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How can we read the Bible in ways that lead to healing and wholeness? In "Better Ways to Read the Bible" by Zach Lambert, Lambert dismantles four common lenses for reading the Bible that lead to harm, then offers four new lenses that promote healing and wholeness. This book welcomes all Christians--regardless of background, doubts, or wounds--to re engage Scripture in life-giving ways. This class is led by Matt Bishop on Wednesdays at 6 PM in Room 124.
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Time to prepare for VBS!
VBS Decorating Days:
Wednesdays 5:30 – 7:30 PM
May 20, May 27, June 3, and June 10.
The final decorating night will be Sunday, June 14 from 12 PM- 4 PM.
If you would like to assist with VBS this year, please contact Sue Shunk: sue.shunk@arabumc.org or by phone 540-270-2008.
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Tuesdays at Arab First UMC
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Looking for a way to strengthen your body and improve your balance? This class is designed to help you move with ease, strength, and confidence.
Class led by Susie Humphries
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Our local unit of United Women in Faith will not be meeting in April and May. Instead, women are encouraged to participate in the following district and conference programs. Please let the office know if you are interested in attending. Carpooling will be available.
Conference Refresh & Retreat on Saturday, May 2
Morning and afternoon event at Camp Sumatanga
Theme: Renewing Our Hearts and Minds
Speaker: Karen Marks, Licensed Clinical Social Work/Psychotherapist
Music: Arab First UMC Praise Band
Registration forms in the church office.
Childcare available. Men are invited to attend too.
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The Blessings in a Backpack program has made a meaningful difference for families in need throughout this school year. Several families have truly benefited from the support it provides. In particular, there are two brothers who eagerly look forward to receiving their bags each Friday afternoon—their excitement is a touching reminder of how much this extra help for the weekend means to them. A parent reached out to me through email and expressed how much a simple bag of food meant to her family, helping them get through a particularly difficult financial time.
The Blessings in a Backpack program supports approximately 80 students at Arab Elementary, and we are deeply grateful for the role it plays in helping ensure our students have food to sustain them over the weekends. When a child is hungry, learning becomes much more difficult. This program helps ensure that students return to school on Monday nourished, focused, and ready to learn. Through the Blessings in a Backpack program, we have also been able to support families with meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.
Do you want to highlight ministry happening at Arab First UMC? You can send information and/or photos to the Church Office.
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We are going to try something new on Sunday, May 24th, which is Memorial Day Weekend. Instead of worshipping in our building that Sunday Morning, we are going to worship in our community by serving together. Our plan will be to meet in the fellowship hall at 9:30 am for coffee and to discuss our plans for the day.
Group A will serve at the Arab Public Library to do some landscaping and clean up. Group B will stay in the Fellowship Hall to put together supplies for the care kits to go to the Upper Sand Mountain Parish.
We will meet back at 11:30 for a fellowship luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. Make plans to wear your favorite Arab First UMC t-shirt and join us for this different way to worship and be God’s people in the community!
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Do you have a prayer request? Fill out the connect card, call or email the church office at 256-586-5792 / office@arabumc.org or go to www.arabumc.org/prayer
Pray for: Pray for: Lauren Handschumacher Johnson, Meagan Webb, Violet Withey, The Whitlock Family
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Birthdays This Week
May 2 – Samuel Bishop
May 4 – Clayton Liebner
May 5 – Brandi Cantrell, Joe Williams
May 6 – B.K. Walker
May 8 – Fisher Shelton
Anniversaries This Week
May 6 – Tyler & Kenley Orr
May 9 – Henry & Kellie Prater
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Capital Campaign Update - As you can see, we have already collected a significant amount towards our capital campaign. Now, it is time for us to finish strong so we can fully pay off the loan for our HVAC project and other projects. If we continue as we have so far, we are on track to put this behind us by the end of 2026. Thank you all for your generous support of Arab First UMC.
Cash/Pledges received as of 4/26/2026 $279,191.62
Cost of HVAC and other Maintenance Projects $305,266.02
Balance left $26,074.40
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The Arab First UMC Congregational care team has been hard at work providing support, love and care for our church family!
This is such an important ministry to life of our church family and community! Would you like to be a part of it? Please reach out to the church office for ways you can be involved.
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Giving & Attendance for Week – April 19
Worship In-person – 127 | Online/Radio - 57
General Fund Received – $6,383.52 | Year to Date - $132,054.65
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