Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Genesis 32:1-8; 33:1-4; Luke 4:16-30
We are raised these days to be afraid of the stranger. Why? Because we fear the harm they will do us. In these two stories, we see Jacob’s fear of Esau is unfounded. But Jesus is still having to correct that fear in people when they try to throw him over the cliff for lifting up the good example of the outsiders.
DATES AT A GLANCE
Mission Trip Sign-up Deadline - Friday, September 19
OneTogether Meal and Service - Saturday, September 20, 10:30AM
Disarming Leviathan Book Study Starts - Sunday, September 21, 5PM
Youth Band 1st Practice - Sunday, September 21, 3-4PM
Groundwork CHATS - Wednesday, September 24, 9-11AM
Middle School Meetup - Sunday, September 28, 3-4PM
Youth Carwash - Sunday, September 28, 4-5:30PM
community Events
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:
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
Youth Carwash
Support our Youth on Sunday, September 28th from 4-5:30pm by getting your car washed in the church parking lot! Donations are welcome and will help to reduce costs of Youth events for our families.
Middle School Meet-Up
Ms. Lexie is taking our 5th and 6th graders to the Bentonville Square to build community connections by passing out popsicles on Sunday, September 28th from 3-4pm. It will be a great afternoon spent making friends, enjoying treats and sharing God's love!
Youth Band Starting September 21
Calling all 9th-12th grade musicians! Join Ms. Allison in the Youth Space on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, starting on September 21st, from 3:00-4:00 PM. This is a fun and creative opportunity to practice and play both worship and secular songs in a supportive environment. Whether you're looking to grow your skills or simply enjoy making music with friends, we'd love to see you there!
Youth Mentoring with Pastor Michelle - Starting Sunday, September 14
Join us for Mentoring with Pastor Michelle, starting on September 14th! This is an opportunity to dig deep into your faith and calling through Biblical exploration. Reach out to Kristin (
) with any questions.
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!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Calling All Print Artists!
If you have a piece of art that you would like to show, we have just the place! Let Suzanna Pratt know (find her contact info in the app) and we'll get it hung in the gallery. The Second Street Gallery is located in the hallway near the Sunday morning coffee and tea. We would love to celebrate your work!
Disarming Leviathan Book Study Starts Sunday Sept 21
Pastor Michelle will offer a book discussion for 4 weeks each Sunday night at 5 p.m. starting on September 21. We will discuss Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor by Caleb Campbell. We will learn how to better understand and confront the Christian Nationalist perspective to help deconstruct it in love. You can order your own copy, or we will have some copies available in the office. We will be in the Gathering Room, or you can join us on Zoom via this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86965810513?pwd=UGbWMMpBpi1HJsaNVDcarTO1smyeXg.1
It's Mission Trip Time
We’re going to UMCOR Sager Brown and you are invited! We will travel to Baldwin LA on Sunday, Feb. 1 and return home on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. If you have ever considered going on a mission trip, this is your chance. While there, we serve in several capacities, from working in the depot assembling flood or health kits, helping in the community, to helping around the campus of Sager Brown. You choose what you’d like to do. Everything is important and needed. Cost for room and board starts $350. A non refundable deposit of $50 is due by Friday, Sept. 19. Questions? Contact Connie Anderson (
) or Johnna Kosnoff (
). The food is great, the fellowship even better, but knowing you are helping others in their time of crisis-priceless! Please consider joining us!
OneTogether Meal and Service Saturday September 20
Saturday/One Together – September 20
10:30 AM – First Watch Brunch
500 SE Walton Blvd #28
Bentonville, AR 72713
Let’s kick off the day with good food and great company at First Watch. Come hungry and ready to connect!
12:00–4:00 PM – Helping Hands Volunteer Time
After brunch, we’ll head over to Helping Hands to lend our time and hearts. Stay as long as you’re able—every moment makes a difference.
Hope to see you there!
Send RSVP to
LBGTQIA+ Parent and Grandparent (and other close adult) Support Group
If you have LBGTQIA+ child, grandchild (or you are another close adult to someone in the queer community) come for a small group meeting focused on sharing the challenges of adjustment, supporting your family member, and becoming a considerate ally. We will be meeting in the parlor at FUMC Bentonville at 4:00pm on Sundays from September 21 through the 5th of October 2025. For more information, contact Pastor Ray at
or text or call 513.305.1571. If you do not fall in the category described, but are interested in learning more about how to be a supportive ally to the queer community please let Pastor Ray know! If we have enough interest, we will follow up with ally training.
Lay Servant Ministry Classes in October
Central United Methodist Church in Rogers will host Lay Servant Ministry courses on Saturday, October 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. These courses are open to anyone who wants to deepen their ministry and leadership in the church and grow in discipleship.
Courses Offered are:
1. Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia Through a Spiritual Lens
This course helps laity and clergy better understand and support people living with dementia, calling the church to deeper discipleship through compassionate, inclusive relationships that reflect God’s grace and uphold each person’s worth. Book: Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia through a Spiritual Lens by Kenneth L. Carder
- Disciples in the Marketplace: Seeing Grace at Work
This course invites laity to explore how everyday work becomes a witness to God’s grace, sparking holy conversations that connect faith, vocation, and the power of personal story. Book: Disciples in the Marketplace: Seeing Grace at Workby David C. Teel - Leading Worship
This course focuses on the ministry of the lay servant (or anyone!) who regularly or occasionally leads a group or congregation in worship. Facilitators: Rev. Les Oliver, Minister of Music (retired), and Rev. Ray Wheeler, Pastor and Director of Music FUMC Bentonville. Book: Worshiping with United Methodistsby Hoyt Hickman
Registration details and additional information can be found here: https://arumc.org/our-ministries/lay-servant-ministries/
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