“We exist to unite EVERY ONE with the life-giving power of Jesus!”
Pekin First
Messenger Monthly Newsletter - Pekin First United Methodist Church
1315 Court Street Pekin, IL 61554
Call us 309.347.3155
WWW.PEKINFIRST.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/PEKINFIRST/ | AUGUST 2018 – VOLUME 19- ISSUE 08
Mark Your August Calendar
4th Feast @ First SERMON SERIES: 11th Gospel Conversation
NEXT .STEPS 12th Membership Exploration Starts
12th Bible Sunday
12th Promotion Sunday
18th Snack Pack Meal & Fundraiser
19th Back Pack Blessings Honoring Educator’s
24th Night of Worship
25th Ice Cream Sundae Social
31st Peoria Chiefs Game
facebook.com/PekinFirst/ Pastor’s Article
By Rev. Jim McClarey
Meetings. They have a tough rep. Meetings carry the brunt of a lot of jokes about time spent, about “boringness”, and more. Most pastors lament that we wish we had less meetings to go to.
So I recently went to two meetings in one night, and THEY WERE AWESOME!!!! I came out charged up, ready to roll, eager about What an energy giving group! We met at what’s next, and amazed at our Pekin First a local restaurant (always a plus for me!) people. Oh yeah! and get this: 1 person is in her early 20s, The first meeting was with the leadership of another person is in her mid 30s, another our Men’s Club. These men are charged up, in the 40s, I’m in my 50s, another person their eyes sparkle with vision, and their body mid 60s, and another gentleman who is language radiates a desire to serve God by mid 70ish. AND THE CONVERSATION serving people. The Holy Spirit was FLOWED. CRACKLING with power and energy as we met Who says we all have to be the same to discuss our coming service year. Watch for generation to grow together? Who says more soon as invitations will be appearing for we have to have similar interests? We our first meeting on October 8. We plan to hit talked about life, faith, and even though the ground running as men are STEPPING UP this was only our 3rd meeting (2nd for me) to love and serve. it was beautiful to see the trust starting to Then I went to a UNITE group. We are a pilot form, the souls starting to open up, and group as we head into a new way of making the depth starting to grow. disciples for Jesus through small groups.
facebook.com/PekinFirst/ Family Faith Foundations:
By Heather Robertson
I recently listened to a podcast interviewing Brene Brown about her book, Rising Strong. In this book, she helps people to consider how to reckon with the hard stories we often encounter in our lives, the pieces we would rather stuff down than deal with in real ways. She was talking about the incredible connection we all have in our shared humanity. She offered an insight due to the connection we share: there can be no end to suffering if there is any one suffering.
Let’s consider the perspective of the As I look around the world, I see a great prophet Jeremiah in deal of suffering and often feel stopped in my tracks when I even consider trying to impact change. Yet, I know Jesus took the Lamentations 3:22-23 New International time to stop and offer compassion over Version (NIV) and over throughout the Gospels 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Jesus are not consumed, for his compassions never made people feel as though they never fail. were an inconvenience. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I often find myself rushing so quick to and fro, then plopping exhausted at the end of the day to check my brain out and The Lord’s mercies are new every scroll through Facebook. I see suffering, morning and TODAY the Lord is inviting but there isn’t enough time to “fix it” so I us to offer His mercy to people all along just escape. our way. Who can we bless with the love of God today?
What if I focus my attention on offering relief from suffering when I get the Lord, Help us to be the presence of your chance, even if it means stopping my mercy today. Amen. plans. I wonder how it might impact my attitude if I notice the suffering of others and offer love and compassion consistently and continually.
facebook.com/PekinFirst/ PRAYER WALKING By Pastor Jim McClarey
During a recent weekend message, I made a commitment to make a weekly “prayer-walk” in a neighborhood in Pekin. I’ve enjoyed 3 such walks, am looking forward to each new week, am grateful for the responses we’ve received on Facebook, and am thankful for those who have walked with me! I’ve learned a lot about Pekin, have talked to several people, helped a person lift a lawn mower onto a trailer, made friends with some people sitting around talking on a 93 degree day, and am learning to “slow down and NOTICE” people. Today, I got a little messed up on my route (I have a specific route so I don’t backtrack!) and I had to alter my plan a bit. Turns out that my new route caused the very last house I passed, to be the house of one of our church members, who was sitting in the yard with his new dog. I stopped and talked for over 20 minutes. Here’s the thing about me, as much as I try to slow down and listen to God - and I really am doing well at that during the prayer walking - I am usually very conscious about “completing” the route. If my route hadn’t been messed up, I wouldn’t have passed this house last, and therefore probably wouldn’t have felt as if I could stop. What a blessing to me and to our church member to have that conversation! (maybe his dog too?). I’m trying to let people know through Facebook and now through a group email blast, where I’ll be walking next. What’s my plan for choosing neighborhoods? I pray and then go to where it seems I am being led. Maybe it’s time you started prayer-walking your neighborhood! For tips I’ve learned… give me a call. 347-3155.
