Guía de la iglesia

Cottage Meetings As part of introducing our FVUMC family to our new Lead Pastor, Owen Barrow, we are holding a series of Cottage Meetings. In small groups of 15 or so, we have a chance to gather in host homes and discuss opportunities and challenges as we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have questions, please contact [email protected]. Sign up online or in the office fvumc.org/cottagemeetings

Multi-Generational Handchime Choir Your family can make music together! Play chimes and have fun with other chimers of all ages. All experience levels - beginner to advanced - and ages are welcome. Ability to read music not required. Rehearse August 4, 11, and 18 from 6:40-7:30 pm, and play for the 11:00 worship service on August 25. Please sign up by TOMORROW July 22! Register online at fvumc.org/chimes. For questions, contact Carol Stephenson, Dir. of Traditional Music, at [email protected].

Fall Youth and Children's Program Registrations are live NOW. Visit fvumc.org/registrations to sign up! The following programs are starting soon. Children: Sunday School Kids NPraise FaithWeaver Friends Kids For Christ Youth: Life Groups + Retreat Sunday Lifeline Music Teams Confirmation

Pastor Owen preached his first sermon with us here at FVUMC this past Sunday. Take a listen as all 3 of our pastor share their call story, and tell about how it is they came to be in ministry. We post the sermon podcasts on the website every week. If there is ever a time that you can't make it to church, you can always go back and check out the sermons you missed. http://fvumc.org/july-7-2019/

Does anyone remember why 20 years ago today was such an important day in FVUMC's history? If you do, please comment with any pictures!

In August, we're offering a special Family Phase Event - where we'll be offering a workshop for caregivers as they navigate their kids (birth-high school) through the phases. It will include hearing from "experts" and will be complete with tons of resources for parents and caregivers to help them with, not just the spiritual formation of children, but the day-to-day difficulties and joys of parenthood. Plan to join us on Wednesday, August 28. https://youtu.be/v2dpta8OPdM

Youth Music Registration (grades 6 - 12) for Fall 2019, including CHOIR and HANDBELLS, is OPEN. It's also not too late to get on board with the Pulse Youth PRAISE BAND. New this year, Choir & Band members are invited to attend the Youth Praise Team RETREAT on Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18. This is a local retreat that will include time for spiritual growth, team building and rehearsal in preparation for the new year. We've got some fun planned too, including bowling on Saturday night. Retreat cost is $30 per person. Register here to reserve your spot for the retreat as well as signup to be a part of our Youth Choir, Praise Band or Bell groups! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZWB2U1q92lF3PgGMNhw_wp3EwJSNUc4FeGIP58KAUlPR_lg/viewform

Cottage Meetings As part of introducing our FVUMC family to our new Lead Pastor, Owen Barrow, we are holding a series of Cottage Meetings. In small groups of 15 or so, we have a chance to discuss our opportunities and challenges as we move forward to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have questions, please contact [email protected]. Visit fvumc.org/cottagemeetings to sign up

The Church Office will be closed Thursday and Friday this week for the July 4th Holiday.

See You At The Movies! Come enjoy a time of fellowship together, and watch a movie with a redemptive theme from which we will preach a message the following Sunday. It kicks off on Wednesday night, July 10 at 6:30pm in the centrum with “Incredibles 2.” Enjoy free popcorn, visit the candy counter, and purchase Kona Ice snow cones. Please note: These are family events, not a drop off event. For everyone’s safety, we cannot have unaccompanied minors. We do offer free nursery care as long as parents remain in the building for the movie. Parents are encouraged to decide about age-appropriateness of each movie. Incredibles 2 - PG Showing on July 10, in Worship July 14 The Greatest Showman - PG Showing on July 17, in Worship July 21 Facing The Giants - PG Showing on July 24, in Worship July 28 Mary Poppins Returns - PG Showing on July 31, in Worship Aug 4 The Lion King - PG Showing in theater on Aug 7, in worship Aug 11 (more details about this screen coming soon)

Sunday, June 30, will be our VBS Celebration! You don't want to miss witnessing the spiritual growth that our children have gone through over this past VBS week here at FVUMC. Children will be invited to join us in the service and worship with us Sunday. Hope to see ya'll there!

Pastors Gene and Valerie: As you leave us this Moving Day, receive the benediction you so often gave us at the end of worship: "May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. In your rising up, and your lying down, In your going out and coming in, In your labor, leisure, laughter -- and even in your tears! May the Lord be with you until we meet again."

