Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
Luke 15:1-32
Rent is a series of stories strung together, teaching us about love. We will focus on the Lost Parables in Luke, and reclaim them as Parables of Love – parables of inclusion rather than exclusion, of abundance rather than scarcity.
DATES AT A GLANCE
Parent and Youth Meeting - Sunday, August 24, 12:00PM
OneTogether Lunch and Movie - Saturday, August 30, 12:30PM
Youth Programming Returns - Wednesday, September 3
Youth Sacred Threads Starts - Wednesday, September 3, 6-7PM
SSPM Rummage Sale - Saturday, September 6, 8AM-2PM
community Events
Beer & Broadway
All ages and all people welcome!
Our August charity is the Diaper Collective at Family Network NWA. Half of U.S. families don't have enough diapers for their child, and the Diaper Collective is working to change that by providing diapers and wipes to children and families in Northwest Arkansas through over 25 partner agencies.
Beer & Hymns brings people together to raise our glasses, raise our voices, and raise funds for organizations that change the world.
Groundwork CHATS Community Sessions Continue
CHATS stands for Connecting Housing and Transformative Solutions. This grassroots initiative is designed to foster meaningful discussions around local housing issues. Through a toolkit, hosts guide conversations using Impact Cards that highlight real-life stories from people affected by the housing crisis, and Solution Cards to explore potential paths forward.
Register HERE for upcoming events:
Aug. 23rd from 10 - noon at The Medium in Spanish!
Sept. 24th from 9 - 11 a.m. in Bentonville
Oct. 1 from 9 - 11 a.m. in Springdale
Oct. 16 11 - 1 p.m. in Bentonville
announcements
Kids Meet Up
Families with children in elementary and middle school are welcome to join us at the Railyard Park on Sunday, August 31st at 3pm. Will be be having fun and handing out popsicles to our neighbors.
7-9th Grade Refuge Retreat
Refuge sign up is open! 7th-9th grade students are invited to a weekend of connection, worship and fellowship at Shepherd of the Ozarks November 7th-9th. Click HERE for more details and to sign up!
In the Know: Parent and Youth Meeting
Sunday, August 24 | 12–1:30pm
Parents and students (7th–12th grade), join us for a pizza lunch as we look ahead to the 2025-2026 school year!
We’ll share:
1. What to expect from weekly programming
2. Important dates for special events
3. Ways to get connected and involved
Come hungry and leave informed! RSVP here:
https://fumcbentonville.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/311c5a94-7752-4dda-be92-8fb847e95543
Confirmation Info Meeting
6th Graders will be going through Confirmation this year during our Sunday School hour (10-10:45am). We will have a Confirmation Meeting on August 24 at 10am with grownups to go over expectations, calendar, and questions. All families with a 6th grader will be getting an email from Ms. Allison early next week.
If you do not hear from her, email Allison at
and plan to show up!
Sacred Threads
Starting Wednesday, September 3rd, 7-12th grade youth are invited to join us for Sacred Threads. Here we will explore how God shows up in everyday culture—through a movie scene, a spoken word poem, a viral video, or a chart-topping song. Using the lenses of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience, we’ll view a short piece of media, reflect together, and dive into small group conversations that help us see God’s story woven into ours.
We’re taking a short pause from regular youth gatherings so our youth can settle into the school year, but Youth Sunday School still meets weekly at 10am.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Opportunities to Learn!
Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) classes offer opportunities to grow, lead and serve with confidence in our local churches and communities. Whether you are brand new to church or ready to go deeper, there's a class for you. Some classes meet multiple times and others are one day only. LSM has tried to keep the cost to a minimum and scholarships are available. To see class descriptions, learn more and register, go here: https://arumc.org/our-ministries/lay-servant-ministries/
Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action (Saturday, September 20, Johnna Kosnoff is facilitator)
Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries
Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia Through a Spiritual Lens
Opening Ourselves to Grace: Basic Christian Practices
Discover Your Spiritual Gifts
Transforming Evangelism
From Pew to Pulpit
Leading Worship
Disciples in the Marketplace: Seeing Grace at Work
Dancing with Words
United Methodist Polity
Sacraments: Means of Grace
If you have questions, talk with our certified lay minister, Johnna Kosnoff ( ), or any of our certified lay servants: Angela Barrington, Jodi Burks, Michael Burks, Marcia Patterson, or Wesley Wells
Let's Show Teachers Some Appreciation
Help Stuff Teacher Bags!
Show your appreciation for our dedicated teachers in our 3 schools we support. The International School at Mary Mae Jones, RE Baker and Gateway.
We will be stuffing bags with treats to support our amazing teachers as they begin a new school year. Your help and support makes a difference
Join us: Tuesday, September 9th at 9:00 am in the Gathering Room here at FUMC.
Whether you can help stuff bags, donate items, or both, your contribution will be greatly valued.
Want to know more on how to serve and/or support our teacher appreciation mission, please contact Rita Seckington at 479-426-2418 or
Second Street Pantry Missions (SSPM) Rummage Sale
The Pantry will once again host a rummage sale
Saturday, September 6th, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Proceeds from the sale will be used by SSPM to help with the costs associated with both Thanksgiving and Christmas groceries for our food-insecure neighbors.
Help declutter your home by giving your unwanted items a new life with someone else! We will begin collecting merchandise at the church, Hines Hall Wednesday, September 3rd. Like last year, if you can pre-price your treasurers, that would be a great help! We are requesting no adult clothing this year.
So please mark your calendars, check your closets, and start setting aside items you might want to donate to the SSPM rummage sale.
Spread the word for a good cause!
We sincerely appreciate your continued support and generosity as we strive to give our neighbors some stability, some compassion, and of course… food.
Thank you from Second Street Pantry volunteers.
OneTogether Lunch and Movie August 30
Join Us Saturday, 8/30/2025 at 11:30am at Oven & Tap in Bentonville for a Meal and a Movie. We will enjoy a meal together at Oven & Tap and then walk over to Skylight Cinema for a movie of your choice.
Please RSVP to Cassie at
so that we can make reservations at Oven & Tap.
OneTogether is open to any adult who identifies as single. We would love to have you join us in community.
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