LOVE LIKE JESUS

Join us for week two of our series “Jesus Revealed” at 9am and 11am this week and check out more serving opportunities in the email link below ⬇️

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” -John 8:12 This season we’re exploring the “I am” statements of Jesus, what they reveal about who God is, and how they help us to Love Like Jesus ❤️ ✨ #LoveLikeJesus

Wondering what WNL is like? Check out our website! Sikestonfirstumc.org 🙌

‼️NEXT FRIDAY at 1307 N. Main St.‼️ Please share with anyone who might need a little help this season! 🥫🍽️🥣 #LoveLikeJesus #SEMOFoodBank

🙌 Come for worship and stick around for dinner! Tomorrow night: pasta! 🍝 All are welcome and invited!

Yesterday Pastor Chandler led us in our City Prayer praying for First Baptist Church and SEMO Food Bank. It’s a recognition that God works in and through many people and places. We pray God’s blessing on their ministries and work in the community 🙏

We ❤️ Sundays! 9am Traditions (meeting in the Chapel during Lent!) 11am Journey #LoveLikeJesus

It was a beautiful night to be together—worshiping, sharing a meal, and being reminded of our deep dependence on God ➕ Ash Wednesday kicked off our Lent Wednesday Night Live service as we begin this season of repentance, reflection, and renewal ❤️ ICYMI: Join us next week for worship and a meal as we continue the journey together ✝️ #lent #AshWednesday #LoveLikeJesus

Here is your permission slip to stop pretending like you’re not a fragile, mortal, aging creature and to rest in the grace and gift of Ash Wednesday ➕ Join us tonight at 5:30 for service and meal afterward. #AshWednesday #LoveLikeJesus

➕Be a part of Ash Wednesday at First UMC ➕ “From dust you came, to dust you will return”

Ash Wednesday—the beginning of the season of reflection and preparation known as Lent—is THIS Wednesday! Here are a few ways to be a part of this powerful day in the church calendar: ➕7:30-9am Ashes-to-go in the Chapel ➕5:30pm Ash Wednesday service in the Chapel ➕6pm Dinner in the Fellowship Hall #LoveLikeJesus

“True religion is this: to care for the widows and orphans.” -James 1:27 Happy Valentine’s Day! #LoveLikeJesus #ValentinesDay

❤️ Love Like Jesus is simple—but it’s not easy. It’s forgiving when it would be easier to hold a grudge. It’s showing compassion when we’re tired. It’s choosing grace, humility, and courage—again and again. That’s why we don’t try to do it alone. ⛪️ Join us this Sunday as we worship, grow, and practice loving like Jesus together. 9am Traditions (hymns and organ) 11am Journey (band and praise music) #LoveLikeJesus

💐💕🥤 We’re almost ready for Girls Night In Flower bar and Dirty Soda Bar at 6pm! Come write a special note for a widow or widower and bring a dessert to share!

📣 ICYMI! Our 2025 Mission Impact Report is out! ❤️ We are so grateful for the ways God moved in and through First UMC last year to make an IMPACT on the Sikeston community and beyond. ✨ These are just a few highlights of how we strive to be a church that Loves Like Jesus. Thank you to everyone who has given their time, talents, and financial support to make this ministry possible. You are truly the hands and feet—and the heartbeat—of Jesus. Together, we are making a lasting impact in our community for the Kingdom of God. 💻 If you’d like to continue supporting the mission and ministry of First UMC, you can give online at sikestonfirstumc.org. #LoveLikeJesus

💐THIS THURSDAY! 💐

🙌Yesterday we celebrated the baptism of George Samuel Gleason! His family brought rainwater from the day he was born and we added it to the baptismal font. In baptism we believe the intangible gift of God’s grace becomes tangible in the gift of water. In the United Methodist Church, baptism is a sign of God’s prevenient grace—God’s love already at work in George’s life long before he could claim it for himself. Through this holy moment, we celebrate that he is claimed by Christ, named beloved, and welcomed into the family of faith. As a congregation, we promised to surround George with a community of love and forgiveness, to pray for him, and to help him grow in faith so that one day he may profess his own faith in Confirmation. This is what it means to Love Like Jesus—to show up, to nurture, and to live out our baptismal vows together. May we remember our own baptisms and renew our commitment to resist evil, injustice, and oppression, and to walk in newness of life, loving George and one another as Christ first loved us ❤️ #LoveLikeJesus #baptism

🏈 KICK OFF your Sunday with us! 🙌 9am Traditions Worship ✝️ 10am Bible Study and Special Baptism Service 🎶 11am Journey Worship ❤️It’s a SUPER day to Love Like Jesus!