FVUMC is hosting Family Promise from July 21 to July 28. If you are interested in volunteering with this important ministry to families who are homeless, please visit fvumc.org/fpsummer2019. Family Promise Team Wish List: (Needed gently used or new) - Twin Sheet Sets - Twin Bed Comforters - Pack-N-Play (baby sleeper) - Gift Cards - $20 amounts (Amazon, Target, Walmart) Place bedding donations in lobby container. Take gift cards to the church office, and please label them for Family Promise. Thank you!

In this season of commissioning, licensing, and ordaining, we give thanks to God for Rev. Emily Sterling, who was ordained an elder in the Florida Conference, and Rev. Edward Ramsey, who was appointed as a licensed local pastor in the Western NC Conference. Your FVUMC family is proud of you!

VBS Starts This Week!

See You At The Movies! The summer brings with it an exciting opportunity with our Movie Message Series. We’ll gather as a family, enjoy a time of fellowship together, and watch a movie with a redemptive theme from which we will preach a message the following Sunday. It kicks off on Wednesday night, July 10 at 6:30pm in the centrum with “Incredibles 2.” Enjoy free popcorn, visit the candy counter, and purchase Kona Ice snow cones. Please note: This is a family event, not a drop off event. For everyone’s safety, we cannot have unaccompanied minors. We do offer free nursery care as long as parents remain in the building for the movie. Parents are encouraged to decide about age-appropriateness of each movie. Incredibles 2 - PG Showing on July 10, in Worship July 14 The Greatest Showman - PG Showing on July 17, in Worship July 21 Facing The Giants - PG Showing on July 24, in Worship July 28 Mary Poppins Returns - PG Showing on July 31, in Worship Aug 4 The Lion King - PG Showing in theater on Aug 7, in worship Aug 11 - Stay tuned for more information about this showing!

Welcoming Pastors Owen and Hope Pastors Owen and Hope will have their first Sunday with us on June 30, and will be preaching here for the first time on July 7.

Peace With Justice Sunday is a special Sunday authorized by the General Conference to be observed with an offering to be taken up throughout the denomination on the first Sunday after Pentecost. The focus of the observance is on a witness to God’s demand for a faithful, just, disarmed and secure world. Of the monies received, one half remains in the Annual Conference for Peace with Justice projects. The other half goes to the General Board of Church and Society for its program of Peace with Justice ministries.

TOMORROW - Celebrating Pastor Bobby's Ordination at Annual Conference June 12-15 marks the yearly Annual Conference business meeting for the NC Conference of The United Methodist Church. If you are interested in watching the proceedings, you can do so online at nccumc.org/ac2019. Tomorrow morning, June 15, Pastor Bobby Rackley will be ordained an Elder in The United Methodist Church during worship at 10:30am. All are welcome to attend the service in the Greenville Convention Center or tune in online using the link above.

See You At The Movies! Come enjoy a time of fellowship together, and watch a movie with a redemptive theme from which we will preach a message the following Sunday. It kicks off on Wednesday night, July 10 at 6:30pm in the centrum with “Incredibles 2.” Enjoy free popcorn, visit the candy counter, and purchase Kona Ice snow cones. Please note: These are family events, not a drop off event. For everyone’s safety, we cannot have unaccompanied minors. We do offer free nursery care as long as parents remain in the building for the movie. Parents are encouraged to decide about age-appropriateness of each movie. Incredibles 2 - PG Showing on July 10, in Worship July 14 The Greatest Showman - PG Showing on July 17, in Worship July 21 Facing The Giants - PG Showing on July 24, in Worship July 28 Mary Poppins Returns - PG Showing on July 31, in Worship Aug 4 The Lion King - PG Showing in theater on Aug 7, in worship Aug 11 (more details about this screen coming soon)

FVUMC Cub Scouts Cub Scouts lets kids have fun while teaching them skills that will help them later on. Tailored to match each age in a child’s life, Cub Scouts learn that even when things aren’t easy, they’re always an adventure. Cub Scouting focuses on citizenship, health and fitness, character development, and leadership. The program encourages family involvement and serving the community.

FVUMC Venturing Crew Venturing brings Scouting values to life for young men and women through both high adventure outdoor activities and challenging real-world projects. It empowers them to create their own experiences and offers those moments that open their eyes to a world that’s bigger than they ever imagined.

