Pastor s Message. March 2013 Newsletter THE BASEMENT REVIVAL. Upcoming Events in March:

Transcription

1 March 2013 Newsletter Upcoming Events in March: March 9th Men s Lenten Breakfast March 10th FOOD PANTRY SUNDAY GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY Town Hall Meetings at His Place at 9 & 10:30A Second Sunday Prayer & Praise March 11th Town Hall Meeting in Fellowship Hall at 7P Board of Trustees March 12th Men s Fellowship Dinner March 17th BAPTISM BY IMMERSION SUNDAY March 18th Sewing Fellowship Building Committee March 19th Flyte Remix: New Bible/DVD Study for 5th/6th grade girls March 21st Finance Committee March 24th PALM SUNDAY Parade of Palms Mission Giving Children s Egg Hunt at 10:00A March 25th SPRING BREAK BEGINS March 26th United Methodist Women Church Council March 28th Maundy Thursday Service March 29th GOOD FRIDAY CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED Good Friday Service March 31st EASTER SUNDAY Experience Easter for Kids at 9 & 10:30A M25P Quarterly Giving First Methodist Worships at Good Samaritan and delivers Easter Baskets at 4:00P Pastor s Message THE BASEMENT REVIVAL Go back with me a century and a half to the year Our church was still in its infancy and meeting in our first building constructed a dozen years earlier (now the VFW hall). The community was still recovering from the devastating Civil War that had only ended the year before. In the early, wintery months, Rev. Henderson Ritchie called a revival meeting, a time of intense prayer with daily worship services aimed at renewing the congregation and reaching the unsaved. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully and the meetings were protracted to seven weeks. Twenty-eight souls were saved. Afire from these revival meetings, the church made a huge step of faith. We sold for $2,000 the building which we constructed for $6,000 only a few years earlier. With the proceeds of the sale, the church purchased the parcel of land on which our main campus now sits. Pastor Henderson explained the move with these words: This church where many of you have been converted and hallowed to all by many sacred memories, has been sold, and a subscription is now in circulation for the erection of a new and more commodious house for the worship of God, the glory of which later house we trust will be greater than the former, not only for its greater size and more beautiful proportions; but also for the vastly greater numbers which shall be brought to the Savior within its walls. The church, which consisted of only a couple dozen families, began meeting in a rented space and went to work on the first phase of the new building project. Money was borrowed and a cornerstone was laid in August of that (Continued on page 2)

2 Pastor s Message Cont d. (Continued from page 1) year. The rented hall was too drafty when winter struck and church members had to worship with other congregations. By December, the basement of the new church was opened and used as a sanctuary. The first sermon was preached on our present site on December 29, Bishop Thompson came on January 19, 1868 and dedicated the basement. A special offering was received and the church was able to pay the debt of $4,700 incurred up to this point. A revival meeting was started in the basement just one week later and the meetings continued into March. Twice as many souls were saved in the basement revival as had been the previous year in the old building. Our church was to incur more debt in order to build the main church structure, including the sanctuary. We worshipped in the basement, amid construction, borrowing, and fundraising, for over four years until the sanctuary was completed in September of 1872, five years from the original revival that sparked the building plans. At the time of the revivals, there were also Swedish and German Methodist congregations in Geneseo. These congregations have faded into the annals of history and ours might have, too, were it not for the move of the Holy Spirit and the faith of the people to take the necessary steps. Pastor Chris Church Announcements Men s Lenten Breakfast Series Continues The Geneseo Ministerial Association of Geneseo invites the men of Geneseo and surrounding areas to participate in a series of six Men s Lenten Breakfasts from 7:00A - 8:00A on the following dates and locations (all Saturdays): March 9: First Methodist March 16: St. Malachy s March 23: First Lutheran Second Sunday Prayer & Praise Service Come join us for our March Second Sunday Prayer & Praise service at 6:00P on March 10th. You will love the casual, reflective feel of this service, as well as the wonderful music, as we lift up our concerns and praises to the Lord. Girl Scout Sunday Girl Scout Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, March 10th. Being a Girl Scout today means being part of a worldwide mission to provide girls with a rich leadership experience that helps them discover their interests, connect with others, and take action. If you are or were a Girl Scout in the past, we would love to have you join us and wear your Girl Scout shirts, pins, etc. on March 10. Several girls will be earning pins during the 10:30A service. Please join us as we celebrate their accomplishments in Girl Scouting. Men s Fellowship Dinner The March Men s Dinner will be held on Tuesday, March 12th at 6:00P at South Campus. All men of the church are invited and welcome to bring a friend or relative. Please Mark Bunce at mhbunce@gmail.com for any questions or to be added to the list for Men s Ministry events. Baptism By Immersion On March 17th, we will be celebrating baptism by immersion during our worship services. Please contact the church office if you would like to be baptized or would like to reaffirm your baptism. Page 2 First United Methodist Church

