March 2019 Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! REGISTER AT : WWW.IGRC.ORG/bishopsopen2019 40 Day Challenge Lenten Ministry Opportunity Give Up 40 to Bless Many! Special Service March 6, 7:00 8:00 p.m. For centuries Christians have taken this time before Easter to fast, pray and study Scripture. What are you doing? Do you need a small group to help you focus on your Lenten studies? See Pastor Gabe for more information. During the 40 days of Lent discover clothing which you can give away to those in need. Select 40 pieces of clothing in good to near new condi on (not throw a ways ), s ll wearable, clean and ready to wear. Each day during Lent (excluding Sundays) set aside at least one piece of clothing (minimum of 40 pieces) to be given to ministries and agencies in need. Challenge will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 6, and conclude Easter, April 21 Bring clothing: in good to new condi on (not throw a ways ), s ll wearable, clean and ready to wear to the church neatly packaged. Drop off during regular hours in designated area in Gathering Area. Financial Peace University Classes begin: March 3 12:15 pm & March 13, 6:00 pm Childcare and meals provided. Cost $109 Scholarships available. Contact :Maggie Klokkenga at maggieklokkenga@yahoo.com to register. ame Celebrate UMCOR Sunday March 31, 2019 TOGETHER, WE REACH CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DEVASTATION IN THE WAKE OF DISASTER. When You Give You Equip Christ s Body to Serve in His Name Youth Fundraiser Tuesday, March 5 Meal 5:00 p.m. Games 5:45 p.m.
New Sermon Series Listen to Him On the Road to Resurrec on Jesus gathered on a high mountain where He was transfigured right before the eyes of Peter, James and John. The voice of God spoke three thunderously piercing words into the minds and hearts of these disciples. The words? LISTEN TO HIM. Those words are for us today! The forty days of Lent take us from the top of the Mountain of Transfigura on to the bo om of the Valley of the Cross and ul mately to the Resurrec on. During this season, we will lean in and listen deeply to Jesus. Listening to Jesus...it s our highest calling to the lowest place where we discover lives transformed and our worst days breaking forth into our best life. This Lenten series of messages takes us through the Gospel of Luke. Join us on this necessary journey as we listen to Jesus! Date Speaker Title Scripture March 6 Pastor Gabe Wanck Listen Carefully Luke 9:37 45 March 10 Pastor Gabe Wanck Listen to Him! Luke 9:28 36 March 17 Pastor Gary Feldman Ask the Father Luke 11:5 13 March 24 Pastor Gary Feldman Woe is Me Luke 11:37 52 March 31 Pastor Gary Feldman Lost and Found Luke 15:1 32 April 7 Pastor Gabe Wanck What Must I Do? Luke 18:18 30 April 14 Pastor Gabe Wanck Will You Go with Him? Luke 19:28 44 April 18 Pastor Gary Feldman Don t Give In Luke 22:39 65 April 19 Luke 22:66 23:49 April 21 Pastor Gary Feldman The Empty Tomb Speaks Luke 24:1 8 Contact Information 420 North Tennessee Avenue Morton, IL 61550 (309) 266-7174 Phone (309) 263-1498 Fax info@mortonumc.org www.mortonumc.org Worship Services ~Sunday~ Celebration 8:00 am 9:30 am (Sanctuary) Cross Connections 10:45 am (Gymnasium) ~Tuesday ~ Communion 8:00-8:30 am Sunday Christian Education September-May 9:30 or 10:45 am Sunday School Age 2-High School Adult Classes Holy Week at Morton United Methodist Church PALM SUNDAY, April 14 MAUDY THURSDAY, April 18 GOOD FRIDAY, April 19 EASTER SUNDAY, April 21 During the week, our Office Volunteers lend a helping hand in the Gathering Area office answering the phone, greeting visitors, taking messages. Contact Kim Gregurich 253-0908 to volunteer for a morning or afternoon shift or as a substitute. Thanks!
