It is hard to believe it, but the month of May is upon us. May, of course, is the fifth month of the year. No doubt you have heard the saying that goes something like this, “April showers bring May flowers.” Living in parsonages, I long to see flowers and plants that my predecessors have planted, bloom and grow. Right now, there is a rose bush in the front flower bed that is showing off and Irises in the back are blooming, too. For the record, I love to work in the yard! 

May can also be one of the busiest months of the year, rivaling December for activities. The month of May, here at the church, brings Senior Sunday (May 4th) where, during both of our worship services and a reception between, we honor our graduating seniors. It is quite the accomplishment. I am looking forward to it. The second Sunday of May (May 11th) is Mother’s Day. We will honor and remember our mothers on this Sunday and will have refreshments in the CWC at 10:00 a.m. (Muffins with Mom). I am also hoping there is a Donuts with Dads event here at the church on Father’s Day weekend! This Mother’s Day will be bittersweet for me, the first since my mother died. She and my dad did a good job and I’m grateful for both of them. 

It is not just church events that keep us busy during the month of May. There are graduations, end of the year programs, birthday celebrations, school parties, and other gatherings. The month ends with the official kick-off of summer with Memorial Day. Memorial Day, though, stands on its own in order of importance. Remembering those who served our country and died while doing so.  It's quite the month and it’s quite the schedule. I would like to ask you to fully participate in all our church activities, to honor our graduates, our moms, and those we know who have died while serving our country. 

Those are a few things on my heart. Let me also share with you something that is on my mind. We have two new members of our church staff. Alisa Hale left in February for a full-time position. Alisa led our finance office. Dave Grimwood retired on April 14th and moved to Branson to be closer to family. Both did a great job for our church. We’ve added Lisa Carlin as our Director of Finance. This is a part-time position and Lisa works Monday-Thursday 7-10 a.m. She’s off to a great start. Jordan Drennin is our new Facilities Manager. Jordan, too, is off to a great start. I hope you will join me in welcoming both of these to our team. And, I hope you will take the opportunity to thank Randy Grover who stepped in to learn from Dave and to help train Jordan. Randy, we are very grateful. 

All of this is just May! Before we know it Vacation Bible School will have arrived and other wonderful summer activities and sermon series. It is my joy to be your pastor! Susie and I are thrilled to be here as your pastoral family. 

Hope Always! 

John 

Thursday, May 1st is National Day of Prayer.  This year's theme is "POUR OUT TO THE GOD OF HOPE AND BE FILLED" and is based on Romans 15:13. Mountain Home will be observing National Day of Prayer from 12:00 to 1:00pm on the square. A couple of our church members are scheduled to pray during that time. We encourage you to attend if you can and if not, we hope you will pause and pray for our church, our community and our world. 

We have two more opportunities for you to join us for "More than a Meal" before we take a break for Summer. We will gather on Wednesday, May 7th and Wednesday, May 21st. We will have our meal together and then a short devotional and discussion with Pastor John. You may sign up on the church website, by using the button below, by calling the church office or on the sign up sheets at the Welcome Desk(s).

This Sunday, May 4th we will recognize and celebrate our High School seniors as they prepare to graduate and embark on the next phase of their lives. There will be a reception with refreshments in the UMAC Commons during the Sunday School hour at 10:00. Please make plans to attend the reception to congratulate this year's graduates and wish them luck on their next chapter! Here are this year's graduates:

After graduation, Peyton will be attending ASU Newport to participate in their Lineman Training program.

After graduation, Jack will be attending ASU Mountain Home with plans to study culinary arts to ultimately become a chef.

After graduation, Olivia will be attending the University of Arkansas to study Biochemistry followed by graduate studies to ultimately contribute to medical or pharmaceutical research with a focus in drug development or disease prevention. 

After graduation, Caitlyn will be attending ASU Mountain Home to receive a general arts degree followed by an apprenticeship ending in becoming a tattoo artist.

After graduation, Justin will be entering the workforce.

Stewards:
Vicki Kauth
Charleen Ahrenstorff
Betty Fulton

9:00 Servers:
Kyra Anthony 
Peyton Bodenhamer 
Olivia Clements

11:00 Servers
Kyra Anthony 
Lynx Still 
Jack Chance

Thank you to all those who save their boxtopsfor education and bring them in to support our local schools. Box Tops for Education is phasing out physical box tops but we encourage you to still help local schools by downloading the app and scanning your reciept. Physical box tops that are not expired can still be turned in.

We are so very grateful for Pat Rush for taking care of the can tab program here at FUMC. Although Pat & Roy have moved, we still plan on collecting can tabs for Hackler. Just drop your can tabs off at the church office and we will get them turned in. We usually donate 6 gallon bags every year which is a big help! It takes 200 pounds of tabs for the school to recieve $80.00 cash.  Let's keep the collecting going!

