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Calendar | Grace Notes |
Bulletins | Sermons |
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Calendar
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Grace Notes
Grace United Methodist Church offers home to Salvation Army during construction project. Depending on how one looks at it, it's the same services in a different place or an old church with new life. The administrative council of Grace Methodist Church made the decision for The Salvation Army to run its services out of the church during construction of a new citadel, said the Rev. Mike Fender, pastor of Grace United Methodist. Crosses of Blessings Crosses of Blessings, is a new project that will commence July 1st. This is a two-fold program that will (1) ask God’s blessings locally for our church members and friends while (2) providing funds to spread God’s word through missions. Information will be provided when the cross appears in your yard. If you want additional information, call Pat Pennell. Please share the blessings of God and Grace with others! Midwest Mission Distribution Center Midwest Distribution Center has an overwhelming job to do. They collect supplies from 28 different states and then redistribute them worldwide. They have a dorm which can sleep up to 32 persons, with plans (but no money) to build another one. Their dorm space has been reserved for the next year by various groups who work there to aid them. But, sometimes they have more work than people to do it. Grace UMC would like to help out, if we can. We have a facility available here that has a full kitchen, plenty of room, showers, parking, and activities which could accommodate a group. We propose that our church be used as an alternative place for groups to stay while working in Chatham. We realize that we are about 45 minutes away from Chatham, but it is easy to get from here to there. We will suggest to Chatham that our church be considered when groups are making reservations. Ad. Council heard and approved this recommendation. New Attendance Policy During the month of September, we will be taking a closer look at our church members’ attendance during the Sunday Worship Service. Please sign the attendance pads, located at the end of the pews, each and every Sunday to ensure accurate records for our office and the conference office.. JD Group Our last two summer lunch get togethers will be at Norma’s (Walnut and N. Main) on August 3rd and 10th at 11:45 am. Someone suggested meeting in the fall on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays. Is anyone interested? Youth News Welcome new members of our Junior High Youth Group. Most of our former group members are moving into Senior High, but we have three new Jr. High members that will join are existing group. We will resume regular times with Jr. High at 4:00 and Sr. High at 5:30. Post Mission Trip "Kudos", to Sara Corder and Cindy Potter, for their hard work and willing help as leaders with this year’s Mission Trip. Cindy did an exceptional job driving us to and from Charleston and also driving several groups to their worksites during the Week of Hope. Sara was her trusted "co-pilot" and did her best to keep us on schedule. Our youth worked hard, many of them in the heat and they participated in a worship service every morning and evening and devotions at noon and before sleeping at night. A huge "Thank You" for the new air conditioner installed in the Youth Room. What a difference...WOW! This will be a terrific boost to our programs since we can meet much more comfortably. Family Ministries Seventeen members of our church family traveled, by train, to the Normal, IL Children’s Discovery Museum. We truly had a very pleasant experience and a good time was had by everyone. We ranged in ages from 4 to70+. Our next trip is planned for October 9th, so, Please Save The Date! How long has it been since you’ve been to the zoo? Boy Scout News A Thank You We would like to thank Grace United Methodist Church for donating a computer to Troop 107. The computer will be used to collect and submit Troop activities. We greatly appreciate your help! The Scouts have been busy this summer! The annual summer trip to the East coast this summer and summer camp at the end of the month had many scouts out of town during June. July started off with the July 4th parade. Later, three scouts left for the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Caroline County, Virginia and one scout went to Philmont Scout Ranch, the premier high adventure base in New Mexico. A service project was worked into this busy schedule, also. Regular meetings will start in August. Contact Scoutmaster Tim Sanders, if you are interested in joining our troop. Older Adult Ministries Program Chapel – Food - Fellowship Our speaker, Eileen Keenan, will speak on "Making the Most of Your Passion." Eileen is fairly new to the area and speaks on a number of subjects. It is the belief of the Older Adult Ministries that you will thoroughly enjoy Eileen and what she has to say to us. Please be sure to join us for chapel time and/or lunch before the program. During chapel, we always enjoy some singing time (hymns of your choice) and Pastor Mike leads us in prayer, especially lifting up prayers brought forth by those in attendance. Also, the lunch served is always wonderful.
