Weekly Update
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Good morning, Mattoon First UMC!
Here are our prayers and announcements for the week:
Prayers *Susan Bales, Bishop Frank Beard, Sharyl King, Timothy Tutt, Barb McLain, Walter Beltran, Richard Henna, Barry Hastings, Dalton McFarland, Lonnie Wells, Bruce Smith, Larry Zachow, Emmaline Caldwell, Mary Lou Malmborg, Wayne Lockett, Dij Champion, Judy Downey, and Ed Bunyard.
If you would like to add a prayer request, please reply to this message or call the church office at 217.235.5676.
Announcements
*Classroom Heroes
All women of the congregation and guests are invited to hear church members Angie Kelly and Jennifer Kuhl talk about their experience as teachers during the COVID pandemic. They will be speaking at the June meeting of Rebecca Circle–Monday, June 14, at 10 A.M. in the downstairs worship center. They will share their own behind-the-scenes experiences, challenges, joys, frustrations, and blessings of the past 15 months. Please join us and plan to be enlightened and inspired!
*A 2021 Visioning Meeting Saturday June 19th 9 am to 12:30 pm. All members of the church are invited to attend a planning meeting for the rest of 2021. This will be an opportunity to assess how 2020 went while also hearing committee updates and ministry reports to help us cast a vision for the church’s priorities for the future. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please reply to this message or call the church office at 217.235.5676 to RSVP.
*Choice’s baby bottle fundraiser donations are due back Fathers Day June 20. Please leave the donation bottles on the counter in the office.
*The deadline for the August/September 2021 newsletter will be July 15. Any announcements, articles, and photos should be submitted to mattoonfumcnews@gmail.com by July 15. Please alert Dawn Schabbing, in advance of the deadline, if a lengthy article will be coming, so she can plan accordingly.
*An Advanced Lay Servant Class that will be offered in the Embarras River District. Please share the following information and flyer with your lay servants and members of your congregation(s) –
Class Title: Called to PreachDate: Saturday, June 26, 2021Time: 8:00am – 4:30 pm (registration begins at 7:30am)Location: Effingham Centenary UMCCost: $ 25 – You bring a sack lunch. Drinks and snacks will be providedRegistration Deadline: Friday, June 18, 2021Registration link – https://igrc-reg.brtapp.com/ERD2021SummerAdvancedLayServantClassCalledtoPreach *Updated conference guidelines for Sunday worship and other group gatherings which are on track to change Friday June 11: *Fully vaccinated people are not required to wear a face mask or physically distance in church during worship services, gatherings, and meetings, including while speaking and singing. A fully vaccinated person is someone who is two weeks past receiving their final vaccine dose. *Unvaccinated people still need to wear masks in larger, multiple-household gatherings such as most church activities including worship. Additionally, some fully vaccinated people may wish to continue to wear masks out of an abundance of caution or in solidarity with children and other people who are not able to be vaccinated. Click here for more info: https://www.igrc.org/coronavirus
*Join the new First United Methodist Green Team! A Green Team is a group of 3 or more people from a house of worship who provides cooperative leadership to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities. Faith in Place provides a Green Team Coach. This coach will serve as a mentor to our group, and will keep us updated with programs and opportunities for Earth care in our area. They will reach out at least twice a month and attend meetings and events as their availability allows. Coaches can help you create goals, and connect you to resources, all at no financial cost. FUMC Green Team will be hosting a hiking event in June, stay tuned for time and place. Would love to have you join! Contact Susie Beaumont (217-923-1333) or Christina Krost (christina@faithinplace.org), if you have any questions or to be added to the email list for updated information.-A special offering is being taken up to provide emergency financial assistance to households in our church who have been hit with unexpected medical bills and related expenses. Christ calls us to respond with extravagant generosity when anyone is in need. If we all give a little, it will add up to make a big difference. To donate, write a check to the church with “special offering” in the memo line.
*The Youth Summer Mission Trip will be Saturday July 31st (departing Friday the 30th) through Wednesday August 4th to Memphis with Praying Pelican Missions and Jordan’s group from Springfield. The cost is $445 per person which includes meals, lodging, and any fees for places that Praying Pelican organizes for us to visit. That amount could reduce as more people sign up. Write a check to the church with “Memphis Mission Trip” in the memo line. Additional meals while traveling and souvenirs will be out of pocket.
