Every Autumn, I like for our church to do some thinking and praying about our commitment to our church. When we join, we make five promises, to support the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. Many churches focus on stewardship this time of the year. It has been our practice for some time.     

I like to find an emphasis that is not just financial, but spiritual. Last year, we talked about how we are Better Together when we pray, give, serve, witness, and when we are together in worship and classes. This year I’d like for us to look at what John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement had to say about the use of money. In a sermon he preached in 1760, he suggested these three things. Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can. It is one of John Wesley’s most famous sermons. It is not bad advice. 

Most likely you are used to hearing people in church talk about giving. I’ve done that more times than I can count.  How often have I talked about earning or saving?  Not many times. John Wesley believed that the important thing isn’t money itself, but how we use it.  

For three Sundays in November, we will preach through these ideas. In the first week of November, you will receive a letter from the church and a pledge card to fill out. Commitment Sunday this year will be November 16th. On that Sunday, we will invite you to come forward with your commitment. The card will include giving to the general fund and the building fund (see an additional article regarding the building fund), and there are ministries that you can mark in terms of how you will serve in the church, what your presence will look like in 2026, a commitment to pray for our church, and ways that you will share your faith. 

Below is the schedule for our sermons for these three weeks: 

Week 1. If You Could Ask God for Anything (1 Kings 3:5-12) 
Week 2. You Can’t Take It with You (Matthew 25:14-30)
Week 3. Give All You Can (Luke 19:1-10) 

I am excited about our sermons. I am also excited about our future. I believe that 2026 is going to be an incredible year for our congregation. 

Hope Always, 

John Fleming 
Pastor 

Daylight Savings ends at 1:00am this Sunday, November 2nd so remember to set your clocks back Saturday night.

Stewards:
Jill Chandler
Ruth Greer
Sherri Patton
Jana Todd

9:00 Servers:
Charleen Ahrenstorff
Raeleigh Ahrenstorff
Karen Yeakley 

11:00 servers:
Annslee Havens
Ayden Havens
Ashley Havens 

On Sunday November 2nd, we will be remembering those of our church family who have gone on to glory since the last All Saints Sunday. At both services, names will be read, a bell tolled, and a candle lit for each of those we are remembering. 

THANK YOU to everyone who helped make Trick or Trunk a huge success! From our 20 trunks (game stations), to our hot dog and popcorn crew, to the National Honor Society youth volunteers we had amazing participation! And thank you to our fantastic facilities crew for the fast and speedy clean up. We couldn’t have this wonderful event without each and every one of you! Even though we had to hold the even in the gym due to the rain, there were hundreds of people from our community that enjoyed our festivities! What a wonderful way to show our community how much we care! Photos from the event are posted on the church Facebook page so check it out!

This month More than a Meal will be on Wednesday, November 5th and Wednesday, November 19th at 5:15 pm. We will have our meal together and then a short devotional with Pastor John. You may sign up online using the button below, at the Welcome Desk or by calling the church office.

We are still collecting for 2025 Thanksgiving Vouchers. We are partnering with Harps again this year. Each family in need will receive a $50 gift card for a Thanksgiving meal. What an awesome way to show the love of God and help families in need experience a happy holiday meal! Thank you to everyone that has given towards the Thanksgiving Vouchers so far this year. We are on track to hand out our 150 vouchers to families in need. Due to your generosity we have almost reached our goal to cover the cost. We are still needing right at $1,500 to cover all of the vouchers. If you would like to give to this ministry, make checks payable to FUMC and put “Thanksgiving Vouchers” in the memo section. If you give online, be sure to choose “dedicated fund” and put “Thanksgiving Vouchers” in the memo/notes section. If you have any questions please see Hollye Lee.

Recently the church received an unexpected gift from the estate of Robert Walker, a long-time member of our church. The Trustees looked at needed projects around the church and proposed to the Finance Committee and the Church Council, that we replace the carpet in the Narthex leading up to the fire doors that come near the church offices and the kitchen. No doubt you have noticed that in the spring and summer months, the carpet in much of the church lifts from the concrete foundation and there are bumps or ridges that we feel are a hazardous condition. Phase one of the project will be funded by the gift received from the Walker estate. We are told that the work will be completed between Sundays. So, on Sunday, November 16^th, the new floor will be in. The new floor will look like the flooring that is just outside the hallway by the Gathering and Pairs and Spares classrooms.