Please join us on August 18th! FYI If you are in need of the Pastor’s services, please notify the office. They maintain contact with him, even when he is out of the office. Thank You I want to thank the people of Grace Church for welcoming Polly and I over this past month. If I haven’t met you yet, please do not hesitate to stop me and introduce yourself. I’m still working on names and faces. I can see that God’s spirit is at work here. I’m very excited about serving the Lord with you. Paula Gentry H.E.L.P.S. Ministry Outreach H.E.L.P.S. is having a fund-raiser at Los Rancheros Restaurant, 1020 Lincoln Avenue, Jacksonville. The fund-raiser will be on August 12th, from 5-8 pm. and money donated will be used to support your community crisis needs. H.E.L.P.S. has enlisted the talents of Robert Sampson to entertain you while you enjoy the good food at Los Rancheros. In addition, there will be a free gift certificate drawing. Come join in the fun and be entertained, enjoy good food, and support your community. For more information, call H.E.L.P.S. at 245-7559. Bikers for Jesus 2010 Twenty students from Wesley Foundation at Purdue University, a UM campus ministry, will be bicycling over seven and a half days from August 7 – 14, 2010 the length of Indiana. We seek pledges for the miles that we ride. Half of the money received will go to the Wesley Foundation at Purdue and the other half will be split among the other eight UM campus ministries within the state of Indiana. We prefer money to be paid by check and made out to: “Wesley Foundation at Purdue.” Wesley will send half to the other campus ministries. It can be sent to: P O Box 2396, West Lafayette, IN 47906. Afterwards we will tell you how far we rode and provide a return envelope for your contribution . Any questions, call Rev. J. Glen Robyne, 765-743-5066. Mission Team This is the month we start thinking about School Supplies. You will note a lot of ads in the newspaper selling many of the supplies at a ridiculously low price. Every store tries to get your business any way they can. In the past we have collected supplies and given them to Washington School, the gifted program, the Alternative School, or The Boys and Girls Club. If you have a suggestion who should get them this year, please contact us. Whoever gets them will appreciate any of the following supplies: pencils, crayons, pens, rulers, lined paper, erasers, computer paper, colored pencils, scissors, spiral notebooks, glue sticks, Kleenex and highlighters. Whatever you can donate will be appreciated by those who can’t afford to get all of the supplies that their young people need. Thank you. Men of Grace Put this on your calendar. Our Men of Grace are having a Fish Fry on August 10th at 6:00 pm. The tickets will be $7.00 each and will be available soon. This fish fry is for ALL Methodist Men and their spouses. For more information, call Roger McClintock. Wesley Chapel’s UMM is sponsoring a ballgame trip to Busch Stadium on August 14th to see the St. Louis Cardinals against the Chicago Cubs. They will leave from Hardees at 10:00 am and will be stopping in Jerseyville for lunch at Hickory Grove Restaurant (on your own). The cost of the trip is $66.00 with a $25.00 deposit due when you sign up. The balance of the money is due on July 10th. Contact Marilyn Hemenway/ Marilyn’s Tours at 245-5073 or 491-2012 – cell to make your reservation and for more information. Chick Flick Chick Flicks will be postponed until September. Financial Report - June – YTD - 2010 Our first six months of the year shows that, on a cash basis, we have taken in five thousand dollars more than we have spent. This is a very positive situation for our congregation. As you may recall, we adopted an unbalanced budget, estimating that we would be spending more than thirty thousand dollars more than our income in the first half of 2010. How and why are we maintaining a positive cash flow? First of all, our total income is three thousand dollars more than we expected. Our investment interest has been five thousand more, while congregational giving has been two thousand less, for a net gain of three thousand. Secondly, our personnel expenses have been eighteen thousand less than we expected, due to the continuing open positions, primarily in the music program. Thirdly, the cost of maintaining our beautiful building has been ten thousand dollars less than expected, and fourthly, our program costs are six thousand dollars less. All of these situations have offset the expected losses, and have allowed us to have a positive cash flow through June. These results sound good, but what does it say about the future? As we look forward, the church will want to grow back its wonderful music program, and the church actually should be spending the allocated funds in the discipleship area as this group fulfills their mission to grow and sustain our current and new members. Also, the youth and adult groups need to be adequately supported. In summary, our expenses will (and should) increase in the future. This will then require our income to increase accordingly. If anyone has questions or comments concerning the church’s finances, please feel free to contact Bill Norris. It is important that we all understand how the church operates financially. Annual Conference Bishop Palmer announced the four initiatives of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, 2010. They are:
In order to experience revival in the deepest way possible, the cabinet has announced that it will lead monthly days of prayer and fasting for all of the clergy and laity of the conference. They are designating the first Thursday of each month, starting in July. We ask every pastor to find ways to tap into this revival movement to invite our people and our communities to gather for prayer. During this time of prayer and fasting, we will call upon Christ to send the Holy Spirit’s power of Pentecost upon the church. They recognize July and August as vacation months, but those could be used as personal days of prayer and fasting as pastors, congregations, districts, and the whole conference decides how to cooperate in presenting ourselves before God. Then, beginning in September, we can really hit it! What are we seeking? Nothing less than clarity from God about our mission and purpose, power to live holy lives, opportunities to testify boldly to the Gospel of grace, to share the love of Christ in tangible ways, and the courage to invite persons to commit their lives to Christ and become part of the church. Do you believe that the power of Pentecost can still move upon the church today? Will you join the movement? Fasting Questions What is fasting? Fasting refers to abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. Why should one fast? According to Scripture, (1) personal repentance for sin, and (2) to prepare oneself for receiving the necessary strength and grace to complete a mission of service in God’s name. What is the connection between prayer and fasting? Fasting intensifies the focus of prayer. I can’t fast from food. Are there other ways to fast? You can fast from:
Are there some helpful, practical hints?
Is there a Wesleyan pattern for prayer and fasting? John Wesley began after the evening meal the day before his fast day until the evening meal on the day of his fast day. He fasted and focused much of his time in prayer. Who is invited to participate in the “First Thursdays” prayer and fasting? Anyone seeking spiritual revival! All desiring to join the movement of God’s Spirit in our area are invited. All seeking to grow in love of God and neighbor and deepen the spiritual life in community with other United Methodist Christians are invited. First Thursdays August 5th is the first Thursday in August and all Methodists in IGRC are invited to pray and fast that day. If you are unable to fast by not taking in food, here are some other suggestions. You can refrain from:
Conference Postings From our Bishop: During Annual Conference the Cabinet Address introduced you to First Thursdays - an invitation for all United Methodists in the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference to join in a monthly day of prayer and fasting. So here we go. Thursday July 1st is our first opportunity to engage this opportunity together. Here are a few things to know and keep in mind. On the conference website you will find material on First Thursdays. There is a foundational piece called Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's), some reading resources and some suggested prayers specific to the theme for the month to get you going. There is also a Facebook page for First Thursdays. Each month the Cabinet will suggest a theme for our praying together. The theme is not restrictive. You will have many matters that you will want to tend to in your personal and corporate prayers on First Thursdays. The theme is intended to give all of us one subject that we are praying about together. July 1st puts us right on the eve of another recognition and celebration of American Independence Day. Therefore the theme for this First Thursday is praying for the nation. In preparing for this it was inspiring to identify the rich prayer resources available. I look forward to joining you in seeking God's will and God's face through prayer. I remain Your servant in Jesus Christ, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bulletins
Bulletins are posted here for those who are unable to worship with us in person. The Sunday bulletins will be posted by the Saturday prior to the Sunday service. If you are going to miss being in church with us and can still listen at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays via WLDS 1180 AM, print out the current bulletin to follow along with our worship service.
Previous bulletins can be found on the Archived Sermons page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sermons
Sermons are posted here for all to hear. New Sermons will be posted within 2 weeks. The sermons are mp3 files and require the use of a media player, such as Windows Media Player, to listen to the sermons. You may download these sermons to share with others. Where possible, the corresponding scripture reference and bulletin have been included. The Current Sermon is posted below. Sermon for Sunday, August 1, 2010 Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 For an archive of previous sermons, follow the link to Archived Sermons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Useful Links
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