Connect with God! Volunteer! Join a Class! Connect with People! Use God s Gift! Leaders are Needed! Here s Y Invita on: For more informa on, or to sign up for any of our Connect Groups contact Pastor Gabe gabew@mortonumc.org. JOIN A CONNECT GROUP TO GROW IN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE! Where to start? Talk with Pastor Gabe or JoAnn Kra. Medical Ministry CARE OF YOUR INSIDES Care of the insides can mean a multitude of our God given anatomy, but we want to focus in on March s topic of the month which is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the USA and affects people in all age and ethnic groups with more commonality in ages over 50 years. Prevention of problems with this malignancy is of utmost important with screenings and awareness. Yes, younger folks can acquire this and that can be a familial tendency, so knowledge of abnormal digestion symptoms is essential. Please let your doctor know if you are having any continued changes in bowel habits with diarrhea, weight loss, and/or abdominal pain etc. Many of us are fully aware of the need for colonoscopy testing after the age of 50 and your physician should be mentioning this to you if you are heading toward this decade of life. The colonoscopy is a diagnostic test that uses a flexible scope to view the large intestines. It also is an outpatient procedure that has a day s worth of preparing the intestines to empty out the colon for good views of the walls and structure of the colon. Yes, the prep always gets a bad review but overall the testing results could prove to be a lifesaver for us. Not only can it diagnose some cancer areas, but colonoscopy screens can also visualize polyps. Polyps are an accumulation of cells that form on the lining of the colon and can have the potential to grow in to a cancerous state. Risks of having polyps include a sedentary lifestyle, ages over 50, a previous diagnosis of Chron s or ulcerative colitis, diabetes, alcohol and/or smoking use, hereditary disorders and family history. Colonoscopy screens can also diagnose other colon disorders such as finding reasons for bleeding, abdominal pain, diverticulosis which can then possibly lead to an infection of the colon lining areas called diverticulitis. But be advised that the diagnosis of diverticulosis is very common in people over 60 years of age. There are many other digestive disorders and they include heartburn/ GERD, irritable bowel disease, gastroenteritis, gallbladder and pancreas issues and the list goes on. The best thing we can do is to take wholesome care of our insides to balance our lifestyles in the right amounts and proportions of our elements including what we consume, exercise frequency, rest, spiritual care, stress reduction, and getting positive social exposure. It is a challenge, but we are solely in charge of taking care of our health and well being to be able to enjoy the world and love that God has given us. Sources used: Mayo Clinic and healthfinder.gov Want to start a class? We can make a place for you. We need some new leaders! Blood Pressure Sunday, March 17 Stop by the Gym to get a free blood pressure reading. It s a great way to care for the gift of life God has given you. 9:00-9:30 & 10:30-10:45
Children s Education and Music March Important Dates 4 VBS First Team Meeting, 6:30 PM 6 Ash Wednesday, No WATCH Human Sexuality, 5-7 PM 9-15 Juarez Mission Trip 23 Methodist Kids Fun Night, 5-7 PM 31 Juarez Stock Dinner, 5:00 PM WATCH 6th NO WATCH! ASH WEDNESDAY 13th Cook: Deanna Chism Clean-up: Youth Ministry 20th Cook: Sarah Circle Clean-up: Finance 27th Sarah & Nicole Ham Cook: Clean-up: Praise Team/GET Class Vacation Bible School (VBS) Vacation Bible School is coming soon! VBS will take place June 23-27. Get this on your calendars! You don t want to miss it! There will be a planning meeting on Monday, March 4 at 6:30. If you want to be a part of the planning team, please let me know ASAP! Thanks! We would really like to have YOU be a member and help us to plan! Ash Wednesday There will be no WATCH on March 6, in observance of Ash Wednesday. Please join us for worship at 7:00PM. The 5-6th grade Created By God class will indeed meet from 5-7 with dinner being served PIZZA! See you then! Methodist Kids FUN NIGHT! Children s Ministry presents the March Fun activity FUN NIGHT at John Williams Tumbling Gym!! On Saturday, March 23 from 5:00-7:00, we will be meeting OVER at John Williams Tumbling Gym, 258 Springfield Road, East Peoria, IL for Pizza and FUN TIME! This Gym has SO MANY fun things to do! Cost per child will be $5 to help us defray the cost of rental and pizza! Parents are responsible for transportation! Please RSVP to AMY ASAP!