facebook.com/PekinFirst/ PRAYING OVER CHURCH BULLETIN By Mary Ann Carl
“A while ago Kathy Simpson asked me how I use the church services bulletin & Messenger to help me pray for Pekin First United Methodist Church. There are many ways to pray over our church.” Mary Ann explains- the bulletin’s back cover has the church staff & weekly reminders. Then when you turn the weekly prayer list over there is the daily calendar of events, and the insert has important FUMC activities. Each and every item that is on the bulletin receives prayer from Mary Ann. The Messenger has a monthly calendar and prayer list as well. It also has various pictures of recent events, information about upcoming events, and Pastor articles. Lastly, the front cover has important information regarding the sermon series or current topics for sermons or holidays. Mary Ann particularly emphasizes her prayer for our recent campaign “Building For The Future.” Every month we have been adding updates about the status of our capital campaign and this allows for prayer and awareness of how the campaign is going.
Building For The Future Capital Campaign Update
THANK YOU!!!!! 118 people have given or pledged $251,938 toward our 2 year campaign goal of $500,000. We are a little over half way there, with 1 year and 10 months to go. We are very appreciative of your generosity. The Trustees are very close to having a plan for taking care of the first few priorities on our list. We hope to have details soon, regarding decisions on such things as our heating system, our sanctuary air condi- tioning system, our parking lot, and more. During the week we are preparing this newsletter, the Trustees are collecting information from contractors. We are eager to move, but we want to make sure we do our homework well. Please pray for Pekin First UMC leadership to make God-honoring decisions on how and when to move forward. If you have not yet given to “Building for the Future” and wish to do so, you may give on-line by going to pekinfirst.org, clicking on the “GIVE” tab toward the upper right side, enter the amount, and select “Building for the Future”. Or, make a check payable to Pekin First UMC, with “Building for the Future” on the memo line. If you are new with us and wondering what this is about, or if you have any questions regarding this capital campaign such as what are the items we are caring for with campaign funding, please call us at 347-3155 and we’ll be happy to have a great conversation.
facebook.com/PekinFirst/ Upcoming Events
2018 Pekin First UMC Group Outing with the Peoria Chiefs Friday August 31st Time: 6:30pm Location: Dozer Park Peoria Ticket Price: Chiefs Dugout Seats-$11.00 Fan Appreciation night– Various Give a way’s throughout the evening. Contact church office for RSVP for tickets by August 16th 309.347.3155 Fireworks following the game.
Let’s Beat The Heat And Eat A Sweet Piano Concert
Treat! Save The Date: Sunday, September 23, 2018, Everyone’s invited to our good “ole” fashion ice 2:00 p.m. cream sundae social on Saturday, August 25th anytime from 3-5 in Whitfield Hall. Piano concert featuring Julie McClarey, three- time National Ragtime Piano Playing Award
winner. Julie is equally accomplished with We’ll be serving ice cream with all the your Christian music, jazz and classical selections. favorite toppings. Come have a great fellowship with old and new friends while enjoying some We couldn’t be more excited to invite you to delicious ice cream. come and be blessed by the God- given gifts of A good will offering will be available to help us Julie McClarey. She pours her heart and soul offer fantastic grace during the Marigold Festival. into an amazing stage show. Julie has been a HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! featured performer aboard Showboat Branson Belle, entertained audiences in Branson and Nashville, and was the Band Leader/Pianist of Bible Sunday will be on Sunday the Country Music USA Show at Opryland USA. August 12th Pekin First United Methodist Church 1315 Court St., Pekin, IL 61554 If you have an incoming 3rd grader who would like
to receive a Bible this year, please contact Kara No tickets required. Free will offering. Bushong at [email protected] or call the Visit http://www.jkmcclarey.com office at 347-3155.
facebook.com/pekinFirst/ Events, Groups, and More...
