MAY 2016 / Volume 50 / Issue 5“The heavens are Yours, the earth a lso is Yours; The world and a ll it con ta ins, You have founded them." ~ Psa lm 89:11

PHONE 217.793.9760WWW.SPRINGFIELDFIRST.ORG

PASTORAL STAFF

Dr. Roger Ross | Lead Pastor

Rev. Mike Whitaker | Pastor

Rev. Nicole Cox | Pastor

MINISTRY STAFF

Brennan Pappas | Director of Technical Arts

Carli Burton | Director of Adult Education & Senior Ministries

Chantel Corrie | Director of Connections

Chase Carlisle | Director of Contemporary Music Ministries

Elyssa Carlisle | Director of Youth Choir & Handbells Ministries

Lana Salomonson | Executive Director

Matt Cleveland | Director of StudentLife

Nancy Angulo | Director of KidLife Ministry

Dr. See Tsai Chan | Director of New Life Choir & Handbells Ministries

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Aaron Havard | Information Technology

Holly Taylor | Accountant

Jenny Hutcherson | Admin. Assistant

Pam Long | Financial Secretary

Sharon Sweeney | Executive Assistant

STAFF emails:First initial and Last name@springfieldfirst.org

Our church staff is here to help each of us live as a disciple of Jesus Christ who transforms the world. Feel free to contact them.

2 Good T i d ings / MAY 2016

N ames are important, aren’t they? They become a part of who we are. Sometimes they tell a story. Sometimes they reflect a personality. Sometimes they connect us to our family members.

Some of you know that I go by my middle name. My first name is Jo. Jo is an important name in my family. It was my grandfather’s name. It is my mom’s, sister’s, and cousin’s middle name. I love that I have a name that connects me to people in my family. I love that it tells a story.

So, when Steve and I were deciding on baby names for our daughter, we couldn’t agree on what we wanted to name her, but we knew that we wanted her middle name to be Jo. We wanted her middle name to have that familial connection and meaning.

Throughout the Bible, we see people who have meaningful names. The Hebrew name “Adam” sounds a lot like the Hebrew word for ground (Adam was created out of the dust, you may remember). The name “Eve” means “living” as she would become the mother of all who lived. Jesus’ name means “to rescue” or “to deliver.” Biblical names often denoted something about a person’s character.

But what about the characters in the Bible who do not have names mentioned? There are several – and many of them are women. These women’s names have not been recorded in the Bible and have thus been lost to history. And yet, even though their names are lost, their stories are not. In fact, some of these stories are the most compelling in the entire Bible.

Our upcoming sermon series – Nameless: Anonymous Women of the Bible – will delve into the stories of some these women. While their names have been forgotten, their stories have much to teach us. Don’t miss this chance to learn about these nameless women!

See you soon!

MAY 2016 3

MAY 7/8 (MOTHER’S DAY): THE ONE WHO HAD FAITHMAY 14/15: THE ONE WHO NEEDED FORGIVENESS

MAY 21/22 (SPRING CANTATA): THE ONE WHO SOUGHT HEALINGMAY 28/29: THE ONE WHO TOLD OTHERS

M E S S A G E S E R I E S

S P R I N G C A N T A T A

The Mystery and the Majesty“Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.” ~ Charles Wesley

The combined New Life, youth, and children’s choirs will present a Spring Cantata, The Mystery and the Majesty, accompanied by a symphony orchestra on May 22 at the 9:00am traditional service. The Mystery and the Majesty retells Jesus’ incarnation, passion, resurrection, and ascension in a story that engages the heart, mind and spirit.

The music draws upon different styles and sources, including gospels, Baroques classics, traditional hymn arrangements in symphonic style, as well as spirituals in contemporary style.

How can Jesus, the Son of God, be crucified for us? And how glorious that Jesus resurrected and ascended to heaven and brings eternal life to those who believe in Him? The mystery and majesty of God’s love is so amazing and beyond

our imagination. The musical reenactment of this “Good News” will make your heart overflow with joy and thankfulness. There will be a lot of congregational singing as well. So come and let your heartbe filled with the joy of our Risen Lord! And as we proclaim the victory of God’s Sacrifice and

Resurrection on the Cross, invite your friends and neighbors to experience this reviving and uplifting worship together!

