Reformation Day is officially this Thursday on All Hallows’ Eve (otherwise known as Halloween). Martin Luther nailed 95 points of disagreement (known as the “95 theses”) with practices of the Roman Catholic Church on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. The name of that church in Wittenberg was actually All Saints’ Church (observed on November 1st).
Clearly, Luther wanted to get people’s attention, though he never intended to start a new religious movement. He wanted to stop the sale of indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church. Essentially, the Church was selling “salvation” for deceased loved ones as a fundraiser, claiming authority reserved for God alone. However, Luther’s brave act was a match that started the spiritual conflagration we call the Protestant Reformation.
Reformation Day means a lot to me for several reasons. First, it was on Reformation Sunday, October 29, 2017, that my daughter Amelia was baptized into the United Methodist Church. The presiding minister was Rev. Dr. Joe Jursa who had baptized me also in 1985.
Dr. Joe Jursa will preach this Sunday in worship on Mt. Dora, and preside over our Church Conference, our annual church business meeting. This type of meeting embodies the spirit of the Reformation in that we practice the priesthood of all believers when we engage in the work of the church together to give God the glory.
The true spirit of October 31st is the Gospel message of the Reformation, summed up by the “Five Solas”:
1. To God alone be the glory 2. Scripture alone as the authority of faith and doctrine. 3. Christ alone as the source of our salvation 4. Grace alone is a gift from God of our salvation 5. By faith alone, do we receive God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
Trunk or Treat TOMORROW, Wednesday, October 30 from 7:00-8:00 pm in the Grandview parking lot. Contact the church office to reserve your parking space or bring your candy to the church office.
SUNDAY
East Central District Church Conference Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 12:30 PM – Mount Dora FUMC. The annual business meeting led by Rev. Dr. Joe Jursa.
Greetings from the Stewardship Committee! Each year, we seek your commitment to FUMC through service, prayers, and tithing. This year’s theme is “Highway to Heaven: A Journey with Jesus,” featuring a devotional by Reverend Dr. Jim Harnish. Pick up your devotional and information packets at the 5th Avenue entrance. Look for weekly activities in your Sunday Bulletin. Commitment Sunday is November 17th. Questions? Contact Meria at (352) 383-2005. Join us on this exciting journey.
Our Bible Verse: Week 3 Mark 12:41-44 NIV 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you; this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Thrift Shoppe Update
October 2024 marks 3 years since the 5th Avenue Thrift Shoppe has been open to the public. Our net sales in those years have reached $268,465. We have sold over 50,000 donated items, covered all our expenses, and by the end of this year will have contributed an additional $30,000 to cover shared church expenses such as utilities. We have returned the entire amount we borrowed from the Permanent Endowment fund for startup costs— $25,000. In 2021-2023, we provided over $100,000 to support church missions. At the end of 2024, we anticipate providing another $40,000-$50,000. In addition to financial awards, we’ve also donated many items to The Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, the clothing ministry of First Methodist of Eustis, and other charitable organizations. But it isn’t just about the numbers. Our wonderful manager, Melissa Kinsey, leads our volunteers in making the Shoppe a well-organized, clean, and inviting space. It has become a place where church volunteers get to work together and become good friends. We’ve also raised our church’s visibility in the downtown Mount Dora community. Visitors appreciate our welcoming and uplifting atmosphere. We often provide a compassionate, listening ear, and have prayed with many folks, as well. With the support and prayers of our church community, we are confident in our continued success.
Operation Christmas Child needs your help filling any plastic shoebox with toys and gifts, labeling it with a suggested age and gender, and returning it to the Fifth Avenue entrance by November 17. If you would prefer to use an Operation Christmas Child shoebox, they are available in the church office or the Fifth Avenue entrance.
TIP #6 – Multiple special offerings can be combined in one envelope with cash or a check. Please list the accounts and amounts. We want to be sure we record it for you correctly. (Account examples: Children’s Home, sister church in Cuba, Lake Cares, Children or Youth Ministries, SAY, Pastor’s Discretionary, etc.)
Dress a Girl in the World meets on Tuesday, November 12 at 10:00 am in Friendship Hall.
Lake Cares has a mobile distribution site on Friday, November 15 at the King Center, 803 Florida Avenue. Volunteers of all ages are needed from 7:30 to 9:30 am.
The book club meets on Tuesday, November 19 at 2:00 pm in Sanctuary Hall. They are discussing James McBride’s The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.
The Widowed support group will meet a week early on Thursday, November 21 at 9:30 am in the chapel.
Residing Hope (formerly the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home) helps children in residential care and foster care. They need $25 and $50 gift cards from any major retailer for the children for Christmas. This allows children who have very few choices in life to pick the gifts they would like. Gift cards should be placed in the offering boxes by November 24.
Wreaths Across America is partnering with our congregation to place wreaths on the graves of 400 veterans in Pine Forest cemetery on Saturday, December 14 at 10:00 am. Wreaths are $17 each or three for $34.If you would like to volunteer or sponsor wreaths, please click the link belowbefore December 1.
Anointing with Oil The rite of anointing with oil is offered on Sundays as follows: November 3 at 8:00 worship December 1 at 9:30 worship January 5 at 11:00 worship
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
Wonderful Wednesdays for kindergarten through fifth grade meet from 6:00 to 8:00 pm each week. Worship Arts begins at 6:00 pm followed by Bible study, crafts, and games. Tomorrow is Trunk or Treat!
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
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm in the chapel– Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition
Wednesdays at 9:30 am in the Chapel – Sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Chapel – Being United Methodist Christians(and on Zoom)
Thursdays at 6:30 pm in the Chapel – Book of Ezekiel (and on Zoom)
Wonders of Egypt trip from February 24-March 7. 2025? Contact Paul Lane at 407-325-3017 for more information.
Biblical Backgrounds in Italy trip with Pastor David Averil in November 2025? Contact the church office for more information.
Collection baskets are in the Fifth Avenue entrance for:
Non-perishable food for Lake Cares
Toiletry items for the homeless and the battered women’s shelter
Our prayer group meets on Wednesdays at 2:00 pm in the chapel. You are invited to join the group to pray for specific requests, our congregation, and our world.