🎶 Alleluia For the Lord God Almighty reigns 🎶 If you were in Journey last week you know that after the last song, Kobe and the band broke into an unplanned chorus of Agnus Dei. It was a powerful ending to a beautiful day of worship together. It is a gift to unite our hearts and voices in worship of God and can’t wait to do it again this Sunday! 9am Traditions (organ and hymns) 11am Journey (band and praise music) #LoveLikeJesus

Our Missouri UMC Conference office has a special display for Black History Month honoring individuals with ties to Missouri Methodist history 🙌 We are thankful for their ministry and witness ❤️ #LoveLikeJesus

🎀 Women of all ages invited! ❤️ Bring a dessert to share and come make a dirty soda, fresh flower bouquet, and a gift for a Widow or Widower from First UMC!

“Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow… Morning by morning new mercies I see.” On Sunday we gathered to be reminded of the great faithfulness of God, and during our City Prayer, we offered a prayer of blessing for First Christian Church and Hope Center Ministries. It is one way we have committed to Love Like Jesus this year, praying for a different local church and nonprofit each week. We give thanks for the ways God’s presence guides these communities, for strength for today in their ministries, and for bright hope for tomorrow through their witness and service ❤️ #CityPrayer #LoveLikeJesus

Dear First UMC, As many of you have heard by now, on Monday afternoon most of the east wing of the church flooded after a pipe burst. Almost immediately, so many of you came to the rescue with shop vacs, squeegees, and extra hands to move furniture. I am so thankful for your quick response! Because of you, much of the personal property was saved and the extent of the damage to the building was lessened. RestoreCo. was contacted and they have been in the building since Monday evening, and I’m glad to say the affected areas are now dry. We are still waiting on next steps from insurance and will continue to learn more about repairs in the coming days, but I want you to know the building is safe and usable. During the construction and repair process, First Kids Ministry will be temporarily relocating to the Fellowship Hall. I want to reassure families that ministry will continue without interruption, just in a different space for a season. Our First Kids leaders are already making plans to ensure it remains a welcoming, safe, and joy-filled environment for our children. That also means I’m happy to share that we WILL be gathering for worship in person this Sunday after having to cancel last weekend due to the weather. I know how disappointing that cancellation was, and I’m grateful we can be back together so soon. There is something especially meaningful about gathering as the church after a challenging week—reminding one another that God is present, faithful, and at work even in the midst of disruption. Thank you again for being the church so beautifully this week. From your quick action, to your prayers, to your encouragement, you have embodied what it means to Love Like Jesus. I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday. Grace and peace, Pastor Jennifer #LoveLikeJesus

“Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?” This question is asked of every United Methodist at their baptism. In 2025, THIRTEEN people boldly answered, “I do!” At First UMC, we believe this promise is at the heart of what it means to Love Like Jesus—a love that is active, courageous, and rooted in God’s grace. We are grateful to walk alongside these thirteen as they continue their journey of faith, learning to live out Christ’s love in the world. If you would like to talk about baptism or what it means to Love Like Jesus, we would love to have that conversation with you ❤️ #LoveLikeJesus #Baptism

🌟 New Ministry Spotlight: Comfort Cooks! 🌟 In 2025, a brand new ministry was born at First UMC—Comfort Cooks! This incredible team of 28 gifted cooks shared God’s love in the most tangible way: 🍲 26 home-cooked meals for church family members after surgeries or during times of loss 🍪 Countless cookies baked for various mission events throughout the year. ❤️ This is what it looks like to love like Jesus—one meal, one cookie, one act of care at a time. We are so grateful for each of you! #LoveLikeJesus

Something to warm your heart on this cold winter day ❤️

❄️ We will miss you SNOW much tomorrow, but hope you will join us on Facebook live at 10am for prayer and a brief message with Pastor Jennifer ❄️ 🙏 Please pray for all affected by the winter weather and if you are able on Sunday, the Warming Center needs volunteers. Any amount of time would be appreciated! #LoveLikeJesus

❄️ Dear First UMC, I want to let you know two things: First, we will NOT be meeting in person this Sunday for worship services or for First Youth Group. I hope you stay safe and warm and join me on Facebook Live at 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning for our City Prayer and a brief message. Second, this morning we had 20 volunteers show up in the cold to serve during our SEMO Food Bank Mobile Pantry. In just two hours, we were able to give 200 families the food they need before the winter weather sets in. What a powerful reminder of what it looks like to love like Jesus—showing up, serving others, and being the church even when conditions are difficult. I am so grateful for this church and the many ways you continue to live out your faith with compassion and generosity. Please continue to pray for our community, for those facing food insecurity, and for everyone impacted by the weather. I look forward to being with you online Sunday morning. Grace and peace, Pastor Jennifer

⚠️ Please note the date change! ⚠️ Our next Mobile Pantry will be this Friday NOT this Saturday. The time is the same: 9:00am. ‼️ Please share with anyone who might be counting on this food especially as the winter weather sets in this weekend!! #LoveLikeJesus

Each Sunday during 2026 we are praying for another church and nonprofit as a reminder of our connectedness and that God works in and through many different people and places. This week we gave thanks and prayed for St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Spread Hope Now, and the newly re-formed Sikeston NAACP. May God bless their ministry and work in our community 🙏 #CityPrayer #LoveLikeJesus