4 Good T i d ings / MAY 2016

G R O U P L I F E

ONGOING CLASSParables StudyWednesdays, May 4 & May 116:30–8:00pm

Atrium 4

Come and enjoy the last 2 sessions

of Parables from the Back Side,

since each of these studies

stands alone. These interesting

takes on familiar parables

by J. Ellsworth Kalas will

be led by Bill Robertson.

For more information, contact

Carli Burton at 793-9760 x121

or cburton@springfieldfirst.org.

B I B L E S T U D Y F E L L O W S H I PBible Study Fellowship (BSF), a worldwide international organization dedicated to teaching the Bible to produce a vibrant relationship with God, will be starting the study of the gospel of John this fall. BSF welcomes adults and children from all walks of life.

A daytime women’s class, including a structured program for infants through kindergarteners, meets on Thursdays at 9:10-11:00am at Springfield First. A men’s class, including programming for students in 1st through 12th grade, meets on Tuesdays at 6:45-8:35pm. A women’s evening satellite group meets on Tuesdays at 6:30-8:00pm.

To register for the daytime women’s class, please attend on Thursday, May 5, at 9:10-11:00, at Springfield First. To register for the men’s class, please attend on Tuesday, May 3, at 6:45-8:35pm at Lakeside Christian Church, 225 Toronto Road, Springfield. To register for the women’s Tuesday evening satellite, please attend Tuesday, May 3, at 6:30-8:00pm at Cherry Hills Baptist Church, 2125 Woodside Road, Springfield.

For more information, contact Glen or Lin Ferguson at 622-3868, or Mike or Maggie Barton at 629-8382.

It’s that time of year again to break out the clubs, get some fresh air, and attempt not to hit

any balls into the pond! All men are invited to join FUMC’s golf league at Brookhills Golf Club

(5350 Old Jacksonville Road, Springfield, IL 62711) on Mondays at 3:45-4:30pm. This is a fun

and casual league meant for socializing and building community while attempting to play

golf. What better way is there to spend your Monday afternoon? For more information,

contact Scot Vogler at BigV2242@yahoo.com or 618-210-8011, or contact league

founder Dr. Les Hohenstein at lhohenstein@comcast.net or 787-9184.

 

Join the Men’s Fun League

S E R V I N G & M I S S I O N S

MAY 2016 5

MISSION GARDENContact: Chris Baughman at cpbaughman@gmail.comOur Mission Garden is well underway! The garden has been planted with veggies that will help feed the homeless and less fortunate of Springfield! We are looking for people who are willing to give 1-2 hours of time each week to keep the garden in repair. These volunteers will help with weeding and harvesting. If you have a couple hours a week, we would love to have your help!

PRODUCE DELIVERERSWe are in need of volunteers willing to take harvested produce from our Mission Garden and deliver it to Kumler Outreach. If you would be willing to take a trip every other week, please contact Chris Baughman.

Thank you for the many ways that you served people in our community during the OneThing Weekend! Look for more details in the June Good Tidings as we share how you made a difference!

EASTER OFFERING UPDATE

Thank you for your generosity

toward our Easter offering for the

UMCOR Clean Water Project.

We received

$27,801 through this

offering from people of all

ages! This money will help build wells

in Guatemala, Haiti, and Liberia. We found that $1 can

provide water for up to 1 year for a person in one of these developing countries, which means 27,801 people in those countries will now have access to clean water. Lives are being changed through your generosity!

(Artwork created by Grace Reiser)

6 Good T i d ings / MAY 2016

E V E N T S

This world-class leadership training event is coming to First United Methodist Church on August 11 and 12. Speakers such as the founding president of the Ritz-Carlton Group, the president and CEO of the Ford Motor Company, and one of the most renowned preachers on the planet, T.D. Jakes, will share their insights with us.

Whether you are a business manager, a soccer mom, a stateemployee, or a regular church attender, we are ALL leaders who influence the lives of others. This conference is for YOU! Come to be filled and refreshed.

