First United Methodist Church, Freeport September 2016

The Lamplighter

Faithful Disciples: Learning, Growing and Serving

Christian education classes for 2016-2017 will begin

September 11, 9:15 a.m.–10:15 a.m.

To kick off the new year,

children K-6th grade

are invited to meet in the youth area for a

Back-to-Sunday School party.

Activities planned include a time of welcome and prayer, introducing our fall theme, "Joseph’s

Journey,” games, balloons, crafts and a healthy snack and juice.

The adult Wired Word class will meet in the Library. Coffee and juice will be available in the

kitchen during the Sunday School hour.

UPCOMING EVENTS September 17 Healthy Churches / Hopeful Futures September 19 Monday Methodists Clergy Meeting September 25 Annual District Revival & Fall Workshops (Faith UMC) October 15 Harvest Bazaar and Ham Loaf Dinner

Dear Members and Friends,

This Sunday, September 11, will be Rally Day here at First UMC. We resume our Sunday School offerings for children and adults and launch our new ministry programming year.

Once again, Mary French, assisted by Sue Zink, will lead the children’s class. Bring your kids, grandkids or great-grandkids for engaging Christian education or just drop in to watch the kids have a great time listening to a Bible lesson, make crafts and play musical instruments.

If you have not attended our Wired Word adults’ class at 9:15 a.m. led by Jeannine Hugill, you are missing something special. The curriculum addresses current events from a biblical context. We always have very lively and thought-provoking discussions based on the material provided. Call the church office if you want the readings sent to you every week.

Our church will be participating in (and hosting) the Rockford District’s new “Healthy Churches/Hopeful Futures” (HC/HF) bi-monthly seminars beginning September 17 aimed at giving our churches a boost and refreshing our ministries, both within our congregations and in our communities. A small group has been chosen to represent First UMC. We hope to combine our CAT survey results with the HC/HF seminars to get our dialog going on our church’s future.

Because music is such a vital part of any church’s growth, in addition to our own choir (which returns this Sunday) we will be having more guest musicians. Your Music Celebration Sunday offerings given in May will help fund these music initiatives. We are also hoping to have more concerts at First UMC in the near future to draw people to our church.

Of course, we have our annual Harvest Bazaar and Ham Loaf Dinner to look forward to. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 15, to enjoy this very festive event, featuring our rooms filled with attic treasures, craft and holiday items, baked goods and candy.

Another calendar red-letter day is Monday, November 7, when our annual Church Conference will be held. District Superintendent Lisa Kruse-Safford will be presiding in this review of our church’s life and ministries. All members and friends and encouraged to attend. Committee chairs will be receiving the required forms soon.

Lastly, I just want to take a moment to thank our friend Pam Wieck. She is retiring after eight-and-a-half years of service as our housekeeper. We greatly appreciate Pam’s ministry and her dedication to keeping our building clean and shiny. So many people who visit First UMC comment on how well kept our building is; Pam has played an instrumental role in ensuring everything looks great. We will recognize her service during this Sunday’s Fellowship Time.

Our new season of ministry in underway, and I am looking forward to seeing all that God has in store for us.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Cal

Upcoming Events 1

Pastor’s letter 2

Photos 3

Committee Reports 4-6

Ministry & Fellowship Opportunities

6-7

Birthdays & Anniversaries 8

Miscellaneous 9 & 10

Calendar 11

Inside this issue:

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ICE CREAM SOCIAL

2016 RUMMAGE SALE THE CIFONIE QUARTET

More photos can be found at www.firstumcfreeport.org

Click “Media”, then “PHOTOS,” then follow directions on the screen. Click "LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY" link below. Once the photos open, choose an event from the drop-down menu in the upper left corner.

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INCOME JULY YTD

General Expenses $ 10, 585.00 $ 68,592.50

Apportionments $ 91.00 $ 1,185.00

Building Maintenance $ 581.00 $ 4,734.00

EXPENSES

General

Staff $ 7,049.72 $ 48,118.57

Operations $ 2,760.83 $ 17,726.70

Programs $ 150.00 $ 3,668.45

Apportionments $ - $ 2,212.00

Building Maintenance $931.00 $ 33,225.81*

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance Committee

The Catch-Up offering total is $2,330.00 so far. That offering, plus the special music offering in May of $1,200.00, adds up to $3,530.00 of monies given in addition to the regular Sunday offerings. This is a wonderful response. The Memorials Committee has given from the Evelyn Lamb and other funds a total of $925.00 towards radio broadcasts. The Ice Cream Social contributed $1,383.00 to the General Fund and the Rummage Sale will also contribute $1,445.67. The new copier for the office was paid for with monies from the Memorials Committee and $2,000.00 from the Dorothy Daughenbaugh endowment.