Let us offer an appeal. We would like to bring the new flooring down the halls so that all the carpet is replaced. The problem of the carpet buckling continues in our hallways and choir room. We are securing a quote for the second phase of the project (the hallways) and the third phase (the choir room). Here is how you can participate. We invite you to make a donation for phases two and three. Perhaps you could buy a box of flooring. The vinyl planks are $175 per box. The tiles are $225 per box.

We would love to complete this project in all three phases. The Trustees believe that the flooring has become a safety issue. We want to remedy that with new flooring. We hope you will participate.

The Trustees are also looking at issues regarding our roof and plan to use some of the funds from the Walker gift to fix much needed problems.  

Our annual Commitment Sunday is November 16th this year. You will soon be recieving your pledge cards in the mail. We ask that you prayerfully consider all the ways you plan to support your church in 2026 with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness. Once you have done so, please bring your commitment card to worship with you on November 16th so that we can ask God to bless and consecrate our offerings for the upcoming year. If you will not be at church that day, you can use the envelope provided to mail your pledge card to the church or you may drop it in the lock box on the wall outside the office entrance before Sunday. As always thank you for the many ways you support First United Methodist Church Mountain Home!

Our District Wide Charge Conference is scheduled for November 16th at 3:00pm via zoom. Use the button below to join the Zoom Meeting.

Wesley Kitchen will be having their Thanksgiving meal on Monday, November 24th. 

With the holidays quickly approaching, we are looking to stock up our Angel Food Pantry to be able to help our community members in need. Times are uncertain right now for so many on where their next meal might come from. Pop top canned items and plastic jars instead of glass are best. We have added items such as bread and meat to help add some protein and sustainability to our list. Items may be dropped off in the church office at any time. Please contact Carolyn Densmore or call the church office if you have questions. A printable list is available with the button below. There will also be copies available at the welcome desks and in the church office.

The church office will be closed on Wednesday, November 26 and Thursday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 19th at 4:00pm in the Parlor, we will be fluffing the greens in preparation of "Hanging of the Greens".  If you have questions, contact Jill Chandler, otherwise just show up and help!

Sunday, November 23rd at 12:15pm.  We will begin with a soup lunch. Then we will decorate!  Come and join the fun! With other obligations this year on this day we need as many hands as possible to make light work. We hope to see all of your smiling faces there with us! 

If you would like to order a poinsettia to honor or memorialize a special person in your life, fill out a form at the office or Welcome Desk and drop your payment in the offering plate or call the church office to order. You can also order online using the button below. The price is $20.00. Please be sure to earmark "poinsettias" in the memo/notes section. The deadline for orders is Monday, December 8th. The poinsettias will adorn the main sanctuary beginning on Friday, December 12th for the first performance of the Cantata and will be split between the Contemporary Worship Center and the sanctuary for the remainder of Advent. 

Join us this Advent for a sermon series with Pastor John based on the iconic and beloved Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life. Advent begins November 30th.

Every Christmas, we celebrate the birth of a Child. With this breathtaking work, legendary composer Mary McDonald invites us to truly remember what is at the heart of Christmas: this Child, this King, this Savior who was sent to earth to redeem the world. THIS is Christmas.

This cantata tells the story of Christmas through familiar carols, inspired original melodies, and thoughtful narration. This year, may we all take a few moments to reflect on the reason we celebrate, for this is great news: This Is Christmas!

There are two opportunities to experience This is Christmas so mark your calendars!
Friday, December 12th at 7:00pm
Sunday, December 14th at 11:00am

Mark your calendars!  Our kiddos have been practicing our songs since October and are so excited about this year's Christmas program, Kid's Sing Christmas!

Most of us know that for many years, our congregation has had a building fund to retire the debt that the church took on in 2011 to add our United Methodist Activities Center (affectionately called the UMAC). Since our arrival, Susie and I have joined you in retiring the debt. The church received a gift from the MacLeod estate sometime in the not-so-distant past. The gift’s sole purpose is for debt retirement.

What began at more than a 1.5-million-dollar debt is down to what the Finance Committee believes can easily be retired. Along with the money in the MacLeod account, an additional $100,000 will retire this debt.

This news was delivered at a Church Council meeting recently and a member of our council talked with others and asked if they were willing to make a $5,000 gift to retire the debt. Thus far $35,000 has been received with another $15,000 promised. You may not be able to donate that amount, but every amount will help us to reach our goal of being debt free.

I’d like nothing more than to have a celebration and “burn” the mortgage. Please consider what you could do as the end of the year nears.

Hello families!

