Announcements

fcCollege Ministry will be hosting a Back-to-School Bingo night on January 10th at 6:00 p.m. in the Oak Street Center for the congregation and community. Students will help lead the fundraising event with all of the funds returning to the college mission trip to Guatemala in March.

Entry fee is $10 and includes 2 cards. We will have additional cards for purchase, raffles, prizes, and food.

We are requesting themed baskets to raffle off during the event! If you or your Sunday School class are able to donate one, please let Kirsten know by emailing kshipp@firstcentenary.com. (Suggested themes: Date Night, Family Movie Night, Spa Day, etc.)

The Marriage Enrichment Ministry is sponsoring our second Date Night OUT on January 10th from 6:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. After registering, our team will contact you about your preferences, then we will make a surprise reservation for you and your spouse. We hope you will take this evening to spend time connecting with your spouse over a meal together.

You will be notified of the location of your date, time of dinner, and any other important details on Friday morning, January 10th, so please make sure to include good contact information when registering.

Registration will be opening soon.

Mark your calendars, Nerd Out Night with the College Ministry has been rescheduled for January 14th at 6:00 p.m. in The Vine! Join us for an evening of fun, including board games, Dungeons & Dragons, and a Smash Bros. tournament. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just looking for a night of fellowship and fun, this event is for you. Bring your friends, your competitive spirit, and your love for all things nerdy! We can’t wait to see you there!

Join the Youth Ministry for Resurrection 2025, a powerful weekend retreat designed for youth and their mentors, taking place January 24th - 26th at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN! This year’s theme is "Simply Jesus," focusing on Acts 4:12, which reminds us that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus.

Worship will be led by FRVR FREE, returning for the third year. Their mission is to break the chains of shame and lift people into the freedom found in Christ. This team creates worship experiences that reveal God’s love and purpose for us.

The speakers for the weekend include Tega Taylor and Adam Kersh, who will share their personal journeys of faith and how Jesus transformed their lives. You’ll be inspired to live in the freedom Christ offers!

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others, grow spiritually, and encounter the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Experience the love, grace, and freedom that only Jesus can provide!

Cost: $130 (Scholarships are available!)
Please fill out the registration form below before January 12th. For more information, email Tori Crook at tcrook@firstcentenary.com.

After registering, please make sure you fill out the Covenant Form, Permission Form, AND Medical Form found below.

Join us on Tuesday, January 28th, at 6:00 p.m. in The Vine for a special evening to learn more about our partnership with ACD Guatemala, a ministry we’ve proudly supported for the past three years. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who have visited ACD, those planning to go, or anyone interested in hearing about this impactful work. We are thrilled to welcome Lucia, her sister Irene, and Marielos, who will share updates on the amazing things happening through ACD Guatemala.

Please RSVP by Thursday, January 23rd, by emailing Pastor Barry Kidwell at bkidwell@firstcentenary.com so we can plan accordingly for the meal.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with our mission partners and be inspired by their stories!

Mark your calendars for our next upcoming Marriage Retreat, taking place at the beautiful Beersheba Springs Assembly in Tracy City, TN!

Dates: February 28th - March 1st, 2025
Speaker: Amy Coffey
Cost: $150 per couple

This retreat is designed to strengthen your relationship, deepen your connection, and provide tools to nurture your marriage. Amy Coffey will guide us with her wisdom and engaging teaching.

More details, including the schedule and registration information, will be shared soon. Mark your calendars and make plans to join us for this special weekend!

If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to contact us at marriageministry@firstcentenary.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration will be opening soon.

Are you a first time visitor or have been visiting for a while? Do you want to know more about First-Centenary? Are you interested in becoming a member of First-Centenary? Or, do you simply want to get to know the Senior Pastor? Then join Pastor Jason every third Sunday of the month at 9:45 a.m. in the conference room for Coffee with the Pastor!

Each Wednesday, join us in The Vine for a hot meal starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by activities and small groups for children, youth, and adults. Whether you're looking for a midweek spiritual boost, a chance to make new friends, or a way to dive deeper into your faith, Prime Time Wednesday offers something for everyone. Come as you are, and be part of this vibrant community!

Looking for a place to connect, grow, and explore your faith? Check out our fcCollege Ministry Small Groups! Whether you're passionate about inclusivity, creative Bible study, or connecting with fellow veterans and military members, we have a group for you.

Put your talents, energy and ideas to work. You’ll find flexible opportunities for spiritual growth and ways to act for social justice, support your community, live your faith and enrich your life right here at First-Centenary United Women in Faith in our small groups/Circles.

Each year we ask families of the church to donate money towards our Sunday & Wednesday meals. This is a lot easier than asking parents to sign up to bring breakfasts and dinners and it is cheaper as well.

If 36 of our youth's families donate $150 then we will have enough money to pay for ALL of our meals for the entire school year. Give the full amount or give part of the amount monthly or in whatever way you would like. Some choose to give $50 per month for 3 months or $25 a month for six months. Any amount is helpful. We currently need donations for our kickoff to fall!