The weekly or monthly giving on Sunday morning is the backbone for supporting our church ministry. Our Stewardship drive this fall will ask for increased pledges and personal commitment to compensate for the loss of several givers due to death or relocation.

I write this column to highlight all the efforts we do to keep our church financially strong. It is important to keep our ministry at First United Methodist Church vital and positive with a full–time pastor. Thank you for your support.

*This amount includes a partial sprinkler system payment of $30,455.00.

Warren Zumdahl Finance Committee Chair

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Board of Trustees The sprinkler system installation has been completed. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this project.

Our next anticipated project is to have the roof evaluated for needed repairs and possible replacement.

If you are interested in helping to pull weeds from the grounds around the church, please contact John Aten(815-713-7182).

Should you have any questions or comments for the Board of Trustees, please feel free to contact me or any other board member.

Greg Kempel Board of Trustees Chair

Staff/Parish Relations Committee The Staff/Parish Relations Committee will resume meeting in September. Effective September 10, Pam Wieck is resigning/retiring as Church Housekeeper after eight-and-a-half years of dedicated service. The entire congregation as well as S/PRC members appreciate Pam’s faithful service in keeping our church clean. We will be recognizing her on September 11. Stella Allen will be our new housekeeper. She has her own cleaning business and comes highly recommended, including a very positive recommendation from Pastor Cal—Stella did an excellent job cleaning the parsonage before he moved in. Stella is Liz Hollis’s sister.

S/PRC members will be losing fellow member Dottie Emo who is moving to Arkansas to be closer to her family. Dottie, we will miss you dearly. Best wishes as you move on to the next chapter of your life.

The members of S/PRC are as follows; John Aten (Lay Leader), Ralph Blum, Ruth Carus, Mary French, Kay Meiers, Marieta Pederson, Larry J. Phillips, Joann Willits and Diantha Landowski.

Diantha Landowski Staff/Parish Relations Committee Chair

Education Rally Day

Sunday, September 11 Faithful Disciples: Learning, Growing and Serving

Christian education classes for 2016-2017 will begin on September 11, 9:15 a.m.–10:15 a.m. Please stop by our hospitality area in Fellowship Hall to enjoy a cup of coffee or juice during the Sunday School hour.

Children ages 3 to 5 years and Kindergarten to 6th grade are invited to the One Room School classroom to explore what the Bible has to say to us today. We will again have the program entitled “Deep Blue,” a weekly adventure through the Bible with animated videos. Each week we will visit with our young friends Asia, Edgar and Kat and a dog named Indigo for more adventures. We have a new character joining the Deep Blue Crew this year named Caleb. He has just moved to town to live in the lighthouse with his mother and stepfather. Caleb really cares about animals and usually carries his pet turtle, Speedy, with him in his coat pocket. Children will hear the Bible lesson each week, watch a video segment to reinforce our lesson, make a craft, have an opportunity to sing and use musical instruments, play games and have a snack.

Tyree D. and Alex S. will each be presented with a new Bible by Pastor Cal given by the members of First UMC.

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Children’s Class: One Room School: Early Disciples ages 3-5 years and Young Disciples Kdg-6th grade Teacher: Mary French Adult Bible Study: Wired Word Discussion leader: Jeannine Hugill

Thank you all for your kind support of the Christian education programs. We are grateful for everyone’s work each week and appreciate the many ways you continue to help children and adults grow in their faith.

A special thank you to Joann Willits for your generous work with and for children. Thank you for helping co-teach the One Room School classroom last year, leading a group at VBS and many other projects supporting students in our school district. Your efforts have been greatly appreciated. Thank you, Joann!

We look forward to seeing everyone on Rally Day and extend our best wishes to all teachers and students as they begin their new school year.

Mary French Church School Superintendent

United Methodist Women

Our ladies will be starting out the 2016-2017 year by going to lunch at 9 East Coffee at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 13. There will be a short business meeting after the lunch. Please sign up on the clipboard on the table in the narthex.

