We kicked off 2024 with our Be Campaign. Drawing on Micah 6:8, and asking ourselves the ever-present questions of: What does God want? What is the best way to worship God? How do live into the reality of who is God? And, how did the first disciples and early church do this?
It’s easy to read the words of Jesus and to respond with Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength. Jesus also said it looks like loving your neighbor as yourself. Yet, how do we live it? What does that really look like?

Jesus ministry reflects back to God’s kind response, through the prophet, to the people as do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. We’ve taken this to heart at FUMC. In a world that is divided by divisive political rhetoric, we are offering something different. We’re offering people a way to Be. As humans Be-ings, we are helping one another to Be just, Be kind, and Be humble. We’re setting the example to Be generous with our time, talents, and financial gifts. 

Then, during Lent, we focused on what it means to Be love. That God is love and God’s love confounds the world. Those who don’t know God see God’s message and act of love on the cross as foolish. Yet, it is the power of God to those of us being saved.  We explored different ways God’s love is unconditional, unfair, breaks the rules, is dangerous, forgives, heals, overcomes, and offers hope. When we follow Jesus, we often do things that seem scary, uncomfortable, or outside of what’s normal because the world often doesn’t understand God’s mercy, grace, and love. 

The early church found unique ways of Be-ing this. While the inspiration for their work wasn’t new or different, it was a new way to practice their faith. Due to their revelation of who Jesus was and is, they were able to live out the fullness of what Jesus was teaching, the fullness of the law and prophets, the fullness of what it means to be just, be kind, be humble, be generous, and be love. 

Essentially, there were able to Be-lieve. The were able to believe the truth of God, have faith in Jesus, and grow as disciples. I believe we all want to do the same. We want to believe in God, believe our faith in Jesus makes a difference, believe and follow in a way that changes hearts and lives, and believe in a way that makes the world a better place. 

The early church called this, “The Way.” I invite you to walk in The Way with me as we learn what it means to Believe in God, what the early church believed about God, what all Christians believe about God, and how our faith, how we believe, can lead us to make a real, positive, and meaningful difference in this world. 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Daniel 

Stewards:
Vicki Kauth
Christine Valenti

9:00 Servers:
Sheila & Kraigen Partee
Donna Meng

11:00 Servers:
Greg & Michele Elders
Kellye Cannon

Join us Wednesday April 3 at 5:15 for our monthly Fellowship Dinner. We will be having Spaghetti, Salad, Bread and Dessert. Come
and join us for some fun and fellowship together. Donations are appreciated.

Help us spread the love by donating to our Peanut Butter drive benefiting Backpack Food 4 Kids. You can drop  off jars of Peanut
Butter (16 oz preferred) to the church office between now and the end of April.

We have just started a new study:  “Walking With God in the Desert” – a 7 week DVD study by Ray Vanderlaan and part of his “That the World May Know” series.  These DVD’s take us onsite into the Sinai peninsula to study the struggles God’s people faced after the Exodus during the 40 years they ‘wandered’ in the wilderness before entering the promised land.  These are always popular studies with the class and there is No homework and No study guide required for this study.  This study will conclude May 9th.   Thursday Morning Joy meets Thursday mornings at 9:30 AM in the Seeker’s Classroom, #213.  New members are always welcome -  just come, listen and try us out.  It’s a great way to spend a Thursday morning! 

It's that time folks!  We are finally planning a new church directory! The value of an up-to-date church photo directory is undeniable, now more than ever. A church directory helps people put names to faces. Remembering who everyone is — and who “belongs” with whom — can be challenging. Seniors might know most of the other seniors, and youth might know most of their peers, but it’s unlikely that all members can identify one another.

A directory also helps new members and staff can get up to speed quickly. A compilation of faces, names and contact information is especially useful for people who are new to the congregation, whether in the pews or in leadership. Learning lots of names is much easier when a current photo directory is handy.

A church directory also encourages relationships. Achieving a family-like feel and building community are important goals for First United Methodoist Church. But personal connections can’t happen if people are strangers! A photo directory provides a sense of belonging and indicates that members are part of a special group.

