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FUMC dressed for Christmas complete with snow.
To God be the Glory
Winter Beauty, courtesy of our Lord; and photo credit to Rev. Ray.
Resurrection Cross 2015
Ready for Advent - First Sunday
Ready for the Advent - Second Sunday
Third Sunday of Advent
Our beautiful Sanctuary - Ordinary Days
A Light Unto the World
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind......
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
Pat & Ray
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying,"I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Summer is Beautiful at FUMC
The Covered Bridge in our beautiful city.
“Come home, come home it's suppertime
The shadows lengthen fast
Come home, come home it's suppertime
We're going home at last.”
The Lord's Last Supper was an emotional time. He could read the disciples, and His heart was filled with Love for them. "Having loved them, He loved them to the end." (He always loves as far as love can go.)
"I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you...” It was the desired supper; we know those meals. Someone plans, cooks and prepares with so much love. They just want one more time with loved ones at the table.
It is Maundy Thursday and Suppertime is coming. The disciples were divided together: “who is the greatest among us?’ I don’t wash feet; do you think that I am your servant?” Jesus, in the shadow of His own cross takes water and towel; and He does the lowly task of true greatness. Maundy means command: “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you.” Do this in remembrance of me.
Even though we can’t be together in our place of worship today, we can sit together at the table in our heart. We feast on memories; we feast with loved ones on earth and in Heaven; and we receive grace from an invisible cup held by a nail scarred hand. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
"I come with joy to meet my Lord,
forgiven, loved and free,
in awe and wonder to recall
his life laid down for me."
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643
NO SERVICES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE EFFECTIVE MARCH 18, 2020
As noted in Rev. Ray's earlier email, all worship services and gatherings have been cancelled until further notice, per Bishop Taylor's mandate. Rev. Ray's sermon will be streamed, which can be viewed on our church facebook page at 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings. Bible study and Lenten messages will also be available on FB and our church website.
The mandate also includes all other church gatherings: Sunday School, Choir, Youth, Children, Lent Dinners, Bible Studies, Meetings, etc. This mandate is effective until further notice per the Bishop's message. For futher information see the links area of this website.
Thank you for your understanding during this trying time. Please continue to pray that this health scare passes and that we can all be together to worship soon.
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM REV. RAY
Dear Congregation,
Good afternoon to each of you. By now you have learned that the Bishop has said that the building will be closed a while longer (I don’t care for the word indefinitely). You are the church; and you can’t be closed. We will be going again soon. And perhaps there is an unseen blessing in all of this. After all, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” We may return with even a greater love for our church.
I have been asked what is the plan. My first response is, “I don’t know, but we will figure it out.” Then I thought, “This is not my church, nor my (our) responsibility to figure out our next steps.” The church belongs to God, and He has a plan. My prayer is that we will allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into that plan.
The Bible says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Everything is going to be alright.
We will post the message on Sunday Morning at 10:00. It will not be livestream; but the quality will be much better. Thanks to Joy, who is living up to her name. She is faithfully serving the Lord in a productive and meaningful way by recording the messages for us. Thanks also to Vickie Shipley who has worked and worked to help keep the wheels turning.
We are thankful to the many who are remembering the church financially at this time; and certainly for all who are praying.
I pray that you will be protected and receive daily help from the Lord. Our God is good! This comes with much love and certain hope for each of you.
Grace and Peace,
Rev Ray
Online Giving
We have added an easy way to give to our church through this website. Simply click on the links tab at the top right of the home page, then click on the Contribution link, it will be the first link on the link page. It's easy!
