Newsletter of the Colona United Methodist Church April, 2016
Peyten & Jennifer Hillman
Justice Schofield (pink) Karoline Hasson
THANKS
MEN’S GROUP FOR A
FUN EVENING OF
EXERSISE, FAMILY TIME
& FELLOWSHIP
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Jayden & Eric Wheaton Owen Parker (below)
ALL IN THE FAMILY cont’d.
April Anniversaries
Shawn & Janette Wilkinson April 15, 1978
April Birthdays
1 - Burt Loitz and Jon Warren
2 – Tony Odendahl
3 - Linda Marcus and Jean Mercer
4 - Burt Loitz, Matthew Martens
7 - Mary Loeffler
9 - Denise Hight
10 - Dian Greeno
12 - Doris VanDaele
13 - Kameron Floming, Phil Paulson and
Anthony Rokis
19 – Daltyn Skelton
20 - Molly Rowell
21 - Dave Monteith, Kathi Rudd
22 - Cari Rieder
30 - Alen Gowan, Hannah Thomas
If you know of an anniversary or a birthday we need to
add, please email, [email protected], call or leave
a note with the office, 792-1661, thanks.
Health News
Blood pressure checks – 9 am, last Sunday of the month
in the Fellowship Hall
Mother’s Day Celebration Event
Second Annual Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday May 3rd
for the whole family in the church fellowship hall after
10:30 service. All families and their guests are invited to
gather for great food and fellowship. The menu will be a
brunch with egg casseroles, biscuits and gravy, fruit,
drinks, muffins, etc.
We do ask that you complete a reservation slip so we
know how much food to prepare & how much seating to
set up. Cost is $5.00 for everyone over 10. See any of
the committee members, Lindy Anderson, Shari
Anderson, Karin Barrett, Lisa Despain, Susan Koska,
Sheila Westlund, with questions.
Trivia Fundraiser
MYF is once again sponsoring a trivia night fund raiser.
Doors open at 5 pm, trivia at 6:30; $10 per person; tables
of 8. Saturday, April 9th. Supper, beverages & silent
auction items available but you are welcome to bring
your own food and drinks. If you don’t wish to
participate in trivia, check with Judy about helping out
with the food, in the kitchen or with the trivia or auction
items. Proceeds will be used for MYF activities and
mission trip to Madison, West Virginia.
ALL IN THE FAMILY cont’d.
Trustees
Thank you for your help on our spring cleanup day. The
place is spruced up.
Our next big project will be to replace the furnaces and air
conditioners. Most of them are original, making them over
30 years old, well past their expected useful life. This cost
of this furnace project in not included in the new
construction work. An idea time to complete this work is
between the heating and cooling seasons in May and June.
This project is estimated to cost about $40,000. The Major
Repair Reserve Fund has $15,000 and the Energy Savings
Fund will soon receive the rebate on the lighting changes,
leaving about $1500 to put toward the furnace project. This
leaves a funding gap of about $24,500 to finish the project.
If you are interested in helping please, write a separate
check, using energy savings in the memo line. We
appreciate your support in maintaining your building.
Wednesday Evening Program
Supper at 5:30 pm, open to ANYONE, children’s choir
practice at 6 - 6:45 pm, at times there is an adult Bible
Study at this time, then SWAA for children 2nd thru 6th
grades (see bulletin board for more info) and adult choir
practice starting at 7 pm.
CELEBRATIONS
Building Team
Since our Church Conference of February 23, we have met
with the contractors for our project and touched base with
the leader of the NOMAD group that has signed up to work
on our project, There have been some unanticipated kinks,
such as asbestos in the tile in the Narthex, that the team is
working to straighten out. We are proceeding with loan
approvals, appraisals, insurance, building permit details, etc.
As soon as we have a few more details figured out we will
seek the final official approval from the District
Superintendent to sign contracts and proceed.