Our special host rate is $89 for FUMC members and regular attendees. If you volunteer at the event, you will be able to attend for $65. (Because of the discounted rate, volunteers must register and pay with Sharon Sweeney at 793-9760 x131 or ssweeney@springfieldfirst.org.) And NOW is the time to make plans so you won’t miss this opportunity.

In addition to registering at church, you can also register by going to www.springfieldfirst.org and using the link for the Summit. Or you can go directly to www.willowcreek.com and follow the instructions to register. Our church is site #128 and the code you will need for the special rate is: Premiere16.

2016GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMITSAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 11 & 12

New to Springfield First?

This is your opportunity to

meet the pastors and for

us to learn more about

you over a laid-back lunch.

Learn more about this

community of faith, the

vision of Springfield First,

and opportunities to get

more out of your experience

here. Meet others who are

new, take a tour, and have

a few laughs. Sign up in

the Atrium, online at

www.springfieldfirst.org,

or contact Chantel Corrie at

ccorrie@springfieldfirst.org

or 793-9760 x126.

NEW HERE?You are invited

to have Pizza with the Pastors!

Sunday, May 1511:30-12:30pm

Atrium 2

MAY 2016 7

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZAWow! Over 2,000 people came to our first ever Easter Eggstravaganza! It was a beautiful day and a great opportunity to welcome many people from the Springfield community.

8 Good T i d ings / MAY 2016

For more information about KidLife, please contact Nancy Angulo at 793-9760 x227 or nangulo@springfieldfirst.org.

Kids Connect is a place where children can have fun with friends as they do special projects, play games, and learn more about God! Kids Connect is for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade and meets Wednesdays at 6:30-8:00pm in the Community Life Center. Dinner is provided for the entire family from 5:45-6:30pm for a small donation. May 11 will be the Kids Connect end-of-the-year party! Please register your family for the program and sign up for the dinners you will be attending by visiting our website: www.springfieldfirst.org.

HELLO, FIRST LOOK FRIENDS!This month, preschool childrenwill be learning about the greatest friendship stories ever told from the Bible! They will discover how to be good friends to each other and will end the month with a friendship party! Children will belearning that it is important to look for people to be their friend because two are better than one.

WEEKEND PROGRAMSHow many times do we desire to have more “stuff” in our lives? Clothes, shoes, gadgets, home improvements, new cars, and the latest technology are always pulling at our desires to have more. Children are also bombarded with images, commercials, and peer pressure to gain the latest fad. As parents, we constantly struggle with steering our children away from the “gimmes” toward right choices. We want our children to be responsible people who care for others and make good choices. The Bible has a lot to say about being satisfied with who you are and what you have. That’s why we will focus on the life application of contentment during the month of May in our KidLife worship experiences. Contentment is deciding to be happy with what you’ve got. It is a decision of the heart that can only be made as we learn to put our trust in God and be happy with the things He has given us and the future He has prepared for us.

MAY 2016 9

ADVENTURE BIBLE CAMPGet ready for a spelunking adventure through dark caves with the light of Jesus leading the way during our Cave Quest Adventure Bible Camp! Kids will enjoy hands-on activities that reinforce the lessons they learned with their Bible buddies as guides to teach them about the hope that comes from knowing Jesus! Adventure Bible Camp is for children who are in preschool through 5th grade and will be held at 9:00am-noon on June 13-17. Each day will be filled with personal stories from children living out their faith, healthy & fun snacks, fascinating science imagination activities, dynamic music, and hands-on Bible learning.

Please go to www.springfieldfirst.org to register your child online or pick up a registration card at the Adventure Bible Camp table in the Atrium.

C A M P I N G M I N I ST RY F O R C H I L D R E N & Y O U T H

Summer camp is a great way for kids to meet new friends while having a blast! Kids can learn new skills and have

fun with lots of outdoor activities and wacky, outrageous, sensational, kid-relevant programming centered

on God’s love and purpose for them!

This summer, we are very excited to be sending kids to Little Grassy summer camp in Makanda, IL.

There are so many different themes created for specific age groups at each camp offered. Take a look at the dates and camps below. Scholarships are available.