Let’s all wish Dottie the best in her new home in Arkansas. I want to thank her for all the years and many long hours she gave us planning, preparing and serving all the wonderful meals for the different occasions we had and all the Ham Loaf Days. She will definitely be missed. Thanks again, Dottie, for all you have done.

Upcoming events:

Saturday, September 24 Fall District Meeting, Durand UMC Saturday, October 15 Harvest Bazaar and Ham Loaf Dinner

Mary French & Helen Hoover UMW Co-Presidents

MINISTRY & FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES BULLETIN FOLDING: Volunteers are needed to fold the bulletins on Thursday afternoons. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Bulletins are ready to be folded around 12:30 p.m. Please call the office if you are able to help.

VAN MINISTRY: Dedicated to transporting to and from church people who would otherwise be unable to have fellowship and worship services of our church. We want to ensure that our members who need a ride to church have one. If you would be interested in driving or are in need of a ride, please contact Van Ministry Coordinator Larry J. Phillips (815-297-1447 or 815-291-0347).

MEALS ON WHEELS: Drivers and runners are needed to deliver meals to those who cannot get out and shop for themselves. It takes about a hour of your time. We meet at the hospital at 10:30 a.m., meals are ready by 10:40 a.m., and you are back by 11:30 a.m. Next Meals on Wheels delivery is the week of September 26. We

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Worship Assistants in September Greeters (2) Ushers (3) Fellowship Altar Flowers

September 4 Ralph & Judy Blum LeRoy & Pat Jensen The Aten Family NEEDED Warren Zumdahl

September 11 Jim & Karen Gapinski Len French Val Clawson NEEDED Bob & Juanita Wachlin September 18 Jim Aten Jim Aten Jeannine Hugill S/PRC John & Vicki Aten Heather Kempel Gapinski

September 25 NEEDED Kit Baldwin, Karen Boyer Karen Gerth NEEDED Rosemary Frende Barb Mertins

Liturgists Child Care Van Drivers Acolytes September 4 Mary Zumdahl Mary French & Sue Zink John & Vicki Aten NEEDED

September 11 Val Clawson Mary French & Sue Zink Larry J. Phillips NEEDED

September 18 Kit Baldwin Mary French & Sue Zink John & Vicki Aten NEEDED

September 25 Rosemary Hinkley Mary French & Sue Zink Larry J. Phillips NEEDED

Communion Servers September 4 Russ & Barb Lestikow

Coordinators Acolytes: Mary French (815-232-3072) Greeters: Shirley Moore (815-232-7929) Altar Flowers: Deb Dickinson (217-840-1468) Liturgists: Mary Zumdahl Child Care: Mary French Ushers: Mary Zumdahl Communion: Mary Zumdahl (815-563-4198) Van Drivers: Larry J. Phillips (815-291-1447) Fellowship Time: Mary French, Heather Kempel (815-233-0366), Pat Sellman (815-233-0453), Mary Zumdahl

If you have questions or would like to volunteer to serve please contact the appropriate coordinator(s).

are down to one route and will be delivering every 15 weeks. Please call Helen Hoover (815-232-6588) to volunteer or for more information.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: If you knit or crochet, please join us 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the church. Also, we have a nice selection of shawls, so if you know someone that is ill or homebound please feel free to take a shawl. We just need the number from the card on the shawl and who you are giving it to. Please give this information to a prayer shawl ministry member or to Liz in the church office.

MEN’S BREAKFAST: Come join us for a great time of fellowship at 8:00 a.m. the first Saturday of every month at the Big Apple restaurant on Galena Avenue, just east of Park Boulevard. If you need a ride, call Pastor Cal (815-908-0289) or Larry J. Phillips (815-291-1447).

FREEPORT AREA CHURCH COOPERATIVE: In September we are asked to collect 250 jars of peanut butter (low sodium/salt reduced, no sugar, Omega 3). NOTE: If you cannot purchase these items yourself, give Mary Zumdahl a cash donation and she will purchase them.

MOTHER HUBBARD’S KIDDIE CUPBOARD: The church collects the following items to supply the store: disposable diapers (all sizes), blankets (baby and adult), toys (infant-3 year old) clothing (infant-3T),children's books, baby lotion, baby swings, baby wipes, baby food, deodorant, high chairs, pacifiers, strollers, sleepwear, bath soap, toothpaste, hair brushes, toothbrushes, socks/booties, laundry detergent, etc.