Thank you for all of our volunteers this year as well as all who donated to our Backpack Food 4 Kids ministry. You have all helped us feed hungry children in our community.  What a blessing!

Let's celebrate mothers and grand-mothers of all types and all the women who are influential in the lives of others this Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11th. Muffins will be available before or after your worship service so be sure to grab one! 

While you are grabbing a muffin with mom on Mother's Day, May 11th, be sure to stop and snap a photo in front of the Mother's Day Photo op before or after your service!

To all Mothers, Stepmothers, Godmothers, Grandmothers and all women who have been influencial in the lives of others, we say Thank You!  Thank you for all you have done and continue to do each and every day!  You are a true blessing!

On Thursday, May 15 we will begin a new study “”Sermon on the Mount” by Jen Wilkin.  While we’ve all heard portions of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”, this 9-week study will focus the entire sermon in order, as heard by the crowd.  It will include a weekly DVD by Jen Wilkin and a study guide is recommended.  The study guide will cost around  $23.00 if ordered through class.

Thursday Morning Joy meets Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 AM in the Seeker’s Classroom, #213.  New members are always welcome -  come anytime, listen and try us out.  We have bible study along with fun, fellowship, prayer, and coffee!  It’s a great way to spend a Thursday morning!  Call or text Sandra Bainbridge at 656-3950 for more information or to order a book. 

On April 27th we will begin an eight week study of the book of Hebrews.  This book has been called “the book of better things.” Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in Jesus whose atoning death, resurrection and ascension have given His people faith in His unshakable kingdom.  And it reminds us that in heaven a great cloud of witnesses spurs us on to finish our race well. We hope you’ll join us!

We will soon be kicking off Summer Feeding.  The Summer Feeding Program aims to provide Mountain Home students who get snack packs throughout the school year and their families with a weekly box of food during the time that school is out for summer. Pick up will be Mondays from 11:00-1:00 beginning June 2nd. If you would like to volunteer, please call the church office or contact Shannon Wescoat.

Wednesday, May 21st will be our final Wednesday youth & children's ministry for the season as well as our last Wednesday evening More Than a Meal. We are finishing up the school year with a bang! There will be inflatables, water balloons and yard games! Festivities will begin for the kids after school and everyone else is welcome to join us for dinner at 5:15ish for burgers and hotdogs! We will eat indoors and have our after dinner devotion with Pastor John indoors as well. We hope you will come to help us usher in the summer! 

Registration is now open for VBS 2025, True North! At True North VBS, kids will embark upon the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and glistening glaciers. As they trek the tundra, they’ll explore how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today. Pointing them
toward Jesus, True North VBS shows them that he is a faithful friendwe can always trust. He’s our True North!

Register your child(ren) or grandchildren now using the button below! VBS will be June 9th - 12th, 9:00 am - 11:30 am.

Also, we need many volunteers for this awesome wilderness adventure!  If you can help, please contact Laura Pedigo at llaw@fumcmh.org

It's hard to believe it's May already and school is almost out! I have been so blessed by your children this year and have had so much fun with them! Wednesday, May 21st will be our final day of Wednesday afterschool activities for the summer.  We are having our "Last Blast Celebration" with outdoor water inflatables, water balloons, etc. We will be grilling hotdogs and hamburgers! Parents and members of our church family are invited to join us for dinner at 5:15pm. Parents, you may want to send swimwear/water clothes and towels with your kids that day or bring an extra set of clothes and a towel when you pick them up.

Registration is now available for VBS on the church website. Our theme this year is True North - Trusting Jesus in a Wild World. At True North VBS, kids will embark upon the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and glistening glaciers. As they trek the tundra, they’ll explore how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today. Pointing them toward Jesus, True North VBS shows them that he is a faithful friend we can always trust. He’s our True North! Join us June 9th-12th from 9:00-11:30 each day. VBS registration can be found on the church website at fumcmh.org and under the Children’s Ministry tab or sign your child up now using the button under the VBS section of this newsletter.

We will need lots of volunteers for this wilderness adventure! Please let me know if you are willing to help!

Parents, keep an eye out for summer activities that will be scheduled periodically throughout the season. 

God bless!

Laura Pedigo

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GENERAL FUND
In memory of Jim Callis
Jan Peitz
In memory of Greg Meng
John & J.T. Martin
Mike & Theresa Meng

BACKPACK FOOD 4 KIDS
In memory of Dovie Tinsley
Cathy Roshon
In memory of Jim Callis
Cathy Roshon

MISSIONS
In memory of Jim Callis
Sharon Stevens-Edwards

If 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.