Dear First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora Family,
I send greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ from McAllen, Texas. This weekend I visited the Texas Veterans War Memorial. As I stood there, surrounded by monuments that honor those who have served our nation—many of whom gave their “last, full measure of devotion” to quote Lincoln’s famous “Gettysburg Address”, the word “Sacrifice” came to mind.
This memorial commemorates the 1.3 million men and women who, throughout our nation’s history, have laid down their lives in service. These soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen, airmen, merchant marines, and more wrote a blank check to their country that many of them paid with their lives. It’s a sobering reminder that while we enjoy the freedoms we have today, they have come at a great cost. In a world rife with conflict, where sin and death are constant forces, freedom is never truly free.
In John 15:12-13, Jesus tells his disciples, “Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The selflessness of those who laid down their lives for their comrades and for the loved ones they left behind is a powerful reflection of the love of Christ, who laid down His life for us all. Through His sacrifice, the battle over sin, death, and darkness has been won once and for all.
As your pastor and as a military chaplain, I do not glorify war. Rather, I serve as a chaplain as an extension of our church’s mission and ministry of peace and healing in the name of Jesus. This weekend’s visit reminds me of the profound sacrifices and horrific costs of war that happen when we fail to achieve peace through diplomacy. This visit motivates me to uphold the core values of the Chaplain Corps: nurturing the living, caring for the wounded, and honoring the fallen. There is no greater tribute we can offer to those who have fallen than to work tirelessly for peace. It is a peace that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ desires for all nations.
Let us remember the cost of the freedoms we enjoy and strive to be peacemakers in our world. May we live out the peace and love of Christ in all that we do.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor David Averill First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the amazing individuals who donated life-giving blood on Sunday, August 18. Your generosity and compassion are truly inspiring, and your contributions will make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Thank you for being heroes in our community!
Wonderful Wednesdays for Footprints and Barefoot students return to our weekly schedule starting tomorrow, August 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Join a Bible Study!
Sundays at 9:30 am in the Chapel
Sundays at 9:30 am in the CEC Classroom
Sundays at 9:30 am in the Choir Room
Sundays at 11:00 am in Friendship Hall
Wednesdays at 9:30 am in the Chapel – Begins August 21
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Chapel – (and on Zoom)
Thursdays at 7:00 pm in the Chapel – (and on Zoom)
Join our Wednesday evening Bible study! We’ll explore the captivating books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. These living documents offer timeless wisdom to navigate life’s twists and turns. Discover how God’s purposes remain steadfast, even when believers seem absent. Nehemiah’s story assures us that God equips us for specific tasks, and Esther’s tale inspires faithful living in a secular world.
The widowed support group will meet Thursday, August 22 at 9:30 AM in the Chapel. Anyone who has lost a spouse is welcome.
Join us Sunday at 9:30 AM for the Third Grade Bible Presentation –
The prayer group meets on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm. Contact the church office for the off-campus location.
Children on Sunday mornings
Childcare – Available from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm
Kids’ Church – Children begin in worship at 9:30 and then depart for Kids’ Church
Bible Fun – Available during the 11:00 traditional service
Anointing with Oil – The rite of anointing with oil is offered on Sundays as follows: September 1 at 9:30 worship October 6 at 11:00 worship November 3 at 8:00 worship
What would it be like to journey back to the first century and sit at the feet of Rabbi Jesus as one of his Jewish disciples? How would your understanding of the gospel have been shaped by the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the Jewish culture in which you lived? A Bible study on the book, Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, begins on Wednesday, September 4 from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the chapel. The $15 book and daily homework list are available in the church office.
The Book club will meet Wednesday, September 11 at 3:00 pm in the chapel. They will discuss The Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar. New readers are always welcome!
We need volunteers to serve as greeters from 9:10 to 9:30 am on Sunday mornings. Contact the church office to sign up.
Did you know that Sandy teaches the exercise class at FUMC Mount Dora? The exercise class meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00 am in Friendship Hall. It’s worth noting that the class does not include any floor exercises but does have air conditioning.
