October 2018 Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! Saclepea Scholarship Special Offering First Senior Class 10th 12th grade at $140.00 per student (44 Students) 7th 9th grade at $130.00 per student (37 students) 1st 6th grade at $110.00 per student (49 students) Kindergarten at $100.00 per student (27 students) 2018-2019 Students Saclepea Scholarship Offering Sunday, October 14 Goal: $19,060 Raised: $3,786 Needed: $15,274 An Informational Meeting Regarding the Future of Our Denomination, The United Methodist Church Sunday, September 30 at 4:30 p.m. Guest Leader: Rev. Dr. Chris Ritter, Lead Pastor at Geneseo First UMC and delegate to General Conference will explain the various options that are currently before us for the special General Conference and to share of possible implications each may bring. MUMC will also have a recap of Rev. Ritter s informational meeting along with Q & A on Sunday, October 14 at 4:30 p.m. in our Sanctuary. Bishop Frank Beard s Briefing November 18 Peoria First UMC, 116 NE Perry Ave., Peoria, IL, will be hosting Bishop Beard's Briefing prior to the February special General Conference on November 18, 2018 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Child care will only be offered at this location. If you would like to have child care for this event, please call the Peoria First UMC office at 673-3641 and let them know ages and how many children that will need child care.
Celebra on Sunday October 28 One Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Luncheon Following To celebrate what God is doing here at Morton UMC, our Commi ed to Christ stewardship program will culminate in a special Ministry Celebra on Sunday on October 28! We will celebrate the ministries of the church during a combined worship service at 10:00 a.m. with a Celebra on Luncheon following! Please return your Luncheon Reserva on Card by Sunday, October 21 to the church. Medical Ministry Breast Cancer Awareness October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we have all seen the pink ribbons denoting the cause for this complex cancer. As in any cancer breast cancer cells start in the tissue of the breast; and it is sadly the second cause of death among women, as 1 in 8 will be diagnosed. Men too have tissue around their breasts and they can rarely be affected by this. The causes of breast cancer are mostly unknown but somewhere along the line the damage has started to the cell s DNA, the carrier of genetic information in all chromosomes. We do know that there are many risk factors and that certain genetic factors are very prominent, especially having a family history of this cancer. It also is seen more in ladies over 55 years of age, more in Caucasian race, having dense breast tissues are a few more risk factors. Others include lack of exercise, hormone therapies, smoking, overweight, alcohol use and poor diet with high saturated fats. Breast cancers are not caused by caffeine, deodorants, microwaves, cell phones etc. as some myths suggest. Again, early detection is important and seeing your gynecologist or regular doctor for mammogram and breast exams can be your best choices. There are many levels of breast cancer and many types of tumors with different grades and progress. The cancers can start in the breast ducts, glands or lymph systems to then spread or metastasize; thus different treatments are drawn up between the doctors and breast oncology teams. Please take time to learn early signs of breast cancer including a lump or change in breast tissue, learn proper self exam and follow up regularly for your clinical exam. Never wait for any type of breast health changes. Sources: nationalbreastcancer.org 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 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 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. Men s Retreat 2018 Suit Up...the Armor of God for (extra) ordinary men Menno Haven Camp & Retreat Center November 10-11 Saturday 9:00 a.m. Sunday 3:00 p.m. The sign-up sheet and some very cool brochures will be at the Scrip Table at the back of the gym. Cost is $105. Scholarships are available. See Bob Barrick for details 266 6273. MEDICARE PART D Annual Enrollment/Review Morton Public Library Wednesdays, October 17 to December 5 9:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Mel Clauser, SHIP Counselor, will assist with new enrollments or review your current plan to see if there is a better plan for you. Contact Mel (244-7818) with any questions and call the Morton Library (263-2200) to schedule an appointment for this free consultation. Bring your Medicare Card and a list of your prescriptions to your appointment. Work Day at East Bay Saturday, October 13 Get Outside! Enjoy Nature! Serve! Wood spli ng and tree cu ng, winter prep, food and fun. Trucks and trailers are needed to haul wood to The Ridge Sign up at the informa on desk or contact Pastor Gabe. Want to start a class? We can make a place for you. We need some new leaders! 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 Blood Pressure Sunday, October 21
