Parade of Palms Parade of Palms Parade of Palms Parade of Palms— March 28th & 29th March 28th & 29th March 28th & 29th March 28th & 29th Our annual special Parade of Palms offering for missions will be taken on Palm Sunday, March 29th and also during the Saturday Night Light Service on March 28th. All money given will go directly towards our missionaries. Children of all ages are invited to participate in the waving of palm branches at the beginning of each church service on Palm Sunday. Children will meet downstairs in Fellowship Hall at 8:30 a.m. to participate in the 8:45 service. Those who will be helping with the 11:00 service will meet in the Fellowship Hall following Sunday School. Following their entry into the sanctuary, children will sit with their families. Holy Week Holy Week Holy Week Holy Week 4/2 Each church will hold their own Maundy Thursday service. Our service will begin at 6:30pm. 4/3 Good Friday—The community service will be held at 7pm here at GCUMC. Easter Sunday Easter Sunday Easter Sunday Easter Sunday April 5th April 5th April 5th April 5th On Easter Sunday we will have our regular worship services at 8:45am and 11:00am and Sunday School at 10:00am. The Saturday Night Light Service will be held at 5:30pm on the 4th. Easter Lilies and Tulips Easter Lilies and Tulips Easter Lilies and Tulips Easter Lilies and Tulips Lilies and Tulips can be ordered from your florist of choice this year. Slips for memorials and honorariums will be in the bulletins two weeks prior to Easter and should be turned in to the church office prior to Wednesday, April 1st. Please have your flowers delivered by noon on Friday, April 3rd. Congregational Meeting Congregational Meeting Congregational Meeting Congregational Meeting There will be a congregational meeting on April 12 at 9:50am in the sanctuary to discuss the future space needs of the church. The newly created Facilities Visioning Committee has been discussing various needs and options but would like your thoughts and ideas at this time. The FVC will be presenting some possible solutions for the current issues we are having with space for our youth programming but need congregational input to move forward. Special Weekends in May Special Weekends in May Special Weekends in May Special Weekends in May • May 3—Confirmation • May 9/10—Mother’s Day • May 16/17—Graduation 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 APRIL PRIL PRIL PRIL PRIL PRIL PRIL PRIL PRIL PRIL PRIL PRIL 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 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
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Parade of PalmsParade of PalmsParade of PalmsParade of Palms————March 28th & 29thMarch 28th & 29thMarch 28th & 29thMarch 28th & 29th Our annual special Parade of Palms offering for missions will be taken on Palm Sunday, March 29th and also during the Saturday Night Light Service
on March 28th. All money given will go directly towards our missionaries. Children of all ages are invited to participate in the waving of palm branches at the beginning of each church service on Palm Sunday. Children will meet downstairs in Fellowship Hall at 8:30 a.m. to participate in the 8:45 service. Those who will be helping with the 11:00 service will meet in the Fellowship Hall following Sunday School. Following their entry into the sanctuary, children will sit with their families. Holy WeekHoly WeekHoly WeekHoly Week 4/2 Each church will hold their own Maundy Thursday service. Our service will begin at 6:30pm. 4/3 Good Friday—The community service will be held at 7pm here at GCUMC.
Easter SundayEaster SundayEaster SundayEaster Sunday April 5thApril 5thApril 5thApril 5th On Easter Sunday we will have our regular worship services at 8:45am and 11:00am and Sunday School at 10:00am. The Saturday Night Light Service will be held at 5:30pm on the 4th.
Easter Lilies and TulipsEaster Lilies and TulipsEaster Lilies and TulipsEaster Lilies and Tulips Lilies and Tulips can be ordered from your florist of choice this year. Slips for memorials and honorariums will be in the bulletins two weeks prior to Easter and should be turned in to the church office prior to Wednesday, April 1st. Please have your flowers delivered by noon on Friday, April 3rd.