WEEK OF JUNE 26-JULY 2:Slumber Party Camp - Girls Only! · Grades 4-6

Camp Rocks! · Grades 4-6Boys, Bugs, and Beyond - Boys Only! · Grades 4-6

Camp Jump · Grades 3-5

WEEK OF JULY 31-AUGUST 6:Beyond Zebra – Dr. Seuss Camp · Grades 1-5

(Our very own Pastor Nicole will be assisting at this camp!)Campers Guide to the Galaxy · Grades 6-9

Horsepower Camp · Grades 4-6

KIDLIFE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!We are looking for people who love children and desire for them to learn and grow in Christ! We need those who can serve in the following areas during Saturday and Sunday services once or twice a month:Classroom Helper – Be the extra adult in the room to help out where needed. You do not have to plan and teach a lesson; just be on hand to help out the kids and small group leaders! This would be a great way for parents to be a part of their kids’ services.Activity Helpers – Have some fun just hanging out with the kids to play games, do crafts, and other fun activities in the Community Life Center from 10:15-10:30am and 11:25-11:45am. Hallway Monitors – Keep KidLife safe and running smoothly by making sure both children and adults are in the right place! Children’s Welcome Team – Children need friendly faces to greet them and help them be a part of the KidLife experience. As children are brought to the KidLife worship experience, you will greet them at the door and help them find an activity inside the CLC. Time needed is from 10:15-10:35am. Set-Up Crew – Come to the CLC after the 9:00am service and help set up games for the KidLife worship experience.Clean-Up Crew – Put the CLC back in place after the 10:30am KidLife worship experience by cleaning up and putting away all supplies and games.Early Childhood Bible Teachers – If you love to make the Bible come alive for little ones, this is the perfect place for you! Children ages 2 to 4 years old will need a teacher who can follow a lesson plan to teach a Bible lesson and lead activities. Toddlers need teachers who will teach them about God through interactive play and music. Infants need loving persons who will teach them about God through music, multi-sensory activities that spark growth and development, and loving actions through rocking, singing, and cuddling to give them the warmth of the love of God!Check-in Greeters – greet families as they arrive and sign children in through our secure check-in computer system. It is easy to learn and use. You will be paired up with someone for hands-on training.KidLife Worship Experience Leaders – Love to sing, lead music, teach a Bible lesson, and lead group games? We are looking for people who can give kids the best worship experience by being a worship leader, Bible teacher, and those who are great at leading and playing large group games!Small Group Leaders & Assistants – These are the people that help children apply the truths they have learned in the Bible lesson to their daily lives through fun application activities and challenges. As a small group leader, you will be able to get to know children to encourage and mentor them through their learning experiences of God’s Word.

Next FUSION Series

The 2016 StudentLife Summer Retreat ‘Beach Week’ is in full swing and sign-ups have officially begun! The trip will take place July 2 at 11:00pm to July 8 at 11:00pm. We will be going to Myrtle Beach, SC, for a week of spiritual renewal, community building, and growth! The total cost for the trip is $200. Spots are filling up, so if you or your student are interested in participating, please contact Matt Cleveland ASAP!

*Note to Parents: The first deposit payment of $100 for Beach Week will be due Sunday, May 15. Due to our having to make non-refundablereservations based on sign-ups, these deposits will not be refundable. However, if something happens and your student is no longer able to attend, the remaining $100 can be refunded. Please contact StudentLife Director Matt Cleveland with any questions.

For more information, to register for these events, or to receive updates about StudentLife, contact Matt Cleveland at mcleveland@springfieldfirst.org or 793-9760 x124.

Do you want to be dateable? Of course you do! All of us want to know that we are desirable to some other person. That there is another person out there somewhere who not only finds us attractive, but also finds us interesting, smart, funny, strong, and inspiring, and did I mention attractive? We all want to be prime dating material, not just for someone, but for the right someone. But how does that happen? How does a person become more or less dateable? And how do you practice being dateable when you’re 100% unquestionably single? While the Bible doesn’t offer very specific advice on what to wear or which movie to see on a date, it does have some real, practical, and honest advice that is helpful whether you’re currently dating or just hope to in the future. As we take a closer look at what the Bible says about our relationships and what Jesus said was most important, we may just discover that the best thing that could happen to our love life is love itself.

