2013 has marked a year of celebration for the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Picayune.

The church has been a source of family activities, worship and outreach for a century this year and the membership has had monthly activities and projects that will culminate in their Centennial Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 27, with a 10:30 a.m. worship service  followed by a potluck lunch in the Family Life Center.

The church also will dedicate three history rooms, one each to Wilodean Porter, Sid and Sue Worthy and Aubrey and Helen Sanders. The rooms feature timeline pictorials that include all of the groups and ministries that have touched lives throughout the years divided by decades.

The congregation raised money for the history rooms by selling cookbooks, calendars, note cards and prints.

The church’s planning committee began planning for 2013 in 2012.

The effort was kicked off with a Jan. 24 hour prayer vigil and began a schedule of reading the Bible to have it completed in one year. In February, the congregation submitted personal letters regarding the ways in which the church and community had shown them love. The letters were referred to as love letters. In March, the church celebrated World Day of Prayer with former FUMC member Robin Smith Moody as speaker. In April, the congregation worked on church grounds and buildings. In May, the church selected a ministry to fund called “Mustard Seed Ranch.” The ranch is run by a former FUMC youth minister and his wife. That youth minister, Albert Hollis, returned to FUMC in June as a special guest speaker. In July, the choir performed special hymns and choruses. In August, Pastor Jim Biedenharn spoke each Sunday on Methodism. In September, three former pastors returned as guest speakers. They were The Rev. Clint Gill, the Rev. John Harper and the Rev. David Lowery. This month, Bishop James Swanson was the special guest speaker at the morning worship.

In November, the congregation will work on the Advent Book and members will write stories and devotionals.

On Dec. 7, FUMC will be featured on the Civic Woman’s Club of Picayune’s Christmas Pilgrimage. This will end the year long celebration of the church’s 100 years.

The church is featured on this year’s collectable ornament series from Picayune Main Street, Inc. Manager Reba Beebe says on West Canal, the ornaments will be sold at Glass Porch and MeLinda’s; on East Canal at April’s and Crystal Gallery; at the north end of town they will be at MeLinda’s and Paul’s Pastry. The ornaments also will be available through Picayune Main Street and WRJW.

The community is invited to come and share in the Centennial service on Oct. 27. The church encourages anyone who has ever been a member, visited or been touched in some way through a connection with the church to join in the celebration.