Congregational MeetingCongregational MeetingCongregational MeetingCongregational Meeting There will be a congregational meeting on April 12 at 9:50am in the sanctuary to discuss the future space needs of the church. The newly created Facilities Visioning Committee has been discussing various needs and options but would like your thoughts and ideas at this time. The FVC will be presenting some possible solutions for the current issues we are having with space for our youth programming but need congregational input to move forward. Special Weekends in MaySpecial Weekends in MaySpecial Weekends in MaySpecial Weekends in May
Easter TriumphEaster TriumphEaster TriumphEaster Triumph Love’s redeeming work is done, Fought the fight, the battle won, Death in vain forbids him rise, Christ has opened paradise.
These lyrics from Charles Wesley’s "Hymn for Easter Day," were written in 1739. He wrote these lyrics less than one year after his conversion experience.
The song marked several firsts: it was first sung at the first service at London’s first Wesleyan chapel called the Foundry Meeting House. Today it is more famously known as “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” The alleluias were added later.
Easter is about reconciliation. The word reconcile means to make one, to restore harmony, to make whole. Easter invites us to come home to the arms and heart of God.
Easter is realized when we grasp the depth of the love of the Father has for us, and know that we belong to Him. Romans chapter 5 assures us that “we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son” and “since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” With this confidence, we sing with Charles in the opening verse:
Christ the Lord is risen today Earth and heaven in chorus say Raise your joys and triumphs high Sing, ye heavens and earth reply.
Charles’s conversion occurred on May 21, 1738. He read in Psalm 40:3 “He hath put a new song in my mouth; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord”. How prophetic! The next day Charles wrote his first hymn. It was the first of 8,989 hymns to come!
It is not know with certainty, but many believed the first hymn Charles wrote was “And Can It Be”. The lyrics included:
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light, My chains fell off, my heart was free. I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Less than a year later, Charles wrote the lyrics to arguably the best known and most sung Easter hymn. Easter had come to Charles’ heart, and to us: the invitation to be reconciled to the heart of God. Alleluia.
~ Pastor John
Our world tells us true justice is retaliating when someone harms us. Our world tells us there is no room for mercy, that we must keep what is ours. Our world tells us we need to have all the answers, to depend on ourselves and only ourselves.
But there’s a voice from above, saying there is a different way possible, a way that leads to life, and not just the kind of life that barely ekes by, but a life that gives and grows and flourishes despite what the world throws at it.
One of the first moments that I knew I was a Christian happened when I was in Bulgaria as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I was walking past a daycare, filled with running, happy children. In one corner, however, there was an attendant, holding one little boy while another cried in front of the other two. She said to the crying boy, “He hit you, so now you hit him back.”
And I thought, “Whoa. Wait a minute here.”
That moment was the start of when I began to truly follow Christ. I knew I wanted to follow someone who, even though it caused a lot of pain and suffering, refused to make others suffer for it. I chose to follow someone who actively sought a way to bring life rather than diminish it. I chose to follow Jesus.
And because I follow Christ, I want people to have a foundation of Jesus is and why he matters.
I want to lay a foundation of justice, like TWIGS and going to the MMDC and Souper Bowl Sunday, so we can change what is into the vision of what ought to be.
I want to create experiences of mercy, so when names are called , we have a loving kindness that gives away rather than protecting.
And I want model to walk humbly, wondering at the mystery of the world, the mystery of a God who loves us and calls us by name, the mystery of Jesus, who gave his life that we might live.
And so we keep trying, marching to the beat of Micah 6:8: He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God. Thanks be to God.
Step up, step out for a day of service at the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) in Chatham. All ages, 11 & up, and all abilities are welcome as we do our part locally to make a difference globally.
Wednesday, April 8, is the week of GCMS Spring Break so we hope families can take this opportunity to be in mission together. We will leave the church at 6:30am and return home around 6:00pm. Please sign up ahead of time - look for the clipboard in the narthex.
What happens at MMDC? Soooo much! In 2014, MMDC had approximately
1,741 volunteers, giving 32,909 hours of their time, valued at $742,097.95. They came from 19 different states. This does not include the many volunteers who work from afar on MMDC projects such as our own Shirley Jackson who makes hundreds of school bags plus many other handcrafted items.
