March 2020 Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

 

Pastor Michael  Paulson  and  his wife 

Rose have been serving God together 

within  the UMC  for  nearly  14  years. 

He currently serves as Lead Pastor at 

Lincoln  First  UMC  where  his  family 

(including  three  children)  has  been 

serving  for  7  of  those  years.  Gabriel 

is  14  and  loves  chess  and  scholas c 

bowl;  Elijah  is  9  and  loves  reading 

and  archery;  Grace  is  6  and  enjoys 

dancing, art, wri ng, and illustra ng. 

Rose  has  passion  for  prayer  and  art 

and  reaching  and  serving  children 

and adults with special needs. 

Michael’s  passion  is  helping  people 

come to understand the incredible love God has for them  individually, to experience the transforma on of 

their lives as they grow deeper in that rela onship with Jesus, and then learn to share that love with others 

in authen c, lifegiving ways. He brings strategic  leadership skills and has a passion for coaching, developing 

leaders, and helping groups and churches to discern God’s vision for them and how to carry it out.  

  They all are looking forward to ge ng to know and become part of the Morton UMC family. 

A Lenten Blessing Ministry Giving Up…Giving Away!

During the 40 days of Lent discover clothing which you can give away to those in need. Select up to 40 pieces of clothing in good to nearly new condition (not ‘throw-a-ways’), still wearable, clean and ready to wear. Clothing will be given away on Good Friday, April 10, at Bethel UMC in Peoria. Please drop off your clothing in the new hallway opposite the Commons starting Sunday, March 1. Place items in the appropriate designation (men, women, or children) during regular business hours.

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 10:45 am

(Gymnasium)

~Tuesday ~ Communion

8:00-8:30 am

Sunday Christian Education

October-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 of f ice—answ er ing the phone, greeting visitors, and taking messages….

Contact Kathy Dallinger (266-7811) if you would like to volunteer or have

any questions. Thank you!

  Thank you Pastor Gary and Pastor Gabe for the many visits to the hospital and the wonderful Celebration of Life service. We would like to thank our church family for all the prayers and support you gave us during Larry’s illness. Thank you Kerry Brenkman, Bob Behle and Bob

Camp for the special music at the service.

Love you all,

Marcia, Jesse, and Jake Menold and family

    

Jesus Messiah and

King  

 Matthew’s story of Jesus reveals a Messiah who enters into history, bringing the Kingdom of Heaven into the world and into our lives! Story by story we will examine the life of Jesus and discover what this first century Rabbi has for our lives today. Jesus is our Messiah, our King, our Christ, our Lord, our Savior, our Emmanuel! His message will transform our lives and recreate His life in us! Please join us in this journey through the Gospel of Matthew!

February 26 Ash Wednesday 1. Power for Living! Matthew 3:13-4:17 March 1 Lent 1 2. Get Serious with Jesus! Matthew 8:18-34 March 8 Lent 2 3. Hungry? Matthew 14:13-21 March 15 Lent 3 4. Did You Wash Your Hands? Matthew 15:1-20 March 22 Lent 4 5. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! Matthew 16:13-28 March 29 Lent 5 6. More Faith, More Power! Matthew 17:1-21 April 5 Palm Sunday 7. The King Is Coming/All Stirred Up! Matthew 21:1-17 April 9 Maundy Thursday 8. A New Covenant Matthew 26:17-30 April 10 Good Friday Seven Last Words of Jesus – Bethel UMC, Peoria April 12 Easter 9. Show and Tell Matthew 28:1-10

For more informa on or to sign up for any of our  Connect  Groups— contact Pastor Gabe 

gabew@mortonumc.org. 

Connect with God!

Volunteer!

Join a Class!

Connect with People!

Use God’s Gift!

Leaders are Needed!

Here’s Y   Invita on:  

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! 

MUMC HEALTH Ministry March 2020

SLEEP

Just hearing the word sleep can sound very invi ng to some and to others may have a long term wish for true and deep sleep. When the body goes in to the res ul sleep mode this process is biological and essen al for life and op mal health. It plays a cri cal role in many of our body’s func ons including the brain, metabolism and our heart/lung systems to name an important few.    

