Meador 10/23
Betty Webber 10/24
Katie Bass 10/26
Julia Abercrombie 10/27
Merritt Jones 10/27
Judy Toney 10/28
Christy Jackson 10/29
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 Tuesday, 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.