Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! Holy Week

March 2018 Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! Holy Week at Morton United Methodist Church PALM SUNDAY, March 25 at 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Cherub Choir, Children s Choir and Children s Chimers will sing/play at 8:00 & 9:30 services. Holy Week, March 26 to 30 at 6:30 a.m. Join us in the Sanctuary for a half hour Lenten Service each morning, featuring our church members as they lead in worship and share the devo on me. Roads to Calvary During Holy Week, we will consider various roads that lead us to our Lord Jesus! Luke tells us that Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem (9:51). His course was set, His commitment was made Jesus was going to fulfill the redeeming work for the salvation He alone offers! Join us each morning of Holy Week at 6:30 am as we consider various roads that bring us to Jesus! Monday, March 26 The Road of Discipleship Luke 9:51-62 Tuesday, March 27 The Way of Holiness Isaiah 35:8-10 Wednesday, March 28 A Way Prepared Mark 1:2-4 Thursday, March 29 The Narrow Road Matthew 7:12-15 Friday, March 30 The Calvary Road Mark 15:21-39 Good Friday, March 30 Noon The choir will provide special music as we gather at noon to recall Christ s last words and His sacrifice on the cross. EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 1 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service at Ackerman Farms Just east of the church on Route 150. 8:00 a.m. Celebra on Easter Service 9:30 a.m. Celebra on Easter Service Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt! BEGINS IN THE GYM! 10:45 a.m. Cross Connec ons Easter Celebra on

How is your prayer life? That s a question we sometimes want to avoid, but it s a question that needs to be asked and answered from time to time. Prayer is that vital connection with Jesus that guides, sustains and gives nourishment to our relationship with Him. Since Jesus is our model for what a prayer life is like, we would be wise to learn from Him. Just as He was in constant communication with His Heavenly Father, so we should be in constant communion with our LORD. We are starting a new series of sermons on prayer, titled Prayer Life! Over the next several weeks we will be exploring how prayer not only sustains life but that it can be a lifestyle for every believer! February 14 Ash Wednesday 1. Prayer and Fasting Isaiah 58; Matthew 17:21 February 18 2. Lord, Teach Us to Pray Luke 11:1-13 February 25 Eric Gordon March 4 3. A Lifestyle of Prayer 4. The Basics of Prayer 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 James 5:13-20 March 11 Gabe Wanck 5. Prayer Priorities Ephesians 3:14-21 March 18 6. Praying Like Jesus John 17 Morton UMC is invited and encouraged to fast at least one meal a week during Lent. In accordance with the Wesley Fast Guidelines, the meal would traditionally be either Thursday evening, Friday morning, or Friday noon. But if that would not work for you, please choose another meal time during the week that best fits your schedule. WHAT IS FASTING? THE WESLEY FAST Lent 2018 In a general sense, fasting can mean a number of things: abstaining from food and drink, abstaining from food only, or abstaining from certain foods for a limited period of time. In the Christian sense, fasting is abstaining from food as a spiritual discipline. Most Christians accompany fasting with prayer. Many Christians view fasting as a way to intensify prayer and increase its effectiveness. Some believe that by denying our physical hunger for a time, our spiritual sensitivity is heightened or enhanced. Essentially, fasting makes prayer more powerful, and can also help us hear God's voice more clearly. WHAT IS THE WESLEY FAST? For a portion of John Wesley's ministry, he advocated fasting on both Wednesday and Friday each week as a regular spiritual discipline. It's fairly well known that Wesley would not ordain anyone to the Methodist ministry who was unwilling to fast those days. But as time passed, Wesley fasted mostly on Fridays, which was the Anglican norm. (Actually, as early as August 1739, he advocated Friday fasting for Methodists in his journal, according to the Anglican rule.) Wesley usually began a Friday fast at sundown on Thursday. This was in continuity with Jewish and early Christian tradition, which both marked the beginning of the day at sundown, not midnight. Wesley typically ended his fast at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Continue on next page 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 (Gymnasium) 10:45 am ~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. Want to start a class? We can make a place for you. We need some new leaders! Master Hudson's Musings I can't even tell you how excited I am. We went to one of the most magical places on earth...splash Mountain. I mean, we went on vacation and I got to ride Splash Mountain. It's my favorite because I duck and Mom gets wet. I got to go swimming in the ocean and miss school. I missed my friends but I got to spend time with my Uncle Adam and my best friend Brayden. I can't even believe it, it was so awesome. Before we left I had my big Valentines party at school and I got to give a special Valentine to Jenna. Mom and Dad say Valentines day is about loving each other and I say YUCK. Mom had some big interview with the Conference and says if they say yes, she gets to stay a pastor forever. She and Dad love talking about Jesus, so that's a good thing especially since Jesus loves us the most. Hope you know that. See ya around, bye. Hudson ~ THE WESLEY FAST Lent 2018 GUIDELINES FOR OBSERVING THE WESLEY FAST Be flexible and listen to the Holy Spirit. Don't get so caught up with the act of fasting itself that you forget why you're doing it in the first place. Decide whether you're going to do a complete fast (water only), a no-solid-food fast that allows milk, juice, coffee and tea, a no-meat fast, or some other kind of fast. There are no fixed rules here but it's always good to try to keep the fast you set out to do. Some fasts are more difficult than others, and there will be times you may feel led to switch things up. Plan on Friday as your regular fasting day, but use Wednesday and other days for additional fasting when you feel called to a time of deeper and more intense prayer. Remember, there's nothing "magic" about Friday. It's simply a historical day for fasting in many Christian traditions, largely because Jesus was crucified on a Friday. If for some reason another day of the week makes more sense for you, then fast on that day. Only fast for more than one consecutive day after you've consulted with your doctor and only if you're sure you're physically able to handle it. Make sure you drink plenty of water while fasting, no matter what kind of fast you choose. The default Wesley Fast is observed from sundown Thursday till 3:00 Friday afternoon. Some Christians go till sundown on Friday. Do whichever you feel led to do in any given week. Remember, there will be times when it makes sense to skip your Friday fast or move it to another day of the week. For example, if you have an opportunity to have lunch on a Friday with someone you've been wanting to connect with for a while, don't feel compelled to create an awkward situation by sticking to your fast. Just change your fast day that week. Guideline #1 applies here.