What do volunteers do? They “partner in God’s restoration” by assembling kits that bring hope for those experiencing disasters or economic hardships. They helped make the following kit disbursement numbers possible in 2014:
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Health Kit: 8,098
UMCOR Layette Kit: 1,226
UMCOR Cleaning Bucket: 4,684
UMCOR Bedding Kit: 186
UMCOR School Kit: 3,541
UMCOR Sewing Kit: 1,224
UMCOR Birthing Kit: 768
MMDC Haiti Student School Bag: 13,461
MMDC Haiti Teacher School Bag: 321
MMDC School Desks: 458
MMDC Personal Dignity Kit: 19,944
Besides hands-on help in assembling kits, MMDC also welcomes donations of supplies. Their current urgent needs are:
• 8 1/2 x 11 spiral notebooks or top-bound pads, 70-80 pages; or loose leaf paper, 150 sheets. No composition notebooks please.
• Pillows (regular bed size) for UMCOR bedding kit
• Blue or black ink stick pens (no advertising, except for the pen manufacturer)
• Blunt school scissors (rounded tip) for UMCOR school kits
• These items may be dropped off at our church. Questions? Talk to Kent Bielfeldt, Missions committee chair, or Barb Horsch. You may also want to check out MMDC’s website at www.midwestmissiondc.org.
Community Resources RoundtableCommunity Resources RoundtableCommunity Resources RoundtableCommunity Resources Roundtable
The next Resources Roundtable will be Wednesday, April 20, 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.
CONNECT, GROW, GO! . . . take hold of the life that really is life (I Timothy 6:18-19)
By Barb Horsch, Connection Coordinator
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Audrey Apperson 2 Jarad Cox 2 Jeremy Rotramel 3 Heather Reum 4 Kenneth Farmer 4 Sheila Bennett 8 Ima Jean Ping 8 Jeff Glascock 9 Katie Spangler 9 Helen Dueringer 10
Kent Bielfeldt 11 Karissa Baillie 11 Ann Young 12 Carol Steinman 15 Karen Leenerman 15 Lisa Lange 15 Ann Spangler 15 Kate Main 15 Betty VanSwol 16 Meaghan Sharp 17 Bonnie Farmer 18 Virgil Rosendale 18 April Rotramel 18 Haley Christensen 18 Justin Main 19 Vic Jennings 21 Oleta Lantz 22
Mike McCall 22 Payton Baillie 22 Maysen Frashier 22 Lisa Farmer 24 Malinda Lutz 24 Mick Horsch 24 Emily Young 24 Audrey Glascock 25 Connor Engel 28 Jon Clark 29 Richard Bennett 30 Glenn Kummerow 30
Day Years Greg & Sharon Pool 3 33 Dean & Lisa Farmer 8 35 Terry & Cindy Bell 10 Todd & Amy McNutt 11 22 Jeff & Audrey Glascock 19 34 Josh & Sarah Chase 20 13
Health Concerns Marian Boog Mildred Davis Bill Dueringer Ruth Fisher Ruth Harris
Nursing Home Residents
Manor Marian Boog Ruth Fisher Judy Peters Shirley Butler Dolly Samet Servicemen and women AIC Zachary E Mohn PFC Colton Young AB Cody McCoy
Jan-Feb 2015 Offering for Budget $44,005.05
Jan-Feb 2015 Budgeted Expenses $47,353.79
Weekend Sat 5:30
Sun 8:45
Sun 11:00
Feb 28th & March 1st 15 95 30
March 7th & 8th 13 129 23
March 14th & 15th 18 129 30
March 21st & 23nd 21 122 24
PPPPRAYERSRAYERSRAYERSRAYERS, B, B, B, BIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYS, A, A, A, ANNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIES
Mission Socks will be collected on April 18th & 19th and will benefit the school in Nepal which
John visited last summer.