StudentLife Parents: Due to the nature of this coming message series, we will be having a parent meeting immediately following the 10:30am service on May 1 in Room 89 before the start of this series. We will talk about our goals for this series and the approach we will take. We appreciate our parents working with us to help guide our student’s spiritual development!

10 Good T id ings / MAY 2016

S C H E D U L E O F E V E N T S May 6

UMW Board Meeting/Luncheon10:00am/Noon - Room 14/Community Life Center

Nancy Angulo, KidLife Director

May 18Rachel Circle

7:00pm - Atrium 2

May 20Lydia Circle

9:30am - Rooms 5/6

June 3UMW Board Meeting/Luncheon

10:00am/Noon - Room 14/Community Life CenterDawn Morris, Elizabeth Ann Seton Program

June 15Rachel Circle

7:00pm - Atrium 2

June 17Lydia Circle

9:30am - Rooms 5/6

MAY 6 LUNCHEONNancy Angulo is our featured speaker for May. Nancy is the KidLife Director at Springfield First; she has been very busy developing programs for Midweek Connect on Wednesday nights along with Sunday School classes. We look forward to hearing about all the news with KidLife in the church. New guests or others are welcome to come for a delicious lunch prepared by UMW members. Contact Elaine Galyon for a reservation at 793-0533. Suggested donation for lunchis $7.00; first-time visitors are treated for lunch.

JUNE 3 BIRTHDAY LUNCHEONJune is the month to celebrate birthdays. Each table will be decorated for a season: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, and each person will sit at their birthday season table. Birthday cake and ice cream will be served. Dawn Morris, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Program, will be our guest speaker. She will be discussing the mentoring program for young pregnant women and will be sharing a new project, “Box of Love - Baby Box,” with us. All women of the church are welcome to attend. If you are new in the church, a prospective member, or a new member, please come for lunch at noon and let us get to know you better. Call Elaine Galyon at 793-0533 to make a reservation. Suggested donation for lunch is $7.00; first-time visitors are treated for lunch.

QUILTING / SEWING / KNITTING / CROCHETING GROUPThe quilting group is encouraging anyone with any type of sewing, quilting, crocheting, knitting, or other project to join them for a day full of fun activity. It’s the 3rd Thursday of the month at 10:00am to 2:00pm. Bring your lunch and meet in Rooms 5/6.

LYDIA AND RACHEL CIRCLELydia Circle meets on the 3rd Friday of each month at 9:30am. Rachel Circle meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm.

We lc omeThe purpose of United Methodist Women is stated in these words: “The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.” Our group extends a warm welcome to all women of the church to join our group for any activity, luncheon, meeting, or event. Love, Faith, and Hope.

MAY 2016 11

SENIOR MINISTRIES OPPORTUNITIESFor information regarding Senior Ministries’ events or trips, or if you or a loved one are moving to a care facility, please contact Carli Burton at cburton@springfieldfirst.org or 793-9760 x121.

A R O U N D T H E TA B L E A D V E N T U R E : S E N I O R F E L L O W S H I PDate: Thursday, May 12 | Time: 9:30am-12:30pm | Where: Rooms 5/6

Why: fellowship, fun, food (card games, board games, & dominoes) Hostesses: Glenda Hooker and Darlene Capella

Meal: Wonderful home-cooked meal with all the trimmings Suggested donation is $6.00 for all you can eat or until it’s gone.

12 Good T id ings / MAY 2016

Congregational CareCARE CALLERS!

We are starting a new ministry called “Care Callers” as part of our Congregational Care plan.

Care Callers will be contacting people who have recently been discharged from the hospital.

This will be helpful in keeping the pastors and congregational care providers informed on where people

are discharged: to a care facility, to the home of a family member, to his/her own home, etc.

The Care Caller will also ask if there is any way that we can continue to help in those days of

transition. We are excited about this new ministry opportunity! If you are interested in

being a Care Caller, please contact Pastor Nicole at ncox@springfieldfirst.org.

HEADED TO THE HOSPITAL?Make sure that you let them know at registration that your church is Springfield First UMC.

