PASTOR S LETTER

Transcription

1 PASTOR S LETTER Dear Church Family, We could all live another one hundred years and not experience a funeral like the Celebration of Kalie Reign Easton s life last Sunday night at First Methodist. Funeral is probably not the correct word given that it truly was a celebration with music, dance, testimonies, and (in Kalie s honor) bare feet. Several people said a big yes to following Jesus at the event which was led by Kalie Reign s parents, Shaun and Camie Easton. Kalie Reign was found dead five miles from her Bloomington area home on the morning of Ash Wednesday after going missing the day before. The cause of death has not been released. A former Director of Worship for our church, Shaun served on our staff from and he and Camie are members of our congregation. He is currently employed by St. John Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Kalie was at our church the weekend before her death at our youth lock-in and for Sunday worship. She was baptized at our church on March 17, Shaun and Camie announced Sunday their intention to launch Kalie Reign Ministries. They expressed a desire to minister in the freedom of the Holy Spirit to the lost and hurting, especially teens. Let s commit to pray for the Easton s and give them the time and space they need to process what God is doing in their lives. We especially remember Phia and Anah, Kalie Reign s younger sisters. The Easton s are currently staying in the Geneseo area. They welcome messages through social media and draw strength from what God is doing in people s lives through this time. I am very proud of our church family for the response that is being given to the Easton Family. Thanks so much to all who brought food, set up tables, provided hospitality, and donated to the family. We all witnessed an outpouring of both love and the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to personally thank those

2 who stepped up to handle logistics: Chris Stahl, Cindy Rugland, Tammie Konvicka, Mark and Karen Moore, Wendy Gatter, Erik Wilson, Mark and Jessica Bunce, Mike Smith, and many, many more. THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I Last Sunday we delayed the launch of a new series of messages to talk a bit about what to do when you don t know what to do. Drawing on Psalm 61, a Psalm of Lament, we found five things to look for as we seek to regain our bearings following a faithquake : 1) An HONEST HEART It is OK to tell God how we feel. Every human emotion is included in the Psalms, even the darkest of emotions. 2) LASTING LANDMARKS When you don t know what is happening, start stating what you do know. David asked to be led to The Rock that is higher than I. 3) RELATIONAL REFUGE When David s life turned upside down, he sought a place of intimacy with God, The shelter of God s wings. 4) ENCOURAGING EXPRESSIONS We are never alone. If we listen, we will hear the voices of those around us who are cheering us on. 5) RESTORING RITUALS Rituals are what we do when we don t know what to do. They can keep us moving forward. Keep an appointment with God even when you are not speaking to Him. Open the Bible. Go to church. Show up at small group. One final thing we can do during a Faith-quake is talk to, think about, and name the name of Jesus. When you don t know what else to say, just say Jesus. Think about his love, kindness, and self-giving. Consider your suffering in the light of his suffering on the cross. Remember his promise of abundant and eternal life. PRAY LIKE JESUS We will begin a new series of messages this week called Pray Like Jesus. This Weekend s message will be taken from Luke 11:1-13: Pray Big. I will be assisted by Victoria Heyworth, one of our confirmation youth, on Sunday. DRAW THE CIRCLE It is not too late to pick up a copy of Mark Batterson s book, Draw the Circle, at the Information Center. We are working through this forty-day devotional together as a congregation. Day One was February 22, but it will be easy to catch up or you are always free to go at your own pace. The books are $7. FIND YOUR PEOPLE PARTY On Friday, March 6 at 5:30 pm in The Commons will be an opportunity for folks to come together and meet others in the church who are interested in finding a small group. This will be a fun and interactive mixer. Please RSVP to the church office or at the information desk on Sunday. Appetizers and beverages will be served.

