Circuit The Rider FEBRUARY 2017 Sunday School for Youth and Children is Up and Running Michael Ferguson Children & Youth Minister February Highlighted Events 1 Titan Fuel Packing 6 HEP Sunday School Classes for children and Jr High youth have begun. We will continue the successful programming we have used so far this year: Nursery and Pre-K meet in the new Nursery (Upstairs - Room U203) for play-time and pray-time! The Nursery will be open all morning every Sunday, from 8:00am until Noon, for children under the age of 5. Grades K-4 meet in the Youth Gathering Room downstairs (Room L106) for Deep Blue Kids! video, lesson, prayer and craft or game. Grades 5-8 meet in the youth classroom downstairs (Room L104) for Connect! a middle-high level Bible curriculum. Senior High students Senior High students are encouraged to get involved in the ministries of the church. There are many areas to serve; help with a children s class, be a greeter or usher, or help in the kitchen during morning fellowship! If you d like to help with our Sunday School ministry, we are looking for teachers, helpers, subs and prep-people! Please talk to Michael Ferguson (Youth and Children s Minister), Melissa Slife or Lisa Young (Christian Education co-chairs) to find out how to help! ALL volunteers with children or youth will undergo a background check and are asked to attend a Teacher Orientation and First Aid/CPR training. Please use the KidCheck system for all youth and children age groups. The Check-in Station is located in the area between the main entrance and the stairs. 7 Kumler Meal Trustees 8 Chili Cook-Off Finance Committee 13 Education Committee 14 Ronald McDonald House SPRC 15 Titan Fuel Packing UMW / Ruth Circle 16 Birthday/Anniversary Lunch 19 UMM Fellowship Feb. 26 Celebrates the Transfiguration of Jesus And His face shown like the sun, and His clothes became dazzling white. This is my Son, the Beloved; with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him! -Matthew 17:2b & 5b The transfiguration of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and the Second Letter of Peter, describes the pivotal moment when heaven touches earth and Jesus is revealed to be the One the Gospel of John calls The Light of the World. Chatham United Methodist Church Transforming lives and growing disciples for Jesus Christ 104 West Chestnut Street, Chatham, IL 62629 217-483-2132 www.chathamumc.net
Capital Campaign Update Jane Stricklin Chair of Finance As of January 19, we have collected $671,210 in gifts to the REACH Capital Campaign! We celebrate what those gifts have helped create--a wonderful new entryway into our church that welcomes and accommodates everyone. A completely accessible building with an elevator and new and refurbished meeting spaces for babies, children, youth, adults, and senior Page 2 adults, and office space for staff and volunteers. A new kitchen and refurbished fellowship hall where we have already started feeding and ministering to our community. Roofs that don't leak, a bathroom in the basement, and new sound, video, and lights in the sanctuary. Gifts from members and friends have made our building new again. Your gifts will help us answer the call of Christ and continue Christ s ministry in our community and world. As you can see from the chart below, we have collected almost $510,900 or 71% of pledged gifts from people who give in annual, monthly, or weekly installments, and from people who made one time gifts. We have also received $160,329 from memorials and from people who didn't pledge to REACH, but have given anyway. Given w/o Pledge One Time Weekly Monthly Yearly Total Pledges Givers 58 23 6 30 10 69 126 Pledged $200,035 $25,304 $200,260 $295,700 $721,299 Grand Total Given to date $160,329 $143,572 $17,384 $94,600 $255,325 $510,881 $671,210 % 72% 69% 47% 86% 71% We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go to cover the cost of the renovations which exceed $1,010,000. We welcome and encourage your gifts today. Gifts are tax deductible, and your gifts given now help pay off the construction loan with less interest. Currently the REACH construction loan balance is $634,500 and currently we have about $130,000 in the REACH account and about $210,400 in outstanding pledges. Our members and friends have a history of being very faithful to their pledges, so we believe most people will make good on their pledges over the next year. All gifts given to REACH are used for construction and not for interest on the construction loan. The Church has paid almost $6,700 in interest on the construction loan to-date, and our 2017 church operating budget sets aside $25,000 for interest payments. So, your gifts to REACH will make a real difference in the amount of interest we pay and the amount of money available for church operations. We ask for your prayers and support as we try to conclude fundraising for this capital campaign in a reasonable length of time. Just as God has helped us create a building that is new on the inside, we pray for God to renew us on the inside that we may respond to his call in the coming year with a new heart and a fresh commitment to the mission and ministry of Chatham UMC.