Kid’s CrossingKid’s CrossingKid’s CrossingKid’s Crossing Sunday SchoolSunday SchoolSunday SchoolSunday School The children have just finished a rotation on “The Last Supper”. The youth will participate in an Easter Party on April 5th to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. They will hear the Easter story, play a few games and end with an Easter egg hunt. In the month of April the children will have a rotation on “A Storm”. The children will participate in a video, drama and cooking workshop. During this month’s rotation, our Bible story is from Matthew 8:23-27. The children will learn that in following Jesus, we do not have to be afraid. God’s TreehouseGod’s TreehouseGod’s TreehouseGod’s Treehouse
Our Wednesday night program has grown since we started back in September 2013 and we feel truly blessed! The month of April will be the last month for God’s
Treehouse this school year and we will start back up in September 2015. God’s Treehouse will have an End of the Year program on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 6:30 PM in the church sanctuary. Our children will sing some of the songs they have been singing during our opening worship time and each of the group leaders will speak on the what the children worked on throughout this year’s program. Immediately following the program, the Children’s Ministries Committee will host an ice cream social.
Palm SundayPalm SundayPalm SundayPalm Sunday March 29th is Palm Sunday. Any children that would like to wave a palm branch should meet in the sanctuary at 8:35 and/or at 10:55.
Easter Sunday School Easter Sunday School Easter Sunday School Easter Sunday School We will be having our Annual Easter Party during the Sunday School hour on April 20th. There will be snacks, games and an egg hunt for all children!
Tea PartyTea PartyTea PartyTea Party April 26th 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. End of Wednesday Night FellowshipEnd of Wednesday Night FellowshipEnd of Wednesday Night FellowshipEnd of Wednesday Night Fellowship Wednesday, April 29th Wednesday, April 29th Wednesday, April 29th Wednesday, April 29th will be the last regularly scheduled Wednesday Fellowship Meal. This will also be the last Wednesday for God’s Treehouse and both Middle School and High School Youth Groups.
Learning in CommunityLearning in CommunityLearning in CommunityLearning in Community Are you or have you served in an area of leadership in our church? This includes Sunday School teachers, committee chairpersons, small group leaders, coordinators of special ministry projects, and a host of other roles in and outside of our building. One way to receive additional equipping training is to enroll in the Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) program offered by our Illinois Great Rivers conference. With its roots in the early organization of the Wesleyan revival in England, LSM helps Christians claim their spiritual gifts, talents, and skills by offering empowering training. This training encourages them to find places to use their God-given gifts in ministry while providing them a network of support. Training typically involves approximately 2 days of presentations on topics such as Scripture, doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of The United Methodist Church. Participants join in conversations about sharing their Christian faith through serving n the areas of leading, communicating and caring ministries. Once the Basic Course is completed the Lay Servant is connected to a network of support with opportunities for further training. If you feel you are being called take this step of committing to learning more about God’s work through you for the church, or you would like more information, please contact Pastor John or Susan Schultz. Brochures are available in the Narthex. Gibson City Food Pantry at the Gibson City Food Pantry at the Gibson City Food Pantry at the Gibson City Food Pantry at the HospitalHospitalHospitalHospital The food pantry supported by our Church along with eight other area churches is off to a great start. During our first month we served food to almost two hundred families. We will be looking for UMC volunteers to be ready to take our turn for a distribution. We are looking for members to help distribute or deliver from 8:00 to noon on Saturday morning, April 18th. Students may volunteer from 6th grade on up. Please sign up with April so we can contact you when we get the call.Training will be on the job. Any questions email Rick Ertel
• Prayer Wesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana Circle The Wesleyana Circle will meet on April 7 at 1:30pm at the home of Chris Hazen. Special MusicSpecial MusicSpecial MusicSpecial Music————Summer 2015Summer 2015Summer 2015Summer 2015
If you are interested in sharing your gift of music during a traditional worship service this summer, please contact either Terri Snyder, Linda Goltz or the office. The worship committee is currently looking for individuals and groups to share music during the months of June, July and August. Music can be vocal or instrumental.
