I’ve always felt that February gets the short end of the stick. In its best year, a leap year, it has only one day less than any other month. In most years, it has to settle for just twenty-eight days.

There are some great days that happen in the month of February. As I write these words to you, I am in my fourth day of not leaving the parsonage. I have been out to clear the driveway, but that is about it. The groundhog will appear in a matter of days. If he sees his shadow, legend has it, he scurries back in his burrow, and we will have six more weeks of winter. I hope that he comes out on a cloudy day, doesn’t see his shadow, and an early spring will be ours. Groundhog Day, of course, is February 2nd. That groundhog had better not see his shadow! 

Professional football fans look forward to the Superbowl every February. Some look forward to the match up, some look forward to the million-dollar commercials, and some of us look forward to the snack foods that break our resolutions to lose weight in 2026. Another day of note is Valentine’s Day, February’s gift to us. Mark your calendars for February 14th and remember those that you love with cards and chocolate, and perhaps dinner out. There’s another important event for baseball fans and that is that in early February, professional baseball players head to Florida or Arizona for Spring Training. One of these years, I would like to spend a week in either place, watching baseball. 

February brings a lot of great activities in the life of our church as well. February 1st is the date for our Youth Ministry fundraiser, the Chili Cookoff and Dessert Auction. I have only been to one of these, but I am amazed by the cooks that we have in our church. I am also amazed by the amount of money that this event brings to our youth ministry activities. 

The season of Lent (the forty days that precede Easter Sunday) begins in February, too. It opens with a service that we call Ash Wednesday. This service, scheduled for February 18th. We will gather for a meal in the CWC (Contemporary Worship Center) and then have a worship service at 6:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The service includes the imposition of ashes on your foreheads, as a reminder of our mortality and reliance on God. It is a powerful service. I hope you will make your plans to attend it. The following Sunday, February 22nd, we will begin our journey to Jerusalem with Jesus. 

For a month with just twenty-eight days in it, there is a lot to experience in our world and in the life of our church. Groundhog Day. Super Bowl Sunday. Valentine’s Day. Every day praying for our ministries and participating in them. It is going to be a great month! 

Hope Always, 

Senior Pastor 

Stewards
Ben Luelf 
Charlene Ahrenstorff
Betty Fulton
Ruth Greer

9:00
Cathy Roshon
Clements Family

11:00
Jeff Quick
Heather Loftis
Kellye Cannon

This weekend, we will begin a new sermon series based on the biblical book of 2 Peter. Peter’s words are not directed towards a specific group of people in a particular location. They are not intended solely for the Christians residing in places like Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, or Thessalonica. If you were to examine the envelope to determine its recipient, it might simply read, “To Whom It May Concern.”  

Peter thinks that his death is near, so he wants to put together last and lasting words. In the first sermon in this series, we will read 2 Peter 1:1-15 (NLT). Peter is writing to a people who share his faith, a faith that was given to them by Jesus. I love the words we find near the end of our lesson. Peter writes, "Therefore, I will always remind you about these things - although you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 

Sometimes we need to be reminded of what we have been taught. Sometimes we need to be reminded of our faith. I believe that this is what Peter is communicating in these verses. As for me, I would like to remind you of some things we know and believe. I hope you will join me in worship on Sunday. 

John

Our annual Chili Cook-off and Youth Dessert Auction will be on Sunday, February 1st at 5:00 pm. This is an event you won't want to miss! All proceeds go to youth missions and activities.

The Chili Cook-Off is the first portion of our event. For friends that are interested in bringing a chili we invite you to make a big pot and come on out. Upon your arrival at the UMAC for set up at 4:00PM you will find tables lined up along the classroom walls of the UMAC. For each chili entry there will be half of a table for you- with your chili number already on the table. If you are interested, you are invited to decorate your table/booth- this enters you for the voting on best decorated chili booth in the cook-off. Themes of the past have been a Luau, Wendy's copycat chili, hunting chili, the grinch, and so many more- be as creative as you would like. 

Upon arrival, each booth will already be set up with tasting cups & spoons and this year you will find bowls for attendees. After folks have gone around and tasted all of the chilis they are invited to return to their favorites for a whole bowl; feel free to scoop some out for them. Spoons will be around the room on each round table for people to settle, eat, and fellowship. 

As you prepare your chili if you are interested in the competition side of our cook-off; voting will take place for the best chili, the best decorated booth, and the most unique chili. 