Yet there are many disorders that lend to a lack of sleep for millions of people and it can  certainly affect one’s ability to perform daily tasks and can add to a variety of health  condi ons. Some of the most common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea,  restless leg syndrome and REM sleep disorder.    

Having insomnia is very common and it affects the ability to get to sleep and to stay asleep. Reasons contribu ng to this include medical condi ons, anxiety, hormonal  changes, poor sleep hygiene, and unknown reasons. There are treatments that include OTC medica ons that offer rest; other treatments include cogni ve therapy, relaxa on methods, and anxiety reduc on techniques.    

Sleep apnea has thankfully go en much a en on regarding this condi on, and the use of weight loss programs and breathing apparatus has reduced the problems that the  apnea causes. Obstruc ve sleep apnea is serious as the airway becomes blocked by the so   ssues that collapse in the back of the throat. The main symptom apnea creates is the 

audible snoring and usually a family member is the one to hear this common symptom. There will also be fa gue, restless sleep and problems concentra ng. Treatment includes use of a CPAP appliance to help use air pressure to flow through a face mask or nasal prongs in order to prevent the  ssue from falling back. There are also oral appliances and surgery if the case is severe enough. Also, a simple cure can be to not sleep on the back and to maybe have the head of the bed elevated to relieve pressure.   

Restless leg syndrome is a sleep disorder that can cause an intense surge to move the legs and can be brought about by si ng for long periods or res ng while in bed. This is      usually in the evening and can be interrup ve and uncomfortable. Treatments include exercise, yoga, stretching, medica ons and proper nutri on and vitamin intake.   

Another sleep disorder is called the REM sleep behavior disorder. REM is abbreviated for rapid eye movement. This disorder is where one physically acts out the dreams that they are having with vocal and arm/leg movements. Causes of this can be result of a            neurologic disorder and may also be a side effect from medica ons, or a result of         narcolepsy. This condi on is seen more commonly in males over 50 years old. There are medica ons and therapy for treatment.  

In general, there are ways to help promote a great night’s sleep:   1.  Try to stay on the same sleep schedule each night and the goal of 7‐8 hours is key. 2.  Do not go to bed hungry or go to sleep right a er ea ng a meal.  Nico ne, alcohol and  

caffeine deserve cau on too. 3.  Create a res ul room and bed with limited screen exposure prior to turning in.  Reading, 

stretching and prayer will lead to a more relaxed state of mind.  4.  Limit your day me naps. 5.  Lessen your worrying and anxiety by se ng them “aside” un l morning or another   me 

and also, know that many of our worries and concerns are for naught.  

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet” Prov. 3:24 

References: Na onal Center for Biotechnology Informa on, Na onal Library of Health, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and American Associa on of Sleep Technologists. 

Stop by the Gym to get a free blood pressure reading.

It’s a great way to care for the gift of life God has given you.

9:00-9:30 & 10:30-10:45

Blood Pressure Sunday, March. 15

Children’s Education and Music March Important Dates

3 VBS First Team Meeting, 6:30 PM 6 Methodist Kids Boys Fun Night, 6-8 PM 13 Methodist Kids Girls Fun Night, 6-8 PM 29 Cherub/Children’s Choir Sing/Ring Juarez Stock Dinner, 5:00 PM

WATCH 4th Cook: Barb Howard Clean-up: Youth Ministry 11th Cook: Daily Grind Clean-up: Worship Committee 18th Cook: Peggy McFeeters Serving Stuffed Pork Chops Clean-up: Ad Board

25th Cook: Sarah Circle Serving Pulled Pork BBQ Clean-up: Praise Team/GET Class

Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Vacation Bible School is coming soon! VBS will take place June 28-July 2. Get this on your calendars! You don’t want to miss it! There will be a planning meeting on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30. I am in great need of a strong planning team, as new IDEAS are needed for our new space! Please consider joining me! I would really like to have YOU be a member and help me to plan!

Methodist Kids FUN NIGHTS!