It's hard to believe that November is here already! I hope you were able to come to our Trick-or-Trunk Fall Festival! Even though we had to move inside, we had a blast! We are having loads of fun on Wednesdays and we are loving our Dig In curriculum, The Life of Jesus! Thank you for letting us share it with your kiddos!

Speaking of thanks, I am so very grateful for all our children's ministry volunteers!  It is because of our many volunteers that this ministry is both possible and amazing! When you see them, please take a moment to say thanks. If you are interested in volunteering in any way with children's ministry, let me know! With Thanksgiving being this month, let's all try to have an attitude of gratitude and remember to thank God every day for the blessings He has given us!  There will be no Wednesday afternoon activities or meal the week of Thanksgiving. I hope you all have a blessed holiday. 

Soon you will be given a flash drive with the songs for the Children's Christmas program to take home. I hope you will play this for your kids whenever you get the chance as it will help them learn the songs since they only practice at church once a week on Wednesdays. 

The Christmas program is called Kids Sing Christmas and parts will be going home soon. The date of our Christmas program will be December 19th right after our fellowship Christmas Meal. So plan to eat and stay for the fun that day. 

Feel free to contact me anytime!

Have a blessed month!

Laura Pedigo

605 Students, Families, and Friends! 

It is November! Can you believe it? October was so full of fun, friends, and faith! We had some fun at football games, celebrating homecoming here in town, sitting by the fire, and having breakfast and bible study. 

I cannot wait to see what November brings us and while we want to express our gratitude all of the time, November and the Thanksgiving holiday are a great reminder how important it is. I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU! I am so grateful to be in Mountain Home and doing this job. I am thankful for all of the students that I get to work with and the families I get to live life with. I am also incredibly thankful to our volunteers that work with our students, and I want to say thank you to our church family that helps make this ministry happen. We could not have our youth ministry without your generosity and love. Because of you our students have a place to come where they can be themselves, learn more about the love of God and their faith, and most importantly be fed. 

November is going to be another fun filled month. Here are a few highlights of what is coming up and the full month schedule below. 

In the month of November we will begin our New Series called Unexpected. For many, the Christmas season is bursting with excitement about gifts—what’s on your wish list? What surprises might be under the tree? And what about the joy of finding the perfect present for someone? But the very first Christmas was all about the best, unexpected gift that God picked out for us. In this 4-week series from the Gospels, we’ll explore the Christmas story to reveal the unexpected wrapped in the gift of Jesus! So let’s tie the bows and deck the halls, but most of all, let’s celebrate God's unearned grace, the unexpected gift of Jesus, that God can do the unbelievable, and God's undeniable goodness.

November 7-9^th: Refuge Retreat! We are headed to Shepherd of the Ozarks with an awesome group of students to dig deeper into our faith and connect with our ARUMC Conference friends. We are so excited. 

November 16^th: High School Hangout! Students in 9^th-12^th grades are invited to join us at Walmart from 5:00-7:00PM. Together we are going to be shopping for Christmas gifts for students adopted through the high school Christmas project. We are so thankful to have this opportunity to serve members of our community and help families with Christmas. If your student is interested they are invited to meet by the carts inside the home/pharmacy door so we can go shopping! 

November 19^th: Progressive Dinner! Our youth are taking our show back out on the road for another progressive dinner this year. We are grateful to the families that have offered to host us for different parts of our meal this year. All students are invited that Wednesday to join us right after school for our lesson. Students that would then like to attend Progressive Dinner need to be to the church by 5:30PM so we can load up the bus and begin our night. We hope to have all of our students in 9^th-12^th grade join us for this amazing event. 

November 22^nd: Dig Deeper. Students in 9^th-12^th grades will meet for Breakfast and Bible Study at Mel’s Diner at 9:00AM. 

Full November Calendar: 
November 2^nd: Life Group at 10:00AM 
November 3^rd: Lunch at Pinkston 
November 5^th: Youth Group 
November 7-9^th: Refuge Retreat 
November 7^th: NO LIFE GROUP 
November 10^th: Lunch at the High School 
November 12^th: Youth Group 
November 13^th: Lunch at the High School 
November 16^th: Life Group at 10:00AM 
November 16^th: High School Hangout (Walmart 5:00-7:00PM) 
November 19^th: Youth Group and Progressive Dinner
November 22^nd: Dig Deeper 9:00AM @ Mel’s Diner 
November 23^rd: Life Group at 10:00AM 
November 23^rd: Hanging of the Greens 12:00PM 
November 26^th: No Youth! Happy Thanksgiving 
November 30^th: Life Group at 10:00AM

Kyra Anthony
Director of Student Ministries 

If you would like to stay in the know with all things First United Methodist Church Mountain Home, download our church app. You can access news and events, watch services, listen to sermons, receive important push notifications and more; all via your phone!  Simply click on the button below from your phone to download the app. You can also use the QR code above using your phone's camera.

