|
|
March 2021
|
Rev. Keith Dodson
Matthew 6:27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Alfred E. Neumann is the famous face of Mad magazine who was known for his iconic statement “What, me worry?” Of course this was more about his propensity to mischief and less about really worrying about what life might bring him. But worry is not a joking matter is it? I know that I have had many people come to me since I made the announcement about our move asking if I was worried, since we did not have an appointment yet. I will not lie and tell you that I do not have any concerns. I am human, therefore I worry. So how do we battle worry? We take its power away. Worry does not stand well against truth. You see worry is fueled many times by the unknown and the unknown breeds misconceptions and false ideas. The “What if” scenarios that begin in our head just grow bigger and bigger. The way you take down the “What if” questions is to give them honest answers of truth. They fall apart once you confront them with what you know is true. King David used this method in many of his psalms of lament. He would begin the psalm with his concern and he would end with how amazing God is and count the many ways God has been faithful in the past. In my own personal case as I wait for an appointment to my next church, instead of letting worry creep up on me, I recount how faithful God has been to me in my almost 29 years of ministry. Some appointments have been more challenging than others, but I have ALWAYS been blessed through them, and I have ALWAYS learned something new at each church. I love our Methodist system of appointments. Our history is rich for over 200 years of sending out pastors to serve in the mission field to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I became an ordained pastor in the UMC I gave over my right to choose where my next appointment would be. I surrendered this “freedom” not just to a cabinet, or Bishop, but instead to a loving God. If I felt differently and wanted to be an ordained pastor that could be stationary I would have served within my family’s deep roots in the Southern Baptist Church. Jesus says that we can not add one more HOUR to our life by worrying. I love how He breaks this down to an hour component vs a day. He knows how much worry can rule and ruin our life, and it is an hourly issue and not just a day by day issue. What if we gave thanks to God on the hour, instead of worrying? How much different would our life be? What if we stopped every hour just to take in our blessings and remember how good God has been to us in the past? Or ask how good God is to us right now? If we do this, our life will be changed for the better. Too blessed to be stressed, Bro. Keith For more infomation visit:
|
What is Lent?
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry. Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by new converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians. Today, Christians focus on relationship with God, growing as disciples and extending ourselves, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of ourselves for others. Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. Pray about your own self-examination this Lent. Parents, talk to your kids about Lent and maybe give up something or add something as a family this Lenten season. It is important to experience this self-refection and the sorrow of Holy Week and the Passion of Jesus so that we can truly celebrate the joy of Easter and the Resurrection. Plan to attend the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. They are both very powerful and help us to remember the days leading up to Easter. |
In-person Worship
We are open for in-person worship for both Crossroads and Traditional worship. Please register and remember to wear a mask and social distance. Temperatures will be taken at the door. We hope to see you! For more infomation visit: https://fumcmhorg.elvanto.net/form/380c080f-068b-4bb8-986a-dc7de3e3a546
|
Easter Lilies$18 each It's that time of year again and Easter Lilies are now on sale. Lilies can be purchased for $18 each. You can order by filling out a form at the church office, filling out an online form using the button below or calling the church office Monday-Thursday 8:00-4:00. Payment for lilies can be made by check to the church, online via the website at fumcmh.org/give or using the direct link button below. Remember to type "Easter Lilies" in the notes/memo section. For more infomation visit:
|
Youth Bake SaleSunday, March 14, 2021 The Youth will be having a bakesale on Sunday, March 15th before and after worship services. Proceeds will benefit Youth Missions; specifically The Ozark Mission Project local day camp in Mountain Home this summer. For more infomation visit:
|
Seven Last Words from the CrossLenten Series With Bro. Keith |
We Can Be HeroesYouth Lenten Series |
Lent BagsActivities for children and their families during Lent If your child did not recieve a Lent bag, please contact Ashton Barnett. For more infomation visit:
|
Holy Week Schedule
|
Pallets For Sale
We have several pallets available from Backpack Food 4 Kids Ministry's food deliveries. If you are in need of pallets or reclaimed wood for a project, etc. the pallets are available for $5 each. Proceeds will go back into the Back Pack Food 4 Kids Ministry. Simply make your check out to the church and write "pallets" in the memo section. Alternatively, you can pay online with the button below. Be sure to wtite "pallets" on the notes/memo line. Be sure to let the office know before picking up pallets. For more infomation visit:
|
Wednesday Night LiveFamily Ministry Join us for Wednesdsay Night Live Family Ministry Wednesdays at 5:30pm. We begin with dinner and fellowship, followed by a devotional with Bro. Keith for adults and activities for children and youth. Remember to wear a mask except while eating dinner and please register upon arrival. We hope to see you there! |
Youth Ministries605 Student Ministry Hello Church Family,
We have some really awesome things planned for youth this upcoming month! We are going to be studying Super Heroes and Villians from Marvel and DC comics. While we look at these characters, we will be examining them thorugh the lense of our Faith. Our focus will be on how we can use our gifts to better serve the Kingdom of God. We will be following this series each Wednesday and there will be a Devotional Book that all students can pick up and can be mailed out.
Join 605 Student Ministries on Social Media!
Facebook: FUMC Mountain Home Youth
Youtube: 605students_fumcmh
Instagram: 605students_fumcmh
For more infomation visit:
|
Children's MinistryFirst Kidz Corner We had a great turn out with Lent bags and hope your families are enjoying them as you walk through this Lenten journey. We would love to see the projects you put together! If you’d like, you can email pictures to me using at abarnett@fumcmh.org (or simply use the button below) or tag us @fumcmh_kids on Instagram or Facebook. Easter is right around the corner so be looking for information on that coming soon. God bless, Ashton Barnett Join FirstKidz on Social Media!
