mahomet united methodist church

mahomet united methodist church Our Mission: To lead people to Jesus and help them grow as disciples. 2/28/2013 Volume 19, Issue 3 From John, I have two friends, from different times in life, one from college, the other more recently. Each gives up something for Lent. This is not so much out of religious devotion, rather to prove to themselves that they have mastery over their lives and habits. Coincidently, they are both named Tom. My hope for them would be that they move closer to God. At least they are using Lent for something positive. This year the forty days of Lent begin Ash Wednesday, March 5. The purpose of a healthy observance of Lent is to have a better life, closer to God. It is not for wallowing in guilt and shame. Guilt and shame are meant to be short term corrective devices, not a status. The discomfort is meant to move us to change, to change in ways that restore relationships, in ways that heal and make us whole. In the context of Lenten observance, we want to restore our relationship with God, which heals us and makes us whole. The initial preaching of Jesus is, Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent doesn t mean be in a stagnant state of guilt and shame (which is unhealthy). It means action, turn and go again towards God. In the Lenten season, when we use Unison Prayers of Confession, we set them in the context of God s great and gracious love. God would see us healed and restored. God wants us out from under the burdens of guilt and shame. Every confession should include words of assurance of God s loving intentions towards us. We find the strength to change with God. Let us approach Lent with optimism and hope. We are not fated to be who we are at our worst moments. A basic precept of the Christian faith is the human capacity to change, to be healed. That is to be saved by God s grace. For Lent, let us approach it not with a sense of deprivation, that we had to give up something. Let us confirm our mastery over our lives and habits. Let us confirm our capacity for positive change. Let us seek healing and restoration. All this happens when we invite God into our Lenten observance. It might be helpful to see that in giving up for Lent, we often receive as well. In giving up a habit, we receive a sense of mastery of our lives. In giving up rich foods, we receive a healthier lifestyle. In giving up activities that waste time, we receive time to be well spent on healthy activities like reading, exercise, relationships. Most of all we can use that time to read Scriptures, pray and move closer to God. That is the purpose of a Lenten observance to turn and move towards and with God. With God we find our strength and our best lives. UPCOMING EVENTS W.O.W. Wednesdays Sunday, March 2 COMMUNION SUNDAY Helping Hands Food Drive Diaper Tree Drive Blood Pressure Checks 9:30 am-noon Fellowship Feast noon Wednesday, March 5 WOW Regular Schedule Ash Wednesday Service 7 pm Sunday, March 9 Daylight Savings Time Begins spring forward Saturday, March 15 Wild Game Night & Book Sale 5:30-7:30 pm (see details on p. 2) Sunday, March 16 Grief Workshop & Service 4 pm Wednesday, March 19 Veggie Tales Movie 6 pm during W.O.W. Friday, March 21 Circuit Rider Deadline Noon Wednesday, March 26 No W.O.W. Spring Break

2 JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP 6th Graders - 8th Graders 6 pm, Wednesdays If you have questions, contact: Ciara Duitsman (217-778-7104, ciaraduitsman@gmail.com) John McPherson (217-419-3903, huegtoad@gmail.com) SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP 9th Graders - 12th Graders 6 pm, Sundays If you have questions, contact: Terri Hunt (217-202-8008, terri@cdg.ws) Brad Jones (217-714-3733, bjonesfhb@gmail.com) Joel Jessup (217-649-7076, jessup1981@hughes.net) Wednesday Evening Schedule 5:00-5:30 pm Children s Choir (Grades 3-6) 5:30-6:00 pm Dinner 6:00-7:00 pm Group Time for Children & Adults 6:00-7:00 pm Jr. High Youth Volunteers are still needed to help with set-up and clean-up. Sign-up sheets are on the Welcome Center. NO W.O.W. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 Veggie Tales During W.O.W. Veggies in Space: The Fennel Frontier Free dinner and movie during W.O.W. Wednesday, March 19 Dinner at 5:30 pm Movie at 6 pm Sign Up for the 2014 Intergenerational Mission Trip CAMP RESTORE Restoring Faith, Home and Community Camp Restore feeds and houses volunteers and coordinates work projects in the city of New Orleans. Projects include construction, planting in the wetlands, helping at a senior center or playing with kids. A place can be found for you to serve, no matter your age or skills. Where: Camp Restore, New Orleans, LA Cost: $100/person When: Saturday, July 19 Saturday, July 26, 2014 Sign up deadline: June 1, 2014 All ages and skills Hot breakfast, sack lunch, and hot dinner provided for volunteers For more information, contact Greg Duitsman or Joy Hazelwood (217-778-7162, gduitsman@gmail.com) WILD GAME & FISH FEAST & BOOK SALE Saturday, March 15 5:30-7:30 pm Dinner ($6) We need donations of fish & wild game. Contact Val Woodruff to arrange drop-off. (vrwoodruff@hotmail.com) BRING IN YOUR USED BOOKS FOR THE BOOK SALE! Thank you for supporting our Mahomet UMC Intergenerational Missions

3 THANK YOU Your prayers, cards, many acts of kindness, compassion and love during all stages of his life were accepted with love in return. His love for his Lord and his church families shone through EVERY day! May God's blessing be with each of you! The family of Harold Bodeen Thank you so very much for the cards, notes and prayers while I was in the hospital and since returning home. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and support. God Bless you all. Bonnie Vaughn Thanks to the women of your church I have a beautiful prayer shawl. I am thrilled to have it. I wrap myself in it and am reminded of the loving embrace of God s love shown through the women of Mahomet UMC. I am aware of all the prayers being lifted by the good disciples of your church. Forever grateful, Glenna Tharp Dear Ladies: Thank you so much for what you all do to brighten the lives of many. When Lynn brought me that beautiful shawl or lap cover I was so happy and thankful to ladies like you that share your handwork and love. God Bless You All, Darlene Guth Thank you everyone who came out for the Pancake/Sausage/ breakfast to support the mission team. We hope you enjoyed it! We couldn't do it without you! The MUMC Intergenerational Mission Team The family of Marian Wiley would like to express our thanks for all the kind words and prayers during her hospitalization and death. Special thanks to Pastor John who visited several times with just the right words for us. She was laid to rest back home in West Lafayette, Indiana beside her husband and parents. CONGRATULATIONS Our congratulations go out to: Kristen and Patrick McWilliams on the birth of their son, Simon Grey, who was born on February 3, 2014. He is welcomed home by his brother Jude. Great-grandparents are Ed and Norma Lotz. Geraldine Hickle who will be celebrating her 95th birthday on March 9, 2014. Geraldine Hickle, P.O. Box 358, Mahomet, IL 61853 IN SYMPATHY Our sympathy is extended to the following families. Please keep them all in your prayers. The family of Rev. Harold Bodeen who died on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. (Lois Bodeen, Elaine and Phil Jones, and Brad, Stacy, Quentin and Myles Jones) The family of Marian Wiley (Judy Ash s mother) who passed away on February 4, 2014. The family of Larry Roberts (father of David Roberts, grandfather of Justin, Kaleb, and Joel Roberts, and father-in-law of Carrie Roberts) who passed away on February 17, 2014. Grief Workshop & Memorial Service A grief workshop and memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, March 16 at 4 pm in the Prayer Room. We will talk and share about grief and the grieving process. A service to remember those we have lost will follow. Rev. McIntosh will lead this program. SERVICE OF HOLY WORSHIP March 5 7 pm