Children s Educa on and Music March Important Dates 5 VBS First Team Meeting, 6:30PM 10-17 Juarez Mission Trip 23 Methodist Kids Fun Night, 6-8PM BABY TIME! We are growing again! We want to say welcome to our newest addition in our church family Jaxson Keith Markham January 24, 2018 Parents Ellen Edwards and Iley Markham Grandmother Greta Edwards Great Grandmother Geneva Maple WATCH 7th Cook: UMW Sloppy Joe s Clean-up: Trustees 14th Cook: Daily Grind Clean-up: Youth Ministry 21st Cook: Sarah Circle Pulled Pork Clean-up: Finance 28th Cook: Abigail Circle Chicken & Noodles Clean-up: Praise Team/GET Class Methodist Kids FUN NIGHT! Children s Ministry presents the March Fun activity FUN NIGHT at John Williams Tumbling Gym!! On March 23 from 6:00-8:00, we will be meeting OVER at John Williams Tumbling Gym, 258 Springfield Road, East Peoria, IL for Pizza and FUN TIME! This Gym has SO MANY fun things to do! Cost per child will be $5 to help us defray the cost of rental and pizza! Parents are responsible for transportation! Please RSVP to AMY ASAP! Vaca on Bible School (VBS) Vacation Bible School is coming soon! VBS will take place June 24-28. Get this on your calendars! You don t want to miss it! There will be a planning meeting on Monday, March 5 at 6:30. If you want to be a part of the planning team, please let me know ASAP! Thanks! We would really like to have YOU be a member and help us to plan! Easter April 1 EASTER is on the way! On Sunday, April 1 during the Sunday School Hour, we will again be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for our children 2 yrs- 6th grade. If you are able, please donate bags of individually wrapped candy so that we might stuff the eggs. Bring the candy to the office by Monday, March 26. Thanks!