3 Church Announcements Cont d. UMW News The Spoon River District UMW will hold a Spiritual Retreat and Personal Growth Study at Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church in Moline on Saturday, March 9 at 9:00A (fellowship time is 8:15A). Lunch reservations are due March 4. Our next Sewing Fellowship will meet on March 19th from 9:00A- 2:00P. Their will be NO pillowcase dress/shorts sewing day in March. The March 26, 1:00P meeting of The United Methodist Women will feature a program: "Haiti Report" by Lexie Neuleib. Devotions for the day will be given by Norna Day. Hostesses will be Jane Kiser and Verda Wolf. Matthew 25 Project We will have the first quarterly offering of 2013 for our Matthew 25 Project (M25P) at all of our worship services on Sunday, March 31. We will have this offering along with our regular offering and there will be special offering envelopes available in the pews for the M25P offering. The M25P was developed to help people in our community with emergency needs. It is initially funded by our Christmas Eve offering and is supported by $25 gifts given quarterly by persons in our church who choose to give to this ministry. It s never too late to join the M25P if you haven t already participated. Looking Ahead To April... UMW Salad Luncheon & Quilt Display On April 11, from 11:00A-1:00P, the UMW will hold a salad luncheon and quilt show in the church. Also featured at the quilt show will be a Silent Auction of two quilts made to benefit the Cunningham Children's Home. Tickets for the luncheon and quilt show will be available from UMW members and by calling the church office at Marriage Encounter Weekend Join us for a Marriage Encounter Weekend, April in Bloomington IL. For more information about the weekend or to sign up, go to or contact Jack & Yvonne Hall at , FLYTE REMIX: BULLY OR BULLIED? Discusses physical, emotional, social, and cyber bullying helping preteens learn to recognize and move beyond bullying. This series will be studied during the 5th and 6th grade girls bible study beginning Tuesday, March 19th from 6:00 7:30P at His Place. Session 1: What is Bullying? Session 2: How Does Bullying Affect You? Session 3: Am I a Bully? Session 4: Have I been Bullied? Session 5: What Do I Do Now? This bible study is led by Karen Moore and Gena McDaniel. The bible study group will continue to meet through May 28th. BE A BLESSING We have another opportunity to be a blessing to others in the community. Good Samaritan is looking for people willing to lead a worship time once a month for those unable to attend church on Sundays. This worship time would be the first Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m. How could we do this as a church family? Here are some suggestions: One individual could do it one Sunday one month A small group could take this on for one month The onfirmation class might do this as a service project The youth group could do it one Sunday So you see we can do this! For more information about this opportunity, please contact Barbara Leonard at B.Leonard62@mchsi.com or by phone at March 2013 Page 3

4 HOME GROWN IS THE THEME FOR PARADE OF PALMS 2013 Each year on Christmas Eve and Palm Sunday we receive a special offering in support of God's work beyond our local church. We were blessed to collect nearly $14,000 for the establishment of Christianity in Guinea, Africa last Christmas. This spring, we are aiming closer to home. Our theme is "Home Grown" and we are blessing ministries birthed right here in Geneseo. Here is how the offering will be used: more, KY. Rebecca is a member of our church preparing for ministry and Sarah Beth is a former staff member of our church. They are both preparing to be pastors in our conference. One third of our Palm Sunday Offering will go to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Dan Pearson, regional FCA director, will use the funds to extend the Fields of Faith program to reach coaches and athletes with the Gospel. One third of the offering will go to Walk on Water, a ministry founded by Bob and Lori Ward. Walk on Water has led over 1,500 area youth and adults on short-term mission One third of our offering will be divided between Rebecca Swanson and Sarah Beth Wanck who are students of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wiltrips. The funds will help bring two new buses on line in support of the ministry's recent expansion Letters and envelopes will be mailed to families in our church in March and the offering will be received on Palm Sunday, March 24th. Page 4 First United Methodist Church

