Appointments for the Medication Assistance Program for retirees will be available March 6, beginning at 9:00 a.m.  These are one-on-one appointments with Dr. Travis Fawver or Meredith Fawver (FNP) designed to help retirees with their medication regimen. Please call Jean Payne, 688-4165, to schedule an appointment.

The 2012 spring production by the Central High School Choral department will be the musical “Les Miserables.” Katie Bales and Molly Shipman, members of FCUMC, play key roles in this production. Several other of our youth are also involved in the high school production. Katie and Molly will be with our retirees’ group on March 9, to introduce the story line, their characters, and perform a number from the production. Retirees are encouraged to be present to support these young musicians. Lunch, $6, will follow their presentation at noon. Please call Jean Payne, 688-4165, for a reservation.

Our week is here again as we welcome families to Fountain City! Thanks to all who help launder our guests' bedding when their week with us is over. Please expect a call this week to confirm your willingness and availability. We look forward to speaking with each of you. Your assistance is imperative to our having a successful week. Pick-up is Sunday, March 4, in the elevator stairwell of the children's wing. Please return clean laundry to the stairwell during the following week. We so much appreciate you all!

You may be aware that February is known as the “month of love.”  Within this month, many celebrate Valentine’s Day by sending cards, flowers, chocolate, etc.  These expressions of love are wonderful but is there something more that will last more than one day?

I often ponder on what it would look like for a church to truly be committed to loving God and responding in love and compassion to our world week in and week out.   Fortunately, I don’t have to look too far; Fountain City United Methodist Church is doing this to a great degree.  Our youth are looking for ways to eliminate homelessness in Knoxville by being involved in the lives of people at the Volunteer Ministry Center.  Our children are developing a greater awareness about “doing one thing” to love others and giving them specific ways that they can do to reach out in love to their friends, family, and community.  And the entire church is celebrating “Loving God, Experiencing Christ, and Serving People” through our worship each week, our ongoing discipleship groups, and our commitment to missions and outreach projects. 

I am overjoyed to be a part of a church which seeks to love God and serve people in so many significant ways, but there is so much more that we can do.  Let’s not just celebrate what we have done or are doing but continue to seek opportunities to do more as we put into practice the words of 1 Corinthians 13:8, that “love never fails!”

– Melissa

The Knoxville Dragon Boat Festival returns to the Cove at Concord Park for its tenth year on Saturday, June 23.  This year the United Methodist Men are looking to form the church's first team – 20 paddlers willing to bring their spirit and their best to race in Hong Kong-style boats and help Knox Area Rescue Ministries raise funds to change lives.  All ages, skill levels, and physiques can participate.  At least eight of the team members must be women.  Sign up today and get on board for this fun community sporting event by contacting David Smith at davidas.894@gmail.com or 599-2900. For more information, check online at  knoxville.racedragonboats.com.

The Christian season of Lent spans 40 weekdays and begins this year on February 22, Ash Wednesday.  On this day we will have 30-minute worship services in the chapel at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  You are also invited to a 6:40 p.m. service in the sanctuary.  The Chancel Choir will provide music for this service.

As a part of each worship time, there will be the imposition of the ashes (the sign of the cross on the forehead) for those who wish to receive it as a reminder of our sinfulness before God.  Childcare will be available for children birth through three-year-old Sunday school for the evening service.  Small groups that normally meet at 6:30 p.m. will not be in session that evening.

We hope you will be able to begin the journey to Easter by joining us for worship on Ash Wednesday, February 22, and throughout the Lenten season.

Join the LiveFaith Sunday school class, in room 138, beginning February 26, as they study Adam Hamilton’s latest series through the Lenten season. Melissa Smith will also be preaching on this series in The Journey.

In life and in death, Jesus’ words were powerful and meaningful. Despite the serious effort and increased pain required for Jesus to speak as he hung on the cross, Jesus spoke seven “final words”—statements that have much to teach us about Jesus, his Father, and ourselves:

· Father Forgive Them

· Behold Your Son…Behold Your Mother

· My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?

· Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise

· I Thirst

· It Is Finished

· Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

Jubilation 2012 is the 12^th annual gathering of senior adults (aged 50 and over) in the Holston Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  The event is designed to nurture spiritual growth, provide educational opportunities, and enhance Christian fellowship. The Meadow View Resort and Conference Center in Kingsport will host the Jubilation 2012 gathering. This year’s theme is “A Joy Filled Life” and features speakers, workshops, and entertainment. Fountain City’s own Jim Whedbee will be the worship leader for this event.

Deadline for registration is April 13, 2012. Additional information and registration forms are available in the church office. On line registration is available at https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=hc&formId=111445.

On Thursdays, at 7:00 p.m. in March, Remedy Coffee in the Old City will host a series of discussions on sustainable living in a series hosted by several downtown churches.  The first conversation will feature a discussion led by Dr. Bill Park, Agricultural and Resources Professor at the University of Tennessee, on waste in Knoxville.  All conversations begin at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.remedycoffee.com or email justlivingknoxville@gmail.com.

· March 1: Waste, the High Price of Our Dirty Little Habits, Dr. Bill Park, UT Agricultural & Resources Professor Bill Park

· March 8: Coffee: Fair Trade and the Daily Latte, Robert Hodge, El Puente.

· March 15: Food: Choosing To Eat Ethically, Katie Ries, Three Rivers Market

· March 29: Clothing: The Story behind What You're Wearing, Jim Richards, Mast General Store

April 21

This year, Operation InAsMuch will be on April 21.  This one day mission service event brings many different churches together in Knoxville to go out and serve our communities.

If you have a service project that needs to be on the list this year, please contact Kelley Flatford, kflatford@gmail.com.