We then will have the dessert auction portion of our evening. Brandon Barnes will be our auctioneer again this year! Large dessert items such as whole pans of brownies, whole cakes, full batches of cookies, etc. will be displayed and bought during the auction. Other smaller dessert options will be available on the grab & go table. These items will be individually priced and can be picked up from the table and eaten throughout the night. Money for these items will be collected at the end of the auction with all other payments. 

For those joining us but not providing a chili or a dessert: Upon arrival you will find our greeter team at the table that will collect your $5 entrance fee and give you your auction paddle. Then enjoy as much chili or soup as you would like and enjoy the fun of the auction. 

We hope to see you there! 

We’re thrilled to welcome our newest members! This year, we’ve already welcomed two wonderful families into our membership. Greg and Carole Freitag are part of our regular Sunday morning crowd at Crossroads at 9:00 am, and Nick and Cate Reynolds are enjoying the 11:00 Traditional service with their boys, Thomas and George (with number three on the way this month)! If you happen to see them, please introduce yourselves!

Join us for More Than A Meal on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month for food, faith and fellowship! 

Please RSVP for the meal by the Monday before. Simply use the button below or write the number of people who will be attending the upcoming meal next to your name when you sign in on the attendance books on Sunday Morning. You can also call the church office to RSVP.

The suggested donation for the meal is $5 per person with a $15 maximun per family. 

As always, we need volunteers to make this happen. If you are interested in forming a team or volunteering to be part of a team or if your small group/Sunday School Class would like to take a Wednesday, contact Aaron Hosman or Hollye Lee.

What is Lent?
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season in the Christian calendar. Lent is a season of forty days (not including Sundays) which begins today and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). Lent is the season during which we are called to prepare our hearts, minds, & spirits for Easter’s joy. During Lent, we spend time contemplating our sinful nature and seeking to refocus our hearts on holy living through prayer, repentance, and self-denial. Then, as Easter’s sun rises, we can more fully experience the wonder of God’s forgiving grace and resurrection power.

Why are we marked with a cross made of ashes?
On Ash Wednesday, we receive the “imposition of ashes.” The ashes serve as a reminder of our mortality (ashes to ashes) and as a reminder of our need to repent for our sins (ashes are used as a sign of repentance in the Bible). This ritual act in worship can be a powerful nonverbal and experiential way of participating in this season’s call to repentance and reconciliation.

Many of you know that during my growing up years, I sang in my church’s youth choir. My dad was the choir director at the church. Margaret Harrison led the youth choir. It was expected for me to be in the choir. We met on Wednesdays after school and sang, occasionally, on Sunday mornings. One of those songs was written by Natalie Sleeth. I can still sing the words. Its title is Everywhere I Go.

I thought the idea Everywhere I Go would be a great sermon series for the season of Lent. The song, the theme, along with a book I came across entitled, Ashes at the Coffee Shop, Resurrection at the Bus Stop, written by Mary Austin, combined will help us consider Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem.

Here’s the schedule and scriptures for us to consider:

Ash Wednesday (February 18^th)
Ashes at the Coffeeshop – Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
First Sunday in Lent (February 25^th)
Things That Open – Mark 1:9-15
Second Sunday in Lent (March 1^st)
Jesus’ Business Card – Mark 8:31-38
Third Sunday in Lent (March 8^th)
More Than a Bad Day – John 2:13-22
Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 15^th)
Am Embarrassing Visit – John 3:1-16
Fifth Sunday in Lent (March 22^nd)
*Guest Preacher, Rev. Tom Frase
Palm Sunday (March 29^th)
Text Messages from Jesus – Matthew 21:1-11
Easter Sunday (April 5)
Going Where Jesus Goes – Mark 16:1-8 

Please know this, wherever we go, Jesus goes with us. And wherever Jesus goes, we have the chance to follow Him there, too.  I’m excited about these sermons and our journey with Jesus to Jerusalem.

Hope Always,

John Fleming
Senior Pastor

Seekers Sunday School Class will begin a 6 week Lenten study on February 15th.  We will study Jesus’ seven last words in “Final Words from the Cross” by Adam Hamilton.  Books are $10 and will be available in class.  Seekers’ meets Sundays at 10:00am in Room #213. 

Last summer, our Music Department received a generous gift—a Baldwin Baby Grand Piano—in loving memory of Bettina Gooch. Ron Gooch and Jana Todd made this thoughtful gesture, and a gold plate has been placed on the side for everyone to admire. The piano required some attention, which our beloved piano tuner and technician, Clark Jenkins, kindly provided. The work on the piano was made possible by a generous donation from Joyce Smietanski in memory of her husband, Wally. We are incredibly grateful for this addition to our choir rehearsal room and invite you to visit and see this beautiful instrument anytime. Thank you, Ron, Jana, and Joyce, for your generosity, your love for this church, and your Lord!