*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.
*The Thursday morning Ladies Bible Study led by Linda Hance meets at 8 a.m. in the downstairs worship center. Come and join the ladies for a great time of fellowship!
*Pastor Todd’s Tuesday Morning Book Study meets at 10 a.m. in the downstairs worship center. They are currently studying the various denominations. The book is $15. 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., to study Romans.
*The 9 am traditional service audio will be recorded and available to listen to on the church website (https://mattoonumc.com/virtual-services-archive/) for those worshipping at home.
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Good afternoon, Mattoon First UMC!
Here are our prayers and announcements for the week:
Prayers –
Larry Hatfill – Juanita Bickel’s brother passed away; Tracy Tackett – Dora’s boyfriend who has some health issues but no cancer; Harold and Mary Ellen Ames – Church custodian Ammie Waters’s parents who were in a car accident; David Fessel; Sharyl King; Laura Huddleston; Susan Bales; Richard Butler; Barb McLain; Walter Beltran; Richard Henna; Ammie Waters; Barry Hastings; Melissa Ferguson; Dalton McFarland; Lonnie Wells; Bruce Smith; Larry Zachow; Emmaline Caldwell; Mary Lou Malmborg; Dij Champion; Judy Downey; Greg Voudrie; and Ed Bunyard. If you would like to add a prayer request, please reply to this message or call the church office at 217.235.5676.
Announcements
Updated conference guidelines for Sunday worship and other group gatherings: *Fully vaccinated people are not required to wear a face mask or physically distance in church during worship services, gatherings, and meetings, including while speaking and singing. A fully vaccinated person is someone who is two weeks past receiving their final vaccine dose. *Unvaccinated people still need to wear masks in larger, multiple-household gatherings such as most church activities including worship. Additionally, some fully vaccinated people may wish to continue to wear masks out of an abundance of caution or in solidarity with children and other people who are not able to be vaccinated. Click here for more info: https://www.igrc.org/coronavirus
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Next Sunday May 31, Rev. Beth Fender (the wife of a former associate pastor here at Mattoon First, Mike Fender) will lead worship as Pastor Todd takes some time off.
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Our church will host a free community vaccine clinic in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday June 2 from 8 am until 12 noon. A link to register for a time will be available on the church website (www.mattoonumc.com) later this week. The one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered. Those who receive this vaccine will be considered fully vaccinated and can safely go mask-free in public as soon as June 16th. To volunteer, please reply to this message or call the church office at 217.235.5676.
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***SAVE THE DATE*** All-Church 2021 Visioning Meeting Saturday June 19th 9 am to 12:30 pm. All members of the church are invited to attend a planning meeting for the rest of 2021. This will be an opportunity to assess how 2020 went while also hearing committee updates and ministry reports to help us cast a vision for the church’s priorities for the future. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please reply to this message or call the church office at 217.235.5676 to RSVP.
__________
Join the new First United Methodist Green Team! A Green Team is a group of 3 or more people from a house of worship who provides cooperative leadership to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities. Faith in Place provides a Green Team Coach. This coach will serve as a mentor to our group, and will keep us updated with programs and opportunities for Earth care in our area. They will reach out at least twice a month and attend meetings and events as their availability allows. Coaches can help you create goals, and connect you to resources, all at no financial cost. FUMC Green Team will be hosting a hiking event in June, stay tuned for time and place. Would love to have you join! Contact Susie Beaumont (217-923-1333) or Christina Krost (christina@faithinplace.org), if you have any questions or to be added to the email list for updated information.
_________
A special offering is being taken up to provide emergency financial assistance to households in our church who have been hit with unexpected medical bills and related expenses. Christ calls us to respond with extravagant generosity when anyone is in need. If we all give a little, it will add up to make a big difference. To donate, write a check to the church with “special offering” in the memo line.
_________
The Youth Summer Mission Trip will be Saturday July 31st (departing Friday the 30th) through Wednesday August 4th to Memphis with Praying Pelican Missions and Jordan’s group from Springfield. The cost is $445 per person which includes meals, lodging, and any fees for places that Praying Pelican organizes for us to visit. That amount could reduce as more people sign up. Write a check to the church with “Memphis Mission Trip” in the memo line. Additional meals while traveling and souvenirs will be out of pocket.