If you would like to provide flowers for

the Sunday worship service, please call

Deb Dickinson (217-840-1468). The

flowers are $10 for one vase. Flowers

must be paid for prior to the Sunday

you have selected. If paying by check,

please make it payable to Deininger’s.

Also, we would appreciate your

returning the insert/vase to the church

sanctuary so that we don’t have to pay

for one each Sunday.

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Sponsor one of our weekly radio broadcasts! If you would like to reserve a Sunday, please call Marge Carpenter (815-232-8298). The cost of each broad-cast is $50. Please pay for the broadcast prior to the Sunday you are sponsoring. Make checks payable to First United Methodist Church with a memo, “Radio Broadcast.”

3 Anaka Entmeier

Karen Trevillian

4 Tara Aten

5 Megan Baumgartner

6 Chris Kempel

Sue Zink

8 Jan Niblo

Mark Weaver

10 Mark Plowman

14 Matt Lestikow

15 Jerry Donmeyer

16 Samantha Baumgartner

Linda Matthews

18 Brady Horton

Jennifer Tallman

19 Robert Aebly

20 Tareq Hiteman

21 Kit Baldwin

Joyce Koehner

22 Julie Kahl

David Pederson

23 Jeff Lindenman

27 Kelly Herbig

20 Len & Mary French

6:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning September 8. We could use a few more voices.

Come join us!

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COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

Anna Magee and Alex Goulart

were married September 3.

Please call the office if you would

like us to place you/or a loved

one on the prayer chain.

A big thanks to Kit Baldwin, Ralph and Judy Blum, Barb Lestikow and Joann Willits for volunteer-ing to help fold the bulletins dur-ing the month of August.

TRINITY UMC FALL RUMMAGE SALE

September 7–10, 2600 W. Pearl City Rd., Wednesday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon. Huge rummage sale with something for everyone. Lunch stand. $1 per bag on Saturday.

LENA LIONS 66TH ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL

September 9–10, Downtown, Main Street, Lena. Friday: 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.; Saturday: Noon–11:00 p.m. This “Cadillac of Small Town Festivals” offers a variety of activities, including carnival rides, games, food, stage entertainment (Friday at 7:00 p.m.: The Mississippi Man; Saturday 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. MADDMEN, parade on Saturday at Noon, a BBQ on Saturday and raffle tickets for a new car.

“A NICE FAMILY GATHERING”

September 16–18, Mighty Richland Players Dessert Theater,

203 W. High Str., Orangeville. Friday and Saturday: 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: 2:00 p.m. In this comedy, it’s Thanksgiving Day and the first family gathering at the Lundeen household since the patriarch died. At the gathering, Dad comes back as a ghost with a mission: to tell his wife he loved her, something he neglected to tell her while he was alive. However, not only can’t she see or hear him, she has also invited a date for dinner. Located in the historic Masonic Hall, the audience will not only get to see a great show, but also have a wonderful dessert during intermission. $20.

PRETZEL CITY BREWFEST

September 24, Downtown Freeport. 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (VIP only: Noon to 1:00 p.m.). A craft beer tasting. Food vendors. Fundraiser for downtown revitalization. VIP tickets include 1 hour early admission, 30 tasting tickets, access to special

VIP releases, special VIP souvenir glass, free Brewfest T-shirt, koozie, a cloth bag and an option to buy a discounted limited edition Pretzel City Brewfest hoodie (online purchases only); General Admission tickets include 20 tasting tickets and souvenir glass. VIP (not available at the door): $50; Advance General Admission: $25; At the Door General Admission: $30; Designated Drivers: $10.

MALCOLM EATON ENTERPRISES 50-YEAR

CELEBRATION September 25, 570 W. Lamm Rd. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join them in celebrating 50 years of service in the Freeport area. Learn about Malcolm Eaton Enterprises’ history on a guided tour; listen to live music from two great bands, Chaz’s Band (10:00 a.m. to Noon) and The Mississippi Man (12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Enjoy pork chop sandwiches, chips and pop for purchase, as well as free cake.

