Special Weekends in May Special Weekends in May Special Weekends in May Special Weekends in May May 7/8 May 7/8 May 7/8 May 7/8—Mother’s Day Mother’s Day Mother’s Day Mother’s Day There will be opportunity to honor and remember the mothers in our lives. Donations to Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana and the Gibson City Food Pantry at Shepherd’s Closet can be given in honor/memory by contacting the office or using the slips in the bulletins the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. May 7/8 May 7/8 May 7/8 May 7/8—Monkey Bread Monkey Bread Monkey Bread Monkey Bread The Youth Mission Trip Team will be making and selling Monkey Bread to help fund their trip to Virginia in July. May 22 May 22 May 22 May 22—Graduation Sunday Graduation Sunday Graduation Sunday Graduation Sunday Please join us at both worship services on Sunday to honor our graduates. There will be a brief reception following the 8:45 service. May 23/24 May 23/24 May 23/24 May 23/24—Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Please join us in worship this weekend. Patriotic music will be shared. Cookout for Missions Cookout for Missions Cookout for Missions Cookout for Missions Our Memorial Day cookout for missions will be on Saturday, May 28th from 10am-2pm at County Market. Invite your friends and family! Grillers, servers, eaters and dessert makers will all be needed for this fun event. It’s a great opportunity to share smiles and good food in service to our community. Watch for a sign up sheet (for workers and dessert donations) in the hallway outside the office. Hope to see you there! Guest Speakers Guest Speakers Guest Speakers Guest Speakers We will have two guest speakers in May. This coming weekend, the Saturday Night Light Worship service will be held by Merle McCallister. Our message Sunday will be shared with us by Rev. Jeff Rasche from Chaddock in Quincy, Illinois. There will also be a time for further presentation and questions and answers about Chaddock during the Sunday School Hour in the Red Room. On May 28th/29th, our special speaker will be Lori Bultemeier from the Baby Fold. T HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE MESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER ESSENGER MAY AY AY AY AY AY AY AY AY AY AY AY 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 Visit us at gcumc3.org or Find us on Facebook: “Gibson City UMC” Pastors—John Tennyson Megan Thompson Church Phone 217-784-5452 Church Email [email protected]Saturday • 5:30pm—Casual Worship Sunday • 8:45am—Traditional Worship Sunday • 11:00am—Contemporary Worship Sunday School—10:00am
Transcript
Special Weekends in MaySpecial Weekends in MaySpecial Weekends in MaySpecial Weekends in May
May 7/8May 7/8May 7/8May 7/8————Mother’s DayMother’s DayMother’s DayMother’s Day There will be opportunity to honor and remember the mothers in our lives. Donations to Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana and the Gibson City Food Pantry at Shepherd’s Closet can be given in honor/memory by contacting the
office or using the slips in the bulletins the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. May 7/8May 7/8May 7/8May 7/8————Monkey BreadMonkey BreadMonkey BreadMonkey Bread The Youth Mission Trip Team will be making and selling Monkey Bread to help fund their trip to Virginia in July. May 22May 22May 22May 22————Graduation SundayGraduation SundayGraduation SundayGraduation Sunday
Please join us at both worship services on Sunday to honor our graduates. There will be a brief reception following the 8:45 service.
May 23/24May 23/24May 23/24May 23/24————Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day WeekendWeekendWeekendWeekend Please join us in worship this weekend. Patriotic music will be shared.
Cookout for Missions Cookout for Missions Cookout for Missions Cookout for Missions Our Memorial Day cookout for missions will be on Saturday, May 28th from 10am-2pm at County Market. Invite your friends and family! Grillers, servers, eaters and dessert makers will all be needed for this fun event. It’s a great opportunity to share smiles and good food in service to our community. Watch for a sign up sheet (for workers and dessert donations) in the hallway outside the office. Hope to see you there! Guest SpeakersGuest SpeakersGuest SpeakersGuest Speakers We will have two guest speakers in May.
This coming weekend, the Saturday Night Light Worship service will be held by Merle McCallister. Our message Sunday will be
shared with us by Rev. Jeff Rasche from Chaddock in Quincy, Illinois. There will also be a time for further presentation and questions and answers about Chaddock during the Sunday School Hour in the Red Room. On May 28th/29th, our special speaker will be Lori Bultemeier from the Baby Fold.
May Sermon Series: Taste and SeeMay Sermon Series: Taste and SeeMay Sermon Series: Taste and SeeMay Sermon Series: Taste and See
God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food” Genesis 1:29
Feasting on flavors. Mouth watering delicious! Exhilarating to your taste buds.
