VBS for this year:
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J. Michael Smith, Directing Pastor Gordon Wilson, Director of Music and Communication Linda Entwistle, Administrative Assistant to the pastor Janice Roy, Office Manager Beth Morgan, Nursery Director Bill Valentine, Pastoral Visitor Bob deJong, Visitor Services and Building Caretaker
Getting to Know Our Church Family…Bill and Elise Fears
Urbana is Bill’s hometown. His father and grandfather owned W.H. Fears & Son, a grocery store located at 1015 W. Main in Urbana. Bill’s dad later owned Fears Foods at Washington and Cottage Grove. After serving in the Air Force (including South Korea shortly after the Korean War), where he worked with seismography, Bill returned to Urbana. Bill formerly owned and operated Scope Service, an electronic repair shop that specialized in repairing oscilloscopes. He is now a single copy driver for the News-Gazette. For relaxation, Bill enjoys computer games and working with computer programs.
Although raised in Philo, Elise was born in Australia where her father was stationed. Her mother was Australian. The family moved back to Illinois when she was very young. Elise grew up in the Methodist Church in Philo. She works with senior citizens as a home care aide for Family Services of Champaign County. Hobbies include crafting and sewing. Since coming to Grace, Bill has operated the sound system, a job he had at his previous church. Elise has become involved in the United Methodist Women. Both Bill and Elise have enjoyed attending the Wednesday Wellspring service. Since both like to camp, they are sure to enjoy the annual Grace campout.
The Fears family includes a son, Kevin, his wife, Renata, and grandson, Oliver, who live in Ottawa, Kansas. A daughter, Nancy, lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They also have many “children and grandchildren” around the world gained by hosting international students through the International Friends Organization. Bill and Elise have hosted families and single students from Sri Lanka, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. REFLECTION AND PRAYER FOR APRIL Gary Ricketts
April has arrived and with it come warmer days, flowers growing, trees budding and spring house cleaning. In addition, it is time for lawn mowing and raking. There is a freshness and newness about everything. The birds are serenading us each morning and throughout the day. It doesn’t take long to forget about winter, and we begin to make plans for summer. In all of our hurrying, scurrying and planning, where does God fit in? Is he at the center of our planning and business, or have we left him on the fringes? The God of the universe is the God of creation. His handiwork is all around us. Do we really see it through spiritual eyes or do we just glance and move along? God wants us to appreciate what he has created. Remember, he also created us, each with our own unique talents and abilities. Take time to thank God for his many blessings.
Prayer has a powerful impact on both the one being prayed for and the one praying. We must never forget that God still answers prayers. They are answered in his way and in his timing.
PrayerDear Lord and Heavenly Father, help us to be more in tune with your will and your way. We are thankful for your many blessings. Forgive us Lord when we get too busy to realize your blessings. Help us to slow down and put our priorities in order. We want to appreciate your creative handiwork, because we too, are a product of your creativity. We love you Lord, and we want to serve you. Guide us and direct us in your divine way. We lift up the joys and concerns of our church family and our own personal prayers. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. THE ANT – GOD CREATED IT TOO-Gary RickettsSuch a tiny little crawling creatureBut oh, how aggravating it can be. Just when I don’t want to see them, They usually appear with family and friends.
Into my house they come uninvited And crawl all over my sink. Often for picnics they also arrive Even though not even asked or wanted.
On a campout they can be found Crawling everywhere I don’t want them. Whether individually or with its family They can be very irritating.
If I wipe out one of these little rascals, It seems that twenty more take its place. Ants seem to have a great communication system, With all working together to get the job done.
They work tirelessly to accomplish their task, Whether building a hill or trail, Transporting things from place to place Or just irritating folks like me.
God, you created these pesky things, But I really wonder why. Is there a message here Lord That I don’t really understand?
Do you really want me to study ants And try to learn something from them, Instead of getting irritated and frustrated, And charging off for a can of Raid?
Reflecting back I really wonder How often I have irritated you Lord. Doing things that were not pleasing to you, Or keeping busy without seeking your will.
Perhaps Lord you have really wanted Me to be more dedicated and faithful, While working together with others To build a spiritual trail.
