Centenary United Methodist Church

Centenary United Methodist Church 203 E. Grove Ave Effingham IL 62401 217-342-2030 www.effinghamcumc.com There is also a google form if you wish to RSVP to this that is located at https://goo.gl/forms/t30hkgmiql9nrliv2 1

Pastor Joe s column Why are we here? It s Called Great for a Reason Why are we, the people who are Effingham Centenary United Methodist Church, here? Christ Jesus wasn t subtle about this. At the end of Matthew s version of The Gospel, our Resurrected Lord tells us to make disciples. Our United Methodist denomination has long said we exist to Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. And? And nothing. That s it. Jesus didn t give us a catalog of options from which to choose. His directions for us, what s been traditionally called The Great Commission, tells us simply to Go out and make everyone you meet my disciples. Everyone. Here and there and everywhere. Mark them by baptism in our threefold name of God the Creator, God the Savior, and God the Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the daily practice of all I have commanded you. I ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of everything. ---Matthew 28:18-20 I d like to use this space and my time with you here over the next couple of months to unpack this. Are you with me? Join me this month in praying that God will help us live into The Great Commission in a fresh way. I ll see you in worship if not before! Yours in Christ, Dr. Joe Scheets 2

The news is full of all kinds of stories these days of violence, war, terrorism, and hatred. In our own country and all across the world there is unrest in so many places. It can be so easy to get wrapped up in all the bad things happening in the world. We can t ignore that they are happening, and we shouldn t. We need to be in prayer for these situations and be helping where we can. But we can t let our lives become consumed with the bad things, because when we do, we fail to see the beauty of God all around us. We fail to see the good God is doing in the world through God s people. We fail to see God s love through God s creations. Pastor Rob Bell, in one of his Nooma video series segments, called Trees, shares these words: We live in a world drenched in God. And some people seriously ask, you know, Where is God? Maybe a better question would be, Where isn t God? I mean, his fingerprints are all over our world. Or maybe it s his world and they re our fingerprints. God is all around us. Our world was created by God long ago, and God has always been here since the beginning of it all. When we see so many bad things like violence and hatred seemingly taking over we forget that although God doesn t cause those things to happen that God is in the midst of them working to make good from the bad. Sometimes those places are harder to see, but we can t stop looking for them. We can t continue to close our eyes to God s love and goodness being present in our midst because it s there. There could be no joy or hope without God s presence in the world, without God s beauty here on earth. If we stop looking for God in the world, or we forget that God is still working to do good and bring hope and love to his creation, then we let ourselves become drenched in grief, anger and despair, we get trapped in the darkness. But when we open ourselves up to God all around us, that darkness is overcome by the light of God s hope and love and we can find joy. Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night, even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12 Grace and Peace, Pastor Jessica 3

All youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to join us for youth group at Centenary United Methodist Church this fall. We ve got lots of fun things planned such as a trip to Holiday World, zip-lining at American Obstacle, and a Lock In at the church. We ll be looking at things straight from current culture and events as we explore how our faith interacts with them and how it shapes our understanding and response. We would love to get your input as we put together the schedule for the 2016 2017 school year. We are having a planning meeting on Sunday, August 7 at 5:30 pm for youth and at 6:30 pm for parents and others who would like to volunteer to help with the youth. I hope you can join us for this meeting. Come with your ideas for things you would like to do with the youth group this year and with your calendars as we plan together. If you are unable to come to our August 7th meeting but have ideas you would like to share or you would like to volunteer to help lead a recreation activity or serve a meal, you can email me at jessica@effinghamcumc.com and let me know. A complete fall schedule will be mailed out prior to our first youth group meeting this fall. There are several ways to stay up to date on Youth Group Happenings: Check out the schedule at http://www.effinghamcumc.com/youthgroup Like our Facebook page Centenary UMC Youth Follow us on Twitter @cumceffingham Thank you Thank you Centenary Church family for your visits, kind words and memorial gifts given on Saturday afternoon at the Celebration of Life for Jim Birdsell. It was good to see all of you! We appreciate having a moment to share personal memories and fun stories with you. It meant so much to all of us that you attended the Celebration of Life. The Birdsell family: Bev, Kristen & Jerry and children, Mike & Leigh Ann, Alicia & Brian and children Many of you expressed wanting Bev Birdsell s contact information. You may email Bev at bbirdie2@gmail.com Her address is: 14605 West Domingo Lane, Sun City West, AZ 85375 and her phone number is 217-690-3919. I would like to thank all those who celebrated my 97th birthday with me Sunday. Thanks to all the quilters that surprised me Monday afternoon for my birthday with their visit and for the lovely cake that was served. Enjoyed fond memories of the past with all of you. Our daughter Judy and husband Don enjoyed chatting with the quilters that they knew when they were younger. A fun time was had by all. Sincere Thanks for thinking of me, Sallie Johnson Once again I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the members of my Centenary Family. The cards, calls, text messages, emails, food, etc. and especially the prayers were/are greatly appreciated. And, thank you, Pastor Joe, for keeping in touch. I am blessed to be a part of Centenary. Judy Lee 4

