Special Weekends in MaySpecial Weekends in MaySpecial Weekends in MaySpecial Weekends in May

May 13/14May 13/14May 13/14May 13/14————Mother’s DayMother’s DayMother’s DayMother’s Day There will be opportunity to honor and remember the mothers in our lives. Donations to Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana and the Gibson City Food Pantry at Shepherd’s Closet can be given in honor/memory by contacting the

office or using the slips in the bulletins the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. May 13/14May 13/14May 13/14May 13/14————Monkey BreadMonkey BreadMonkey BreadMonkey Bread The Youth Mission Trip Team will be making and selling Monkey Bread to help fund their trip to Rhode Island in July.

May 21May 21May 21May 21————Graduation SundayGraduation SundayGraduation SundayGraduation Sunday Please join us at both worship services on Sunday to honor our graduates. There will be a brief reception following the 8:45 service.

May 27/28May 27/28May 27/28May 27/28————Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day WeekendWeekendWeekendWeekend Please join us in worship this weekend. Patriotic music will be shared.

Cookout for Missions Cookout for Missions Cookout for Missions Cookout for Missions Our Memorial Day cookout for missions will be on Saturday, May 20th from 10am-2pm at County Market. Invite your friends and family! Grillers, servers, eaters and dessert makers will all be needed for this fun event. It’s a great opportunity to share smiles and good food in service to our community. Watch for a sign up sheet (for workers and dessert donations) in the hallway outside the office. Hope to see you there! Guest SpeakerGuest SpeakerGuest SpeakerGuest Speaker

Susan Schultz will be sharing the message with us on May 6th and 7th. Please join us this weekend to help support Susan. Communion will be postponed until May 13th/14th.

DishesDishesDishesDishes There are some dishes on the table in the Narthex. These belong to people who may have brought dishes for a funeral meal, potluck, or Wednesday evening meal. If any of these dishes belong to you, please take them home! Any dishes that are left will be taken to Shepherd’s Closet in a couple of weeks.

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MMMMMMMMMMMMAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY 201720172017201720172017201720172017201720172017

Visit us at gcumc3.org or Find us on Facebook: “Gibson City UMC”

Pastors—John Tennyson Church Phone 217-784-5452 Church Email gcumc@sbcglobal.net

Saturday • 5:30pm—Casual Worship Sunday • 8:45am—Traditional Worship

Sunday • 11:00am—Contemporary Worship

Sunday School—10:00am

Worship is a HighwayWorship is a HighwayWorship is a HighwayWorship is a Highway

Psalm 100 says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence with singing”. What a road sign to God’s riches!

Praise is the heart’s desire to say to God, “I love you”. Worship desires to express gratitude to the Source of all that is good, right, and joyful. In secular terms, worship is “giving God some feedback”. God wants to hear from us on how we are enjoying the abundant life He has provided.

Worship sensitizes us; we become sensitive to the presence, power, direction of the Holy Spirit. Daily praise, worship, and gratitude opens our heart’s eye to God in our midst.

But life is full of distractions. We are all overwhelmed with the details and stresses of life. Therefore worship and expressing gratitude to God must be intentional. It is a decision, a limited focus, in which we consciously must choose and develop. We mentally decide to praise God for who God is, and all that God has done for us.

Therefore, praise must be added to our daily To-Do List: What are you going to do today? The Christian answers: “worship”. True, active, vital worship rests the mind from all other concerns. Praise concentrates solely on the Creator of heaven and earth, growing an awareness of God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives.

Learning to worship is pre-emptive: it protects and rescues us from boredom, sorrow, disappointments, fears, and the stress of life. As praise and worship becomes a natural, daily, joyous routine of our lives, it is able to deliver us out of the difficult circumstances and stresses of our lives.

In Old Testament Temple terms: when we merely sing hymns or praise songs without the intention of directly speaking to God, then it is like standing in the outer court; rather than entering into the Holy of Holies. But if we learn how to focus the words as an expression of our hearts and minds, then we’ll be on the path that leads to a life lived in God’s presence and power. Worship becomes a an everyday source of God’s love, peace, joy, and strength.

~ Pastor John

May’s Mission Socks will support May’s Mission Socks will support May’s Mission Socks will support May’s Mission Socks will support offerings taken at Annual Conferenceofferings taken at Annual Conferenceofferings taken at Annual Conferenceofferings taken at Annual Conference Three offerings will be taken at the 2017 Annual Conference as well as collections for two agencies.

• An offering for the John Kofi Asmah School in West Point, Liberia, will be taken for furnishings for the school IGRC laity built several years ago.

• An offering will also be taken for the Ordinands' Trip in Spring 2018 during the Service of Ordination and Commissioning. This trip is used to form spiritual leaders at the beginning of their ministry.

