WAKE. GOD ENCOUNTERS: Your stories of life and faith

Transcription

1 N o v e m b e r V o l u m e 2 0 I s s u e 1 1 GOD ENCOUNTERS: Your stories of life and faith WAKE We would really like a story here for the month of November. Just need the article by the 24th of the month. HAVE YOU HAD A GOD ENCOUNTER? Send your story about how God has blessed your life by to office@rushvillefumc.org and it may be included in a future edition of our IGNITION newsletter. Rushville First United Methodist Church Located on the corner of Congress & Jefferson PO Box West Jefferson Street Rushville, Illinois office@rushvillefumc.org Phone Fax Saturday Worship 5:00 PM Sunday Traditional Worship 8:30 AM Sunday Contemporary Worship 10:35 AM

2 I G N I T I O N : T H E D I S C I P L E S H I P C O N N E C T I O N O F F I R S T U M C WORSHIP WORSHIP WARM-UP: This month s sermon series Jonah: A Story of Running from God Teachers teach. Farmers farm. Bakers bake. Drivers drive. Prophets prophesy. Until, of course, they don t. We re spending time this November taking a look at a pretty remarkable tale of a reluctant prophet. He ran away, he hid, he gave up, he prayed, he finally did what he was supposed to do, and he griped about it the whole time. Still, God didn t give up on him, or the people who needed his message. If you don t come to worship this month, I don t think God is going to chase you down with a giant fish, but I hope you ll join us each week as we experience God s unrelenting forgiveness at work in a very imperfect person. November 4/5 Running from God Johan 1&2 November 11/12 Bad News Evangelist Jonah 3 November 18/19 Dead Vines & Sour Grapes Johan 4 If you ve ever wrestled with forgiveness or following God, this series will put you into some fantastic company, and help us see the tenacity and mercy of our Lord in new and powerful ways. You re invited! Sunday Worship Volunteers November 5 8:30AM Service Acolyte: Macon Kessler Liturgist: Tina Cox Greeter: Dick & Judy Peterman 10:35AM Service Acolyte: Elli Henninger Liturgist: Amy Armstrong Greeter: Nancy Schisler, Vic Jackson, & Phyllis Wenger November 12 8:30AM Service Acolyte: Macon Kessler Liturgist: Sylvia Herr Greeter: Jody Worthington & Francis Bauer 10:35AM Service Acolyte: Michael Toland Liturgist: Eric Ewing Greeter: Steve, Sally & Tyler Trone November 19 8:30AM Service Acolyte: Macon Kessler Liturgist: Sarah Duncan Greeter: Jim & Laura Moore 10:35AM Service Acolyte: Clara Armstrong Liturgist: Dianne Klitz Greeter: Leland & Barb Hardy & Carol Fuller November 26 8:30AM Service Acolyte: Macon Kessler Liturgist: Sheila Burton Greeter: Alan, Holly Keely & Katie Acheson 10:35AM Service Acolyte: Bronson Bartlett Liturgist: Cheri Baker Greeter: Jim & Carol Breedlove & Joyce Williams Rushville First United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We seek to make a difference for Christ within the local and global community by waking to Christ, worshiping Christ, walking with Christ, working for Christ and witnessing for Christ.

