Circuit Writer October 2017 Vol. 39 Issue 10 First United Methodist Church

501 Ninth Street, Mena, AR 71953 Website: www.menafirst.org Phone: 479-394-3051 Email: menafumc@yahoo.com Ann Ferris, Pastor

In his final words to his disciples, as reported in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructed them:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and

of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”

After receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they did just that. Later Paul joined them and countless Christians have continued that work since then. Christianity is currently the largest religion in the world with over 2 billion believers, although it is estimated that there are still 2 billion people who have never heard of Jesus.

On Sunday, October 1 we be reminded of the worldwide nature of the church when we celebrate World Communion Sunday during worship. Celebrated on the first Sunday in October, World Communion Sunday was originally a Pres-byterian observance, but it was established in 1940 as a global, interdenominational event. Whether we celebrate in grand cathedrals, small country churches, wooden huts in the jungle, out in the open air, in a secret house church in a country where Christianity is illegal, or anywhere else, Christians around the world are reminded on this Sunday that we are part of the one body of Christ, sharing the same faith in the one Lord Jesus Christ and serving him in our part of the world.

Around the world and even within Arkansas, churches are very different from each other and worship in very different ways. And yet we are not so different. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Paul wrote:

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-- and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”

And so, we are united by the one Holy Spirit who makes it possible for us to feel at home when we worship in very different cultural settings. I look forward to worshipping with Haitian Christians on October 8. (Rev. Daryl Hines has graciously agreed to preach at Mena FUMC that day.) What a privilege it is to be part of the global body of Christ!

Grace and peace, Pastor Ann

September’s 9th Street Dinner will be on Thursday, October 19. Beefy Spanish Rice and green beans (canned). The recipe will be available in the main office, it can be e-mailed or texted, and will be available on the FUMC-Mena 9th Street Ministries Dinner Facebook page: (https://www.facebook.com/FUMCMena9thStreetDinners/).

The sign-up sheets are in the usual place in the main hall-way, so please sign up. If you’d like a reminder call, please write that next to your name and we’ll call a few days prior to the dinner.

If you have questions or want more information, contact Mike Meier (757-897-2094) or Mary Meier (757-897-0967) - texts are fine, just please remember to identify yourself because we don’t have everyone’s phone number.

Mike & Mary Meier We Served 335 meals

in September!

Please come and join us. The service includes a brief message, music and the opportunity to be anointed with oil and receive the laying on of hands and prayer for healing for yourself, a family member or a friend.

Please invite your friends to join you.

Congratulations Polk County Fair Ribbon Winners!

Travis Benefield -

1st place for a pot holder and a crepe myrtle flower stem.

Jennifer Benefield -

2nd place for a crepe myrtle and a sock monkey,

3rd place for my first quilt, corn bread and banana bread.

Katie Benefield -

1st place and best in section for her coloring page, a pillow, a

pillow case, candy, and a pompom animal,

2nd place ribbons for 4 other baked goods.

Sarah Grenier -

Best overall bantam trio for her buff bantam brahma chickens,

Best in Show for her fresh green eggs,

Best in show for her fresh cut flower arrangement.

Caroline Morgan -

2nd place in the junior division of color photography of 'bugs

& butterflies.

Anne Garrett -

2nd place for tomatoes.

Kilee Rowe - Best in Show for pen of three chickens, Best in Show for hen and rooster cupcakes, Best of Section for hen and rooster cup cakes, Reserve Champion for old trio chickens, Best Division for pot plant. Katie Rowe - Reserve Champion in Adult Open Show for chickens, Best of Section for her quillow, Best of Section for pepper jelly, 1st place for pen of three chickens, 1st place for eggs. Katrina Rowe - 1st place for succulents (plants).

Sharing the Spiritual Side of All Hallows Tide Week

When I was a child Halloween meant excitement; costumes and, more importantly, candy! But I didn’t associate the free treats with lighting candles at a church the following Sunday for people who’d died in the previous year. This season is a wonderful opportunity to let others know how the related holidays of Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve) and All Saints Day can enrich their lives.

Life is balance. You experience sorrow and you appreciate the times of joy all the more. Halloween’s spooky excitement balances the respect given on All Saint’s Day to those who have passed on.

It also gives each of us a chance to pass on our faith. When you invite neighbors and friends to join us for both Trunk or Treat and All Saint’s Day on the following Sunday, Nov. 5; please explain that All Hallow’s Eve is the precursor to All Saint’s Day. We assume you won’t have to explain Halloween.

Mention that All Saint’s Day is a time to reflect on the lives of those who have gone on before us; especially a person who influenced us in a positive way. A communion service follows as a hopeful reminder that we have eternal life through Christ and will see our loved ones again. Assure them that they do not have to be a member to include the names of their loved ones to who have died in the last year to be honored on All Saint’s Day.

And even earlier this month, each of us has a chance to invite the pet-lovers in our lives to FUMC’s Blessing of the Animals event on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 1. They can bring their pet or a picture of them to be blessed and prayed over. Since it’s held outside, with no formal service, this may be a good first step for inviting people who are a bit skittish about “organized religion.”

Thanks for passing on your faith!

