Weekly Update
Worship this Week –
Sermon: “The Rock: Witnessing the Transfiguration”
Scripture: Exodus 34: 29-35
Special Music @ 9: “In Jesus’ Name” by Nichole, Pardo, Hulse, & Spencer performed by Kristin Ives
Announcements –
VBS Meeting Tonight: A planning meeting about the joint VBS with Charleston Wesley UMC will be held tonight at Wesley UMC at 6.
Annual Conference Update
The Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference held in Peoria last week provided opportunity for celebration on a number of fronts – the 25th anniversary of the annual conference following the merger of the former Central and Southern Illinois conferences in 1996 and the approaching bicentennial of Methodism in Illinois when the first session of the antecedent Illinois Conference convened in 1824.
Conferees also celebrated the completion of the six-year Our Conference, Our Kids campaign, in which funds were raised to finance the chaplaincy programs at the five children’s health and welfare agencies in the IGRC – The Baby Fold, Chaddock, Cunningham Children’s Home, Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House and Spero Family Services. The $2.5 million goal was eclipsed and the Conference celebrated total giving of $3,000,130.76. The Conference also approved the naming of the endowment as the Bishop Frank J. and Melissa K. Beard Our Conference, Our Kids Endowment.
The generosity of the Annual Conference was evident as a report showed that IGRC churches contributed $6,619,996 to missions beyond apportionments through The United Methodist Church.
Special offerings during the Annual Conference included: $21,900; John Kofi Asmah School in Liberia, $3,750; Tom Brown Scholarship at Wiley College, $4,500; and funds for the 2023 Ordinands’ Trip, $4,600.
For further details go to: https://www.igrc.org/newsdetail/16526376.
FUMC Communications is seeking a new volunteer to lay out the Circuit Writer Newsletter. Training will be provided. Interested? Contact Pastor Todd or Dawn Schabbing. Or send a note to mattoonfumcnews@gmail.com to express interest or ask questions about this volunteer opportunity.
Fourth of July @ the Fergusons: Looking for a spot to view the fireworks? Steve & Melissa Ferguson invite you to join them at their home at 10296 Old State Road, directly south of the airport, to watch the fireworks from probably the best vantage point other than being on the airport property, with a “potty” to boot. We’ll “open up” around 7:30pm. Church members, family, and guests are welcome. As we don’t have sufficient seating, bring lawn chairs or blankets and any snacks you would like to share. (We just ask, out of deference to our dogs and cats, and the safety of all, that you leave any personal fireworks at home.). We will have lemonade and iced tea available, but feel free to bring your favorite drinks.
Four for the Fourth
Coles County Habitat for Humanity is sponsoring their annual run/walk, “4 for the Fourth,” on Monday, July 4. This is the 31st Anniversary Run! The event begins and ends at Morton Park on Lincoln Avenue in Charleston. Registration starts at 6:30 am with the Run/Walk stepping off at 7:30 am. The entry fee is $20 before June 20 and $25 thereafter. Money raised from this event will be used to help eliminate poverty housing right here in Coles County. Consider running or walking. To register contact Habitat’s office at (217)348-7063 or go online www.colescountyhabitat.net and click on fundraiser. Want to volunteer on race day? Contact Chris Sims: (217)549-0726.
UMW (United Women of Faith) Meetings – The UMW/United Women of Faith meeting for July has been cancelled. We will start the new meeting year with our August meeting which will be August 15th for our annual potluck dinner at the home of Marica Parker for delicious food and friendly fellowship at 5 pm. Please bring a covered dish and enjoy a wonderful evening of fellowship and delicious food. All women of the church are UMW members, and we welcome you to come to our monthly meetings.
Jane Perry’s new address is: Friendship Village of Bloomington 8110 Highwood Drive #L208, Bloomington, MN 55438
Summer Worship Music:We are lining up summer special numbers for worship services in June, July and August. If you have suggestions or are willing to put together a solo, duet, trio, quartet, or more…either vocal, instrumental or combination of whatever or guest-suggestions, please contact Phyllis Dickinson @ 618.741.4848
Circuit Writer Deadline
The next deadline for the August/September Circuit Writer will be July 15. Please submit items as early as possible. Email items to mattoonfumcnews@gmail.com.
Vacation Bible School – This year we will partner with Charleston Wesley UMC for VBS with a Food Truck Party theme. The dates are set for July 24 -28th at Charleston Wesley. Contact Julie Viertel (julie.viertle@gmail.com) or Christina Krost (christina.krost@gmail.com) to volunteer.
A Christmas-in-July Potluck will be held Sunday July 31 at noon to raise money for new Advent and Christmas decorations. There will be one worship service that day at 10:30. The potluck with be an opportunity to hear about the options for new Advent and Christmas decorations such as new trees, garland, and nativity sets. There will also be an opportunity to give money.
UMCOR HELP FOR UKRAINE: Gifts to support humanitarian needs for those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries can be made through UMCOR international disaster response by writing a check to the church and writing “Advance #982450” in the memo line or “UKRAINE”. For the latest news on how the UMC is ministering in Ukraine, click here: Ukraine Update
Summer office hours are 9-2 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Pastor Todd’s Tuesday morning Bible Study is now Pastor Magrey DeVega’s book, “Savior: What the Bible Says about the Cross”. You’re invited to join us Tuesdays (except the third Tuesday of the month) at 10 am in the downstairs worship center for an opportunity to grow in your faith through study and fellowship.
Keep up with the latest events in the denomination with United Methodist News (umnews.org). To keep up with the latest news and events from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, visit www.igrc.org/current.
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REGULAR EVENTS
Choir rehearsal is off for summer vacation. Join us in the Fall!
The Youth Group meets weekly at the church from 5:30-7 every Sunday. Bring a friend!
The One-der Class meets Sundays at 9:45 in the Worship Area downstairs. Everyone is welcome. This class will be a multigenerational exploration of the Bible and God’s teachings.
Thursday Morning Bible Study continues with study of the Gospel of Luke. We meet every week at 8 am in the Choices classroom (accessible by stairs or elevator). Every chapter is rich with the accounts of Jesus’ life as well as lessons he taught. There is always plenty of time for class discussion. Please join us whenever you are able. Linda Hance is the leader.
Pastor Todd’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. in the downstairs worship center. Please join us as we grow together in our hearts and minds!
Men’s Bible Study meets 2nd and 4th Saturday at Denny’s, 8:30 a.m.
Mattoon Community Food Center grocery delivery packing is on the second Tuesday of every month after the first Thursday at 5:15 at the MCFC (600 Moultrie).
The 9 am traditional service audio will be recorded and available to listen to on the church website by following this link: https://mattoonumc.com/sermons/
