Hope United Methodist Church 2506 Caton Farm Road Joliet, IL Phone (815) Fax-(815) March 2019

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1 Hope United Methodist Church 2506 Caton Farm Road Joliet, IL Phone (815) Fax-(815) March 2019 Preparing for Worship in March March 3 rd Last Sunday after the Epiphany Exodus 34:19-35 Psalm 99 (UMH 819) 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Luke 9:28-36(37-43) Pastor Linny Preaching March 10 th 1 st Sunday in Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 (UMH 810) Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13 Pastor Terri Preaching March 17 th 2 nd Sunday in Genesis 15:1-12, Psalm 27 (UMH 758) Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35 Pastor Linny Preaching March 24 th 3 rd Sunday in Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 (UMH 788) 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 Pastor Linny Preaching March 31 st 4 th Sunday in Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 (UMH 766) 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Pastor Linny Preaching Dear Hope Church Family, I write this from St. Louis as we concluded the General Conference just a few hours ago tonight. I am filled with many reactions, emotions, disappointment, pain, shame, anger, grief, exhaustion, and fear, and still churning from all the tumult that took place. Those of you who have followed my coverage on social media are already well aware of how upsetting these last few days were. At the last Annual Conference, we of Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) voted to support the One Church Plan which allows for the clergy and church to their own level of discernment to respond in respect to LGBTIA+ inclusiveness. At the General Conference, we gathered together, prayed, fasted, meditated, conferred with each other, and stood together through the legislations.

2 As I continue to reflect and process tonight of the chaos that took place within the past few days, I realized that I am not as upset about passing of the Traditional Plan, which speaks against the LGBTQIA+ from getting ordained, against the clergy from officiating same-gender marriages, or welcoming all people to Church. After all, we as a Church are bound to have varying beliefs, experiences, perspectives, and stances on many areas, and are bound to have disagreements- in as much as we may have within our local congregations, or among our interpersonal relationships. I am more upset about witnessing how we, the United Methodists who proclaim to the power of Christ s Resurrection, God s grace, and merciful love, who claimed, Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. as our denominational slogan hurled insults, shamed, harmed, scarred and charged against those who only wished to be let in, to be openly included-the LGBTQIA+ who are also United Methodists in Christ! The majority of the opposition against the One Church plan arose from the African Conferences, the Philippines, and Eastern and Central Russian Conferences, where the Conferences are already challenged to grow (in competition against other religions), and who consider homosexuality a sin and LGBTQIA+ population as sinners, and thus would not welcome them. As expected, various justification from biblical, theological, and social perspectives were used. Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. It initiates us into 40 days of, where we are to do so much introspection, self-reflection, and truly coming undone through Bible studies, daily devotions, prayers, meditations, and fasting, or tasking. Ash Wednesday is a humble reminder that God created us- ALL of us, from dust, and that someday, we will return to dust. Most of all, accepting of Christ in our lives begins with confession that we are ALL sinners and thus seek to God in repentance to change from our sinful ways. God in God s grace receives us, forgives us, redeems us, reconciles with us, and made hope for salvation available for ALL of us through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. If God can forgive us of our sins and love us, can we at least begin with trying to forgive those who hurt us? As for me, after the General Conference, I would have to work on forgiving those who pained and harmed one another, especially to those who seek to be welcomed and included by our United Methodist Church, and to be One in Christ.

3 By the time you read this, it is very probable that you have already heard of this division within our UM Church from the news media. As I continue to sit in my quiet space and continue to pray and process all this, I am reminded by the Holy Spirt, of the Scripture that we studied in our last week s Bible study class. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ~~Matthew 5:41 It looks like our Northern Illinois Conference and the majority of our United Methodist Church in United States would just have to go two miles. Let us prepare for the season of reflection, introspection, confession, and repentance. Come Holy Spirit! Yours in Christ s Service, Pastor Linny.

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5 Aurora Elgin District Lay Academies REGISTER TODAY FOR THE AURORA OR ELGIN DISTRICT LAY ACADEMIES 2019 AURORA DISTRICT SPRING LAY ACADEMY en Season, Five Sundays, 2:00-5:00 pm Dates: March 10, , 31 and April 7, 2019 Location: Channahon UMC W Eames, Channahon, IL Course Offerings: Introduction to Lay Ministry: the Basic Course United Methodist Polity Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders Leading Prayer Registration Fee $40 by March 1, 2019 To Register online:

6 Those Who Serve Those Who Serve March 3 rd Last Sunday after the Epiphany March 10 th 1 st Sunday in March 17 th 2 nd Sunday in March 24 th 3 rd Sunday in March 31 st 4 th Sunday in Liturgist Cheryl Foster TBA Vic Genge TBA John Wietlispach Greeter Angela Malone Don Pasty McCormick Diane Bown Rosemary Zaninovich Cathy Weltsch Host(s) TBA John Wietlispach Laura Wright Jill Genge Becker s TBA Ushers Don Johnson Rosemary Zaninovich Don Johnson Don Johnson Don Johnson Children s Message TBA Pastor Terri TBA TBA Cheryl Foster Offering Counters Carol Ryan Rosemary Zaninovich Boomer Crotty Carol Becker Carol Becker Carol Ryan Rosemary Zaninovich Boomer Crotty Carol Ryan Rosemary Zaninovich Please check to see that you are assigned to the correct day(s). If there is a change or correction, please let Bev know. Thanks for your help.

