December - Forsyth United Methodist Church

A Publication of Forsyth United Methodist Church
News and information to keep you connected
December 2014
This next Sunday (November 30) we begin the season known as Advent - the preparation time of
actively awaiting the birth of the Messiah.
We begin with a plea recorded in Isaiah 64:1, “O that You would tear open the heavens and come
down…” Those words mark well the transition into the Christian calendar’s new year. Consciously or
not we begin to celebrate the God who became flesh and walked among us. In our hymns and in
our prayers, we echo Isaiah’s cry, “Come down!”
But sometimes, even as I join my voice to that sentiment, I find myself wondering, “What am I
doing, asking for the living God to become known to me?” I sort of understand Annie Dillard’s
question: “Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? It is
madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash
helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For
the sleeping (G)od may wake someday and take offense, or the waking (G)od may draw us out to
where we can never return.” (Teaching A Stone to Talk)
Yet we cry out to know this God. Advent reminds us that God dwells in mystery and majesty that
can overwhelm us, yes; but this God also came to dwell with us and - even now - seeks to make a
home among us. This season invites us to acknowledge our longing, our yearning for the divine, to
lean toward the moment when God appears - and, at the same time, to discover that God is already
here in our midst, waiting for us.
May God bless your waiting.
Pastor Ken
DECEMBER 2014
WORSHIP HELPERS
GREETERS: Ruth Hitchens
Dorothy Shookman
USHERS:
Don Westerman
Bob Crose
Sharon Good
Yolanda Blackwell
LITURGIST: Cheryl Lehman
COMMUNION STEWARDS:
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE:
7 - Nancy Hollon
14 - Mickey Roberts
21 - Lura Weatherford
28 - Pastor Ken
POWER POINT: The Aschermann Family
SOUND: Vernon Brunner
NURSERY WORKERS:
7 - Mike & Gina Williams
14 - Clint & Joli Hohenstein
21 - Matt & Dana Wildman
28 COUNTING COMMITTEE:
7 - Stan Brelsfoard & Larry Holloway
14 - Stan Brelsfoard & Kendra Newland
21 - Stan Brelsfoard & Nancy Hollon
28 - Calvin Hollon & Cheryl Lehman
ALTAR FLOWERS:
7 - Sharon Good
14 - Larry & Linda Holloway
Providers needed for other Sundays
GOODIE PROVIDERS:
7 - Open Circle SS Class
14 - Seekers’ SS Class
21 - Sowers SS Class
28 - The UMW
* * * * *
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
FOR DECEMBER 2014
December 7 -
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8
December 14 - Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
I Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
December 21 - 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
December 28 - Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
* * * * *
I SPY A SERVANT….
The following servants were spied recently:
Those who sorted clothing for the
Clothing Give Away on November 22.
Those who participated in Trunk or Treat
on Halloween Night.
Those who rang the Salvation Army Bell
at Krogers on November 12.
Steve Bingamon for taking someone to an
appointment when called at the last minute.
Joy Gardner knitted 50 stocking caps for the
Clothing Give Away.
* * * * *
Please help the UM Women make this Bazaar
a BIG SUCCESS so they can make Christmas
happy for the ministries they support.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
* * * * *
As in years past, we will be decorating the
sanctuary for Christmas with poinsettias.
If you wish to order a 6 ½” potted red
poinsettia in memory or in honor of a loved
one, please complete the form below, circling
whether it is in memory or in honor of a loved
one. Please make your check payable to
“Forsyth United Methodist Church”. (There will
be an insert in the church bulletin on
November 30 and December 7.)
LARRY & LINDA HOLLOWAY
50 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
DECEMBER 13
Poinsettias will be ordered from the MFHS FFA
Greenhouse this year for a cost of $9.00. Your
order must be received in the church office by
Monday, December 8.
TH
You are invited to help Larry & Linda celebrate
this special event from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday,
December 13 in the FUMC Fellowship Hall.
Larry & Linda request no gifts, please.
* * * * *
* * *
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
Circle either:
In memory of or In honor of
___________________________________
Given by: __________________________
* * * * *
UMW CHRISTMAS PARTY
DECEMBER 16
The UMW will have their annual Christmas
Potluck at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16.
Meat & drink will be provided - please bring a
dish to share. Prayer Partners will be revealed
with a gift exchange.
* * * * *
UMW CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Ham & Beans will be served from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. for a cost of $5.00. A Hot Dog Meal will
also be available for $4.00.
Be sure to include our Christmas Eve Service in
your Christmas celebrations. It will be a joyous
time of re-hearing the Christmas story interspersed with carols, candles and communion.
