A u g u s t 2 0 1 8 V o l u m e 2 1 I s s u e 8 We live in a world that seems to be spinning out of control. Each day brings new challenges not only to us as secular beings but also as a Christians. We are torn. We don t know what will fix the problems. We live with our feet in both worlds and struggle to make sense of it all. We struggle with the nonsense and violence because we know that it is wrong. The world as it is, is not as God intended it to be! It is the Monday of Holy Week. Jesus lives and teaches in the tension of Sunday s acclimations and Friday s execution. He has face the opposition of the religious leaders many times though out his ministry and that opposition only grows stronger and bolder. When asked by the Pharisee s which commandment in the law was the greatest, Jesus replies: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (Matthew 22:37-40) What we see in this scripture is center to what really matters in life--love! When we love God with all our being (heart, mind and soul) the things of this world start to fall into place. We find it easier to face life s problems. But now comes the hard part, that love your neighbor thing. This command makes us a little more uncomfortable. Our neighbor! Who is our neighbor? Our neighbor is all of God s children, every last one of them, no exceptions, no excuses! We are to love them all. Really God, we are to love everyone? Do you know how hard that is? I m not sure I can love someone who does not look like me. Someone, whose skin color is different from mine. Someone, who speaks a different language than I do. Someone, who dresses differently than I do. Someone who. you fill in the blank. Someone, who is so totally different from me that it makes me uncomfortable. But, we hear Jesus say this is the greatest commandment, second only to loving God. This is what it is all about-- LOVE; loving God and our neighbors. Imagine if we could do that routinely every day of our lives, how the world would change. If love would spread throughout our community, throughout our country and throughout the world, things would change. Love conquers all. There would be no more wars. No more genocide. No more children going hungry and dying from starvation. No more us against them. The world would be as God intended it to be! We can facilitate that change, simply by loving. I urge you to put down your prejudices, your preconceived notions, and in some cases, your hatred of your neighbor. Burt Bacharach and Hal David had it right when they wrote, What the world needs now is love, sweet love, it s the only thing that there is way to little of WAKE WEEKLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Saturday Night Casual Service: 5:00 PM Sunday Morning Traditional Service: 8:30 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Contemporary Service: 10:35 AM I Love you Lord (Lord Today) Edwin Haswkins sings [ ] I lift You up, and I magnify Your name; that's why my heart is filled with praise. Our hearts are also filled with praise since the new elevator has been installed and lifting us up to praise Jesus in our Sanctuary once again. What a joy it is to have the elevator done and in use! Please keep in mind, we still owe money on the elevator. If you made a pledged to support the elevator fund, please continue to giving that pledge. We are also accepting additional contributions to pay our debt as soon as possible. Thank you! Rushville First United Methodist Church Located on the corner of Congress & Jefferson PO Box 208 210 West Jefferson Street Rushville, Illinois 62681 www.rushvillefumc.org office@rushvillefumc.org Phone 217-322-3328 Fax 217-322-5502
WORSHIP WORSHIP WARM-UP: This month s sermon scriptures Dates Sermon Title Scripture Aug. 4/5 Guest Ministers Aug. 11/12 Hope For People Who Are Angry Ephesians 4:30-5:2 Aug. 18/19 Searching For Happiness Ephesians 5:15-20 Aug. 25/ 26 In It For The Long Haul John 6:60-69 Yours in Christ, Pastor Randy McGeehon Pastor s Office Hours: Mon.-Thur. 9 am Noon, Fri - off *Other times by appointment JULY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE AND GIVING Pastor Randy s contact Info: Email: rmcgeehon@gmail.com Cell: 217-520-5267 Sunday Worship Volunteers August 5 Acolyte: Liturgist: Sylvia Herr Greeters: Dean & Kay Heitz Acolyte: Greeters: Michael & Alexis Murk & Faye Crone August 12 Acolyte: Liturgist: Tina Cox Greeters: Alan, Holly, Keeley & Katie Acheson Acolyte: Jason Klitz Greeters: Leland & Barb Hardy & Stephanie Downs August 19 Acolyte: Macon Kessler Liturgist: Cathy Teel Greeters: Don & Sharon Goldsborough Acolyte: Cora & Gretchen Wise Greeters: Steve, Sally, & Tyler Trone Thank you for your generous support of life-changing ministries through Rushville First United Methodist Church! Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! - Ephesians 3:20-21 Weekend of Sat PM 8:30AM 10:35AM Offering July 1 42 77 60 $4567.88 July 8 31 69 56 $3729.50 July 15 21 70 39 $6109.98 August 26 Acolyte: Macon Kessler Liturgist: Sarah Duncan Greeters: Tina Cox & Betty Johnson & Betty Roberts Acolyte: Elli Henninger Greeters: Ken, Cathy, & Tom Wilson July 22 46 79 42 $3481 July 29 *will be listed next month Total 140 295 197 $17888.36 Rushville First United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We seek to make a difference for Christ within the local and global community by waking to Christ, worshiping Christ, walking with Christ, working for Christ and witnessing for Christ.