5 Special Easter Happenings Easter Baskets of Blessings In place of Easter lilies, this year we will be decorating the sanctuary with Easter gift baskets. The baskets will be filled with goodies and a booklet about Jesus and will be delivered by our church family to nursing home residents and the homebound. Please consider sponsoring a basket to bless a senior citizen this Easter. The cost is $10 and donation forms will be available in the bulletin and at the information table in coming weeks. Easter Afternoon Worship at Good Samaritan Home Please plan to join us at Good Samaritan Home, 704 S. Illinois St, Geneseo, at 4:00P on Easter afternoon for a special worship service. Following the service we will distribute Easter baskets and share the love of Christ with residents of Good Sam. Please consider giving some of your time to serve the Lord and bless others this Easter. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 March 2013 Page 5

6 Thank You Notes Thank you, First UMC, for allowing me to hold my Eagle Scout Breakfast Fundraiser. Allowing me the space in the fellowship hall got me about a third of the way to my goal. Thanks again. Payton DeMay Dear First Methodist Family: Thank you so much for the many acts of kindness shown during my recent surgery and afterwards. Thanks to Pastor Chris for being at the hospital the day of the surgery. Thanks for the phone calls, s, cards, and encouraging words. They all truly lifted me up. And thank you especially for all the prayers offered on my behalf. God blessed me mightily through all of you. In Christʼs Love, Jean McCombs First Methodist Sewing Missions Pillowcase Dresses & Shorts The Geneseo First Sewing Mission, presented Robert James, head of the Mexico mission team, with 67 pillowcase dresses and 27 pairs of shorts. He and his Mexico Mission team took them on their mission trip to Rio Bravo, Mexico at the end of February. Thank you to the ladies of the UMW Sewing Team and to another group led by Wai-May Lim at her home for all these wonderful clothes for the children in Mexico. Barb Schroeder and Robert James Sewing Fellowship 2012 Summary Hillcrest Home received 8 lap robes, HHH Long Term Care received 18 lap robes, HHH Surgical (children) received 7 lap robes and baby quilts, The Henry County Health Department received 8 lap robes, 4 baby quilts, and one twin size. Geneseo Food Pantry received 8 doll quilts, 3 baby quilts, and 4 twin. Royal Family Camp received 6 double bed size quilts. Individual members and friends received 16. Two quilts were made by Alice Hutchinson and Marian Rodgers for the Cunningham Quilt Show and Sale. Page 6 First United Methodist Church

7 Celebrations For The Month Happy Birthday! 3/1 Jason Robinson 3/3 Madison Koustas Pat Mitchell 3/4 Greyson Claerhout Kim Gehling Casey Harris Regina Kappleman Katelyn Konvicka 3/5 Joyce Rogers Chris Stahl Karen Wheeler Cheryl Hursman 3/7 Andrew Ryner 3/8 Scott Colter Jerry Downing Renee Moore 3/9 Connie Driessens 3/10 Marissa Ford Sydney McDaniel 3/11 Daniel Fiedler Paige Gramling Adam Rahm 3/12 Kym Johnson Jim Washburn 3/13 Ralph Smith Justin Snodgrass 3/14 Matt Eastlick 3/16 Ken Martins Dewey McCall Linda Washburn 3/17 Kalie Easton 3/19 Martha Hatch Rachel Ryner 3/20 Dan Diehl Doug Kuriger 3/21 Tyler Chamberlain Aaron Lewis 3/22 Vera Hursman Dave Pemble Martha Taube 3/23 Mallorie Ward 3/24 Beau Johnson Jerilyn Powell 3/25 Deb Ward 3/27 Dave Allen Grace Eastlick Carter Stephenson 3/28 Chelsea Schwarzkopf 3/29 Addison Snodgrass 3/30 Tammy Clark Maxine DeCrane Barb Nelson Al Petsche Angela Rahm 3/3 Jack & Karen Buhler 3/9 Craig & Marsha Kuriger 3/10 Randy & Terry Haars 3/10 Chris & A.M. Whelchel 3/11 Dave & Cheri Jirele 3/14 Duane & Bev Dilenbeck 3/22 Mark & Debbie Burton 3/27 Glenn Kluge & Jackie Patterson 3/28 Kirk & Lisa Hodgson kabloom! is coming soon! The official launch of this major outreach will be on Easter March 2013 Page 7

