FUMC Newsletter

 The scripture Lesson for this Sunday Is from Acts 1:1-11

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. ‘This’, he said, ‘is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’
7 He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’

 

Thank You!

To the people of:

First United Methodist of Forest City

First Baptist Church of Forest City

First Presbyterian Church of Forest City,

 

   Thank you very much for your recent gift to the Washburn Center. We continue to serve hundreds each week, as many in Rutherford County struggle financially. Your gift is important, and I am grateful.

Scott Carpenter, Director

 

 

Pentecost and Confirmation Sunday

“1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit …”

—Acts 2:1-4 (NRSV)

It was fifty days after that first Easter Sunday, and Jerusalem was filled with faithful Jews from many nations. They had come to celebrate Pentecost, a celebration of the early harvest observed fifty days after Passover. The Disciples of Jesus were, as it says, “together in one place.” Before the resurrected Jesus ascended into heaven, he told them to wait in Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit. So they waited, hiding as much as waiting, for they continued to be in fear of both the Romans and the Jews.

But, all that changed when they received that awaited gift of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, these frightened men showed a new boldness, and they rushed into the streets, speaking the truth of Jesus Christ to everyone that could hear. And those listening did hear, even in their own native language, whatever language that might be. And as we read above, tongues of fire rested on each of them, a sign of God’s power alive within them.

And the same thing still happens today.

On Sunday, May 24, FUMC-Forest City will celebrate Pentecost Sunday. It has been an annual observance throughout my ministry, and I am thrilled to know that is an annual celebration in this congregation, too! For me, Pentecost is on the same plane as Christmas and Easter, for in each of these we are receiving God’s presence and grace in new and wonderful ways. To commemorate those Holy Spirit tongues of fire, a fire that should still be burning within us today, you are invited to wear something red . . . bright red . . . flaming red! And we will explore again what it means that we have received this gift of God’s own Spirit.

Another way we will celebrate is by welcoming our 2026 Confirmation Class into full church membership. We have some very busy young people in our church family, and yet these young people and their families made Confirmation Class a priority. For several weeks we have been meeting on Sunday afternoons to discuss what it means to be a Christian, and how we United Methodists live out our faith in Jesus Christ. They are doing important work, and we should certainly lift them daily in our prayers.

On May 24, during our Pentecost service, these Confirmands will be invited to take the United Methodist vows of membership. And, as is appropriate for Pentecost, we will all take time to renew our vows along with them. We will take time to celebrate how the gift of the Holy Spirit helps us live into our pledge to support the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.

And so, even as I look forward to seeing you each Sunday morning, I hope to see you at church at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2026, our Pentecost celebration. Let’s make it a real celebration, wearing red to show our thankfulness for the gift of God’s Spirit, and showing real dedication to the church and to these young members who will join with us in serving the Kingdom of God. May the Holy Spirit’s fire dwell in us and around us on Pentecost and always!

The Lord be with you!

Rev. Bill Roberts

 

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

Day 134   Thurs. May 14   Psalms 54-56

Day 135   Fri. May 15   Psalms 57-59

Day 136   Sat. May 16   Psalms 60-63

Day 137   Sun. May 17   Psalms 64-68

Day 138   Mon. May 18   Psalms 69-72

Day 139   Tue. May 19   Psalms 73-75

Day 140   Wed. May 20   Psalms 76-78

Day 141   Thurs. May 21   Psalms 79-84

Day 142   Fri. May 22   Psalms 85-89

Day 143   Sat. May 23   Psalms 90-95

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.