A simple observation: God made us with sensory cells for taste. Have you ever pondered this aspect of creation? The average human being has about 10,000 taste buds. God didn’t have to create us with such an immense capacity for flavors. He could have created food as solely a means of fuel intake. Why the taste buds?
Heavenly exquisite. Scrumptious! And sumptuous!! A lingering savory flavor.
Do the phrases above describe just the tasty experience of eating food? Or do the phrases describe the experience of the fellowship created by sharing a meal together? Perhaps the creative mind of God created delicious foods and our ability to savor them as a means of bringing people together to celebrate life and build bonds of companionship and community.
Delectable to devour. An intoxicating delicacy. Tastes like “more” – to go back for much more. The Bread of Life.
An early prayer of the church which is based on our Hebraic roots helps us refocus on God’s gift of meals shared together: “Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the Universe, for You give us food to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad”. The food we eat provides a means of feasting in God’s goodness, enjoying gratitude in our souls, and creating bonds of eternal friendships. As the holy text states: “Taste and see that the Lord is good”. (Psalm 34:8)
In May, our sermon series explores the power of meals shared together as a means of sharing the
gospel. ~ Pastor John
May’s Mission Socks will support May’s Mission Socks will support May’s Mission Socks will support May’s Mission Socks will support offerings taken at Annual Conferenceofferings taken at Annual Conferenceofferings taken at Annual Conferenceofferings taken at Annual Conference John Kofi Asmah School (Laity Session offering)
This school, located in the West Point section of Monrovia, Liberia, was built and furnished by offerings of IGRC laity. This year's offering will be used for additional furnishings for the school.
Africa University (Opening worship)
The IGRC is closing in on the $1 million goal set for Making Dreams Possible Scholarships. Give generously so that this goal is reached. When completed, eight scholarships will be endowed to educate students at Africa University.
Ordinands' pilgrimage (Friday's Service of Ordination)
It has been the tradition for the past few years that the newly ordained class of elders and deacons are sent for a mission saturation experience. This offering helps to fund the trip.
Tom Brown Scholarship at Wiley College (Saturday morning)
This year marks the 30th year for the collection of the Tom Brown Scholarship at Wiley College, named for a pastor of the former Central Illinois Conference, who was a trustee of the historically Black College and was the person who usually made the motion to take up an offering for the Black College Fund.
Poured Out Church Poured Out Church Poured Out Church Poured Out Church ---- Time to Plan!Time to Plan!Time to Plan!Time to Plan!
Planning is underway for our 4th annual Poured Out Church, scheduled for the weekend of August 27 & 28. Lots of ideas and help are needed to figure out how we can make a difference this year. All interested are invited to attend:
Poured Out Planning meeting 6:30, Wednesday, May 18
at the First Christian Church
In 2013 & 14, Poured Out Church involved just our church, but last year we were blessed by participation from American Lutheran, First Christian and First Presbyterian churches. For 2016 there is strong interest in the circle growing wider still!
We seek to live out God’s love in practical ways with this ministry event as our worship in the sanctuaries pours out to service in our community: “… let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” -John 7:38 (NRSV)
In the book, Selling Water by the River, author Shane Hipps writes: “It is better to move from merely thinking about God in right ways to experiencing God deeply and directly. The Living Water that Jesus promised must be known, experienced.”
Let’s all be thinking and praying about: How are we called to be Living Water this year?
Community Resources RoundtableCommunity Resources RoundtableCommunity Resources RoundtableCommunity Resources Roundtable
The next Resources Roundtable will be Wednesday, May 18, at 1:00 in the Moyer Library community room. All interested are welcome. The roundtable facilitates awareness and connection of social service resources with community needs.
From the From the From the From the KidsKidsKidsKids----SaySaySaySay----thethethethe----DarnedestDarnedestDarnedestDarnedest----Things file:Things file:Things file:Things file: One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, "Good morning Alex." "Good morning pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "Pastor McGhee, what is this?" Alex asked. "Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service." Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex's voice was barely audible when he asked, "Which service, the 8:45 or the 11:00?”