Financials
General Fund; all payments are current & up-to-date. We
are ending the first quarter of 2016 with $13,000 in the
Operating Fund. Thank you for your faithful support of our
ministries.
The Major Repair Reserve Fund balance - $18,000
Energy Savings Fund is negative $407
Building Project as of March 28, 2016:
Capital Campaign $466,873
New construction 23,348
Total $489,221
If you wish to grow the “new construction” fund simply
write a separate check and use a green envelope.
2015 Financial Audit sheet is printed on page 11 2
CELEBRATIONS cont’d.
2016 Graduates
These are the ones we have so far
Elementary
Jordan VanHoutte – Geneseo
High School
Carlee Chehak - Geneseo
Joel Corso - Geneseo
Monica Lieving - Geneseo
Katie Smith - Geneseo
College
Joe Swan – Masters in Public Administration,
Bellevue College
Dr. Travis Helgren - PHD Chemistry,
Northern Illinois University
Please tell Judy Smith or the office to add a graduate,
be sure to include all the details.
Promotion
Jake Rowell to 1st Lieutenant – United States Army
FAITH and FELLOWSHIP
Children & Youth Ministries
Easter Scramble Saturday, March 19th at 10 am.
Thanks to all who donated candy, baskets & a special
thanks to the men’s and women’s groups for the bikes
& helmets. Thanks also to those who helped prepare
and clean up.
Ready, set, go….go…..and go!
FAITH and FELLOWSHIP cont’d.
Bundle up and go!
Bike winners, Macie Rotz and Alen Gowan
Methodist Youth Fellowship
Trivia date is Saturday, April 9th, start putting your teams
together. Silent auction items will also be available.
3
FAITH and FELLOWSHIP cont’d.
Camping
Brochures available, start making plans now. Camps are
available for all ages, skill and interest levels. Both the
United Methodist Men & Women offer scholarships.
Family Ministries
For May we will be building a float again for the
Memorial Day parade. More to come!
Family Ministries 3rd Annual Camping Weekend is
quickly approaching! Please call Sunset Campground by
April 15th to secure your reservation. We will be
camping June 24 - 26 everyone is invited. You will not
be sorry you joined this crazy fun group!!
Staying in Touch
Bulletin Boards: Adult, Children & Youth, Church info,
Community info, Current News, Education, Family
Ministries, Missions and United Methodist Women
Calendar: emailed monthly, weekly by email on Fridays,
on bulletin boards, last page of printed newsletter
Facebook: CUMC Prayer Warriors, Colona United
Methodist Church, Colona UMC, CUMC Soccer
League, SoulSisters – Women’s Ministry of Colona
UMC
Newsletter: emailed monthly, available in print form
upon request; next deadline, Monday, April 25
Web Page: colonaumc.org
United Methodist Men
Thanks to all who came and enjoyed the exercise and
fellowship at the all-church roller skating event March 1.
Our prayers were answered when no one needed
assistance or be carried out! More than one adult was
wondering when Skate City is going to provide roller
skate “walkers” so we can keep our balance.
Thanks for saving your cans for us. The price for
recycled aluminum is down but we greatly appreciate
your efforts. Our next can drive is the last Saturday in
June. All proceeds go to help fund UMM sponsored
events.
We will resume our 8am breakfast meetings on April 9th
in the church Fellowship Hall. All men are welcome.
United Methodist Women
The UMW met on March 17th. Carol McCarty was
hostess. Orphy Kinkade will be sending donated gift
certificates to Cunningham Children’s Home. This is the
Spoon River UMW district project. The next meeting is
April 21st. The program will be a presentation by Joylin
Clark on her recent Haiti mission trip. Nancy Holling is
hostess. All women are welcome.
FAITH and FELLOWSHIP cont’d.
UPWARD SOCCER
Soccer Camp registration is open, https://registration.upward.org./UPW609841/ Camp will be on the 4 Saturdays in August here
on our church property.
