August 16, 2020 Sunday Morning Outdoor Worship at FUMC!!
Rev. Ray with Lay Leader Wesley Bradley upon completion of first virtual Holston Annual Conference 2020.
FUMC UMW purchased supplies for Blessing Bags Ministry for Homeless
Special Thanks to UMW members Dona and Gaye for preparing Blessing Bags.
Rev. Ray and our beautiful Lady Pat
Recording of Sunday Morning Online Worship. Thanks Joy McCray for all you do for your FUMC family.
Rev. Ray's Daily Devotion
“Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing…” Psalm 126:2
It was wonderful to finally be back inside the church Sunday morning. Three little boys greeted me with, “Hello pastor Amos.” We all had mask on, so I asked, “How did you know it was me?” One pointed at my pulpit robe and said with a smile bigger than his mask, “Because you are the only one who wears those clothes.” That is yet another reason we need to be together: the power of a laughing heart.
The Bible says that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh. Too much of one and not enough of the other gets life out of balance. It is not necessary to be a clown, but neither do we need to have the appearance of being baptized in pickle juice. Jesus did a wonderful thing by being a perfect example of a reasonable life.
Years ago, a lady and I were talking as she was cleaning a hospital room. She clearly had a burdened life, yet her gleeful spirit was contagious. Her words were unforgettable. She said, “If we can’t laugh together then we won’t cry together.” I have witnessed the truth of that statement many times. The first to show up beside our broken heart will likely be the ones we laughed with yesterday.
Good Christian laughter is a much-needed ministry in a quarantined world; and those who can put a smile on a face and cause a heart to laugh have done a great thing. Have you noticed how a baby’s smile lights up the room? Such a smile is one of the first emotions that it shares. The baby was not taught to smile; it was installed by the manufacturer.
It is significant to me that one of God’s Old Testament main characters was named Laughter (Isaac). As the hymn says, “Joyful, Joyful, we adore Thee; God of glory, God of Love…All Thy works with joy surround Thee…”
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
Contact Us
First United Methodist Church, Elizabethton, TN
Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643
Fax (423)543-2168
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What's Happening at FUMC Elizabethton
Doors are open for In-Person Worship beginning Sunday, September 20th
As we embrace our return to the house of worship, please take a few minutes to review these safety guidelines.
Please wear your mask while in the church building.
Worship Online if you are sick or feel sick.
Refrain from hugging and shaking hands.
Although we have missed each other greatly, let’s play it safe.
Avoid touching surfaces as much as possible,
wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer as needed.
Immobility issues have been addressed. One of the ushers will
be at the elevator entrance to open the doors and access the
operation panel for you.
Social Distance by sitting with your family,
stay approximately 6 feet away from others.
Pews have been roped off to aid with this.
Entrances have been supplied with mask and hand sanitizer.
Wooden boxes have also been placed at each
entrance for you to place tithes and offerings.I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Psalm 122:1We are so happy to welcome our
FUMC family back together again.
Let us rejoice in the light of our LordSunday September 19, 2020
Women of FUMC,
help SUPPORT The River's
"Over Shoulder Boulder Holder" CampaignBecause ALL WOMEN NEED SUPPORT!
To donate, please bring new or gently used bras through September 27th. Your donations can be dropped off at the church office during the week or on Sunday’s during Worship (just place in bag and leave on table with offering boxes).
Join us for Sunday Morning Worship
Indoor Worship will resume Sunday, September 20, 2020
Two services will be available at 9:00am and 11:00am at a limited capacity for social distancing. You may reserve a time slot by clicking on the reservation links on this page.
Those who are sick or do not feel comfortable tor in person worship at this time may join us:
Facebook Livestream at 9:00 am
The livestream will be uploaded to the Sermons/Bible Studies Tab and YouTube after the 9:00am service ends.
Wednesday Night Life Lessons with Rev. Ray Wednesdays at 7:00pm (online only)
To Join Us Online...
- Click on the Sermons Tab on this page
- First United Methodist Church Facebook Page (click on
above Rev. Ray's Devotion to be directed directly to the page.) - First United Methodist Church of Elizabethton, TN YouTube Channel. (click on
above Rev. Ray's Devotion to be directed directly to the page.)
Giving Online is an easy way to donate to First United Methodist of Elizabethton. Simply click on the Donate Online link located in the upper left corner of this page. It's safe and secure way to give.
Thank you for your continued support in your stewardship,
giving of your talents, and your prayers.