8 Building Team Update Greetings from the Building Team! lighted many improvements to the design that were the result of comments and feedback from many within our congregation. We're hopeful the communication in March not only helps each of us become more informed but creates similar feedback. We have much to communicate and share. The Building Team will host three town hall meetings to discuss the final building design and financial plan. There will be time for Q&A during these meetings. The town hall meetings will take place on Sunday, March 10th at 9:00 and 10:30 By the time you read this, you may have already heard a lot of details regarding the final building design and financial plan. We encourage everyone to join a town hall meeting, contact someone from the building team or check out the building website for more information. Why all the communication? A church wide vote for approval to start construction is coming. We anticipate the vote during April but as of the writing of this article, a date has not been set. Last month we higham at His Place in South Campus. The third town hall is scheduled for Monday, March 11th at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. We also thank God from whom all blessings flow. Please continue to stay involved, ask questions, and keep this project in your prayers. Food Pantry News With the spring season right around the corner, there will be a lot happening at the Pantry. The donation of lighter coats and jackets as well as clothing for the entire family will be greatly appreciated. Please consider sharing your outgrown or no longer needed items with the Pantry s clients. Your donations help families who can t afford to shop for new seasonal items. We want to pass on a big thank you to everyone who donated new and slightly used coats and hats, gloves and winter clothing for our clients. Our clients were very grateful to be able to dress themselves and their families warmly over the winter months. Our food shelves are starting to look a little bare as we head into March so we look with much anticipation to the upcoming food drives in March and in May. Scouting for Food is a Cub Scout and Boy Scout project that will be happening on Saturday, March 23 this year. The Scouts will distribute flyers prior to the pickup. If you set out food and it is not picked up, please bring it to the Pantry at 217 North Russell Avenue. Our hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9:00A-12:00P and 1:00P-4:00P and Friday, 9:00A- 12:00P. The Postal Food Drive is usually the first Saturday in May. Although this may be subject to change, watch the paper for information about the date and time. These food drives, along with continued donations from the community, is what helps us feed our clients well into the summer. Assistance with tax return preparation is available through April 15 at the Geneseo Public Library on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1:00P- 3:00P. This service is available to everyone, regardless of income. Are you starting to plan your garden? Please consider planting an extra row for those who cannot always afford to purchase fresh produce. Our clients truly appreciate this during the summer months. Our food distribution time is each Tuesday morning, so the best day to drop off the produce is by Monday afternoon by 4:00P. Food needs for this month are: canned chicken, jelly, applesauce, elbow macaroni, Hamburger Helper and Tuna Helper, rice cereal, oatmeal, and Jiffy cake and muffin mixes. Non-food needs for this month are: dish soap, bar soap and diapers sizes 3 and 5. We truly appreciate your support at the Pantry! Please note: Food Pantry Sunday at First Methodist will be on March 10th. You may bring your donations that day and place them in the barrel by the elevator on the main floor, or drop them off in the church office at any time. March 2013 Page 8

9 March 2013 Page 9

10 March 2013 Page 10

11 Page 11 First United Methodist Church

12 Page 12 First United Methodist Church

13 Page 13 First United Methodist Church

14 March 2013 Page 14

15 Services of Worship Sunday 8:00A, 9:00A and 10:30A Sunday School begins at 9:00A, with additional adult opportunities at 10:30A God s Garden Nursery is open and staffed during all services Wednesday Ignite Children s After-School Program 3:30P NexGen Middle School Ministry 3:45P The Rock High School Ministry 6:30P 302 North State Street Geneseo IL Phone 309/ info@peopleneedjesus.org Web: March 10th Daylight Savings Time Begins March 10th 2:00 a.m. Happy St. Patrick s Day! March 17th MARCH