Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors The Circuit Rider February 2016 First United Methodist Church Newsletter Office: 210 W Center St Parsonage: 220 W Center St Paxton, IL 60957 Paxton, IL 60957 217-379-3817 217-379-2540 John Hauck, Pastor Barb Zimmerman, Lay Leader Judith Voorhees, Chancel Choir Director & Organist Sherrie Morrison, Early Serv. Co-ord. & Bell Choir Director Barbie Hari & Hope Miller, Ed. Specialist Leanna McClure, Parish Nurse Suzie Shell, Financial Secretary Judy Hasngs, Administrave Assistant Denise Peers, Treasurer Ed Brown, Custodian Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Message from Pastor John: “You Are Gifted” Scripture: Luke 4:14-30 Message from Pastor John: “They Could Have Had Jesus” Baptism of the Lord (January 10, 2016) Scripture: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Message from Pastor John: “Where There’s Smoke…” CHURCH SERVICES HELD IN JANUARY Epiphany of the Lord (January 03, 2016) Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 Message from Pastor Leroy Allison: “Where Are You Coming From?” Second Sunday After the Ephiphany (January 17, 2016) Third Sunday After the Ephiphany (January 24, 2016) Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Message from Pastor John: “Restoring God’s Word and Rejoicing with Worship” Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (January 31, 2016 )
Transcript
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
The Circuit Rider February 2016
First United Methodist Church Newsletter
Office: 210 W Center St Parsonage: 220 W Center St Paxton, IL 60957 Paxton, IL 60957 217-379-3817 217-379-2540
John Hauck, Pastor Barb Zimmerman, Lay Leader Judith Voorhees, Chancel Choir Director & Organist Sherrie Morrison, Early Serv. Co-ord. & Bell Choir Director Barbie Hari & Hope Miller, Ed. Specialist Leanna McClure, Parish Nurse Suzie Shell, Financial Secretary Judy Hastings, Administrative Assistant Denise Peers, Treasurer Ed Brown, Custodian
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Message from Pastor John: “You Are Gifted”
Scripture: Luke 4:14-30
Message from Pastor John: “They Could Have Had Jesus”
Baptism of the Lord (January 10, 2016)
Scripture: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Message from Pastor John: “Where There’s Smoke…”
CHURCH SERVICES
HELD IN JANUARY
Epiphany of the Lord (January 03, 2016)
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 Message from
Pastor Leroy Allison: “Where Are You Coming From?”
Second Sunday After the Ephiphany (January 17, 2016)
Third Sunday After the Ephiphany (January 24, 2016)
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Message from Pastor
John: “Restoring God’s Word and Rejoicing with Worship”
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (January 31, 2016 )
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
FROM THE PASTOR – February 2016
“…because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints –”
(Colossians 1:4 NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22a NIV)
I love to read. I read from the Bible every day and every Christmas I receive several books. A few years ago I
received for Christmas a book titled Spirit Rising- Tapping into the Power of the Holy Spirit by Pastor Jim Cymbala.
Pastor Cymbala is the lead pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and his wife Carol is the director of the well-known
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Through the years, Jim has written several books and I always make sure to read them.
They are filled with wonderful stories of how the Holy Spirit has changed the lives of people (many who were drug
addicts, alcoholics, homeless) and filled them with new life through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Since February is the month that we celebrate Valentine’s Day and we often talk about love, I want to share
with you a short story from his chapter titled “We Love the Unlovable.” We are called and empowered by God to love
everyone, regardless of their race, socio-economic status, or any other factors. Yet we tend to share our love most
often with those who are “like us” and may even unintentionally ignore those who are different. Jim Cymbala shares a
story about an older couple who came to visit the Brooklyn Tabernacle and after the service were introduced to him
by a mutual friend. The older man told Pastor Cymbala that the church they attended at home was very conservative
and the service they had just experienced at the Brooklyn Tabernacle was very different. He went on to share that it
was more than the singing, hands lifted, and the obvious emotion of the congregation. He explained that they had
never worshiped with black people and Latinos before and that when the pastor had directed folks to greet one
another, “all kinds of men I’ve never met hugged me as if I was their brother.” With tears filling his eyes he continued,
“I felt more love this morning from strangers than I’ve ever experienced in my home church for the last thirty years.”