Workcamp 2017
Rock River Workcamp was hosted by CUMC, housed
at UTHS July 2011, planning another for July of 2017.
Adult Ministries
BOOK CLUB
The Book Club will meet at 10 am on Tuesday, April
12th, to discuss The Preacher’s Lady by Lori Copeland.
All are welcome to share their ideas/perspectives.
Suggestions for reading are welcomed and encouraged.
SHEPHERDS (CARE COORDINATORS)
The Good Shepherd knows his sheep. This Ministry
serves our congregation through their service, daily
prayer, and connection to our family members. Each
member of Colona UMC has a Shepherd. Each Shepherd
has several members of the Church to stay in connection
with; through cards, phone and prayer. Also, if a
Shepherd notices one of their ‘family members’ missing
from Church services, the member will be contacted just
to ensure all is well. The Shepherd Ministry serves to let
all members know how important they are to our Church
family and how we care for each member! If you are
unsure who your Shepherd is or wish to serve as a
Shepherd, please contact Marilyn Schaab at 309-792-
3718 or the Church office at 309-792-1661.
Watch for more information of a
CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTERS (CCMs)
Diane Biellier, Deb Johnson, Orphy Kinkade & Marilyn
Schaab with leaders Phil Paulson & Marian Edmund-
Paulson, continue their service of our church family
members. Serving in a support role for Pastor Sandy,
these individuals make
visits to hospitals, nursing
facilities and homes
bringing communion and
the love of God and our
congregation to those
unable to attend our regular services. Please lift all of the
Congregational Care Ministers in prayer for their service.
CUMC Mission Statement
To invite all to know Jesus as we grow in faith and
serve. INVITE~GROW~SERVE
4
FAITH and FELLOWSHIP cont’d.
SWAA
SWAA filled plastic Easter eggs with candy for their
annual Egging of Houses. On March 13th, they had
planned to hide 12 plastic eggs in friend’s yards, (1 egg
is empty to represent Jesus's tomb). They left a special
note about Jesus being risen and an invitation to join us
at CUMC. We were all invited to provide a name of
someone's house in the area to "egg." Keep this in mind
for next year.
Some of the hard workers who attended the SWAA
cutting party on Sunday, February 28th. Attendees were
treated to lunch, invited to watch the SoleHope video and
cut out parts for shoes from used denim. SoleHope is an
organization whose goal is to help children in Uganda with
treatment and prevention of the debilitating effects of sand
mites.
sort, count & package, ready to ship
FAITH and FELLOWSHIP cont’d.
On Saturday, March 5th, 6 SWAA kids and 2
adult leaders went to Washington, IL to
participate in a retreat sponsored by Harvest Ministries. It was a great time to sing, pray and
learn about Jesus.
SWAA will have a lock-in on April 8th 7pm to April 9th
8am. Everyone K through 5th grade is invited to come
and bring a friend. Please contact Traci Hasson at 309
236-9076 or [email protected] for more
information. Adult volunteers are welcome to join us
for part or the entire night of fun!!
GROW MY FAITH
Adult Ministries
SOUL SISTERS WOMEN’S MINISTRY – “For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” 5
GROW MY FAITH cont’d.
A Journey through the Book of Acts Come join Soul Sisters Women’s Ministry for our
Spring Bible Study. Bible teacher and author Lisa
Harper retraces the steps of the apostles in the book of
Acts, while throwing in a few of her own crazy
adventures along the way. The disciples didn’t have
much of a road map after Jesus ascended to heaven,
but God’s grace and Spirit filled in the gaps as they
moved forward. It required their willingness to risk
everything to establish a new community that would
change the future world.
Believing Jesus will highlight both of Lisa’s strengths,
as she tackles the Book of Acts with biblical wisdom
and modern wit. Lisa keeps it real, telling stories on
herself and pointing readers back to Jesus, the only one
who can truly lead! This study will be offered
Thursdays, beginning April 7th
for 6 weeks at 7:00 pm.