_________
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.
_________
The Thursday morning Ladies Bible Study led by Linda Hance meets at 8 a.m. in the downstairs worship center. Come and join the ladies for a great time of fellowship!
_________
Pastor Todd’s Tuesday Morning Book Study meets at 10 a.m. in the downstairs worship center. They are currently studying the various denominations. The book is $15. 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., to study Romans.
_________
The 9 am traditional service audio will be recorded and available to listen to on the church website (https://mattoonumc.com/virtual-services-archive/) for those worshipping at home.
_________
_________
March 24, 2021
Signs of new life are all around as we get closer to Easter and winter gives way to spring!
Keep in touch with whats going on a church with this week’s prayers and announcements:
Prayers –
Deena Bickel – Juanita Bickel’s daughter-in-law who lives in Michigan had surgery on her leg after falling from an upper level in her barn while getting hay to feed horses.
Dalton McFarland – He is 27 and diagnosed with a very aggressive lymphoma.
Bruce Smith – brain tumor
Larry Zachow – pneumonia
Joanne Downs – continued recovery
Emmaline Caldwell – cancer
Mary Lou Malmborg – cancer
Dij Champion – continued recovery
If you would like to add a prayer request, please reply to this message or call the church office at 217.235.5676.
Announcements –
Men’s Bible Study meets 2nd and 4th Saturday at Denny’s, 8:30 a.m., March 27th-Studying Romans 3: 21-31, begin reading Chapter 4.
The full-price offer on the 17th Street parsonage was approved by the special Church Conference Sunday afternoon.
Dora has indicated her intent to move to Indiana. So, we have a job opening for an administrative assistant. Qualifications include one year experience managing an office (maintaining regular office hours, answering the phone and door, taking phone messages, making copies, processing mail, checking voicemail, etc.), and proficiency with computer programs (Microsoft Word, email, website updating, Quickbooks, PowerChurch, Facebook, etc.). Familiarity with United Methodist Church structure is preferred but not required. Resumes can be submitted to mattoonfumc@gmail.com. $15/hr. | 22+ hrs/wk. | Paid Vacation & Sick Days.
The Communications Team led by Dawn Schabbing is working to bring back a newsletter for our church. First, we need your help creating a name for the newsletter. Send newsletter name ideas to this newly created email address intended specifically for newsletter items: mattoonfumcnews@gmail.com. Also, send items to be published in the newsletter to the same address. We will accept event information, announcements, church photos and guest columns as space allows. Columns must be signed and the author’s name will be used. Depending on the amount of material received will determine how often we publish. The deadline for the first issue is today. Primarily, these will be emailed to our audience. Some printed copies will also be made available.
The Missions Committee has challenged the congregation to a “green” Lenten challenge. No-not your vegetables. For ideas on what we are talking about; there is a list of locations and items that apply. The list is available at the church or can be emailed to you for your convenience.You are up to the challenge! For any questions, contact Susie Beaumont at 217-923-1333.
There will be a Maundy Thursday communion service April 1st at 7 and a Good Friday service April 2nd at 7.
Updated Directories are available in the Welcome Area between the office and sanctuary.
The 9 am traditional service audio will be recorded and available to listen to on the church web site and Facebook page on Sunday afternoons for those worshipping at home.
March 17, 2021
Here are this week’s prayers and announcements:
Happy Wednesday Mattoon First UMC!
Things are picking up around the church with social distancing guidelines relaxing, vaccinations being distributed, and Lent preparing us for the Easter celebration.
Catch up on this week’s prayers and announcements.
Prayers –
Guy Loucks entered the realm of eternity in God’s presence early Friday morning. Please keep Nancy and their family in prayer. Condolences can be sent to Nancy at 2909 Oakwood, Charleston 61930. Follow this link to his obituary: https://jg-tc.com/obituaries/guy-h-loucks/article_06f227b8-7506-5ba1-8393-bc3adcab6f66.html
Deena Bickel – She is Juanita Bickel’s daughter in law who lives in Michigan. She is undergoing surgery on her leg after she fell last week from a good height getting hay to feed their horses.