Children s Education and Music October Important Dates 7 Children s Choir/Cherubs/Chimers sing and ring, both worship services 10 Musical Auditions 4:00 pm 21 Musical Rehearsals BEGIN, 1:30-4:30 pm 26 Pumpkin Patch Party Set-Up, 6:00 pm 27 Pumpkin Patch Party, 2-3:30 pm 28 Musical Rehearsal, 1:30-4:30 pm 31 NO WATCH, Halloween Rally Day Thanks A HUGE thank you goes out to our Children s Ministry Rally Day planning Team Lauren Middleton and Deb Schunk! These ladies ALWAYS make it so much fun! And thanks to all of the volunteers! Don t forget to fill out your emergency sheets for Sunday School if you haven t already done so! Sunday School NEEDS We still have needs for some elementary Sunday school teachers! 3/10-4/14: Science, Storytelling 4/28-5/19: Dance, Game, Memory Challenge Please see Donna or Amy to VOLUNTEER!!!! WATCH Meals October 3 Cook: Pat Zimmerman - Ham Loaf Clean-up: Ad Board 10 Cook: Kerry Brenkman Clean-up: Worship 17 Cook: Sarah Circle - Pulled Pork BBQ Clean-up: Nurture-Outreach-Witness 24 Cook: Abigail Circle - Chicken and Noodles Clean-up: Staff/Pastor Parish 31 NO WATCH Children s Christmas Musical Auditions It is that time of year to start thinking of Christmas! Auditions for the annual Children s Christmas Musical will be held on Wednesday, October 10th at 4:00 p.m. This is open to all children, Kindergarten 6 th grade. The first rehearsal will be on Sunday, October 21, from 1:30-4:30 p.m., and all Sundays following, October 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25, as well as Saturday December 1 from 8:30-11:00 a.m. Performance will take place on Sunday, December 2. If your child wants to participate but does not want a speaking part, they may be a part of the chorus, which sings and dances! They begin rehearsals on October 21, but from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Because we have so FEW rehearsals, we REQUIRE that students miss NO MORE THAN ONE rehearsal, or they will need to give up their speaking part. AND the Saturday, December 1 rehearsal is MANDATORY! For more information, please contact Amy. See you soon! adadada Pumpkin Patch Party Join us on Saturday, October 27, at 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the GYM for All Children, 6 th grade and under. PARENT ATTENDANCE REQUIRED! Friendly Costumes, Please! We also need DONATIONS of individually wrapped candy and cakes/cupcakes for the cake walk. Plus we ALWAYS need volunteers on that day to help with this ministry. Let s give our kids a safe and fun fall party. Let Amy
Committed to Christ Six Steps to a Generous Life Being a Disciple for Jesus is a lifelong process! Each day will bring challenges as we live for Jesus. Our desire is that we, as followers of Jesus, will step up to the call to, Go and make disciples of all nations... by taking one step up in our devotion to the things of God! Our lives are enriched through disciplines that form us spiritually. Commitments to pray daily, read the Word daily, worship regularly, share your faith, give financially, and serve the Lord by serving others, will deepen our relationship with Jesus and others! Join us for this exciting adventure Committed to Christ...Living Generously with Jesus. Sunday, October 7 Week 3: Worship Faithfully Attending to Worship Sunday, October 14 Week 4: Witness Sharing the Good News of Jesus Sunday, October 21 Week 5: Financial Giving Growing One s Faith through Giving Sunday, October 28 Week 6: Service Serving the Lord by Serving Others Ministry Celebration Sunday One Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. Ministry Celebration Sunday Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Be Committed to Christ and Live the Generous Life He Provides S more Jesus Get S more Jesus at MUMC Pumpkin Fest Parade Float Crew. Celebra ng an amazing group of Jesus loving visionaries in and behind the ministry of sharing Jesus with our town and surrounding area at the Pumpkin Fes val Parade. Whistling Methodists made some Holy Noise for God s Kingdom to come! Thanks Everyone!