Please invite your family and friends to this
special service in honor of the birth of our
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
As in past years, there will be a Cookie Walk,
Silent Auction and Margaret’s Market (formerly
Rainbow’s End Treasure Table). Eloise’s
Treasures (contributed by Mr. Keith Hazen) will
also be available for purchase.
* * * * *
CLOTHING GIVE-AWAY
REPORT
The Clothing Give-Away was a huge blessing
for so many! Those who came to collect
clothes were blessed to find the love of Jesus
from the greeters, from those who assisted
them, and from the gifts of free winter clothing
and bowls of delicious chili; and the volunteers
were blessed to feel the love of Jesus living
through them in the many acts of kindness and
generosity that were extended in His name.
But, besides the individuals who were visibly
touched, many, many unknown people were
also blessed, for so many who came took items
for others in need. The extent of love that was
given and received will never fully be known!
It was truly an awesome experience to be a
part of, and there are so many wonderful
people from the community and from our
church family who made it possible. If you
helped in any way, whether it was making door
hangers, canvassing, donating food or clothing,
sorting, moving tables, cooking, packing up,
delivering, greeting, assisting shoppers or
praying, know that your help was greatly
appreciated and truly fruit bearing - time well
spent this side of heaven! A big thank you to
all!
* * * * *
Elder Watch - Monday, December 1 - 11:30
a.m. - Potluck at Forsyth UMC. Elgin & Eileen
Hawthorne will be providing musical entertainment after the meal. Fried chicken will be
provided. Please bring a dish to share.
* * *
Margaret’s Market is in need of “knick-knacks”
for the UMW Bazaar. If you have small items
you no longer need, especially holiday items,
please bring them to the church by the
morning of Friday, December 5. If you have
questions, contact Lura Weatherford.
* * *
Good Samaritan Inn - FUMC will be preparing
and serving the noon meal at the Good
Samaritan Inn on Wednesday, December 24.
A sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex.
Please bring cookies on December 21. These
will be taken to the Inn on December 24. If
you have any questions, see Steve Bingamon.
* * *
Change in Telephone #’s:
Ken & Deb Kirchner report they no longer
have a landline telephone. Please call Deb
at 433-5299.
* * * * *
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
THANK YOU
Congratulations to Emilio & Sarah Medina on
the birth of their new daughter, Liliana Louise
on Tuesday, November 11. Liliana weighed 8
lb. 2 oz. and was 20 ¼” long. She was also
welcomed home by “Big Sister, Christina.”
Congratulations, also, to Sharon Good who
welcomes great grandchild #12 - Levi Zaiden.
Levi was born November 21 to Sharon’s
grandson & his wife who live in Kansas.
“Thank you for being so thoughtful. Delvin
really liked the Prayer Quilt as he is cold all the
time. God Bless!”
Nancy Groves (Mother of Dan Groves)
Thanks to those who filled shoeboxes for
Operation Christmas Child - Samaritan’s Purse.
31 shoeboxes were delivered.
* * * * *
LORD’S ARMY YOUTH CHOIR NEWS
We reached back into the archives when we
chose our anthem for November. We sang this
song many years ago, and for some reason,
we sort of forgot that it existed.
One possible explanation is that it is on a
cassette tape instead of the more modern CD's
that are popular today. Even they are being
replaced by an even newer format of music -mp3's.
We are thankful that some things never
change. The writer of Hebrews tells us in
chapter 13, verse 6, "Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever." (NASB)
Getting back to our November anthem, it was
titled, "Humbly Grateful or Grumbly Hateful".
It asked two important questions to all who
heard it.
Those two questions are: "Are you humbly
grateful or grumbly hateful?" and "What's
your attitude?"
The chorus continued with two more
questions. "Do you grumble and groan or let it
be known, you're thankful for all God's done
for you? Which one are you?"
What a timely message as we were preparing
to celebrate the season of Thanksgiving.
The Bible talks in both the Old and New
Testaments about people going around
grumbling, griping, and even groaning about
their life and situations they found themselves
in.
It also talks about people of faith who were
even in worse predicaments, but trusted in
God to bring them through.
Our anthem specifically mentioned two of
those people. The first was Jonah. He was
running from God when he was thrown
overboard surely to drown in the raging sea.
But God sent a great fish to swallow him up.
He spent three days and nights in the belly of
that whale.
As our anthem said, "Did he cause a riot
inside. NO! He headed for shore with a
message from God and thanked the LORD for
the free ride!"
The second verse talked about the familiar
story of another faithful man, Noah. "When
Noah was on the floating zoo, did he ever try
to jump ship? NO! For forty long days and for
forty long nights, he cleared the deck on that
long trip! PU!!!"