Serve with Heart When we become members of the United Methodist Church, we promise to give of our time and service. There are many ways you can support your church family with your service! Some of them are: GREETER Arive at church 30 minutes before the start of service to welcome people as they arrive, help visitors find their way, and assist in distributing bulletins. You would also assist Pastor Sara in passing out gifts to our guests as they depart. Contact: Carol Frost USHER Arive at church 30 minutes before to help prepare the building for service. You will hand out bulletins, help people find seats when it s crowded, count attendance, and collect the offering. On Communion Sundays, ushers guide people from their rows to the front to take the sacrament. Contact: Carol Frost COMMUNION SERVER Assisting Pastor Sara with Communion is special. After the blessing of the elements, servers are asked to come up front and take Communion. Then hold either the loaf or the cup, saying the blood [or body] of Christ, given for you as congregation members come through the line. Contact: Patt Summer Page 3 LITURGIST Arrive at church 20 minutes before the start of service, check in with Ron Logsdon and get a sound check. First service liturgists will read the scripture and lead the Call to Worship and the Congregational Prayers (as needed). Second service liturgists will read the scripture only. Contact: Sherry Way & Roger Wainwright SONG LEADER Just like it sounds, the song leader is tasked with leading first service songs, particularly if the song is unfamiliar, on weeks the choir does not sing. Contact: Sherry Way ALTAR FLOWERS Take the opportunity to purchase altar flowers for a particular Sunday. The cost is just $20 and the flowers can go home with you after second service. Perhaps you can honor your parents anniversary, celebrate your child s birthday, or remember a loved one. Let us be a part of the celebration/remembrance with you. Many Sundays are still available for 2017. Contact: Cheryl Vertrees Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. - Psalm 98:4 NRSV Music is an essential part of a church service. It is a way to give thanks and praise and share our time and talent in service to our Lord. We lead and encourage congregational singing and present inspirational anthems of prayer, praise and devotion. The choir and handbells will be resuming practice on Wed. Jan. 18. Bells meet at 5:45 and Choir at 6:30. We will begin to look at music for Ash Wednesday and the upcoming Lenten season. Come make a joyful noise with us! Contact Sherry Way, director of choirs, at 217-473-9971 or sway@chathamumc.net.
Page 5 ISBELL S INSPIRATIONS How to say I Love You Rev. Sara Isbell Pastor As Valentine s Day approaches, many of us will be racking our brains for some new way to say those three little words: I Love You. Everybody who loves somebody whether a spouse, partner, best friend, parent, child, caregiver appreciates knowing that they are loved back! So I went looking for creative ways to say I Love You. Perhaps I shouldn t have been surprised by how many sources offered similar suggestions: 1. Pay attention. Listen to the one you love, pay attention to what they say, and try to remember what s important to them. 2. Leave notes of love and appreciation where your loved one will find them. Crazy, unexpected places are the most fun! 3. Put your own preferences aside, and when it s time to go do something together, do something they like, even if you don t. 4. Offer a backrub, footrub a gesture of affection that makes them feel happy and relaxed. 5. Do their chores for them one day, or find a way to relieve a burden they carry. 6. Speak a word of praise for something they re good at. Say, I m really proud of you! or You inspire me! And here s one more that you just might try. 7. Pray for your beloved, and pray with them. Let them know they mean enough to you to ask God s blessing upon them, and that you hold them in your thoughts and prayers even when you re not together. Think about people you know who may be particularly lonely on Valentine s Day, and make a special effort to reach out to them in love. These suggestions can make anybody s day special! Happy Valentine s Day, everyone! Pastor Sara Our Faith Lesson this month takes us 20 stories underground to a cave church carved out of stone. This church was used by early Christians hiding from persecution. We learn that we are part of the body of Christ, and when one of us suffers (as Christ said we would), we all suffer. That includes not only those suffering today, but also yesterday and tomorrow. We too are defenders of the Faith! Join the United Methodist Men at 7:00am on Sun., Feb. 19, and every third Sunday for good food, good fellowship, and Good News. Ruth Circle will gather together on Wed., Feb. 15 at m in the Fellowship Hall. Please note the change to our meeting time. Watch the Circuit Rider Weekly and the Bulletin for updates regarding the program.
