Join us each Sunday live at 8:40 A.M. and 10:40 A.M.

ANNOUNCEMENTS for week beginning 24 September 2023


You can download a copy of the Weekly Sermon Notes by clicking Here: The Fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness


You can read the full set of annoucements here: Full Announcements


The Leadership from the Forged Network have included more information in this packet. Please take the time to read as we enter this time of discernment and prayer.

Forged Network Packet

Next Membership Class Will be held on Wdnesday, August 30th at 6:30 P.M.




HELP NEEDED!

Volunteers are needed to assist and help with the CrossTies service for sound and streaming. Thank you!




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CHURCH WIDE VOTE and ABSENTEE BALLOTS

September 24, 2023 · 4:00 p.m. · Ministry Center This past Tuesday the Administrative Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution from the Leadership Team for a church wide vote on September 24, 2023 at 4:00 P.M. to decide where we will affiliate. The ballot will have three choices and a simple majority is needed to decide where we will land as a congregation. The independent network called Forged, the Free Methodist Church and the Global Methodist Church are our three choices. Continue praying that God will lead us to an overwhelming majority. Only registered members will be able to vote. For members who cannot be present at that time, Absentee Ballots will be available in the church office from Monday, September 18th through Thursday, September 21st, during normal office hours. Office hours Monday through Thursday are 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Homebound members were mailed a packet on Friday, September 15th. They must be mailed back and received before Sunday, September 24th in order to be counted. If you have questions, please call the church office at 256-773- 6952.


CHURCH WIDE MEETING LIVE STREAM VIDEO On Wednesday, June 21st, the First Methodist Church hosted a meeting to discuss and ask questions about who our church may affiliate with. This was live-streamed for those who may have watched it or would like to. Jason, our IT Director, has split these discussions into parts so that you can watch one specific group without watching the entire video. You can find the videos by going to: Discernment Videos If you have any questions about the live stream, please email them to questions@fmchartselle.org.

The packet that was handed out on the night of the meeting with Global Methodist, Free Methodists, and the Forged Network can be found here:

Discernment Packet

KEY DATES: DISCERNMENT AND VOTE

• 6/21/23, 6:30-8:30 pm Churchwide meeting in the Ministry Center with representatives from Global Methodist Church; Free Methodist Church; Forged Network

• 7/16/23 Begin 40-Day Churchwide Discernment Period

• 8/25/23 End 40-Day Churchwide Discernment Period

• 8/27/23, Sunday School hour Meeting in the Ministry Center for Congregation and Leadership Team to discuss options and answer questions.

• 9/12/23 Administrative Council Meeting to approve ballot and date for Churchwide vote.

• 9/24/23 Anticipated date for church wide vote. Could change based on Administrative Council approval.





WEDNESDAY NIGHT ALIVE DINNER

September 20th Menu: Chicken Alfredo, Baked Ziti, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert

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Kid’s Menu: Baked Ziti, Garlic Bread, Dessert RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! Call email or text our cook, Dee Moley at 256-374-3875, moleyd@bellsouth.net to make reservations by Sunday evening.

POSITION AVAILABLE Dee Moley, our kitchen coordinator / cook, is retiring at the end of the year. If you are interested in the position, or know of anyone that might be interested, please contact Mike Pope at mpope@fmchartselle.org or call the church office 256-773-6952.


8:40 Worship Greeter

If you are looking for a way to serve the Lord, but don’t know where to start, we have an opportunity you might be interested in. If you would like to be a Greeter for the 8:40 contemporary worship service, please contact Susan Moore @ 256-318- 1386. She is working on making a schedule for greeters based on availability. Thank you!


Shepherd's Table

September 24th th 2023


Nursery Staff Needed

Contact Keli Morton for more information: kmorton@fumchartselle.org or 205-218-5671



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Who We Are

The Methodist Church is a worldwide church of twelve million people descended from the ministry of Rev. John Wesley (1709-1792). Our church is warm-hearted and life centered. We believe in adherence to the basics of faith without strict doctrinal requirements. We have many distinctive contributions to Christianity including disciple-making small groups and the emphasis on both experience and belief.

The Bible

The Bible is the inspired and holy Word of God. The Bible is our textbook. The Bible is listed first because it is our chief source of knowledge about God and Christ and contains all the truth necessary for salvation.

God

God is infinite wisdom, power, and love - the creator and sustainer of the universe. Every person on earth is God's child. God will hear the prayer of any and every person. One does not have to go through any intermediary to reach God. However, through worship, through fellowship with other people, through proclamation of the faith from the pulpit, through study in classes, and in other ways, the church helps one learn about and commune with God.