A trail that leads to you, Lord, While learning from your creatures along the way. Building a community of believers, While following an earthly trail to a heavenly home. HEY, XYZ CREW!Do we have a great trip planned for Thursday, April 14. Step back in time to the days of Andy, Barney, Aunt Bea, Opey, Goober, Floyd, etc. How can we do this? By heading to the Mayberry RFD Café in Danville, IN. You can even have your picture taken by the police car; one like Andy and Barney drove. We may even check out a few covered bridges on the way there or coming back. We will probably leave the church at 11:00 a.m. If you plan to go, please contact Gary and Audrey Ricketts (367-2098) by Sunday, April 10. Angelus Bell ConcertOn Sunday, May 1, at 6:00 pm at Grace is the "Bells of Grace" concert, featuring the Angelus Handbell Choir. The Angelus Handbell choir is "that group" that hangs out in the balcony every Monday night, or over a dozen devoted ringers ranging in age from 17 to 70. This group has been around for over twenty years and has been through a lot together, yet they keep growing and getting stronger. Come hear older and new songs, including some you wouldn't expect to hear played by handbells. Selections include "Down to the River to Pray," and "Phantom of the Opera." All guarantee that you will leave amazed! So come to this concert offered by Grace to hear one of your own groups share through music. -Callie McFarland Grace United Methodist Church Financial Review - 2004 The following financial report was presented at the Quarterly Conference in January:
Grace Church entered the 2004 year with $14,825 in various church accounts. Of these funds, $12,065 was designated for special purposes. All expenses, including conference apportionments, had been paid. The church owed $10,000 on a loan from Busey Bank.
During the 2004 year, the church took in $257,985 through “normal” offerings and donations. We received $20,000 in grants from the conference and the district to support the Grace Street and Grace Years programs. The church borrowed an additional $35,400 to cover special church renovation costs. This provided total incoming funds to the church of $313,385 for the year.
During the 2004 year, the church spent $287,134 for “normal” expenses and benevolences including $43,320 for conference apportionments. In addition, $29,665 was spent for special church and grounds renovations, primarily the front church entrance. This gave total church expenditures for the year of $316,799.
Grace Church ended the 2004 year with $11,411 in various church accounts. Of
these funds, $12,657 was designated for special purposes. All expenses,
including conference apportionments, had been paid. The church owed $41,500 on a
loan from Busey Bank. At this time, we are making a payment of $500 plus
interest on the loan each month.
We hope to have detailed first quarter financial information for 2005 included in the May newsletter. Names and dates and places: A quick history test -Paul Kunkel History has a lot more to say to us than just these three matters, but they do provide a context or background for our understanding. So this test, based on a variety of items mentioned in the last several issues of the Forum may be a quick way to brush up on our general knowledge of “church history.” Can you name the right answers? (See below for the correct responses.)
1. In what country do we usually place the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation?
2. Where did Martin Luther post his list of concerns about the Church?
3. Who was the founder of “Methodism”?
4. What was his (No. 3 above) church/denominational connection?
5. Within 20 years, when did Methodists officially organize in America?
6. In the story of the Reformation, another historically important group, the Huguenots, originated in what country?
7. Our congregation, Grace United Methodist Church, was originally sponsored by what other church?
8. The original building for our church had been used previously for what purpose?
9. Most Protestant churches recognize two sacraments; name them.
10. The authorized text which documents all the organizational and operational rules, and statements of belief and practice for United Methodists is called what?
Answers for the Quick History Test: (1) Germany; (2) On the church door; (3) John Wesley; (4) Church of England; (5) 1784; (6) France; (7) First Methodist Episcopal Church of Urbana; (8) A Creamery at Cottage Grove and East Main St.; (9) Baptism and communion.(10) The Book of Discipline “Bad Girls of the Bible”, Part 2 This is a sharing group for women with a scriptural component. They will begin the second part of this series on April 14 in the church parlor. There will be several sharing this leadership. They will still meet on the second & fourth Thursday of the month. If you have questions, please call Mary Hackl (355-8563) or Joy Valentine (367-1683).
A very heartfelt thank you to all those who called and sent food or cards upon the recent death of our mother, Mary L. O’Bear. Your kindness was greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Judy Wright and family
Dear Grace United, Thank you so much for the food. I got food 3 years ago from empty tomb, but my pantry is empty, so that is why I need help. I had surgery a few weeks ago again, so I’m pretty depressed at this time. Sincerely, Sandy April Birthdays April Anniversaries 2 – Andy O’Connell 3 – Chuck & Danielle Routh 9 – Eunice Mayhood 9 – Bill & Brenda Carter 15 – Alec Morgan
19 – Emma Searing 21 – Linda Halbach 24 - Bill & Joy Valentine 26 - Jerry & Pam Lukemire 27 – Brenda Carter
27 – Nancy Bible 30 – Greg Styan 30 – Bob Hackl Come Hear the Bow-Dacious String Band!6:00 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2005
In April the
Bow-Dacious String Band will perform for Grace United
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After
having been a part of a local congregation, last fall Bill and Elise Fears
decided to visit other churches. They were “adopted” grandparents for a 6 year
old boy and wanted to find a church where he as well as they would feel
welcome. After visiting Grace, Elise said, “We felt a part of the church. We
felt wanted.”