3 I G N I T I O N : T H E D I S C I P L E S H I P C O N N E C T I O N O F F I R S T U M C Stewardship News Online Offering at RushvilleFUMC.org Fewer and fewer people are carrying cash or checkbooks these days. Even the most committed attendees are often physically in worship with less frequently. It s not that people love the church or her mission less. These are just some of the realities of our lives today. To make it easier to invest, we now have Online Offering available at RushvilleFUMC.org. You can click on Give in the menu, or click on the Online Offering button on the right-hand side of the page. Fill out some simple information, and you ve invested in ministry! We re trying to make it even easier for you to make a difference for Jesus Christ! Thank you for your generosity! WORSHIP WEEKEND WORSHIP ATTENDANCE AND GIVING Weekend of Sat PM 8:30AM 10:35AM Offering WEEKLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Saturday Night Casual Service: 5:00PM Sunday Morning Traditional Service: 8:30AM Sunday Morning Contemporary Service: 10:35AM Worship & Elevator Update Construction on our new elevator entryway could begin any day. Once the project begins, construction will close off our southeast corner of the sanctuary for the term of the construction project. During that time we will lose use of our existing elevator. In order to provide consideration for the folks who have difficulty with mobility, we re currently planning to hold our Saturday 5pm service in the Fellowship Hall. We ve had a couple of opportunities to test the space for the purpose of worship, and we hope it will be a nice short-term solution to an accessibility problem while we work on a longer term solution. The south entrance of the new space will be the best entrance for that service. Please keep your eyes open for more information about the project, and when we might begin services in our new space. Thank you for your grace and understanding! Sept $2, October $5, October $3, October $3, October $4, What about that Sermon? Adult Discussion Forum Did you ever want to talk more about a sermon topic, explore the ideas a bit, take it a little farther? A new class is forming to discuss the sermon topics for next sermon series for the month of October. The class will meet in the Adult Classroom opposite the church office from 9:35 to 10:25 a.m. every Sunday during October. All Saints Day The Worship Committee decided this year All Saints Day Weekend will be celebrated the weekend of November 4 & 5. We will not be setting up any photos, artifacts, or items of memorabilia for your deceased loved ones. They will have tea lights for those who would like to light them in remembrance of their loved ones. They will also only remember those deceased loved ones who were members of the church or those who attend this church. Thank you for your generous support of life-changing ministries through Rushville First United Methodist Church! Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! - Ephesians 3:20-21 Rushville First United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We seek to make a difference for Christ within the local and global community by waking to Christ, worshiping Christ, walking with Christ, working for Christ and witnessing for Christ.

4 I G N I T I O N : T H E D I S C I P L E S H I P C O N N E C T I O N O F F I R S T U M C WALK Servants In Training/Sunday Mornings at 9:30AM Room 205 Facilitator: Bob Walker Used by hundreds t curriculum is based on the Uniform Series, which enables Christians across the globe to study the same Scriptures and topics on the same Sundays throughout the year. It s published quarterly and can be used in multiple settings. Children s Sunday School Calling all children to attend Sunday School at 9:30 AM every Sunday morning! Wednesday Night Youth Group Our schedule throughout the school year: 4:30 PM Drop off Pre-K through Kindergarten-Nursery 1st through 4th-Sanctuary 5th through 8th-Rm :00 PM 7th & 8th-start together in rooms 202&203 6:00 PM Pre-K through Middle School-Blessing & Dismissal-Lower Level Dining Room 6:00 PM Revelation Bells 7:00 PM Generations Choir 7:00 PM Senior High-Lower Level 8:00 PM Senior High dismissal Blood Mobile Drive Sally Poltawsky has announced that she is wanting to slow down a little. So, she is asking that someone else take over being in charge of the Blood Drive. Sally is willing to work with you for a while to show you how she has done it in the past. The next Blood Drive that we will be in charge will be in December 14 in the New Fellowship hall. Please contact the church office at , Pastor Grant or Sally Poltawsky at Saturday, November 4, 2017 The H.E.L.P. Center We have been asked to collect 140 pkgs. of noodles for Thanksgiving, which need to be in the office by Thursday, November 16, at 12:00PM. United Methodist Women s Prayer Calendar 2017 November 1 Matthew 19:16-22 November 2 Romans 2:17-29 November 3 2 Peter 2:1-3 November 4 Matthew 23:13-28 November 5 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 November 6 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 November 7 Acts 13:1-12 November 8 Matthew 15:1-9 November 9 Revelation 8:6; 9:12 November 10 Revelation 9:13-21 November 11 Matthew 24:1-14 November 12 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 November 13 1 Corinthians 14:20-25 November 14 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 November 15 Matthew 24:29-35 November 16 Revelation 16:1-7 November 17 Revelation 16:8-21 November 18 Matthew 12:43-45 November 19 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 November 20 Romans 2:1-11 November 21 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 November 22 Matthew 24:45-51 November 23 Revelation 14:1-11 November 24 Revelation 22:1-9 November 25 Revelation 22:46-50 November 26 Ephesians 1:15-23 November 27 2 Timothy 2:8-13 November 28 Revelation 19:1-9 November 29 John 5:19-40 November 30 Revelation 14:6-13 Rushville First United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We seek to make a difference for Christ within the local and global community by waking to Christ, worshiping Christ, walking with Christ, working for Christ and witnessing for Christ.