MORTON UNITED METHODIST WOMEN CHRIST-Centered AND MISSIONS-Focused 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 Erin Jones 262-0065 Carrie Hoefling 370-7856 UMW BOARD MEETS October 3 @ 9:00 a.m. ABIGAIL HANNAH JOANNA RUTH SARAH Youth Room CIRCLE MEETINGS October 25 @ 9:15 a.m. Kitchen October 5 @ 9:30 a.m. Gathering Area October 2 @ 7:00 p.m. Youth Room October 17 @ 11:30 a.m. Seasons October 15 @ 7:00 p.m. Gathering Area Other Dates to Remember: October 6 IRD 22nd Annual Celebration @ First October 27 United Methodist Church in Normal Personal Growth/Officer Update @ Peoria Bethel HANNAH Diane Kovach 241-3424 Linda Clauser 357-0449 JOANNA Mary Barrick 360-3689 Lauren Middleton 530-9133 RUTH Lois Lichti 263-0562 SARAH Kathy Dallinger 266-7811 Melissa Smallenberger 264-2891 Save the Date: January 15, 2019 Your UMW Board voted to separate our Fall Kick-Off into two portions and have a light supper and speaker, which was held on September 17. The second portion will be held on January 15, 2019. On the January date, we will have a light meal, hold an officer installation service, have a pledge service, have circle reports for 2018, and a memorial service. Linda Coon, UMW President
United Methodist Women I wanted to give anyone interested in reading future books our schedule through January 2019. All of these titles have a copy on the UMW book shelf in our church library. All meetings are held in the Gathering Area at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 13: Falling into Place A Memoir of Overcoming by Hattie Kauffman Monday, January 14: On Pluto Inside the Mind of Alzheimer s by Greg O Brien Hope to see a good turnout! Linda Coon What A Night!! Many of you attended our UMW Fall Kickoff supper and heard Rev. Lori Bultemeier, the Christian Life Coordinator from the Baby Fold speak. She was so inspiring! Her message of hope for children from infancy through high school is due in part to the work the Baby Fold does. The good news is that our UMW is a part of that ministry. On that evening, many of you donated needed items for Lori to take back with her that will enable she and her staff to minister to those children. Join us as we continue to look for ways to serve and share God s love with others. Morton UMW Annual Craft & Market Sale Saturday, November 3, 2018 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. in the Gym Crafters.. Now is the time to work on our projects so we get them finished on time! Please mark your calendars! New Care Connect Group Caregivers, Linda Coon, UMW President God did not promise us an easy, carefree life. What He did promise us is never to leave or forsake us. Watching loved ones no longer be able to manage their own affairs or themselves is heart wrenching. Taking on the roll of CARETAKER is not an easy one. Caretakers can often be overwhelmed by sadness, guilt, anger, frustration and the overall business of taking over for another person. If you have assumed the roll of CARETAKER, in any capacity, you are not alone! Come join us for information, support and overall fellowship with those who have walked, or are walking, a similar path. We have proposed meeting on the first Tuesday evening of every month at 6:30 p.m. Come join us on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. in the Library. For more information contact Linda Coon (266-9357) or Whitney Pfeifer (241-4714)
XYZ Extra Years of Zest Upcoming Events for October 2018 October 5 Game Day @ 11:00 a.m. We will play Farkle. Lunch is provided October 9 Tanner s & have lunch there. Meet at the church 11:00 a.m. October 26 Movie Day @ 1:00 p.m. The Theory of Everything in Youth Room with popcorn Walking for Exercise every Monday, Wednesday & Friday @ 8:00 a.m. Gym. Pickleball 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday & Friday @ Birchwood Park ends 10/11. Pickleball 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday s Star ng 10 19 in the Gym There s not enough words to express our gratitude to the church family and staff for all the help during our fire. Many members we did not even know helped us financially and donated clothes and necessary items to get us through. Although our house fire will haunt us for a lifetime, the love and generosity that came from the church will also last forever! Sincerely, Deb, Dereck and Brook Morrison Dear Church family, I felt so blessed at my 90th Birthday party, and want to thank all the people who helped to make it so special. JoAnn Kraft, Kathy Dallinger, Patty Erwin, Barbara Howard, and