 

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 

  • Ascension/Graduation Sunday is this Sunday, May 17. Please let the church office know if you have a new high school or college graduate to be recognized in the service. We are proud of our graduates, and honor their achievements.
  • The Scholarship Committee will meet in the upstairs conference room after the morning worship service this Sunday, May 17.
  • The FUMC Community Meal will be this Monday May, May 18, from 4:30-6 p.m.
  • FUMC Preschool Graduation – Next Wednesday, May 20, at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.
  • The WoW Factor – We will meet next Wednesday, May 20, at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall for lunch and a musical program with Pastor Bill. Please RSVP to George Holleman at (828) 755-4830 or georgeholleman@gmail.com to make your reservation.
  • Pentecost/Confirmation is next Sunday is May 24. Wear red! We will celebrate Pentecost and Confirmation Sunday as our youth affirm their faith and step into the life of the church with new commitment and joy. A reception will follow worship. Please keep our youth in your prayers as they continue growing in Christ.
  • The Church Offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, for the Memorial Day Holiday.
  • The last Wonderful Wednesday of the season will be Wednesday, May 27. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $5/person, $15/family. Pastor Bill will be hosting a discussion group on the Bible Year readings afterwards.
  • Trinity Sunday/Communion/Peace with Justice Sunday is May 31.
  • 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 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.
  • 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. Upcoming rehearsals are TBD. 
  • 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.
  • The Handbell Choir will not meet again until the summer.
  • 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 2 by J.D. Greear.

 

Looking Ahead

  • VBS is Sunday, June 7 through Thursday, June 11, from 6-8:00 p.m. This year’s VBS, Emerald Crossing: An Irish Adventure Through Psalm 23, invites children into a joyful journey with God as the Good Shepherd who provides, guides, and protects. Through stories, music, and hands on activities, kids will explore moving from fear to faith and finding peace in God’s care.

  • Youth Mission Trip – July 12-17. Our youth will return to Long’s Chapel this summer to serve in Hurricane Helene relief, helping families rebuild and recover. We invite you to join this effort through prayer, presence, or hands on service as we support our neighbors in need.

  • Camp Promise will be July 20-24, concluding with a special worship service on Sunday, July 26. Children are invited to a creative worship camp, where they’ll learn ways to praise God through music, movement, and worship arts. More details to come. If you are interested in volunteering for one or more of these programs, please contact Kristin.

  • Homecoming – Sunday, August 9. This will also be Back-to-School Sunday. We will have a covered dish lunch afterwards.

 

 FUMC Youth

  • This Sunday, May 17 – Confirmation Class at 5:00 p.m. led by Pastor Bill
  • Next Sunday, May 24, is Confirmation Sunday. We will take part in the 10:30 a.m. worship service. No evening UMYF.

 

Income and Expenses

2026 Weekly Need: $8,771.15

Tithes and Offerings May 4-10 – $8,056.85

Expenses May 4-10 – $12,966.20

Received YTD – $152,190.70

Budget needs YTD – $160,972.00

 

Worship Helpers

May 17

Lector – Lea Danner

Finance – David Eaker, Mike Gavin

Greeters – Pam Blice, Judy Toney

Ushers – Parker Tate, Cooper Flack, Dupree Calvert

Head Usher – Tim Ridenhour

 

May 24

Lector – Lisa Roberts

Finance – Chris Cross, Tim Ridenhour

Greeters – Russ & Cherry Garmon

Ushers – Mike Gavin, Tyler Brown, Jim Still

Head Usher – Tim Ridenhour

 

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

 

May Birthdays

Paula Rogalski            05/04

Susan Taunton           05/04

Liza Iwerks                05/06

Cody Danner             05/07

Rachael Hoyle           05/08

Drew Harrill              05/09

Debbie Arnold           05/12

Annette Landis           05/12

Allison Tate                05/12

Sarah Webber            05/12

Cooper Flack              05/15

Deirdre Bright            05/16

Mandy Smith             05/20

Russ Garmon             05/21

John Tate                   05/21

Sawyer Bright           05/22

Kevin Keever             05/22

Bill Roberts                05/22

Deecon Bright            05/23

Sullivan Bright           05/23

Abram Brown            05/26

Finn Eaker                 05/26

Karen Duncan            05/27

Marlowe Street           05/28

Barbara Hawkins        05/30

Kanaan Humphries     05/30

 

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.