Children’s Ministry presents the March Fun Night Activities! This month, we are changing things up!

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 6-8PM BOYS NIGHT!!! All boys, K-6th grade, are invited to a night of Nerf Wars!! Bring your friends, your OWN Nerf gun and your OWN AMMO and a snack to share! We will have a BLAST!!! RSVP

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 6-8PM GIRLS NIGHT! All girls, K-6th grade, are invited to a night of GAMES! Bring your favorite board games, video consuls, whatever, and a snack to share! We will have a great night! RSVP

NOW, I don’t believe in discrimination, so if you are a girl and like Nerf Wars, COME ON AND JOIN ME! If you are a boy that prefers game night, you are welcome as well! All are welcome!

Choir/Chimes Due to Daylight Savings Time and the month ahead, we will have our final RING AND SING on Sunday, March 29 at both worship services!

FINAL WATCH OF SPRING 2020 COMING

ON APRIL 1!!

 

JUAREZ 2020

CHRIST-Centered AND MISSIONS-Focused WOMEN OF FAITH

MORTON UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

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 and Sharon Gilbert,

Funeral Dinners

Kathy Dallinger, Communications

and IRD Cunningham Rep

Patti Erwin, Historian

Ci rc le Leaders

HANNAH Kathy Churchill 263-7524

JOANNA Mary Barrick 360-3689 Lauren Middleton 530-9133 RUTH Lois Lichti 263-0562

SARAH Debbie Veltman 678-5646

March

UMW BOARD MEETING March 4 - 9:00 a.m. in AE1

CIRCLE MEETINGS Hannah Circle - March 5 -9:30 a.m. at Church Joanna Circle - March 3 -7:00 p.m. at Church

Ruth Circle - March 18 - 11:30 a.m. at Season’s Restaurant

Sarah Circle – March 14 - Dream Center visit with lunch. More details to follow.

NO meeting on March 16.

***** Please join us as we celebrate

UMW Sunday on March 1st!

***** Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Prayer and Self-Denial Service.

The program highlighted the many ways we, as members of UMW, not only

change the lives of others through our gifts but also how we grow in our own love

of GOD and our neighbors.

Morton UMW

Goals for 2020

Let us BE BOLD .. Ask women to JOIN us in UMW, SERVE in new ways, LOVE as Jesus teaches

and be a BLESSING in someone’s life.

 

Opportunities for UMW Fellowship

March 16 — IRD Mini Mission at East Peoria First UMC. Caroline Jones will be speaking on the “Book of Mark”. 8:30 a.m.—2:00 p.m. Lunch will be served. Cost $ 10.

Registration forms available in the church office.

March 21 — Pekin Grace and Pekin First UMW units are hosting “Life Happens, Laugh Anyway” with Tracy DeGraaf.

Program runs 2:00—4:00 p.m. at Pekin Grace. Cost $15. Tickets available in the church office.

April 3 and 4 — Cunningham 16th Annual Festival of Quilts

In Urbana, Illinois — 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. each day Tickets available in the church office.

April 20 — IRD Spring Gathering at Pekin Grace. Messages will include a

presentation by the Midwest Food Bank focusing on Food Insecurity and Children. 8:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. NO lunch.

United Methodist Women

            

Our next Book Club Meeting will be March 9

at 6:30 p.m. in Room AE1. We will be reading Educated by Tara Westover.

I have requested it be brought into the Morton Public Library on reserve for us starting six weeks prior to our meeting date. The author, Westover, was born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho. She was seventeen before she was in a classroom. Her family lived a very isolated life. They were fearful of education and the government. Once one of Westover’s older brothers enrolled in college; she thought she, too, should be educated.

This book is her memoir. Linda Coon

  Morton

UMW & UMM Soup & Pie

Supper A Soup and Pie Supper for

the whole church is being hosted by the UMM and UMW on March 28, at the church at 5 p.m. A free will offering is being accepted for the supper with those proceeds being split between UMM and UMW for missions.

Following the supper, Pastor Gabe and Debbie Velt-man will provide a travelogue of their trip to the Holy Land in the Sanctuary.