5 I G N I T I O N : T H E D I S C I P L E S H I P C O N N E C T I O N O F F I R S T U M C WALK PRAYER: Concerns and Joys Prayers for Healing and Recovery: Jerry Curry, John Walker, Leroy Bollinger, Eloise Patton, Benny Neal, Amanda Shoemaker, Wanda Wheelhouse, Dana Hopping, Gary Wenger, Ron Peak, Lori (Hughes) Biehl, Marie Leonard, Jane Schneider, Ace Thrash, Ken Bradbury, Kenzie Divan, August Ernst, Al Hamilton, John Vancil, Al Sorrells, Rhonda Payne, Linda Scott, Ellie Dyche, Dianna Pleviak, Nick Beard, Alexis French, Steve Reuz, Gloria Tomlinson, Verne Crone, Dianna Crum, Bob Kessler, Kenny Schnieder, Michael Tippey and family Prayers of Comfort and Sympathy: The Families of Frances Ross and Louise Agans Prayers for Those with Ongoing Illness: Luan Phillips, Mary Jean Hertling, Harold Sargent, Terry Runyon, Eric Peacock, Tommy Pruitt, Emmett Garriott, Dena Diseron, Linda Shaw, Brian Days, Doug Fulks, Jim Stevenson, Hank Welch, Bud Price, Phyllis Rutledge, Donna Chapmen, Pat Unger, Doris Young, Ruth Teel, David Jones, Allen Tippey, Virginia Stocker, Keith & Bonnie Vaughn, Carla Floyd, Edith Goldsborough, Larry Lashbrook, Bob Hood, Carol Peacock, Shirley Phillips, Vera Royce, Carol Perrine, Ed Fegley, Hazel Gurnsey, Howard & Glenna Prather, Kraig Kotter, Margie Tyson, Peggy Settles, Bob & Nancy Stauffer, Tom Eifert, Richard Etter, Kent Drawve, June Morrow, Jane Wendling, Betty Curl, Doug & Marilyn Taylor, Tanya Gaither, Red & Carolyn Ambrosius, Vic Jackson, Jim & Rose Rebman Prayers of Joy: Prayers for Churches and Pastors: Each week we lift up a different church or charge and pastoral team from our community in prayer. As we lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ and their work for the Lord, the ministry and message of Christ shall be strengthened. This month we will be praying for the following churches and their pastors: The week of November 5 Church of Christ, Christian Jason Triplett The week of November 12 Church of the Nazarene Fred Fritz The week of November 19 Doddsville United Methodist Church Dave Haney The week of November 26 Faith Christian Family Church Miracle Mall for Holiday Generosity Before and after worship services on the weekends of November 11/12 and 18/19 In an effort to provide people with an opportunity to get to know some of the needs within the community during the holiday season, we're trying something new! On the two weekends leading up to Thanksgiving, we're inviting the organizations that we typically only read about in bulletins to provide us with booths to help us know who they are, and how we can help. It's a great opportunity to make a difference in our community, and a wonderful way to offer a gift in the name of someone who already has everything. Please make a point to stop by our 2017 Miracle Mall! Contact Pastor Grant (pastorgrantarmstrong@gmail.com) or Laura Moore (laura68@frontiernet.net) for more information. To get connected with the Rushville First UMC Phone Tree, fill out the form at or call the church office at to let us know what notices you would like to start or stop receiving. Rushville First United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We seek to make a difference for Christ within the local and global community by waking to Christ, worshiping Christ, walking with Christ, working for Christ and witnessing for Christ.

