Volume LII September 2019 Number 9

First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince St., Conway, AR, 72034

The Witness

Sunday, October 13, will mark our second (possibly “annual”) celebration of “Songs of Praise” in our sanctuary worship services. Based on a long-running BBC television program of the same name, our “Songs of Praise” worship ser-vices will center on the singing of hymns selected and introduced by representatives of our own congrega-tion. Music in both services will be led by our choirs, handbells and brass - but the most important part is our corporate singing. From the earliest days of our denomination, Methodists have been “a singing people” so on this day we will focus specifically on that central

act of worship. Our prayer is that your singing will gain greater depth and understanding as you hear from others how their chosen hymn has impacted their life. Join us on Sunday, October 13, at 8:45 or 11 a.m. - or both!

‘SONGS OF PRAISE’ SET OCT. 13

LAITY SUNDAY — OCT. 20 Cultivating Calls to Ministry

On Laity Sunday, we will focus on the truth that we are all called to ministry - called to serve God, God’s people, and God’s creations through the gifts and resources we are given. Some are called to specialized ministry, including ordained ministry. Several of our youth have express a desire to explore Christian voca-tions in a more formal way. In addition to guided conversations with our youth leaders, pastors, and others, they are involved in a class to explore various forms of ministry. On Laity Sunday, we will hear from sever-al of our youth who are exploring their call to min-istry. Many of our lay leaders will provide leader-ship in the worship services. It promises to be an inspiring day.

FEATURED HYMNS FOR ‘SONGS OF PRAISE’

#707 “Hymn of Promise” (selected and introduced by John Collier)

“His Eye Is On the Sparrow” (selected and introduced by Leigh Lassiter-Counts)

#140 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness: (selected and introduced by Peggy Collins)

#110 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (selected and introduced by Da-vid Daugherty)

#660 “God Is Here” (selected and introduced by Keith Savage, father of Janet Gingerich)

‘Songs of Praise’ 2018

PAGE 2 - CONWAYFUMC.ORG

In Memory and In Honor In memory of Tom Siria by: Gay Moore, Roger & Linda Mills In memory of Harton Spatz by: Linda White Switzer, M.M. Satterfield, Jr. In memory of Ed Horlick by: Roy Thompson, Tom & Patsy Desaulniers, Lorlie March & Family, Jeff & Norma Kel-ley, Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class, David & Jackie Daugherty, Claudia Davis, Bill & Helene Fabian, Koinonia Sun-day School Class In memory of Dale Hale by: Pam Wren In memory of Kirk Nichols by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Chris Bills by: Jeff & Nor-ma Kelley, Koinonia Sunday School Class In memory of Jim & Peggy Gingerich by: J.D. & Janet Gingerich In memory of Kathleen Savage by: J.D. & Janet Gingerich In memory of Waddy Moore by: M.M.

Satterfield Jr. In memory of Dr. Thomas D. Henson by: The Henson Family, Sara Shinn In memory of Roenia E. Webb by: Aleene E. Henson In memory of Nadia Bass by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Jim Duran by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Lee Hamby by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Carolyn Lewis by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Carolyn Matthews by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Roberta McCrea by: Doro-thy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Sherman & Jacque Peter-son by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class

In memory of Frank & Dorothy Robins by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Bill Sanders by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Andy Scarlett by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Walter Ed Scales by: Doro-thy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Elnora Sneed by: Dorothy Robins Light Sunday School Class In memory of Chris Bills by: Bill & Den-ise Bethea In memory of C.R. Trent by: Connie Trent In honor of Laura Whittington by: Tom & Patsy Desaulniers In honor of Aleene Henson by: Sara Shinn In honor of Blake Shinn by: Sara Shinn

ONE SERVICE DAY

CONWAYFUMC.ORG -- PAGE 3

Older Adults Trip to Branson Scheduled The Older Adults Ministry would like to in-vite you to join us on an overnight trip to Branson, Missouri, on Nov. 7 and 8. On Nov. 7 we will go to the Welk theater to see the stage show “Million Dollar Quartet,” a show about the day Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins met and did recordings at Sun Studio in Memphis. Then we will check into the Lodge of the Ozarks before going to Starvin Marvin’s for dinner. After dinner we will go to the Sight and Sound Theater for a presentation of “The Miracle of Christ-mas”. On Friday we will spend the morning shopping at Tanger Mall, and head back to Conway. We will stop for lunch in St. Joe at Ferguson’s Country Store. The cost of the trip is $320 for double hotel room occupancy or $230 for single occupancy. This price includes all expenses except Thursday lunch and dinner, and Friday lunch. The deadline to register is Oct. 16. Contact Kisha Bumpers at(kbumpers@conwayfumc.org) or Kathleen Caruthers (kcaruthers@conwayfumc.org) if interested. A deposit of half the amount will secure your spot.

Christmas Coffeehouse Set Sunday, Nov. 17 The FUMC Missions Committee will be host-ing its annual Christmas Coffeehouse in the Trinity Building from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. We invite everyone to join us for this event that will set off the holidays. Please mark your calen-dars now to attend and be a part of this mission that helps to promote local non-profit organizations, raise funds for those in need, and community outreach. There will be numerous non-profit organization booths set up, musical entertainment, door prizes, a silent auction, free coffee bar and refreshments. The Missions Committee would greatly ap-preciate donations for the Silent Auction. This event is made possible by your generosity and we Thank You! Look for sign-up sheets in Sunday School classrooms, on the table outside of Kisha’s office in the Sanctuary building, or contact Debbie Bartrow at fddcbartrow@conwaycorp.net or 501-514-0381.

Open Hours at the Church Adjusted We have made some adjustments in the hours that the church is open to the public. The main doors to the office area are opened: Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m. to noon. Saturday: 9 a.m. to noon. Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (and for meetings and

programs). If you need to use the facilities at other times, please schedule it with Danielle, our Church Adminis-trator, and we will work with you.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (USPS 625-840) 1610 PRINCE ST. CONWAY, ARKANSAS 72034 501-329-3801

The Witness is published monthly by First United Methodist Church 1610 Prince St., Conway, AR 72034. Periodicals postage paid at Conway, AR POSTMASTER: Send address changes to “The Witness,” c/o Colleen Holt, editor; First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince St., Conway, AR 72034

WWW.CONWAYFUMC.ORG FACEBOOK.COM/CONWAYFIRSTUMC

Senior Pastor — Michael Roberts Associate Pastor — Lauren DeLano Dir., Music/Worship Ministries — Janet Gingerich Director, Children’s Ministries — Pam Lentz Director, Lay Ministries — Kisha Bumpers Director, Youth Ministries — Zach Schrick Director, MidYouth Ministries — Sandra King Assoc. Dir., Music (Children) — Linda Ball Praise Band Leader — Stuart Holt

Church Administrator — Danielle Adkisson Business Assistant — Todd Burris Supervisor, Hospitality Ministries — Ed Spears Financial Assistant — Laura Bounds Communications Assistant — Colleen Holt Kitchen Coordinator — Kathleen Caruthers Elementary Assistant — Catherine Gatlin Nursery Assistant — Paula Bruner

Contact staff by email at: first initial of first name plus last name

@conwayfumc.org

Example: mroberts@conwayfumc.org

Our Core Purpose: To cultivate faithful and fruitful disciples

of Jesus Christ.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH STAFF DIRECTORY

Congratulations to all of the third-graders who received Bibles on Sunday, Sept. 15. Thanks to all those who con-tributed to their wonderful day -- Ms. Pam and Ms. Catherine for their behind-the-scenes work, and Ms. Joan for our bible covers.