Announcements

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 executive conference room located outside the pastor's office for Coffee with the Pastor!

Travel to England with Rev. Dr. Will Lauderback April 22- April 30, 2026 to explore the historical sites of the Methodist movement, learn about our history as a denomination, and experience the beauty of the English countryside and London.

Optional five day excursion to Ireland to explore the roots of celtic Christianity available based on interest.

For more information or to sign up, email Rev. Dr. Will Lauderback at wlauderback@firstcentenary.com.

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.

We take sack lunches every week into College Hill Courts. It helps provide some food and hope in these tough times. We would like to expand this ministry into the East Lake Courts and are looking for someone to lead this group and volunteers to go with us.

If you are interested in, please contact Barry Kidwell at bkidwell@firstcentenary.com.

For the past few weeks, the Mustard Tree Ministries have been taking laundry pods to people in the College Hill Courts. We are met over and over again with gratitude and "Thank you Jesus's" over a baggie of 4 laundry pods. You can't buy laundry detergent with food stamps. Kathleen coupons and she is able to get three bags for $20, but 3 bags doesn't go far. If you would like to help families keep some clothes clean, we would truly appreciate any donations of laundry pods for the effort. Thanks again for the support in our endeavor to build bridges into the community.

Donations can be dropped off in the welcome center and labeled with Mustard Tree Ministries.

Help us give kids a safe, fun, and enriching summer! Every donation—big or small—makes a difference and helps provide eight weeks of:
• Breakfast and Lunch
• Academic enrichment
• Arts & Crafts
• Summer Reading Activities
• Plus a week at Camp Lookout

A full week at Camp Lookout costs $625 per camper, but any amount you give helps cover meals, supplies, and experiences that shape young lives. Your generosity makes summer brighter—donate today!

When you donate to the Youth Mission Trip Fund, you’ll receive an invitation to a special Thank You Luncheon hosted by our youth on Sunday, July 27th, after the service. Enjoy a delicious free lunch and hear firsthand stories from the students about how your support made an impact.

Recommended Donation: $75

Your generosity helps make these life-changing experiences possible—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Do you have a heart for kids and a passion for sharing God's love? First Kids Children's Ministry is looking for volunteers to serve as Sunday School teachers to help guide and nurture the next generation in their faith journey! No prior teaching experience? No problem! We provide curriculum, resources, and support to make it easy and meaningful. Whether you can serve once a month or every week, your time and dedication will make a lasting impact.

Join us in creating a fun, faith-filled environment for our kids!

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.

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 firstkids@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 a group of students? Use your creativity to encourage young minds? 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.