At the beginning of the section on “The Power of Love” he writes “A loving person, or better yet, a church full of
loving people, has tremendous power to influence people for God.”
As I read these words, I began to think to myself, “How do people who visit our church and people in our
community experience this kind of love from us?” The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians expresses his
thanks for the love they have shown for all the saints. The health of that church was not measured in attendance
figures or in their building, but in the way that they showed God’s love to all people. At the end of this chapter in Spirit
Rising, Jim Cymbala points out that the Apostle Paul learned from Epaphras (another minister of the Gospel) about
their love in the Spirit. He writes, “It wasn’t an earth-based love that the saints in Colossae were experiencing; it
was the Holy Spirit’s love replacing their human limitations and carnal tendencies. It was supernatural love because it
belonged to God – God, the Holy Spirit.”
In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul writes that “the fruit of the Spirit is love…” How is that Spirit-
filled love impacting your life? How are you doing in sharing the love of God’s Spirit with others? Our church has
continued to reach out to people in our community through the Hands of Christ Food Pantry, Nimble Fingers projects,
Angel Tree, Goodfellows Fund and in many other ways. Many have experienced and responded to the Spirit-filled
love we have shown. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will fill and empower more people in our church to get involved
in showing the love of God’s Spirit in this new year. Remember the words of Pastor Cymbala, “…a church full of
loving people has tremendous power to influence people for God.” May this be said of our church in 2016. Come
and join us in worship this Sunday as we let the Holy Spirit fill us to overflowing with the incredible love of God and
our Savior Jesus Christ.
In the Love and Power of the Holy Spirit,
Pastor John
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Laity Participation Table for February. 2016
Date Parking Valets Greeters Ushers Acolytes Children’s Time
*7 Mary Parsons Mary Rogers Ellie White
Richard Mabis
JUNIOR HIGH
Ella Curry Christina White
Lana Sample
14 Judy Hastings
John & Jo Carson
Richard Mabis
Ella Curry Christina White
Pastor John
21 Kim Evans Jan Fratia
Caryl Nuckols
Richard Mabis
Alex Swanson Sean Hudson
Richelle Hudson
28 William Hauck
Rheta Brinegar
Elisa Krumwiede Richard Mabis
Alex Swanson
Sean Hudson Mary Jo Pilcher
Date Liturgist Tech Desk Nursery Fellowship Hostess Counters
*7 Alyne Galloway
Mike White
Jolee Hastings Judy Hastings
Judi Hauck William Hauck
Mary Rogers Suzie Shell
14 Jo Carson Amanda Elam Emma Bowen
Suzie Shell Donna Henson
Lynn Ingold
21 Betty Tucker Richelle Hudson
Jade Miles Darla Schall
Joanne Guyot Lea Ann Carson
28 Mary Jo Pilcher Caryl Nuckols
LaVonne Smith Bible Seekers
Jere Cross Keith Carson
If you cannot serve when you are listed, please trade with
someone or get someone to fill in for you.
*Holy Communion Served in the 10:30a Service
February Sunday School News
We hope you all are staying warm in this chilly and snowy weather. The end of January we
wrapped up collecting items and money for The Crisis Nursery in Champaign. We will have the final
totals in March’s newsletter. Also, at the end of January confirmation started for all 7th, 8th and
9th graders who have not been confirmed. They have started having weekly classes. We have a
large group of youth and we are so excited for them. Please pray for them during their
confirmation journey.
We will be having a family movie night in either February or March so please check your weekly
circuit riders for updates on that event. During Sunday school in January the kids have been
learning about Moses. Be sure to ask them what they have learned.