Jesus

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son" (John 3:16). We believe Jesus Christ is uniquely God's Son, sent by God, to be born of Mary, to make the invisible God known in human form. In his expressions of loving mercy, in his teaching, in his miracles of compassion, in the absolutely holy life he lived, in the compassion of his ministry, and in the utter selflessness of his servant hood, we see God. "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father", Jesus said (John 14:9).

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God here on this earth - God in us and with us. The Holy Spirit came in a new and mighty way upon the Christians at Pentecost (Acts 2) and is present in the world today. We believe the Spirit bears witness to our spirits in that we are in Jesus Christ and are the children of God (Romans 8:16). "The witness of the Spirit" is a doctrine often emphasized by John Wesley. In his sermon on the subject, he said, "By the witness of the Spirit I mean the inward impression on the soul, whereby the Spirit of God immediately and directly witnesses to my spirit that I am a child of God; that Jesus Christ hath loved me and given Himself for me; that all my sins are blotted out and I, even I, am reconciled to God."

Forgiveness

Forgiveness of our sins and the salvation of our souls. This is the very center of our faith. It may be said that our actions are the expressions of the sin in our souls. If we are "heartily sorry for these our misdoings," as we pray in a prayer of confession, and put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are justified, saved, cleansed - not because we deserve it, but because of the grace, the unmerited favor of God. "Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1)

Holiness

As the result of commitment to God we grow in faith, and our love for God and for one another becomes more complete. Holiness of heart and life has always been emphasized by Methodists. As one grows in Christian faith, the intentions of the soul become more perfect. This is what we call sanctification. "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn with a large family." (Romans 8:29).

Conversion

One becomes a Christian through the Christian experience of conversion. It may be a climactic experience such as came to Saul of Tarsus as he was on his way to Damascus. Suddenly he saw a light from heaven and heard the voice of Jesus (Acts 9:22,24). As long as he lived, that experience was the light of his life. Throughout the history of Methodism, there have been revivals when people "came forward" to the altar in a church or revival service and received a life-changing experience in Christ.

The Church

Our Church recognizes and accepts all other Christian churches. We have embraced the openness that John Wesley affirmed when he preached on 2 Kings 10:15, "Is your heart true to mine as mine is to yours?...If it is, give me your hand."

Baptism

Baptism is an outward sign of an inner commitment and a spiritual new birth. It is a rite of initiation into the body of which Christ is the head. It is believed that three modes of baptism were practiced by the early church: sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. We know that these three modes continue to be practiced by Christians today. Being more concerned about the inner experience than the outward expressions, The Methodist Church both practices and accepts any mode of baptism.

More than these basic beliefs, we believe that each Christian goes directly to God to work out their assurance of salvation in His grace.

We pray that all we do at First Methodist Church of Hartselle is helping people grow to become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Welcome To Our Site

CROSSTIES 8:40 AM


Our contemporary service is called CROSSTIES and is a vital part of our community. Each service is filled with modern worship music and multimedia all designed to bring worshipers closer to God. CROSSTIES meet in our Ministry Center.



Traditional 10:40 AM


Held in our beautiful sanctuary, this service offers a traditional worship experience. It incorporates liturgy, hymns and other music as presented by our music ministries.

Read More

Ministries

The People of this church Believe, Belong, Become

PRESCHOOL

Our program is designed to help our children experience the love of God through the example of Christian teachers. Our preschoolers learn lessons from the Bible as well as how to share the love of God with others.!

Learn More About PRESCHOOL
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Children

Our Sunday School classes are between services from 9:40 to 10:40. We have a class that you will fit in. We invite you to visit multiple classes and find the group that fits you and will help you grow in the bible, in fellowship and grow you friend circle to those who love and serve Jesus Christ. Our adult ministries make it easy for you to connect at any point that suits you. There is a place for you to be involved here!

Find a Class Here

THE LINK

The transition between children's ministry and youth ministry can be challenging. Our church has a ministry designed specifically for students in the 5th and 6th grades.

Learm More about The Link

Youth Ministry

Shannon Booth is the youth minister here at Hartselle FMC. The youth ministry is focused on relationships, worship, and service. We have a weekend on-site retreat in February called Discovery. Senior high students lead the weekend for the Junior Highs. It is a very meaningful experience that is one highlight of our year.

Learn More Here

Missions

Our church is committed to being the hands and feet of Christ. There are many opportunities to serve and all are invited to take part in our mission efforts. We need your time and talents!

