easter 2017 - wordpress.com · · 2017-03-022017-03-02 · teresa boyd, administrative secretary;...

Volume 20 Issue 3 March 2017

Phone 217-322-3328, Fax 217-322-5502

e-mail - [email protected]

Blue Jean Saturday Night Worship 5:00 PM

Sunday Worship 8:30 & 10:35 AM

Sunday School 9:30 AM

Seeking to Make a Difference for Christ in the Community

Rushville First United Methodist Church

Located on the corner of Congress & Jefferson

Pastor Grant Armstrong

Teresa Boyd, Administrative Secretary;

Mark Ross, Director of Music Ministries

Easter 2017

March 1 12:10 PM Ash Wednesday

Service John Sowers, First Christian

Church

March 1 6:30 PM FUMC Ash

Wednesday Service

March 8 12:10 PM First Presbyterian Church

March 15 12:10 PM Greg Fish Rushville Free Methodist Church

March 22 12:10 PM Grant Armstrong Rushville FUMC

March 29 12:10 PM Jason Triplett Rushville Church of Christ

April 5 12:10 PM St. John’s Lutheran Church

April 8 & 9 Palm Sunday Weekend

5:00 PM, 8:30 AM & 10:35 AM FUMC

April 13 7:00 PM FUMC Maundy Thursday Service

April 14 12:10 PM Good Friday Stephen Bounds

First Sothern Baptist

April 15 & 16 Easter Weekend

5:00 PM, 8:30 AM & 10:35 AM

FUMC

The SCMA will meet at 12:10-12:40 PM

during Lent.

News from the Pews


Deadly

The seven deadly sins have been examined in many differ-

ent ways. When I first saw the movie “Seven” with Morgan

Freeman and Brad Pitt, I wondered how someone could

even imagine such a disturbing story around this concept of

especially harmful acts. There have been dramas and paint-

ings depicting these cardinal vices, as they’re sometimes called. Honestly, there’s very little about this

idea of certain sins being so terrible that they’re deadly is a bit of a downer.

In the season of Lent as we prepare for Easter, we’re going to examine seven deadly sins Jesus encoun-

tered on His path to the cross. It’s powerful to see how peoples’ acts and failures to act contributed not

only to the death of Jesus, but to a dangerous crisis within themselves As we see how these acts impact

lives in Jesus’ time, we also see how they impact our lives today, and how the power of God’s grace is

more-than-enough to overcome the dangers of these potentially mortal missteps.

March 1 Take Aim (Ash Wednesday) John 10:1-10

March 4/5 Vanity Luke 19:28-40

March 11/12 Greed & Envy Luke 19:45-48

March 18/19 Gluttony Luke 22:21-27

March 25/26 Sloth Luke 22:39-46

April 1/2 Pride Luke 22:54-65

April 8/9 Wrath Luke 23:32-46

April 13 On Repeat (Maundy Thursday) 1 John 3:11-24

April 16 The Death of Death (Easter) Luke 24:1-12

Join us for the special services of this season or preparation, and each week as we walk towards the cross

with Jesus.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Grant

Prayers for our Church Family

Please continue to keep these family members and loved ones in your prayers. We

have been asked to keep Eloise Patton, Jim Patton’s mother in our prayers. Tyson

Davidson is to have his tonsils removed if the insurance approves the procedure. Alice

Lowe, Jason Lowe’s mother, is dealing with some health issues. Keith DeMoss had a

procedure done. Steve Pirkle has cancer. Please keep the families of Charlie Young, Ruth

Vandriver, Sue Morrell, Kim Pearson, Eloise Baxter, Barb Phillips, Dale Wells, Barbara Spencer and Iona

Phillips in your prayers. We are happy that at this time Bill Bartlow is at home. We learned that Harry

Zingher is in the Mt. Sterling Mental Health Facility and doing well. We are asking for prayers for Leslie

Sargent, son of Maxine Sargent. Leslie has cancer of the pancreas and diabetes and has been put on

hospice.

If you have any updates on the following folks that might result in having their names removed from the list, please contact the church office

so that corrections can be made.

Each week in worship we will be lifting up a different church or charge and pastoral team from our community in

prayer. As we lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ and their work for the Lord, the ministry and message of

Christ shall be strengthened. This month we will be praying for the following churches and their pastors:

The week of March 5 Industry Assembly Church Jon Keck

The week of March 12 Industry & Vermont UMC’s Steve Granadosin

The week of March 19 Rushville United Pentecostal Church Larry DeSha

The week of March 26 St. Claire’s Episcopal Father Lewis Payne

News from the Pews


Please continue to remember these folks in your prayers as well: Cathy Heckel, Mary Ward, Diana Dowacter, John

Cessna, Joe Simpson, Dan Swift, Norma Toland, Linda Wilson, Elvis Wilson, Melissa Poling, Dusty Mathis, Donna

Manning, Joyce Schafer, Brian Stephens and family, Duane Easley, Kruse Logsdon, Dean Taylor, Barry Scego, Pam

McNeely, Beatrice Hall, Keith & Bonnie Vaughn, Brenda Reynolds, Dorcas Herche, Dick Etter, Doris Young, War-

ren Dodds, Dale Abbott, Marie Leonard, Mike Dean, Dixie Prather, Helen Donohew, Dessie Zingher, Gale Lee,

Norma Rowland, Amanda Law, Bob & Nancy Stauffer, Edith Goldsborough, Kristi Hamilton, Freddie & Sherry

Henninger, Mildred Hunter, Florence Bottorff, Wayne Runkle, Frank Billingsley, Virginia Stocker, Larry

Lashbrook, Pat Unger, Janet Hayes, Emmett Garriott, Eric Peacock, Vera Royce, Jim Stevenson, Linda Shaw, Kraig

Kotter, Tonya Gaither, Jonathan Cox, Tom Eifert, Glenna Prather, Karen Phillips, Peggy Settles, Luella Hedden,

Susan Busby, Ruth Teel, Bill Petersen, Phyllis Rutledge, Carol Perrine, Patti Prather, David Jones, Chris

Clevenger, Wayne & Gloria Tomlinson, Margie Tyson, Jean Wyrick and Ed Fegley.

News from the Pews


As a faith community, we graciously continue to return gifts to our

generous God. Through His grace and the workings of His Holy Spirit,

we are enabled to accomplish the ministry He has set for us in the

community and throughout the world. Thank You.

March

1 Bob Divan

Kate Ingles

2 Collin Ring, Dena Huston

Zeb Bartlow

4 Brandon Peacock

5 Lyle Gabbert

6 Taylor Henninger, Bailey Ervin

Helen Peterman

7 Sammy Gossage

8 Cathy Wilson, Lauren Cox

9 Bob & Shirley Phillips

10 Aubrey Sorrell, Katie Acheson

11 Christine Utter

12 Drew Cox, Deni Trone,

Stephanie Haney

13 Luan Gossage

John & Carol Peacock

15 Betty Davis

16 Kallie Merrill

17 Jo Ann Eifert

18 Haylee Royer

19 Beth Adams Gordon

20 Maggie Prather, Dorothy Morrell

Cheri Baker

21 Anna Loretta Henry

22 Carol Wilson, Janet Gorsuch

23 Joe Henninger

24 Doug Henninger

25 Jennifer Plate

26 Luella Hedden, Teresa Boyd

Dianne Klitz, Ryan Quillen

27 Cody Allen Sikes

Mark Schoonover

Mark & Keli Schoonover

Wilbur & Marian Kindhart

30 Mya (Acker) Boone

Ella Pearl Mayes

Matt Little

Weekend of Sat 8:15 10:35 Offering

January 29 39 46 59 $3,500.00

Feb 5 28 77 96 $4,977.00

Feb 12 41 57 73 $3,955.00

Feb 19 48 45 80 $3,531.25

Feb 26

Worship, Attendance & Giving for February

News from the Pews

You Never Know

You never know when someone may

Catch a dream from you,

You never know when a little work or

Something you may do,

May open up the windows of a mind that

Seeks the light…

The way you live may not matter at all,

But you never know…

IT MIGHT!!!

And just in case it could be that another’s

Life through you,

Might possible change for the better,

With a broader and brighter view.

It seems it might be worth a try at pointing

The way to the right…

Of course it might not matter at all,

But then again…

IT MIGHT111

Helen Marshall

United Methodist

Women’s Prayer

Calendar 2017

March 1 Psalm 51:1-17

March 2 Jonah 3:1-10

March 3 Jonah 4:1-11

March 4 Isaiah 58:1-12

March 5 Psalm 32

March 6 1 Kings 19:1-8

March 7 Genesis 4:1-16

March 8 Exodus 34:1-9, 27-28


March 10 Micah 7:18-20


March 12 Psalm 121

March 13 Numbers 21:4-9


March 15 Ezekiel 36:22-32

March 16 Exodus 16:1-8



March 19 Psalm 95



March 22 Jeremiah 2:4-13

March 23 1 Samuel 15:10-21



March 26 Psalm 23




March 30 Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:8; 3:3

March 31 Ezekiel 33:10-16

Unlocked Church

Hours Reminder

The church will be unlocked at 8:00 AM and

locked at 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday and at

12:00 on Friday, It is unlocked at 8:00 AM and locked

after church services on Saturdays and Sundays.

Contact the church office if you need in at other

times.

United Methodist Women

New Fellowship Hall News

There have been many questions about

the new kitchen in the Fellowship Hall. The

UMW board has and will make decisions on

what will be taken from the basement and

what will need to be purchased. We will

have a list of needs in the future. We are

thankful for any and all support to the

UMW. If you have any questions about the

kitchen, please contact Sheila Burton, Chris

Utter or Crystal Bartlett.

Blessings!

UMW World Day of Prayer

The United Methodist Women National

World Day of Prayer for Missions will be

Friday, March 3 at 10:00 AM. It will be

held in the basement, in the carpeted area

with Betty Johnson having the lesson. A

free will offering will be taken to be do-

nated to missions.

News from the Pews


NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Rushville, IL 62681

PERMIT NO. 47

Change Service Requested

Rushville 1st United Methodist Church

Corner of Congress & Jefferson

P.O. Box 208

Rushville, IL 62681

Sunday Worship Info for March

8:30 AM 10:35 AM

March 5

Acolytes: Macon Kessler Bronson Bartlett

Liturgist: Amanda Shoemaker Cheri Baker

Greeters: Betty Knous & Betty Roberts Tom, Julie & Shelby Davis

March 12

Acolytes: Macon Kessler Jason Klitz

Liturgist: Cathy Teel Carol Fuller

Greeters: Allen & Martha Tippey April & Owen Schoonover & Margie Parish

March 19

Acolytes: Macon Kessler Lilli Armstrong

Liturgist: Tina Cox Amy Armstrong

Greeters: Dick & Judy Peterman Rob, Crystal, Bronson & Jagger Bartlett

March 26

Acolytes: Macon Kessler Aubrey Sorrell

Liturgist: Sarah Duncan Eric Ewing

Greeters: Frances Bauer & Teresa Boyd Jerry & Joan Ewing & Lisa Adams

News from the Pews News from the Pews

Spring Flowers

Our Easter Sunday worship tradition has long

included adorning the sanctuary with live spring flow-

ers. These beautiful flowers have become a national

symbol used to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus

Christ and the hope of life everlasting. This year we

will be offering a “Spring Mixture” of flowers. These

flowers will be available for $15.00 a pot. They will

be in the sanctuary for Easter Weekend and can be

picked up after the 10:35 worship service on Sunday,

April 16. Orders are due no later than Monday, April

10. Additionally, if you would like to bring your own

live flower to Easter services, there will be room for

these flowers in our sanctuary.

Name_______________________________________

Address_____________________________________

Phone______________________________________

AmountEclosed_______________________________

In Loving Memory of

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

In Honor of

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

By_________________________________________

Dear United Methodist Church

Friends,

Thank you so much for the

many kindnesses you have given

me and that I appreciate very

much.

May you have many

blessings in 2017.

Dorcas Corman Herche

First United Methodist Church,

Thank you so much for helping make 2016 a

great year!

The H.E.L.P. Center

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for the beautiful shawl from the

women, and the nice Valentines cards.

John & Carol Peacock

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for the nice bag of Valentines, a spe-

cial thank you to Amy and Theo Armstrong for deliv-

ering them and for your nice visit. We have enjoyed

reading them. We appreciate the thoughtfulness of

everyone.

May God bless each of you,

Jerry & Martha Walker

Thank You!!

Thank you to Ron Shepherd, for cleaning off

the walk way and the parking lot after the

snow that we received.

News from the Pews


Newsletter Updates Our “News From the Pews” newsletter has served very well

for many years, but we’ve started encountering some of the

challenges of newsletters these days. Our mailing lists aren’t

always the most up-to-date, our postage is expensive, and it’s

hard to determine what gets included in ways that help people

take steps towards deeper discipleship.

Our finance committee started looking at the expense. Our

worship committee was looking at the mailing list. Our pastor

was looking at how to make the newsletter better align with

our strategies for making disciples and making a difference.

All of those pieces came together at the same time, and soon

you’ll see some of the results.

What does this mean for me?

Different Name

There’s nothing wrong with “News From the Pews” as a name, but with a new design and focus, we

thought it would be appropriate to make a change. The name of the new newsletter is “Ignition.” Why

“Ignition?” First of all, we’re Rockets. Rockets need ignition. Also, our United Methodist logo includes a

flame to represent the Holy Spirit that leads us - a fire that God ignites in our hearts as followers of Christ.

Finally, ignition is a word that describes firing up and getting moving. The content of the new newsletter is

set-up to help people get plugged in, fired up, and moving. Which leads us to…

Different Layout

Our previous design has been pretty random. It wasn’t hard to find content, but this design will make it

even easier. The flow of the newsletter follows our discipleship process of Wake, Worship, Walk, Work and

Witness.

The Wake section gives the congregation a chance to share their God moments and Christ encounters each

month. Testimony is powerful, so we’re giving your stories a place on the front page. The Worship section

looks ahead to the upcoming sermon series, lists those serving in worship, offers a reflection on steward-

ship, and gives a glimpse at our attendance and giving. The Walk section shares current and upcoming

studies and small groups, UMW information, and an invitation to prayer that more closely resembles

what’s listed in the weekly bulletin. The Work section extends an invitation to serve Christ and our

neighbors both inside and outside of the church. Finally, the Witness section includes events that are espe-

cially suitable for extending invitations, and provides updates from our Open Arms Preschool - a wonder-

ful outreach ministry of the church. We’ll certainly still include the “Thank You” notes shared by the

News from the Pews


Page 2 of “Ignition”

congregation, and a calendar of events and special days.

Different Distribution

The cost of newsletter distribution is high. We try to manage our operating costs very well, and postage for

a multi-page, multi-color newsletter to a very broad mailing list is simply expensive. In order to receive the

cost benefit of sending things out through our bulk-mail rate, we still need a mailing list of approximately

200 recipients. Our mailing list is just shy of 400 recipients right now. Many of you already receive the

newsletter by email. Some of you may be able to pick up your newsletter at the church when you come for

worship or other activities. We don’t want to reduce the number of people who can access this information,

but we do want to make certain we’re getting the information out in the most effective and cost-efficient

way.

Please contact the office at 217-322-3328 or [email protected] to let us know if you are willing

to remove your name from our postal mailing list, and place it instead on the list of folks who will pick up

their newsletters at church, or receive them by email.

Also, We Need Your Stories! The very first section of our newsletter will include your stories. We need to start collecting your stories of

how God has blessed you, or how the Spirit cared for you through a hard time. Maybe you can share about

how a certain scripture touched your heart, or how you saw Christ through an act of service. We can’t

guarantee that every story will make their way into the newsletter, but we would love to read about the

good things God is doing in your life. The easiest way for us to get them is through email

([email protected]), but we can make arrangements for folks who are tech-averse. Please in-

clude a high-quality portrait-style picture of yourself or your family so we can place a face with your

name. That way, your story also helps keep us connected as a church family!

Thank you for helping us make this transition. We pray it helps make a difference for Christ! Be on the

lookout for the first edition of Ignition in April!

Thank You!

I want to thank all of my church family for the

Valentines and candy. I have enjoyed reading

and re-reading them.

Love to all,

Maxine Sargent

Thank You!

Thank you so much for the Valentines I received last

week. I truly appreciate your kindness and thought-

fulness. It is fun to hear from everyone.

Betty Curl

mailto:[email protected]

News from the Pews


News from the Pews


board members and preschool staff. You may also

order through the church office. Your purchase

will help support the general operations of our play

-based Christian education program and also help

us to keep tuition costs as low as possible. We sin-

cerely appreciate all of the help we receive from

the congregation and community through our

fundraising efforts.

The students will be singing in church on Sun-

day, March 26 at the 10:35 am service. This is a

great opportunity for members of the church and

community to see the smiling faces of the little

ones who directly benefit from all of the generous

support provided, particularly many years’ worth

of continued prayers for the well-being of our kids

and our program in general. Thank you!

Open Arms Preschool

It’s hard to believe that the month

of February is already almost behind

us! At preschool, we have learned

about friendship, Valentine’s Day,

dental health, and Presidents’ Day. We had our Val-

entine’s Day party on Monday, February 13, which

was lots of fun. The students brought valentine

boxes that they had decorated at home and valentines

to share with their classmates. We had lots of parents

and other family members join us for our party and a

good time was had by all.

We had no school on Monday, February 20 in

observance of Presidents’ Day and we celebrated

with Kynzie DeMoss on February 22 as she turned 5

years old!

We enjoyed a nice walk outside one day during

February, which doesn’t happen very often, and the

kids have now got a touch of spring fever. They are

very anxious to try out the new playground equip-

ment which has recently been installed. We are so

thankful for the financial donations that made it pos-

sible and also to Erik Monteen, Brian Thomas, and

everyone who helped with the installation of the pro-

ject. Your hard work is greatly appreciated! Be as-

sured that the playground will be put to good use by

our students as soon as we receive the go-ahead!

Our spring fundraiser will begin on March 1.

We will be selling donuts and pies from Roger’s Bak-

ery. Available for purchase will be pies of assorted

flavors, including apple, cherry, peach, and apricot as

well as two sugar-free varieties for $11.50 each.

Donuts available for purchase will be glazed yeast

donuts, old-fashioned sour cream donuts, and as-

sorted cake donuts for $10 per dozen. Our preschool

families will be selling these items as well as our

Thank You!

First United Methodist Church,

Pastor Grant Armstrong & each & every member of

the congregation,

I wish to express my most sincere gratitude to

each and every one of you for the thoughts and

prayers that were offered on my behalf during my

bout with cancer. I am pleased to report that my

check-up and scans on February 14th showed no

signs of cancer and that further healing has taken

place.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make

his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.”

Numbers 6:24-25

Thank you,

Jane A. Peak


News from the Pews

Faith and Struggle on

Smokey Mountain

Hope for a Planet in Peril

by Benigno P. Beltran

Smokey Mountain was a huge garbage

dump in Manila, Philippines, where tons of

junk from all over the city were dumped every

day. It served as an emblem of third world

squalor. Father Benigno Beltran served for 30

years as the chaplain to the 25,000 men,

women and children scavengers who de-

pended on this dump for their livelihood. The

author notes that the poverty-stricken peoples’

lives are shortened by the smoke, disease and

petulance coming from the dump. He writes

of the irresponsible throw-away society and

the toxins in the garbage and the waste. The

author describes how the spiritual resilience

of the scavengers taught him to read the gos-

pel with new eyes. The scavengers had the

dump closed and housing built for them. The

scavengers had “hope” and this spiritual prac-

tice helped them move forward to a better life.

The author believes the lessons he learned

have a message for all who struggle for a bet-

ter world.

Benigno P. Beltran is a Society of the Divine Word

priest from the Philippines. He received a doctorate from

the Gregorian University before becoming chaplain to

the scavengers of Smokey Mountain. He has received

many international awards for his work in community

developmental projects.

I found this book an interesting read. Faith and

Struggle on Smokey Mountain is in the United Women

Reading Program of 2015 in the category of Education

for Mission. It can be found in the church library.

by Sheila Yates

B

O

O

K

N

O

O

K

B

Y

S

H

E

I

L

A

Elevator Celebration Breakfast

On Tuesday, February 7, the church voted to pro-

ceed with a plan to construct a new elevator and en-

tryway for the church. The design, cost, and plan to

pay for the construction were approved unanimously

by a charge conference vote of 32-0. This is an ex-

citing step for this church, and the hospitality we

have to share with the community.

To help this plan transform into a reality, we’re

hosting a kick-off breakfast on Sunday, March 5th

at 9:30am in the First UMC lower level. We’ll

gather around tables, enjoy some delicious food, and

learn about how we can help move this exciting pro-

ject upward! There will be a prepared meal, so we

ask for your reservation by no later than February

27. Please call the office at 217-322-3328 to let us

know that you’ll be in attendance.

God has placed a marvelous opportunity to better

serve our community within our reach. If we all

come together to follow God’s lead, we become part

of something very powerful. We get to help people

join with the Psalmist in saying, “I was glad when

they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the

Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1)

Please join us for breakfast on Sunday, March 5th,

and thank you for striving to make a difference for

Jesus Christ. As always, feel free to contact Pastor

Grant, or those serving with the elevator construc-

tion or capital campaign with any questions, com-

ments or concerns.

Sincerely,

Your Elevator Committee

Cheri Baker Christie Cox Don Goldsborough

Bob Walker Lisa Adams Grant Armstrong

Your Elevator Capital Campaign Team

Alan & Holly Acheson Susan Acker

Rob & Crystal Bartlett Mackenzie Malcomson

Keith & Michel DeMoss Amanda Shoemaker

Eric Swenson Cathy Teel Cathy Wilson

Dan Wise Grant Armstrong

easter 2017 - wordpress.com · · 2017-03-022017-03-02 · teresa boyd, administrative secretary;...

Documents