We have this hope as an anchor for the
soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner
sanctuary behind the curtain...
- Hebrews 6:19
ONGOING
Sunday
4pm: Small Groups
5:30pm: Prayer
6:00 pm: J r High & Sr . High UTH
6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study
Monday:
6:30 pm : Scouts
Tuesday
1 pm: Project Linus
7pm: Crafty Crafter s
Wednesday
12 pm Ponder w/ the Pastor
2:30 pm God’s Closet
3:30 pm K-5 UTH
4:30 pm Community Meals
6:00 pm Praise Band
7:00 pm Choir
Saturday:
7am Music lessons w/ Chr is K
Oct 1: First Sunday Lunch, First
Sunday Food Pantry &
Communion
- Jr High & Sr. High UTH begins!
Oct 5th: Church Council @
7pm
Oct 12: Church Conference
Oct. 10: PSALMS Study begins:
10am & 7pm
Oct. 19: Carrollton at the
Family Worship Center in
Mattoon
Oct 29: Women’s Bible Study:
Loving Well begins
ARTHUR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Leonard Sweet tells this story.
In the early days of the Tennessee Valley Authority, a dilapidated log homestead had to be abandoned to make room for a lake behind the dam. A new home on the hillside had already been erected for the cabin’s poor Appalachian family, but they refused to move into their beautiful new split-level ranch.
The day of the flooding arrived, but still the family refused to move. As the bulldozers were brought in, the Appalachian family brought out their shotguns. No amount of legal brandishings of bulldozer menacings would budge this family from their cabin.
Then someone from the TVA decided to try one last-ditch effort to end the stalemate. They called a social worker to talk with the family and find out what their problem was.
The social worker pleaded, “Help me to explain to the authorities why you won’t move into your beautiful new home.”
“See that fire over there?” the man asked, pointing to a blazing fire in the primitive hearth of the log cottage. “My grandpa built that fire over a hundred years ago,” the man explained. “He never let it go out, for they had no matches and it was a long way to a neighbor’s. Then my pa tended the fire, and since he died, I’ve tended it. None of us ever let it die, and I ain’t a-goin’ to move away now and let grandpa’s fire go out!”
This gave the social worker an idea. She arranged for a large apple butter kettle to be delivered to the home. She explained to the family that they could scoop up the live coals from the fire and carry them to the new home where they would then be poured out and fresh kindling added. IN this way grandpa’s fire need never go out. Would that be acceptable?
This Appalachian family huddled, and then agreed to move from their shack in the hollow to the new home on the hillside. But they wouldn’t budge—until they could take with them the fire of their ancestors.
A funny story in a way, and if you are like me, you probably thought of several different solutions to their problem, which shouldn’t have been a problem at all (matches are now readily available after all). But I think the point is that they wouldn’t go without the fire of their ancestors.
We enter our future as a congregation with the fire of our ancestors. There is much new and wonderful that we are about to do. We start again some of our ministries that were fallow during the summer. Wonderful new things are ahead for us. But we go to these places with the fire of our ancestors.
We go, not just with the memory or appreciation or admiration of our ancestors in the faith, although we do bring these with us. We must also go with their fire! Not just a casual sense of the routine, or the stern call of duty, but with the fire of passion! Every day, every time we enter again into our ministries, we repeat the words of the song: “Don’t let my love grow cold; I’m calling out, light the fire again!”
Pastor Bruce Weiman
PAGE 2/ OCTOBER 2017
Look for the Arthur United Methodist Church on Facebook
Our page is Arthur United Methodist Church.
Website: www.arthurunitedmethodistchurch.org
Need to contact Bruce? Call his cell at 217-649-2678
or email him: [email protected]
In His Service
Iris Ramsey
THE METHODIST MEMO
October is on its way. We have hopes of
getting organized in God’s Closet this
month.
More people are finding us in the
basement and we hope to soon have
storage shelves so we can help people
find what they need.
We are happy to accept small items for
the kitchen and bedding for the fall.
I’m happy to know the youth are coming
back to the basement with me. Let’s all
be more Heavenly-Minded....
Things continue to be busy in the pantry. In August we helped 17 families. We had exciting news in September. Dutch Valley Meats in Chesterville called to say they had venison to give us. This time it wasn't ground up but made into summer sausage, summer sausage with jalapeno & cheese, slim sticks, bologna, jerky, bacon, Italian sausage, bratwurst and polish sausage. They had 9 large cases. The boxes were so big I could only get half the cas-es in my car at one time. So over a period of two days I delivered a nice variety of items to 20 different families. The families were all thrilled and some even called my house to ask for more. Unfortunately I had already handed out all I was given. Because the pantry has been so busy my shelves are pretty empty. I could use help with jelly, ketchup, mustard, cereal, toilet tissue, paper towels, Kleenex, body soap, tooth paste and both men's and women's deodorant. As always thank you for supporting our outreach project.