Please sign up by calling the Church office at
309.792.1661. Childcare will be provided.
Are you willing to risk everything to follow Jesus?
The SOUL SISTERS WOMEN’S MINISTRY thanks all the generous individuals who faithfully donate toiletries, devotionals/bibles, coffee & other needed items to the women and children of Winnie’s Place each month. They are appreciated by the Shelter more than you know! If you wish to donate similar items to Winnie’s Place, please give Marian Edmund-Paulson or drop them in the office.
BreatheTwenty16
Self-inspection, meditation, yoga, a quick lesson on
essential oils, lunch, coloring & a collections of crayons,
coloring books and umbrellas for Winnies Place was
enjoyed by 18 women participated in the full day winter
retreat on March12.
GROW MY FAITH cont’d.
Check the SOUL SISTERS bulletin board in the main
hall, the Colona UMC webpage, our Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/soulsisters-
women’sministryofcolonaunitedmethodistchurch, weekly
bulletin inserts and
future newsletters for
upcoming events!
Connecting the Women
of Colona UMC to
deeper relationships
with God and each
other and in the service
of others, as we explore
and grow our faith
together in relevant,
meaningful and fun
ways!
Education
Sunday School Fun – For the spring session classes
(PK-K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, & 4 established adult classes) meet
every Sunday. There is a class for all, from 3 to 103. For
parents with small children, babysitting for those less
than 3 years of age is available during Sunday school
time. The children (3years and up) start at 9:10 in the
Sanctuary with songs with 10:15 dismissal from their
classrooms. Adult classes start at 9:10 in their meeting
areas, dismissing at 10am.
This is the story about Caleb and Anika and attending
Sunday School. When they found out that they were
going to Sunday school, Anika, of course, was excited,
but Caleb didn't want to go. He was hanging on to me
and kept saying he wanted to go with me, so we
introduced him to the other kids and to Laura and
Sarah. I kept stepping backwards to get out of the
room, while Kamran kept pointing towards the door. It
was pretty funny. After class was over, they both said
that they had had so much fun. Later Anika was
messing with her book bag, so I asked her what she
was doing. Her reply was that she was getting her bag
ready for "chuch" cause she was going to "chuch"
tomowo. She didn't know that we had Bible Study, so
they were excited to find out we were going back.
Much to their dismay, there were no teachers there,
and they had to play in the playroom by themselves.
But that also ended up being fun so the whole church
experience was a good one thanks to Sarah and Laura.
Story submitted by Sheila Westlund.
Church Camp - Children ages 5 through 10 years are
welcome in blue room of the Education wing after 10:30
service children’s time. 6
GROW MY FAITH cont’d.
Daily Devotional
Copies of the “Upper Room” and the “Daily Bread” are
available free in the vestibule. More devotionals are
available on the bookshelf in the office.
Folks spending some quiet prayer time
in the prayer area by the fireplace and
walking and praying in the prayer labyrinth
GROW MY FAITH cont’d.
Pastor’s Corner
How is your prayer life?
Prayer in the movie War Room results in the
transformed life of a family. If you have not seen the
movie, I would recommend you see it.
I’d like to tell you that prayer will result in the
resolution of all your troubles, but we know that is not
the case. And yet, there is power in prayer.
Miraculous things happen as the result of prayer. The
movie helps us to see that life for each of us is a battle
against the forces of evil. Think of evil as a wild and
hungry beast ready to devour its prey. Prayer is our
best and only defense against these forces.
Development of a battle plan for prayer is essential for
a life lived in the Spirit. When we fill our lives with
prayer, we open a space to hear the voice of God. The
early church described in Act 2 grew exponentially
because they were intense and passionate about prayer.
They were confident that God was listening and would
respond. Prayer for them was not something they
routinely did before a meal or when it would cross
their minds. Prayer for them was as essential as the air
they breathed.