The message from this anthem is that just like
Jonah and Noah, we need to put our faith and
trust in God and develop an "attitude of
gratitude" not just at Thanksgiving, but each
and every day of the year -- even on those
days when things aren't going so good!
Join us on December 14th when we quiet our
hearts as we witness the greatest gift that has
ever been given to us and sing one of the
greatest carols that has ever been composed,
"Silent Night".
Still doin all those things and checkin' our
attitude,
Steve, Cheryl, & Sarah, Directors
UM WOMEN’S
NOVEMBER 18, 2014 MEETING
HIGHLIGHTS
The meeting was called to order by President
Linda Holloway. Eight ladies were present.
Treasurer’s Report: A balance of $779.80 was
reported with $350 to be sent for our 2015
pledge.
New Business December 6 Christmas Bazaar: Linda and
Marcia Brelsfoard will be picking up Mr. Keith
Hazen’s donations.
It was decided to distribute money to the same
organizations as last year with the addition of
HOME Inc (exact amount will be determined at
a brief meeting the Sunday following the
Bazaar).
A cookie sign- up will be passed around the
next two Sundays for the cookie walk. Coffee
Cake and coffee will be offered before the
lunch for $1.
Devotions - Janiss Bricker read a story from
“Moments for Mothers”. The story reiterated
our need to see humor to keep us going…Have
you had your quota of laughter today?
Program - Linda presented World Thank
Offering. We sang “Open My Eyes, That I May
See”. We listened to the story about Mary &
Martha showing us how we can be great
servants to the world. Through their story we
learn that it is wiser to listen to the Lord. We
then sang “Jesus’ Hands Were Kind Hands.”
World Thank offering is spontaneous gifts of
gratitude thoughout the world. We then sang
“Take My Life and Let It Be”, and closed with
a prayer.
Delicious refreshments were provided by Nancy
White.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, December
16th with our year end potluck and prayer
partner gift exchange/reveal.
* * * * *
UM MEN’S MEETING
HIGHLIGHTS
The Maroa/Forsyth U.M. Men met on
November 23 at McDonald’s in Forsyth. The
meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by
President Terry Hoffman.
Sausage & Pancake Breakfast: Date will be
March 14, 2015 with serving from 6:30 a.m.
to 11:00 a.m.
Treasurer’s Report: Balance was $123.93.
Distribution: Motion was made and seconded
to send entire balance to F.U.M.C. Hope 365
for Chaddock Christmas presents. Ending
balance for 2014 is $ .00.
The next meeting will be January 25, 2015 at
F.U.M.C. at 7:30 a.m. with Bob Roberts and
Gary Bingamon providing breakfast. (There
will be no December breakfast/meeting.)
Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 am.
* * * * *
December 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
11 am Elder Watch
Potluck - FUMC
2
9 am Bible Study
9 am Yoga
7
8
9
9 am Bible Study
9 am Yoga
6:30 pm Cub Sc.
14
15
Lord’s Army Sings
Christmas Cantata
2-4 pm Lord’s Army
going Caroling
21
6:15 pm Bible St.
6:15 pm Lord’s
Army Choir
7:15 pm Adult Ch.
16
22
HOPE 365
GSI Cookies
6 pm UMW
Christmas Potluck
6:30 pm Cub Sc.
29
6:15 pm Bible St.
7:15 pm Adult Ch.
11
12
9 am Yoga
9:30 am Quilting
13
1-5 pm Holloway’s
using Fellowship
Hall for 2-4 pm 50th
Anniversary Party
18
19
20
26
27
7 pm Boy Scouts
24
9 am - 1 pm Good
Samaritan Inn
Noon - 7 pm
Roberts - Fell. Hall
30
9 am Bible Study
9 am Yoga
6
9 am - 2 pm UMW
Christmas Bazaar
9 am Yoga
9:30 am Quilting
7 pm Christmas
Eve Service
28
5
7 pm Boy Scouts
7 pm PPR Mtg.
17
23
9 am Bible Study
9 am Yoga
4
Sat
9 am Yoga
9:30 am Quilting
10
9 am Bible Study
9 am Yoga
6 pm Cub Scout
Leadership Mtg.
Fri
3
6:15 pm Bible St.
6:15 pm Lord’s
Army Choir
7:15 pm Adult Ch.
6:30 pm Cub Sc.
