Franklin GroveUnited Methodist Church

223 W. Middle St.

P.O. Box 348

Franklin Grove, IL 61 031

phone: 847-722-6357

www.franklingroveumc.com

Pastor Jin-Ho Hong

email : hjhj lm66@hotmail .com

Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Church Service 1 0:1 5 a.m.

Page 1

Franklin Grove United

Methodist Church is

Gathering

Growing

Going

If your heart is where ours

is, come and join us!

Please let us

know your Bits

of News and

prayer requests

so we can keep

you in our

thoughts and

prayers.

November 2011

The Cross & FlameF r a n k l i n G r o v e U n i t e d

M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h

TurkeySupper

November 12th - 9:00 - ?Working Days:Wed., Nov. 16Preparation of food8:00 am to ?

Turkey Supper DayThurs., Nov. 176:00 am - ?DonationsPlease consider a $20donation toward thepurchase of a turkey andcooking bag.

Cleaning Day

Please donatecookies to thecookie sale.You may bringthem to churchon the 16th orthe morning ofthe 17th. †

The beautiful leaves are almost gone from all the trees around us. Winter iscoming to us soon. A few people said to me this coming winter will be very cold andit will snow much. Thus, I pray that you will be wise children of God who take care ofyour spiritual and physical health well for the winter.

During the past three weeks, I delivered sermons about the theme; “ImitatingJesus Christ” based on the book of Philippians. I think there are two classes ofChristians in the world. One are impersonators, and the other are imitators. For thelast ten years serving as a pastor, I have asked, “Why do you come to a church?”“Why do you believe in Jesus Christ?” Some person said to me, “I want to go toheaven.” Another person said, “I would like to get the blessing of God.” Yet anotherperson said, “I need an absolute god who becomes a support to me.” None of theanswers were wrong. However, when we think more deeply, we can know theanswers are replies which satisfy my purpose and profits in a selfish perspective.Then, I would change my question for you. “Are you a real Christian?” If your answeris “Yes,” as I have stressed for the last two months I will continuously emphasize,you are followers of Christ. If so, the answer about why you believe Jesus Christ is toimitate Christ. Although I gave you the same question, we got two opposing answers.The first answers are that they cling to the outcome and blessing received after webelieve in God. On the other hand, the second answer is about a process of how weimitate Jesus Christ in our life. There exists a huge difference between the tworeplies because whichever way we select, we can be either an imitator or animpersonator. That we get eternal life and be blessed from God are importantfactors to Christians. However, imitating Jesus Christ in the world is a more essentialpoint for all Christians, because when we become imitators, we can transform theworld through the ability of God. We must be imitators who have the heart of ChristJesus as well as express an aroma of Christ in our life. Of course, it is not simple tobe an imitator because it does not happen in an instantaneous transformation of ourlife’s actions and attitudes. Rather, it is an ongoing faith journey to accomplishsanctifying grace and Christian perfection. Therefore, we need the help of the HolySpirit as well as our own efforts in our daily life.

As we already know, November is the seasonof thanksgiving. During this month, we give

thanks to God because God has given manyblessings for our church, family, and ourselvesduring the past year. I strongly believe everythingin our life to be conditions of thanksgiving from God.

Let us meditate the Word of God: “Be joyfulalways; pray continually; give thanks in allcircumstances, for this is God’s will for you inChrist Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). That wegive thanks in all circumstances for God is a starting pointto be an imitator. I pray you are full of thanks in God’s grace and love for this month.

A Letter from the Pastor

Fall Fest

A big thank you toall of those whoworked so hard tomake this year's FallFest fun and different.The EducationCommittee hopes thatall had a good time! †

Being a judge is hard work!Each one tasted great!

A new contest this year was the turnkdecorating contest. The winner of thiswas

And the winners are

A new event this yearwas a contest for thebest decorated trunk!

1st place:The Summers family

Chili contest1st place:Rob Sandlin

:

Being a judge is hard work!Each one tasted great!

Pastor Hong seemsto be working prettyhard, while this oldman (Gary) seems tobe enjoying the lovelyladies, Annie, Kasi,Tina, and Kennidy

Hangingofthe

GreensOn Sunday, November 27th,

following church service, we will

be decorating the church for the

Advent season. Everyone is

encouraged to join us for this fun

time together as we prepare our

sanctuary for the Christmas

season. A pizza luncheon will be

provided for those who stay to

help decorate. †

A BIG thank you to everyonewho helped with Operation

Christmas Child! The SundaySchool students were able to pack21 boxes with your help and westill have a few more to pack!Students also added letters to therecipients, so along with beingable to track where the boxes go,we may even hear back from thechildren.

Please pray that the childrenwill be blessed by the boxes andcome to know the love of Jesus.

Thanks so much! † Kelly

In September, I went to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky with a groupfrom DeKalb. While there, we put a roof on a house, built a ramp fora handicapped person and helped pass out government food. RedBird is in the heart of the second poorest county in the U.S.

In October, the DeKalb District United Methodist Women had theirFall meeting. Everyone brought school supplies. I delivered them toChatham - Midwest Distribution Center. There was a total of 169pounds. These will be put in book bags for distribution all over theworld.

After a mission trip, you arealways so grateful for whatyou have at home. Rememberthe less fortunate. †

Mary Spangler

"We walk because they walk!"

The morning ofthe walk started outrather questionable as it was cooland very cloudy. Right before thewalk, we had a thunderstorm, butwith God's intervention it ended upbeing a beautiful sunny day! Wehad about 17 participants, raising$1,315.00. The local food pantry aswell as our local Christmas basketswill be blessed with 25% oftheamount raised.Thanks to all who walked and helpedmake a difference in someone's life! †

IamtheflagIlookdownuponthis landcalledAmerica .Ihavebeenheresincethisgreatnationwasformed,IhaveseeneachbattlefoughtIhaveseentheheroesdieforme, formycountry

ThankyouallthoseofyouWhohavekeptmeflyinginthebreezeKeepingthiscountryunitedasone.Thankyouthoseofyouwhohavesacrificedyourlives,Givingup allthatImaystillfly,Watchingoverthecitizensofthisnation.Thankyouallthoseofyouwhohaveeverfought,Iamevergratefulforyou.

AsIwatchlifefromatopmyflagpole,AsIthinkofallyou'vedone,MyfeelingsbecometoopowerfulforwordsAndallIcansayis thankyou. †

"HeroesDieforMe"by

JamieBurns

RememberingVeteran'sDay

Our thoughts andprayers are withthe family ofAnna M. Karper.Anna passed awayon October 23rdat the age of 87 .May her familyand friends findcomfort and peacethrough thestrength of ourLord. †

With Sincere Sympathy

This musical is performed in a oneman show format! It is a

representation of the gospel story.

Sunday, November 13that 2:00pm

Franklin Grove Churchof the Brethren

121 W North St.Franklin Grove, Illinois

100% of funds will go to localand world hunger. †

Frannklin GroveUnited Methodist Church

Annual Turkey Supperand Bake Sale

Thursday, November 17Serving from 5 to 7 pm

DRIVE THRU: $10.00ADULTS $9.00CHILDREN (5-12): $5.00CHILDREN UNDER 5 ARE FREE

Advance sales can be purchased at the Franklin GroveFresh Market or tickets may be purchased that nighteither at the drive-up or dine-in.

Lauren Joyce BevanBorn at 8:30 am

October 14th8lbs. 14 oz.

20. 5 in.

Parents are LyndaandCriagBevan. Lauren was

welcomedhome bybig brotherDannyandbig sister

Kaitlyn! †