TRIVIA NIGHT The 8 th grade confirmation class invites you to Trivia Night Friday, March 22 from 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person or $80 for a table. All proceeds go to support the South Side Christian Academy. To buy a ticket, see a confirmand in between services or call Tammy Grieder at 635-9095 for more information. Adult's Night Out Saturday, March 16 Reservations begin at 5pm All donations go to support our summer mission experiences - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Name Phone Number in your party Need Childcare? Please circle your preferred reservation time 5:00 5:15 5:30 5:45 6:00 6:15 6:30 6:45 7:00 7:15 Place in offering, return to front office or give to Eric. Worship Committee Luanne Stonewall Norma Westbrook Don Champman Jane Chapman Preston Gale Cathy Gale Ray Heiman Ellen Heiman Julie Fields Bob Barrick Paula Barrick Dave Gilbert Sharon Gilbert Steve Klein Amy Smith Pastor Gary Pastor Gabe Marla Graff (Co Chair ) Judy Hesselberth (Co Chair) Basic Lay Servant Class Sunday, March 17, March 24, March 31 and April 7 1:30-4:30 p.m. All day Chillicothe UMC - 1023 N. 8th St $30.00 Call Kim Wade 825-7237 or email her at kamwade@hotmail.com Lay Servant Ministries: Basic Course Participant s Book by Sandy Jackson with Brian Jackson. Individuals are expected to read this text before the class starts. Caregiver Connect Group If you have assumed the role of CAREGIVER or have been a CAREGIVER in any capacity, you are not alone. Come join us for informa on, support, and overall fellowship with those who have walked or are walking a similar path. Mee ngs are the first Tuesday of each month with our next mee ng being Tuesday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. For more informa on contact Whitney Pfeifer (241 4714) or Linda Coon (266 9357).
CHRIST-Centered AND MISSIONS-Focused UNITED METHODIST WOMAN WOMEN OF FAITH UMW Board Linda Coon, President Lynn Goers, Vice President Carrie Hoefling, Secretary Nicole Potts, Treasurer Traci Sullivan, Education/Interpretation Sarah Losey, Social Action and Kitchen Coordinator Mary Barrick, Membership Cheri Patterson, Spiritual Growth Linda Clauser, Program Resources Erin Jones, Nominations Kathy Churchill, Products Barb Howard, Funeral Dinners Sharon Gilbert, Funeral Dinners Kathy Dallinger, Communications Circle Leaders ABIGAIL. HANNAH Kathy Churchill 263-7524 JOANNA Mary Barrick 360-3689 Lauren Middleton 530-9133 RUTH Lois Lichti 2 63-0562 SARAH Kathy Dallinger 266-7811 Melissa Smallenberger 264-2891 March is UMW Month Celebrating 150 years of changing the lives of women, children and youth. March 3 UMW Sunday. Please prayerfully consider being a part of this special Sunday. You may get in touch with Linda Coon (309) 266-9357 if you would like to participate in the service. UMW BOARD MEETING March 6 in the Youth Room 9am CIRCLE MEETINGS ABIGAIL March 27 Cook/Serve WATCH HANNAH March 7 Gathering Area 9:30 am JOANNA March 5 Youth Room 7:30 pm RUTH March 20 Seasons 11:30 am SARAH March 18 Gathering Area 7:00 pm Thank you for your par cipa on in this year s Prayer and Self Denial Service. Our offerings collected will be used in support of programming and advocacy for children. UMW History: On March 23, 1869, in Boston, Massachuse s, Clemen na Butler and Lois Parker informed six women members of the Methodist Episcopal Church about the health care and educa onal needs of women in India. Their Call to Ac on raised funds to send a doctor and teacher to assist. The March me ng led to the forma on of the Women s Foreign Mission Society, the first of many Methodist women s missions organiza ons to address the injus ces imposed on women and girls in the l9th century. United Methodist Women is the successor.