CHOIR STARTING NEW REHEARSAL SCHEDULE After the Alleluia Choir s summer hiatus, we will be coming back with a brand new rehearsal time. Starting in August, regular choir rehearsals will be on Sunday mornings from 8:00 am to 8:40 am. This new rehearsal schedule will begin on Sunday, August 7 th. We hope this new rehearsal schedule will give us more time to prepare the music we sing, as well as give an opportunity for new faces, and returning singers, to join the Alleluia Choir. Cantata rehearsals will continue to be on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm. This year s Christmas Cantata rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, October 19 th. The Christmas Cantata Worship will be on the weekend of December 17 th and 18 th. We d love to see as many singers as possible join us for our Cantata. We look forward to seeing all of you singers out there in choir. New members are always welcome, High School age and up. We would love to have you join us. Ann Roedl, Coordinator of Music Ministries Immortal Reborn - Arianna's Choice by Natalie Wilson When Alexandria Grace Groaban was a child, she learned she was very different from other children and adults she encountered. She saw and heard things that no child should ever bear witness to. She knew details of things and people long since passed, and she could hear voices and repeat them in whatever language she heard during the scenes which played out before her young and impressionable eyes. Through an encounter with someone she thought to be her guardian angel, Alexandria was given a reprieve so that she might know some normalcy in her childhood. But at the age of twenty-one, Alexandria returned home to her family s small estate outside Oxford, England for Christmas, and learned the hard way that her grace period was about to come to an abrupt and vicious end. Now, whether for better or worse, she will find herself on the edge of a great precipice. One that will call her into action and into a world that she could never have fathomed existed. For Alexandria to know who and what she truly is, she will have to rise to the challenge of a battle that has been waged for millennia by beings first spoken of in Genesis, and embrace that which has lay dormant within her since she was a child. Anyone interested in knowing more or have questions can contact Julie Howard at jhoward59@gmail.com. We will meet on Wednesday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. (Room 30) 5

August UMW Book I LOVE GROWING OLDER, BUT I LL NEVER GROW OLD J. Ellsworth Kalas 160 pages Nurturing for Community J. Ellsworth Kalas says, Older is a journey. Old is a destination. This book is about learning how to make peace with whatever you are right now. It s about learning from the past and then moving past it. It s about growing and continuing to grow personally, spiritually and in our relationships with God and with others. Centenary Quilters Quilt of the month for August This cute quilt will make a little girl or grandma very happy. The colors blend well with the butterflies and flowers. We also have a nice patchwork quilt that will fit a twin or fit a double bed with a dust ruffle. Check out the beautiful quilts in the entry hall by the office. Midwest Mission Distribution Center Midwest Mission D I S T R I B U T I O N C E N T E R We are requesting SCHOOL SUPPLIES this month and each bag contains: 3 spiral, 1 subject notebooks (8 x 10 ½ ) 3 pens (blue or black) 3 unsharpened pencils 1 pencil sharpener 1 pencil eraser 2 or larger 1 ruler 12 long with metric 1 protractor 6 long with metric 1 box of 24 crayons 1 pair of round tip scissors (no plastic scissors) All items must be NEW and not washed. All items must be free of advertising, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols. No hand prints, foot prints, or paw prints You may drop off items in the Connection area For any questions, please contact Carol Martin WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING DONATION OF BICYCLES. IF YOU HAVE A BICYCLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE, YOU CAN DROP THEM OFF AT CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. 6

