|
Welcome,
from the People of Urbana Grace! New Design Coming! |
|
|
REFLECTIONS AND PRAYER FOR NOVEMBER THANKSGIVING – THE ALMOST FORGOTTEN HOLIDAY The Searing Family Small Group Spotlight November Birthdays and Anniversaries Love Letters A Word from the Finance Chairman Thanksgiving Share-A-Meal XYZ’s Thursday, Nov. 13 United Methodist Women The Grace Angels Getting to Know Our Church Family…
Todd and Lisa Searing first moved to Urbana in 1997. They had been married a year and moved to Illinois to establish residency and continue their education. After having visited several churches, they chose Grace. Todd is originally from Ohio and Lisa is from Pennsylvania. In October of 1994, they met on a blind date while at college in Cleveland. They "clicked" over cotton candy at the circus on their third date, and in February of 1995, they decided to marry. After a year in Urbana, they moved to Chicago for school and both earned masters degrees. The Searings returned to Urbana in 2000. Todd and Lisa have been active while at Grace. Todd is a part of the softball team, Men’s Breakfast Group, and Chancel Choir. Lisa is a member of the UMW and the Angelus Handbell Choir. Together, they have been a part of the Forum and Seekers Sunday School classes and attend the Thursday night parent group. Perhaps most importantly, they were leaders of both the middle school and high school youth groups. They seemed to have come just when we needed them most. They took leadership seriously and not only provided times for fellowship, but also provided experiences for our youths’ spiritual growth. On April 19, 2002, daughter Emma was born. As with all babies, it has been a joy for our church family to watch her grow. The Searings enjoy hiking and are looking forward to taking Emma along. They both enjoy reading and also theater and art when time permits. Todd collects sci-fi movies. Future plans include restoring their 100-year-old farmhouse that has the distinction of being next to the oldest burr oak tree in Champaign County. Todd teaches fifth grade at Prairie School. Lisa has earned two masters degrees and will finish her doctorate in May. She is currently a lecturer at the U of I. Todd credits Barb Wood for reaching out and influencing their decision to return to Grace. At this time, they plan to stay in Urbana and we hope they will continue to be a part of Grace for many years. Special Point of Interest: Befriending the Old Testament – Led by Pastor Mike. Meets at 9 –10 AM and 7-8 PM every Thursday. Sessions have begun but you are welcome to join any time. This 10 week session is an opportunity for beginners to engage the Old Testament. It is also an opportunity for old friends of the Bible to renew their love and enthusiasm for reading scripture. No prior knowledge is necessary.REFLECTIONS AND PRAYER FOR NOVEMBER By Gary Ricketts
Fall weather has been great and the colors brilliant. The magical hand of God has been quite evident all around us. Many of the trees have lost all of their leaves, but a few leaves are still holding fast. The trees are beginning to look like skeletons for the Winter, but we know that underneath the bareness lies new life ready to burst forth with the warmth of Spring. All seasons have a special beauty of their own, each different from the others. So it is that we also experience seasons in our own spiritual lives. Just as plants in Spring time there are times in our lives when we have a bursting forth of new spiritual growth, such as in a new believer or one whose faith has been renewed. Then, like plants in Summer, when roots grow deep and flowers bloom, we see strong growth in our spiritual life and a deepening of our spiritual roots. Then comes, Fall, that period when the Christian truly "walks the talk: and one can see the evidence of God working in our lives. Some might refer to this as Christian maturity. Then there is that period called Winter, when "gloom and doom" seems to prevail and we have difficulty getting in tune with God. However, the beauty is that God is always present and ready to give us a boost, much like jump-starting a dead battery. Just like the apparent dead trees, new life is just under the surface and we can count on God to carry us through the Winter times in our lives, helping us to prepare for a new Spring period. We need to recognize the seasons in our own spiritual lives, for all have a place in God’s Master Plan. 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. Please lift up in prayer the joys and concerns of our congregation and others. Prayer Dear Lord and Heavenly Father we thank you for the beauty of your creation and the changing seasons. We thank you for helping us to understand the spiritual seasons of our lives much like the changing seasons in nature. Help us to sink our spiritual roots deep. Lead us, teach us and strengthen us Lord so we can grow in your way and do your will more completely. We thank you, Lord, for carrying us during the Winter periods of our life, and nurturing us so that we will bud and grow again. You are a loving and caring God and for that we are forever grateful. We lift up the joys and concerns of our family and our church. We continually need your guidance and direction. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. THANKSGIVING – THE ALMOST FORGOTTEN HOLIDAY By Gary Ricketts
Don’t overlook Thanksgiving this year. Give it that special touch that it so richly deserves. Thank God for our many blessings, for we are richly blessed. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU! Sunday School – 4 year old through 3rd grade How many of you are familiar with the one-room schoolhouse? The one-room schoolroom is the concept of the children’s Sunday School program at Grace this Fall. All children from four years of age through third grade are grouped together, forming a church community where the older children help the younger children and the younger children find role models in the older children. The curriculum is designed specifically for the one-room schoolhouse approach to Christian education for children. The one-room schoolhouse program actually uses two rooms in the Education wing. As the children arrive, they go to the music room where they enjoy a music time with instruments followed by a Bible lesson or a game. The second room is used as a craft and activity room. The class has been working on a mission project of drying fresh Thanksgiving herbs which were sold at the Fall Festival. The money will be used for missions. They also plan to participate in the annual Christmas concert in December. The children are led by an experienced team of teachers; Karen Knight, Rose McCarthy, Ann McHenry and Marilyn Wright. We are fortunate to have these dedicated and caring teachers in the Sunday School program. If you have a chance, look in the rooms and see how attractive and inviting the rooms have been made for the children. If you know of a child who would be interested in this program, bring the child to the education wing at 9:30 am on Sunday morning and share in the fun! Next month’s newsletter "small group" spotlight will be on the 4th and 5th Grade Sunday School class.