Looking ahead to the month of March we will be going to The Lights Kids Conference in
Washington IL on March 5th. This conference is a fun event for all kids in grades 1st thru 5th. We
will be sending information home with the children soon.
Your Christian Education Coordinators, Barbie and Hope
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
February Anniversaries Feb. 16 Gary & Mary Allen 48
17 Charlie & Vicki Harris 51
22 Dan & Jane Coulter 16
24 Mike & Jackie Lynch 37
Feberary Birthdays Feb. 02 Louis Rheeling
04 Pam Sanders
Andrew Swanson
05 Macee Jensen
Mary Ross
06 John Carson
Ella Curry
07 Declan Nelson
08 Kasen Rust
09 Larry Hale
10 Barbara Janssen
Tadd Ostendorf
Anna Ross
11 Jessica Grosenheider
Candice Short
13 Glenn Shell
14 Austin Elam
Cristal Sheehan
Max Gentzler
15 Ashley Glover
16 Gunner Coe
Tanner Coe
Florence Elliott
18 Terri Eyer
19 Barb Hoover
20 Jeff Anderson
22 Trey Pound
23 Chad Pilcher
25 Joel Hastings
Ken Ross
Gary Rypski
Jeff Schrodt
26 Gina Gregory
Diana Hale
Tim Phillips
27 Stephen Haile
Chris Rudin
28 Denise Sanders
Irma Tibbetts
Charles Wood
29 Emma Shinn
Ash Wednesday Service
An Ash Wednesday Worship Service will be held on
Wednesday, February 10th, at 6:30 p.m. in the
Sanctuary. This will be a traditional worship service
with the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion.
Please come join us as we begin the season of Lent
with this meaningful service.
Thank you for the Christmas bonus that I received at Christmas
from PUMC. I love serving the Lord and my church as organist, choir
director, doing Sunday School music, and helping out with other
tasks when I can.
Judy Voorhees
MISSION EMPHASIS
FOR FEBRUARY
RED BIRD MISSION
Redbird Mission Mark & Rebecca Smallwood
Red Bird Mission has provided ministries in the Appalachian Mountains since 1921. With the support of the United Methodist Church, Red Bird Mission and Clinic strives to meet the needs of rural residents through min-istry in five areas: Education, Health and Wellness, Community Outreach, Economic Opportunity, and Community Housing Improvement.
Mark and Rebecca Smallwood have served as teachers at the Redbird Mission School in Beverly, Kentucky since 1988. Mark directs the vocal and instrumental music programs for the elementary, middle school and high school. Rebecca teaches elementary classes at Redbird. Mark and Rebecca have two children, Nathaniel (Nate) and Leah that are both students at Red Bird Christian School.
Mission basket money collected in February will go to support the work of Redbird.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Nimble Fingers Ministry
WELCOME NEW MEMBER AND BAPTIZED MEMBER
We welcome Bonniejeen Kietzman, who joined our
church as a professing member on Sunday, January 10,
2016.
We welcome Jonathan Christopher Hari, son of Jason
and Barbie Hari, who received the Sacrament of Holy
Baptism on Sunday, January 10, 2016.
Junior High YF
February 7—5:30PM—8:00PM Super Bowl
start (Watch first 1/2 together) Pick up at half
time. Bring a snack.
February 19—Lock-in 7PM-7AM Saturday
Morning. Bring a snack—finish bricks
Bring blanket, pillow, movies,
games
Nimble Fingers have been busy working on winter projects and planning spring projects. We are
making lap robes, prayer shawls and hats. We will donate hats to the Hands of Christ Food Pantry.
This is a new mission for us and we are really excited to contribute. Our prayer shawl ministry is a
very important part of our ministry. No matter what other projects we may be working on, we’re
always making prayer shawls too. Last year we gave 43 prayer shawls to members of our
congregation and the community.
We meet every Wednesday night at7:00PM in the workroom classroom. New members are
always welcome. We have yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles and members ready to teach!