What do you think of when you think about scouting? Cookies and Luminarias? Uniforms and badges? Backpacking and camping? Fun and friendship? All of these things are elements of the scouting ministry. Today, as we celebrate this important ministry, we wanted to take a moment to highlight another aspect of scouting. Young people are constantly bombarded with messages and pressures about what they should do, say, think, and feel. Involvement in scouting is a powerful and proven way to set a higher expectation. While the children, youth, and their adult leaders have fun participating in the backpacking trips, community service projects, ropes courses, and experiencing God's beautiful world, they memorize and are expected to live by a scout oath and scout law. Different groups have different wording for their code, but the focus of each is on honor, integrity, and respect. This code and living it in their daily lives develops a firm foundation with clear priorities for each scout's moral and ethical decision-making. Scouting goes deeper than how to set up a tent and tie a rope in knots. It is about confidence, character, team work, and leadership. Six days each week, FVUMC is host to scout groups - Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Venture Crew spanning from kindergarten to young adulthood. Scouting is a powerful tool FVUMC helps make possible for hundreds of children and youth in our community, many of whom do not otherwise set foot in a church. Today, we celebrate the deep, long-lasting seeds of character built through this ministry. If you are interested in more information about the various scout groups, please visit the lobby this morning.

Interested in receiving training to serve as a Stephen Minister? Stephen Ministers are congregation members who are trained and commissioned to provide one-to-one lay caring ministry to persons in crisis or with other needs for care. These trained lay people serve alongside a hurting person and meet with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide confidential emotional and spiritual support. Loving others in Jesus’ name is a challenge and an opportunity for all God’s children. Likewise, the joy of helping others is the privilege of all Christians, for the Holy Spirit has given gifts to each Christian to use in service to others and to build up the church. Stephen Ministers initially commit to serve for two years which includes 50+ hours of initial training. However, many renew their commitment and serve longer. While they are serving, Stephen Ministers participate in a monthly Continuing Education and Supervision Group. A training session is being planned for early 2019. If you feel called to this ministry, please contact Bob Hight, Stephen Leader, at [email protected] or Rev. Valerie Tyson, Pastor of Congregational Care & Welcoming Ministries at [email protected] or 919-552-4331.

We celebrate the arrival of Jesus, our Lord! We light the four candles for hope, joy, love, and peace. We also light the white candle in the center to remind us of Christ, the light of the world! Let’s listen closely to God’s word for us in our Bible passage. Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 through 20, says, “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Prayer: Dear God, we gratefully celebrate the birth of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. You have brought us through this season of waiting. Our hearts are full of your love. We join our voices with the angels, who are always singing joyful songs of praise to you. Glory, glory, glory to God in the highest heaven! Peace to all of God’s people on earth! Make us faithful witnesses like the shepherds who told their neighbors: the Savior of the world is here! The glorious light of Christ shines brightly for everyone. Hallelujah!

Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent. We light four candles for hope, love, joy, and peace. God helps us to wait for the arrival of Jesus, our Lord. He brings lasting peace to people everywhere. Let’s listen closely to God’s word for us in our Bible passage. Micah, chapter 5, verses 2 through 5a, says, “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.” Prayer: Gracious God, long ago you made the shepherd David of Bethlehem a king of Israel. Thank you for raising people from small towns and big cities to follow you in faith. You promised that a Son of David will be the peaceful king whose reign lasts forever. At the right time, you fulfilled your promise in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Jesus is the good shepherd who peacefully feeds his flock and helps us to live in safety. Help us to show by our calm words and peaceful actions that we belong to you.

Third Week of Advent: Joy – December 16, 2018 Today is the third Sunday in Advent. We light three purple candles (or two purple candles and a pink candle). They are symbols of hope, love, and joy. Our deep joy is a reflection of God’s gracious love. Our joy comes from the greatest gift that only God gives: our sins are forgiven. Let’s listen closely to God’s word for us in our Bible passage. Zephaniah, chapter 3, verses 14 through 20, says, “‘Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,’ says the LORD.”

Today, we light two purple candles for hope and love. God loves the world so much that God sent messengers—the prophets and John the Baptist—to help us cleanse our hearts and minds to get ready for Jesus. Let’s listen closely to God’s word for us in our Bible passage. Malachi, chapter 3, verses 1 through 4, says, “‘See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming,’ says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.’”

We light one purple candle as a symbol of hope. Advent means “arrival.” We wait to celebrate Christmas when Jesus first arrived as a baby. We are also waiting for the day when Jesus will return again as the Lord of all. Let’s listen closely to God’s word for us in our Bible passage. Jeremiah, chapter 33, verses 14 through 16, says, “‘The days are surely coming,’ says the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’”