In His Service,
Jill Strawn
THE METHODIST MEMO
OCTOBER USHERS
Oct 1 & 8th: Steve & Nancy Blucker
Lyle & Carol Petersheim
Oct 15 & 22: Green family
Counting Team
this Month
Ed Miller & Janice Likens
Rev. Bruce and the ladies of
the church,
Thank you for going above and
beyond to accommodate our
breakfast auction. We really appreciate you
allowing us to use your space.
- Douglas County CEO
.
A full time Sunday School teacher is
needed-full time preferably, but part
time can be worked around. If you
would like to teach Sunday School,
please contact Charity Oye:
217-218-9419.
Cheryl Hilgenberg will be honored as
one of Arcola High School's 2017
Distinguished Alumni on Saturday,
October 21st at
Kaskaskia Country Club.
Social hour begins at 5:00 p.m. and buffet
dinner at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to
attend this special recognition for Cheryl,
reservation forms are available on the alumni
website at www.arcolaalumni.org or you may
contact Sue Stout at 268-3190.
PAGE 3/ OCTOBER 2017
PAGE 4/ OCTOBER 2017 THE METHODIST MEMO
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
2 - Serena Honn 13 - Ellie Coller
4 - Beth Wilson Kinkelaer Jenna Platzbecker
5– Miles Coller 14 - Andi Clark
Shirley Stone 15 - Anna Herschberger
6 - Bill Singer 17 - Scott Gerichs
Kyra Yeakel 18 - Laura Strawn Sanders
7 - Kristin Clark Nall 19 - Colten Bartholomew
8 - Cynthia Salrin Flessner 20 - Brent Pownall
Darcy Singer 21 - Jynell Disher
Scott Paddock Ami Jurgens Flammini
9 - Jacob Dicke 22 - Larry Schoffstall
Beth Daily Wiley 27 - Steve Blucker
10 - Kate Petersheim Mike Nall
11 - Marty Yeakel 31 - Lorna Meyers
ANNIVERSARIES
8 - Travis & Beth Wilson 24 - Chad & Michele Price
22 - Larry & Carol Schoffstall 31 - Jim & Connie Winfield
PAGE 5/ OCTOBER 2017 THE METHODIST MEMO
FUN HOLIDAYS
Oct. 1: National Homem ade Cookies day
October 3: Techies Day
October 4: National Golf Day
October 5: W orld Teacher ’s
Day
October 6: W orld Smile Day
October 12: Old Farmer ’s Day
October 21: Sweetest Day
October 22: National Nut Day
Thursday, Oct 12
Sunday, Nov. 19th
The Bishop will be visiting
this day as well.
PAGE 6/ OCTOBER 2017 THE METHODIST MEMO
Carrollton , Hannah Kerr & special guest, Stephen Moore will be
at the Family Worship Center in Mattoon at 5475 Lerna Road on
October 19th at 6:00 p.m. A free-will offering will be taken.
General Admission seating.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month!
Be sure to let Pastor Bruce know how much you appreciate all that he does. Send him a note or card expressing your thanks.
Pastor Bruce’s email address is: [email protected]
Church’s mailing address: 128 E. Illinois St; Arthur, IL 61911
PAGE 7/ OCTOBER 2017 THE METHODIST MEMO
PAGE 8 / OCTOBER 2017 THE METHODIST MEMO
Let’s face it—some people are harder to love than others.
This 4-session Bible study encourages women to look to
the unconditional love they have experienced in their
relationships with God while extending love to others.
This study includes teaching videos on the different types
of people—those who are a joy to love, those who are
difficult to love, and those who are humanly impossible to
love. We will never be able to love others well until we
have been loved well, and only God can give us the love
we desperately need .
Sessions will start Sunday, October 29 and run every Sunday through Sunday, November 19. Study will meet in the lounge of the Arthur United Methodist Church
from 6 to 8 p.m. Each participant is invited to purchase a journal for this study. To order, please call the church at 217-543-3159
PAGE 9/ OCTOBER 2017 THE METHODIST MEMO
Mike Rayson was here on Sunday, September 10 and presented a concert to us.
Many got to enjoy his wonderful music and ministry. We also were visited by the
Barbershop Singers in their “Drive by Church” tour...
The United Methodist MEMO
The United Methodist Church
128 East Illinois St.
Arthur, IL 61911
Spirit of the Holidays
Friday, Nov. 10: @ 1:00 pm Come shop with us on Friday afternoon...
Saturday, Nov 11 @ 8:30 am
LUNCH : 11am– 1pm: Ham loaf, escalloped chicken,
vegetable, salad, bread, dessert, beverage
CRAFTS Made by the ladies of AUMC
Baked goods and candies in the Country Store. Homemade cookies on the Cookie Walk. Collecti-
bles in Granny’s Cupboard. Come and enjoy the Bazaar.