7 News Announcements Pastor Linny will hold a debriefing session of General Conference on Sunday, March 3rd in the sanctuary, at 11 a.m. General Lay Academy Information--- Flyers and registration forms are available on the credenza in Fellowship Hall. The Outreach committee will be collecting individually wrapped candy for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. We will be collecting March 3 rd through April 14 th. There will be a basket in the Narthex. Any questions please see Perri Larmon We will be recognizing all scouts during our service on Scout Sunday- March 10 th. If you have any girl scouts or boy scouts in your family that will be attending service, please let Pastor Terri know. Adult : with Pastor Terri 10:00am with Pastor Linny Big Book Meeting (AA) in Fellowship Hall Peace for Parents (Al-Anon) in Fellowship Hall Coffee Care--- On Monday, March 4 1:00pm -Come join us for conversation, coffee and dessert Finance Meeting --- Tuesday, March 5 Drive thru Ashes 6:00am 9:00am Wednesday, March 6 th

8 Ash Wednesday Service--- Wednesday, March 6 6:00pm Volunteers are needed Wednesday, March 13 th to help fulfill the obligation of the Hope United Methodist Church in unloading the free pantry truck at the Trinity Methodist Church. The food pantry is supported by Area Methodist Churches. Cars will be leaving our parking lot at 9:30am on Wednesday and returning near noon. See Larry or Vic for more info The Wesley Challenge Small Group --- Saturday, March 16 As the season of is upon us, we look forward to a journey of intentional growth and deepening our relationship with Jesus. We will journey with each other as we consider our relationship with God, our self and with others. You are invited to join in this new group.

9 Grief Share Support Group ---Thursdays, March 21st to June 13th, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Cost: $20 - Scholarships Available. Group Leaders: Lorie Morrison, lorelei47@aol.com, Rev. Linny Hartzell PastorLinny@yahoo.com, for more info on Grief Share, visit: UMM Breakfast/Mtg. -- Saturday, March 23 There will be dinner and Illusion/Magic show on Saturday, April 6th at 4 p.m. Stay tuned for details The Joliet Cluster is continuing to support the Ridgewood United Community Food Pantry, an outreach of Trinity United Methodist Church. Continued donations of Toilet Paper, Diapers, and Feminine Products (March donation Rice) would be greatly appreciated. Please place them in the blue bin in the narthex. Donations of money are always welcome to help in the purchase of other food items. Prayer Chains At Hope UMC we have 2 active prayer chains: one on which we are connected by the internet and another one for those without internet access who wish to participate in this ministry. Each week you will receive a message containing the Joys and Concerns from the Sunday worship and any special requests that arise during the week. If you are so led, we ask that you offer prayers for these individuals and situations. Please contact Pastor Linny or the church office if you have questions or wish to be included on one of the lists. If you wish to place flowers on the altar in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact the secretary in the church office to arrange the date and the dedication for the bulletin. You may also make a donation in honor or memory of a loved one in lieu of flowers. Please bring flowers 15 minutes prior to worship.

10 March 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 World Day of Prayer 2 3 Last Sunday after the Epiphany 9:30- Worship 10:30-Fellowship 11:00-FaithLink 10 1 st Sunday in 9:30- Worship 10:30-Fellowship 11:00-FaithLink Daylight Saving Time begins 4 Coffee care 1:00pm Big Book( AA) 11 Coffee care 1:00pm Big Book( AA) 5 Al-Anon Finance Meeting 12 Al-Anon 6 Drive thru Ashes 6am-9am Service 6:00pm 13 Pantry Truck Unloading 9:30am- noon 7 10:00am Bag ladies 11:30am 14 10:00am Bag ladies 11:30am The Wesley challenge Small Group 9:30am 17 2nd Sunday in 9:30- Worship 10:30-Fellowship 11:00-FaithLink St. Patrick s Day 24 3 rd Sunday in 9:30- Worship 10:30-Fellowship 11:00-FaithLink 18 Coffee care 1:00pm Big Book( AA) 25 Coffee care 1:00pm Big Book( AA) Al-Anon Al-Anon :00am Bag ladies 11:30am Grief Share Support Group 7-9pm :00am Bag ladies 11:30am UMM Breakfast/Mtg. 8:30am The Wesley challenge Small Group 9:30am The Wesley challenge Small Group 9:30am Grief Share Support Group 7-9pm 31 4 th Sunday in 9:30- Worship 10:30-Fellowship 11:00-FaithLink

11 March Birthdays And Anniversaries March 1 -- Bryan Novy March 2 Spencer Harris March 15 Dennis Michalik March 18 Wanda Mattix March 23 Carol Ryan March 15 Jill Vic Genge