UNITEgroups Get Your FUMC T-Shirts By Pastor Heather Robertson We will be taking orders for our church T-Shirts Our pilot groups have been meeting throughout the starting on August 4th & 5th and August 11th & summer and we cannot wait to kick off our new mission- 12th. These shirts can be worn for Marigold and centered approach to small groups starting this fall. We all other church functions. Orders need to be pre-paid and the cost is $10.00/Shirt. Sizes are have experienced amazing opportunities to offer the adult-Sm. Med. Lg. XL. XXL. XXXL. love of Jesus, to serve alongside others, and to consider our own stories and the stories of others. The insights Distribution of the shirts will be on August 25th and revelations have been beyond explanation. & 26th and September 1st & 2nd in the back of the sanctuary. Opportunities for serving at We are praying for all of you to have clear direction from Marigold will be coming soon. God about how UNITEgroups will be a part of your disci- pleship journey. Maybe you have a small group you love For any questions about this contact Lisa and you will adopt a mission. Perhaps you have held McClarey at 217-649-2913 or e-mail back on getting in on small groups and feel God tugging [email protected]. you in this direction. It could be you want to reach out and connect with neighbors and you found a common Gospel Conversations –Make Disciples for interest in caring for others, so you decide to let God Jesus bring out a new kind of courage in you, which means There are over 250,000 people in Central Il without starting a group on your street. a relationship with Jesus. These include family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. The possibilities are endless. The prayers are continual. How does that sit with you? Lead us to follow your lead, to become the tangible king- Come learn how to : dom so every one can experience the gift of God’s love Take a conversation about taking “Hello” to and grace. Amen. “the Gospel.“
Share the Gospel in a simple & effective way. From Men's Club: Help people take their next steps toward Jesus. Watch for details about our Marigold Saturday, Aug 11th, 10 am-12. Pekin FUMC - Festival Bags Tournament during our Friday Evening Whitfield Hall Lawn Party. Grab a partner! Friday September 7th.
Kourage Kids a Special Grief Camp for Kids
“Kourage Kids” is a one-day free grief camp to be held on Saturday October 6, 2018, sponsored by Unity Point Health-Methodist Hospice. It is open to any child in the area from age 5-18. It is a day of help, fun and healing for children that have experienced the death of someone close to them. Brochures are available in the Pekin First UMC office, or you may call 309.672.5746 for more information. Group leaders are aware of the importance of each child’s faith and recognize it as an important aspect of their healing.
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YOUTH NEWS
By Becky Caldwell
This summer I was given the opportunity to The High school youth group meets every step out of my comfort zone and lead the Wednesday night. As a group, we decided to Breakthrough (5th – 8th grade) and High focus on helping and giving back to our church. school (9th – 12th grade) youth groups. For You will be seeing these young people greeting the past four years, I was an adult volunteer on some Sundays, making cookies for home- assisting Michael Berg or Heather Robertson bound members, or maybe even helping with the Breakthrough group. I was never around the Church. One of the big challenges I comfortable with leading the group on my gave the kids was to send me a scripture or own. I am very grateful to be able to lead two that they want to discuss on Wednesday these amazing young people and their jour- nights. I am proud to say that I received a 100% ney with Christ. feedback from the kids.
Here is an update on the Breakthrough Group. This summer we started by going on Please continue to prayer for our youth and a retreat to St. Louis for a day. Our first stop their journey with Christ. was to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Each of the kids brought books to donate to the Becky hospital. After we left the hospital we went to a park and prayed for the sick children and their families. We then ventured to Six Flags for a day of fun and bonding. The Breakthrough group would like to thank everyone who supported our retreat with the car wash. The rest of the summer Break- through will be meeting every other Sunday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm preparing for the upcoming school year. We are focusing on
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BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS Sunday August 19th
The return to school, starting a new grade with new teachers and students, even new schools is a big deal for children and their families! We want children to know that they and their lives are important to the church. And we also want them to hear that God is with them at school and that their church cares about what happens there. God and church are not “off to the side” or just a Sunday thing. So, children and students of all ages, as well as teachers and staff, are encouraged to bring their backpacks for a special Blessing of the Backpacks during worship.
facebook.com/PekinFirst/ VBS 2018 AMPED….
THANK YOU to all who helped in any way with AMPED VBS 2018. Over 50 volunteers helped make it a GREAT event. MANY seeds were planted in many children which may last for eternity. We taught and modeled what it means to follow Jesus with our lives.
THANK YOU to Kara, our Children’s Ministries Director who gave such excellent leadership and organization to this ministry! Can’t wait till next year…. For more exciting VBS pictures go to facebook.com/PekinFirst/
facebook.com/PekinFirst/ Thank You Note….
Dear Pastor & Church The men of Teen Challenge would like to thank you for allowing us to share the gospel with you. We are blessed to have presented in both morning services. It is our prayer that the church was touched in some way by the testimonies and songs presented by these men. We Experienced a tremendous move of the spirit. God is truly working through each of you. What a blessing you are to Teen Challenge. Thank you for the generous offering for the ministry and thank you for providing the meal that followed. The men and their families really enjoyed their time. As a non-profit, we struggle with meeting the ever rising operational costs. This is why your generosity is greatly appreciated. We count it as a blessing that we were invited to be a part of your day. We look forward to a long and healthy relationship and to seeing you again soon. Continue to pray for us we will for you. We know that God moves through prayer. God Bless each of you.