Esther Unit of UMW August UMW Meeting Esther Unit of UMW will meet Wednesday, August 3, 1:00pm, in the Meeting Room at Centenary. Libby Moeller will have the devotions for this meeting, and Beth Wattelet will present the lesson. Our hostess will be Marie Delaney. Esther Unit of UMW meets the first Wednesday of each month March - December, and all ladies from Centenary are invited to join us for a time of study, fellowship, and refreshments. Esther Unit of UMW Recycling Opportunity Esther Unit of UMW is participating in the Embarras River District UMW recycling project to collect items which we cannot recycle locally. This is an ongoing project this year, and we are collecting the following items: cancelled postage stamps prescription bottles with the labels removed old cell phones old tennis shoes (old, dirty tennis shoes are ground up and used to make road pack and tennis courts.) plastic caps not recycled by other means The collection boxes will be in the Connection area. We will continue recycling through September. Office of the Bishop Illinois Area of The United Methodist Church P.O. Box 19207 Springfield, IL 62794-9207 June 24, 2016 Dear Rev. Joe, You blessed Annual Conference with your faithful, creative, and talented service with the Rivers of Life Clergy Band. You have truly been given a gift that continues to bless others. Blessings, Jonathan D. Keaton 7

Welcome Teams Do you remember when you were the new person or family at Centenary? The Welcome Team greets people at the door and welcomes everyone to worship. We always have room for more people to be on a welcome team. Our goal is to have enough people to only have to do this one time a year. Prayerfully consider being a part of one of our welcome teams. Ask a welcome team member how to get started or call the office at 342-2030. Alan and Linda Tryon, 821-7782 Debbie Spence Topper Woelfer Bill and Pat McCluney, 343-6322 Charlie and Kathy Smith August September Jean Sporleder Julie Howard Mark and Gidget Mitchell Manny and Sherri Wei Blessing of the Backpacks: August 27-29, 2016 Our pastors would love for you to join them as they bless backpacks and workbags for the coming year on Saturday, August 27 th ; Sunday, August 28 th ; and Monday, August 29 th. All participants will be given a small tag that can be attached to a backpack or workbag to remind you that God is with you even as you venture into school or the workplace! Not only will you have a reminder that you have been blessed, but the tag is also a great opportunity to talk about our church and invite the inquirer to attend a service or event with you! So don t forget to bring your backpack, workbag or something you carry out in the world with you that weekend. Promotion Sunday Sunday, August 28, 2016 The Education Team is celebrating Promotion Sunday in the Fellowship Hall during the Sunday school hour on Sunday, August 28 th. We are inviting everyone; adults, youth, and children to come and celebrate this past year of Sunday school education while thanking our outstanding educators. If you are not currently involved in a Sunday school class, August 28 th will be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the diverse array of studies and groups we have available at Centenary United Methodist Church! 8

Harmony Playground Cap/Lid Collection All caps/lids that are collected will be recycled and made into park benches and/or picnic tables for Harmony Playground in Effingham. Acceptable Caps/Lids: Medicine Bottle Caps Milk Jug Caps Detergent Caps Hair Spray Caps Toothpaste Tube Caps Deodorant Caps Drink Bottle Caps (Soda, water, Gatorade, etc.) Flip-Top Caps (Ketchup, Mustard, etc.) Spout Caps (Mustard) Spray Paint Caps Caps with Recycle Numbers of 2, 4, or 5 Not Acceptable: Bottles/Containers Fast Food Drink Lids Soap Pumps Lotion Pumps Trigger Sprayers Anything with Metal Cottage Cheese Container Lids Mayonnaise Jar Lids Yogurt Container Lids Peanut Butter Jar Lids Ice Cream Bucket Lids Cool Whip Container Lids Coffee Can Lids Cream Cheese Container Lids Butter Container Lids Ointment Tube Caps Please clean ALL caps/lids before donating and make sure there is no extra items/trash in with the caps/lids. THANK YOU! There is a drop box in the Connection area for your convenience. This is an ongoing collection. It takes 400# of donated plastic to get a discount on a single bench. Thank you for your continued support! Book Club for Young Readers WILL BREAK FOR SUMMER. See you in September! Keep reading! 9