Thoughts We are in this series on prayer so I would just like to throw something out there to encourage you in that area. Sometimes, when I need a boost in my prayer life, I find that it helps to really break down the Lord s Prayer. Most of us have said the words so many times that they practically fall out of our mouths without even a thought. But what if you took the time to zoom in and enlarge every phrase. Jesus gave us the succinct, to-the-point version of the prayer, but what if we meandered a bit? What if you broke it down and spread it out so much that a 30-second prayer instead filled up a 30-minute prayer time? Let s take a brief look at one phrase to give you an idea of what I mean. Hallowed be thy name. We don t use the word hallowed much any more. It might be close to meaningless to most of us. Here are some synonyms for hallowed: holy, sacred, consecrated, sanctified, blessed, revered, venerated, honored, worshiped, divine, inviolable. One definition of the word is greatly revered and respected. We hear the word most often in the phrase hallowed ground meaning it is ground that you don t goof around on; you don t spit on it; you don t build a Burger King on it; you don t host a kids soccer game on it. So, looking at all of that, how do you think that applies to the Lord s name? How would you pray to God the praise that this is what His name means to you? Would it help you to actually see His name that way by thinking through this and praying an extended version of this phrase more often? What about the rest of it? Sub and Chili thank yous The Sub and Chili sale was successful and even provided some fun in the preparation, thanks to a joyful crew of kids getting everything ready the day before. Thank you to the UMW for their donation to the youth, which allowed the kids to earn money against youth costs for helping. Thank you to Donna Uhlman for so much guidance, leadership, knowledge, and leg work. Thank you to Char Troyer for all the prep work, cleanup, and help selling. Thank you Marilyn Formhals for helping on prep day. Thank you Nancy Wraight for arranging the donation of most of our bread. Thank you Taylor VanEtten for help on prep day. Thank you Kathy Dallinger, Connie Stephens, Heather Berger, Liz Alt, Shelly VanEtten, and Jami DeChaney for preparing and donating baked goods to bolster the sale. Thank you to everyone who ordered and donated to continue to support the youth program. We are very blessed by this church family! Service Saturdays On February 10, a group of 14 of us went to Peoria Rescue Ministries to serve. It was great having those who have served a lot with us and great to have some first-time helpers coming out. We helped with their clothing donations and preparing the lunch they serve to the homeless men in their program. That program is truly a blessing to the Peoria community and (just so you know) they are experiencing a shortage of food donations for the meals they provide. I was told that butter, oil, eggs, and milk are always hard to come by. We were able to give them 9 quarts of chili that had been frozen after the chili sale which should be enough to cover one of their lunch crowds. After we left there, we went to the Salvation Army day center (just a warm place to sit for those out on the street or relying on shelters) and hand out sandwiches made with the meat and cheese leftover from the sale and all the leftover sweet treats. It was a blessing to give those away and to pray for a few people who needed it. Next up is Loaves and Fish again at Peoria FUMC on March 10. Please consider donating food items and/or financial gifts to help Peoria Rescue Ministries feed the less fortunate. Jr. High Retreat March 2-3 We are looking forward to taking a handful of the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to the CIY Believe Conference in Springfield. We are looking forward to some good bonding, some powerful worship, challenging teaching, and late-night laughs.

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 Kathy Dallinger, Communications Circle Leaders ABIGAIL Erin Jones 262-0065 Carrie Hoefling 370-7856 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 MARCH 2018 UMW BOARD MEETS March 7, 2018 Youth Room 9:00 a.m. CIRCLE MEETINGS ABIGAIL March 28 9:15 a.m. HANNAH March 1 9:30 a.m. JOANNA March 1 7:00 p.m. SARAH March 19 7:00 p.m. RUTH March 21 11:00 a.m. ( Ridge Ministry Update Everyone Welcome to Attend!). Other Dates to Remember: March 4 Morton UMW Sunday Our UMW will lead worship. March 7 UMW Cooks and Serves WATCH March 25 & 28 Joanna Circle Selling Cinnamon Rolls March 27 UMW Book Club 6:30 p.m. March 28 Holy Week Service 6:30 a.m. April 14 SAVE THE DATE!! Quilted in Love Every Daughter Brunch 11:00 a.m. Think about a quilt to share! April 23 IRD Spring Celebration @ Morton UMC