February Birthdays Page 6 1 Shirley Burris Doug York 14 Kevin Stewart Roger Wainwright 2 Lora Menke 15 Kevin Patton 4 6 Layton Frost Tayler Spindel-Lemar Michael Ferguson Alan Post 16 19 Judy Onken Tammy Albert Janice Logsdon February Anniversaries 13 Terry & Terrence Moody 7 Mike Branham Terrence Moody Noah Porter 21 22 Diane Wilson Madeline Steinway 14 16 Mike & Sandy Branham Dick & Jane Swain 8 Cindy Ford 23 Kevin Hazard Jason Jones 23 Richard & Shauna Braner 9 11 12 Jonah Stone Jack Knudson Graham Turk Christopher Scannura 26 27 Jim Finn Tricia Frost Beth Littrell Alan Phillips Chatham UMC Surrounds the Following in Prayer: Pastor Keith Anderson on the passing of his nephew Randy and Laura Welch at the loss of Laura s mother, Fannie McCoy
Y O U T H N E W S Page 7 Upcoming Youth Activities Snow Tubing The youth will be going Snow Tubing on Feb. 20 at Hidden Valley in Wildwood, MO. School will be out for President s Day, so what better way to celebrate than flying down a snow/ice covered lane on an inflated tube! A sign-up sheet will be at all youth meetings two weeks prior to the trip. The last day to sign up is Feb. 13 so we can reserve our time. You can also contact Michael if you want to go! Cost will be $22.00 if we have 15 people to go ($26 if less sign up). Big Daddy Weave in Concert The youth will be attending the Big Daddy Weave concert at the First United Methodist Church in Springfield on March 10. The concert will be from 7:00 to 10:00pm. If you are interested in attending, let Michael know so tickets can be purchased! Drivers and chaperones will be needed, so adults come on out and give it a try! Youth Mission Trip The youth are busy preparing for their Annual Mission Trips. Any youth wanting to participate in this year s trip needs to contact Michael Ferguson to ensure your spot on the roster and learn the requirements. We are going to the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to work at Mountain T.O.P. (Tennesee Outreach Project) DATES Sr. High June 24 - July1 Jr. High July 4 - July 8 Our first fundraiser is d o n e, a n d i t w a s fantastic! A huge thanks to everyone who purchased a Frozen Meals Pack. Not only does this activity raise the required funds to go on the mission trip but also provides an excellent opportunity for fellowship and working together to accomplish a goal. Be sure to watch for the next Frozen Meals Pack sale in late April. This meal pack will focus on g r i l l i n g a n d o v e n cooking. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. - Psalm 100:1-2 NRSV Our has started practicing on Thursday evenings at m under the direction of Roger Wainwright (Adult Praise Band Leader). All youth are welcome to join the Praise band regardless of musical background. Feel free to bring a friend who likes making music, even if they don t attend our church. Remember, we are instructed to make a joyful noise to the Lord; not a beautiful, on-key, talented noise -- but with lots of cowbell! No Michael, just no. The Youth meet weekly on Wednesday at 6:15pm in the Youth Gathering Room on the Lower Level.
Page 8 February Worship Schedule Jesus calls his followers not just to be good and do right, but to serve as an example to others. We are called to higher ground, because we serve the One who is above all. And yet, God knows our limitations, and offers us grace upon grace. February 5 Let it Shine! Matthew 5:13-20 February 19 Love Your Enemies Matthew 5:38-48 February 12 Kiss and Make Up Matthew 5:21-37 February 26 Expect the Unexpected! Matthew 17:1-9 - Transfiguration Sunday Stewardship Report for 2017 YTD Total given for the budget year-to-date Total given for the Annuity Fund year-to-date REACH Building Fund $ 20,917.30 $ 38.19 $ 672,780.00 Our Estimate of Giving for the Annual Budget runs from June 1, 2016 May 31, 2017 denotes Holy Communion. In the United Methodist Church, we have an open table where all are welcome to receive Holy Communion. You do not need to be a member of Chatham UMC or of any church at all. Come as you are to the Lord s Table and accept the gift He gave for us all. $1,010,000 $900,000 $800,000 $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $0 66%
8:15a 9:30a 10:45a 8:15a 9:45a 10:45a 8:15a 9:45a 10:45a 2:00p 7:00a 8:15a 9:45a 10:45a 8:15a 9:45a 10:45a 2:00p FEBRUARY 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Traditional Worship Sunday School Blended Worship 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 8:00a Building Rental Prayer Meeting Disciple 1 Class 9:30a 5:45p 6:15p Bible Study Handbells Disciple 4 Class Youth Groups Choir Titan Fuel Packing 6:45p Praise Band Traditional Worship Sunday School Blended Worship 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 5:30p HEP Committee Prayer Meeting 5:30a Kumler Meal Disciple 1 Class SPRC Trustees Meeting 9:30a 5:30p 5:45p 6:15p 7:30p Bible Study Chili Cook-Off Handbells Disciple 4 Class Youth Groups Choir Finance Committee 6:45p Praise Band Traditional Worship Sunday School Blended Worship Worship at Holly Brook 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 11:30a Education Committee Prayer Meeting 4:30p Ronald McDonald Disciple 1 Class 9:30a 5:45p 6:15p Bible Study Handbells Disciple 4 Class Youth Groups Choir Titan Fuel Packing UMW / Ruth Circle 6:45p Birthday & Anniversary Lunch Praise Band UMM Fellowship Traditional Worship Sunday School Blended Worship 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Prayer Meeting Disciple 1 Class 9:30a 5:45p 6:15p Bible Study Handbells Disciple 4 Class Youth Groups Choir 6:45p Praise Band Traditional Worship Sunday School Blended Worship Worship at Holly Brook 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 Prayer Meeting Church Council Disciple 1 Class Titan Fuel Packing 9:30a 5:45p 6:15p Bible Study Handbells Disciple 4 Class Youth Groups Choir 6:45p Praise Band
INSIDE Who we are OUR MISSION: To transform lives and grow disciples for Jesus Christ OUR VISION: Creating a welcome, open environment where all people can come to know and experience God, grow in Christ, serve him freely, and minister to people in our community and world. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Chatham United Methodist Church is called to be a Matthew 25 congregation for our community: to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick and lonely - and in so doing, to share the good news of Christ s love with our neighbors 104 W. Chestnut St. Chatham IL 62629 www.chathamumc.net 217-483-2132 Worship on Sundays: 8:15 Traditional 10:45 Blended 2 REACH! Capital Campaign Update 5 How to Say I Love You. 3 Serve with Heart 7 Youth News and Activites