November
Birthdays and Anniversaries Birthdays: 4 Wanda Adams 6 Carolyn Dickey 15 Emily Wiedenmann 16 Evelyn Fibikar 20 Patsy Hammond 22 Jeannie Barnett 24 Benjamin King 29 Madison Routh
Anniversary: 19 Dale & Marsha Johnston
A Word from the Finance Chairman These are exciting times to be a part of Grace United Methodist Church. Members of Grace have really stepped forward with commitments to the Grace Vision and the growth of small groups at Grace. Nearly 60 people have pledged or given to our evangelistic projects and our building renovation. The total contributed and pledged so far is over $20,000. Several people are behind in their pledges as we go into the last quarter of the year. If everyone catches up, it will add another $15,000 to our general fund. We have been holding the line on some spending items and have delayed our conference apportionments 3 months until people are able to get caught up. The people at Grace give generously. Each year, several families run into difficulties and are not able to meet their full pledge. On the other hand, other families find themselves blessed and are able to contribute beyond what had been estimated. In this electronic age, some people have asked about automatic transfer from their checking accounts for their pledge. We should have this available within the next month so if you are interested please let me know. Everyone is sent a quarterly report on their giving to the church.
As we head into a period of reaching for a vision that things are going to be all around blessed at Grace. Enclosed in this newsletter is a summary financial report through September for Grace United Methodist Church. Richard King Finance Chairman.
This year Grace UMC will again reach out in love to our community by
providing Thanksgiving meals to families in need. Empty tomb helps us find
families, and Monday, November 24th, 6:30 PM – Assemble meals in Fellowship Hall Tuesday, November 25th, 9:30 AM – Deliver meals around CU Each of the above is about a two hour commitment. Monday night we work in a large group and Tuesday we go out in pairs. Many hands make light work, so come be a part of this cadre of caring Christians. Bless you! __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I want to be a part of this by: _____ contributing $25 for a whole meal _____ contributing $_______ toward a meal _____ Assembling meals on Monday night _____ Delivering meals on Tuesday Morning. Name __________________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________ e-mail __________________________________________ Click to go to November 2003 Activity Calendar We will be going to the Myers Dinner Theatre at Hillsboro, Indiana. The play is Christmas Tele-Visions. (This is the season to be jolly and reminisce with love and laughter with family and friends, enjoying old TV shows from the past. Home cooked meals are served buffet style with choice of swiss steak, chicken or pork, potatoes and vegetable. Salads, homemade rolls, desserts and beverages served at the table. We must have your reservations by Monday, November 3. Tickets are $33. Includes meal and show. We will leave the church at 8:45. (Indiana is one hour ahead) Call Stinebrings at 328-2632. __________________________________________ Grace United Methodist Women would like to thank everyone for their contributions to the Fall Festival. Because of your efforts, approximately $1,800 was raised for local, national and international mission projects. Thank you! Coming events: All women of the church are invited to the Christmas Salad Supper on Thursday, Dec. 4 in Fellowship Hall. Christian Buddies will be revealed. "Walk to the Manger" in December– Christmas gifts for the children at Cunningham Children’s Home
The Grace Angels |
The stores
are already loading up and displaying Christmas toys and decorations, some
starting in early October. It used to be that the big push on Christmas
promotion didn’t start until the day after Thanksgiving, but things have
changed. Thanksgiving seems to be getting lost in the shuffle, so to speak.
However, Thanksgiving is a very important holiday in the life and history of our
country. It is a day to truly give thanks for a bountiful harvest, for family,
for friends, for freedom, and for the many blessings we have received during the
year. It is a time to truly reflect and thank God. While roast turkey and
pumpkin pie are key food items associated with this great holiday, such things
as caring, sharing, reaching out, loving and praying are also key elements.
we
provide a substantial ham dinner with all the trimmings and the people to
deliver the meals. There will be an opportunity in worship on November 2nd
and 9th to sign up to sponsor a whole ($25) or part of a meal, to
help assemble the meals, and/or to deliver them to families. Alternately, you
may use the tear off form below. Our schedule is as follows: