I guess I’ve always been a “grit your teeth in bear it,” kind of person. I grew up being taught to work hard and play hard. In order to work or play hard, one must learn to dig deep and push through whatever pain, odds, or tough circumstances one is facing.

For a lot of my life, I expected the same of everyone else. Giving up, crumbling under the pressure, freezing in fear, or running away was not an option in my playbook. They didn’t make sense to me.

When I look at the life of Jesus, he was certainly a grit your teeth and bear it kind of person. He taught us to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and give freely if we have it to give. Then, he also demonstrated it. He spent 40 days facing and overcoming temptation in the wilderness, he worked long and hard hours getting away when he needed to, and then during his trial, torture, and execution, he refused to fight back. Instead, he chose to suffer through it. Even through the pain, stumbling, and falls, he continued to get back up, pick up his cross, and move forward, up the hill, toward the place of the skull where he knew he would die an agonizing death. 

Every day, I thank God for the work he did on my behalf. I thank God for the sacrifice he made for my own salvation, wholeness, healing, and transformation. I thank God that Jesus did not give up, quit, or run away. That means did not give up, quit, or runaway on me, you, or anyone else. The truth is, he never has given up on us and he never will. That’s God’s love. 

Therefore, I don’t want to give up, quit, or run away on him. I want to bear my cross, pick it up, and follow him. Sometimes, that means gritting my teeth and bearing it.

Yet, Jesus said “your cross.” It has taken me a lot of time to understand what that means. I don’t claim to have it all figured out, but what I do know is that my cross is not your cross and your cross is not my cross. Sometimes, we share a cross. Sometimes, when we follow, we’re like Peter asking, “what about John?” and Jesus says, don’t worry about him. 

Through this, I realized that while Jesus is a grit your teeth and bare it kind of guy, he doesn’t expect everyone to bear their cross the same way. He expects them to bear it in the way he created them and gifted them. 

We see a subtle example of this in Luke 7:36–50. Jesus is dining at a Pharisee’s house. While there, a woman approaches Jesus, falls on her knees, and washes his feet with her tears and hair. Then, she rubs perfumed oil on his feet. Watching in horror, Simon the Pharisee says “if Jesus knew what kind of woman this was, he wouldn’t let her touch him.” Jesus takes this opportunity to show where this woman has humbled herself before Jesus and offered hospitality through her love and devotion. Then, Jesus points out these are things which Simon has neglected. Finally, without a word to her situation, Jesus allows the woman to serve where she is and then tells the woman, “Go in peace, your faith has saved you.”

We don’t know her situation. What we know is that she was broken, contrite, and thankful.  Risking humiliation and shame, she entered the house and gave all she had to Jesus. Furthermore, we see Simon the Pharisee who held back. He was wealthy. He had a position of high status and power. He had Jesus over for dinner. Yet, he neglected to offer even the most common basics of hospitality when someone invites a guest over. 

I don’t know what cross Jesus has given you to bear. I don’t know how Jesus has gifted you to carry it. What I do know is that you’re not alone. We’re in this together. I want you to find a place of welcome, healing, love, and hospitality in our presence. This is not a passing faith fad. This is who we are, who we’re going to be, as disciples who make life better and you better at life through Jesus Christ. Will you help me? Will you help the rest of us? I invite you partner with us as we carry our cross and make space for any and everyone to come to Jesus, find faith, and experience salvation.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Daniel

On Sunday, September 25, Pastor Daniel held a conversation about the United Methodist Church in the Crossroads Worship Center. During which, he presented the facts about the UMC’s current position on human sexuality, what it means to disaffiliate, offered an anonymous poll, and answered questions. 

In summary, the Book of Disciple (our church doctrine and rules) states in ¶4. and ¶214, All people are of sacred worth and all people may attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments and become members in any local church in the connection without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition. It also states in ¶304.3 and ¶341.6 that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church. In addition, ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches. Our rules have not changed on this topic in 50 years. They may or may not change in 2024. While it is unlikely they change, if they do there will be provisions on how we may move forward or as a church revisit the topic of disaffiliation. 
Disaffiliation is a process by which an individual church may leave the United Methodist Church denomination. 

The poll was conducted through a service called Mentimeter that allowed people to answer preset questions. Approximately 100 people attended the conversation with approximately 70 people participating in the poll. It required a smart phone. The results are a fair representation of the whole for First United Methodist Church Mountain Home.

Some of the results are pictured:

Which service do you attend:

What is your age:

There were four positions on the issue to select from. They were Traditionalist Non-Compatibilist, Traditionalist Compatibilist, Progressive Compatibilist, Progressive Non-Compatibilist. They are defined as follows: Traditionalists are those who believe marriage should only be shared between one man and one woman. Progressives are those who believe the church should be actively working to recognize/celebrate gay marriage within the church. Non-compatibilists are traditionalists and/or progressives who can only be in a church or denomination with 100% agreement. Compatibilists are those traditionalists or progressives who are willing to be in a church or denomination which includes diverse opinions. The United Methodist Church is very diverse. If you imagine a bell curve, the majority of people fall somewhere in the middle. Usually 10-15% identify on the further edges. Our church is no different. Here is a diagram of the four options and then the results for our church.

Individual positions within our church, where are you?

This shows our the vast majority of our church is compatibilist. This also reveals about 10% are non-compatibilists. As a result, we may lose approximately 10% of our people. This will be very painful. Yet, we will love one another regardless of their position. Moreover, it shows that by pursuing disaffiliation, we will only further divide our church. 

On October 3, the Administrative Council (church’s leadership committee) met to discuss Charge Conference paperwork, as required by our annual conference, and to reflect on the results of the conversation. The Ad Council voted unanimously not to pursue disaffiliation and remain connected to The United Methodist Church at this time. It was the desire of Ad Council to remain together as a family, work alongside one another despite our difference, and find ways to worship and serve God together. Their decision is a reflection of the postive results of the conversation, the relief we experienced in seeing the desire to remain together, and the hope we hold for the future of our church. 

On Wednesdays at 6:00pm, Pastor Daniel will be leading a class entitled Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being provides the text and tools you need to address the topics of saving, earning, giving, spending, and debt, along with helpful strategies for achieving a sustainable financial life.

This exciting new partnership between Wespath and Abingdon Press draws on the expertise of United Methodist leaders across the connection through videos, a workbook, a leader guide and devotional materials. With study sessions for both pastors and laity, participants will explore money management from a Wesleyan perspective helping you reach personal financial goals as well as address life concerns.

The study begins this October 5th.  You can purchase a workbook online for $22.00 or through the church for $15.00.  We are paying $22.00 each but we want to support you by offering it for $15.00.

The Newcomers Luncheon is Sunday, October 9th at 12:15 PM in the parlor. If you would like information on becoming a member, or just want more information about First United Methodist Church and how you can get connected, this lunch is for you! Please call or email Kathy Davis at the church office to RSVP.

October 16th is Children's Sabbath.  What a great day to do our 3rd grade bible presentation! Studying Scripture is one of the most important ways we learn about God. FUMCMH presents personal Bibles to each third grade student as a statement of their growing faith development and as recognition of their being old enough to study Scripture on their own. We celebrate the tradition of presenting Bibles to our third grade students as a gift from the congregation. It is our prayer that this gift will be a starting point for a deeper relationship with God through Christ, enhanced through the study of God’s word. Bibles will be presented at the worship service you regularly attend.

It's that time again folks!  It's time for our Trick or Trunk Fall Festival!  We usually have a huge community turnout so we need lots of trunks!  If you are unfamiliar with Trick or Trunk, the congregation decorates their trunk with a game for children to play and candy to hand out.  Please make sure your candy is individually wrapped.  If you'd like to help by bringing extra candy, you may drop it off in the church office. There will be hot dogs, popcorn door prizes and more! So, dress up and participate in the fun! If you need ideas for your trunk, Pintrest is a great resource. Set up will begin at 4:00pm. Trick or Trunk starts at 5:00pm and ends at 6:30pm.  If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

This Year's Stewardship Campaign is Saving Grace.  You will recieve your pledge cards in the mail sometime this month.  We ask that you prayerfully consider your gifts and estimate your giving for 2023.  Fill out both sides of your pledge card and bring it with you on Sunday, November 6th.  The pledge card includes an estimate of your financial gifts as well as your gifts of service, worship, prayer and faith sharing. We will pray over your gifts during worship and bless them. 

Let’s all get together on Wednesdays for food, fun and fellowship! Dinner begins at 5:30pm followed by a short devotion from Pastor Daniel at 5:50pm. Dinner is a great opportunity for multi-generational fellowship so invite someone younger or older than you to sit at your table so you can get to know them! We hope to see you there!

When we say "family ministries" This means all members of all families of all ages.  On Wednesdays, this begins with our First Kidz children's ministry.  We pick up children from school (in Mountain Home) and bring them back to church for a light snack followed by recreation time, Hands on Bible learning, music and finish at 5:15pm.  Students 6th-12th grade are invited to come after school for Hang Out Time. Here they have the opportunity to serve by helping with children's activities, work on their homework, and fellowship with their peers.  We do run a bus to Pinkston Middle School for pick up.  Jr. & Sr. High students normally walk together from school to church. 

Everyone is invited to dinner at 5:30pm.  This includes, children (accompanied by their parents), youth and adults of all ages.  This is a wonderful opportunity to have some cross-generational fellowship.  We encourage you to invite students to sit at your table and get to know them.  At 5:50pm, Pastor Daniel gives a short devotion.  Begining this Wednesday, Pastor Daniel's Saving Grace class will start after the dinner and devotional.

Youth group for Students 6th-12th grade begins after the devotion at 6:05pm and ends at 7:30pm.  Youth group includes bible lessons, worship time, games and discussion time.

Children, youth and adults are welcomed and encouraged to invite friends on Wednesdays as well as on Sundays for worship. We hope to see you there!

Kid's Connection is our Sunday morning children's ministry that takes place during the 10:00 Sunday School hour.  This is an extention of our Wednesday afternoon ministry.  We have a great curriculum called Simply Loved.  This is from Group, the makers of our Vacation Bible Camp Curriculum. Children K-5th grade are invited to Kid's Connection Sunday's at 10:00am in the UMAC room #311.  

We are also in need of Kid's Connection teachers.  The hope is to have enough volunteers to be on a rotation of no more than once a month.  If you love kids and you love Jesus, consider serving in this way.  Contact Laura if you are interested.

As we lead our students on their discipleship paths, we are teaching them about Christian service. We have started Service Saturdays once a month.  We are excited to offer this service to members of our church family that are in need.  So, if you need help with with yardwork, light repairs, heavy lifting etc., Submit your request in the box outside the youth office for consideration.

Wow!  It's hard to believe it's October already!  Fall is one of my favorite times of year!  With the leaves changing color and the cool temperatures, what's not to like?  Wednesday afternoons have been amazing!  We are having so much fun with snacks, recreation, hands on bible time and music!  If your child(ren) are not already attending Wednesdays, I urge you to get them signed up.  You can register them online using the button below.  Thank you to the many Wednesday volunteers who make this possible! You are all rockstars!

And don't forget about Sundays!  Our Kidz Connection time is every Sunday from 10:00 to 10:50am. We are using a great curriculum called Simply Loved.  If you are interested in being on a rotation to teach on Sundays, please let me know. If we get enough teachers, you will hopefully only have to teach once a month.

We have some exciting things coming up this month!  October 16th is Children's Sabbath and we will be celebrating our kids!  They will be singing at both services.  We will also be presenting bibles to our 3rd graders and and a couple of our children will be reading scripture!

October 30th is our annual Trick or Trunk Fall Festival from 5:00pm to 6:30pm!  There will be food, games, candy, and even door prizes.  We hope you will bring out your kids and their friends!  This is a huge event in the community and you will want to be a part of it!

God Bless!

Laura Law

Fall is my favorite season. Leaves are changing, deer season is here, but most of all because school is back in session and youth are back in church.  Wednesday after school open gym has been going strong for a month now and 605 youth has started up in the last few weeks. Being new myself this has been a great opportunity of meeting families and building relationships with the students. Much like the changing of the season these students are facing a new year and are undergoing changes  themselves. It is great that they have such a loving body of people to surround them with support as they navigate this new season of life. So when you see one in the halls, sanctuary, or in the UMAC be sure to say hi! In an effort to help you get to know the youth, we will be offering a youth spotlight each month. 

Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Tom Merry

YOUTH SPOTLIGHT OCTOBER

This month I'd like you to meet Trace Bailey.
Trace is in the 11th grade at MHHS. His plans after high school include possibly enlisting in the Coast Guard and becoming a mechanic. This is perfect as Trace likes to fill his free time by working on cars, boats, motorcycles, anything with a motor. Trace is an awesome young man with a heart for people. 

Backpack is well under way! We are packing aproximately 288 back packs each week.  Thank you for your support! We are still in need of volunteers with a truck to deliver the backpacks to the schools. 

We are so excited to announce that Arktoberfest raised over $13,000 for Backpack Food For Kids! Isn't that incredible!  Thank you to all who helped with this!

Pictured (left to right): Dale Jones, Aaron Dicks, Kyle Swallow, Phil Keplinger, Russell Tucker, Daniel Thueson, Kathy Bauer, Jo Strickland, Tom Merry,  Not pictured: Linda DeMass and Alyssa Gordon.

Do you love to sing? The chancel choir is starting practice for this year's Christmas cantata.  If you would like to sing in this year's cantata, The Seven Noels, please contact Terre Ware.  Practice is on Wednesday evenings at 7:20pm after the regular choir practice.

No one wants to be alone all the time. We have a number of individuals in our community who live alone and have no local family. We want to help them connect with friends or make new friends who are willing to check-in on each other on a daily basis.

This is a new ministry based on an old program. We are recreating this and hope to bring it to life through you. If you’re willing to help facilitate connections within our community, please call the church or see Pastor Daniel.

If you would like to have someone call you, or you are willing to be a friend to someone and make a daily call to check on them, or if you know someone who would appreciate a regular call, please notify the church office so we can give their name to the Friends Care Checkmate team. Church office phone number is 870-425-6036.

This is the 45th year of Ingathering in the Arkansas Conference.  That's 45 years of United Methodists feeding the hungry and supporting disaster relief.   If you are unfamiliar with ingathering, this is when we put together and collect things like food, disaster kits and monetary donations to help those in need.  More details will be coming soon but here is a little info on our Northeast District (NED).

This year, we are having a month-long collection event leading up to our statewide Ingathering Service Event in Little Rock at the Arkansas Food Bank on Saturday, November 12.  During October, churches are encouraged to “one-up” themselves by collecting more disaster kits and food than last year.

Our goal for the district is:
• 2500 items for Disaster Supply Kits.
• 25,000 pounds of food

Our goal for our church is:
• 250 items for Disaster Supply Kits or 150 kits
• 2500 pounds of food for our Angel Food Pantry

Details on the items in the disaster relief kits and more info is located in the hallway accross from the kitchen.  If you have further questions, contact Debby Bodenhamer or Kathy Davis.

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.

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Arkansas Conference,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

I am writing to share with you my decision to seek retirement at the upcoming South Central Jurisdictional Conference this November, to take effect January 1, 2023 under ¶408.2.a of The 2016 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.

I have sought to be a bridge builder in that broad middle I have come to call the ‘Heart of United Methodism’. I am proud of this effort, but it has not been easy. The best way I can describe it is to say that I have often felt I was marching to the beat of a drummer no one else could hear. What is more, the deep divisions in our denomination have taken a personal toll as I have had to spend more and more of my time dealing with problems instead of being able to offer spiritual leadership in creating vital congregations that make disciples of Jesus Christ, who make disciples equipped and sent to transform lives, communities and the world. Quite honestly, I am weary and it is time to step aside. 

There is another reason, however, why this is the right time. It is personal and far more important. Karen and I were married six years ago. I owe it both to her and me to experience this season of our lives together in all its fullness in ways we simply cannot if I am serving as an active bishop.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have served in full-time ministry since 1979, and as your bishop since 2012. I have been privileged to see the Holy Spirit at work in ways I could not have envisioned in the people and churches of the Arkansas Conference, and I know that this will continue in even greater ways in the coming years as you journey with a new episcopal leader. And as I look ahead to the next chapter in life, I want you to know that I am looking forward to doing whatever I can as a retired bishop in the United Methodist Church to bring Jesus’ prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying love to a world he died to save.

God bless you.

Grace and peace,

Gary E. Mueller Bishop 

If you have a positive attitude, a pleasant phone voice, love helping people and can perform light office duties, consider serving as an Office Angel. Office Angels serve a half day (morning or afternoon) once a week.  If you are interested contact Kathy Davis or Carolyn Densmore.

You know how you sit in the same area each Sunday?  Have you ever thought of being a Section Shepherd? Section Shepherds simply get to know the people who sit in their section and care for them by finding out if they need prayers or checking on them when they haven't attended in a while. This ministry is one way that our church family can take care of one another.  If you are interested in becoming a Section Shepherd, please contact Kathy Davis.

GENERAL FUND
In memory of Don Cox
June Willborn
Carol Hurley
Steve & Sharon Fabich & Juanita Kelm
Roy & Pat Rush
Rob & Mindy Conner
Larry & Jonelle Luman
Twyla Krawczyk
Bette Gould
In memory of Mary Ann Remington
Twyla Krawczyk
Bette Gould
In honor of Carla Johnson
Bernice Koonce
In memory of Julia Pitts
Gary & Linda Pitts

BUILDING FUND
In memory of Don Cox
Gary & Bernice Bell

YOUTH
In memory of Kenny Stalder
Larry Luman
Phil & Vicki Garner
Mike & Rita Billbe
Terre Ware
Susan Gamble
Tom & Deborah Knox
Ted & Nancy Roney
Nancy Buel

BACKPACK FOOD 4 KIDS
In memory of Don Cox
Thomas & Carla Johnson
Neal Wheeler

SUMMER FEEDING
In memory of Bill Gould
Peter & Vicki Kauth

UMCOR
In memory of Don Cox
Judy Recer

THANKSGIVING BASKETS
In memory of Mary Ann Remington
Her Life Group
Shirley Poynter
In memory of Julia Pitts
Calvin & Sissy Czeschin

CHOIR
In memory of Don Cox
Ted & Nancy Roney
In memory of Mary Ann Remington
Ted & Nancy Roney

WESLEY KITCHEN
In memory of Don Cox
Margaret Schmidbauer

Prayers After Loss:
Friends and family of Larry Gobble 
(on his passing)

Concerns:
Jerril Partee (10/9/22)
(Kraigen & Sheila Partee)
Gail House (10/9/22)
(Johnny Brown)
Vance & Melissa Duncan (10/9/22)
(Mike & Judy Kuenzli)
Pat Bodenhamer (10/9/22)
(Roxy Koop)
Flossie Wiesend (10/2/22)
Lauralee Fanning (9/25/22)
(Laura Law’s stepmom)
Stacy & Wayne York (9/25/22)
Nira Wilkerson (10/3/21)
Andrew Youngblood (9/11/22)
(Carolyn Youngblood’s husband)
Marilyn Kobialka (9/4/22)
Russel Jones (9/4/22)
Beth Pierson (9/4/22)
Doug Engle (9/4/22)
(Beth Pierson’s brother)
Jimmy Myers (9/4/22)
(Gail House’s cousin)
Don Owens (8/21/22)
(Johnny Brown & Gail House)
Monica McElyea (8/21/22)
Bobby Myers (8/14/22)
(Gail House’s cousin)
Don Pickett Jackson (7/31/22)
(friend of Carl Pickett)
Jim Tilley (7/31/22)
(friend of Bill & Annette Clements)
Terri Chapman (6/26/22)
(Cindy Long’s sister)
Nora Smith Conway (6/5/22)
(Annette Clements' mother)
Denise Rohr (5/22//22)
Buzz Johnson (5/15/22)
Mary Thane (5/8/22)
(Sharon Fabich)
Joe Bodenhamer (5/1/22)
Richard Henderson (5/1/22)
(Hazel Long’s nephew)
Darrell & Ann White (4/17/22)
(Iva Jones)
Nick Suntken (4/17/22)
(Gene & Linda Vornheder’s grandson)
Mike Thompson (4/17/22)
(Beverly THompson’s son)
Landy Roberson (4/10/22)
Rob Holmes (4/10/22)
(Phyllis Holmes’ son)
Peter Peitz (2/20/22)
Alan Erickson (2/20/22)
Marti Gilbert (2/13/22)
Ron Odegard (1/30/22)
(Sandy Odegard’s husband)
Doug Gregg (1/9/22)
(Clay Williams)
Glenda Bodenhamer (1/9/22)
Ed & Coni Baldwin (1/9/22)
Pat Garner (12/5/21)
Natalie Dixon (11/21/21)
Brandy Nelson (10/31/21)
Jim Brown (10/31/21)
Debbie Dickerson (10/24/21)
Josh Monderen (10/17/21)
(Kim McDowell’s son)
Jeffrey Smith (9/26/21)
(Carolyn Densmore)
John Taylor (9/5/21)
(Sandy Odegard’s daughter’s 
father-in-law)
Nick Mavromatis (8/8/21)
(Susan Dernick’s nephew)
Elden Lowe (8/8/21)
(Jill Chandler’s nephew)
Ima Moss (3/21/21)
(Carolyn Whisenant’s mother)
Karen Jackson (3/7/21)
(Mary Margaret Pearson)
Jerry Wilkinson (10/25/20)