3 ORGAN AND TENOR CONCERT Mike Smith and Erik Wilson present an organ and tenor concert on Thursday, March 12 at 7pm. Please come hear some beautiful, classical music at this special concert and stay afterwards for pie and refreshments. SUNDAY NIGHT AT MOLINE BETHEL WESLEY Members of our congregation are invited to Moline Bethel Wesley UMC on Sunday, March 1 as our church is part of their Lenten Worship Series. Pastor Chris will preach and our Praise Team will provide the music for the service. The church is located at th Street in Moline and the Pastor is Rev. Florene Scott. ODDS AND ENDS: Easter is going to be big this year with Celebrate the Savior. There will be two identical services that weekend: 8:30 am and 10:30 am. We have a professional trumpet player coming in from Oklahoma City and a vocalist from New York City. There will be a high-impact children s ministry event happening during each of these two services. We are recruiting for the Easter Choir and rehearsals begin next Wednesday at 7:30 pm. Saturday s Lenten Men s Breakfast is at Grace UMC at 7 am. Pastor Gerald will be speaking about the church he is starting: Roots QC. There is another opportunity to sponsor a Kadosh Brick for the patio area outside the Common Grounds Coffee Bar. You can personalize a brick in honor or memory of someone for $100. BY THE NUMBERS Worship Attendance on Feb. 21/22 Saturday 6:00 62 Sunday 7:30 59 Sunday 9: Sunday 10: TOTAL WORSHIP ATTENDANCE = 461 Sunday School 90 Ignite 2/18/ The Rock/Next Gen 40 PRAYER REQUESTS Christian and Alina Steffen mom, Linda, passed away unexpectedly last week. Pray for comfort during their time of grief. My friend Angie is expecting a diagnosis. Please pray for a favorable report. Continue to pray for Joyce Beard and Steve Blakley. Pam Gramling

4 Pray for Braeden during his confirmation and the wonderful youth leaders. Michelle Keller Pray for a 41-year-old man, Andy, who had a stroke. Anonymous Pray for healing for Marie, Danny and Rowan. Pray for grief healing for the Easton family. Jim & Pat Stout Pray for my son-in-law Scott. Now in IC unit with major breathing difficulties. David Allen Pray to Jesus. Alli Knollman Pray for Gracey Stout. Gracey has thyroid cancer and is having surgery today (2/23/15). Gracey is a 19 year-old with stage ¾. Pray for the lost that they will find Jesus. Pray for Kalie and the entire Easton family. Sam Rodriguez Pray for health for my family. Pray for Shaun and Camie. Pray for my daughter s marriage, for my grandchildren and for my business. Lorraine Brooks Pray for my stepfather Steve who has been diagnosed with Thyroid disease. Jason and Christina Swain Pray for the Easton s. Caylie Hessler Pray for continued healing for Darlene following back surgery. -Jim Kelly Pray that my brother will believe in God. Jade Parr I m still recovering from surgery and I am having minor issue. Pray for a quick recovery. Roger Winchester Prayers of healing for my mom who lives in Texas. She has pneumonia. Joe Collins Praise the LORD!! My niece came through breast cancer surgery and my not need chemotherapy. Pray for the families of my hometown church that has lost loved ones. Continued prayers for Bill & Nancy, Bob & Alice, and Alice. Barb Schroeder Pray for my marriage. For me, a job, an automobile and more faith. Teri Cleveland Pray for my Aunt Sharon on the passing of my uncle Jim. Doug Kuriger Pray for Dave Holtz and his family. Dave has pancreatic cancer. Pray for my son-in-law who is traveling overseas. Pray for all the elderly coping with the weather elements. Thank you and God Bless, Jim & Linda Washburn Pray for knowledge of what is to be. Pray for joy, peace, love, gentleness, compassion and the fruits of the spirit for all. God s strength and blessings to all. God Bless Mark Farb Pray for pastor and families; the military & veterans; Pastor Dave Joyce and Tom Wright; Mark & Jessica Bunce, the Higgins & Wilson families, and the Easton family. Also, a prayer request that was called in this morning by Marilyn DeMay: Pray for Marilyn s friend, Cindy Robinson s 23-year-old son, Army Specialist Blaine Robinson, as

5 he was in a terrible motorcycle accident 1 ½ years ago and had some brain trauma and is also a quadriplegic. He has been in VA hospitals ever since and is currently at Winning Wheels in Prophetstown. His family has built a new home in Milan in hopes to finally bring their son home but circumstances have been getting in the way of this happening. Blaine is in need of an Army-approved full-time CNA before he can be released to be home with his family and so far they have not been able to secure a person for this. Please pray for our Lord to surround this whole situation with his holy power and ultimate healing for Blaine. Pray for a CNA to be found and for peace and comfort for his family as they just want their son home. Thank you! OTHER PRAYER NEEDS o Mike Vergane s sister-in-law passed away this week after a long battle with cancer. o Dan Foulk was hospitalized recently, is home now, but further tests are being done. o Alice Hutchinson is home from the hospital. o Remember Vera Madlem, one of our oldest members, as she missed her church family at First Methodist. Vera would love visits at Hammond Henry Extended Care. o Bob Stahl is at Hammond Henry Extended Care.