6 I G N I T I O N : T H E D I S C I P L E S H I P C O N N E C T I O N O F F I R S T U M C WORK SERVING: Making a difference through action INREACH OUTREACH On the Road Again On October 17, one UMW member from Rushville First United Methodist Church was blessed to attend the LaMoine River District Spiritual and Personal Growth Retreat at Camp Point UMC. After a delightful breakfast, thirty-nine women gathered in the imposing sanctuary to hear Pastor Sheri Renner, who is the pastor in the Living Faith Charge at Bowen. She spoke on Opening Ourselves Up to Grace. With videos, music, and humor, Pastor Renner took us through the various processes by which one can accept God s grace from acts of prayer, public works, communion, studying Scripture, adoration, confession, supplication, thanksgiving, and more. The afternoon s session took place in the dining room after lunch. Pam McDavid from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and the UMW Equality and Race Coordinator, spoke on women s treatment in the workplace where they are all too often overworked and undervalued. With a great deal of audience participation on the topic, Pam led all to recognize reasons for many women s growing insecurity, burdens, stress, and isolation. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful gathering with new acquaintances, good discussions, and personal growth. In addition, two hundred eightytwo dollars and eighty cents was collected and donated to the District for UMW Missions. Changes Coming in the Office Since March of 2009, Teresa Boyd's friendly face and voice provide the first welcome many people receive as they enter into the church during the week. As Teresa nears retirement age (we won't dare divulge numbers), she is in conversation with our Staff / Parish relations committee about how to graciously transfer into that new season. Our mutual goals include providing Teresa the quality time she desires to enjoy her own time and her family, to see that the needs of the church are met, and to benefit from her wisdom and guidance as we prepare for a new person to someday enter into that position. Our SPRC is still working through the details with Teresa, but our current plan is to maintain Teresa's regular schedule on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays effective November 1. Based on our needs, SPRC will help determine how we might cover any needs outside of those hours and days until the point (likely in Spring of 2018) when Teresa enters fully into retirement status. This is a major transition for Teresa, but she's not out of the front desk quite yet. When you have the chance, please share your appreciation for her service to the church, and don't forget to ask her if she plans to spend any time with her grandchildren! Yours in Christ, The First UMC Staff / Parish Relations Committee & Pastor Grant Published prayer requests are received over the past month through prayer cards and requests. In order to be conscientious concerning personal privacy, we will only print names of those who are family members or have been confirmed/requested by the person(s) named.

7 Open Arms Preschool I G N I T I O N : T H E D I S C I P L E S H I P C O N N E C T I O N O F WITNESS INVITATION: Opportunities to share Good News! October has been a busy month at Open Arms Preschool. We celebrated birthdays with four of our students. Harper McCormick turned 4 years old, Paisley Moore turned 4 years old, Lola Trone turned 5 years old, and Austyn Peacock turned 5 years old. Our themes at school were My 5 Senses, The Human Body, Fire Safety, Bats & Spiders, and finally Dinosaurs. We took a field trip to Culbertson Memorial Hospital where the x-ray staff treated our class to a fabulous presentation on the different types of things they do there. We were joined by several parents and grandparents for the field trip. The kids learned a lot and had a great time. Later in the month during our Fire Safety theme, we were visited at school by two local fire fighters, Chase Worthington and Mike Trone. They spoke with the class about very important safety issues and gave them an up-close tour of a fire truck in our parking lot. The kids each took a turn squirting a real fire hose and sitting behind the wheel of the fire truck. The horn was blown many times! We have been studying a different letter of the alphabet each week since school began and have worked our way up through the letter F. We have also learned and sang songs about several different colors including red, blue, yellow, orange, green, and black. Parent teacher conferences will be held during the last part of October and early part of November. We hope to kick off our fall fundraiser soon so be on the lookout for information coming your way in the next couple of weeks. Miss Jennifer Don t forget that Open Arms Preschool has dish clothes for sale and Christmas is coming, 6 for $15.00 or $3.50 each! Operation Christmas Child The collection dates for Operation Christmas Child will be November They need to be in the church office before the 20th so that I can get them to the Hope Church, Free Methodist Church on the 20th. The office does have a limited number of colorful Operation Christmas Child boxes that can be used. You also can use shoe boxes or shoe box sized plastic totes. Help Needed for Washington School The Servants in Training has learned of a need for Washington Grade School children 1st and 2nd grade. Many of the children are getting very hungry before it is time for lunch. So teachers have been providing healthy snacks for the students. Also there is a need for extra clothing for these students in case someone falls or has an accident at school. Items needed are sweatpants size 5/6, 7/8; shirts or sweatshirts S,M,L; boys under ware size 4, 5/6, & 7/8. All of these items may be brought to the church. College Addresses Please let us know the new college addresses of your students by snail mailing the form below to 1 st UMC, P. O. Box 208, calling the church office at , putting this form or the tearoff in the collection plate during worship, or e- mailing the information to us at office@rushvvillefumc.org. We try to keep the addresses current, but need your help to do so. Have a great year at school!! Thanks a bunch! Name: Address: Address: City: State: ZIP Phone Number: College attending: Educational focus: If you would like to pick up your IGNITION newsletter at the church, or receive it by , please contact the church office by phone at or by at office@rushvillefumc.org to update your subscription. Thank you for helping us be good stewards of your investment in ministry!