United Methodist Women All meetings are held in the Gathering Area at the Church 6:30 p.m. March 27 These is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine 1881-1901 Arizona Territories by Nancy E. Turner May 29 The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood Do you need TerriLynn products or RADA kitchen items? You can order TerriLynn products online at h ps://mortonumc.terrilynncares.com. Kathy Churchill (263 7524) can assist with RADA kitchen items. She has a very nice selec on on hand. These sales are an integral component of our Morton UMW missions fundraising. UMW Book Nook: There are now eleven new books (from the UMW Reading list) in our church library. I hope you ll take a few minutes to stop by the library and hopefully check some out. I ve already read one, Good Health, Good Life: 12 Keys to Enjoying Physical and Spiritual Wellness by Joyce Meyer. I knew I wanted to read this book as I read the introduction: Whatever shape you are in today, you do not have to stay that way. If you want to improve the way you look and feel, you can do that by reading this book and applying its insights and information to your life. If your temple (body) is in need of some restoration or renovation, you have chosen a resource that can help. Your entire being spirit, soul, and body plays an important role in God s plan, and the healthier you are in all three ways, the better your life will be. I read one chapter each morning and thought and prayed about an action I could work on out of each of the chapters. I was also able to give myself a pat on the back for the suggestions I have already incorporated into my life! God gave His only son to forgive our sins, to give us eternal life, and also to enjoy abundant life. If we are strong and healthy in body and mind, then making the most of every day God gives us is much easier. I encourage you to read this book and be blessed. Linda Clauser, Program Resource Chairperson

XYZ Extra Years of Zest Upcoming Events for March 2018 March 2 Game Day @ 11:00 a.m. we will play Five Crowns lunch is provided March 6 Lunch at Grecian Gardens in Chillicothe we will leave the Church @ 11:00 a.m. March 18 Metamora High School Musical Fidler on the Roof. We will leave the church @ 1 p.m. Tickets $7 preorder by March 8. through Shelli in the office. We will have supper a er. March 23 Movie Day @ 1 p.m. We will show All Saints in the Youth Room with popcorn March 27 Fill Easter Eggs @ church meet @ 11:30 a.m. lunch will be provided. Walking for Exercise every Monday, Wednesday & Friday @ 8:00 a.m. in the Gym. Dear Ministry, Congregation and Church Staff of the Morton United Methodist Church, I am writing this appreciation letter in recognizing you towards your kindness and Magnanimous spirit in helping me recently in purchasing tires for my automobile. Presently I am still battling cancer, as you all know, along with attempting to resume my career as a Recreation Therapist. The church has, in the past, given me: a free Walmart food coupon: I am telling my acquaintances about our church and how you exemplify the spirit of Christs giving and looking out for one another. I will continue to volunteer and support our church through exemplifying living as a Christian in our community. Sincerely, Michael Guidotti Thank you for the prayers, cards and messages of sympathy we received upon the death of my Father. Sincerely, The Yvonne Cole Family A message from Farmer John - a.k.a John Ackerman If anyone finds a wild swarm of honey bees this spring, I would be glad to come and get them. Thank you. John Ackerman (309-231-7429) "Winter reminds us of winter in our heart. Is the soil of our heart hardened by harshness and discontent? Ask God to ll that soil. Spring is a me in which flowers appear in our garden. The same may happen in our soul. The words of God begin to bloom for us as flowers. Such words are springs of silent beauty. They enable us to flow peacefully with all that God allows to be in our limping lives." ~Adrian Van Kaam~

Set your clocks ahead one hour! SUNDAY, MARCH 11 Reminder: If you would like to receive the footprints via email to save the church the cost of paper and ink to print the newsletter and postage please send us an email to info@mortonumc.org Jumer s Style Cinnamon Rolls! The UMW s Joanna Circle is currently taking orders! Order now, pick up in time for Easter Enjoy delicious homemade Jumer s Style cinnamon rolls and support the Birthday Bags mission outreach for the children at B.A.C.E.! $5.00/9 pan # of pans Please pay at time of pick up. NAME Drop off order forms in the Gathering Area Last day for orders: Wednesday, 3/21 Pick up: Sunday, 3/25 after each service, Wednesday 3/28 5-6 pm Orders will be frozen for freshness. Just thaw, warm and enjoy! Order Your Easter Lilies or Mums Now! Easter Lilies and Mums have been ordered to decorate our Sanctuary for Easter Sunday. If you would like to purchase a lily or a mum, please fill out the order form below and return it to the church office or place in the offering plate. Make checks payable to Morton United Methodist Church with Easter Flowers in the memo. Lilies cost $17.00. Mums cost $20.00. Please return orders by March 18. Your Name Lily $18.00 Mum $20.00 Total Cost In Honor of/in Memory of