Dalton McFarland – He is 27 and diagnosed with a very aggressive lymphoma.
If you would like to add a prayer request, please reply to this message or call the church office at 217.235.5676.
Announcements –
The trustees have received a full offer for the asking purchase price of the 17th Street parsonage in as-is condition. To formally approve the sale, a special church charge conference will be held with all members of the church invited and encouraged to attend on Sunday March 21 at 2 pm with Embarras River District Superintendent Rev. Charliam Renner.
Dora has indicated her intent to move to Indiana. So, we have a job opening for an administrative assistant. Qualifications include one year experience managing an office (maintaining regular office hours, answering the phone and door, taking phone messages, making copies, processing mail, checking voicemail, etc.), and proficiency with computer programs (Microsoft Word, email, website updating, Quickbooks, PowerChurch, Facebook, etc.). Familiarity with United Methodist Church structure is preferred but not required. Resumes can be submitted to mattoonfumc@gmail.com. $15/hr. | 22+ hrs/wk. | Paid Vacation & Sick Days.
The Communications Team led by Dawn Schabbing is working to bring back a newsletter for our church. First, we need your help creating a name for the newsletter. Send newsletter name ideas to this newly created email address intended specifically for newsletter items: mattoonfumcnews@gmail.com. Also, send items to be published in the newsletter to the same address. We will accept event information, announcements, church photos and guest columns as space allows. Columns must be signed and the author’s name will be used. Depending on the amount of material received will determine how often we publish. The deadline for the first issue will be March 24. Primarily, these will be emailed to our audience. Some printed copies will also be made available.
Just a reminder, Missions Committee has challenged the congregation to a “green” Lenten challenge. No-not your vegetables. For ideas on what we are talking about; there is a list of locations and items that apply. The list is available at the church or can be emailed to you for your convenience.You are up to the challenge! For any questions, contact Susie Beaumont at 217-923-1333.
There will be a Maundy Thursday communion service April 1st at 7 and a Good Friday service April 2nd at 7.
New Nursing Home and assisted living lists are available on the welcome wall.
If anyone has any changes to the Directory information, call or email the office.
The 9 am traditional service audio will be recorded and available to listen to on the church web site and Facebook page on Sunday afternoons for those worshipping at home.
Lenten Blessings,
Todd Krost, Pastor
March 10, 2021
Here are this week’s prayers and announcements:
Good morning Mattoon First UMC!
Prayers –
Guy Loucks – Receiving hospice care at Mattoon Healthcare.
Sabra Culp – Receiving hospice care at Oddfellow home.
If you would like to add a prayer request, please reply to this message or call the church office at 217.235.5676.
Announcements –
Dora has indicated her intent to move to Indiana so, we have a job opening for an administrative assistant. Qualifications include one year experience managing an office (maintaining regular office hours, answering the phone and door, taking phone messages, making copies, processing mail, checking voicemail, etc.), and proficiency with computer programs (Microsoft Word, email, website updating, Quickbooks, PowerChurch, Facebook, etc.). Familiarity with United Methodist Church structure is preferred but not required. Resumes can be submitted to mattoonfumc@gmail.com. $15/hr. | 22+ hrs/wk. | Paid Vacation & Sick Days
The trustees have received a full offer for the asking purchase price of the 17th Street parsonage. To formally approve the sale, a special church conference will be held with all members of the church invited and encouraged to attend. The date and time of the conference will be announced via email.
The Communications Team led by Dawn Schabbing is working to bring back a newsletter for our church. First, we need your help creating a name for the newsletter. Send newsletter name ideas to this newly created email address intended specifically for newsletter items: mattoonfumcnews@gmail.com. Also, send items to be published in the newsletter to the same address. We will accept event information, announcements, church photos and guest columns as space allows. Columns must be signed and the author’s name will be used. Depending on the amount of material received will determine how often we publish. The deadline for the first issue will be March 24. Primarily, these will be emailed to our audience. Some printed copies will also be made available.
New nursing home and assisted living lists are available on the welcome wall.
If anyone has any changes to the directory information, call the office or reply to this message.
The 10:30 Contemporary worship services will be video recorded and available to view from the church web site on Sunday afternoons for those worshipping at home. —
March 3, 2021
Mattoon FUMC Prayer and Announcements
Good afternoon Mattoon First UMC!
I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful weather today. Here are our mid-weeks prayers and annoucements:
Prayers –
Sabra Culp is still under hospice care but making progress. She was cheering for the Fighting Illini basketball team last night for their big win.
Guy Loucks remains at Sarah Bush but will transition to hospice care outside of the hospital in the next couple days.
If you would like to add a prayer request, please reply to this message or call the church office at 217.235.5676.
Announcements –
SPRC 6 Tuesday March 9
If you took an item for Downtown Kids donations, please bring to the church by Sunday.
The First United Methodist in Mattoon Green Team would like to challenge the congregation/community during the Lenten Season to take a picture of your “green”
activities (some listed below) and send the pictures to sbeaumont@frontier.com. At the end of Lenten Season, we will provide a compiled document showing all thededication to making this a better world!
List of Suggestions:
1. Recycle paper, cardboard, cans, plastics etc.
2. Cut down on kitchen waste i.e., reusable straws; cloth napkins. 3. Use environmentally friendly cleaning products.
4. Plant flowers for honeybees and butterfly populations.
5. Plant a tree.
6. Take your own grocery bags and reduce use of plastics.
Mattoon First United Green Team is in the early stages of organizing, anyone interested to join, contact Susie Beaumont at 217-923-1333.
The 10:30 Contemporary worship services will be video recorded and available to view from the church web site on Sunday afternoons for those worshipping at home.
October 2, 2020
THIS SUNDAY IS WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
PRAYER
Virginia Beasley
Jim & Pat Vaught
Juanita Bickel
Our Leaders, Country, State and Community
Ed Behm
Anita Jones
Peggy Ropiequet
Charlotte Upton
Becky & Bill Thurn’s grandson
UMW
The Falcos
Ron Schaad
Phyllis Dickinson
Our Church
Victims of wildfires/hurricanes
Tracy Tackett
Terry
A big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who prayerfully gave to the UMW World Thank Offering on September 20. Most of us recognize that we still have so much to be thankful for even in this strange pandemic year of 2020. Most of all, we have God’s unending and unchanging grace and mercy towards us in sending his precious Son to die on the cross for our Salvation. We will be sending $1064 to the District for distribution to the UMW’s many mission projects to help the world’s women and children and $350 to Evenglow Lodge in Pontiac to be used for their Nursing Scholarship Program. Thanks be to God!!
COULD YOU CALL IT MONEY LAUNDERING?
FUMC Missions Committee is visiting local laundromats to pay for someone’s washer/dryer use. The project is planned for the month of October, and is intended to be an act of kindness during this stressful time. The following are descriptions of different household combinations that have been reached and comments from recipients:
~Father and daughter household; Dad who is recovering from brain surgery and hopes soon to be back at work, but “thank you so much, this is really appreciated.”
~Mother and father household; “we are here doing our daughter’s laundry to help her out– plus our own washer broke down so we brought our laundry to do. That is so kind, God Bless.”
~Gentleman- “I don’t know why anybody would want to do that.”
~Senior Citizen Female–“No thank you, give the money to someone who needs it, I have plenty of quarters. ”
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, it has been decided to cancel the Christmas basket program at our church this year. There are unknowns about how many food items could be collected, the safety of delivering them by the Boy Scouts and others helpers, and what the status of the pandemic in the next few months will be. We look forward to continuing this important program next year.
We will be collecting toys this year for ONE STOP COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS! Please pick up a sheet off of the Welcome Desk for more information. If you have questions, see Dora
August
Church Week at Rural King
We are signed up to participate in Church Week! Visit Rural King between August 2-15. Save your receipts and upload the information online by September 1 and the church will receive 10% of the receipt’s total. If you don’t have access to upload them or need help doing so, bring your receipts to the office and Dora will help you. Click here for the Rural King website for Church Week!
Prayer
Christina Krost’s grandmother, health; John & Shirley Burton, health; Richard Henna and family, recovering from COVID
Thank You
Donna wants to Thank everyone for the Birthday cards, she received quite a few! Here she is with her great granddaughters:
