302 North State Street

Geneseo, IL 61254

309.944.3226 ph

info@peopleneedjesus.org

www.peopleneedjesus.org

Take the Alpha Course

A Basic Introduction to the Christian Faith

Alpha is a Ten-Week Short Course in Christianity. Starting on Thursday, September 13, each

Alpha night features dinner, an engaging presentation, and conversation over dessert. Alpha

is a great way to meet new people, too!

FALLPREVIEW2012

Why We Love Autumn

Golden painted leaves. Fresh

apple pie. Brand new back-

packs and number two

pencils. Bonfires and football

games. It is fall! At First

Methodist, we are starting a

new season of activities

designed to bring the family

together. You’ll discover

inspiring messages, great

music, and meaningful

relationships for old, young,

and in-between. Fall is a

great time to find

encouragement on your

spiritual journey.

SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES

8:00 am

Early Traditional Service

9:00 am

Traditional Worship with

Choral and Ensemble Music

10:30 am

Contemporary Worship

featuring a variety of

instruments

Java & Jazz Launch the Fall Season

September 16 is National Back to Church Sunday and

we are celebrating with “Java & Jazz”. The West End

Jazz Band of Chicago will be featured in each of our

three morning services that day. There will be a coffee

bar set up in our lounge with a variety of beverages

from Geneseo’s Coffee Break Café. Guests to our

church on that Sunday can mention this article for a

free beverage of their choice. See you there!

inside

Java & Jazz Sunday P.1

Upcoming Messages P.2

Children and Youth P.3

The Alpha Course P.4

FALL PREVIEW 2012

Fall Outreach

First Methodist loves what Jesus taught about serving

others. Here is a listing of some of the ways we are

reaching out this fall:

“Backpack Blessings” provides a discreet weekly

gift of food to Geneseo students in need.

“Serve Them Back” is an outreach to area

veteran’s on Veteran’s Day Weekend. Home

repair and cleanup is offered.

The Matthew 25 Project offers financial

assistance in emergency situations.

We will serve meals to the men of the homeless

shelter in Rock Island.

A new Home Appliance Ministry is launching.

A Mission Trip to Guinea and Liberia, Africa.

Soul Care is Available to You

Free Private Christian Care and Ministry Available

Soul Care is a confidential ministry to people experiencing difficulties with relationships or

coping with life circumstances. Call Christine Sullivan to schedule a private appointment.

A New Prayer & Praise Service is Launching

Fourth Sundays are set aside to bask in God’s presence

Watch for a new worship opportunity launching soon…. A monthly Sunday Night Prayer and

Praise Gathering. Shaun Easton has the latest information.

Are you sick of all the political

advertisements yet? It is obvious to

anyone that turns on the television that

America is in the process of choosing our

next leader. One thing is for sure,

whomever is chosen will be imperfect and

make their share of mistakes. There is only

one leader who never disappoints and his

name is Jesus. In October, we will hear

three weeks of messages on what it looks

like to have Jesus as the leader of your life.

October 7 “Hope & Change”

October 14 “Trusted Leadership”

October 21 “I Approve this Message”

There will be a 5¢ per plate Campaign Rally

at Richmond Hill Pavilion on Sunday, Octo-

ber 21 at noon to complete our series.

An Invitation from Pastor Chris

This is an exciting season. This

fall will be the opening of the

permanent facility we are

building for our daughter church,

New Buchanan United Methodist

Church in Liberia, Africa. We

are moving quickly toward the

groundbreaking for our own $4.2

million sanctuary and gathering

area, scheduled for next spring.

Our ministry in Cambridge is up

and running, under the direction

of Rev. Dave Joyce. Some of

our other ministries here in

Geneseo are described in this

publication.

You may be wondering why we

are doing all this. The answer is

simple: “People Need Jesus.”

At First Methodist, we aim at

Drawing People to Jesus,

Developing People in Jesus, and

Deploying People for Jesus. We

invite you on the journey with us

as we grow in faith and reach out

with God’s love.

KIDS NEED JESUS

HERE FOR YA! Our ministry staff lives to serve:

Rev. Gerald Aloran

Find out about student, college,

and men’s ministries.

Rev. Dave Joyce

Cambridge Campus and New

Members Classes

Becky Ritter

Ministries to Children, including

Sunday School & Ignite

Christine Sullivan

Find a small group or a place to

serve in the church.

Yvette Biddle

Learn about upcoming learning

opportunities or assistance

provided by the church.

Shaun Easton

All things Sunday morning,

including worship.

Lindrew Johnson

Choral and traditional music

Rev. Tom Wright

Mr. Encouragement!

Tonya Cutkomp

Nursery & child care issues.

Cheryl Rankin

Information about financial

giving.

OUR WEBSITE

peopleneedjesus.org

You can

Always find

the latest

at our church website or

Facebook page.

Have you ever wondered about

the claims and practices of

people of other faiths? In

September we are taking time

for an in-depth look at how

Christianity compares with:

EASTERN RELIGIONS

September 9

ISLAM

September 23

JUDAISM

September 30

Come join the global

conversation about the nature

of God.

First Methodist takes seriously our

investment in the rising generations.

Dave & Tammy Joyce Lead Ministry in Cambridge

Q: Is it true First Methodist has a new

campus in Cambridge?

A: Yes. First Methodist of Geneseo is now

in partnership with Cambridge United

Methodist Church. Our relationship with

Cambridge goes way back to the 1850’s

when the Cambridge Church sent their

horseback preacher to start our congrega-

tion in Geneseo. In 2012, our churches

joined forces to offer high-impact ministry

SORTING OUT THE GLOBAL CONVERSATION ABOUT GOD

in both communities. Pastor Dave Joyce is

our Cambridge site pastor. He and his wife,

Tammy, lead the Cambridge church

spiritually and are also a full part of

our First Methodist team. Our children

and youth ministry staff lead ministry

in Cambridge on a regular basis.

Worship at Cambridge is at 10:30,

except in the summer months. The

famous “Fall Review” at Cambridge is

Saturday, October 13.

Rev. Dr. Christopher M.

Ritter

Directing Pastor

Rev. Dr. Rose

Booker-Jones will

be our guest

preacher on

October 21

FOR CHILDREN

IGNITE

Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 pm

Grades K-5

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Weekly at 9 am

SLIME TIME

(Interactive Fall Fun)

October 27

FOR STUDENTS

NEXT-GEN

Wednesdays 3:45

Middle School

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Weekly at 9 am

THE ROCK

Wednesdays 6:30

Senior High