Please take a minute and fill out this online form (one profile per family member). We want to make sure the contact information we include in the directory is up to date.  Once we have collected everyone's info we will start scheduling photo appointments!

If you have been attending FUMCMH for less than 2 years, or would like information about becoming a member, you are invited to join us for A New Comer Luncheon on Sunday, April 28th after the 11:00 service. Pastor Daniel will share about what it means to be a Christian in the Methodist tradition, some of our local church history, how we are involved in the community, how you can get involved and connected with the church, and what it means to be a member. The staff will be there to answer any questions you may have. This is a free lunch and child care will be provided if needed. Please RSVP by calling the church office or emailing Hollye Lee if you plan to attend.

On Sunday, May 5th 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 them and wish them luck on their next chapter! 

Scholarship applications for the 2024/25 school year are now available for graduating High School seniors who plan to pursue a post secondary academic education. Applications are available on the youth page of the website fumcmh.org or download here using the button below. Application deadline is May 1st to be announced at the school awards night. July 1st is the final deadline to apply for the scholarship.

Hello Families!

Wow! We've had a crazy busy start to Spring! Hopefully those really cold days are gone! I'm ready to put my garden in! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with Easter Extravaganza! It was a huge success and we had an incredible turn out!  Don't forget that we have dinner this Wednesday and you are all invited to stay! On the menu is spaghetti!

VBS registration is now open! This year we are doing SCUBA VBS! The kids are going to love the  sea creature Bible Buddies and the equally fun and vibrant music! At Scuba VBS we will take kids deep into an amazing undersea adventure where they’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God and discover what living water is really all about! You can register your child(ren) from the button in this newsletter or from the church website.

God Bless!

 Laura

Hello 605 Students, Families, and Friends! 
 
The month of March feels like it has flown by. There has been lots of great things happening within 605 Students this month and preparing for what is to come! 
 
This month we have been studying the life of Jesus and the events leading up to the passion narrative of Easter! We looked at how Jesus is no ordinary guy and how important and incredible a relationship with Jesus is. We then looked at Jesus Christ being our King and his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We then ended with an understanding of what happened during the final week of Jesus life and how his death was not the end of the story for all of us. 
 
Starting in April we are looking at how to connect and focus on God and what focus in our faith can look like. 
 
This month I was also able to attend an awesome conference for youth directors and was so filled by worship, speakers, workshops, and being surrounded by other youth workers who love what we do. I would be so happy to share with everyone what I learned so come ask me about it. 
 
We have some awesome events coming up so please be praying for these events and if you would like to get plugged in let me know. So here is what we have going on: 
 
April 6-7th: Young Christians Weekend at Silver Dollar City 
May: Senior Sunday. If you have a senior that would like to be recognized reach out to Kyra and we will help get them connected. 
May 19th: Confirmation Sunday
 
I also want to continue to plug into your students events out in the community, so if your child has a game, concert, banquet, or anything of the like that I would be able to attend please send me an email or text and I will try my hardest to get to as many events as possible before the end of the school year. 
 
All of our students, families, and friends are valued and prayed for. Thank you for your support of the Student Ministries at FUMC! 
 
Blessings, 
Kyra Anthony 

GENERAL FUND

In memory of Zo Holley

Nancy Buel
Dovie Tinsley
Daniel & Fran Thueson
R. D. & Johnna Walker
Bob & Sharon Jones
Thomas Gracy
Bonnie Elders
Sara Zimmerman
Sharon Wisdom
Monday Morning Life Group
James Denton
Bob & Patti Budolfson
Eric & Julie Eckberg
John Whitson, John Boy, Pookey & family


In memory of Lurline Montague


Jack & Kay Wilson

In memory of Paul Wilbur

Steve & Betty Singleton

In honor of FUMC Mountain Home
K.L. Nelson Trust

In memory of Bob Jones
Roy & Pat Rush
Gary & Bernice Bell

In honor of church ladies
Richard Ruedin

In honor of the workers of the Czeschin funeral
Czeschin Family

In memory of Sissy Czeschin
Gary & Bernice Bell
Steve & Becky Singleton
Sharon Jones
Tom & Deborah Knox