4 Mahomet UMC Financial Report 2013 wrapped up exceeding gross revenues forecasted by 21% while maintaining operating expenses at 9% over budget, thus ending the year with a small amount of positive income and all expenses paid. Thank you to the congregation for stepping up and supporting your church through a challenging period. The 2014 budget has been established based on the congregation s forecasted giving and is off to a great start with January generating a small amount of positive income. The finance committee will continue to work at being good stewards of all funds received. March UMW Meeting When: Thursday, March 6, 1 pm Devotions: Carolyn Scott Program: Greg Pasley, Church Historian Hostess: Pam Parker Special Mission Recognition Pin Vote All Women of the Church Are Invited Greg Pasley, historian of Mahomet UMC, will be sharing highlights of the history of our church with our group at the March 6 th meeting of UMW. We invite all ladies of the church who are interested in hearing Greg s presentation to join us at 1 pm in the church library. March Joanna Circle When: Thursday, March 20, 7 pm Hostess & Devotion: Linda Parnell Planning for May Breakfast, sign-up of Chair & Committees for Cunningham Connection Special Mission Recognition Pin Vote UMW District Spring Meeting When: Saturday, March 15, 9 am 2 pm Where: First United Methodist Church, Champaign, IL Guest Speaker: Cecil Billingsley, Home Maintenance Coordinator for empty tomb Cost: $10 Continental Breakfast, Luncheon Registration deadline: March 7 empty tomb is asking churches for donations of children's clothes and shoes for all ages, Pampers, men's and women's shoes for work, large size adult clothes. A box will be available at the church to receive these donations until March 14. UMW May Breakfast Saturday, May 3, 9 am Continental Breakfast Guest Speaker: Faith Roberts, Director, Community Parish Nurse Program ALTAR FLOWER & BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED FOR 2014 BULLETINS March 16 June 22 July 6 September 7, 28 October 5, 19 November 30 FLOWERS October 12 November 23, 30 December 21 Sign-up sheets are on the Welcome Center, or call or email the office to sign up (586-2147, mumc@mumc.org). Each sponsorship is $20. Make checks to Mahomet UMC. Indicate Flowers or Bulletin in the memo line. ADULT BIBLE STUDIES FINAL WORDS This Lenten study is based on the last words of Christ. Each chapter will cover one of the words that Christ spoke from the Cross: 1) Father Forgive Them; 2) Behold Your Son Behold Your Mother; 3) My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?; 4) Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise; 5) I Thirst; 6) It Is Finished: Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit. Wednesdays, 6-7 pm beginning Feb. 26 Books are $15 6-week study ARE YOU LISTENING? This adult Bible study and devotional focuses on listening prayer and prayer as a two-way conversation, this experience will assist individuals and groups in building and deepening a personal prayer practice and spiritual discernment. Sundays, 9:45 am beginning on March 9 Books are $10 6-week study Other small groups are encouraged to do these studies.