everyone else who helped make my day special. Thank you to Pastor Gary, Pastor Gabe, Pastor Paul, Pastor Gary Motta, and Rev. Dr. Al and all the past and present Pastors of MUMC. I was so blessed to have many friends attend. I have always been proud to be a Charter Member of MUMC along with my parents and brother. I hope everyone enjoyed the Central Il Banjo Club. It is my happy music. May the good Lord bless and keep you. Margi Weygand Thank you so much for your prayers and support for my daughter, Rachael, as she went through thyroid surgery! We give praise to the Lord for the great report and are so grateful there is no cancer! Now comes the recovery. God is Good!...Pastor Gary Pumpkin Festival Thanks you! An appreciation and a big thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to assist in the food tent at the Pumpkin festival. It was a busy three hours with good fellowship and a little fun mixed in. Hope to see you all again next year! Wally Beeler
MUMCYouth Thoughts My wife Jennifer is very interested in the meaning of names and now both of our daughters are named to embody and remind us of God s amazing provision for our family after times of intense loss. I appreciate and love that, but personally I am much more interested in who or what they are named after. Thinking about our new daughter has me thinking about our 3.5-year old too. Josephine was named after Joseph, who obeyed and sought to honor God even when it was incredibly difficult to do so (Genesis 39). I was excited to name her after him because I want Josie to be a girl and woman who has the capacity, readiness, and equipping to live that out. Her middle name is Annabelle after Anna in Luke 2:36-38. I want her to be a woman who desires and seeks, above all else, the presence of Jesus all with a devoted and worshipful heart. Our newborn daughter, Eliza, is named after the prophet Elisha. Elisha asked boldly for big things from God (2 Kings 2:9) and then was able to boldly expect big things from God and live boldly for the glory of the Lord. This is what I wish for Eliza. Her middle name, Olivia, comes from the Hebrew word for peace (think of an olive branch). In the crazy time she is going to be growing up in, I wish for her to have the almost unbelievable combination of living boldly for and expecting boldly from Jesus while being a maker of peace, at the same time. (And connecting to the olive tree, her verse is Psalm 52:8-9...you should read it because it is beautiful). I bring this up because it has been a good reminder of what I most deeply want for my children and gets me thinking: Have I been doing all that I can to help make these desires into reality? Have I been praying to make these desires into reality? What should I be doing and praying to bring these girls up to honor the Lord in these ways? Which makes me think...what did you want for your children when they were little and it seemed like all the potential in the world rested in their tiny bones? Is there anything you could be doing and praying to bring these desires back to center stage? Praise the Lord, for He is with us. Youth Alpha Our new youth Alpha program is continuing and going well. The teens are being encouraged to ask big, tough questions of the Bible and God and therefore other students are being trained up, in the moment, to think through and try to answer those tough questions. We ve seen fantastic student leadership through this program and the capacity for teens to take ownership and lead well. When their hearts are fully engaged it is inspiring. Those who are in it really care about it and I believe God will continue to move through this time. There is also an Alpha retreat weekend, focusing on the Holy Spirit, that is currently being planned for those involved. Please pray that God s power and grace would be seen in that time. Service Saturdays Now that the students have started to get their legs under them, with their busy school-year schedules, we can start to settle in, as well. So, while it is not planned at this exact moment, we will start our regular practice of going out on the second Saturday of each month to serve different organizations and people in order to stretch our hearts for others a bit, and actively work to bring glory to the King. Youth Group Youth group has begun again and our students continue to take more of a leadership role over the program. School and extracurriculars take a lot out of them but they continue to step up and work to lead their peers closer to the Almighty.