Learm More about Missions

Music

Music feeds the soul! We offer a variety of ways to worship God with your musical gifts! Choirs for all ages, hand bells, instrumental ensemble, and contemporary worship teams for youth and adult are available.

Music Ministry

Hope House

Hope House provides help to those who have basic needs like clothing, linens, and other household items. We desire to minister to others by helping them through challenging times. Open Tuesdays from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Hope House Information

Good Samaritan

"Good Sam” was formed to help families in need. We provide food, medicine, utilities, gas, and rent. Good Sam is located in the Faith House and is open on Tuesdays from 9:00am until 2:00pm"

Faith House Information

Wednesday Night Alive

Our church is committed to being the hands and feet of Christ. There are many opportunities to serve and all are invited to take part in our mission efforts. We need your time and talents!

Read More

Sunday School

Our Sunday School classes are between services from 9:40 to 10:40. We have a class that you will fit in. We invite you to visit multiple classes and find the group that fits you and will help you grow in the bible, in fellowship and grow you friend circle to those who love and serve Jesus Christ. Our adult ministries make it easy for you to connect at any point that suits you. There is a place for you to be involved here!

Find a Class Here

Prayer Shawl Ministry

A group of those who knit or crochet prayer shawls which are consecrated and given to those who have had surgery or illness, a newborn baby, or those working through difficult life experiences.

Learn More

Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery helps you identify your hurts, habits and hangups that when given to Christ you can find true freedom from your addictions to drugs, alcohol, co-dependency, family of origin dysfunction, trauma, abuse and many other issues.. Some recovery programs deal only with alcohol or drugs or another single problem. Celebrate Recovery covers a multitude of issues.

Hurts, Habits, and Hangups

First Methodist Church OF Hartselle Staff

The FMC Hartselle Staff is here to serve you through the worship experience and to provide love, compasion, guidance, and prayer knowing that we are unable to do it without our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May God Bless you.

  • Senior Pastor

    Senior Pastor

    Mike Pope

    Pastor Mike is passionate about preaching the gospel and seeing lives transformed through the power of Jesus Christ.

  • FUMC Hartselle

    Associate Pastor

    Doug Wells

    Our visitation pastor is one of the friendliest folks you will ever meet. He is always willing to sit and talk with anyone!

  • FUMC Hartselle

    Minister of Discipleship

    Barry Dunn

    Pastor Barry Dunn joined us in February 2023. He has jumped in to lead members and visitors alike to have faith in Christ

  • Youth Pastor

    Youth Pastor

    Shannon Booth

    Shannon enjoys helping the youth of the church grow in Christ by going to them where they are.

  • Children's Pastor

    Children's Pastor

    Kelli Morton

    Prior to becoming a Children's Minister, Kelli served as a volunteer in Children's Ministry for 17 years.

  • PreSchool Director

    PreSchool Director

    Leslie Putnam

    She has been a part of the Preschool team since 2008 she took over as the director in January of 2017.

  • Minister of Music

    Minister of Music

    Ron Bean

    Our minister of music, leads our Adult Chancel Choir, Instrumental Ensemble and worship in our traditional service.

  • Pianist/Organist

    Pianist/Organist

    Ellen Bean

    A gifted musician, Ellen plays for our choirs, worship services, and special occasions. Ellen is married to Ron.

  • Contemporary Worship Leader

    Contemporary Worship Leader

    Teresa Edwards

    She felt God’s call to serve as the Worship Leader of CrossTies Contemporary Band and the Youth Praise Band.

  • Minister of Special Musicr

    Minister of Special Music

    Linda Guyton

    Linda is the director of all of our handbell choirs (from late elementary to adult) as well as our senior adult vocal choir

  • Secretary

    Secretary

    Lara Wallace

    Lara completes all of our publication of our newsletter The Messenger, the worship bulletins, and our other correspondence.

  • Treasurer

    Administrative Assistant/Treasurer

    Robin Hunter

    Robin ensures all of our ministries are funded, that the church is functional, and ensures regulatory compliance.

TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Online Giving

If you would like to give online please visit our Push Pay Site

You can also give in person with cash or a check. If you do donate with Pushpay and you have a specific group that is not listed that you want to donate to, please donate and then send an email to Lara or Robin with the amount donated and where you would like your donation to go. If you do not do this it either goes to the One Fund for the entire church or to the group you have chosen.


Your Tithes and Offerings go to support the church, the ministries, and the missions that you find important in our church, the community, and around the world


Push Pay Giving to the First Methodist Church

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Contact Us

Contact Us

First Methodist Church Hartselle210 Hickory St Hartselle, AL 35640


256-773-6952

jfriend@fmchartselle.org