This is part of a longer quotation from Dr. King’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail:” “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial ‘outside agitator’ idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” The entire letter is worth a read as we continue to be thankful for, and convicted by, his words and witness. #mlkday #mlkquotes #LoveLikeJesus

It’s cold outside but come let your heart be strangely warmed in here! 🔥 #JohnWesley #LoveLikeJesus

Dear First UMC, Lately, I have been thinking about something Pastor Matt Miofsky has named as the tension modern preachers wrestle with: walking the tightrope between prophetic and pastoral preaching. Prophetic preaching is often a call to action—a naming of injustice and a reminder that God’s kingdom calls us to something more faithful, more loving, and more just than the status quo. It challenges complacency, disrupts comfort, and invites us to risk loving like Jesus in a world that seeks to divide and dehumanize. Pastoral preaching, on the other hand, offers care and reassurance. It reminds us that God is near—comforting the grieving, strengthening the weary, empowering the discouraged, and proclaiming the hope that God is not finished with us or with this world. These two modes of preaching are something I wrestle with, struggle with, and—to be honest—are the source of the uneasiness and second-guessing I often feel on a Sunday morning (or, more often, on Sunday afternoon). Did I preach prophetically enough—calling us to risk loving like Jesus? Was anyone moved or inspired to live differently and reflect God’s mercy, grace, justice, and peace? Did I preach pastorally enough—reminding us that God is with us and for us? Was anyone left with a sense of hope rooted in the Good News of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension? Sometimes I second-guess myself—especially in a 24-hour news cycle. It seems there is always a new issue to address, a new crisis demanding a response, and a new politically charged event shaping expectations of what should be said from the pulpit. Our Worship Planning Team plans weeks ahead—for music, programs, and tech teams—which often leaves me with difficult questions: Do I rewrite every sermon on Saturday night based on the week’s headlines? Or do I risk sounding “tone-deaf” by preaching the sermon God placed on my heart before the most recent crisis unfolded? It is a tension I wrestle with almost every week. (Continued in the comments)

Last year we served 1,176 families through SEMO Food Bank Mobile pantries! It’s one way we seek to Love like Jesus ❤️ If you or someone you know needs some extra food in the pantry, please share this with them! All are welcome. “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” -Matthew 25:35 #LoveLikeJesus

🌱 Looking to grow in your faith this year? Our Spiritual Growth Groups are starting again on January 24, and we’d love for you to be part of one! These groups are a place to connect, pray, ask questions, and grow together as we learn to Love Like Jesus. 👉 Sign up today and take the next step in your spiritual journey!

🛍️ Bring these items back to the Mission Table in the lobby to help these ministry partners! #LoveLikeJesus #ShoppingList

Yesterday, Pastor Chandler led our City Prayer praying for Compassion Church and Mission Missouri as a reminder of our connectedness and shared work in the Gospel. We are thankful for all the places and people God is working in and through in Sikeston and pray God’s blessing on their ministry 🙏 #LoveLikeJesus #CityPrayer

“Jesus was just a good moral teacher.” “Jesus was a great preacher. You don’t have to think he was God to follow the way he taught.” Have you ever heard someone say this? Maybe you’ve even said something similar yourself in the past. According to a recent study, nearly 49% of Americans would agree with these statements. What you might not know is that these ideas are actually an example of heresy. They deny the divinity of Jesus—suggesting that Jesus wasn’t God in the flesh, but simply a good man with wise teachings. And what you also might not know is that people have been saying things like this—and arguing about it!—for nearly 1,800 years. This is the first heresy we’re going to tackle in our new series, “Modern Day Heretic.” It’s called Arianism, and while the name may sound ancient, the ideas behind it are still very much alive today. This topic fascinates me because these same old, tired, false teachings about Jesus have quietly worked their way into our modern thinking and everyday language. And like all beliefs or convictions, what we believe about Jesus shapes how we live. In the case of heresy, those beliefs don’t just miss the mark—they actually misshape our faith and keep us from fully loving like Jesus. This week, we’ll explore why the divinity of Christ matters—not just as a theological concept, but for our daily lives and our calling as followers of Jesus. We’ll also look to Church tradition and the witness of faithful Christians who have gone before us, allowing their wisdom to help us better understand who Jesus truly is. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday at 9 and 11am as we wrestle with these questions together and rediscover why the Church has always proclaimed: Jesus is not just a good teacher—He is God with us. Grace and peace, Pastor Jennifer

🍳 Men’s Breakfast — This Saturday! Men of all ages are invited to join us this Saturday at 8:30am for good food, good conversation, and encouragement for the week ahead. ☕️ Come hungry. Leave encouraged. #mensbreakfast #LoveLikeJesus