Blessings,
Terre and the Chancel Choir 

Please join us in congratulating Linda and Eugene Vornheder as they celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary on February 14th.The Vornheder family welcomes everyone to a reception in their honor on February 14th, 2026, at 2:00 pm, at Redeemer Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. If you are unable to attend but would like to send a card, we will have a basket at the welcome desk and in the church office and will deliver for you. 

In the event of inclement weather, please look for closings and cancellations on KTLO, the church website fumcmh.org or our Facebook page.

Baxter County 2026 Preferential Primary Voting will be held at First United Methodist Church.  Because of this, the UMAC will be unavailable for use from February 16th through March 3rd. Our children and youth events and activities, as well as other church or outside activities, will be held in the west side of the church campus during this time. Parents, please drop off and pickup your kids at the main church office entance on the west side of the building on Wednesdays. 

FUMC Scholarship Applications are now open for the 2026/27 academic year. The FUMCMH Scholarship Program exists to offer financial help to deserving young members or constituents of FUMCMH who plan to attend an accredited college or vocational school. Currently, we are serving students in the freshmen year only. Constituents (non-members) need a recommendation by the Youth Director 

The scholarship amount for this academic year is $1000.00 to be paid in two equal amounts of $500.00 each semester. Checks for the scholarship sum will be made out directly to the recipient 's school and mailed to the registrar of the designated school. 

Recipients must: 

   •  Be enrolled full time (academic load of 12 credit hours or more) 
   •  Maintain a "C" or 2.0 or above average to qualify for subsequent semester's payments. 
   •  Provide proper address for the registrar of their school 
   •  Provide documentation of acceptance to college of choice, which includes their student ID number, 
   •  Upon completion of the first semester, send, or bring a transcript of the previous semesters grades or email to the Church Financial Secretary at finance@fumcmh.org in order to receive the scholarship payment for the spring semester. 

TO APPLY: Use the button below to apply online by April 15th if applicant wants to have award announced at the school awards ceremony in May.  Final deadline (if not annouced at awards ceremony) is July 1st.

We need your help to re-stock our Angel Food Pantry. This Food pantry supplies our emergency food bags for families in need as well as our Hope For all clients who are homeless and  hungry. Below is a list of suggested, easy open, non-perishable food items.  A hard copy of this list is available at the Welcome Desk. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Shelf Stable Milk
Cans with pop top easy access
    Spaghetti-Os
    Spaghetti & Meatballs
    Ravioli
    Soups
Microwave Shelf Stable Meals
    Chinese dinners
    Hormel dinners
    Mac & Cheese cups
    Hamburger Helper cups
Spaghetti(dried)
    Pasta Sauce (plastic jars or cans)
    Marinara
    Alfredo Sauce
    3 Cheese
Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken
Canned Ham
Crackers
    Saltines (snack stack size)
    Ritz (snack stack size)
    Club Crackers (snack stack size)
    Cheese Crackers
    Peanut Butter Crackers
Cereal
    Snack Packs
    Individual Cups
Drinks (plastic, small individual bottles)
    Kool-Aid
    Sunny D
    Gatorade
Snacks (snack packs or individually wrapped items)
    Cookies, Graham Crackers, Cheez-its, Goldfish
    Fruit Snacks
    Pudding Cups (Shelf stable not refrigerated)
    Little Debbie Snacks
    Granola Bars (chocolate chip, fruit bars, chocolate, peanut butter)

Hello Kids & Parents!

It’s hard to believe that January is already over! I can't wait to see what the rest of 2026 has in store! 

Since it's February, I thought I would write something on the subject of love. When I think back (way back) to my childhood, I can remember many a time when I would get frustrated. It usually had something to do with my brother and sister. When it comes to siblings, we often have a short fuse and siblings are great at lighting it! They say things that push just the right button, and we get mad. Then, in true sibling fashion, they run to our parents crying about how mean and awful we are, and we end up being the one to get in trouble. Typical right? It sure was in my household.

After every spat and fight, my dad would sit me down, and I would say through my tears, “but Dad! She made me do it! She made me mad!” and he, in all his fatherly wisdom and patience would once again remind me that she can’t make me do anything. I chose to get mad. I chose to react. I chose to do something I knew would get me in trouble.
Choices. We all make them. We make good choices, we make bad choices, we make choices with unknown outcomes. Choices.