CONNECT, GROW, GO! . . . take hold of the life that really is life (I Timothy 6:18-19)
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
By Barb Horsch, Director of Education and Missions
Courtney Troyer 1 Shane May 1 Avery Schlickmann 1 Sharalyn Borchers 2 Janet Jensen 2 Janet Utterback 2 Mike Utterback 3 Eric Gee 4 Sam Horsch 4 Scott Copher 5 Shelbie Kearfott 6
Jesse Boma 7 Michelle Engel 8 Brady Cox 8 Darrell Messmore 10 Rachael Bingham 10 Olivia Hawthorne 10 Meredith Fornero 12 Julie Steinman 12 Donald Jensen 13 Shawn Schlickmann 14 Kelsey Whitehouse 14 Tammy Cowell 16 Craig Sharp 17 Joe Kearfott 19 Candice Hawthorne 20 John Davis 22 Bob Davis 22 Jerry Holsten 24 Frank Titus 24
Chris Hazen 25 Connie Tennyson 25 Mark Spangler 26 Hunter Hansen 26 Beverly Crow 27 Austin Seneca 27 Mackenzie Seneca 27 Uyen Littell 28 Stephanie Kietzman 29 Phil Whitehouse 29 Mikayla Woodward 29 Phil VanSwol 30 Matt Lindelof 31 Marsha Moody 31
Day Years Gene & Terri Moore 2 29 Scott & Teresa Boma 7 22 Jeremy & April Rotramel 7 11 Bud & Carolyn Ryan 7 50 Bill & Susie Dueringer 11 14 Derek & Stephanie Kietzman 15 17 Ron & Wanda Baird 18 42 Jason & Heather Murphy 22 12 Scott & Marsha Moody 23 18 Wes & Karen Leenerman 27 49 Bob & Jane Hill 28 61 Jerry & Karen Wright 29 50 George & Lori Frashier 30 24
Health Concerns Cathy Breeden Mildred Davis Donald Douglas Ruth Fisher Doris Gerber Doug Hager Ruth Harris Jane Hastings Mike & Judy Morano Barb Murrell Norma Patterson Carolyn Williams Nursing Home Residents
Manor Ruth Fisher Judy Peters
Annex Mary Rosebraugh Ronald Bowen Evelyn Hoover Robert Peeken Edith Stoltz Cecil Paul Davis Paxton Health Care Michael Morano Bill Dueringer Servicemen and women PFC Colton Young AB Cody McCoy
Jan-Mar 2016 Offering for Budget $72,905.53
Jan-Mar 2016 Budget $80,756.00
Weekend Sat 5:30
Sun 8:45
Sun 11:00
Sunday School
April 2nd & 3rd 17 101 27 78
April 9th & 10th 30 123 25 77
April 16th & 17th 12 139 25 77
April 23rd & 24th 16 124 30 66
PPPPRAYERSRAYERSRAYERSRAYERS, B, B, B, BIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYS, A, A, A, ANNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIES
Tea PartyTea PartyTea PartyTea Party May 29th, the Sunday school children will be hosting their annual Tea Party during the Sunday School hour. Please plan to join them for refreshments in the fellowship hall immediately following the 8:45 worship service.
This summer, youth programming will again take a squelchy splash! Join us on the evenings of June 15th,
June 29th, July 13th, and July 27th. You can drop off your kids in the parking lot at 5:30pm each week. The evening will start with a light supper (hot dogs, chips, lemonade), followed by a Bible lesson and a time of fun, watery fellowship for children 3 years old through upper elementary. If you have Middle School or High School youth interested, please have them come and help out! Look for more details to come in bulletins and through emails. Wesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana Circle The Wesleyana Circle will meet on May 10th at 1:30pm at Malinda Lutz’s home. THANKS to the Connection TeamTHANKS to the Connection TeamTHANKS to the Connection TeamTHANKS to the Connection Team The funeral dinner working group leaders extend our sincere thanks to the CONNECTION TEAM for sponsoring -- and to Connection Team members Judy Eckhoff and Beverly Nelson for orchestrating and serving -- the April 4 appreciation luncheon in our honor. It was a delicious, festive and fun way to kick-off the process of updating our church's funeral dinner working group lists.