🙏 Yesterday we started our City Prayer Practice and prayed for Wesley United Methodist Church and Sikeston Public Schools. 🙌 Each week in 2026 we are praying for a local church and community partner as a reminder of our connectedness and shared work in the Gospel. ❤️ Join us by praying your own prayer or something like this: “Dear Lord, Today I lift up to you in prayer. I pray for Wesley United Methodist Church and Sikeston Public Schools. I pray their blessing, their safety, and that you would continue to do your good work in and through them. Amen” #LoveLikeJesus #CityPrayer

Merry Christmas! It is still the Christmas season until this Sunday (so don’t feel bad if your tree is still up like mine!) when we celebrate Epiphany Sunday. Epiphany marks the day we remember the Magi following the star to find Jesus—and over the last few years, it has become a meaningful and fun tradition in our church to receive Star Words to help guide us through the year ahead. Some of you have told me where you kept your star word so you could be reminded of it throughout the year—on your desk, taped to a mirror, tucked into a Bible, or saved on your phone. Last year, the word I received was “grow,” and I have to admit, I started the year wondering what kind of growth that might mean. Would our church grow in attendance? Would I grow in a new skill? Would it be spiritual growth… or something harder? As the year unfolded, I realized God was inviting me into growth that was deeper than numbers or accomplishments—growth in trust, patience, and faithfulness. It wasn’t always comfortable, but it was holy. And looking back, I can see how God used that one simple word to shape the year in ways I never could have planned. This Sunday, we’ll once again tell the story of the Magi, reflect on where God has been faithful, and receive new Star Words as we step into a new year together. Whether you’ve been here every week, it’s been a while, or you’re just looking for a meaningful way to begin the year, I hope you will join us. Come as you are. Bring your curiosity. And come see what word God might have for you this year. Grace and peace, Pastor Jennifer PS, And we will share the total for our Christmas Eve offering!

Join us in praying for Sikeston and the surrounding community in 2026🙏 Each week we will be praying for another local church and community partner (school, non-profit, or civic organization) by name as a reminder of our connectedness and shared work in the Gospel. “Promote the welfare of the city where you live…pray to the Lord for it” -Jeremiah 29:7 #CityPrayer #lovelikejesus

Not resolutions, just reflections 🙌 The new year is a great time to reset, renew, and restart your life of faith. Swipe through and reflect on how you can Love Like Jesus in 2026 ❤️ #nye #happynewyear #2025 #2026 #LoveLikeJesus

🎉 Congratulations! 🎉 You did it!! You made it a whole year reading the Bible every day! Woohoo!! 🙌 🙏 We pray this has been a year of deepening your faith, sharpening your hope, and reminding you that God is still speaking—right where you are. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” —Romans 15:4 And if you didn’t quite finish this year, hear this: grace abounds. ❤️ A new year starts in a few days and it’s a fresh invitation. Let 2026 be the year you open Scripture more consistently, lean in more deeply, and discover the hope and encouragement waiting for you there. Whether you’re celebrating the finish or starting again—keep going. God meets us in the reading, every single time. 📖✨

Tomorrow! End the year loving your neighbor by giving the gift of life and get a gift in return! Donate tomorrow and receive this free long-sleeved tee! 🩸 ❤️ #LoveLikeJesus #bloodDrive

Walking into the church the Monday after Christmas and seeing the cleaning cart, and couldn’t help but think of this quotation. It’s a reminder that Christmas is only the beginning of the story… ❤️🎄 When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart. -Howard Thurman

🎄Merry Christmas!🎄 I am still thinking about how special our Christmas Eve service was and how thankful I am to be in ministry with you. What a gift it was to gather, worship, and celebrate the Light of the World together. As we look ahead, I’m excited for us to get back into our weekly rhythm—but I want to remind you that this Sunday we will not be meeting in person. Instead, we invite you to join us online for worship, giving our staff, volunteers, and church family a moment to rest and be renewed after such a full and Advent season. I hope you’ll tune in from home and continue worshiping with us wherever you are. As the year comes to a close, I also want to say thank you for your generosity throughout 2025. Your faithful giving has allowed our church to Love Like Jesus in very real and tangible ways—right here in our community and beyond. If you are still planning a year-end gift, there is still time to give online before December 31. Your generosity helps us finish the year strong and prepare for the ministry God is calling us into in the year ahead. Looking toward January, I’m excited to share that our regular in-person worship schedule will resume on Sunday, January 4, and we’ll be stepping into a new season together with fresh vision and renewed hope. I can’t wait to see what God will do among us in the new year. Thank you for being such a gracious, faithful, and loving church. May the peace of Christ be with you as you continue to celebrate this Christmas season, and may the light we shared on Christmas Eve continue to shine into the days ahead. Grace and peace,  Pastor Jennifer