To give, you can click the link below or simply write a check, write "Free Meals Campaign" or "Youth Meals" in the memo line and drop it in the offering plate on Sunday or send it with your child on Wednesday night.

Holston Conference is responding to flooding in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia by asking churches and community members to:

1. Collect cleaning kits
2. Collect hygiene kits
3. Collect water
3. Give financially
4. Pray

God of the wind, rain, and all creation,
We come before you today knowing that you are with us in every situation, including weather-related and other storms of life. We pause in this moment, thanking you that always, whatever the circumstances, you are present, loving, gracious and merciful. 
We pray for those whose lives have been upended by Hurricane Helene and the subsequent storms. We ask for peace that passes all understanding, hope in discouragement, and comfort in grief. We especially lift up to you the most vulnerable in our communities who are often disproportionately impacted by catastrophes.

We offer gratitude for first responders and public officials who are the first on the scene to rescue those in harm’s way. We pray for their safety as they do their work.
We thank you for our churches and congregants serving their neighbors, Disaster Response Team leaders, and Holston’s Director of Connectional Ministries Rev. Mike Sluder and other Conference staff as they respond quickly and wisely to this situation. Give them extra measures of strength and grace as they serve and lead.

We request that you inspire us in our response to what has happened. May our compassion, wisdom and generosity reflect your heart as we reach out to others in words and actions.
Thank you for receiving this and other prayers we pray, God. We love, honor, and trust you as we navigate this and other storms.

We pray this prayer in the strong name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.  Amen.

Debra Wallace-Padgett
Resident Bishop
Holston and West Virginia Conferences

Our Sunday night service has continued to grow and with that, we have had a lot more children join in on Sunday nights. What started out as two or three children and the sweet kitchen ladies starting to teach them Bible stories has become fifteen regular children and the children’s ministry stepping up to help on Sunday nights. There are 1 in 5 children who live in food insecure homes in our country and the majority of the children on Sunday nights come from low income households and face hardships many of us never have to worry about. In order to make life a little easier and enjoyable in their young lives, we have worked together with the children’s ministry to put together snack bags for the children to take home with them on Sunday nights after church. These bags include non perishable things they can snack on during the week, use as a breakfast item, or take to school for lunch. Most of our children do not get the luxury of picking and choosing a snack or something they might enjoy for lunch and often times our children have to just go without. Please keep in mind that this happens year round, not just during the holidays. This ministry plans to continue indefinitely as children need food all year long and not just around the holidays.

If you feel led to donate to this specific snack bag ministry, here is a list of items we could use that will help these kids throughout the week:
• Individually wrapped muffins or muffin bites
• Fruit cups
• Fruit snacks
• Ramen noodles
• Microwavable mac and cheese
• Fruit or apple sauce cups or pouches (Gogo Squeez)
• Pop tarts
• Instant oatmeal
• Individually wrapped danishes or pastries
• Chewy granola bars
• Vienna Sausages
• Individual trail mix of packets of mixed nuts
• Multi pack single serve cereal
• Slim Jims
• Nutri-grain bars

If you prefer to make a monetary donation you can do so by check to Mustard Tree Ministry or First Centenary UMC just write “MTM Loaves and Fishes” in the “for” line or you can find us on Venmo @MustardTreeMin.

Do you believe children are strong and capable? Want to help them build life skills and promote wonder and inquiry in a warm, nurturing environment? The Children’s Enrichment Center at First-Centenary may be the place for you!

With full and part-time positions available, we are in search of dependable, energetic, and enthusiastic candidates to join our team. Our staff is hired in compliance with the state requirements and qualifications as a base minimum. When hiring educators we take a lot into consideration such as experience, education and dedication as we know every educator brings their own strength and professional growth with them once they are hired. We also believe that one hires not only by education but also by the heart. We believe the Children’s Enrichment Center staff is a family and a team and when an educator is hired they understand this is a profession and a commitment as we are raising the future. We have a strong belief in professional development that exceeds the minimum state requirements.

Benefits
• Thirteen holidays off, as well as spring, (mini) summer, and Christmas breaks.
• Full-time employees receive a benefit package.
• Pay: $12.00 - $15.00 per hour

Required: Must pass a background check and drug screening.

If you are interested, please fill out the employment application and email it to cecdirector@fcumc.org. Call 423.265.9736 or email cecdirector@firstcentenary.com for more information.

We're looking for someone to join our First Kids' team! Email Beth at bspears@firstcentenary.com if you have any questions. Click below to apply!

Want to... Make a positive difference in the life of a child? Encourage literacy? Gain valuable job experience leading groups of students? Use your creativity to encourage young minds? Apply to join our team and help students grow into resilient and capable leaders of our city. Since 1967 The Centenary has been providing academic support, physical education, life skills development, and avenues for spiritual expression to students from across Chattanooga.