In Christ’s Love,
Virginia Jones
The quilters, who meet on Monday mornings, are
needing a quilt top to quilt. If anyone has one
bring to or call the church to notify Lois Bodeen.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Jeannie
Swain’s mother, Evelyn Wilson age 99. Dick &
Jeannie’s address is: 1521 Westwood Blvd.
Connersville, IN 47331 if you would like to send
your condolences.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Nursing Home Residents Thelma Hastings is residing at:
Amber Glen, 1704 E Amber Ln, Urbana, 61802
Millie Eppelheimer is residing at:
PH&R, 1240 N Market St, Paxton 60957
Lela Barringer residing at:
Country Hills Care Center, 2304CR 3000N, Gifford 61847
**Mickey Anderson **Rose Beppler **Edwina Campbell **Madge Mullinax
***Residents of: Heartland of Paxton, 1001E Pells St,
Ken Riecks (please send cards to Paxton address) Resides at: Heritage Health-Legacy,509 N Adelaide, Normal 61701
Esther Seaman is residing at:
Knights Templar, 450 E Fulton St, Paxton 60957
Kaye Marshall is residing at:
Prairie Village 200 W International Ave, Rantoul 61866
Lee Storm is residing at:
Villas of Hollybrook 1400 N. Melvin Gibson City, IL 60957
Prayer requests for FEBRUARY PRAY EVERYDAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY and PASTOR JOHN
Week of February 1st—February 6th Pray for the confirmation class & sponsors as we
go through this time together.
Week of February 7th—February 13th
Pray for Ash Wednesday the beginning of lent.
Week of February 14th—February 20th
Pray for spiritual growth of the Church family.
Week of February 21st—February 27th
Pray for a Health as we go through winter.
Week of February 28th—March 5th Pray for new life as we go into spring.
Our Current Prayer List Don (11-1 comfort & healing; Virginia Jones’ brother-in-law)
Edith (Edie) Bender (5-09 for comfort & peace)
Jen Cantzler(11-1 comfort & healing; grandson’s wife of Lois
Bodeen)
Shelly Curry (1-28 healing and recovery from shoulder
surgery)
Jim Davis (10-23 prayers for healing)
Bob Durbin (1-4 prayers of safety; friend of Mickey Mathews)
Mildred Hodshire (1-17 healing; mother of Judi Hauck)
Kathy Hora (9-13 for healing, Cindy Brown’s Aunt)
Rene Loch (10-11 comfort and healing; Diana Hale’s niece)
Richard Mabis (10-15 healing of knee pain)
Cheryl Phillips (10-25 healing; Mother of Stephanie Kyrouac)
Sherrie Nogle (2-15 healing; sister of Barb King)
Lois Parsons (11-25 healing and comfort; Mother of Doug &
Mary Parsons)
Peggy Rusk (12-31 for healing & comfort)
Sue Samet (9-02 for healing; sister-in-law of Peggy Busey)
Bill Watts(1-3 for healing & comfort; husband of Nancy Davis’
niece Rhonda)
David Smith (8-23 peace and comfort; Uncle of Judi Hauck)
Vital Statistics for JANUARY 2016
Date Worship
8:00 10:30 Sunday School
Offerings
3 26 98 45 $6,378.00
10 17 104 40 $6,251.00
17 18 99 63 $6,191.00
24 19 108 54 $1,884.50
31 27 118 65 $5,714.00
Totals 174 527 267 $26,418.50
Offering amount needed weekly for the budget $5,547.37
Preserving our church history:
As part of my job as historian is to preserve our church heritage. Thanks to Bob Curry, we now have a way to electronically save photos and documents to a dropbox. The items can then be used later for directories celebrations. I would like to encourage each of you to share your photos or old bulletins by going to the church
website www.paxtonumc.com and uploading them by following the link which will be set up soon.
If you are not comfortable with the process, you can also personally contact me and I will scan your pictures or
documents into the dropbox and then return them to you. I look forward to implementation of this project!