• A third offering will be taken as part of the Black College Ambassador's report for the Tom Brown Scholarship at Wiley College. The relationship with Wiley College is long-standing and the offering is held annually in memory of the late Rev. Tom Brown, a former trustee of the school from the former Central Illinois Conference.

Midwest Mission Distribution ItemsMidwest Mission Distribution ItemsMidwest Mission Distribution ItemsMidwest Mission Distribution Items In addition to the offerings, the Midwest Mission Distribution Center is asking for items for kits assembled by the Center.

• Kitchen dishwashing gloves

• Insect repellant spray, 6 to 14 oz. (ex. Off, Cutter)

• Scouring pads

• Pens—no advertising

• Protractors

A collection box will be in the Narthex the last two weekends in May in order to collect these items prior to Annual Conference the first week in June.

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Kid’s CrossingKid’s CrossingKid’s CrossingKid’s Crossing

Tea PartyTea PartyTea PartyTea Party On May 14, the Sunday school children will be hosting their annual Tea Party during the Sunday School hour. Please plan to join them for refreshments in the fellowship hall immediately following the 8:45 worship service. The date will be announced in the bulletins and from the podium in the next couple of weeks.

Wonderful, Watery, WednesdaysWonderful, Watery, WednesdaysWonderful, Watery, WednesdaysWonderful, Watery, Wednesdays

This summer, youth programming will again take a squelchy splash! Join us on the evenings of June 14th,

June 28th, July 12th, and July 26th. You can drop off your kids in the parking lot at 5:30pm each week. The evening will start with a light supper (hot dogs, chips, lemonade), followed by a Bible lesson and a time of fun, watery fellowship for children 3 years old through upper elementary. If you have Middle School or High School youth interested, please have them come and help out! Look for more details to come in bulletins and through emails. Wesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana Circle The Wesleyana Circle will meet on May 9th at 1:30pm at the Villas of Hollybrook. Missing Prayer Requests Because You Missing Prayer Requests Because You Missing Prayer Requests Because You Missing Prayer Requests Because You Don’t Use a Computer?Don’t Use a Computer?Don’t Use a Computer?Don’t Use a Computer? The CONNECTION TEAM would like to set up a prayer phone chain so that you can receive the same information in "Pray Without Ceasing" e-mail messages sent by the church office. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Judy Eckhoff (784-4387) or Janet Utterback (749-2303).

Graduation SundayGraduation SundayGraduation SundayGraduation Sunday

If you have a graduate in your family, please let the office know prior to Wednesday, May 17th. Graduates can include middle school, high school, 2 year college, 4 year college, graduate degrees, etc. If you have a family member who graduated mid-term (last December for example), please let us know as well so they can be recognized on May 20th/21st during our worship services.

Updating our Records! Updating our Records! Updating our Records! Updating our Records! We are going to be updating our membership records during the months of May and June. If you could, please provide the following information to the office at your earliest convenience. Even if you think we have everything, please still provide this information so we can check that everything is correct.

• Names in household

• Address

• Home Phone

• Cell Phone Numbers

• Email Addresses

• Dates of Birth

• Anniversary (including year) Also, if you have a recent family picture you would like to have included in our online/printed picture directory, please email that to gcumc@sbcglobal.net.

YYYYOUTHOUTHOUTHOUTH & O& O& O& OTHERTHERTHERTHER NNNNEWSEWSEWSEWS

Courtney Troyer 1 Shane May 1 Avery Schlickmann 1 Sharalyn Borchers 2 Janet Jensen 2 Janet Utterback 2 Mike Utterback 3 Eric Gee 4 Sam Horsch 4 Scott Copher 5 Shelbie Kearfott 6

Jesse Boma 7 Michelle Engel 8 Brady Cox 8 Ryan Thorp 8 Darrell Messmore 10 Rachael Bingham 10 Olivia Hawthorne 10 Meredith Fornero 12 Julie Steinman 12 Judy Morano 12 Donald Jensen 13 Shawn Schlickmann 14 Kelsey Whitehouse 14 Tammy Cowell 16 Craig Sharp 17 Joe Kearfott 19 Candice Hawthorne 20 Bo Grider 20 John Davis 22

Bob Davis 22 Jerry Holsten 24 Frank Titus 24 Chris Hazen 25 Connie Tennyson 25 Mark Spangler 26 Hunter Hansen 26 Ava Conrad 26 Alia Conrad 26 Beverly Crow 27 Austin Seneca 27 Mackenzie Seneca 27 Uyen Littell 28 Stephanie Kietzman 29 Phil Whitehouse 29 Mikayla Woodward 29 Matt Lindelof 31 Marsha Moody 31

Day Years Gene & Terri Moore 2 30 Scott & Teresa Boma 7 23 Jeremy & April Rotramel 7 12 Bud & Carolyn Ryan 7 51 Bill & Susie Dueringer 11 15 Derek & Stephanie Kietzman 15 18 Ron & Wanda Baird 18 43 Jason & Heather Murphy 22 13 Scott & Marsha Moody 23 19 Todd & Uyen Littell 26 Wes & Karen Leenerman 27 50 Bob & Jane Hill 28 62 Jerry & Karen Wright 29 51 George & Lori Frashier 30 25

