Our mission is to develop followers of Jesus Christ, who reach out

in faith, hope, and love.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

9:00 am

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE Dr. Bruce Gibbons, organ

CALL TO WORSHIP

God scatters the seeds and calls us to grow.

We come to grow in Christ.

God scatters the seeds and calls us to love.

We come to love as Christ loves.

God scatters the seeds and calls us to hear.

We come to listen for the word of God.

Let us pray…

OPENING PRAYER

* OPENING HYMN Hymn #732

“Come, We That Love the Lord”

Ushers: Tom McQuistion, Chris Forshee, Cecil Griffith, Bob Buxton,

Stephen Cruse, Jerry Clark, Marty Fore, Lori McKinney, Keith Taylor

and David Diehl.

Greeters: Audrey & Bob Menzies; Linda Reed

Attendance last week: 188 Liturgist: Mark Vandermyde

CLERGY

Pastor Mike Fender pastormike@decaturfirstumc.org

Pastor Miley Palmer pastormiley@decaturfirstumc.org

Pastor Beth Fender bfender@igrc.org

ADMINISTRATIVE

Office Administration office@decaturfirstumc.org

Finance Office financeoffice@decaturfirstumc.org

Front Desk & Calendar receptionist@decaturfirstumc.org

CHILDREN & FAMILY

Jennifer Horton-Motter jennifer@decaturfirstumc.org

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

Kyle Shaughnessy kyle@decaturfirstumc.org

MUSIC

Hadi Gibbons bgibbons45@hotmail.com

First United Methodist Church • 201 W. North Street Decatur, IL 62522

(217) 423 - 9711

Office Hours: 8:30 to 5:00 Monday - Friday

www.decaturfirstumc.org office@decaturfirstumc.org

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy

Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed,

we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen

CHILDREN’S SERMON Jennifer Horton-Motter

SCRIPTURE READING Romans 8: 1-11 p. 191 NT

ANTHEM “Piece in g-minor” Austin Fyke

(Gabriel Pierne) tenor saxophone

SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23 p. 16 NT

WITNESS TO THE WORD Pastor Mike

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Seeds have been scattered; words have been spoken.

We are ready to bear much fruit.

Water is needed; the soil must be tended.

We will nurture one another well.

God has scattered the seeds and sends us to love.

We will go to share the love of Christ. Amen!

HYMN OF RESPONSE Hymn #601

“Thy Word is a Lamp” CALL AND PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Great Sower of word and truth, when we are confused, guide us

with new understanding; when we are distressed, help us be

faithful and true; when we are distracted, focus us with your Holy

Spirit; when we are worried, comfort us with your blessed

assurance. Nourish the soil of our lives, that we may be fertile

recipients of your word and faithful followers of Christ Jesus. In

your mercy and love, we pray. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

LORD’S PRAYER Projection

* PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

INVITATION TO OFFERING and PRAYER

OFFERTORY “Jesus is the Friend Who’s Always There” Choir

(Don Besig; text: Don Besig and Nancy Proie)

DOXOLOGY #94

* BENEDICTION

* CLOSING HYMN Hymn #707

“Hymn of Promise”

POSTLUDE Dr. Bruce Gibbons, organ

*Please stand in posture or in spirit. The rose on the altar is in honor of the birth of Della Jane Benda, 7

lbs. 12 oz, born on Thursday, July 6th to Stacy and Paul Benda. Jane

and Randy Malcolm are the grandparents.

The flowers on the altar are given by the Haebich family in loving memory of Bill Haebich.

SUMMER IS HERE with time for children to read. The children’s library has received several new titles ranging from counting books and bedtime stories to books about our world. See the books on display and pick up an annotated list or access the list by going to our website and clicking on the “Children’s Library” logo.

SUMMER Reading

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE (July 16—July 22)

Today— Blood Pressure Check 9:00 Worship Service 10:15 Sunday School for all ages Monday— 12:00 Peoria Chiefs Game—Youth Event 6:00 Fellowship Committee in S.W. Room (Rm. 104) 7:00 Missions Committee Meeting in Chapel Tuesday— 9:00 Good Samaritan Inn 7:00 Finance Committee (Rm. 104) Wednesday— 7:00 Early Morning Bible Study at Decatur Club 10:30 Strong for Life in S.W. Room (Rm. 104) 6:00 Ice Cream Social in FUMC Parking Lot

Saturday— 4:00 Jump Start Cookout at the Fenders home—Youth

Event!