The January meeting was attended by Jason Bowen, Bob Curry, Jason Hari, Pastor John Hauck, Debbie Langendorf, Tadd Ostendorf, Mary Parsons and LaVonne Smith.
Pastor John opened the meeting with prayer.
Trustees--Pastor John shared that we still need to add two members to the committee. Tadd moved that Debbie Langendorf be the new chairperson. Motion was seconded and carried.
Mary moved LaVonne Smith continue as secretary. Motion was seconded and carried.
Bob Curry volunteered to be the vice-chairperson.
Minutes of the December meeting were distributed. Bob moved they be approved. Mary seconded and motion carried.
Parsonage—Pastor John reported the second radon test result was 2.1. This was significantly less than the first test. Another test will be done in a month or two just to confirm the last reading. Discussion was held regarding the uncovered sump pump in the basement. Tadd suggested that if it has a cover, it needs to be mounted permanently. Pastor John will measure and Tadd will see if he had a lid to fit. A plumber did come to look at the shower after Tadd had checked it out and no leak was apparent!
Organ—LaVonne reported that if Keith Williams from Buzard Pipe Organ Builders does not call by the 15th, she will get in touch with him and see where Paxton UMC is on the schedule.
Gutters—Now we must wait for warmer weather.
Elevator—The doorbell is not in yet. Tadd assured us a wireless doorbell is easy to install. Debbie will check for a doorbell at the hardware store.
Kitchenette—Mary told Doug about the outlet with no power. She will remind him to check it Out.
Building Use Policy and Wedding Guidelines—Pastor John handed out the paperwork on these two items. The committee members will read through the suggested guidelines and report changes/suggestions at the February meeting.
Roof—Adkisson has stated they are done with the roof (as per an e-mail from Scott Allen)
Items of concern from Ed Brown—Debbie reported that Ed sent her a list of items of concern:
The window sash in the basement kitchen leaked after the last rain storm. The dining room had water by two drains.
After the first snow, water leaked in by the back door entrance into the basement kitchen (near the trash). Possibly this might be linked to the leak we’ve had on the west upstairs.
Motion light near bathrooms in basement is no longer working. May need a new switch. Mary will have Doug check on it.
Radiator is leaking into east classroom in the basement near the air hockey game. Radiator has been shut off. Members of the committee will look at it after the meeting.
Judy reported a leak in the sanctuary after the last rain storm. Evidently it blew in under the window and onto the table.
Computers—Bob reported Barbie and Hope would like to have a new computer and printer for the lab downstairs. The computers that have been donated for that lab are very old and have been removed from the lab. Judy Hastings’ computer in the office needs to be updated also and Office 365 Business is needed (less than $300 annually).
Tadd moved and Jason B. seconded that we go ahead and purchase the needed computers/printers for the downstairs lab and upstairs office. Motion carried.
It was suggested that we could possibly offer the old computers to church members or recycle them in the spring.
Scholarship—The committee discussed the requirements/procedures regarding the church’s scholarship to a PBL graduating senior. Mary will talk to Rosemary Kurtz and see if she has information regarding the original intent of the $1000 scholarship. One thing that all agreed upon is that names need to be deleted from the applications before being sent to the selection committee.
Bob moved the meeting be adjourned. Tadd seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned 7:50PM
Respectfully submitted by LaVonne Smith, secretary
Some of the committee did check out the radiator in the basement that is mounted to the ceiling. Some type of special equipment is going to be needed to safely lower the radiator from the ceiling.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
First United Methodist Church of Paxton Church Council Meeting Minutes January 7, 2016
Present: Barbie Hari, Rob Pacey, Barb Zimmerman, Lana Sample, Charlotte Swanson, Ruth Noble, Kim Evans, Peg Busey, Ann Berner,
Pastor John Hauck, Tom Cottrell, Suzie Shell and Judy Hastings. Meeting was called to order at 8:02pm. Devotions given by Kim Evans. Suzie
read the minutes from the last church council meeting. Rob motioned to accept the minutes, Barb seconded and the motion carried.