Health Concerns Delmar Bedel Cathy Breeden Dusty & Nancy Davis Ruth Fisher Doris Gerber Mike & Judy Morano Barb Murrell Faye Rosendale Connie Tennyson Nursing Home Residents

Manor Ruth Fisher Judy Peters Jane Hill

Annex Mary Rosebraugh Sonny Boundy Paxton Health Care Michael Morano Bill Dueringer Servicemen and women PFC Colton Young AB Cody McCoy

Jan-Mar 2017 Offering for Budget $75,757.02

Jan-Mar 2017 Budget $80,249.00

Weekend Sat 5:30

Sun 8:45

Sun 11:00

April 1st & 2nd 22 103 25

April 8th & 9th 14 124 43

April 15th & 16th 24 227 54

April 22nd & 23rd 13 122 28

PPPPRAYERSRAYERSRAYERSRAYERS, B, B, B, BIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYS, A, A, A, ANNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIES

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 9:00AM Prayers 6:30 PM Children’s Ministries 7:00 PM Trustees

2 1:00 PM Communion Manor/Annex 5:30 PM Praise Team 6:00 PM Bible Study

3 OFFICE HOURS 10am-2pm 8:30 AM Bible Study 1:00 PM Connection Team 7:30 PM Choir

4 OFFICE HOURS 10am-2pm

5 OFFICE HOURS 8am-12pm

6 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

7 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 8:45 AM Traditional Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship 12:00 PM Confirmation

8 OFFICE HOURS 10am-2pm 9:00AM Prayers 7:00 PM Covenant Council

9 OFFICE HOURS 10am-2pm 5:30 PM Praise Team 6:00 PM Bible Study

10 OFFICE HOURS 8am-3pm 8:30 AM Bible Study 7:30 PM Choir

11 OFFICE HOURS 8am-3pm

12 OFFICE HOURS 8am-3pm

13 Communion 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

14 Communion 8:45 AM Traditional Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

15 9:00AM Prayers 6:30 PM Worship/Connection Team/CMC

16 Newsletter Articles Due 5:30 PM Praise Team 6:00 PM Bible Study

17 7:30 PM Choir 8:30 AM Bible Study

18 19

20 Mission Socks 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

21 Mission Socks 8:45 AM Traditional Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship 12:00 PM Confirmation

22 9:00AM Prayers

23 10:00 AM Communion/Holly Brook 5:30 PM Praise Team 6:00 PM Bible Study

24 8:30 AM Bible Study 9:00 AM Newsletter Prep 7:30 PM Choir

25 26 27 10:00 AM Cookout for Missions 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

28 8:45 AM Traditional Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

29 OFFICE CLOSED

30 9:00 AM Prayers 5:30 PM Praise Team 6:00 PM Bible Study

31 8:30 AM Bible Study

May 2017May 2017May 2017May 2017

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO 13 Gibson City, IL 60936

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Gibson City United Methodist Church 206 East 10th Street Gibson City, IL 60936

MMMMAYAYAYAY SSSSERVICEERVICEERVICEERVICE SSSSCHEDULECHEDULECHEDULECHEDULE

Pastor—John Tennyson cell 217-249-5453 email: pastorgcumc@sbcglobal.net Director of Education/Mission—Barb Horsch cell 217-781-8048 email: mgf@leapstream.net Administrative Assistant—April Rotramel office 217-784-5452 email: gcumc@sbcglobal.net

Church Custodian—Jeremy Rotramel Organist—Beverly Nagle Choir Director—Ruth Davis

Nursery Attendants—Melissa Jamison Susan Schultz, Volunteer

OUR STAFF

Liturgist Greeters

(West, South, North) Acolytes

Sound Room (8:45)

Projector (8:45)

Projector (11:00)

May 7 Kent

Bielfeldt

Mick & Mary Jo Kingsley Jim & Amy Hood Joe & Zach Wier

Olivia Hawthorne & Wrigley Maxey

Jon Clark Zander Wier

Rachel Quinley

May 14 Amy Hood Shirley Jackson & Jane Tankersley

Rick & Becky Young Kenny & Candice Hawthorne

Lonnie Engel

Connor Engel

Mitchel Quinley

May 21 Mick

Kingsley

Shirley Jackson & Jane Tankersley Rick & Becky Young

Kenny & Candice Hawthorne

Addison Farmer & Keegan Frashier

Steve Hawthorne

Erin Arsenault

Katie Steidinger

May 28 Lisa Famer Tom & Sandy Fairchild

Mike & Ann Young Arsenault Family

Jon Clark Dani

Eckerty Jeremy

Steidinger

Head usher for May is Dave Merritt.