I will begin a four week sermon series focusing on
prayer and the development of a battle plan starting
April 10th
.
Let’s do battle together against the forces that seek to
destroy us. I can hardly wait to see what God will do
as we become prayer warriors!
Grace and peace, Sandy
Prayer Group
April 18th at 6:00 pm & April 19th at 10:00 am. Come
and explore prayer; find a new way to connect with God.
Philippians 4:6 says “Lord, I won’t worry about anything,
but I’ll pray to You about everything.”
Prayers
Our bulletin, CUMC Prayer Warriors Facebook Page,
Monday Morning prayer E-mail, 2 phone prayer chains,
prayer log in the Narthex, blue cards and your word are
all ways to inform and to lift up those in need of prayer.
PRAYER VIGIL April 7th
8:30 AM -8:00 PM West Quiet Room
Small Group Bible Studies
Monday morning group - 10:30 am, 1st & 3
rd Mondays,
the book of Matthew - Linda Marcus Soul Sisters - 7 pm Thursdays - Marian Edmund-Paulson
Sunday School classes - 9:15 am Sunday mornings 7
GROW MY FAITH cont’d.
Personal Study
Lectionary Readings April 3 – Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 150 (UMH 862);
Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31
April 10 – Acts 9:1-6 (7-20); Psalm 30 (UMH 762);
Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19
April 17 – Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23 (UMH 754 or 137);
Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
April 24 – Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148 (UMH 861);
Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35
Young Adult
If you are out of high school and in your 20’s; or know
of someone who is; please join us for fellowship, lunch
and study most Sundays of the school year after 10:30
service. We will be participating in several service
events during the spring, please contact Diane Biellier -
309-714-1850 for details and with questions.
Worship
Spring Sermon Series
Are you happy with your prayer life?
Is prayer your last resort when struggling with the
battles of life?
Let’s discover how to make prayer our first plan of
attack and to experience God at a deeper level.
Sermon Series
WAR ROOM
Starting
April 10th
April 10 - How to Pray, Matthew 6:5-8
April 17 - Talking to God, Exodus 33:11-23
April 24 - In the Name of Jesus, Colossians 3:16-18
May 1 - Prayer Power, Acts 12:6-10
Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all
of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions,
along with giving thanks. (Philippians 4:6)
SERVE - IN HOUSE
Choir
Both choirs; children’s (age 4 and up) (6:00-6:45) and
adult (high school and up) (7:00-8:00) would love to
have you add your voice. Supper is available at 5:30 on
Wednesdays when the children practice. Call Jo Anne
Hillman 796-1147 or the office 792-1661 with questions.
Head Ushers
The following servants may contact you to help as ushers
for April; feel free to volunteer your services to any head
usher; 8:00 – Karna Frerichs; 10:30 – Ed Skelton
Hospitality
The Fellowship Hour Hospitality is in need of Hosts.
The treats are donated by Church members and I want
to give more people the opportunity to participate in
this ministry. We have welcomed many new friends at
this 10:00 – 10:30 am time. Thank You, Barb Searle
Praise Team
The Cornerstones Praise Team practices Monday nights
from 6:30 – 7:45 pm and perform on the 4th Sunday of
each month. We are looking for a bass/acoustic guitar
player and as many singers as we can gather! If
interested or if you have questions, please contact Deb at
309.236.8766 or the church office.
Tech Loft
Training is available for anyone willing to help create
slides or serve Sunday mornings. Please call Deb Rokis
@ 309-236-8766 with any questions.
Weekly Servants
Thanks for serving. On the schedule for April:
8:00 lit 10:30 greet 10:30 lit nursery
3rd John Marian Phil Beth
Browning Edmund-Paulson Paulson Snook
10th Cayson Peg Amy Joy
Frerichs Emmert Swan Clark
17th Susan Lola Traci Corla
Koska Odendahl Hasson Swan
24th Janette Diane Marian Cassi
Wilkinson Biellier Edmund- VanHoutte
Paulson
SERVE - OUTREACH
Food Pantry
All are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items
and place them in the “shopping cart.” Don’t forget
paper & personal hygiene products. Some of the constant
needs are cans of fruit, tuna, mac & cheese and soup.
