Ushers: David Freyling, Jeannine Freyling, Bob Buxton, Chris Forshee, Troy Swinford, Scott Swinford, Mitch Bublitz, Sharon Gepford, Greg Crouch, Nathan Outlaw and David Diehl. Our mission is to develop followers of Jesus Christ, who reach out in faith, hope, and love. Greeters: Rita Larrance and Faye Baker; Linda Reed on Church Street Attendance last week: 163 Liturgist: Mark Vandermyde CLERGY Pastor Mike Fender pastormike@decaturfirstumc.org Pastor Miley Palmer pastormiley@decaturfirstumc.org Pastor Beth Fender bfender@igrc.org ADMINISTRATIVE Office Administration office@decaturfirstumc.org Finance Office financeoffice@decaturfirstumc.org Front Desk & Calendar receptionist@decaturfirstumc.org CHILDREN & FAMILY Jennifer Horton-Motter jennifer@decaturfirstumc.org YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS Kyle Shaughnessy kyle@decaturfirstumc.org MUSIC Hadi Gibbons bgibbons45@hotmail.com Sunday, October 22, 2017 am WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS STEWARDSHIP MOMENT PRELUDE Virginia McQuistion Dr. Bruce Gibbons, organ CALL TO WORSHIP Let the nations quake and the peoples tremble. God sits enthroned in the heavens, bringing justice and righteousness to all. Let the mountains tremble and the seas roar. God s glory is stronger than the foundation of the earth. Let the humble of heart seek the living God. God s goodness and mercy sustain the faithful in times of trial. Come, let us worship the Lord. * OPENING PRAYER First United Methodist Church 201 W. North Street Decatur, IL 62522 (217) 423-9711 Office Hours: 8:30 to 5:00 Monday - Friday www.decaturfirstumc.org office@decaturfirstumc.org * OPENING HYMN Hymn #73 O Worship the King PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION CHILDREN S SERMON Jennifer Horton-Motter
SCRIPTURE 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10 p. 247 NT POSTLUDE Dr. Bruce Gibbons, organ ANTHEM How Firm a Foundation Choir (arr., John Rutter) [NOTE: Congregation sings vss. 1, 3, and 5) SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 22: 15-22 p. 30 NT WITNESS TO THE WORD Pastor Mike HYMN OF RESPONSE #427 Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life vs. 1 ALL; vs. 2 Men; vs 3 ALL; vs. 4 Women; vs. 5&6 ALL CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION Gracious and merciful God, temper our certitude with humility and grace. Forgive us when we test others from a sense of our own self-righteousness. Forgive us when we do not take the trouble to discover our own errors. Give us the heart of Moses, who wanted simply to know your ways more clearly, and to perceive your presence more nearly. Open us to your gentle correction, that we may truly bring your good news to a world in need. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON THE LORD S PRAYER Projection OFFERTORY In My Father s House Choir (Craig Courtney; text: Pamela Martin) *Please stand in posture or in spirit. The rose on the altar is in honor of the birth of Abigail Richey Owen, born on October 13, 2017, in Minneapolis, MN. Parents are: Becky (Fritz) and Andrew Owen. Grandma is Nancy Fritz; Great Grandma is Margery Fritz. CHARGE Conference Notice Charge Conference, Monday, November 6, 2017 Potluck at 6 pm Meeting at 7 pm CONCERT Sara Quah SARA QUAH in concert. October 29, Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Sara Quah is a Singer/Songwriter/and self-proclaimed Chronic Harmonizer! On October 29th she and her band will be giving a concert in our sanctuary. Admission is only $5/person. Tickets are available in the office. Please help us spread the word around Decatur. This concert is open to the public! * DOXOLOGY #94 * BENEDICTION * CLOSING HYMN Faith We Sing #2220 We Are God s People
Classes for all ages - Sundays at 10:15 Nursery... Rm. 208 Songs, stories, finger plays and prayers for children up to age 3 Preschool Sunday School... Rm. 209 Bible stories and activities for children ages 3-5 Kindergarten 5th Grade Sunday School... Rm. 308 Dive into Bible stories and work together using activities, games & crafts 6th 12th Grade... Rm. 105 Interactive discussions over a variety of topics and hangout time Contemporary Christians... Rm. 104 Lively discussions on books, theological topics and current issues. Covenant Class... Library Adult Sunday School curriculum, Bible study and open sharing FaithLINK Class... Rm. 106 Discussion of current faith and world issues weaving in scripture, biblical thought, theological discussions and personal reflections Today s Discussion is: Responding to North Korea Latecomers Bible Class... The Chapel Bible study group that relates its teachings to everyday life. This group is comprised of adults mostly 60 and older. Seeker s Class... Rm. 304 DVDs are used most Sundays in this class to provoke a lively discussion relevant in today s world. This group typically involves singles, married couples, both with children and without. GOOD SAMARITAN Inn SUNDAYS in 2017 TUESDAYS in 2017 October 29 November 21 December 19 **DESSERTS NEEDED** This Saturday is Dinner Downtown and then Sunday is Good Samaritan. THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE Today 10:15 (October 22 October 28) Fair Trade Sold Worship Service Sunday School for all ages The Stork Club in Nursery Youth Small Groups in Fellowship Hall 6:00 Monday 5:30 Bibles, Books & Bagels at Panera Council Meeting in S.W. Room (Rm. 104) Tuesday Prayer Shawl in Rm. 304 9:30 Aspiring Marys in S.W. Room (Rm. 104) 6:30 SPRC Meeting in S.W. Room (Rm. 104) Hope Circle in Library Wednesday Early Morning Bible Study at Decatur Club Strong for Life (A Senior exercise program) in S.W. Room (Rm. 104) 5:30 Wednesday Night Dinner 6:30 MidWeek Ministries in Various Rooms Thursday Quilters in Rm. 103 First A Peals Bell Rehearsal in Bell Room 9:30 Flu Shots in Fellowship Hall Slow & Easy Bible Study in Rm. 304 First Friends at First Presbyterian 6:00 Brass Rehearsal in Choir Room Choir Rehearsal in Choir Room Saturday 11:15 Dinner Downtown in Fellowship Hall
BIBLES, Books & Bagels #GIVINGTuesday BIBLES, BOOKS & BAGELS, Monday, October 23 @ 5:30 at Panera PLAINSONG by Kent Haruf is the book we will be discussing this month! All are welcome! COMMITMENT Sunday A TIME OF THANKFULNESS and fellowship will follow Commitment Sunday, Oct. 29th, in Fellowship Hall with light Continental style refreshments for all to enjoy! Your sharing of your treasure, time and talents with the Church are deeply appreciated! FLU Shots FLU SHOTS are scheduled for Thursday, October 26th, 9:30 11:00. This clinic will be held in the Fellowship Hall. $40 per adult unless covered by Medicare. STORK Club STORK CLUB IS IN the Nursery, TODAY!, 10:15 11:15 The Stork Club is a supportive and nurturing group for new and expecting Moms. November 28 11am 1pm and 4pm 6pm PASTOR Appreciation Month FIRST Friends OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH! WE WILL MEET this month at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, October 26th at a.m. The program is open to the public. Mayor Julie Moore-Wolfe, The State of the City FUMC WILL HOST A CARD SHOWER for Pastor Mike, Pastor Miley and Pastor Beth. Please put your cards in the offering plate or give to Nysa (Financial Secretary) in the office. DISCIPLESHIP Task Force THE DISCIPLESHIP TASK FORCE is taking a few weeks off to do some research and will next meet on Thursday, November 9, when they will be talking about what it means to be a disciple and how churches make disciples. All are welcome to join in on this conversation, even if just for a week or two. WE WILL PRESENT the Pastors with the cards on Sunday, November 5th. STEWARDSHIP 2017 DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can. - John Wesley.
We need your stories! Do you remember when (and why) your Sunday school class started and who used to be in it? Was there a special teacher that really helped you or your child grow in faith? Can you tell a funny story that starts out, I remember the time my small group... The Discipleship Task Force is building a timeline of discipleship at First United Methodist Church over the past 50 years, and we need YOUR stories! This is not an official historical record, but rather a chance to share what was important to our current members about ministries like Sunday school, small groups, youth or children s ministries, stewardship programs, retreats, Bible studies, and other ministries that helped you grow in your faith. How you can help: Visit the timeline that has been started in what was most recently Pastor Mike s office (on the sanctuary level towards the nursery) Write a brief version of your story on a sticky note (provided in the room) Put your name on the back of the sticky note if at all possible (in case we want to contact you for more of the story!) Stick the note to the timeline as close as you can to the year in which the story happened you can even write the year into the story if you remember it! Questions? See Pastor Beth or Jennifer Horton-Motter. We need your stories! Do you remember when (and why) your Sunday school class started and who used to be in it? Was there a special teacher that really helped you or your child grow in faith? Can you tell a funny story that starts out, I remember the time my small group... The Discipleship Task Force is building a timeline of discipleship at First United Methodist Church over the past 50 years, and we need YOUR stories! This is not an official historical record, but rather a chance to share what was important to our current members about ministries like Sunday school, small groups, youth or children s ministries, stewardship programs, retreats, Bible studies, and other ministries that helped you grow in your faith. How you can help: Visit the timeline that has been started in what was most recently Pastor Mike s office (on the sanctuary level towards the nursery) Write a brief version of your story on a sticky note (provided in the room) Put your name on the back of the sticky note if at all possible (in case we want to contact you for more of the story!) Stick the note to the timeline as close as you can to the year in which the story happened you can even write the year into the story if you remember it! Questions? See Pastor Beth or Jennifer Horton-Motter.