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DEADLINE FOR NEXT

NEWSLETTER ARTICLES

September 19

4TH ANNUAL FALL FLING September 25, German Valley Historical Museum, 805 Church St. Noon to 4:00 p.m. Autumn event featuring hands-on visitor participation in activities and fun from the past. Food will be available for purchase.

SHEPHERD’S GIFTS

Gifts will be distributed to residents and clients of Presence

Saint Joseph

(Non-Denominational)

Gathering Date: Saturday, October 1, 9:00 a.m. to Noon

Collection Sites: Presence Saint Joseph Center from 659 E. Jefferson St. Enter parking lot off Bidwell Street (West Entrance Portico).

(You may drop off at the Presence St. Joseph front desk anytime during the week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

Personal Items Cotton Underwear (size 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11) Cotton Socks-White (Men’s and Women’s) Air Freshener (For Bathrooms) Toothpaste-Toothbrushes Deodorant (solid) Hand Lotion Men’s & Women’s Body Wash Cologne (Spray) Shampoo Kleenex (Lg. Boxes White) Cotton Balls Hearing Aid Batteries- Size 13 & Size 312- 5Pkg.

Men’s Electric Razors/ Facial Hair Trimmers Lip Balm Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover Clear Nail Polish, Base Coat, and Top Coat Nail Files (8”) and Orange Sticks Ladies Nightgowns & Housecoats Men’s & Women’s Sweat suits (L & XL)

Miscellaneous Small Spiral Notebooks Postage Stamps Wet Wipes Batteries (AA, AAA ,C, D, or 9 Volt) Snack Crackers (Individually Wrapped) Microwave Popcorn Diabetic Cookies and Candies (Large, Fun, or Bite Size Candy Bars ) Wrapped Hard Candy Nutty Bars DVD Movies-Disney 100 Piece Puzzles Find A Word Puzzle Books (LG. Print) Blank Cards & Thank You Cards, and Envelopes Sympathy Cards

Craft Supplies Elastic Beading Thread & Beads (For Jewelry Making) Tacky Glue, Glue Dots, Glue Sticks, & Hot Glue Sticks Construction Paper Gemstones for Crafts Small Stuffed Animals Fabric for Walker Bags Colored Balloons Crayons Washable Markers & Dry Erase Markers Plastic Storage Boxes

(Shoe Box Size) Playing Cards Artificial Flowers (For Table Decorations) Black Pens Colored Card Stock Paper (12 inch x 12 inch) Coloring Books Foam Letters Square for Scrapbooking Tissue Paper (For Wrapping) Costume Jewelry/ Beaded Necklaces & Bracelets Project lovingly sponsored by Presence Saint Joseph/Saint Vincent Auxiliary. For more information call 815-232-6181.

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3

8:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast (Big Apple)

4 9:30 a.m. Worship with Communion

10:45 a.m. Fellowship

5 Office Closed

6 1:00 p.m. UMW Mission Team Meeting

1:00 p.m. Senior Card Players

7 6:30 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting

8 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

9 10

11

Rally Sunday

9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship

11:45 a.m. Fellowship

12

13

11:30 UMW Luncheon & General Meeting (9 East Coffee) 1:00 p.m. Senior Card Players

14

11:45 a.m. Lunch w/ the Pastor

15

6:30 Choir Rehearsal

16

17

9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Healthy Churches/Hopeful Futures Meeting

18

9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship

11:45 a.m. Fellowship

19

9:30 a.m. Monday Methodists Clergy Meeting

20

1:00 p.m. Senior Card Players

21

Noon Church Secretaries’ Luncheon

6:30 p.m.

Board of

Trustees

Meeting

22

6:30 Choir Rehearsal

23

24

9:00 a.m. Fall

UMW District

Meeting

(Durand UMC)

25

9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship

11:45 a.m. Fellowship

2:30 p.m. Annual District Revival & Fall Workshops

(Faith UMC)

26

27

1:00 p.m. Senior Card Players

28

6:30 p.m. Ad Council Meeting

29

1:00 p.m. Ruth-Naomi Circle

6:30 Choir Rehearsal

30

First United Methodist Church 503 N. Lily Creek Road Freeport, IL 61032 815-232-6210 815-233-2454 Fax fumchurch1@frontier.com www.firstumcfreeport.org

Catch the Spirit!

9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Celebration 11:30 a.m. Radio Broadcast

Rev. Calvin B. Haines, Jr., Pastor

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