Communion
Thu
31
Happy
New
Year
25
Merry
Christmas
Office Closed
Office Closed
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
&
ANNIVERSARIES
1 - Bob & Beth Crose - Anniversary
2 - Kelly Manley
Gilbert & Sharon Wood - Anniversary
4 - John Newnam
6 - Don Lorett
7 - Kyle Newnam
Elsie Westerman
8 - Don & Carole Lorett - Anniversary
12 - Larry & Linda Holloway - 50th Anniversary
14 - Sarah Medina
15 - Madeline Pitts
18 - Pat Starbird
19 - Brock Evans
Jason Manley
22 - Terry Pearson
23 - Gilbert & Rose Mary Fletcher - Anniversary
24 - Carolyn Sennhenn
27 - Chris Brunner
28 - Andréa Wildman
29 - Becky Gates
31 - Mary Albert
Ashley Martin
* * * * *
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
FOR THE FIRST 4 WEEKS
OF NOVEMBER
*Steve & *Cheryl Bingamon
Yolanda Blackwell
Jim Blocher
Mary Braden
Edna Bragg
*Stan & *Marcia Brelsfoard
Vernon Brunner
Glenda Church
Bob, Beth, Sarah & *Rachel Crose
Phyllis Crutcher
Barbara Current
*Pastor Ken & *Gayle Dees
Gary & Sue Eades
David & Joy Gardner
Dan, Lexi & Trevor Groves
Keith Hazen
Ruth Hitchens
Jim & Phyllis Hockaday
Cal & Nancy Hollon
Larry & Linda Holloway
Betty Johnson
Cheryl Lehman
*Kelly Manley
Donna McKinley
Mike & Kendra Newland
Kyle & *Roberta Newnam
Bob & Mickey Roberts
Danny & Lura Weatherford
Don & Elsie Westerman
Norman & Nancy White
Mike Williams
Sharon Wood
*Indicates this person attended another church
one or more Sundays of the month.
ATTENDANCE UPDATE
Through Oct. 30
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
SS
1399
45
13
-40
Worship
3333
94
86
68
83
Totals
1497
3664
Averages
36
78
(No SS on January 5 due to blizzard,
Un-hanging of the Greens, Easter, at
Weldon Springs, or Consecration Sun.)
GIVING UPDATE
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
$4,502.00
11,504.37
2,757.00
2,314.00
HOPE 365 OFFERING
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
October
November
$1,019.21
1,053.00
712.09
213.45
562.00
“NOISY OFFERING”
(Donations for bunnies for the Heifer Project.)
Year to Date $805.57
November 62.78
AFRICA GIVING
* * * * *
July
August
September October
November -
$20.25
38.50
39.75
54.26
44.66
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE
NOVEMBER 11, 2014
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
Call to order: The meeting was called to order
at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Larry Holloway. He
opened the meeting with a reading from
Romans 5:6-11, devotions entitled “Lift Your
Eyes,” and a prayer. There were 14 members
and 1 guest present.
Finance:
Treasurer’s Report: Cal Hollon presented the
Treasurer’s Report which showed $41,084.15
available for budget.
Trustees: Bob Roberts reported:
1. The Trustees discussed the current garbage
service fees and tabled until the next meeting.
2. The outside wall has been repaired at a
cost of $980.
3. Gentrys will be cleaning the carpets on
December 9. Volunteers are needed on
December 8 at 4:00 p.m. to move out items
for the cleaning.
4. Kone Elevator will be installing a restrictor
on the elevator in the near future.
5. The need for a mat in the front of the
sanctuary when serving communion so grape
juice will not spot the carpet.
6. A request for a bulletin board in the
Narthex to display pictures of the children has
been approved.
7. Insurance for the parsonage and church is
due by December 19. The current premium
has increased.
8. Linda Holloway and Jim Blocker will be
Trustee Co-chairpersons for 2015.
Staff/Parish Report: Deb Kirchner reported the
PPR Committee has met for three meetings
since the last Council Meeting. Two were
covenant-building meetings, hosted by Pastor
Ken & Gayle, at the parsonage. The third was
a regular meeting. At the second covenantbuilding meeting on October 23 at the
rd.jpnage, Pastor Ken distributed results of the
the new online assessment process to those
PPR members present that night. He had
received them earlier that day. A discussion of
the results was tabled, however, since some
members, including Clint Hohenstein, were not
present. A decision was made to hold a
regular PPR meeting as soon as possible to go
over the results and complete the assessment
process on October 28. Pastor Ken was unable
to attend that evening, so per the instructions
of the District Superintendent, finalization of
the assessment was postponed until Pastor
Ken could be present. That meeting has been
scheduled for November 13, at which time it is
expected that the assessment will be completed and budgetary numbers can officially be
submitted to the Finance Committee.
