I Have Decided will be our sermon series for the remaining Sundays in January.  No doubt you have sung the hymn many times that has that name. My guess is that as you read the words below, you are actually singing them. Remember them with me:

            I have decided to follow Jesus.

            I have decided to follow Jesus.

            I have decided to follow Jesus

            No turning back, no turning back.

And that is just the first verse. The second sings that if no one goes with me, we will still follow. The third sings that the cross is before us and the world is behind us. Still, no turning back, no turning back. Is the tune in your head now?

I’d like for us to sing the hymn at the close of our worship services on Sunday, January 12, 19, and 26.

As for the sermons themselves, on January 12^th, we will consider the story of the baptism of Jesus. All four of the gospel writers record it (that is significant), Luke concentrates more on what happened after the baptism that what happened during it. We will take our cue from Luke and concentrate on that, too.  So our sermon’s title will be, “I Have Decided to Take the Journey.”

On January 19^th, we will turn to the story of Jesus calling four of His disciples. You remember how it happened, don’t you?  Jesus was walking up the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, called out to two brothers, and invited them to come and follow Him. They did exactly that, they dropped their nets and whatever else was going on in their lives, and they followed Jesus.  A few steps up the shoreline, he called two more disciples and the result was the same. For this sermon, I’d like for us to think about our following of Jesus, our discipleship. Our sermon’s title will simply be, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.”  Original title, isn’t it?

Then on the last Sunday of January, I would like to look at one of the last passages in the gospel of Matthew. The scene happens after Jesus’ resurrection.  The passage is one that we have come to call the Great Commission. In it, Jesus tells us to tell His story to the world. “Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”  My question on this Sunday will be, How do we make disciples?  Our sermon’s title will be:  I Have Decided to Share My Faith.”

I am excited about this series. I hope you will be, too.  I hope you will join me in worship on these January Sundays.

John Fleming

2025 giving envelopes are in.  If you receive numbered giving envelopes every year, you can pick them up in the Narthex, outside the sanctuary. If you do not get envelopes but would like to, or if you do but no longer wish to, please contact Alisa Hale.  

Wesley kitchen will resume meals on Monday, January 6th. Preparing the meals each week is this dedicated group of friendly, long-term volunteers who make savory home-cooked, hearty meals and delicious desserts.  The dining room atmosphere is comfortable, and all are welcome!  The Monday meal is a great place to relax and socialize with new friends while enjoying a nourishing meal. To participate, arrive at 4pm and enter through the west side door under the red canopy.  Check in with the staff member at the receiving desk and head to the kitchen to get your dinner tray.  There is no charge for this meal. For more information or if you would like to volunteer, contact the church office at 870-425-6036 Monday through Thursday between 8:00am and 4:00pm.

On Thursday, January 9th we will begin a new study “David – Seeking a Heart Like His” by Beth Moore.  This 11-week study will focus the life of David and will include a DVD presentation by Beth Moore each week.  If you are thinking of attending this year’s  “Sight and Sound”  presentation on David, this study will get you prepared!  A study book is recommended and costs $18.00 if ordered through class.

Thursday Morning Joy meets Thursday mornings at 9:30 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 even food (sometimes)!  a great way to spend a Thursday morning!  Call or text Sandra Bainbridge at 656-3950 for more information or to order a book. 

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 children in 3rd grade and above 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.

Sunday, January 19th we will present bibles to those in 3rd grade or above who have not yet received one during the worship services. That afternoon at 4:00 pm in the UMAC, children 3rd -5th grade are invited to Bible Exploration where we will help them navigate through their bible and show them tools to help them use it.

Our annual Chili Cook-off and Youth Dessert Auction will be on Sunday, February 2nd at 5:00 pm. This is an event you won't want to miss! Make your best pot of chili and enter the contest or just come and eat the chili and vote for your favorite. There will be prizes for the best chili, best theme/decor and most unique chili. The cost is $5 per person to eat and vote.  Set up for those making chili is 4:00 pm.

Then be sure to stay for the dessert auction.  Everyone will recieve an auction paddle for bidding.  If you've never been, this can get quite exciting and competitive but in a fun way!  Bring your checkbooks because you won't want to miss the fun! If you are a baker, we would love for you to make your favorites to donate to the auction. This is our largest youth fundraiser and all proceeds go to youth missions. 

We hope to see you there! 

Confirmation is a special class for students to learn about why we believe in God, what we believe about God, our faith as United Methodists, and how this all applies to our personal lives. It is essentially a period of preparation for youth become members of the church and confirm their baptismal faith. Parents should be recieving an email from Kyra to see if we have any eligible students this year to have a Confirmation class this Spring.  If your student is in 8th grade or above and has not yet been confirmed, please contact Kyra Anthony. Once we see if we have numbers to have a class this year we will set a date.