--Merydith & Bob Mathiews, your Evangelism Team

September has been another busy month for the men. Billy Wood, Bob Young, Frank Graves and Ken Crawford built a handicap ramp for a church family. Mike Meier and Steve Knott did some furniture moving and "honey-dos" for another church family. The men bought supplies and put together eleven flood buckets for the hurricane vicims. We also had an inside garage sale on September 29 and 30.

We had a good night of fellowship on September 19 with Andy Riner as our speaker. We had 17 men to attend. We are plan-ning our next gathering on October 24.

God Bless

James Ferris, UMM President

The youth is growing by leaps and bounds. We went from four to eight and now have twelve coming. It takes a village to grow our future. If you can sup-ply a meal for Sunday night please get with Landon or me. Details to come soon about the group’s Fall trip to Holly Springs Homestead. Also look

for kindness rocks that will placed around town that the youth and betweens have made. Just a small way to show our neighbors that we care. Katrina and Landon Rowe, Youth Leaders

The United Methodist churches of the Arkansas Conference will be collecting supplies for the Ingathering again this November. As we have done in recent years, we have decided to collect health kits. These provide essential hygiene items for victims of disasters such as hurricanes and floods. You may also give money that we will use to purchase items for additional health kits. Our youth will assemble the kits. Please place your items in a grocery sack in the marked box in fellowship hall by Sunday, November 5.

For each kit please purchase:

1 hand towel (15 x 25 inches to 17 x 27 inches. No kitchen, cleaning, or microfiber towels)

1 washcloth

1 sturdy comb, at least 6 inches long. (No pocket combs. Rattail combs and combs without handles are

acceptable with a minimum of 6 inches of teeth)

1 metal nail file or nail clippers (No emery boards)

1 3 oz or larger bar of soap (No Ivory or Jergens. Do not remove from original packaging)

1 adult size toothbrush (Do not remove from original packaging)

6 adhesive bandages (3/4 to 1 inch size)

1 one-gallon size sealable plastic bag

$1.00 to purchase toothpaste. Put your $1 bill in a separate envelope.

Carolyn Wood Missions Chair

We will be celebrating All Saints Day during worship on Sunday, November 5. We will name, ring a chime and light a candle in memory of each person associated with this church or a community member who has died since we held this service last year. We will

also remember unnamed friends who have died. If you have lost a loved one during the past year and would like them remembered in this service, please contact the church office by noon on Wednesday, November 1 so we can include their name in the bulletin.

Blessing of Animals We are having our Annual Blessing of Animals on Sunday, October 1. Bring your animals to the church to have them blessed by

Pastor Ann. Please invite your friends to come along with their animals too!

Current Resident or

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 42

Mena, AR 71953

First United Methodist Church

501 Ninth Street

Mena, AR 71953

Church Family: Nancy Jo Baker, Charles Bishop, Linda Copper, Jim Derris, Wanda Hamilton, William Harrison, Nancy Hines, Audrey Hollington, Sharon & Jerry Johnson, Donna Jones, Jo Livin, Joe Man-non, Robin Marlin, Mary Meier, Tanya Morgan, Ernie & Sharon Overcast, Marissa Pate, Joyce Phelps, Fran Riddle, Charles Ray Roberts, Gene Roberts, Rene’ Roberts, Dale Shook, Brenda & Harold Smith, Jimmy Smith, Betty Sunderman, Naomi Thompson and family, Kevin Walker, Mark Wiggins.

Family Members and Friends: All those serving in our Armed Forces, especially Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment. Mark Barton, Susie Bell, Katherine Benton, Judy Campbell,

Warren Carr, April Carstarphen, Marty Davis, The family of Denny Dickinson, Meredith Dixon, Norma Drager, Judy Fletcher, Maria Grassl, Angie Graves, Ben Graves, Don Hawthorne, Michael & Kelhan Howell, Linda Johnson, Michael Keech, Anabelle Kreuger, Ben Massongill, Pam Mayo, Jim Moody, Scherrie Musgrove, Steve Olmstead, Bob Piearcy, Charlie Scheidt, Lauren Sikes, Wanda Singleton, Buddy Thigpen, Maci Thompson, Emma Jane Tribe, Bob Turner, Tammy Vaughn, Gordon Walters, Marcus Warren, Jennifer Womble, Dr. Mike & Maryanne Young.

MRHS Rehab: Rex Burns

The Oaks: Leslie Lancaster Hilda Mullenax

Peach Tree Lane: Vera Cary Helen Jones

Rich Mountain: Dee Black Sue Derris Ava Nell Mannon Tess Price

Out of Town: Robbie Blair Ethel Elliott Anne Gibson Sharma Hightower

Johnnie Wenzel

October Newsletter

October’s scripture reading is a blue-print of how we can be and stay holy.

1 Peter 1:13-16

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Donna and I want to thank

Pastor Ann for her visits

during my weekend stay in

MRHS. We also appreciate the

prayers from my church fami-

ly and the two young ladies

who delivered the flowers from

the Flower Committee.

Thank you,

John Montgomery

Ed Copes

Was given by Wingo & Pat Johnson

TUESDAY , OCTOBER 31

4:30 P.M. to

5:30 P.M.

CHURCH PARKING LOT

BRING A FRIEND !

Growing in the love of God and our neighbors