Concerns:
Mary Rouse (10/28/25)
(Ruth Greer)
Tommy Alexander (10/28/25)
(Suzanne & Richard Mell’s Son in Law
Steve Behnke (10/22/25)
(Kathy Bauer’s Brother)
Gary Bean (10/19/25
(Christine Holm)
Helen Brown (10/19/25)
(Libby Seftar)
Cindy Shepardson (10/12/25)
Joyce Holsted (10/08/25)
Tara Gomez (10/05/25)
(Christine Rohr)
Jonathan Edington (09/28/25)
(Teresa Kenyon)
Vickie Martin (09/24/25)
(Tim Nelson’s Aunt)
Virginia Cornett (09/16/25)
(Lucy Monger)
Wyatt Sitzberger (09/15/25)
(Freddie Garner’s Great Grandson)
Vicki Kauth (09/07/25)
Henry Silva (09/07/25)
(Ruth Greer)
Beth Friske (09/07/25)
(Sherri Patton)
Karen Hargus (08/31/25)
(Rick Steiner)
Kathleen Carr (08/24/25)
(Sue Storm)
Chris Holm (08/05/25)
Diana Blackburn (08/04/25)
Nick Suntken (07/24/25)
(Linda Vornheder’s Grandson)
David Francis (07/22/25)
(Denny Francis’ Brother)
Lois Nichols (07/20/25)
(Joyce Holsted)
Sandi Franklin (07/20/25)
(Kaye Jarvis’s Niece)
Bill Wagner (06/29/25)
Bruce Burr (06/15/25)
Jaymeson Miller (06/08/25)
Lisa Dennis (06/08/25)
(Mike Densmore’s Niece)
Jack Chance (05/06/25)
Krew Hudson (05/06/25)
(Classmate of Emma Jones)
Mona Brewer (04/22/25)
Bob Dickerson (04/13/25)
Teresa Kenyon (04/01/25)
Rexene Watson (03/23/25)
(Tom Yoder’s Sister-in-Law)
Bryan Tomlinson (03/17/25)
(Gail House)
Natalie Tyson (03/13/25)
(Mary Margaret Pearson)
Mike Thompson (02/25/25)
(Bev Thompson’s Son)
Genie Widerstrom (02/18/25)
(Rebecca Williams)
Nancy Cox (02/16/25)
(Christine & Cleo Holm)
Bonnie Benham (01/19/25)
Kate Melnik (01/13/25)
(Tom Yoder)
Wesley Werner (1/7/25)
Doug Dethloff (12/22/24)
Pat Harris (12/01/24)
(Tina Benton)
Paula Flippin (12/01/24)
(Tina Benton)
Diane Lucas (12/01/24)
(Tina Benton)
Emily Jones Griffin (12/01/24)
(Teresa Kenyon)
Elden Lowe (11/19/24)
(Jill Chandler’s Nephew)
Tim Dorram (11/12/24)
(Yvonne Hall)
Matt Zipperer (10/29/24)
(Sue Storm)
Sharon & Wendell Dennis (10/13/24)
(Debby Bodenhamer)
Jack Knight (09/22/24)
(Jill Chandler’s brother)
Ruth Clark (09/19/24)
Sue Robinson (09/01/24)
(Marilyn Bonecki)
Ronald Robinson (07/29/24)
(Marilyn Bonecki)

GENERAL FUND
In memory of Wally Smietanski
Sharon Fabich
Margaret Schmidbauer
Sandra Bainbridge

BUILDING FUND 
In memory of Wally Smietanski
Margaret Schmidbauer

WESLEY KITCHEN
In memory of Wally Smietanski
Judy Dieter
Margaret Schmidbauer
Larry & Peggy Hoffmeister
Shirley Poynter
Bill & Mary Margaret Pearson

THANKSGIVING VOUCHERS
In memory of Jim Callis
Michael & Leanna Wilson

WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH DINNERS
In honor of our youth
Bill & Mary Margaret Pearson

MORE THAN A MEAL DINNERS
In honor of church fellowship
Seekers Sunday School Class