WORK SERVING: Making a difference through action INREACH Lawn Mowing Lawn mowing sign-up sheets are in the sanctuary for people to either pay to mow ($30) or mow the church yard themselves. Please help us keep our church grounds looking nice. Blessing of the Backpacks On Sunday, August 12th, we will be having a blessing of the backpacks during the 10:35 am service. We would like to bless the teachers during this time, as well. Please plan to attend and bring those backpacks! OUTREACH Camden UMW Salad Dinner - Thursday, August 9, 2018 Camden UMW s invite you to a Salad Dinner featuring shepherdess, Anita Ashcroft, from the Cunningham Children s Home. She will be speaking on Things to do with Throw-Aways. Anyone wishing to attend can meet at the Rushville First United Methodist at 5:45 pm and carpool or caravan to the Camden church. Please RSVP to the church office (217-322-3328) so we can let them know how many to expect for the evening. Youth Mission Trip Update Shelby Davis, Brianna Billingsley, & Reagan Horsch attended the Reach Youth Mission Trip with Calvary United Methodist Church in Normal, IL July 6 through July 13 th in Vassar, Michigan. There were 75 in this group joining many others from around the country. These ladies will be sharing more information about their trip on Sunday, August 12 th. They will also be hosting a breakfast on Sunday, August 12th, between services for the Shareholders and would like to like to extend the invitation to everyone in the church. A free will offering will be taken to help offset the costs of future mission trips. The youth who attended the mission trip this year will be speaking at the Sunday services. Please plan to attend and hear about their trip. Union Vacation Bible School The Union VBS program for 2018 was cancelled this year. This statement was released regarding the program., Planning VBS is a huge task, and beginning stages of planning usually begin in the middle of winter. This year, planning didn t start until right at the end of school in May. There were a TON of concerned, and maybe even upset, people in the community. I was approached by some of those people, and we decided to try and plan something for August. After a few meetings, we decided that it just couldn t happen. Between lack of volunteers, and finances, and the time crunch, it wasn t in the cards. This is something that has been weighing pretty heavy on the minds of the planning team, as well as mine. The team that I had the chance to work with was absolutely amazing! So, rest easy, guys. We are already planning stuff for next year! On behalf of the planning team and myself, I am truly sorry that VBS could not happen this year. I hope that everyone understands, we tried. ~ Trevor Howard ~ Rushville First United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We seek to make a difference for Christ within the local and global community by waking to Christ, worshiping Christ, walking with Christ, working for Christ and witnessing for Christ.
WALK Sunday School Servants In Training/Sunday Mornings at 9:30AM Room 205 Facilitator: Bob Walker Used by hundreds of UM churches worldwide, the Uniform Series based curriculum enables Christians across the globe to study the same Scriptures and topics on the same Sundays throughout the year. The quarterly and can be used in multiple settings. Adult Discussion Forum/Sunday Mornings at 9:30AM Room 101 Facilitators: Sarah Duncan & Crystal Bartlett Have you ever wanted to talk more about a sermon topic, explore the ideas a bit, or take it a little farther? Gather with others to build some relationships while digging deeper into each week s message. Children s Sunday School/Sunday Mornings at 9:30AM Room 202/203 Pre-K - 4th Grade Room 201 Middle School UMW: United Methodist Women All women of Rushville United Methodist Church are invited to join one of the following UMW circles for Bible study, mission lessons, and fellowship: UMW Circle Information Serendipity: No meetings in August. Esther Daystar: No meeting in August. New Beginnings: 4th Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in Room 101 College Addresses! Please let us know the address of your college students if it differs from their current home address. You can call the church office at: (217) 322-3328 or send the following information by e-mail us: office@rushvillefumc.org. NAME ADDRESS COLLEGE To get connected with the Rushville First UMC Phone Tree, call the church office at 217-322-3328 to let us know what notices you would like to receive If you would like to receive church messages by text, please text rushvillefumc to 292929. United Methodist Women s Prayer Calendar 2018 August 1 Genesis 30:37-43 August 2 Genesis 46:2; 47:12 August 3 Isaiah 14:1-2 August 4 Isaiah 41:8-10 August 5 Genesis 31:1-21 August 6 Psalm 17:1-7, 15 August 7 Genesis 31:22-42 August 8 Genesis 32:3-21 August 9 Isaiah 43:1-7 August 10 Genesis 35:22b-29 August 11 Genesis 36:1-8 August 12 Genesis 37:5-11 August 13 Psalm 105:1-6; 16-22, 45b August 14 Genesis 37:29-36 August 15 Genesis 39:1-23 August 16 Genesis 40:1-23 August 17 Genesis 41:14-36 August 18 Genesis 41:37-57 August 19 Genesis 42:1-28 August 20 Psalm 133 August 21 Genesis 43:1-34 August 22 Genesis 44:1-34 August 23 Genesis 45:16-28 August 24 Genesis 49:1-33 August 25 Genesis 49:29-50:14 August 26 Genesis 50:15-26 August 27 Psalm 124 August 28 Exodus 1:1-7 August 29 Exodus 2:11-15a August 30 Exodus 2:15b-22 August 31 Exodus 2:23-24 Rushville First United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We seek to make a difference for Christ within the local and global community by waking to Christ, worshiping Christ, walking with Christ, working for Christ and witnessing for Christ.
