Circuit Rider July 2018

Pastor Rev. Dr. Solomon Sudhakar, PhD

Cell: 773.936.8979 pastor@rockfallsumc.org

Church Office Amber Winters Secretary

Phone: 815/625-0114 office@rockfallsumc.org

Director of Music Ministries Kevin O’Keefe

Organists Pat Simester

Lori Kyger Tom Luther

Pianist Lori Kyger

Director of Christian Education Jodi Perez

Director of Communications Janna Groharing

Custodian Craig Deem

02-Joyce Criddle 04-Brad Leuschke 05-Deb Reinhardt 05-Megan Shears 07-Deena Gallentine 11-Josh Lillpop 12-Dennis Tabor 14-Tom Workman 15-Daisy Linker 16-Mary Janssen 16-Neva Johnson 16-Madelyn Mertes 16-Donald Murray

17-Cliff Berge 17-Suzie Branch 18-Linda Ingold 21-Joe Stewart 21-Doris Wasson 23-Sheree Eshleman 24-Bill Lauts 25-Kyle Butler 25-Traci Nettelton 26-Brittany Bohlken 27-John Marshall 29-Charlie Anderson 30-Connie Royer 30-Deb Slifer 31-Sue Scott

01-Jim & Irma Bertlozzi 02-Kevin & Mandy Pinske 11-Jim & Loretta Larson 20-Jim & Nancy Hardt 24-Greg & Jan Pratt

4-OFFICE CLOSED

9-13 VBS 9-11:30 AM 15- VBS Sunday 18- 4:30 PM Finance Meeting 19- 6PM Church Council Meeting

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to

my cry for mercy. 3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you

there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 5 I wait for the Lord, my

whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than

watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:1-3, 5

-6

Dear Friends in Christ: Greetings! As you read this letter, you must be preparing for the 4th of July celebrations. I wish you all a blessed and a safe celebrations. Even as we celebrate this great day, let us not forget that God has brought us all to this blessed land of freedom, liberty and opportunity from different parts of the world. Let us all strive to keep the dream alive for all the future generations to come. In our church on Sunday July 1st we prayed the following prayer. I hope you will join me in praying again as you read this letter, let us pray: Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 242) I am very glad to inform you that Bishop Sally Dyck has agreed to be with us on August 14th 2019, as we celebrate our church’s 150 years celebrations. Please mark your calendars for this great event in the life of our church. Even as we celebrate the past 150 years we also prayerfully prepare for the next 150! At church we have formed a small Sesquicentennial committee to start planning for this week long celebrations in August of 2019. We need lots of volunteers for different sub-committees. We are starting off with a fun challenge for you in asking for a “Slogan/Caption” for our 150 years celebrations. We look forward to receive lots of entries. You are welcome to send several entries. There are lots of creative folks at our church. And there will be a prize too for the winner! On behalf of the church, I liked to thank the Membership committee for spending lots of hours in our Church Membership Audit. As I mentioned previously, we are doing this after several years. Thank you!

On July 1st 2019, our family starts the third year with you all wonderful folks here at Rock Fall UMC. God has been good to all of us. I am particularly thankful for our God’s faithfulness and each of your generosity in giving for the mission and life of RF UMC. For several months now, we are not on the negative side financially. Your giving made this difference! Thank you and please continue to be generous in your giving to the church. Thanks also to our committed Finance committee for their sincerity and accountability! Even as we are preparing for our 150 years celebrations, I also want to mention that our sanctuary is in need for several repairs and maintenance issues. Please uphold our church and its needs in your prayers and planning. I am looking forward for our Vacation Bible School week this month. Please pray for all the teachers, volunteers and children that this week would be a blessing for all. Continue to pray for one another, especially for the sick and elderly in our community. Pray for all the ministries of our church and our conference. Pray for our country and all its leaders. Pray and remember all those who are going through rough patches and crisis situations in their lives. There are several people that a hurting, sore, heartbroken, separated from families and loved ones, or displaced. There are many who have lost a loved one recently – pray for them. In the words of the psalmist as we find in Psalm 130 quoted above: We understand that these words are coming from a person who is going through difficult time in his life. This prayer is coming from ‘out of the depths’ of his existential situation, begging God to hear his cry. As I mentioned above, there are several today in that place, looking for God’s help and intervention in their lives. God wants to use us and our hands to bring the good news of his son Jesus Christ to them. God wants to use you and me for this ministry for all God’s people. May our God be with you all. God Bless!

Pastor Solomon

At Maker Fun Factory VBS, kids discover not only that God made them the way they are, but for a purpose. Maker Fun Factory is filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, touch, and even taste! Sciency-Fun Gizmos, team-building games, cool Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the standout activities that help faith flow into real life. Since everything is hands

on, kids may get a little messy, so be sure they come in their play clothes.