Sign up will begin on Sunday, March 15, in the Commons Area, so that the cooks have an idea of attendance for supper.

 

 

  

XYZ Xtra Years of Zest Upcoming Events for March 2020

Walking for exercise every Monday, Wednesday & Friday @ 8 a.m.

March 6 – Game Day @ 11:30 a.m. We will play Mexican Trains & have lunch.

March 14 – Adults Night Out. We will have a table @ 5 p.m. Please sign up @ Commons Area by March 8th.

March 15 – Metamora Musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, We will meet @ the church @ 1 p.m. We will go to dinner afterwards. Cost is $7 for senior citizens & $8 for everyone else. We need to get tickets in advance. Please sign up & pay Lynn or Kerry by Wednesday, March 11th.

March 18 - We will be celebrating birthdays for the months of February to April with a breakfast for walkers @ 8:30 a.m.

March 20 – Movie Day in the Children’s Movie Room @ 1 p.m. We will be watching “Dumbo” and popcorn will be provided.

March 24 - We will be going to Galesburg for lunch @ Landmark Café & Creperie and shopping on Seminary Street. Meet @ 10:30 a.m. @ the church.

WALK‐N‐TALK Group  

The Walkers and Talkers Connect Group invites other walkers, talkers and prayer warriors to join them on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 8:00-9:00 a.m. in the Commons Area. If walking is not for you, you may still join us for prayer and fellowship at 8:30 a.m. For more information please contact Debbie Schunk at 309-360-0077.

Adult's Night Out

Saturday, March 14 Reservations begin at 5:00 pm

All donations go to support our summer mission experiences - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Name _____________________ Phone____________________

Number in your party______________ Need Childcare? ______________ 

Please circle your preferred reservation time 5:00 5:15 5:30 5:45 6:00 6:15 6:30 6:45 7:00 7:15

Place in the offering plate or return to Youth Mailbox

MUMC YOUTH in March First, thank you for a wonderful Sub & Chili Sale! It was one of our biggest years yet! We appreciate all of our church family support as our kids work towards summer mission projects! By the time you read this, we will have had our 1st Insomnia Fest in our new space! Right now, as I write this we are in prayer and planning! We are so excited about the number of kids who are planning to come! 12 hours, all fun, no sleep! Next newsletter hopefully we can share all our exciting adventures! March 14th is our next big event! Mark your calendars for Adults Night Out! Come for a wonderful dinner in a transformed gym…you might not even recognize it! We transform the Gym into a fine dining restaurant with music and servers, appetizers and wonderful meal options! Reservation forms will be available in Footprints or at church on Wed. and Sundays. Brian Wraight will be this year’s chef (and he does this for a living, so we are in great hands!) Adults only for dinner, let the youth serve you! Child care is available at the church so bring your little people and we will take care of them while you enjoy some adult time! Come for a Date night or a fun night with friends! March 15th Deposits due for Sr. High Mission Experience to Merge at the Vineyard Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Merge is a unique program through Group Mission Trips, combining a mission trip with a conference experience in an urban environment. Dates for our trip are June 15 – 21st. There is still space to sign up, we would love to have you! March 21st Service Saturdays are back! We will be going to TAPS in Pekin. Meet at the church at 8 am, we will serve from 9-12 and then stop for lunch on the way back to the church. Bring $ for lunch. This trip is limited to 10 youth due to space so please sign up in the youth room or let Marci know you would like to go! March 27-28th Confirmation Retreat to East Bay Camp. 7th and 8th grade confirmation classes **We are on the hunt for someone who knows the church family well who might be interested in helping to get our confirmation mentors up and running! If it might be you, see me, drop a note in the youth box, or send me an email, MarciTewksburyyouth@gmail.com. Thank you!

Happy Birthday!