WALK Prayers for Healing and Recovery: Al Hamilton, Nick Beard, Alexis French, Steve Reuz, Bob Kessler, Freddie Henninger, Jerry Curry, Joe Finney, Kenny Haines, John Hymes, Judy McMurl, Jacob Hamlin, Sue Hester, Ruby Hess, Steve Bottorff, Jerry Bartell, Steve Ewing, Bob Phillips, Ace Thrash, Craig Edlin, Payton Stewart (nephew of Mike Hardy family), Ken Vogler, Carol Walker, Ron Shepherd, Randy Little, Keith Street, Rick Ashcraft, Jamie Boyd, Shirley Phillips, Bob Boyd, Barry Scego, Sam Gossage Prayers of Comfort and Sympathy: The families of Shirley Phillips & Doris Young. Prayers for Those with Ongoing Illness: Luan Phillips, Mary Jean Hertling, Harold Sargent, Terry Runyon, Eric Peacock, Tommy Pruitt, Emmett Garriott, Dena Diseron, Linda Shaw, Brian Days, Doug Fulks, Jim Stevenson, Dianna Crum, Phyllis Rutledge, Donna Chapmen, Pat Unger, Ruth Teel, David Jones, Allen Tippey, Virginia Stocker, Keith & Bonnie Vaughn, Carla Floyd, Edith Goldsborough, Larry Lashbrook, Bob Hood, Vera Royce, Carol Perrine, Ed Fegley, Wayne & Gloria Tomlinson, Marie Leonard, Hazel Gurnsey, Glenna Prather, Eloise Patton, Margie Tyson, Peggy Settles, John Walker, Bob & Nancy Stauffer, Kent Drawve, June Morrow, Jane Wendling, Betty Curl, Marilyn Taylor, Tanya Gaither, Red & Carolyn Ambrosius, Rose Rebman, Dick Etter, Lynn Kettering, Bill Connell, Liz Wood, Cathy Harrison, Vic Jackson Prayers of Concerns: Prayers of Joy: A son, Zaiden Allen was born to Kelsie Ashcraft. & Travis Cox. Zaiden is the grandson of Hedy Ackman & great-grandson of Bob & Judy Greer. Congratulations to James N Moore on the birth of his greatgranddaughter, Murphy Jo O Donoghue. Murphy is the daughter of Zac & Carissa (Moore) O Donoghue. Prayers for Churches and Pastors: Each week we lift up a different church or charge and pastoral team from our community in prayer. As we lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ and their work for the Lord, the ministry and message of Christ shall be strengthened. This month we will be praying for the following churches and their pastors: The week of Aug 5th St. Rose Catholic Church Lewis Payne The week of Aug 12th West Central Charge UMC s Charles Peart The week of Aug 19th Sheldon s Grove Methodist Church Bob Greene The week of Aug 26th Assembly of God Church Terry Lucas WITNESS PRAYER: Concerns and Joys INVITATION: Opportunities to share Good News! The Open Arms Preschool was opened in the fall of 1998, to provide a Christian based preschool for the entire Rushville area as well as for the surrounding areas. It was designed to be a Christian play based learning environment which stressed the following areas: Social and Emotional Growth, Self Help Skills, Gross and Fine Motor Development, Language Development, Cognitive Functioning, as well as a basic introduction to Prayer and the Basic Bible Stories. Openings are available for our 2018-19 school year. Contact any preschool board member or call the church office today for more information. You can also complete the application online to enroll your child. Published prayer requests are received over the past month through prayer cards and requests. In order to be conscientious concerning personal privacy, we will only print names of those who are family members or have been confirmed/requested by the person(s) named.