Sincerely, Joseph P. Rogers Director of Operations
Dear Pekin First United, COURT STREET LANDSCAPING Dear Pekin Firs t United, THANK YOU to Adam Campbell for Thank you so much for the beautiful Thank you so much for our engineering the design and much prayer shawl and for your prayers. scholarships. This generous gift of the work for our beautiful new The visiting work campers were so gives us so much more of an landscaped area on Court Street. Kind to me! You are truly the hand’s opportunity during our college and feet of Christ & I am grateful for What a GREAT improvement. years. that. Thanks to Dave Davis, Bill Cullen, and Lindsay Bushong for helping Thank you all & God Bless Thank you, get this done and for watering. Madi & Jack Dunn Thank you to all who donated for Natalie this project! Custodian of CUMC Rockford, IL
STAFF UPDATES We invite your prayers as we continue to search for God’s direction for our Youth Ministry, and as we search for a Director of Business Operations. We are grateful for Becky Caldwell, and husband Eric, who have stepped up to lead our youth groups this summer while we prayerfully seek God’s will for the future. We hope to be able to give more details soon as we continue to pray for God’s will for our staff needs.
facebook.com/PekinFirst/ August Birthdays
1 Marilyn Bailey 14 Robert Holland Miranda Hartman Karen Hurst Deborah Rathmel Timothy Plack Kyle Ruschmeyer Carla Schaefer 2 Dorothy Taylor 16 Terry Edele Norma Zaayenga Joshua Peters 3 Chad DuPage 17 Keira Henneise Eliza McClarey Linda Hunt Stacey Nannen James D. McClarey Renee Terrill David Moehring 18 Yvonne Herstreith Ethan Munter Lonnie Howard Janelle Sours Charles Vogelsang Emmy Thies 19 Danielle Scoles Margaret Wockley 20 Tammy Davidson 4 Stephanie Mennenga Lisa Herbst Arlene Meyer 21 Constance Ercegovich Aiden Munter 22 Riley Jones 5 Cindy Allen Shirley Corum David Allen Rich Sharp Avery Hafliger Laura Ziegle 6 Jensen Edele 23 Anna Holmes Jerry Herbstreith 25 Betty Cantrell 7 Norma Anderson Becky Kuethe Ellen Curtin 26 Rebecca Bowen Chase Murphy Beckham Hasty 27 Quinn Graden Charles Morrison 28 Breahnna Harmon Eleanora Wisdom Gary Helm Erin Ziegle 29 Bradley Everett 8 Kylie Schimmelpfenning Tanner Hess 10 Tyler Harrington 31 Geraldine Calvetti Dale Messmore Laura Markley 11 Reagan Caldwell Janelle Hafliger Joshua Hafliger Jake Moehring Anne Stewart 12 Marian Drake Shawna Erswell Mary Gardner Melissa Spiller facebook.com/PekinFirst/
August Prayer List Please Pray for the Following Persons:
Norma Anderson Scott Smith Denise Adam Biagini Louise Spalding Mary Stewart Kim Birkmeier Lynn Strange Mark Buhl Carl David Strickfaden Linda & Gregg Carr Robert Strickfaden Amy Talbott-Kamp Madeline Ceila Dan and Lori Mable Trueblood Emily Damarin Ty Marcus Chris Walker Roy Davis Stephanie Walton Bobbie Dean Deanne Jeri Calvetti Jason DeFrates Frank Hoyle Sherry Kai Bates-Diop Roy Jim Donahue Dylan David LaTonya Gaines Brian Humbracht Kay Curtis Glenn & Bev Gerbracht Chad Hammond Ann W. Jaxson Harper and family * Audrey Miles *Nancy King Kitty Henry *Josh & Ashlie & family Bob Holland Tina Jennings * Melissa Ostrom Dale LaJennesse * Rhiannan, Cody, and McKennah * Logan, Wyatt & family Robert LaJennesse Leslie Bret Lighter Military: Brad Baerwalch Karen Lighter Brandon Gebhardt Logan Thomas Loja Boyd Harmon Sue McMillan Matthew Hurd Kevin Lawler Lori Motteler Matthew Dave Null Pat Nate Welch Lynn Peters Ruth McMillen
Betty Rademacker Don Rademacker Karen Ruschmeyer Pam Jibben-Schmick
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