1 Corinthians 16:14 tells us to “do everything in love.” As believers in Christ, we are called to make choices that reflect that belief and relationship. We are called to make choices guided by love. When we read through Scripture we see time and time again God choosing love. The promise that the rainbow stands for is a promise of love. Gods continuous patience with Israel was a continuous choice He made with love. The birth and death of His son, and all the things Jesus did during His time on earth, is an incredible example of God choosing love, even if it was hard. God loves us, to the point of sending His son to die for all of us. We don’t always make it easy for Him either, but, He always chooses love.

Each and every day, we need to choose love, just as God does. When your brother or sister pushes your buttons, you need to choose love. When your boss tests your patience, you need to choose love. When that car in front of you cuts you off and makes you late for an important event, you need to choose love. When it seems impossible to choose anything else, choose love. This is sometimes easier said than done - especially in moments of frustration. As we go into the month of February, I plan to make an intentional choice to choose love in every situation.  Maybe you can do that with me.  Maybe you can talk to your kids about choosing love.

"Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14

We hope you will all join us for our annual chili cookoff and dessert auction on Sunday, February 1st at 5:00pm. This is a fundraiser for our youth and it's a wonderful time and a chance to not have to cook! 

This month brings with it Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. We will be taking abreak from our Digin: The Life of Jesus curriculum during Lent and will be doing a 6 week Lenten curriculum. This curriculum includes a weekly parent handout with daily discussion topics for you and your family. A great time to do these discussions with your kids is at the dinner table or even on the way to school or the way home from school.  We hope you will take advantage of these daily discussion topics. This helps us all understand what Jesus went through as we prepare our hearts for the events of Holy Week and ultimately the death and ressurection of Jesus.

We also hope that you will stay for dinner on Wednesday, February 18th and then join us for the Ash Wednesday service and the imposition of ashes after dinner at 6:00pm. You can read more about this in the Ash Wednesday segment of this newsletter.

God bless & have a safe and warm February that's full of LOVE!

Laura Pedigo

605 Students, Families, and Friends, 
 
It is February! January was so full of fun things, but also hopefully some rest as we ended the month with a few snow days! 
 
Last month we saw students excel at their sports, hunker down and work hard in their clubs, enjoy some amazing breakfast and a bible study, have some fun playing games together, and learned more about who God created them to be. I hope that after our lesson series in January that every student walked away knowing that God created them just as they are, loves them deeply, that there are adults who stand in their corner always and that they were made to be leaders and can share their faith proudly and loudly out in the world. 
 
February may also be labeled the month of love as we celebrate Valentines Day. While it is amazing that we celebrate for a whole day the people we love and make grand gestures, I want to challenge you this month to show the love of Jesus in small ways each and every day. We are called to love always not just one big day a year. Maybe you can send someone you are thinking about a quick text or smile at a stranger and hold the door to the restaurant open, maybe you just take a moment to thank someone who has made a difference in your life or compliment your friend on who they are and something you have noticed about them. I am so grateful for each of our students, families, church members, and those in our community. Let’s take a moment together this month to share the love of Jesus out in our world because we were made to be a light and make a difference. 
 
February is going to bring so many wonderful adventures for our students, our ministry, and our church and I cannot wait to experience them.
Here are a few highlights and then a full February calendar:
 
February’s lesson series is called Find Your Way and here is an overview of what we will cover this month: Life can feel confusing. We hit moments where we’re not sure which way to go, what decision to make, or how to figure things out. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a map that could guide us through life—not just for directions, but for making choices, living life, and knowing God better? If you've ever been there, good news! The Bible is more than an old book—it’s a map that helps us find our way. In this 4-week series from the book of Matthew, we’ll discover how the Bible helps us see things differently, shows us how to be like Jesus, reveals what God is like, and teaches us what is true. 
 
February 1st- Chili Cook-Off and Dessert Auction: We are back at it for our Annual Youth Fundraiser. We hope you will join us Sunday February 1st at 5:00PM as we taste some amazing chili, vote on our favorites, and bid on the best desserts around. Come hang out with us, eat some good food, and have a blast as we support the activities and missions of our 605 Students! If you are bringing a Chili please arrive at 4:00PM for set up. 
 
February 15th: High School Hangout 5:00-7:00PM. We will be having a game night at the church! Students in 9th-12th grades are in invited to join us for some fun and fellowship. 

February 16th-March 3rd: The UMAC will be closed for the election. We will still have youth on February 18th and 25th but students will need to be dropped off and picked up on the office side of the building instead of the UMAC. 
 
February 18th- Ash Wednesday: We will still be having youth this night, but all students are invited to join us right after school. We will then have a community dinner at 5:30. Students and families are invited to then join us at 6:00PM in the sanctuary for our Ash Wednesday Service. Come celebrate the start of lent with us and receive your ashes. Students will need picked up at 7:00PM on Ash Wednesday because there will be no high school youth, just the Ash Wednesday service. 
 
February 21st- Dig Deeper: Students in 9th though 12th grades are invited to join Kyra at Jamie’s at 9:00AM for breakfast and Bible Study on Saturday February 21st. We hope that you will join us. 
 
February 27th-March 1st- Veritas: For students registered for this trip we will be meeting right after school to load up and head to Fort Smith. We will then return to Mountain Home by late afternoon/early evening on Sunday. Keep an eye out on your email for details regarding the trip the week of. 
 
Full February Schedule: 
 
February 1st: Life Group from 10:00-10:45AM 
February 1st: Chili Cook-Off and Dessert Auction 5:00-7:00PM (Set Up at 4:00PM) 
February 2nd: Lunch at Pinkston 
February 4th: Youth Group 
February 8th: Life Group from 10:00-10:45AM 
February 9th: Lunch at the High School 
February 11th: Youth Group 
February 12th: Lunch at the High School 
February 15th: Life Group from 10:00-10:45AM 
February 15th: High School Hangout 5:00-7:00PM 
February 18th: UMAC Closed 
February 18th: Youth Group and Ash Wednesday
February 21st: Dig Deeper 9:00AM at Jamie’s 
February 22nd: Life Group from 10:00-10:45 AM 
February 25th: UMAC Closed 
February 25th: Youth Group 
February 27th- March 1st: Veritas 
 
Blessings

Kyra Anthony

We feed our youth every Wednesday night. The meal is covered on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays with our More Than a Meal fellowship meal, but we need your help on the other Wednesdays. If you can provide a meal, you can sign up using the button below or the QR code in the picture. If you need more information, contact Kyra at kanthony@fumcmh.org. Thank you in advance for your support!

Prayers after Loss:
Sharon Williams and family on the passing of her sister, Mary Lou Bates. 
Family and Friends of Twyla Krawczyk on her passing.

Concerns:
Mary Margaret Pearson (01/27/26)
Jody Horne (01/21/26)
(Brenda Knight)
Carole Freitag (01/18/26)
Krew Hudson (01/18/26)
(Classmate of Emma Jones)
Vicki Kauth (01/18/26)
Hunter Williams (01/12/26)
(Bella Chance’s Cousin)
Cindy Shepardson (01/12/26)
Ruth Clark (01/08/26)
Clark Knight (01/07/26)
(Tommy & Brenda Knight’s Grandson)
Angie VanDolah (01/04/26)
Bob McKuin (12/29/25)
(Vicki Garner)
Kim Freitag (12/28/25)
(Carole Freitag)
Rexene Watson (12/28/25)
(Tom Yoder’s Sister-in-Law)
Barb White (12/28/25)
(Debby Bodenhamer)
Nick Suntken (12/22/25)
(Linda Vornheder’s grandson) 
James Lough (12/21/25)
(Mike Densmore)
Dianna Little (12/16/25)
(Tina Benton)
Rachel Goostree (12/16/25)
Jennifer Thogmartin (12/14/25)
(Paula Bodenhamer)
Tim Wallace (12/14/25)
(Vanessa Ford)
James Davids (12/07/25)
(Greg Freitag)
David Callahan (12/03/25)
(Ruth Greer)
Tommy Gracy (12/03/25)
Katie Ammon (11/30/25)
(Vicki Kauth’s Sister-in-Law))
Patty Shay (11/30/25)
(Terre Ware)
Mary Rouse (11/20/25)
(Ruth Greer)
Helen Brown (10/19/25)
(Libby Seftar)
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)
Karen Hargus (08/31/25)
(Rick Steiner)
Kathleen Carr (08/24/25)
(Sue Storm)
Chris Holm (08/05/25)
David Francis (07/22/25)
(Denny Francis’ Brother)
Lois Nichols (07/20/25)
(Joyce Holsted)
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)
Mona Brewer (04/22/25)
Teresa Kenyon (04/01/25)
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)