United Methodist Women All meetings are held in the Gathering Area at the Church at 6:30 p.m. March 11 Beneath a Scarlett Sky by Mark Sullivan May 13 Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate Both titles are being brought in prior to each of the dates at the Morton Public Library. You may ask at the desk and mention UMW Book Club to obtain a copy. Morton United Methodist Women Bus Trip Cunningham Home 15th Annual Festival of Quilts Friday April 5, 2019 Quilt Show Silent Auction Bake Sale Quilt Boutique Gift shop Café Depart Morton Walmart @ 8:30 am Return @ 4:30 pm $40 includes bus transportation, snacks, entrance fee, lunch and driver gratuity. Sign up by contacting Kathy Dallinger (309) 266-7811, Linda Coon (309) 266-9357 or Shelli Koener at church. We re looking forward to a very special day!!
XYZ Extra Years of Zest Upcoming Events for March 2019 March 1 - Game Day @ 11:30 a.m. we will be playing Five Crowns, lunch provided. March 3 Go to Pekin Theater to see Gone With the Wind Meet @ Church @ Noon. We will go to dinner @ Venezia Italian Bistro after the movie. Please sign up @ reception desk. March 5 Meet @ 11:15 a.m. @ LA Fiesta in Morton for lunch. March 15 Movie day @ 1 p.m. we will be watching Nanny McPhee, popcorn provided. March 17 We will go to Metamora High School Musical Guys & Dolls. Meet @ the church @ 1 p.m. We will have dinner after. Please sign up @ reception desk & pay Kerry Brenkman $8 to reserve a ticket by March 10 th. March 26 We will go to the Riverfront Museum and have lunch. Meet @ church @10 a.m. Cost for the Museum is $10 for seniors & $11 for adults under 60. Please sign up @ Reception desk. Walking for Exercise every Monday, Wednesday & Friday @ 8:00 a.m. in the gym. Pickleball every Thursday @ 10:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. in the gym. Dear MUMC Family, We haven t been with you since June of 2017, but last month, when Mom went to be with Jesus, you made us feel as though we hadn t retired and moved to Kentucky, but were still there in Morton, gathered up in your collective loving arms. The flowers would have been enough [They were beautiful and treasured!, but your cards and calls were many and greatly appreciated! That, too, would have been enough, but a number of you blessed us and honored Mom with your presence at her graveside service in Braidwood [An hour and a half away!] or her memorial service in Barrington [Nearly twice that distance!] or both! We were utterly humbled and gloriously comforted by all of you! I know that if we lived close by, this old retired pastor and his wife could count on excellent pastoral care from Alan, Gabe, Amy and Gary the Third, for look what we received long distance!!! In Jesus love and gratitude, Gary (II) and Becky Motta We would like to thank-you our church family so very much for all the prayers and concern you have shown us following David s recent surgery. From the pastor visits, Amy and Kerry visits, to the beautiful afghan knitted by the Skeins of Love group, to WATCH meals, cards, and most of especially for all your prayers. We have been blessed beyond words. David & Marilyn Formhals Many thanks for the prayers, cards and pastoral visits during my recent illness. MUMC is an awesome, caring church. In Christ, Joyce Kovalcik I appreciate all the thoughts, prayers and cards I have received form my friends at MUMC. God is Good! Margi Weygand-Charter Member