The fun begins on Monday July 9th-Friday July 13th from 9-11:30 ( Sunday, the 15th, we’ll sing our favorite songs and see pictures of the fun the kids had during the week at our 9:00 church service)!

Registration forms can be filled out at home and returned to the church, emailed to me, or paper forms are available in the office and on the table outside the sanctuary.

We look forward to an exciting adventure together!

Coming in 2019 Rock Falls United Methodist Church’s Sesquicentennial

Celebrating……. 150 Years of our past- preparing for the next 150!

Logo/Slogan contest for the 150th Anniversary of the Rock Falls United Methodist Church.

Email office@rockfallsumc.org or

drop your ideas off to the church office.

All entries due by August 12th. Enter as many times as you’d like.

There will be a prize for the winning logo!

RFUMC PHOTO ALBUM June 2018

The Rock River Valley Barbershop Choir

Honor Flight to Washington DC Tom Thompson

2018 Northern Illinois Conference

Summer Time Gardening

Have a blessed, and safe

4Th of July

2018 Northern Illinois United Methodist Conference Report

The three-day conference was held at St. Charles and was attended by Pastor Solomon, Jodi Perez, our delegate and the Siefken’s.

“We can hope for the World,” said Bishop Sally Dyck at the 179th Annual Conference. The theme was ‘Navigating Uncharted Waters”. The Bishop said that in nearly every aspect of our lives these days we are navigating uncharted waters or territory, but she says a focus on our mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” will continue to guide us. “Our unity is based on Jesus Christ and Christ’s mission for us” the church can be the hope of our community and the world.

One Deacon and four Elders were ordained and 10 persons were com-missioned for the work of an elder and two persons for the work of a deacon and two deaconesses were consecrated. At the retirement ser-vice 18 retiring clergy received recognition for their combined 456 years of service. At the memorial service 34 clergy, spouses and lay members who died over the past year were celebrated and remembered. The United Methodist’s 50th anniversary with Evangelical United Brethren was celebrated.

Members of the annual conference debated and voted on documents encouraging churches to conduct energy audits and to become Syrofoam free, a call to end gun violence and to begin the Annual Conference and District Shepherding teams. Membership in the Northern Illinois Conference is 82,003, down 3,347 from last year. Worship attendance stands at 28,466, down 1654 and Sunday school attendance stand at 1,539 up 184 from 2016.

Rock Falls United Methodist Church Council Meeting

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Those present included Rod Brooks, Larry Thompson, Marcia Thompson, Tom Thompson, Cliff Berge, Pastor Solomon, Jodi Perez, Donna Brooks, Carol Siefken and Russ Siefken.

Devotion, Jodi Perez

Open prayer, Pastor Solomon

Staff Parrish – looking for someone to do music for Wednesday night service.

Finance - everything is paid up to date with a bank balance of $1,600. Heritage has $25,178.01.

Membership – will be sending out 75 letters to people on the books that have not been attending church or contributing. We have 245 members.

Youth – no report

Church Women - No June meeting and no July meeting. October 12 will be the rummage sale, November 8 Beef and Noodle Dinner and December 16 cookie sale.

150th Centennial Celebration – The Bishop has been invited for August 2019. Sub committees will be set up. Committee is looking for a slogan. If interested to help with the celebration get in touch with the pastor.

Christian Education/conference delegate – planning a confirmation class for fall to spring of 2019. Lots of fun activities for VBS. There will be a “listening” session at Wesley in October.

Pastor – Thanks to those attending the movie. There will be no Wednesday night service on July 4. Family is trying to adjust to Satya being in charge of her own church and to Nima getting ready for college. Thank you everyone for the wonderful graduation celebration for Nima. Enjoyed his time at the Conference meeting new and old friends and taking part in the activities. Will be taking some on line training for his CEU credits.

Chair Report – Thanks to Donna and Craig for mowing the grass. Wednesday night service begins at 5:30.

Next Council meeting will be held on Thursday July 19, 2018 at 6 p.m.

July 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 No Service

Office Closed

5 6 7

8 9AM Worship

9 VBS 9a-11:30 a

10 VBS 9a-11:30 a

11 VBS 9a-11:30 a 5:30PM Midweek Worship

12 VBS 9a-11:30 a

13 VBS 9a-11:30 a

14

15 9AM Worship Bear Necessities VBS Sunday

16 17 18 5:30PM Midweek Worship 4:30 PM Finance Meeting

19 6pm Church Council

20 21 10AM-Noon Bear Necessities Pantry Open

22 9AM Worship Noisy Plate

23 24 25 5:30PM Midweek Worship

26 27 28

29 9AM Worship

30 31

Non Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit #48

Rock Falls, IL 61071

Rock Falls United Methodist Church 210 4th Avenue Rock Falls, IL 61071 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Office Hours Monday-Friday

9AM-12PM

Sunday Service 9AM Wednesday Service 5:30PM

Hope you have a wonderful And safe Summer