Weekly Update
Worship this Week – First Sunday of Advent
Scripture: Luke 1:5-20
Sermon: Angels of Advent: Gabriel & Zechariah
Chancel Choir Anthem @ 9 – “Bring us Hope” by Ruth Schram with special guest Jason Yan on cello
Announcements –
Hanging of the Greens Appreciation
Thank you to everyone who helped with Hanging of the Greens last week! Our church looks beautiful and is ready to welcome the birth of our Messiah.
Bazaar Casserole Preparation Tip
If you cook the casserole frozen it will take 90 minutes. Thawing overnight in the refrigerator will work with a 350 degree oven and 30 to 40 minutes. 3/4 cup of crushed potato chips spread on top for the last 15 minutes of cook time will give it a nice crunchy flavor. Enjoy!
PEO (Chapter KQ) Christmas Housewalk, Sunday, December 4, 1-4pm.
PEO is a National women’s philanthropic and educational organization that advances women through educational scholarships, grants, awards, and loans. The Christmas Housewalk returns this year after a 2 year Covid hiatus. Included in this year’s event are 4 homes, 3 of which are those of members of our congregation. Tickets are $10 each (12 & under free) and are available at the door of each of these homes (or from the following PEO members who may still have tickets left to sell: Diane Snow; Nancy Ross; Connie Lotts; Marilyn Brosam; Ardis Larvick; Peggy Ropiequet; Melissa Ferguson; & Brenda West):
Phyllis & Ron Dickinson, 2620 Western Ave.
Shelly Ashby, 3208 Western Ave.
The Comptons, 100 Ambrose Drive
Melissa & Steve Ferguson, 10296 Old State Road
You may go to the homes in any order (a location map is included on each ticket). A silent auction of unique items & light refreshments will be available at the Ferguson home. All proceeds go to fund PEO’s mission to assist and promote women.
A Word of Appreciation from the United Women in Faith
United Women of Faith would like to thank all involved for helping to make the annual bazaar a huge success. A special thank you to George & Shirley Reed for their amazing annual donation of hand crafted wood designs. To the women of the church who baked, sewed, made candy, did food prep, served or worked the kitchen, ran a register, donated jewelry or worked the day of the event, thank you for sharing your time and talents. To Chrissy Leitch – a BIG THANK YOU for all your organizing to make this event all it is intended to be. To Jim Johns, thank you for coming to the aid of all our endless needs with a smile and a big heart. And, to the men who took time out of their busy schedules to set up tables, take down tables, wash dishes, & door duty – you are appreciated…. VERY MUCH! Thanks to Matt Landrus for the cute reindeer family, Mike Lefever for all the adorable snowmen and Randall Ross for the beautiful wood bowls – all awesome accents to Phyllis’s primitive décor. Thank you to those who made a monetary donation to help with the cost of food and supplies. And, to the youth for your lunchtime help. We give Glory to God for the success of this bazaar and thanks to all our church family for your support. UWF collected near $6000 in donations for this event to assist in their annual mission ministry. Please bring any new ideas for the 2023 bazaar to a UWF member.
Thursday Morning Bible Study begins series on Acts
You are invited! Starting November 17th, the Thursday morning Bible study will begin a new series on the Book of Acts at 8 a.m. in the Choices Sunday School room, lower level. Come join us for a New Testament study following the resurrection of Jesus. Our textbook will be your Bible….any version. We meet every Thursday morning, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, to study the scriptures together and invite anyone who is wanting to share fellowship, prayer, and study of the Gospels. The class is led by Linda Hance.
One Stop Community Christmas
Toilet paper and paper towels are being collected in a box in the narthex for One Stop Community Christmas. While both are appreciated, toilet paper is a priority.
Christmas Eve
Join us for a special Christmas Eve at 7.
Church Finance Update
As we enter the Thanksgiving season, we would like to provide the congregation with an update on the church’s financial situation for the year. In short, if giving and spending trends continue at the current rate, then we will end the year with a $54,000 deficit. While this is not the most positive news to pass along, we give thanks to God for your consistent and faithful gifts. Please join us in praying that, as we face the Advent season with a spirit of hope, generous hearts will prevail to address the immediate need.
The Church Finance Committee, Chair Timothy Tutt, & Pastor Todd
Bishop announces special sessions on disaffiliation
Bishop Frank J. Beard announced this morning that there will be two special sessions in 2023 to deal with matters associated with churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference who have gone through the process to leave the United Methodist Church.
Bishop Beard announced that sessions will be held on the following dates:
Saturday, May 6
Saturday, Dec. 2
Potential Holy Land Pilgrimage in Early 2024
Pastor Todd is considering leading another group Holy Land Pilgrimage in early 2024. It would be led by Educational Opportunities (www.eo.travelwithus.com) and cost between $2,500 and $3,200 depending on the length of trip. This amount covers airfare, breakfast and lunch daily, transportation, entry fees to sites, and a professional tour guide. We would likely visit Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, the Jordan River, Judean Desert, and/or Jerusalem. The trip is open to anyone interested in experiencing where Jesus walked, ancient history in general, or archeology. Please contact Pastor Todd by replying to this message if you’re interested.
Annual Church Visioning – All members of Mattoon First UMC are encouraged to attend the annual visioning meeting Saturday January 21 from 9 to noon. This will be an opportunity to hear how the previous year went and to cast a vision for the new year. A free brunch will be served.
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
Weekly Choir rehearsal Wednesdays at 5:30
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 Acts. We meet every week at 8 am in the Choices classroom (accessible by stairs or elevator). 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!
Cross Training Prayer Group meets weekly for prayer and sharing Wednesdays at 7:00 a.m. at 2620 Western Avenue.
Men’s Bible Study meets 2nd and 4th Saturday at Denny’s, 8:30 a.m.
Monthly worship services are held at Brookstone Estates North on the first Wednesday, Copper Creek Cottages on the second Wednesday, and Brookstone Estates South on the third Wednesday at 10 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).