Church League Our LAST game is: August 2 at 7:35 p.m. WE WILL HAVE OUR SUMMER BREAK THROUGH AUGUST. See you on September 13! August Van Drivers August 7 Craig Wise 868-9933 August 14 Russ Howard 347-8858 August 21 Gary Bone 342-6663 August 28 John Barton 663-1500 From Joe s Notebook Scripture says, Be still and know that I am God. This is not the organist s philosophy. Organists despise stillness. They re sitting there with the organ equivalent of a 300 hp Ferrari and they want to put the pedal to the metal and make that baby fly. - Garrison Keillor. PRAYER REQUESTS CAN BE SENT TO : The church office @ 342-2030 Chris at chris@effinghamcumc.com or Kim at kim@effinghamcumc.com 10

Our nursery is available in room 15 on the main level. It is staffed and open during our Sunday morning 9am worship service and during the 10:15am Sunday School hour. Children ages birth to three are welcome to be dropped off here, but we love the sound of children in worship. There are crayons and coloring sheets available from the ushers to take to the pews and a table with crayons and coloring books in the back of the sanctuary. Holy Communion is served the first weekend of the month For your convenience: The monthly newsletter is available to pick up at the Welcome Center HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE When Monday is a holiday, Monday Nite Lite will not meet. 11

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDIES 9:00 a.m. at Brookstone Estates 10:30 a.m. at the Glenwood WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY *11:00 a.m. Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Center *(third and fifth Wednesdays) TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDIES Our pastors lead three Bible Studies all year long. Everyone is invited, and all three groups are inter-denominational. Tuesdays a group gathers at The Corner meeting spot in Brookstone Estates at 9:00am. Then at 10:30am in The Movie Room at The Glenwood on Tuesdays another group gets together. Our pastors lead a time of singing, praying, study of Scripture and discussion. Wednesdays our pastors are part of a rotation of United Methodist clergy at Lakeland Rehabilitation Facility. The third and fifth Wednesdays of each month are Pastors Jessica s and Joe s turns for this 11:00am event. More tightly structured than the Tuesday studies, this is a brief time of singing and praying and a brief pastoral message. Again, everyone is invited and our pastors would love to have you join them anytime! Food For Catholic Charities We collect food for Catholic Charities each month to help them supply food to those in need in our area. Please bring your donation to the Mission Room at church any weekend, and on the third Monday of the month we will deliver our donations to them. (if you are dropping off food at Catholic Charities they are closed from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Since we will be collecting all month, our hope is that more people will participate. We are looking forward to seeing a mound of food. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS MISSION PROJECT. Do no harm. Do Good. Stay in love with God. - -John Wesley 12

Our Stewardship: July 2016 Attendance Worship Sunday School July 2, 3 165 74 July 9, 10, 11 160 55 July 16, 17, 18 161 56 July 23, 24, 25 172 63 Contribution Summary July 2016 JULY 24, 2016 GENERAL FUND CAP. IMPROVE. FUND BUILDING FUND YEAR TO DATE YEAR TO DATE YEAR TO DATE Contributions $229,390.17 $9,290.19 $32,002.45 Disbursements $233,571.45 $3,858.80 + Ahead - Behind - $4,181.28 +$5,431.39 Loan Balance $171,398.63 ROOM ABREVIATIONS FOR CALENDAR S = Sanctuary YR = Youth Room FH = Fellowship Hall MR = Meeting Room K = Kitchen B + number = rooms on the lower level Pick It Up Effingham Saturday, August 20 We are scheduled to meet at Menards on Saturday, August 20 at 8:00 a.m. to do our part again. This is a great way for us to show Christ as we make a difference in our community. If you would like to join us, you have to be 10 years of age and sign a release form. Call the office today if you want to help with this community project. NOTE: WE MEET AT 8:00 a.m. THROUGH SEPTEMBER! Check out our directing pastor's daily devotional blog: joescheets.com 13