Merry Christmas Eve! We have been planning, preparing, and praying (and I’ll admit, stressing!) for this day, and it’s finally here! There are so many little details and moving parts for something like Christmas Eve, and I’m reminded every year that somehow—through God’s grace—it all comes together, and it’s breathtaking. I know it will be again tonight. All my anxieties and worries will vanish the moment I step into a room full of our church family, candles in hand, hearts open, ready to remember the good news that God is with us. If you’re feeling excited, exhausted, hopeful, grieving, joyful—or a little of everything—there is a place for you tonight. Christmas Eve is not about having it all together; it’s about gathering in the light of Christ, the Light of the World, who meets us exactly where we are. This is one of those sacred nights when we slow down, sing familiar songs, hear the old story made new again, and remember what matters most. I hope you’ll join us tonight at 5:30pm for our Christmas Eve service. Come early, grab some hot chocolate, take a family photo, and settle in for a meaningful, kid-friendly service filled with music, communion, candlelight, and the reminder that God’s love shines even in the darkest places. We would love to celebrate the birth of Jesus with you. Let’s come together and Love Like Jesus—tonight and beyond. Grace and peace, Pastor Jennifer (Picture from Sunday’s Christmas Eve rehearsal—I can’t wait for you to hear it!)

👋 Psst… All the Christmas Eve info you’re looking for is waiting at sikestonfirstumc.org 🎄✨ #lovelikejesus #christmaseve

All signs point to Christmas Eve at Sikeston First UMC at 5:30pm! Here’s what you can expect: ☕️ Hot chocolate 📷 Family Photo Booth 👧 Kid-friendly service with special Children’s moment 🎶 Both traditional and contemporary music ❤️ Inspiring and encouraging message 🍞 Communion offered to everyone 🕯️ Candlelit Silent Night We’d love for you to join us—invite a friend, bring your family, and come celebrate the Light of the World with us this Christmas Eve. ✨

🫵If you are seeing this video your algorithm wants you to know that 100% of your Christmas Eve giving will stay right here in Sikeston to help people with rent, utilities, and food. 🎄You can give in person during our Christmas Eve service at 5:30pm December 24. Or give online at sikestonfirstumc.org This is one way we can Love Like Jesus ❤️ #LoveLikeJesus #giving #ChristmasEve #lightoftheworld

We often rush past Joseph in the Christmas story—but Scripture doesn’t. This morning, we’ll slow down and listen to the quiet faith of a man who knew the law, trusted God, and chose mercy when it mattered most. From Genesis to Matthew, God has always worked through ordinary people willing to risk trust. See you today for Traditions at 9am, Journey at 11am in person or on YouTube. #LoveLikeJesus (Image is detail from the Christmas tree in Traditions 2024)

Dear First UMC, Christmas is so close, and we are getting excited! Our team has been prayerfully planning and preparing for what I know will be a beautiful and meaningful Christmas Eve service. I hope you are making plans to join us for one combined service at 5:30pm on December 24. Here are just a few things you can expect: • Hot chocolate • Family Photo Booth with photos by Daniel Byrd Photography • A kid-friendly service with a special Children’s Moment and activity bags • Both traditional and contemporary music • An inspiring and encouraging message • Communion offered to everyone • Candlelit Silent Night I’d love for you to join us—invite a friend, bring your family, and come celebrate the Light of the World with us this Christmas Eve. I also want you to know that 100% of the Christmas Eve offering will go directly to help families right here in Sikeston through our Financial Assistance Fund. Throughout the year, this fund helps families and individuals with rent, utilities, and food. For many, just a little assistance goes a long way in helping them keep housing, electricity, and food on the table. Every penny is used, and the need continues to grow. This is one of the ways we live out our mission to Love Like Jesus—by caring for our neighbors, meeting real needs, and sharing God’s love in tangible ways. If you are unable to join us in person on Christmas Eve, you are welcome to give anytime online to the Financial Assistance Fund. Your generosity and faithfulness are truly making a difference in the lives of so many and will continue to impact our community in the year ahead. We will gather this Sunday, December 21, at 9am and 11am for the final Sunday of Advent, and again on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 5:30pm. Please note that we will not meet in person on December 28; instead, we invite you to join us for a special online service on our YouTube channel. We can’t wait to celebrate with you as we Love Like Jesus this Christmas season. Grace and peace, Pastor Jennifer

This evening, during the Connect 100 Christmas dinner distribution, our volunteers paused to take in the beauty of a double rainbow—twice! 🌈🌈 It was a powerful reminder of God’s covenantal faithfulness and steadfast love. In a season marked by pain and uncertainty, we were reminded that the light still shines in the darkness—and we pray that the food shared tonight is a small but meaningful light for those who are hungry. ✨ We are thankful to partner with Spread Hope Now and other area churches to be a part of this community-wide effort to share the light of Christ during this Christmas season 🎄 #LoveLikeJesus #LightoftheWorld #LightOfTheWorld #LoveLikeJesus #NoFilter