Facebook: Fumcmh kids
Instagram: fumcmh_kids
For more infomation visit:
|
Change in Leadership Coming this SummerIntroducing Rev. Daniel Thueson We will be welcoming Rev. Daniel Thueson and his wife, Fran this July. Daniel recieved his Master of Divinity and Certificate of Pastor Care at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Theology from Life Christian University He is CCAF and USAF Medical Service Specialist and a National Certified Taekwondo Instructor, USTF, AMAA. Daniel is an Arkansas Representative of Perkins Alumni Association and serves on the District Committee on Ministry and is the VP of the Ministerial Alliance. His interests include motorcycle riding, martial arts, working out, watching UFC and BBQ, (smoking and grilling meat)! He loves being outdoors. A few of the things Daniel values about pastoral ministry in The United Methodist Church are: 1. Our Wesleyan Theological understanding of grace, the means of grace, and celebrating the sacraments of baptism and communion. 2. Leading the church to grow evangelically and missionally through teaching, preaching, and encouraging others to grow as disciples as we all share and live the gospel. 3. Our connectional system which brings clergy and congregations together across the globe to grow in our faith, celebrate our success, mourn in our losses, and strive for accountability and excellence in our personal life and the life of the church body. At his most recent appointment Daniel accomplished the following: • Built and grew a missions team from the ground up that partnered with the local school district to meet the needs of children in the area, • Built support and expanded their community food bank, and engaged the congregation in meaningful hands on mission work. • Realigned Youth and Children’s ministries that led them to hire and equip church leaders to strengthen their youth and children’s programs, including launching a Wednesday afterschool ministry where they partnered with the schools to have them bus kids to the church where fed them, mentored them, and taught them about God. • Launched several small groups that drew in people from outside the congregation to engage in Bible study and build meaningful interpersonal relationships. • Went from in-person only to hybrid online worship successfully, including updating our Audio/Visual equipment. Daniel is excited about working with the church to create vitality and to make disciples of Jesus Christ by: Building relationships with the people, equipping leaders to help lead others to Christ, continuing mission work that makes people’s lives better, and meeting the spiritual needs of the congregation and community to help them be better at life through preaching, teaching, and worship. If you would like to reach out to Daniel to welcome he and Fran, here is his contact info: Email: daniel.thueson@arumc.org Phone(s): 479-459-6189 Mailing address: 14 Cedar Ln, Charleston |
Chancel Choir News
As of March 3rd, we will be welcoming back some of our choir members. The tenors and basses will be joining us then and I hope other altos and sopranos will too. You all have been missed and we look forward to all being together again. Our voices may be “rusty” for awhile, but our hearts will not. As of now, we will continue to wear our masks just like all other worshipers. Many of us have become accustomed to this, and those who have not are at least tolerant. SO …. Come join us for Lent and Eastertide! Blessings, |
A Note From Jeremy
Hello Church Family, I just wanted to write a short thank you in this month's Newsletter to everyone for their encouragement and support as my family and I embark on the next phase of my life's calling of serving in the ministry. We have received a plethora of cards, emails, and messages celebrating this decision and we are truly grateful for all of the love and support that we have received. God has truly blessed Mountain Home with a wonderful group of individuals that make up the First United Methodist Church and I am proud to call my family and I members. Thank you again for your support and I pray for peace and grace for each one of you. Jeremy Hopper |
The Upper Room
The Upper Room Daily devotional guides for March/April are available for pick up at the front door by the office. If the tub is not sitting outside, simply ring the door bell (during office hours) and someone will get you a copy.
|
Monthly GivingFebruary 2021 |
February Memorials and Honorariums
Broadcast Ministry In Honor of Rosalie Hammerberg Bradley & Carol Routh
Wesley Kitchen In Memory of Donna Baltz Shirley Poynter
Backpack Food 4 Kids In Honor of Cathy Roshon Mike & Linda DeMass
|
Prayer ListIf you wish to add a concern to our list, please contact the church office at 425-6036. You can also submit prayers to the prayer wall on the church app. Prayers After Loss: The Family of Dick Baltz on his passing The family of Steve Wilson on his loss
Concerns: Larry Fanning (Laura Law’s father) Tom Schumacker Alaura (Calvin & Ann Millet’s granddaughter) Joy Bullock (Suzanne Mell’s mother) Sandra Bainbridge Jerry Wilkinson Gerry Howard-Marth (John Howard & Sue Keplinger’s mother) Arlene Neale (Betty Bennett’s sister) Mike Dionisi (Patty Budolfson’s brother) Bud Keirn Scott Cain (Jill Chandler’s son) Bill Gould Robin Sancho (Paulette Hill) Teri Owens (Don & Kay Owens’ daughter-in-law) Susan Moore (Niece of Phil & Vicki Garner) Julian Toler (Ashley Hardy’s brother) Bonnie Salasek Beverly Quick Debbie Dilella (Zo Holley’s niece) Melanie Kelly (Paulette Hill) Beth Griggs Miller (Larry & Debbie Griggs) Nira Wilkinson Bruce Burr Kathy Holloway (Bonnie Salasek’s daughter) Bettye DeJarnette Bob Remington William McClendon (Cathie Bodenhamer) Greg Kostka (Bill & Bette Gould’s son-in-law) Alan Erickson |
An Irish Blessing
|
Have a blessed month!
|