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 7 Kylee Koester Erin Browne Dennis Boggs 14 Sophia Wiedman 1 Kathy Smith Sheryl Wei 8 Connor DeLong 21 22 Jim Siner 28 Marian Dunlap 2 Patricia West Manuel Wei 15 16 Hazel Percival 9 10 Mark Maxedon Chris Roedl 23 Brent Wiedman Roger Normand 29 30 Rosalee Walls 3 4 Kate Dickens Cyndy Montgomery 17 Parker Siner Kathy Tensen 24 Alice Brasel Caleb Deters 31 Conni Cash 11 Linda Poland Bill Elving Virginia Stumborg 18 Denise Lee 25 Sophia Ballard Tim Mitchell 5 6 Kaye Kimpling 12 13 Gary Bone Owen Gipson 19 20 26 Patrick Siner Margaret Quast 27 Doris White Tess Petty 14

August UPCOMING Events and Meetings Wednesday 08/03 1:00 p.m. Esther Unit of UMW (MR) Sunday 08/07 5:30 p.m. Youth Planning Meeting (YR) Monday 08/08 9:00 a.m. Centenary Servants (K) 08/08 6:45 p.m. Trustees (MR) Tuesday 08/09 6:30 p.m. Nominations Committee Meeting (MR) Thursday 08/11 10:00 a.m. Memorial Committee (MR) Sunday 08/14 11:15 a.m. Missions Meeting (MR) Friday 08/19 7:00 p.m. Back to Sunday School Pool Party (At Effingham Kluthe Pool) Saturday 08/20 8:00 a.m. Pick It Up Effingham (meet at Menards) Wednesday 08/24 9:30 a.m. Embarras River District Fall Stewardship Training (FH) 08/24 6:30 p.m. Book Club (Room 30) Sat.-Mon. 08/27-08/29 Blessing of the Backpacks at all three services Sunday 08/28 10:15 a.m. Promotion Sunday WEEKLY Opportunities Saturdays 5:45 p.m. Worship Service Sundays 8:00 a.m. Alleluia Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Connection Time 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Adult and Youth Sunday School Mondays 9:00 a.m. Quilters (Rm 19) 6:00 p.m. Monday Nite Lite (a shortened service) (S) (when Monday is a Holiday, we will not meet) Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. Brookstone Estates Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Glenwood Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous (B2) 8:00 p.m. A.A. (Closed) (B6) 8:00 p.m. Al-Anon (B3) Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. Staff meeting (Conf.) 11:00 a.m. Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health (3rd and 5th weeks) 6:00 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal (Room 27) 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Claiming the Promise Bible Study (MR) (every Wednesday through August 17) 7:00 p.m. A.A. (Open) (B6) Thursdays 7:00 p.m. A.A. (Open) (B6) Fridays 8:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous (B2) 8:00 p.m. A.A. (Closed) (B6) 15

C Change Service Requested Index Sunday School Pool Party page 1 Pastor Joe s column page 2 Pastor Jessica s column page 3 Youth Group News; Thank You page 4 Choir starting New Rehearsal Schedule; Book Club page 5 August UMW Book; Centenary Quilters-Quilt of the Month; Midwest Mission Distribution Center needs page 6 Esther Unit of UMW Meeting; Esther Unit of UMW Recycling Opportunity; Thank you from Bishop Keaton page 7 Welcome Teams; Blessing of the Backpacks; Promotion Sunday page 8 Harmony Playground Cap/Lid Collection; Book Club for Young Readers breaks for summer page 9 Church Softball; Tuesday Lunch Club breaks for summer; Van Drivers; From Joe s Notebook; Prayer Requests page 10 Did you know? page 11 Tuesday and Wednesday Bible Studies; Food for Catholic Charities page 12 Attendance & Contributions; Descriptions for Calendar; Pick It Up Effingham; Directing pastor s daily devotional blog page 13 August Birthday Calendar page 14 August Upcoming Events and Meetings; Weekly Opportunities page 15 Index page 16 16