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Sweet Corn Project Childrens Ministry Update Church Library – Mud Pie Annie The Pittman Family REFLECTIONS AND PRAYER FOR JULY THE ANT – GOD CREATED IT TOO PRAYER CHAIN A Checklist for the Friendly Our Joys and Our Concerns UMW Happenings July Birthdays The 2003 sweet corn crop was planted on April 28 on land sub-leased from Ray Douglas and located on Windsor Road. The two small plots — 3.5 acres — are west of the buildings at the Pomology Research Farm. With the unusually cool weather, the maturity will be delayed. However, we expect to be picking the week of July 7. Soybeans are planted on the 6 acres we normally use. Income from the soybeans is expected to cover the lease coast of the alternate site. The crop rotation became necessary because of a serious problem with perennial weeds that could not be controlled in a crop sold for human consumption. We hope to significantly reduce the weed population with the "Roundup Ready" soybeans. Jim Prather is covering all of the expenses for the soybeans and field operations. FS Service company is donating the weed control applications. July Children's Play - rehearsals will be starting soon.
Everyone has a talent to offer. See Mindy Smith for details. Lighthouse Kids - August 3-6, 5:30- 8:00, K-5th grade, special Parent/Tot Water Play Area for the younger set. Thanks to the Hammonds for supplying us with AA batteries and thank you to those who dropped batteries in the request box Church Library – "Mud Pie Annie" God’s Recipe for Doing Your Best - written by Sue Buchanan and Dana Shafer, illustrated by Joy Allen published by Zonderkidz "No matter what I do in life, I’ll do my very best. I’ll work at it with all my heart, And that’s how I’ll be blessed. Whether I make mud pies or great dishes for a queen, I’ll put my "all" into it, for there is no "in between". And as I work with all my might-as everybody knows- God sees what is in my heart, Not the mud between my toes!" This is the sentiment of "Mud Pie Annie", one of the children’s books in our church library. The book is written in rhyme about a little girl named Annie, who makes delicious (in her opinion) gourmet food out of mud, sticks and bark. Her opinion is not shared by others who taste her creations. This is just one of many good children’s books available in our church library. This summer, please encourage your children to stop in and check out a book. While you are there, check out the many good books available. Getting to Know Our Church Family…
I t is always a joy to have new families become a part of Grace. They bring new perspectives, new talents to share, and enrich our church family. The Pittman family started attending Grace last August. They were particularly interested in finding a church that had good youth activities. At Grace, the Pittmans felt at home. Diane said they liked it from the beginning. "We liked the people. Everyone was so friendly." Michael liked the warm, welcoming atmosphere.The Pittman family includes Michael, Diane, daughters Krista, Carly (Johnson), and Emily. Michael, an Urbana native, has been an attendant at the U of I Assembly Hall for 23 Years. As a hobby, he does woodcarving and has won a ribbon for a project he entered in the county fair. Diane, who grew up in Champaign, is an accountant for Clark Dietz Engineering and is also a Creative Memories consultant. Besides scrapbooking, she likes to do cross-stitch and crafts. Together, the family enjoys having game nights and fishing. Although new to Grace, Michael has taken the leadership role for the worship hosts small group. Diane is part of the Saturday morning scrapbooking group and is a nursery volunteer. She has also been helping with the current Habitat project. She prepares a page for every week of work on the house. They are displayed in the narthex each Sunday. When the house is finished, the pages will be put together in a book to be given to the new homeowner. Carly, who will be in 4th grade, and Emily, who will start kindergarten, are part of the Sunday School and the Cherub Choir. Carly also enjoyed being part of the Christmas play. Families, especially those with young children, help Grace to grow. We hope the Pittman family is a part of Grace for many years to come. REFLECTIONS AND PRAYER FOR JULY Gary Ricketts Our year of 2003 is half over and it seems to have passed by very quickly. During these past six months many joys have been expressed in church and printed in the Forum. During this same period of time many concerns have also been expressed. This open sharing of our joys and concerns helps our church family to keep in touch with each other and the ups and downs we face on life’s pathways. Caring, sharing and praying are vital to the life of a church. Caring about others and lifting them in prayer is an opportunity and responsibility that we should accept joyfully. People feel the power of prayer from others. It is an opportunity for us to serve our Lord. The words, "I really care about you" mean so much and help to convey our interest, concern and love for those around us. 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. Our Prayer Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, help us to be aware of the needs of those around us. Help us to lift in prayer the needs of our family, church family, country and world. We give thanks for the many joys and blessings we have received. We are thankful Lord, that we can come to you and share what is on our heart and mind. We know that our prayers are important to you. Prayer is simply talking with you Lord and it is something we should do on a regular basis. We know that prayer has two parts; Our communicating with you and you communicating with us. I must admit Lord that I often don’t give you time to talk with me. Help me Lord to be a better and more patient listener so I can hear you in the midst of life’s turmoil. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
Inspired by God Penned by Gary Ricketts June 3, 2003
Such a tiny little crawling creature But 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 their 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 plain 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; Working together with others To build a spiritual trail. A trail that leads to you, Lord, While learning from your creations along the way. Building a community of believers, While following an earthly trail to a heavenly home Perhaps Lord you have really wanted Me to be more dedicated and faithful; Working together with others To build a spiritual trail. A trail that leads to you, Lord, While learning from your creations along the way. Building a community of believers, While following an earthly trail to a heavenly home. A Prayer Chain is strictly that; not a gossip call. Be
sensitive to those calling and ones involved. Keep God’s Love uppermost in your
heart. GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LIST "A" Pauline Anderson 337-0030 Bea & Ray Allen 367-2026 Mary Bradley 586-7152 Vic & Laura Christman 328-2140 Bob deJong 328-4849 Linda Halbach 367-3841 Karen Henderson (H) 328-4473 or © 493-4473 - 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
LIST "B" Shirley Jenkins 351-8223 Richard & Evelyn Kesler 328-1935 Richard & Sharon King 328-6491 or (Richard @ work 359-1514) Joan O’Connell 337-1064 Matt Peters (H) 202-1638 or (W) 352-8910 Pat & Truman Price 384-4441 Gary & Audrey Ricketts 367-2098 Norma Ripkey (H) 403-1346 or (W) 356-9078 LIST "C" Janice Roy (H) 684-2985 or (W) 328-1414 June Schwartz 684-2266 (Do not call after 9:00 p.m. unless an emergency Todd & Lisa Searing 244-7157 Joy & Bill Valentine 367-1683 Nancy Welch 328-2391 Becky Withers 344-5769 Barb & Mandy Wood 384-1163 Guidelines and Suggestions It is pertinent that all prayer requests be kept confidential unless expressed otherwise. When you receive a prayer request call the name following your own. They in turn will call the next name on the list and so on. If you are unable to contact anyone at home, leave a message on the recorder and go to the next name on the list until you talk with someone. If you are the one initiating the prayer request call the next name on your list and then also the first name at the top of each of the other two lists. If you are not a part of the Prayer Chain and want to initiate a prayer request, please call the first name on all three lists. I am open for any suggestions or questions. Call Audrey Ricketts @ 357-2098 or e-mail arikett@uiuc.edu A Checklist for the Friendly — Paul KunkelWe all want Grace United Methodist Church to be a friendly place. We want to be friends to others everywhere we go. But stop a minute and think about how we react to others’ behavior (particularly our older folks) and the possible reasons for it all. Maybe we can go the second mile to make our church a warmer and friendlier place. Here are eight barriers to a friendly contact to watch for and some ways to get past them to go your second mile. "Ouch, that hurts!" A crutch or sling aren’t the only indicators of the constant pain some feel. When shaking hands, be very gentle in your touch. "Say again, please." Your greeting may not receive a response simply because of a hearing disability. For some, little may be heard; for others only "booming, buzzing confusion." So make eye contact and speak clearly. "I didn’t say NO." A problem for some folks may be a palsied hand or head tremor. Don’t mistake the response to your question; listen and hear more that the body language. "May I have a large-print bulletin?" The eyes, too, can fail. Faces are less distinct; reading a name tag may not be easy. Include your own name in your greeting. "Sorry, I was looking down." There are the lonely—left alone by death or family breakup. The word of greeting is one of hope and assurance, not silliness or too much gaiety. (Silent, hands down, eyes averted) When one is so timid or bashful, just getting through the crowd may take all the courage available. Your smile could be enough today—next week you might just shake hands. "My face is red." Embarrassment can come from many sources—clothes out of style, hair not right, weight or body shape no longer OK. Let your greeting be to the real person inside; let your love be like God who sees past the external to our hearts. "Excuse me, please." Some are very private people who choose not to reveal themselves at all. Respect that privacy; be caring; offer a silent prayer that God will go with them and that someday you may be friends. See June 1 bulletin See June 8 (Pentecost) bulletin See June 15 Bulletin See June 22 Bulletin UMW Happenings with the Grace Church Family Thank you to Joan Newcomb for hosting the UMW picnic at her home in May. It was a beautiful evening and enjoyed by everyone. Fall Festival If you are making jams, jellies, breads, homemade noodles and other tasty treats this summer, don’t forget to set some items aside or freeze the items for the UMW Fall Festival. The date is Saturday, October 18. Anything you can contribute is greatly appreciated! Campbell Soup Labels Please remember to save your labels from the following products for Cunningham Children’s Home: Campbell’s label (front portion only, clip close to "C" and "S") V8 (clip close to "V" and "8") Prego (clip close to "P" and "O") Franco-American (clip close to the product’s name) Campbell’s Soup & Recipe Mix (save bottom flap, UPC panel) Pepperidge Farm Products (save UPC symbols) Swanson (save UPC symbols) Some items ordered in the past from the "Labels for Education" by Cunningham Home include: TV/VCR, computer software, overhead projector, books, maps, video tapes, sports equipment and encyclopedia set. Thanks to all of you – you are "souper"!
July 4 — U S of A July 5 — Rudy Taborn July 7 — Kay Weidner July 9 — Shirley Lovenguth July 13 — Rev. Mike Smith July 15 — Victor Christman July 17 — Patrick O’Connell July 18 — Joe Carter July 28 — Katie Carroll
J. Michael Smith, Directing Pastor Gordon Wilson, Director of Music and Communication — Forum Newsletter Compositor Janice Roy, Office Manager Marcia Burns, Director of Developing Ministries Beth Morgan, Nursery Director Bill Valentine and Bob deJong, Pastoral Visitors Pastor Mike’s Sermon Subject for July Don’t miss the first installment: "How to Sin" |
