08/08/2026
Sinking…it’s a feeling when we just can’t keep up anymore. If life would only come in well-spaced waves, we could make it. Life instead comes all at once.
There is hope, even when we feel like we are in way over our heads. If we can reach up from whatever depth has found us, we’ll find that there is a hand reaching for ours. We don’t have to drown, even when thrown into the deep waters beyond our ability to swim.
Join us this Sunday as we look at the power of hope to overcome all our fears. We’ll look at Peter and the disciples in the Bible when they find themselves all alone on an angry sea. They feared for their lives and Jesus came to the rescue. Jesus is still coming to the rescue of those who call on his name. When that sinking feeling overtakes us, we have choices to make. We can sink with it, or we can get Jesus into our boats…or…take a huge leap of faith and go walk on the water with Jesus! This Sunday, we’ll talk about concrete ways we can either get Jesus into our boats or walk with him on water! This is one Sunday you do NOT want to miss and a perfect Sunday to invite someone to join you for one service or for both services. At 8:32AM we gather in the fellowship hall for a relaxed, “come as you are” service led by our band. Then, at 10:55AM we gather in the sanctuary for our warm, traditional service where we will be led by the organ and our choir.
Miss a previous message? They are available on the church website and Social Media Page.
Reading ahead? We encourage you to read ahead…the more you know the deeper and richer Sunday’s message will be for you. This week’s key text is Matthew 14:22-33.
Save the Dates:
• Blessing of the Backpacks on August 9th! Join us at either the 8:32 or 10:55AM services as we pray over the kids returning to school and bless their backpacks. We will also offer appreciation for teachers and pray for success in their classrooms.
• The General Conference for the Global Methodist Church meets August 28-September 5th. Pastor Tom is part of the delegation representing NC. Please pray for him and for the conference.
• Mission Sunday August 30th! We are blessed to welcome Rev. Greg Jenks, Coordinator of Global Partnerships for the NC Annual Conference of The Global Methodist Church. He will be preaching at both services and presenting at a special 5th Sunday Covered Dish Meal. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
• Preschool Open House will be Tuesday September 1st from 6-8 PM: We need greeters and others to be present to welcome our preschool parents and children.
• Join us for our next Cruise-In on September 3rd at 5PM! Cruise-Ins will continue on the first Thursday of the month through October. Have a classic car or truck, please come. Know someone who does? Invite them!
• Our Annual Car Show will be Saturday September 19th: mark your calendars and invite all your friends who own or enjoy classic and antique cars and trucks to join you!
• Homecoming Celebrating 143 years on Sunday October 11th! Spread the word and invite friends, family, neighbors, and especially those who may have moved away or become inactive for any reason. This year’s preacher will be Rev. Angela Pleasants. Stay tuned for more details!
• The Church & Preschool Fall Festival is October 17th! Mark your calendars because First Church will be the place to be!! Watch for ways you can volunteer and help make this event a fantastic vehicle for God to reach the families of Mount Holly.
Make a Difference:
• Nominations Committee to meet Tuesday August 18th at 6:30PM. We are all called to serve. Where are you called to serve? Do you know someone who is perfect for a role in leadership at First Church? Send all nominations to Pastor Tom by Monday August 17th. You may also send a private message to this page with your nomination.
• Laity Award Nominations are due by August 21st. Who has set a great example and whose service to God through First Methodist Church has been exemplary? Please send all nominees to Glenda Painter (or a private message to this page) by August 21st. The award committee will select the recipient of this year’s award and present it at homecoming on October 11.
• Sunday Brunch!?! Join us for something new…Brunch between services. There will be sausage biscuits and more following the 8:32AM service which ends about 9:35AM. Come with an appetite and bring friends, especially those who join you for worship and/or Sunday School. There is no cost, but donations are welcome. Why wait in line at a restaurant or eat a cold bowl of cereal when you can fellowship with fellow parishioners here at First Church!?!
• We have an App for that! Download for free your very own First Methodist Church App. Go to either the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and search “1st Methodist Mount Holly” and look for the icon with the tall steeple. You can view services, check the schedule of events, make a donation and much more…all from your phone. We are growing the app and it will be more and more useful as we are able to develop it. Your feedback matters. Download today and tell us what you’d like to see!
• Join us at Gastonia Street Ministry on October 1st when we will serve a meal to the homeless in our community.
• Join us in 40 Days of Prayer for the 2026 GMC General Conference which began July 15th. A prayer guide is available by Clicking Here (https://irp.cdn-website.com/4829cd2f/files/uploaded/GenCon2026-40Day+Prayer+Guide-EN-FORMATTED.pdf )! It is not too late to join the chorus of prayers being lifted!
• Stay informed by signing up for our call list which will provide important updates and a weekly reminder about worship. To have your number added, please send us a private message with your contact information.
• Sponsor a Car Show Award in honor or memory of someone for just $25! We are looking for sponsors for awards. For more information or to sponsor an award, please see Karen Hefner (or send us a private message). We are also receiving gift cards for just about anything: Amazon, favorite restaurants, auto parts stores, you name it! For more information or to donate a gift card, please see Kendyl Felton (or send us a private message).
• Help the needy in our community by providing saltine crackers, pork & beans, jelly, and large cans of soup for Community Relief Organization which helps local, qualified persons (please leave in the lobby of the church), or food (pop top only please) and hygiene products for our own Blessing Box near the flagpole by leaving your donations in the lobby of the church.