MUMCYouth Jr. High Retreat March 1-2 About 10 of us will be heading to Springfield, IL for the Believe Conference. This will be our third time in four years. The worship is terrific, the teaching is challenging, and there is a lot of fun to be had. All of it is geared to spark a hunger in Jr. high students for God, His Word, and living for Him in all our ways. We re looking forward to it being another great year. Fat Tuesday Fun March 5 For the second year in a row, the church will have a fun night on Fat Tuesday. This will include a delicious meal and, also, games to play and trivia to answer. Prizes will be available to win. The meal will start at 5pm and, by 5:45pm, we will start the games and trivia. We should be finished up by 6:30pm with full bellies and plenty of laughs. There will be a suggested donation for the meal and any money that we make that goes above the cost of the food will go towards the summer trips for the Youth. We really hope to see you there. Adults Night Out March 16 Our big fancy meal night is coming soon! Reservation forms are now available. Please make your reservation soon and make sure you invite plenty of friends! This is a beautiful evening where we make the gym look as pretty as a gym can look, cook up a delicious menu of Italian food and desserts, and give you a chance to be served on every level by the youth of the church. Childcare is available, live music is playing, and it is all for nothing more than a donation (all donations support the summer youth mission trips of MUMC). Reservations are available every 15 minutes, beginning at 5:00 pm and ending at 7:15 pm. Come and enjoy a night out! Joint Confirmation Retreat March 30-31 For the first time (at least in a long time), the 7th and 8th grade confirmation classes will be teaming up for a joint overnight retreat. Our fantastic confirmation leaders have come together to plan this in hopes of building bonds between students who might not otherwise know each other well or spend time together. The retreat will include time to serve others, time to learn from the Word of God together, and plenty of time for fun and food. May God bless the whole event and everyone taking part in it! Insomnia Fest On the night of February 15, and into the morning of February 16, about 40 teenagers came together to have fun while attempting to stay awake for the whole night. We started the night off enjoying Elevate trampoline park in East Peoria. Many got to test their ninja potential on courses that highlight strength and agility (Jared Walters and Caleb Alt probably have the most potential as ninjas, just in case you are a ninja and are looking for a promising apprentice to bring under your wing). Everyone got to have fun and get out lots of energy before eating pizza and catching their breath. Then, it was back to the church for card games, 9-square, gaga ball, movies, video games, snacks, soda, dancing, racing, dodgeball, sardines, and, eventually, breakfast and cleanup. We had a terrific group of teens that didn t cause an ounce of drama (or property damage, for that matter). We had amazing adult helpers who came to drive, chaperone, set up snacks and oversee the kitchen, oversee sections of the building, connect with our teens, and clean up. Specifically, Matt Milby, Andy Sullivan, Liz Alt, Lori Walters, Dan Bohling, Marci Tewksbury, Mike Wefer (midnight to 8am!), Heather Berger, Michelle Hajny, Deb Morrison, Carol Buffington, Lynn Trovillion, and Shelly Van Etten were hugely helpful. Thank you sooooo much for making it easier than it should ve been!