Cash donations are also welcomed. 8
SERVE - OUTREACH cont’d.
Colona Community Loan Closet
Local support for physical needs or temporary use of
medical equipment; see Lola Odendahl, 309-792-3272,
110 E. 7th Ave, Colona for needs or to donate.
Mission to Haiti
We had a wonderful trip when we visited the Haitians in
the remote village of Trouin. The vehicle that was
purchased for the church, arrived the week before via sea
transport. It was used to pick us up at the airport!
With monies donated, we were able to purchase wall charts
for 5 classrooms plus school books and chalk. Over 500
pounds of rice was purchased and distributed to those in
need. We were able to visit with most of the sponsored
children. A swing set for the school was built while we
were there. Thank you! Joy Clark, Sheila Westlund, Jon
Clark
Special Conference Offering
One Great Hour special offering was March 6th
; $310
was raised for administration of UMCOR.
SERVE - OUTREACH cont’d.
The Heifer
collection ran the
Lenten season
thru Easter;
collecting
$2233.46.
Helping those in
need help them-
selves and others.
Enjoying Fun, Food, & Fellowship at the Missions
Taco Dinner March 13th. We raised $600 towards
our goal of reaching $1,813 for Africa University.
This campaign
raised $534.97
for the
scholarship
endowment
fund,
$1278.03 to go
to reach the
$1813 goal.
9
SERVE - OUTREACH cont’d.
Special Sunday Collections Coming
April 3rd
John Kofi Asmah School,
West Point, Liberia - Laity
from the IGRC will raise
funds to provide funding
for furnishing the school.
April 10th
Native American
Ministries
Your gift empowers local
spiritual development and
educated Native American
seminary students to serve
God faithfully.
May 1st
Ordinands’ Pilgrimage – Newly
ordained class elders and deacons
are sent for a mission saturation
experience. This offering helps
to fund the trip.
May 8th
Africa University
We’re closing in on the goal of
providing eight scholarships to
students.
May 22nd
Peace with Justice
Your giving makes possible
the proclamation of Christ’s
peace.
June 5th
Tom Brown Scholarship at Wiley
College
This year marks the 30th
year
for the collection of this fund.
SERVE - OUTREACH cont’d.
Mission Minute
Bulletin Board
Check out the Missions’ Bulletin Board for more info on
upcoming mission’s projects.
Collection for Midwest Mission Distribution Center
Missions will be sponsoring a drive of items for Personal
Dignity Kits for the attendees to 2016 Annual Conference
to deliver. A truck from the Midwest Mission
Distribution Center will be located at the Peoria Civic
Center to accept the donations during the Annual
Conference.
Personal Dignity Kit items – look for the box in the
Narthex the last 2 weeks in MAY. hand towel bar soap
wash cloth razor- individually wrapped
comb shampoo w/ conditioner
toothbrush toothpaste-2.5 oz or larger
nail clippers deodorant
To help with the cost of shipping and/or the purchase of
supplies in bulk, mark your checks “for MMDC” and put
them in the offering plate before or on May 22. One
check from the church will be sent with the delegates
with the items.
CUMC Mission Statement
To invite all to know Jesus as we grow in faith and
serve.
INVITE~GROW~SERVE
CUMC Vision Statement
CUMC is a growing place of God where we accept,
love, share, and serve people of all ages and means
within the church, community and the world .
WHAT’S COMING
VBS
Sunday, yes, Sunday, July 10 - Thursday, July 14;
supper 5:15 - 5:45, VBS program 5:45 - 8:00,
ice cream social Thursday, no supper
Barnyard Roundup - Based on the 23rd Psalm
KEEPING TRACK
See the April calendar on page 12
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