INVITATION: Opportunities to share Good News! Good Samaritan Fund (formerly the Christian Scout Fund) History: This fund was established in January 1999, by a church member in response to hearing on an article from the Chicken Soup for the Soul entitled the Christmas Scout. To help our church family better understand this fund, it was proposed to the members who access the money that the name be changed The Good Samaritan Fund. According to a newsletter article, the church member wanted to begin a program that would address unmet needs of children and single-parent families in our community. The original intent was to meet specific needs that slipped through the existing care and services network in our community. Over the course of time, the fund received monies from special offerings taken during the Christmas and Easter Seasons and from private donors. The fund is accessed through the church office and administered through three members of the mission team of the church. During its existence, the fund was used to help a number of families with food, utilities, medicine, clothing needs and other emergency support. Each year, we receive numerous requests for assistance from the fund to help when other agencies can t meet the need. Requests are reviewed by the committee and must be approved by the majority vote. The amount of assistance given is limited to funding, and requests may be limited per person to every 6 months. August Birthdays WITNESS SAVE THE DATE Who: Brianna Billingsley, Shelby Davis, & Reagan Horsch (2018 Reach Youth Mission Trip Attendees) What: Shareholder Breakfast - Open to Everyone! When: August 12th, between Sunday services *There will be a free will donation basket for anyone who was not a 2018 Shareholder. The youth will also be speaking at both the early and late services that day. 1 Jill Trone 2 Darlene Morrow Jim Worthington Seren Anne Boker 3 Wayne & Linda Peacock David & Lucille Morgan 4 Doug Fulks Don & Janis Wade 5 Olivia Vincent 7 Isaac Meyer Allen & Diane Settles 8 Steve Quillen 9 Sarah Korkowski Duncan Lyle & Janet Gabbert 11 John Botts Isaac Little 12 Rod & Barb Schoonover 13 Amanda Shoemaker 16 Kim Tyson 18 John Peacock Judy Peterman 19 Reece Settles Laura Moore 22 Wayne Runkle Tom Barrett Tyson Davidson 23 Eric Ewing 24 Monnabelle Beadles 25 Virginia Stocker 26 Mary Sue Merritt Jakob Lee Stover 27 Merc Allen Emma Utter 30 Allen & Martha Tippey 31 Chase Worthington Edward Worthington SHEDing Some Light on a Current Need: Open Arms Preschool is looking for a new or used 8x10 shed to store the preschool tricycles. The current storage shed has deteriorated beyond repair. If you have one that is not being used, please consider donating it to the preschool.
Rushville First United Methodist Church Corner of Congress & Jefferson P.O. Box 208 NON-PROFIT ORG. NON U.S. POSTAGE PAID Rushville, IL 62681 PERMIT NO. 47 Change Service Requested I G N I T I O N : T H E D I S C I P L E S H I P C O N N E C T I O N O F F I R S T U M C Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. ~1 Chronicles 16:34 ~ *Thank you to everyone who donated bicycles to the UMW campaign. We are no longer accepting bikes at this time. * The United Methodist Women would like to offer a very special thank you to the people who cleaned, readied the walls for painting, painted, installed new bathroom fixtures, and disposed of unused possessions (mostly in the basement) in the parsonage in preparation for the arrival of Pastor Randy and his wife. Within a short time period of a few days, they accomplished a great deal to make the parsonage a welcome place for our new minister and his wife. Here is a list of some who helped: Crystal Bartlett, Sally Trone, Niki Wise, Jennifer Little, Dianne Klitz, Barb Hardy, Jody Worthington, Stephanie Downs, Alexis Murk, Doug & Kara Henninger, Rex Powell, Kay Matthewson, Dan Adams, Tom Acker and Tami Zeeck. When you see any of these diligent workers, please tell them how their efforts are appreciated. ~ The United Methodist Women ~ CONTACT INFORMATION Please let us know if you have a change of contact information so we can update our records. This helps us stay in touch with you. Contact the church office with any updates. Phone: 217-322-3328 Email: office@rushvillefumc.org OUR CHURCH STAFF: Pastor: Rev. Randy McGeehon Admin Assistant: Tami Zeeck Treasurer: Kathy Billingsley Music Director: Mark Ross