8 Rushville First United Methodist Church Corner of Congress & Jefferson P.O. Box 208 NON-PROFIT ORG. NON U.S. POSTAGE PAID Rushville, IL PERMIT NO. 47 Change Service Requested I G N I T I O N : T H E D I S C I P L E S H I P C O N N E C T I O N O F I R S T U M C Dear Friends at Rushville First UMC, We want to thank you for your donation of cleaning supplies for flood buckets, to Midwest Mission Distribution Center. Many lives have been touched throughout the United States and in developing countries around the world through shipments made from the Center. Your gift allows this work to continue. It is due to the generosity of people like you that MMDC can carry out its mission. Thank you so much for your support! In Christ, Pat Wright, MMDC Executive Director Servants In Training Class, Thank you for donating snacks and clothes for our Washington Students in need. It really helps our younger students to have a snack to keep them focused during class time. The clothes are extremely helpful during spills and accidents or students in need. Thank you, Washington Staff Dear Friends, We so appreciate and thank you for the phone calls, cards and offers to help due to Verne s recent hospital stays. It is truly a good feeling to know such caring people. God bless! Verne & Faye Crone Dear Church, Our family is once again blessed this October. There have been many gracious cards and gifts acknowledging Pastor s Appreciation Month, and we are so grateful. Please receive our appreciation, as well, because we know that my service means very little without the faithfulness of a grace-filled church family. Thank you. Pastor Grant CONTACT INFORMATION Please let us know if you have a change of contact information so we can update our records. This helps us stay in touch with you. Contact the church office with any updates. Phone: office@rushvillefumc.org OUR CHURCH STAFF: Pastor: Rev. Grant Armstrong Secretary: Teresa Boyd Treasurer: Kathy Billingsley Music Director: Mark Ross

9 November 2017 Sun Mon Mon Tue Tue Wed Wed Thu Thu Fri Fri Sat Sat :30 PM Youth Group 6:00 PM Dismissal 6:00 PM Revelation Bells 7:00 PM Sr. Hi Youth 7:00 PM Generations Choir 8:30 AM Snacks for Students All Saints Weekend 5:00 PM Saturday Evening Worship 5 All Saints Weekend 9:30 AM Sunday School 6 7 9:30 AM Esther Daystar Circle 6:30 PM Knit & Crochet Group 8 4:30 PM Youth Group 6:00 PM Dismissal 6:00 PM Revelation Bells 7:00 PM Sr. Hi Youth 7:00 PM Generations Choir :30 AM Snacks for Students 4:00-7:00 PM UMW Harvest Dinner New Fellowship Hall 11 Veteran s Day 5:00 PM Saturday Evening Worship :30 AM Sunday School 23 9:30 AM Sunday 19 School 9:30 AM Sunday School 30 9:30 AM Sunday School 24 6:00-7:00 PM Basic Guitar Class 31 7:00 PM Serendipity Circle/Cheryl Utter :00-7:00 PM Basic Guitar Class 5:00 PM Open Arms Preschool Board 25 6:00 PM Ad Board Meeting 8:30 AM Snacks for Students 6:00 PM Finance Committee 6:00 PM Trustees 4:30 PM Youth Group 6:00 PM Dismissal 6:00 PM Revelation Bells 7:00 PM Sr. Hi Youth 7:00 PM Generations 3:30 PM UMW Ex Board Meeting 8:30 AM Snacks for Students 26 Choir Church Locked 22 NO School 23 Thanksgiving Day Office Closed 24 Office Closed 5:00 PM Saturday Evening Worship 29 5:00 PM Saturday Worship Service 25 5:00 PM Saturday Evening Worship :30 AM Sunday School 6:00 PM Ad Board 4:30 PM Youth Group 6:00 PM Dismissal 6:00 PM Revelation Bells 7:00 PM Sr. Hi Youth 7:00 PM Generations Choir