In memory of Sam Rickon
Gary & Bernice Bell

BACKPACK FOOD 4 KIDS

In memory of Zo Holley
Mike & Linda DeMass
Kathy Norcross

In memory of Ron Czanstkowski
Shirley Poynter

In memory of Bob Jones
Fabish & Kelm Families
Cathy Roshon
Tom & Deborah Knox
Kathy Norcross
Tank Rea Insurance
Bette Gould
Rick & Melissa Steiner

In memory of Buzz Johnson
Cathy Roshon

In memory of Sissy Czeschin
Kathy Norcross

In memory of Myrtle Broyles
Beth Pierson

WESLEY KITCHEN

In memory of Zo Holley
Margaret Schmidbauer
Shirley Poynter
In memory of Nira Wilkerson
Shirley Poynter


MUSIC

In memory of Zoe Holley
Cathy Roshon
Phil & Vicki Garner
Tom & Deborah Knox
Cotton & Melissa Green


PASTOR'S FUND
In memory of Buzz Johnson
Patricia DeBellis

BUILDING FUND
In memory of Sissy Czeschin
Tom Kiley & Jeff Quick

Prayers after loss:
Family and Friends of Sissy Czeschin on her passing
Sharon Jones and family on the loss of Bob Jones
Marilyn Bonecki and family on the loss of her brother, Bob Robinson

Concerns:
Brenda Behnke (03/21/24)
(Kathy Bauer’s sister-in-law)
Beverly Killbourn (03/20/24)
(Lucy Monger’s sister)
Kathy Biehl (03/14/24)
Donna Kimes (3/12/24)
Sue Griswald (03/03/24)
(Betty Bennett)
Pat Harris (02/25/24)
(Tina Benton)
Diane Lucas (02/25/24)
(Tina Benton)
Chris Humphrey (02/20/24)
(Donna Bohaty’s daughter)
Vera McDermott (02/19/24)
Terri Chapman (02/19/24)
(Cindy Long’s sister)
Barbara Sandberg (02/19/24)
(Roxy Koop)
June Wilborn (02/06/24)
Donna Bohaty (02/05/24)
Glenda Lanning (02/05/24)
Karen Bryant (02/01/24)
Don Abel (02/01/24)
Patricia Werner (01/09/24)
Kate Melnik (01/07/24)
(Tom Yoder)
Marty Steele (12/18/23)
(Roxy Koop)
Jeanette Thorne (12/11/23)
(Johnny Brown’s sister)
Jeannie Alley (12/11/23)
Vicky Parks (11/30/23)
(Kelli Camp)
Doug Dethloff (11/13/23)
Mackenzie Cole (11/09/23)
(Christine Rohr)
Sue McMillan (11/05/23)
(Sheila Partee)
Bonnie & Darrell Benham (10/31/23)
Joe Wallace (10/29/23)
(Jean Wallace)
Marilyn & Fred Kobialka (10/29/23)
Russel Jones (10/29/23)
Gene Rowland (10/29/23)
(Paula Bodenhamer)
Sam Rhoades (10/22/23)
Shirley McDowell (9/3/23)
Clark Knight (7/30/23)
(Tommy & Brenda Knight’s grandson)
Cathy Millison (7/9/23)
(Christine Rohr)
Glenda Small (5/7/23)
(Kellye Cannon)
Joan Beckham (4/23/23)
(Kevin Beckham’s mom)
Peggy Pawlak (4/23/23)
(Sheila Partee)
Susie Welby-Bennet (4/16/23)
(Sue Storm)
Carol McKee (4/9/23)
Bob Dickerson (4/9/23)
Deborah Harrison (3/26/23)
Scott Cain (2/5/23)
(Jill Chandler’s son)
Ruth Clark (01/08/23)