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Welcome to First United Methodist Church, Sweetwater!

 
Join us for online Sunday worship  Click Here
 
All services and activities in our church building are cancelled until further notice.   Attached is the Bishop’s most recent letter explaining the decision to keep church buildings closed until further notice.   The Bishop and Cabinet are working on a detailed process for our facilities to re-open.  This will take place when it is deemed safe to be together again.
 

As you know, even with services cancelled, our expenses continue. Some of you have been dropping off or mailing your contribution checks to the office. Many of you already have automatic bank drafts set up for your weekly or monthly giving. Others have inquired about doing this. For those who are so inclined, you may make one-time or recurring donations through our website by clicking on the “My Gifts” tab or by clicking directly on the “Donate Now” link on this page.
Another option is to make your donation through Vanco (the service that handles all our online donations) over the phone by calling their Client Services team at 800-675-7430.

Church Events and Announcements
 

UPPER ROOM

The Upper Room devotional for May-June is now available and may be picked up during regular office hours (Mondays and Fridays 9:00-1:00). Several copies will also be left in the “In House Mail” box beside the office door. If you prefer online resources, please visit:  https://www.upperroom.org/covid-19.  Additional resources are temporarily being made available at the same link.
 

HOLSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Holston Annual Conference, that was to meet June 7-10, 2020
at Lake Junaluska, NC, has been postponed and will be rescheduled as a Virtual Annual Conference on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at 1:00 p.m.
 
 
Current Opportunities to Serve
 
MAY 31 IS FIFTH SUNDAY
The Fifth Sunday collection on May 31 is for the Holston Home for Children. Because of your donations, children encounter hope for a better future.  Please give generously and help change lives!
 
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 
Mark your Calendars for July 19-23 for Virtual VBS!  Join us on Rocky Railway, where we learn that through life’s ups and downs, “Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through”.  This year will hold VBS via video—details to follow. We still need VBS teachers/volunteers and will tape all lessons. We will provide packets containing book, crafts, etc., for each child,  Please contact Jacqueline if you are able to help.
 
 
HOLSTON CONFERENCE HANDS-ON MISSION PROJECT
The Holston Conference annual Hands On Mission project will go forward as planned. The needs in Liberia and Zimbabwe are still great, if not even greater, as they too struggle to with COVID-19. All the supplies we send will be an incredible blessing. Our district is asked to supply Health Kits, which include items outlined below. More information on  when and where to drop off kits will be shared as details become available.   Please remember to include $5 with each kit to help defray shipping costs. 
 
REPLENISHING HOLSTON KITS
During March and April severe storms and  tornados caused loss of life and severe damage as they slammed through central and eastern Tennessee.  The Holston’s Early Response Team responded with 504 Cleaning Kits and several hundred Hygiene Kits.  As members of the Holston Conference, we can help by responding in the following ways: give financially, pray for those experiencing loss and hardship, and help replace Holston’s stockpile of Hygiene kits. Hygiene kits are needed and they provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of natural disasters.  Hygiene Kit Materials are shown below. The estimated cost of 1 Hygiene kit is less than $15.00.  When we resume worship services and other activities in the church building, please bring the Hygiene kit items to the conference room.
 

DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO RUN ERRANDS FOR YOU?

We have several members who have volunteered to run errands for anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to go out during this time. Please let the office know if you would like someone to do this for you, and we’ll put them in contact with you. When you allow someone to help you, you are giving them a blessing!

 

FUNDRAISER FOR TRUE PURPOSE WOMEN’S CENTER

Since we’re all staying home more, now is a great time for Spring Cleaning! When you purge your closets and basements of serviceable but unneeded clothing and household items, please save them for a yard sale we will hold to benefit this worthy cause.  The sale will be held when gathering restrictions are lifted…watch the bulletin and newsletter for more details to come!

 
BE A BLESSING – PASS IT ON
 
Our church has a “Blessing Box” outside the building.  We are filling it with non-perishable items that can be used by those in need.  Please donate food and dry good items (clothes, blankets, etc.)  for this outreach service supporting those in need in our community.

 

 
 
 
 
 
REMINDER OF CLOSURES FUMC follows the Sweetwater City Schools regarding closures.  If the schools are closed due to weather, all activities at church will also be canceled.