Happy Birthday! Justin Goers 03/01 James Howard 03/01 Jared Bridge 03/02 Cheryl Monroe 03/02 Janette Wanner 03/02 Wayne Millslagle 03/03 Gurney St. Clair 03/03 Carol Alster 03/04 Norman Cloyes 03/05 David Schroll 03/05 Ava Alt 03/06 Barb Delaney 03/06 Gary Pittenger 03/06 Tinley Sarff 03/07 Doreen Warfield 03/07 Jeana Cappello 03/08 Susan Green 03/08 Wanda Johansen 03/08 Hunter Losey 03/08 Barbara Sabo 03/09 Emily Delaney 03/10 Eleanor Kelley 03/10 Marcia Mason 03/10 Charleen Showalter 03/10 Laura Thorp 03/10 Chris Barrick 03/11 Brian Birchenough 03/11 Cathy Gale 03/11 Karen Loudermilk 03/11 Larry Pontius 03/11 Mark Thompson 03/11 Suzanne Behle 03/12 Shaun Bill 03/12 Amy Savage 03/12 Joseph Troyer 03/12 Ashlynn Godfrey 03/13 Robert Lichti 03/13 Brianna Uhlman 03/13 Michelle Bennett 03/14 Burdell Hall 03/14 Lydia Milby 03/14 Sam Mitchell 03/14 Janet Haarlow 03/15 Christopher Loudermilk 03/15 Jessica Pribble 03/15 Matthew Klokkenga 03/16 Emma Savage 03/16 Carla Schmidt 03/16 Patricia Townsend 03/16 Megan Wehnes 03/17 Brecken Carter 03/18 Jason Smallenberger 03/18 Noah Losey 03/19 Nyameye Maison 03/20 Russ Pribble 03/20 Alice Schultz 03/20 Jamin Weaver 03/20 Kyle Brenkman 03/21 Ellen Heiman 03/21 Nicholas Klokkenga 03/21 Sarah Losey 03/21 Nicholas Gillhouse 03/22 David Formhals 03/23 Michelle Loudermilk 03/23 Sarah Majors 03/23 Nicholas Hoefling 03/24 Joyce Mutters 03/25 Cameron Aune 03/26 Rowan Carter 03/26 Mara Colby 03/26 Gary Dierker 03/26 Mary Barrick 03/27 Rylli Koener 03/27 JoAnn Kraft 03/27 Mara Schick 03/27 Hayley Uhlman 03/27 Cody Schunk 03/28 Gillian Smith 03/28 Marci Tewksbury 03/28 Brian Majors 03/29 Karolyn Crouch 03/30 Liz Campbell 03/31 Judith Morse 03/31
Administrative Notes: March March March March Flower Ministry Please contact the church office if you would like to donate flowers ~ thanks! 3 UMW 150 years 10 No Flowers 17 No Flowers 24 No Flowers February 3 372 February 10 325 February 17 296 February 24 345 Attendance Hospitalized Average: 334 Wayne Millslagle, Wini Stocks, Rev. Alan Newhall, Linda Hatch, Lucile Foster Sympathy Tom & Kaydene Stachelski and family. Kaydene s father died February 13. Financial Stewardship Report January 2019 General Fund $43,031.20 $58,852.03 INCOME EXPENSE Year to Date $43,031.20 $58,852.03 INCOME EXPENSE General Fund Ending Cash Balance: $126.975.66 Our Expenses exceeded our Income for January s Budget by: $15,820.83 Building Fund January 2019 Ending cash and money market accounts : $2,223,967.73 March 15, 2019 ATTENTION: FOOTPRINTS CREW We are folding Footprints on Thursday, March 28 in the Gathering Area Set your clocks ahead one hour! SUNDAY, MARCH 10
BULK RATE NON-PROFIT ORG. 420 North Tennessee Avenue Morton, IL 61550-9706 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED U.S. POSTAGE PAID MORTON, ILLINOIS PERMIT NO. 26 Place Label Here MORTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MINISTRY STAFF LEAD PASTOR Gary L. Feldman garyf@mortonumc.org ASSOCIATE PASTOR Gabe Wanck gabew@mortonumc.org MINISTER of MUSIC & EDUCATION Amy Smith amys@mortonumc.org MINISTER of YOUTH Eric Gordon ericg@mortonumc.org MINISTER of CONGREGATIONAL CARE JoAnn Kraft joannk@mortonumc.org MINISTER of CROSS CONNECTIONS MUSIC/ BELL CHOIR DIRECTOR Kerry Brenkman kerryb@mortonumc.org XYZ COORDINATOR: Lynn Zimmerman zimmo5@comcast.net OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Shelli Koener shellik@mortonumc.org Barbara Maison (part-time) barbaram@mortonumc.org FINANCIAL SECRETARY Shelli Koener info@mortonumc.org CUSTODIAN Russ Johnson russj@mortonumc.org ORGANIST Jane Chapman janec@mortonumc.org A/V COORDINATOR Nick Graff nick@mortonumc.org NURSERY COORDINATOR Leslie Wenzel lrbart79@hotmail.com DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT Rev. Mary Kathryn Pearce 420 North Tennessee Avenue Morton, Il 61550 office: 309-266-7174 FAX: 309-263-1498 email: info@mortonumc.org www.mortonumc.org 12 9 3 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. - Noon