Do you sometimes wonder if it’s worth the trouble to save can tabs for the Hackler Intermediate School’s student needs?  We have been able to donate at least six gallon bags each year thanks to your generosity.  It takes 200 pounds of tabs for the school to receive $80.00 cash. Students are in grades three, four, and five. 

You might be surprised to know all the good Hackler does for the children with needs.  With parental permission, school personnel are able to laundry clothes, give the children food, showers, toothbrushes, haircuts, and school supplies. Sometimes a child who never gets to eat in a restaurant is taken (with parental permission) to one of the local places like McDonald's. When children are hungry or dirty and these basic needs aren’t met, it can be hard for them to learn.  This is why the can tabs are so appreciated.

Many thanks to all of you who have donated can tabs.  If you would like to collect more tabs for the students’ needs, please bring your tabs from vegetables, soda pop, and pet food cans, etc., to the First United Methodist Church office.

Thank You!
Pat Rush

Happy New Year Families!

I hope you all had wonderful Christmas and New Year's holidays! Starting the new year off is always exciting!  I can't wait to see what 2025 brings!

This month, we have Bible Presentation and Exploration. We will be presenting bibles to our kids who are 3rd grade and up who have not yet recieved one on Sunday, January 19th during worship. That same day, from 4:00 to 6:00pm, all children 3rd grade and up are invited to bring their bibles to participate in bible explorartion! This is a fun event where we play games and receive tools that help us navigate the bible. 

First Kidz Wednesday Children's ministry starts back on Wednesday, January 8th. Please be sure to contact you child's school and let them know they will be riding the church bus on Wednesdays. If your child or grand child has not been attending on Wednesdays and you would like them to participate, you can register them here.

Welcome to our newest acolytes this year; Cannon Lee, James Clarke, Garnet Simmons, Kynlee Ahrenstorff  and Raeleigh Ahrenstorff! They are all doing a bang up job!

Mark your calendars for the Chili Cook-off and dessert auction on Sunday, February 2nd at 5:00 pm. You can find details in this newsletter. It's so much fun!  You won't want to miss it!

We will continue with our Foundations of Faith "Dig In" curriculum when we return on January 8th. See you all then!

God bless & have a warm and wonderful January!

Laura Pedigo

Happy January 605 Students, Families, and Friends! 
 
I cannot believe it is January already, let alone that it is 2025! I am so excited for all that this year is going to bring. 
 
During the end of last year, we took some time to explore the Christmas Story and thought about how parts of the Bible were all connected in telling the story of Jesus’ birth. 
We also took time to celebrate Christmas, hang out together, and I got to see so many amazing concerts and games. 
 
I also hope that you were able to take some time over break to rest, relax, and recharge for the second half of the school year. 
 
As we look to what is ahead, we find that January will allow us to slow down a little bit, but there is still so much for us to do, and we look towards the preparation of things to come! 
 
Here are some highlights with the full calendar below: 
 
Veritas is quickly approaching! The dates for that retreat are February 21-23, 2025! If your student would like to attend this retreat, paperwork and payment are due January 22nd! 
 
Chili Cook-Off and Dessert Auction! We are so excited for this year’s Chili Cook-off! We hope you will join us that night with Chili, a dessert, or your smiling face and appetite. This cook-off helps raise funds for the youth ministry to do so many of our activities and support all of our students. Thank you to everyone who volunteers at this event or attends it! 
 
A Look At January: 
January 8: First Youth of 2025! 
January 9: Lunch at the Junior High 
January 12: The Table Sunday School Class  
January 15: Youth Group 
January 19: The Table Sunday School Class 
January 20: No Lunch at Pinkston (MLK Day- Students are off) 
January 22: Youth Group 
January 22: VERITAS REGISTRATION DEADLINE 
January 23: Lunch at the High School 
January 26: The Table Sunday School Class 
January 29: Youth Group 
February 2: Chili Cook-off & Dessert Auction 

Blessings to you all,

Kyra Anthony

BACKPACK FOOD 4 KIDS 
In honor of Terre Ware & Shirley Poynter 
Tom & Deborah Knox
In memory of Ray Bauer 
Patricia Shay
Robert Bauer 
Bill & Mary Margaret Pearson
Kristin Bauer 
In memory of Marty Steele
White River Auto Club
Lily Arlene Lee
Steve & Sharon Fabich & Juanita Kelm
Tom & Deborah Knox
Stanley Sosinski
Betty Bennett
Macedonia Baptist Church of Alton MO
Amy Ross