10 November 1 Wanieta Ament 3 Howard Prather Sarah Dodds 5 Ellie Henninger 6 Sam Lane 7 Sally Poltawsky, Ken Wilson Steve & Cathy Peacock 8 Niki Wise 9 Mindy Newell 10 Mark Ross, Dan Wise 12 Holly Acheson 13 Susan Esther Ashcraft Mike Lamb, Madelyn Belville 14 Alan & Holly Acheson 15 Georgie Haney, Diane Settles Dan Adams 18 Monica Shepherd, Barb Schoonover 19 Jane Kliffmiller 20 Don Phillips, Myleena English Raymond & JoAnn Eifert 21 Steve Beghtol, Faye Crone 22 Howard & Glenna Prather Rachel Adams 24 Grace Clark, Amy Armstrong 25 Tom Davis, Jennifer Ward 27 Ron Shepherd Lyle & Marilyn Sargent 28 Nita Ward 29 Chris & Dianne Klitz 30 Ron Herr, Shawn Dodds Birthdays & Anniversaries! B O O K N O O K B Y S H E I L A Slowing Times Seeing the Sacred Outside Your Kitchen Door by Barbara Mahany The author, Barbara Mahany, believes the sacred are all around us, within a finger s reach-to be gathered, culled, collected through the simple yet complex art of paying attention, of savoring the moment, of cultivating stillness. Making room for God and illuminating the godly specks in the everyday. Noticing the seen, revealing the unseen, and pinpointing the divine in both. The book offers prayers, poems, observations, essays, recipes, ideas and action steps, all well arranged by the seasons of the year. Barbara Mahany is an author and freelance journalist in Chicago. She was a reporter and feature writer at the Chicago Tribune for nearly 30 years and before that a pediatric oncology nurse at Children s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She is Catholic and her husband is Jewish. They have raised their children in both Catholic and Jewish traditions and faiths. I enjoyed reading this book. Slowing Times is in the 2017 United Methodist Women Reading Program in the category of Nurturing for Community. I borrowed the book through the Rushville Public Library.

11 All Saints Observance All Saint s Remembrance Weekend is a special time in the life of the church when we remember those who were members or attended our church, who have died during the past year. The following Saints will be remembered at all 3 worship services on November 4 & 5. Tea lights will be available for loved ones to light. We will not be collecting memorabilia for these loved ones this year. Roberta DeWitt Ruth Vandiver Eloise Baxter William Bill Bartlow Mary Ward Florence Bottorff Glenn Trone Charles Chuck Nelson Norma Rowland Mary Howard Max Vandiver UMW Fall Harvest Dinner The UMW will hold a Fall Harvest Dinner Friday, November 10 from 4:00-7:00 PM in the new fellowship hall. Turkey & Dressing Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Sweet Potatoes Green Beans or Corn Cranberries Rolls & Dessert Adults 10 years and up $8.00 Children 0-9years $5.00 Christmas Poinsettia Christmas is the time of year when we enjoy the beauty of the poinsettia. We will be having them available again this year for $15.00, in honor of, or in memory of a loved one or friend. We will be offering red, white and candy cane poinsettias this year. Please fill out the form and bring it into the church office or put it in the collection plate during worship, along with your payment by Wednesday, November 22. You may pick up your poinsettia after the later Christmas Eve Service. Name Address Phone Amount Enclosed In Loving Memory of In Honor of By Please join us for a time of thanksgiving and visiting with family and friends.