James Howard 03/01 Spencer Armistead 03/02 Jared Bridge 03/02 Cheryl Monroe 03/02 Janette Wanner 03/02 Wayne Millslagle 03/03 Gurney St. Clair 03/03 Carol Alster 03/04 Laiden Jonas 03/04 Norman Cloyes 03/05 Ava Alt 03/06 Barb Delaney 03/06 Gary Pittenger 03/06 Tinley Sarff 03/07 Doreen Warfield 03/07 Susan Green 03/08 Wanda Johansen 03/08 Hunter Losey 03/08 Emily Delaney 03/10 Marcia Mason 03/10 Charleen Showalter 03/10 Laura Thorp 03/10 Chris Barrick 03/11 Brian Birchenough 03/11 Cathy Gale 03/11 Karen Loudermilk 03/11 Andrew Moore 03/11 N. Larry Pontius 03/11 Mark Thompson 03/11 Suzanne Behle 03/12 Shaun Bill 03/12 Amy Savage 03/12 Joseph Troyer 03/12 Ashlynn Godfrey 03/13 Robert Lichti 03/13 Brianna Uhlman 03/13 Michelle Bennett 03/14 Burdell Hall 03/14 Lydia Milby 03/14 Sam Mitchell 03/14 Janet Haarlow 03/15 Christopher Loudermilk 03/15 Jessica Pribble 03/15 Matthew Klokkenga 03/16 Emma Savage 03/16 Carla Schmidt 03/16 Patricia Townsend 03/16 Megan Wehnes 03/17 Brecken Carter 03/18 Jason Smallenberger 03/18 Noah Losey 03/19 Nyameye Maison 03/20 Russ Pribble 03/20 Kyle Brenkman 03/21 Ellen Heiman 03/21 Nicholas Klokkenga 03/21 Sarah Losey 03/21 Nicholas Gillhouse 03/22 John Ritchie 03/22 David Formhals 03/23 Michelle Loudermilk 03/23 Sarah Majors 03/23 Nicholas Hoefling 03/24 Joyce Mutters 03/25 Cameron Aune 03/26 Rowan Carter 03/26 Gary Dierker 03/26 Mary Barrick 03/27 JoAnn Kraft 03/27 Rylli Koener 03/27 Mara Schick 03/27 Hayley Uhlman 03/27 Cody Schunk 03/28 Gillian Smith 03/28 Marci Tewksbury 03/28 Brian Majors 03/29 Karolyn Crouch 03/30 Liz Campbell 03/31 Judith Morse 03/31 Dusty Snell 03/31

Administrative Notes: March March March March Flower Ministry Please contact the church office if you would like to donate flowers ~ thanks! 4 Open Date 11 Open Date 18 Open Date 25 Open Date Attendance February 4 357 February 11 321 February 18 318 Hospitalized Average 332 Henry Wefer, Finn Tewksbury, Thelma Robertson, Ashley Diemer, Jim Rada Sympathy To : The family of William Hall who died February 2. The family of Dorothy Funk who died January 26. The family of Charles Chuck Neubauer who died January 28. : The family of Pauline Handegan who died February 14. The family of Louise Wanner who died February 18 Financial Stewardship Report January - 2018 General Fund $47,182.04 $51,487.79 INCOME EXPENSE Year to Date $47,182.04 $51,487.79 INCOME EXPENSE General Fund Ending Cash Balance: $171,384.55 Our Expenses exceeded our Income for the January Budget by: $4,305.75 Building Fund Janurary 2018 Ending Cash Balance: $458,525.46 Certificates of Deposit (CDs): $1,621,7773.03 ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING SUNDAY, MARCH 11 The United Methodist Committee on Relief provides world-wide assistance to PREPARE for disasters, RESPOND to disasters, and RECOVER from disasters! Donations through this annual offering cover costs of doing business by taking care of administrative and fundraising costs. ATTENTION: FOOTPRINTS CREW We are folding Footprints on Thursday, March 22 in the Gathering Area March 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 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 FOOTPRINTS EDITOR Kim Gregurich 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