Missing Prayer Requests Because You Missing Prayer Requests Because You Missing Prayer Requests Because You Missing Prayer Requests Because You Don’t Use a Computer?Don’t Use a Computer?Don’t Use a Computer?Don’t Use a Computer? The CONNECTION TEAM would like to set up a prayer phone chain so that you can receive the same information in "Pray Without Ceasing" e-mail messages sent by the church office. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Judy Eckhoff (784-4387) or Janet Utterback (749-2303). MMDC Collections MMDC Collections MMDC Collections MMDC Collections
Pastor John will be taking our churches donations of school supplies to Annual Conference for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center. Please donate the following items by Monday June 6th:
• Personal Dignity Kits—hand towel, wash cloth, comb, nail clippers, toothbrush, shampoo with conditioner, deodorant, bar soap, razors (individually wrapped), toothpaste (2.5oz or larger)
• School Kits—3 spiral, 1 subject notebooks (8x10 1/2”), 3 pens (blue or black), 3 unsharpened pencils, pencil sharpened and eraser (2” or larger), 12” ruler with metric measurements, protractor (6” long with metric), box of 24 crayons, pair of round tip scissors (no plastic scissors)
Those wishing to help with the cost of shipping and/or purchase of these supplies in bulk can make their checks payable to GCUMC with MMDC Annual Conference Offerings in the memo line. Committee ChairsCommittee ChairsCommittee ChairsCommittee Chairs Just as a reminder, our committee chairs are:
Learning in CommunityLearning in CommunityLearning in CommunityLearning in Community April was ‘Spiritual Retreat’ month! Pastor John and Connie attended the John Wesley Fellowship Conference held in Peoria. Our District Superintendent Dr. Rev. Rose Booker-Jones and General Conference Evangelist Rev. Larry Eddings spoke on how prayer is a means by which the Holy Spirit can operate through us; and motivates and activates us to be about God's will. Rev. Rose stated, "we cannot pray like this without the Holy Spirit's power and influence in our lives”.
Susan Schultz attended The Upper Room’s Academy for Spiritual Formation in Belleville, IL. The 5 days featured times of worship, teaching, silent reflection, group reflection, shared meals/fellowship, and extended times of silence. Leaders in Spiritual Formation Marjorie Thompson and Frank Rogers presented instructive insights on the topic of compassion, which is our core, and through which comes healing, wholeness, and holiness.
Members of our church family visited Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana, IL. (Please see full article.) Our next scheduled Golden Cross Ministries field trip will be to Evenglow Lodge/Inn, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Pontiac, IL, on Tuesday afternoon, May 24th. We’ll carpool from the church at 12:15. Please contact Susan Schultz ([email protected]; 784-8833) to sign up, or sign the sheet in the narthex. Let’s go learn!
Golden Cross Ministry: Cunningham Golden Cross Ministry: Cunningham Golden Cross Ministry: Cunningham Golden Cross Ministry: Cunningham Children’s HomeChildren’s HomeChildren’s HomeChildren’s Home In April we traveled to Urbana to learn of the United Methodist Women’s mission and ministry, Cunningham Children’s Home (CCH). For 120 years CCH has provided a place of hope for youth and families who have come to the ‘end of their rope’ after exhausting all other means of educational and residential options. “Cunningham schools educate students who need intensive special education services as well as therapeutic treatment for their social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Through trauma-sensitive education programs and service, [the] youth experience
life changing opportunities which help them develop the learning and coping skills they need to be successful.” They serve 280 youth and families from all over Illinois, with 285 employees.
Youth served at CCH often come from traumatic circumstances, resulting in their brains being wired differently, affecting all areas of life. CCH’s mission is to first provide them safety, followed by a sense of a ‘normal life’ (new, to them), and the assurance of their motto, “Hope Begins Here”. Part of their experience is spirituality, if desired, and is provided by on-staff UM clergy. Spirituality helps them in their struggles when they are not able to reach their other coping mechanisms.
Sitting on 33 acres, CCH provides a campus featuring residential units for 50 youth ages 11-17; two schools- Gerber, for residents, and Circle Academy, for students from a 9-county area with special needs grades K-12; cafeteria; recreation center; and community services (foster care), administration, and Spiritual Life buildings. Transitions for the youth bring anxiety; moving between buildings several times a day is not conducive to their well-being. CCH is projected to break ground this fall on an expansion project that will provide a new building encompassing several of the service areas under one roof.
CCH is dedicated to helping developmentally at-risk youth become the whole, healthy individuals God created them to be. As youth mature they may attend junior college or venture into a job setting. CCH assists with these transitions, providing additional academic assistance and vocation skills. They also assist those who are able to transition into independent living. “Every spring CCH hosts their Festival of Quilts which honors the tradition of the UM Women, and the quilts they have created and donated for more than 100 years for our kids.” Tours are open to the public during this event and during the year by contacting CCH. For more information about this haven of hope of our conference, please visit www.cunninghamhome.org, or contact Susan Schultz. Cunningham is certainly Jesus’ hands and feet to some of the most in-need of our society. Praise God!