GENERAL FUND
In honor of Greg & Michele Elders
Bonnie Elders
In honor of Terre Ware & Shirley Poynter
Karen Bryant
Don Stanuch
In memory of Peter Peitz 
Daniel & Fran Thueson
In memory of Marty Steele 
Nancy Buel
North Central Arkansas Board of Realtors
In honor of those who provided the meal for the Peter Peitz funeral
Jan Peitz

MUSIC FUND
In honor of Terre Ware & Shirley Poynter
Susan Gamble

WESLEY KITCHEN
In honor of Terre Ware & Shirley Poynter 
Hazel Strayer
Bill & Mary Margaret Pearson
Ted & Nancy Roney
Patricia Eder
In memory of Marty Steele
Shirley Poynter 

As a new year begins, we would like to take the time to say thank you for your giving in 2024.  Your giving to the General Fund allows us to operate our many ministries throughout the church and provide safe and beautiful facilities. Your giving to the building Fund helps to retire our debt.

We would like to remind you of the various ways to give.

Check or Cash
This of course is the traditional means of giving.  If you choose to give regularly through this means, you can recieve a box of weekly envelopes to put your offerings in or simply use the orange giving envelopes provided in the pews/seat pockets on Sundays.  Contact Alisa Hale if you would like to have a box of envelopes.

ACH Draft
This is a monthly or semi-monthly draft directly from your bank account to the church. ACH is a simple way to give automatically.  It is free to you and free to the church.  Simply fill out this form and return it to Alisa Hale at the church office.

Online Giving
Online giving offers the convenience of automatic giving from a bank account or using a credit or debit card. There is a small charge to the church for each transaction but you can choose to cover this fee for the church by checking the "cover fees" box when you set up your giving. You can set up recurring giving or make a one time gift by accessing online giving through Tithe.ly. You can do this through our church app, from our website at fumcmh.org/give or by texting the word "give" to 844-431-6662.

Concerns:
Wesley Werner (1/7/25)
Tommy Hawthorne (1/7/25)
(Gail House's nephew)
Estes Owens (12/30/24)
Aiden Garner (12/30/24)
Ashton Walker (12/30/24)
Kaden Brassfield (12/30/24)
Landen Haynes (12/30/24)
Mark, Melissa & Jason Morgan (12/23/24)
Tina Benton (12/08/24)
Mike & Mary Jane Carroll (12/08/24)
(Tina Benton)
Pat Harris (12/01/24)
(Tina Benton)
Paula Flippin (12/01/24)
(Tina Benton)
Diane Lucas (12/01/24)
(Tina Benton)
Emily Jones Griffin (12/01/24)
(Teresa Kenyon)
Bill Wagner (12/01/24)
Scott Cain (11/19/24)
(Jill Chandler’s Son)
Elden Lowe (11/19/24)
(Jill Chandler’s Nephew)
Linda Brooks (11/19/24)
(Jill Chandler)
Wesley Werner (11/18/24)
Tim Dorram (11/12/24)
(Yvonne Hall)
Matt Zipperer (10/29/24)
(Sue Storm)
Ruth Greer (10/29/24) 
Carol Hurley (10/24/24)
(Sharon Fabich) 
Sharon & Wendell Dennis (10/13/24)
(Debby Bodenhamer)
Tristan Pellitier (10/06/24)
(Cathy Roshon’s Great Grandson)
(Carolyn Densmore’s daughter)
Jack Knight (09/22/24)
(Jill Chandler’s brother)

Ruth Clark (09/19/24)
Regina Gillihan (09/15/24)
(Bernice Koonce)
Wally Smietanski (09/10/24)
Sue Robinson (09/01/24)
(Marilyn Bonecki)
Denise Rohr (08/18/24)
(Christine Rohr’s daughter)
John & Laura Guedry (07/30/24)
(Terre Ware)
Ronald Robinson (07/29/24)
(Marilyn Bonecki)
Casey Craig (07/21/24)
(Tim & Amanda King)
Jerry Beaver (07/07/24)
(Sharon Fabich’s cousin)
Connie Acheson (06/25/24)
Barbara Hagebock (06/24/24)
Johnny Johnson (06/09/24)
(Christine Rohr)
Heidi Garner (06/04/24)
(Phil & Vicki Garner’s daughter in law)
Chris Sinning (05/17/24)
(Paula Bodenhamer)
Bob Dickerson (05/12/24)
Gordon Knight (04/15/24)
(Tommy Knight’s brother)
Rexene Watson (04/03/24)
(Tom Yoder’s sister-in-law)
Nancy Reed (03/31/24)
(Mary Margaret Pearson)
Beverly Killbourn (03/20/24)
(Lucy Monger’s sister)