5 March 2014 Calendar W.O.W. SCHEDULE 5:00 pm Children s Choir (Grades 3-6) 5:30 pm Dinner 6:00 pm Group Time for Children and Adults 6:00 pm Jr. High Youth SATURDAY, 3/1 8:30 am Men s Bible Study; Noon AA SUNDAY, 3/2 COMMUNION SUNDAY 8:30 am Worship; 9:30 am-noon Blood Pressure Checks; 9:45 am Sunday School/ Discipleship Hour for All Ages; 10:45 am Worship with Praise Band; Noon Fellowship Feast; 5 pm AA; 6 pm Sr. High Youth MONDAY, 3/3 1 pm Mission Mondays; ; 7 pm Discipleship Team TUESDAY, 3/4 6:30 pm Wesley Bells; 7 pm AA; 7 pm Al Anon; 7:30 pm Chancel Choir WEDNESDAY, 3/5 W.O.W. (See shaded box for schedule); 6 pm Final Words Lenten Study; 7 pm Ash Wednesday Service THURSDAY, 3/6 8:30 am Women s Small Group; 1 pm United Methodist Women; 7 pm Staff Parish Relations Committee; 7 pm AA SATURDAY, 3/8 8 am Men s Bible Study; Noon AA; 4-8 pm Boy Scout Spaghetti Dinner CIRCUIT RIDER DEADLINE Friday, March 21 at noon FELLOWSHIP FEAST Sunday, March 2, Noon Beef Stew Garden Salad Biscuits Dessert SUNDAY, 3/9 Daylight Savings Time Begins turn clocks forward one hour; 8:30 am Worship; 9:45 am Sunday School/Discipleship Hour for All Ages; 10:45 am Worship with Praise Band; 5 pm AA; 6 pm Sr. High Youth; 6 pm Women s Book Club MONDAY, 3/10 1 pm Mission Mondays; TUESDAY, 3/11 1:30 pm Women s Book Club; 6:30 pm Wesley Bells; 7 pm Finance Committee; 7 pm AA; 7 pm Al Anon; 7:30 pm Chancel Choir WEDNESDAY, 3/12 W.O.W. (See shaded box for schedule); 6 pm Final Words Lenten Study THURSDAY, 3/13 8:30 am Women s Small Group; 7 pm Church Council; 7 pm AA SATURDAY, 3/15 8 am Men s Bible Study; Noon AA; 5:30-7:30 pm Wild Game Night & Book Sale SUNDAY, 3/16 8:30 am Worship; 9:45 am Sunday School/Discipleship Hour for All Ages; 10:45 am Worship with Praise Band; 4 pm Grief Workshop & Service; 5 pm AA; 6 pm Sr. High Youth MONDAY, 3/17 1 pm Mission Mondays; TUESDAY, 3/18 6:30 pm Wesley Bells; 7 pm AA; 7 pm Al Anon; 7:30 pm Chancel Choir WEDNESDAY, 3/19 W.O.W. (See shaded box for schedule); 6 pm Veggie Tales Movie; 6 pm Final Words Lenten Study Daylight Savings Time Begins on Sunday, March 9 Turn your clocks forward! THURSDAY, 3/20 Women s Small Group; 7:30 pm Joanna Circle; 7 pm Trustees; 7 pm AA FRIDAY, 3/21 Noon Circuit Rider Deadline SATURDAY, 3/22 8 am Men s Bible Study; Noon AA SUNDAY, 3/23 8:30 am Worship; 9:45 am Sunday School/Discipleship Hour for All Ages; 10:45 am Worship with Praise Band; 5 pm AA; 6 pm Sr. High Youth MONDAY, 3/24 1 pm Mission Mondays; TUESDAY, 3/25 Noon Mahomet Sr. Citizens Potluck Bingo; 6:30 pm Wesley Bells; 7 pm AA; 7 pm Al Anon; 7:30 pm Chancel Choir WEDNESDAY, 3/26 NO W.O.W. Spring Break; 6 pm Final Words Lenten Study THURSDAY, 3/27 8:30 am Women s Small Group; 7 pm AA SATURDAY, 3/29 8 am Men s Bible Study; Noon AA SUNDAY, 3/30 8:30 am Worship; 9:45 am Sunday School/Discipleship Hour for All Ages; 10:45 am Worship with Praise Band; 5 pm AA; 6 pm Sr. High Youth MONDAY, 3/31 1 pm Mission Mondays; DONATIONS NEEDED! Sunday, March 2 Helping Hands Food Drive Bring non-perishable food Place items in grocery cart in Commons Area Diaper Tree Drive Bring disposable diapers, wipes, ointment Place items in box in Commons Area

6 mahomet united methodist church Our Mission: To Lead People to Jesus and help them grow as disciples. 1302 E. South Mahomet Road, Mahomet, IL 61853-3729 Phone: ( 217) 586-2147 FAX: (217) 586-3431 Email: mumc@mumc.org www.mumc.org Office Hours Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm; Friday, 8:30 am-12:30 pm Sunday Worship 8:30 am Traditional Worship 10:45 am Contemporary Worship Sunday Schedule 9:30 & 10:30 am Coffee Fellowship 9:45 am Sunday School/Discipleship Hour for All Church Staff Rev. John McIntosh, Pastor ~ jmcintosh@mumc.org Cindy Bell, Parish Nurse ~ Grannybell@mchsi.com Eileen Waters, Parish Nurse ~ enie@mediacombb.net Cindy Dodd, Office Manager ~ cdodd@mumc.org Cindy Carlson, Administrative Assistant ~ ccarlson@mumc.org Kathy Tock, Worship Music Director ~ tockwoman@gmail.com Erika Mennig, Choir Director Linda Walker, Church Organist Marty Butts, Custodian Carrie Roberts, Nursery Coordinator Ciara Duitsman, Nursery Assistant NEW CHURCH DIRECTORIES ARE HERE! Pick up your copy on the Welcome Center. Sunday Schedule 8:30 am Worship 9:30 am Fellowship 9:45 am Discipleship time for all ages 10:30 am Fellowship 10:45 am Worship with praise band www.facebook.com/mahometumc CHURCH EMAILS Please send emails for the church office staff to mumc@mumc.org so that both Cindy Dodd & Cindy Carlson receive them.