Friends,
September is upon us! Schools are back in session, Fall activities are kicking off, and there is much that lies ahead of us in this new season! As we look to that, I want to highlight a couple of things that are on the horizon for us as a church family.
This upcoming Monday, 7 September, is Labor Day. As a reminder, the church office will be closed. We hope that you have a beautiful holiday weekend, celebrating it in the way that is most restorative for you and your loved ones.
Next week is the beginning of our Fall semester of Midweek! Our church has a variety of classes for all ages which are offered outside of Sunday School and worship. College ministry will meet on Tuesday evenings. First Children and First Youth will meet on Wednesday evenings. Our Wednesday evening meal begins at 5:30, with classes and activities beginning at 6:00. Adults, we have offerings that happen throughout the week. I invite you to take some time to review these below.
Sunday
Are you looking to learn more about life at First United Methodist Church Springdale? Want to learn about who we are as a United Methodist congregation, the ways that we worship, grow, and serve together? Join us for our upcoming Next Steps series! During this 4 week class led by our pastors, we explore all of this and more. Next Steps is a great place to build relationships, ask questions, and find your place here at First United Methodist Church! The upcoming series will begin on 13 September 2026. The class will meet weekly on Sunday evenings from 5:30 - 6:30 and will run through 4 October 2026.
Tuesday
Our Fall Tuesday morning women's Bible study will be over Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story by Angie Smith. Join Janet Harris and Marsha Jones as they lead this study about the structure, story, and meaning of the Bible. Seamless will meet on Tuesdays from 10:00 - 12:00 beginning 22 September and ending 10 November. There will be no class meeting on 20 October.
This luncheon meets on the second Tuesday of each month for a time of fellowship and formation, with presentations over a variety of topics. We generally meet from 12:00 - 1:00 in room N116, although field trips will use a different schedule. Use the link above to see details about our next gathering, learn about our upcoming program, and RSVP for the 2nd Tuesday Luncheon!
Wednesday
Bible Together is an inclusive Bible study in which our entire church community, including all age groups, is invited to read and reflect on God’s Word. This experience encourages meaningful discussions and shared insights as we explore the Bible together. Let’s come together to grow in faith, learn from one another, and strengthen our bonds as a church family. Bible Together will meet on Wednesdays from 5:00 - 5:30.
Fit Faith continues its work of building relationships based on holistic spirituality. Come, join us for a time of group fitness, prayer, meditation, and other practices to edify your body, your mind, and your soul. Fit Faith will meet on Wednesdays from 6:15 - 7:15 at Self Love Studio Fitness.
Cheating, lying, and murder most foul! If your family makes you mad, just wait until you meet the first families of the Bible. The Flawed Family of God by Suzie Park and Carolyn Helsel explores the complicated relationships between the characters we all know and love. Starting with Adam and Eve and ending with the death of Sarah, these stories show us that even God's chosen people were flawed. See how these figures navigated complicated lives and learned to walk with God during their times of troubles. From the first crime committed against a brother to the first reconciliation, the lives and the problems of these families are issues that still impact families today! Join Pastor Lydia as we study family dynamics in the book of Genesis. The Flawed Family of God will meet on Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00. Copies of the book will be available through our church bookstore.
How do you practice your faith? Gospel Discipleship is the lifelong process of coming to know Jesus Christ, resting in God's grace, and learning to live like Him. It unites the message of salvation with the daily practice of following Jesus and helping others do thesame. Frameworks like the Gospel Discipleship initiative outline distinct relational and spiritual pathways to help individuals grow intentionally. Join Pastor Daniel as we for a study on how you grow and live out your faith. Gospel Discipleship will meet on Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00. Copies of the book will be available through our church bookstore.
Join Chelsea Hodge and Stephen Minister Rhett Gentry for a study of Colby Martin's Unclobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality. Armed with only six passages in the Bible―often known as the "Clobber Passages"―the conservative Christian position has been one that stands against the full inclusion of our LGBTQ siblings. UnClobber reexamines each of those frequently quoted passages of Scripture, alternating with Martin's own story of being fired from an evangelical megachurch when they discovered his stance on sexuality. UnClobber
Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times
Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times is Adam Hamilton's insightful and impassioned response to the fear, anxiety, and worry which permeate our lives today. Drawing on recent research, inspiring real-life examples, and fresh biblical insight, Hamilton uses a mixture of facts and faith to help readers understand and counter fears related to such outsize perils as death and illness, as well as the everyday anxieties all of us encounter. Join Pastor Josh and Stephen Minister Kris Kimmel as we engage this resource, striving for better well-being for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. Unafraid will meet on Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00. Copies of the book will be available through our church bookstore.
Thursday
This Fall our Thursday Lunch & Learn will be reading From Almost to Altogether: Sermons on Christian Discipleship, a collection of nine sermons by John Wesley. Wesley believed that there is a real difference between the "almost Christian" and the "altogether Christian." The love of God is such that all are invited to receive that love and the transformation it brings. This collection explores our growth in faith and discipleship throughout our lives. Bring your lunch and join Pastor Josh for this series as we read and reflect. Lunch & Learn will meet on Thursdays from 12:00 - 1:00. Copies of the book will be available through our church bookstore.
Come join us for these incredible opportunities! We are excited to grow in fellowship, wisdom, and service together this Fall!