Classes for all ages - Sundays at 10:15 Nursery ................................................................................ Rm. 208

Songs, stories, finger plays and prayers for children up to age 3

Preschool Sunday School ..................................................... Rm. 209 Bible stories and activities for children ages 3-5

Kindergarten—5th Grade Sunday School .............................. Rm. 306 Dive into Bible stories and work together using activities,

games & crafts

6th—12th Grade .................................................................. Rm. 105 Interactive discussions over a variety of topics and hangout time

Contemporary Christians ..................................................... Rm. 104 Lively discussions on books, theological topics and current issues.

Covenant Class ....................................................................... Library Adult Sunday School curriculum, Bible study and open sharing

FaithLINK Class .................................................................... Rm. 106 Discussion of current faith and world issues weaving in scripture, biblical thought, theological discussions and personal reflections

Today’s Discussion is: Full Communion?

Latecomers Bible Class ..................................................... The Chapel Bible study group that relates its teachings to everyday life.

This group is comprised of adults mostly 60 and older.

Seeker’s Class ...................................................................... Rm. 301 DVDs are used most Sundays in this class to provoke a lively discussion relevant in today’s world. This group typically involves singles, married

couples, both with children and without.

GOOD SAMARITAN Inn

SUNDAYS in 2017

August 27 October 29

TUESDAYS in 2017

** July 18 ** August 15

September 19

October 17

November 21 December 19

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 from 6-8 First United Methodist Church Parking Lot—weather permitting We’ve invited Central United Methodist and House of Miracles. Join us for games and fun.

ICE CREAM, BOWLS AND SPOONS will be provided. Bring a favorite topping and/or cookies to share!

SUMMER MISSION Opportunities

FROM JUNE-AUGUST - support our Church’s Youth Group by flocking another church member’s house. Youth representatives will be out in Wesley Hall .

THIS IS LAST WEEK’S FLOCKING. ARE YOU NEXT?

FLOCKING Fundraiser

ON SATURDAY, JULY 22, we will be doing some work at 1009 W. Decatur Street. This is known as Freedom House. It is the effort of one man who is trying to help people suffering with addiction by providing a safe and sober residence. He currently has more people requesting residence than he can house so he would like to convert part of the attic to living space. We will try to help!

THE DAY WILL START AT THE RESIDENCE AT 7AM. We need lots of help as we are trying to get this project done in one day. If you have building skills, wonderful! If you don't, please come too. We will be preparing materials in the yard and hauling them up to the attic. So, many able-bodied legs will be required. If you can help, please sign up in Wesley Hall this morning. Our project manager will also be happy to answer any questions you have.

IF YOU CANNOT JOIN US THAT SATURDAY, there are other ways that you can help. The first is financial. This project will cost $700-900 to do all we want, including insulation and a door. If you can contribute to that cost, just mark your donation "Freedom House" and we will get the money to that project. Second, they need sheets (twin size), towels, dish soap, laundry soap and personal hygiene items. If you would like to donate those supplies, there will be a box marked "Freedom House" in Wesley Hall the next 2 weeks to collect those supplies. Most importantly, you can pray! Please keep the residents of Freedom House in your prayers as they deal not only with their recovery from addiction but all the other stresses and issues that contribute. Thank you for all you do!

FARMER’S Market is back!

ONCE AGAIN, we are asking that you bring any "extra" produce to Wesley Hall and donate it to our Farmer's Market. All donations collected for the produce will go to our Mission Committee for use in this community. The Farmer's Market will open Sunday, July 9th. Thank you.

FIRST Friends

THURSDAY, JULY 27 AT 10:30AM

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH will be the host. Our guest speaker will be Mark Sorenson. Mark will be discussing the portraits of Lincoln before his presidency.

Larrance McQuistion Griffith