James Howard 03/01 Jared Bridge 03/02 Cheryl Monroe 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 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 N. Larry Pontius 03/11 Suzanne Behle 03/12 Joseph Troyer 03/12 Robert Lichti 03/13 Brianna Uhlman 03/13 Michelle Bennett 03/14 Burdell Hall 03/14 Lydia Milby 03/14

Sam Mitchell 03/14 Christopher Loudermilk 03/15 Jessica Pribble 03/15 Matthew Klokkenga 03/16 Patricia Townsend 03/16 Brecken Carter 03/18 Jason Smallenberger 03/18 Noah Losey 03/19 Nyameye Maison 03/20 Russ Pribble 03/20 Jamin Weaver 03/20 Kyle Brenkman 03/21 Ellen Heiman 03/21 Nicholas Klokkenga 03/21 Sarah Losey 03/21 Nicholas Gillhouse 03/22 David Formhals 03/23 Joyce Mutters 03/25 Rowan Carter 03/26 Mara Colby 03/26 Mary Barrick 03/27 Rylli Koener 03/27 JoAnn Kraft 03/27 Mara Schick 03/27 Hayley Uhlman 03/27 Cody Schunk 03/28 Marci Tewksbury 03/28 Karolyn Crouch 03/30 Liz Campbell 03/31 Judith Morse 03/31

February 2 374 February 9 315 February 16 344 February 23 329

Average: 340

Administrative Notes:

Hospitalized

Eileen Knapp, Lois Schofield, Keith Schofield, Bob Mutters, John Westbrook, Larry White, Linda Swinford, Tim Beutel, Sue Fudge, Leone Wayman, Livia Kimmerle, Margi Weygand, Vibah Saul, Josh Hutchinson, Bob Linder

Financial Stewardship

Report Please contact the church office if you would like

to donate flowers ~ thanks!

Flower Ministry

March 1 United Methodist Women March 8 Flowers Needed March 15 Flowers Needed March 22 Flowers Needed March 29 Flowers Needed

Attendance January 2020

General Fund $56,507.28 $52,333.23

INCOME EXPENSE

Year to Date

$56,507.29 $52,333.23  INCOME     EXPENSE 

General Fund Ending Cash Balance: $164,680.89

Our Income exceeded our Expenses for the January Budget

by: $4,174.05

Sympathy The family of George Ashworth who passed away February 2. 

The family of Susan Nichol who passed away   February 5. 

Pastor Gary Feldman and family. Pastor Gary’s Uncle, Dean Urick, passed away  on 

February 4.   The family of Eileen Knapp who passed away February 23. 

Building Fund

January 2020 Ending cash and money market accounts :

$518,970.83

ATTENTION: FOOTPRINTS CREW We are folding Footprints on  

Thursday, March 26 in the Gym at 9:00 a.m. 

March 13, 2020

PALM SUNDAY, April 5 MAUDY THURSDAY, April 9

GOOD FRIDAY, April 10 EASTER SUNDAY, April 12

BULK RATE NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

MORTON, ILLINOIS

PERMIT NO. 26

420 North Tennessee Avenue Morton, IL 61550-9706  

420 North Tennessee Avenue Morton, Il 61550

office: 309-266-7174 FAX: 309-263-1498

email: info@mortonumc.org www.mortonumc.org

 

Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. - Noon  

 

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 

12 

9  3 

LEAD PASTOR Gary L. Feldman garyf@mortonumc.org ASSOCIATE PASTOR Gabe Wanck gabew@mortonumc.org MINISTER of MUSIC & EDUCATION Amy Smith amys@mortonumc.org MINISTER of CONGREGATIONAL CARE JoAnn Kraft joannk@mortonumc.org MINISTER of CC MUSIC/ BELL CHOIR DIRECTOR

Kerry Brenkman kerryb@mortonumc.org XYZ COORDINATOR:

Lynn Zimmerman zimmo5@comcast.net YOUTH COORDINATOR:

Marci Tewksbury MarciTewksburyyouth@gmail.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Shelli Trone shellik@mortonumc.org Barbara Maison (part-time) barbaram@mortonumc.org FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Shelli Trone 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 lrbart79@hotmail.com DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT Rev. Mary Kathryn Pearce

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SUNDAY, MARCH 8 Set your clocks ahead one hour!