Nurture Report – Lana stated that they are getting ready for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Plans
are underway. Camping registration will be opening soon. Pastor will be holding a meeting for parents to discuss the confirmation process
for this year. At this time there are approximately 13 confirmands.
Christian Education Report – Barbie reported that the Christmas program went well. They have started a new quarter of the gospel
Sunday School program. They have also started planning the process for Vacation Bible School. (VBS) A discussion also took place regarding
the computers and printer currently being used by the Christian Education Team. They are having numerous problems printing at this time
and half of the computers are in a sleep mode regularly and not able to be used. Looking into the cost to purchase new equipment and
working with Bob Curry to determine what the needs are for a computer and printer as well as what would fit into the budget. Will also look
at ways to lock up the equipment to keep it protected and secure. A family movie night is being planned for February or March.
Outreach Report – UMCOR disaster response is the mission for January. Discussed how to be a 5 star church. Discussion for possible
trip to Midwest Missions with youth group as a possible mission trip this year. Pastor talked about considering doing flood buckets as a
mission or project for the youth group allowing the congregation to fill flood buckets to be handed out to areas in need.
Witness Report – Working on dates for VBS, Rockin Route 9 and mission bags as well as planning summer events. Tom said that he
received an email from the group “State of Grace” stating that they would be interested in coming to the church to sing if we wanted them
to perform again. Council agreed that they would look at the calendar to see what a good date might be to ask the group to come sing at a
church service. Judy is going to call and check on dates that the Pavilion is available this summer to help with planning the summer events.
Finance Report – Corrine was not present. A discussion was made to determine the use for money received from the offering given on
Christmas Eve. Suzie stated that she entered the money into the general fund for the time being so the deposit could be counted and then
the money can be disbursed as decided. Historically the money has been used at the pastor’s discretion. Suzie mentioned that she placed
the money under the general fund related to a shortfall to the budget for the year being at approximately $25,000. Total money not
designated from the Christmas Eve service was $403 so this will not make a huge impact on the shortfall. Rob motioned and Peg seconded
the motion to move the $403 to the Witness committee. All aye and motion carried.
Financial Secretary Report – Correction will be made to the monthly report for a deposit that was off by two cents compared to the
bank statement.
Treasurer’s Report – Denise was absent however report was reviewed. Rob motioned to accept and Judy seconded the motion. All aye
and treasurer’s report was approved.
Trustee’s Report – Pastor stated that there was $1000 given to the building fund with a request that it be used where best needed.
Council determined that this should be put toward the kitchen fund. The trustees will be choosing a new chairman this week. A second
radon test was completed and came back 2.1 that was much better than the previous test. We will be re-testing the radon again in 2-3
months to ensure everything is still good. The parsonage shower leak seems to be corrected at this time. The heat in the basement is
working again.
Staff Parish Relations Committee – No meetings held.
Lay Leadership and Nomination Report – They are still working on filling committees. Rob suggested that we consider
consolidating committees. Tom agreed and discussed the need to describe committee missions and establish ways to gauge progress toward
those missions. Tom suggested creating a special panel to set up time to discuss possible committee consolidation. Pastor is going to set up
a panel with Tom to review the current active committees in the church.
Pastor Report – Pastor will be working with Corrine to set up the audit for this year. Pastor read a thank you note that he received from
a family who the church sent a Wal-Mart gift card to this past Christmas. This family was a family that was assisted during a past Mission Trip
to the Henderson Settlement. The card was one of thanks and blessings. There will be a clergy and lay leadership training on January 16th in
Champaign. Pastor reviewed the different classes they will be offering that day.
Old Business: Pastor discussed summer camp. It will be held at the Baptist Church the week of July 11th. This is a new project of a
traveling summer camp in light of the camps that have closed down. The conference is covering the insurance liability for the camp.
New Business: None
February 4th will be the next meeting. Ruth Ann Noble will give the devotions. Pastor gave the prayer and the meeting concluded at