🎄 Scenes from Christmas Eve 2024 🎄 ONE WEEK from today we get to come together again for this special service. We hope you are making plans to be a part of it! Here’s what you can expect: ☕️ Hot chocolate 📷 Family Photo Booth 👧 Kid-friendly service with special Children’s moment 🎶 Both traditional and contemporary music ❤️ Inspiring and encouraging message 🍞 Communion offered to everyone 🕯️ Candlelit Silent Night We’d love for you to join us—invite a friend, bring your family, and come celebrate the Light of the World with us this Christmas Eve. ✨

On Sunday we lit the third Advent candle, the pink candle for JOY! And we prayed this prayer: Joy-giving God, we praise You for the salvation You have brought, are bringing, and will bring. As this pink candle shines, fill us with a joy that is unshaken by the sorrows of this world. Help us to trust Your promises and to live as people who expect Your redemption. Let our joy be a witness to Your goodness and a light to those who struggle to see it. Amen. 🕯️ 🕯️ 🕯️

Tomorrow is your LAST CHANCE to catch Advent Wednesday Night Live and it will be a special one. In addition to a delicious fellowship meal afterward, there will be a moment during the service to honor the grief that this season can bring. If you are carrying something heavy into the Christmas week, come be reminded that you don’t have to carry it alone. All are invited and welcome to be a part of this special evening ❤️ Childcare will be provided during the service. #LoveLikeJesus

From wisemen in superhero costumes to Mary in a princess dress—this year’s children’s Christmas program reminded us that the Nativity story belongs to everyone. It was a morning of JOY and such a special way to share the good news of Jesus’ birth ⭐️

Santa is still here for another hour! Pancakes and ornament craft included, screaming is optional 🤪❤️🎄🎅

It was such a JOY-filled morning 🎉 Sneak BTS peak from today’s Spontaneous Christmas Pageant—more pictures to come! ICYMI you can watch it at the end of the Traditions live stream today! See you at 4 for Pancakes and Pictures with Santa! 🎅 🎄 🥞

We ❤️ Sundays and tomorrow is a special one! It’s “Festive Fashion Sunday” so come in your best Christmas attire and be a part of this joy-filled day! 🎶 9am Traditions Worship—organ and hymns ⭐️ 10am Spontaneous Christmas Pageant—all kids invited to participate! 🙌 11am Journey Worship—band and praise music 🧑‍🎄 4-6pm Pancakes and Pictures with Santa! ❤️ It will be a fun day and a great way to be a part of what God is doing this Advent season. All are welcome! #LoveLikeJesus

🎄 Decorate the tree and help someone in need! 🎄 Buy an ornament in memory or honor of someone for the lobby tree and take it home on Christmas Eve. Ornaments are $10 and all proceeds go toward our Financial Assistance Fund. #LoveLikeJesus

🥶 It’s going to be cold on Sunday…so come warm up with some pancakes and a picture with Santa! Sikeston First United Methodist - 1307 North Main Street 🥞🎄🎅

⭐️ Scenes from the Spontaneous Christmas Pageant 2024 ⭐️ All kids are invited to join us THIS Sunday at 10am in Traditions for this year’s pageant. Wear your Halloween costume and be ready for some adorable holy chaos ☺️🙌🎄

Hot off the press! Pick yours up today and invite your neighbors to join us December 24 at 5:30 for our Christmas Eve candlelight communion service 🎄🕯️

Don’t miss Wednesday Night Live TONIGHT! Come for worship led by Harry Howard and David Jones and stay for beef stew and fellowship for supper! Childcare provided. 🎄🎄🎄

Comment below with your Light Sanctuary pics! ⬇️

Yesterday we lit the second Advent candle of Peace and prayed this prayer together: God of peace, we lift our longing to You. As we light this candle, let its flame remind us of Your promise that peace is possible—peace that is deeper than conflict and stronger than fear. Shape our hearts so that we may be instruments of reconciliation. Give us courage to seek the flourishing of all Your creation. Make Your peace begin in us and flow through us. Amen. 🕯️🕯️ #LoveLikeJesus

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE! Next Sunday is a big day for our kiddos! Come celebrate Christmas in the morning with our “no rehearsal” Spontaneous Christmas Pageant (don’t forget your superhero costume!) and come back for Pancakes and Pictures with Santa in the afternoon! 🎄🎅 🥞

THIS SUNDAY! 9am — Traditions Worship (hymns and organ) 10am — The Story Bible Study 11am — Journey Worship 5:30pm — First Youth Christmas Party! 🎄 Join us as we continue this Advent season of expectant hope, preparing our hearts for the joy of Christmas ❤️

“Church’s sermon tonight was on hope. Lately I’ve felt negative and lacking that hope. And that is probably because I’m looking for hope in earthly things instead of in God and letting him move, like @chandlerlandis said. God knew I needed to hear that. I wasn’t my best self today, or this week even. Thank you God for grace and the reminder of what hope in this season means.” We are thankful for everyone who came out last night for the first Advent Wednesday Night Live and for this beautiful reflection from @chelsea3290 ❤️🎄

On Sunday we lit the first candle of the Advent season representing hope and prayed this prayer together: God of hope, we thank you for the light that breaks into our waiting and names a future better than the present. As this candle burns, kindle in us a steadfast hope that refuses to give in to despair. Make us bearers of Your light in a world longing for healing. Teach us to walk in Your ways of justice, peace, and faithfulness until the day when all creation is made new. Amen. Don’t miss Wednesday Night Live TONIGHT as continue leaning into the hope that Advent brings 5:30pm Service 6:00pm Supper All are welcome and invited! #Advent #Hope #LoveLikeJesus

✨ THIS WEDNESDAY! ✨ Join us for a special midweek Advent service and supper as we pause, worship, and prepare our hearts for the season. Everyone is invited and all are welcome ❤️

Dear First UMC, 🎉 Happy New Year! 🎉 With the start of Advent this Sunday, we begin a new year in the Christian calendar. I know I say this every year, but the church calendar fascinates me. The fact that we orient our lives (and decorations and work schedules!) around the same story every year—the story of a baby born over 2,000 years ago—is really incredible. This year I’ve been thinking about how it’s not just “us.” The whole world was reoriented and turned upside down when Jesus was born. Even our way of counting years and marking history shifted because of his arrival. His birth didn’t just change one season—it changed time itself. This Sunday we’re going to talk about why our memory—and the act of remembering this story—matters for us today, and how it helps us make sense of the story God is writing in our own lives right now. As we step into this new year together, I hope you will join us tomorrow as we open our hearts once again to the Light of the World 🕯️ Grace and peace, Pastor Jennifer 🙌 9am Traditions (hymns and organ) 🎶 11am Journey (praise music and band) #LoveLikeJesus #Advent

🗓️ Save these dates and be a part of what God is doing this season! This Advent, we prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas—the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World. 🕯️✨

🌟 We have the BEST volunteers and we want to say THANK YOU! 🌟 All Ministry and Mission Team volunteers are invited to a special Volunteer Appreciation Dinner THIS SUNDAY from 4–6pm. We couldn’t do what we do without you, and we can’t wait to celebrate you! 🎉 See you there! 🎉

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16 ICYMI: On Sunday we wrapped up our series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount! You can always catch up on sermons and worship on our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/live/x6liIScwS-M?si=JHS5pktIK3gjeW-5

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” -Matthew 7:24-25 As we close our series on the Sermon on the Mount, we’re reminded that it’s not just hearing Jesus’ words that changes us — it’s living them. When our lives are grounded in God’s wisdom and truth, we can weather any storm with confidence and hope. Come be a part of what God is doing in and through First UMC ❤️ We can’t wait to worship with you tomorrow! 🎶 9am Traditions 🙌 11am Journey #LoveLikeJesus

One last moment of appreciation for this beautiful grapevine in our Traditions worship space before it comes down for Advent! ✨ Dennis and his team dreamed up this idea before Easter and crafted this gorgeous canvas, updating it for summer and fall. We are so grateful for their creativity—and we can’t wait to see what they design for Christmas! 🎄 If you’d like to help transform our church for the Advent season, join us any or all of these times: 📅 Saturday, Nov 22 — 1:00 PM (outside lights) 📅 Sunday, Nov 23 — 4:00 PM (Traditions & Journey) 📅 Monday, Nov 24 — 1:00 PM (Traditions) 📅 Tuesday, Nov 25 — 6:00 PM (Traditions)

👏Great job First UMC! Way to Love Like Jesus! ❤️ 🎁 If you didn’t get to pick up one last Sunday, make sure you do this week and bring wrapped gifts back to the church by December 1!

Full plates + full hearts! Thanks to everyone who came out for Friendsgiving last week! 🥧 🦃 🧡 #LoveLikeJesus

📕Read the Bible with us this week! Monday, November 17: Philippians 3-4 Tuesday, November 18: Colossians 1-2 Wednesday, November 19: Colossians 3-4 Thursday, November 20: 1 Thessalonians 1-2 Friday, November 21: 1 Thessalonians 3-4 Saturday, November 22: 1 Thessalonians 5 Sunday, November 23: 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Dear First UMC, This week our community has experienced another devastating loss, with the death of a precious 14-year-old girl. The heaviness and grief felt by our youth and their parents is deep and real, and many are carrying questions, sorrow, and a sense of fragility that words can barely touch. When tragedy comes so close to home—and especially when it involves someone so young—it shakes us. It reminds us how much we need one another, how much we need God, and how much we rely on the light of Christ to guide us through the valley of shadows. In moments like these, the ministry of presence becomes one of the most powerful gifts we can offer. Over the past few days, I have seen our church family quietly, faithfully show up for one another and for this community: offering comfort, listening without judgment, praying with open hearts, and creating safe spaces where grief can be spoken aloud. This is what it means to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Thank you for being a church that embodies compassion when it is needed most. As we walk through this season of mourning, I want to gently remind you that you do not have to carry your sorrow alone. If you or your child needs someone to talk with, pray with, or simply sit beside, please reach out. We are here for you—your pastors, your church staff, and your church family. God is near to the brokenhearted, and the church is one of the ways that presence becomes tangible. I am especially grateful for the work of Pastor Chandler, as he has intentionally created space for our youth to express their feelings. Please pray for his leadership as he continues to help them faithfully navigate their grief. Even as we mourn, we also stand at the threshold of a new season. In just a few weeks, we will begin the church season of Advent. Advent arrives not with denial of our pain but with a promise spoken right into it—a promise that light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it. (Continued in caption)