Happy Birthday! Luke Hickey 10/01 Russell Mammen 10/01 Zackary Smith 10/01 Ellie Rumshas 10/02 Joyce Schmidt 10/02 Max Sullivan 10/02 Linda Clauser 10/03 Velva June Martinie 10/03 Michael Wefer 10/03 Lester Freidinger 10/04 Diane Schwarzentraub 10/04 Rex Uhlman 10/04 Allison Milby 10/05 Mark Pfeifer 10/05 James E Wedekind 10/05 Barbara Maison 10/07 Laura Pribble 10/07 Beverly Shull 10/07 Robert Kilbride 10/08 Peggy McFeeters 10/08 Glenn Mason Jr. 10/09 Christopher Jensen 10/10 Kathy Newhall 10/10 Kimberly Sarff 10/10 Pauline Ryals 10/11 Char Troyer 10/11 Pat Allen 10/12 Mel Clauser 10/12 Keith A. Poshard 10/12 Michael Kraft 10/13 JoAnn Boers 10/14 Hannah Anderson 10/15 Marissa Hall-Gurrister 10/15 John Shepherdson 10/16 Beth Shook 10/16 Phyllis VanDenberg 10/16 Mary Alice Evans 10/17 Joyce Kovalcik 10/17 Charles Scifres 10/17 Sally Craft 10/18 Diane Fair 10/19 Sophia Nowlan 10/19 Donald Poole 10/19 Linda Vierling 10/19 Leslie Wenzel 10/19 Jared Benckendorf 10/20 Elton Lanier 10/21 Clifford Yerby 10/21 Timothy Beutel 10/22 Kent Buffington 10/22 Caleb Uhlman 10/22 Jacqueline Pfeifer 10/23 V. Jeanne Cron 10/24 Roland Kastner 10/24 William Raubach 10/24 Gregory VanEtten 10/24 Timothy Kizer 10/25 Martha Schuster 10/25 Ian Bair 10/26 Kay Cloyes 10/26 Deborah Veltman 10/26 Daniel Churchill 10/27 Linda Dahl 10/27 Laura Worner 10/27 David Gilbert 10/30 Dean Beckwith 10/31
Administrative Notes: Flower Ministry Please contact the church office if you would like to donate flowers ~ thanks! October 7 Linda Dahl October 14 Ron & Rosie Aberle October 21 Vi Lang October 28 Attendance September 2 318 September 9 301 September 16 377 September 23 361 Average: 339 Hospitalized Earl Brown, David Formals, Paula Barrick, Kensie Wenzel, Jenn Gordon Sympathy Pat Strube and family. Pat s mother, Muriel VanCleave died September 8. Financial Stewardship Report August - 2018 General Fund $44,483.82 $53,547.95 INCOME EXPENSE Year to Date $452,049.64 $442,906.57 INCOME EXPENSE General Fund Ending Cash Balance: $168,425.32 Our Expenses exceeded Our Income for the August Budget by: $9,064.13 Building Fund August 2018 Ending cash and money market accounts : The family of Michael Guidotti. Mike passed away on September 13, 2018. Congratulations! Cooper Gene Craig born on 7/27/18 daughter to Baylie and Austin Craig. Grandparents Brad & Kim Gregurich and Great grandparents Gene and Judy Morse. Ryder Glenn Scheffler bon on 8/31/18 to Hope and Brian Scheffler. Grandparents Tim and Carolu Kizer. Great grandma Mary Alice Evans. Rhys Aaron Eberle born on 9/7/2018, son of Keri (Grimm) and Aaron. Grandparents Nick and Marla Graff and Great grandparents LaRelda and Merlin Birkey. Eliza Olivia Gordon born on 9/20/2018, daughter of Eric and Jenn. $2,539,027.19 ATTENTION: FOOTPRINTS CREW We are folding Footprints on Thursday, October 25 in the Gathering Area October 12, 2018
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