Education Committee: Kelly Manley reported
November 23 will be Bible Sunday when Bibles
will be distributed to several of the children.
Roberta Newnam and Kelly Manley will be Cochairs of Vacation Bible School next year.
Missions: Kendra Newland reported the
committee will meet November 24 to distribute
the remainder of their funds ($3,718.92) for
the fourth quarter. They will also pay for the
postage for the Samaritan Purse Christmas
shoeboxes.
Memorial: Kendra Newland reported it has
been suggested that new candelabras be
purchased since the current ones are not in
good condition. There is the possibility that
two memorials can be combined to purchase
new candelabras at a cost of approximately
$1,000.
Higher Education: Sarah Crose reported
November 30 will be a Fifth Sunday.
UMM: The Pancake Breakfast will be March
14, 2015.
UMW: Linda Holloway reported the Bazaar will
be held on Saturday, December 6. A potluck
will be held for the ladies on December 16 at
which time there will be the Prayer Friend gift
exchange.
continued….
CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS cont...
Lay Members of Annual Conference: Calvin &
Nancy Hollon gave a reminder to continue
bringing quarters for the African University
Collection.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor Ken reported the
Christmas Eve Service will be at 7:00 p.m. The
Worship Committee has suggested we have a
New Year’s Eve Service and meal. He thanked
everyone for the birthday celebration last
Sunday for him and Gayle.
New Business:
Clothing Give Away: Mickey Roberts reported
door hangers were distributed by the boy
scouts and honor students, and collection of
clothing is coming in well. Help will be needed
to set up tables, greet, be personal assistants,
and help with the children on Saturday,
November 22. Donations of donuts and
orange juice will be solicited from businesses
in the community. Free chili will be served.
Mickey has worked on a new FUMC brochure
for distribution during the Clothing Give-Away.
It was voted to spend up to $125 for the
printing of the brochures. Any items left
following the Give-Away will be taken to the
Northeast Community Fund.
It was voted that the church financial statistics
be reported in the monthly newsletter starting
January 2015.
Pastor Ken reported the Decatur Christian
School has asked if we would make a donation
for advertising in their school publication.
After discussion, it was voted to purchase a
quarter page ad for up to $100.
Deb Kirchner made a suggestion we look into
the possibility of forming a Church Prayer
Group. Response was favorable.
Pastor Ken closing the meeting with prayer.
* * * * *
NEWS FROM
MARGARET FARNSWORTH
MISSIONARY TO KENYA
WITH WORLD GOSPEL
Requests:
1. Please pray for peace in Kenya and around
the world. There have been more killings and
attacks in Mombasa, a major port city.
2. Please continue to pray for the process
concerning the accounting software we are
incorporating.
3. Please pray for our budgeting process.
4. Things are disappearing from my house.
Please pray that the problem can be corrected
God's way.
5. Please pray this Scripture for me: Ezekiel
19:1 - that I will lament over sin and not the
sinner as I pray and seek God's direction.
Just a Thought...When I wrote last week,
I said that I had peace after a very difficult
discussion. It actually was more of
nothingness, and now I know that the story
was not completed. A few days later, the
group met for its regular meeting and revisited
the decision that had previously been made.
After further discussion, the decision was
tempered. After that, I truly had peace.
Thank You, Lord, for helping this imperfect
vessel as I seek to follow You. Thank You for
bringing about tough decisions in a way that
honors and glorifies You. Thank You that I am
working with people who can speak frankly,
yet without selfish agendas and forcing one
person's desires onto others. Thank You for
Your Holy Spirit Who is still speaking to those
whose ears are tuned to listen.
Grateful to work with His people,
Margaret Farnsworth
* * * * *
THE CIA
December 2014
COURIER
Changes to Come
Happy Birthday!
4th John Newnam
15th Madeline Pitts
19th Brock Evans
28th
Andréa
Wildman
A few changes will be
coming to the Children &
Family Ministries Committee in the upcoming year.
One of those changes is that
the CIA Courier will no
longer be a separate piece of
the newsletter beginning in
January. All announcements and event information
will be found in the main
church newsletter. Fewer
events will be planned for
the upcoming year; however, that doesn’t mean
events can’t be added as
they become options. We
still want to know what sort
of events interest our church
family.
Upcoming Events!
Dec 14th
Christmas
Program/ Lord’s
Army singing
Forsyth United Methodist Church
210 E Ruehl St.
Forsyth, IL 62535
217-877-1441
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 2014
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the
Lord.
Luke 2:11
2
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THE CIA COURIER
CIA Courier 3
December 2014
4
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