In case you need this reminder at the end of a long week ❤️ We are so thankful for this gift of music Malachi offered last week and pray is blesses you today 🙏 #LoveLikeJesus

🦃 We’re thankful for YOU — and for good food! 🥧 Come hang out at our Friendsgiving Potluck THIS SUNDAY at 5pm! 🍁 Meat will be provided, just bring a side dish or dessert and a friend! #LoveLikeJesus

Together we can Love Like Jesus and make a lasting impact ❤️ Fill out your 2026 Impact Commitment Card and let us know how you’ll be a part of what God is doing in and through First UMC next year!

Dear First UMC, Last week, as you know, we “fell back” as Daylight Saving Time came to an end. I don’t know about you, but even with the “extra hour” of sleep, I’ve been sleepier all week. There’s something about the sun setting earlier that makes me tired earlier, too. It’s made me think this week about how we are affected by the darkness. Even the darkness of the sky can affect our sleep schedules—and for many people, their mood and mental health as well. There is literal darkness around us that changes the way we move through our days, but there’s also spiritual and emotional darkness in our world that can weigh on our hearts. The Good News is that we are not alone in that darkness. Scripture reminds us that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Even when we feel weary or weighed down, God’s light continues to shine—through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, and communities of faith like ours that seek to Love Like Jesus. So this Sunday, I invite you to join us at First UMC as we gather to worship, give thanks, and be reminded that the light of Christ still shines brightly. As we do every Sunday, we will share in Communion—a reminder of God’s love for us and presence with us. We will continue our Sermon on the Mount series and hear from Sally Lape, our Church Council Chair, about how God is working in and through First UMC. I hope you will join us—and bring a friend who might need a little light this week 🕯️ Grace and peace, Pastor Jennifer

❤️ How SWEET it is to Love Like Jesus ❤️ 👏Great job, First UMC! Your 150 bags of sugar will be distributed tomorrow at 2001 E. Malone! 🙌 Thank you to Chapel By the Lake for organizing and all the other churches and businesses who have come together to help those who are hurting and hungry in our community. ✝️ We are better together! #LoveLikeJesus

✨TIMELINE CLEANSE 🧽 Here are some cute doggie pictures to brighten your day! Thank you to all the pups and their owners for coming out for the Blessing of the Animals last Sunday! 🐶❤️ #LoveLikeJesus

🚨 NEW SHOPPING LIST DROP 🚨 Bring these items any time to the red Mission Table in the lobby! AND don’t forget! Sugar is due THIS FRIDAY! Let’s LOVE LIKE JESUS and help those who are in need this season! ❤️❤️❤️ #LoveLikeJesus

Dear First UMC, This Sunday we will celebrate All Saints’ Day—a sacred time in the church year when we honor the saints in our lives who have died in the past year. We are also partnering with a local funeral home to honor the lives of nine individuals whose ashes remain unclaimed. This special remembrance reminds us that everyone’s story matters to God, and that no one is ever forgotten in the love and mercy of Christ. During worship, we will speak their names and light candles in their memory. Each flame will remind us of the light their lives shared with us, and of their continuing life in God’s eternal love. The light of each candle also points us to the hope we have in Jesus Christ—that even in death, light overcomes darkness. Later in the service, there will be an opportunity for you to light your own candle in remembrance of someone whose name may not be read aloud, but who you continue to carry in your heart. We hope you will join us for this meaningful and hope-filled time of worship. Grace and peace, Pastor Jennifer P.S. Later on Sunday, we’ll gather at 3:00 p.m. for our Blessing of the Animals. All creatures great and small (or a photo, if your pet prefers to stay home!) are welcome.

🎃 Happy Halloween!🎃 We hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween night!

In case you need last minute Halloween costume ideas… 🤣🎃❤️

🕯️This Sunday in both Traditions and Journey Worship, we will remember and give thanks for the lives of the saints in our First UMC community who have died this past year. ✝️ We are also partnering with a local funeral home to honor the lives of nine individuals whose ashes remain unclaimed. It’s a reminder that everyone’s story matters to God, and no one is forgotten in the love and mercy of Christ. ❤️Join us for this sacred time of remembrance, gratitude, and hope. There will also be an opportunity to honor the memory of a loved one not named, but who you carry in your heart.

🐾 THIS SUNDAY 🐾 All creatures great and small are welcome! Bring your beloved pets (or a photo of them) for a special time of prayer and blessing 🙏