This helps our pastors and congregational care team know that you are in the hospital so that

we can pray for you and visit you while you are there.

A R O U N D T H E TA B L E A D V E N T U R E : S E N I O R F E L L O W S H I PDate: Thursday, May 12 | Time: 9:30am-12:30pm | Where: Rooms 5/6

Why: fellowship, fun, food (card games, board games, & dominoes) Hostesses: Glenda Hooker and Darlene Capella

Meal: Wonderful home-cooked meal with all the trimmings Suggested donation is $6.00 for all you can eat or until it’s gone.

MAY 2016 13

GENERAL CONFERENCE 2016It’s time. Every four years, the United Methodist Church holds a General Conference to re-focus the vision, set the policies, and conduct the business of the world-wide body of Christ called United Methodists. General Conference is the top policy-making body of our denomination, and no person or organization except the General Conference has the authority to speak officially for the United Methodist Church.

The 2016 General Conference will be held May 10-20 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR. For 11 days, 864 delegates, half laity and half clergy, from around the world will represent our United Methodist Church.

Last June, our Illinois Great Rivers Conference, which includes about 850 United Methodist Churches in the southern three-fourths of Illinois, elected 10 delegates to General Conference, half laity and half clergy. I was elected to serve as an alternate clergy delegate to rotate into the proceedings when delegates aren’t feeling well or need a break from the grueling schedule. The meetings officially begin at 8:30am and are scheduled through 10:00pm each day, except for the weekend when they end at 5:00pm. (Let the fun begin.)

The purpose of the General Conference is to revise The Book of Discipline, our book of church law governing our organizational life as a church. In addition, the General Conference adopts resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs for the next four years.

If you would like to follow the action in Portland, you can go to http://gc2016.umc.org (or umc.org/gc2016). You can also follow General Conference on Facebook and Twitter using #UMCGC. Features will include news coverage in multiple languages, daily summaries, feature stories, and video interviews with delegates, volunteers and other key individuals. All plenary sessions, worship services, episcopal and laity addresses, and other special events will be live streamed. Users can track petitions and obtain general information about the legislative process. Plenary transcripts and consent calendars will post each day.

Undoubtedly, delegates at this Conference will face all the tough issues that confront us in post-modern America. Since over 40 percent of the delegates are from outside of the United States, we will also deal with many difficult and painful issues in countries around the world. Because of the complexity of these issues, there are no easy answers. Impassioned debates and lobbying groups will try to persuade delegates in one direction or another.

For this reason, I invite you to pray for those who will be a part of this General Conference. With a world-wide church membership of 12.3 million and mission work taking place in more than 125 countries, decisions made by these delegates will literally affect millions of people on a global scale.

Sensing the spiritual weight, I have committed to fast and pray for the Conference on Thursdays through May 19. If you sense God is also leading you to pray (and perhaps fast) you can receive daily prayer meditations from the Upper Room by email or text at http://60daysofprayer.org.

The theme of the 2016 General Conference is “Therefore Go.” It’s based on Jesus’ great commission in Matthew 28:19-20 and ties to our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our best hope to see a global church that makes world-changing disciples will come through the prayers of our people.

With you in prayer,

14 Good T id ings / MAY 2016

C H U R C H L I F E

C U S T O D I A L U P DAT E Please welcome our new custodians to Springfield First! 

We have employed an outside company, Maintenance

Supply Corporation, for our custodial needs. Renaldo is

here through the week from 7:00am until about 12:30pm. 

Calvin is here Monday through Thursday evenings from

5:00pm until we close at 9:00pm. Assisting Calvin at night

is either Melissa or Mark. On Saturdays, Melissa opens

our doors at 7:00am and Mark closes up around 7:00pm. 

Finally, on Sundays, you will see Melissa here again

from 7:00am until about noon. They are a great team

and help keep our church campus looking good! Say

hi and introduce yourself next time you see them!

JOB OPENINGWe are looking for someone to work

part-time in the Springfield First print

shop to handle all of our printing needs.

Duties include printing bulletins,

Good Tidings, catalogs, postcards, business

cards, flyers, etc. Applicants must be able

to lift up to 40 pounds, be a self-starter,

and run print equipment. Experience is

a plus. If you are interested, please contact

Lana Salomonson, Executive Director, at

lsalomonson@springfieldfirst.org or 793-9760.

PLEASE WELCOME THESE NEWEST MEMBERS TO THE SPRINGFIELD FIRST COMMUNITY.

BILL AND LADONNA HINDS have been attending Springfield First for 18 years since they were married. Bi l l ’s mother original ly recommended this church for them to attend. They have 6 chi ldren and 14 grandchi ldren. 

Bill & LaDonna Hinds

Thank you to all who were so gracious to deliver some of the Easter Lilies that graced our sanctuary during the Easter services. Thank you notes and calls from the recipients have been coming in giving their thanks and saying how lovely the lilies are. Blessings2U ~ Carli Burton  

Appreciat ion Brunch

If you are a teacher of an adult class or Bible

study, have taught a short-term study anytime

in the 2015-16 school year, or are a parking

volunteer, visitation volunteer, or sunshine

sharer volunteer,please mark your calendar

and come out for our appreciation brunch on

Sunday, May 22, in Room 4. We will serve at

8:45-10:10am and again at 11:15am–12:30pm.

Spouses and children of volunteers are also

welcome. Please RSVP the number that will

attend from your household to Carli Burton

at cburton@springfieldfirst.org or 793-9760 x121. 

S T A F F N E W S

Financial Giving Updates First United Methodist Church

In an effort to more effectively serve the church body we are posting our financial report at the following web

address. This will permit the church to update our financial information in a more timely manner and provide more

immediate access when desired. The financial information can be found at the following address:

https://goo.gl/a1CDjQ

MAY 2016 15

May REAL ScripturesM a t t h e w

May 1 – Matthew 22:23-33May 2 – Matthew 22:34-46May 3 – Matthew 23:1-12May 4 – Matthew 23:13-24May 5 – Matthew 23:25-39May 6 – Matthew 24:1-8May 7 – Matthew 24:9-19May 8 – Matthew 24:20-28May 9 – Matthew 24:29-35May 10 – Matthew 24:36-44May 11 – Matthew 24:45-51May 12 – Matthew 25:1-13May 13 – Matthew 25:14-23May 14 – Matthew 25:24-30May 15 – Matthew 25:31-39May 16 – Matthew 25:40-46

May 17 – Matthew 26:1-13May 18 – Matthew 26:14-24May 19 – Matthew 26:25-30May 20 – Matthew 26:31-39May 21 – Matthew 26:40-46May 22 – Matthew 26:47-56May 23 – Matthew 26:57-68May 24 – Matthew 26:69-75May 25 – Matthew 27:1-10May 26 – Matthew 27:11-23May 27 – Matthew 27:24-31May 28 – Matthew 27:32-40May 29 – Matthew 27:41-50May 30 – Matthew 27:51-56May 31 – Matthew 27:57-66

B a p t i s m sWelcome to God’s family:Lucas Barton HacklerGabriel Lee Johnson

Eli James NehrtOwen Merl Nehrt

D E A T H SPlease hold in prayer the families

of these precious people:

Joe BoggsBobette Gerlach

Tom MackDonald Miedema

Katherine Richards

Our time in this world doesn’t last forever, but our influence can.

As you plan for the future, prayerfully consider tithing 10% of your estate to the church for which Jesus gave his life.

IS JESUS IN YOUR WILL?

To receive Tidings via mail OR email, contact the main office at 793-9760.Connect with us online at www.springfieldfirst.org for more resources.

WEEKEND WORSHIP EXPERIENCESSaturday / 5:30pm Sunday / 9:00 & 10:30am

Stay up on ALL future events of Springfield First · visit our website www.springfieldfirst.org

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F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H2941 South Koke Mill Road · Springfield, IL 62711

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSpringfield, IL

Permit No. 578

Upcoming Events

maY 8 — Mother’s Day

22 — Spring Cantata (9:00am traditional service)

30 — Building Closed

JUNE 13 – 17 — Adventure Bible Camp (9:00am – 12:00pm)

19 — Father’s Day