Blessings, Pastor Matt

“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve

the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the pow-

ers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's

God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should

declare the causes which impel them to the separation. “

These are the words to the opening of the Declaration of Independence which broad-

cast to the world a counter-cultural idea that people could govern themselves without need

of a king. They further went on to declare that the Creator has bestowed on all people cer-

tain unalienable rights - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

For 242 years the men and women of this great country have proven those values to be

unequivocally true. We can and should govern ourselves and we should also be seeking to en-

sure that all in this country are free to live their lives as they wish, should be granted liberty

under a rule of law established by free vote, and to be able to pursue happiness in work, fami-

ly, leisure, and religion.

We often take time on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day to, rightly, honor those who

have fought and died for this country. However, for 242 years men and women have an-

swered the call to public service. Whether as teachers, doctors and nurses, police officers and

firefighters, or the people who ensure our roads are plowed, our water is safe, and we have

beautiful parks to visit. While our elected officials in Springfield and Washington get most of

the accolades (as well as most of the dissatisfaction), we need to make sure that we are con-

sistently saying “thank you” to the often unsung heroes in our lives.

So on this Independence Day, make it a point to honor the sacrifices of our Founding

Fathers by saying thanking a public servant.

The Means of Grace July 2018

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Matthew J. Smith, Pastor

Office Phone: 815-868-2324

Cell: 815-821-2677

Email: 2tim116@gmail.com

Office Hours: Wed. 9-4:30 pm or

by appointment

Tim Mulhall, Office Admin.

Cell: 815-275-8388

Email: mcconnellumc@yahoo.com

Susan Coomber, Church Council

Cell: 815-985-3778

Ernest Stabenow II, Staff-Parish

Cell: 815-238-2472

Rita Schindler, Finance

Phone: 608-966-3432

Elwyn Anderson, Trustees

Phone: 815-369-4935

NEWLETTER & BULLETIN DEADLINES

Bulletin Info Due Weekly on Wednes-

day

Praising our Lord in Worship every Sunday at 10:30 am

Pianist: Ann Pals

Greeter: Susan & Tillie Coomber

Litergists: Judy Rampenthal – July 1

Sandra Klontz – July 8

Sue Anderson - July 15

Tillie Coomber - July 22, 29

Children’s Time: Judy Rampenthal - July 1, 15 29

Cathy Stabenow - July 8, 22

Acolytes are picked by the pastor or greeters weekly.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETINGS Monthly on the 3rd Wednesday at 7 pm

Open to all church members and friends

PRAY FOR HEALING

Evelyn Kahly Elwyn Anderson

Roger Thruman Greg Shippee

Bob Coomber

Those suffering from illness and injury

OUR SHUT-INS

Bonnie Stubbe John Ammon

Clifford Reuber Jerry Hastings

Our family and friends in care facilities and hospital

Our loved ones in nursing homes and care facilities

Pastor Matt’s July Schedule No Planned Absences

Available By Appointment As Needed

July/August Sermon Series

July 8th - The Table of Love [Communion Sunday]

July 15th - The Table of Belonging

July 22nd - VBS Sunday

July 29th - The Table of Peace

August 5th –The Table of Grace [Communion]

August 12th - The Table of Plenty

HOW TO BE A VBS VOLUNTEER ?

EASY! Just let Rita or Pastor Matt know and

we will get you a spot to help. We are partner-

ing with Grace Free Methodist Church this

year. PLEASE Volunteer!

We will resume

meeting in August at

McConnell UMC

BIRTHDAYS

3 - Carrie Eilder 11 - Matt Rose 19 - Pat Miller 30 - Brycen Lincoln

7 - Elwyn Anderson 11 - Jamie Stabenow 21 - Travis Hastings 30 - Mckenzie Riemer

7 - Kade Kleckler 11 - Lisa Smith 22 - Debbie Vrstal 31 - Tim Anderson

8 - Bobbie Bohne 15 - Ryan Mulhall 22 - Kalli Humphrey 31 - Paula Klontz

10 - Zach Watter 16 - Scott Kohn 24 - Bob Hastings

Thank You Notes

Thank you to the church for the blanket, all the cards and gifts and

for honoring me for my graduation with a cake and recognition.

- Kenzie Riemer

I would like to thank everyone for the nice cards and the blanket

you gave me for my high school graduation. I really enjoy being a

part of the church. You mean a lot to me.

- Alanna Pals

A big thank you to Cathy Stabenow for the Father’s Day

gifts that were given out to all our dads.

UNITED METHODIST

WOMEN

Hey ladies! We don’t

meet this month, but next

month we will be holding

our annual AUGUST OUT

-TO– LUNCH and later that month we host the

August Birthday Party at Lena Living Center.

ANNIVERSARIES

3 - Todd & Jodi Diffenderfer

4 - Jake & Carrie Eilders

11 - Ernie & Cathy Stabenow

22 - Roger & Lonnie Klontz

Come and help us honor our area

civil servants, fire, police, EMS, and

other community members in recog-

nition of Independence Day!

10:30 am Sunday, July 1st

HONOR OUR PUBLIC

SERVANTS

McConnell United Methodist Church – Ad Board Agenda June 20, 2018; 7 pm

Gathering together Present - Rita, Susan C., Lonnie, Molly, Pastor Matt, Ernie Concerns: Bob Coomber, Elwyn Anderson, Greg Shippee, Duane Shippy, Tammy Kryder, Art Gabel, Coweina Travis Pastor Matt led us in prayer. Minutes - The minutes of the May meeting were accepted as read Financial report -

May beginning balance - $ 46,698.98 May receipts - $ 5,5454.58 May expenses - $ 4,540.93

May endinging balance - $ 47,603.63

Pastor’s report –

Pastor Matt is back full time from Maternity Leave and continuing work on his Doctorial of Min-istry program in Dubuque. July 1st we will be recognizing public servants (Firefighters, EMT, Police, Teachers, Etc.) all wel-come to attend. July-August will begin a series on 'Table'. In August, the floors will be refinished, during that time we will plan to have Worship in Wins-low. Confirmation will be starting in August and will run through November. VBS is scheduled July 22nd - 26th. A Dell PC is being donated by King Enterprises, Matt would like to replace the hard drive for ap-prox. $150. Trustees –

Bob Mulhall will plan on refinishing the church floors in August. The Parsonage garage door, will cost approx. $150. New Business –

It was decided not to hold the annual Ham Supper this year, instead we will explore ideas to hold some type of community event. More details to come. Next meeting: The next meeting will be held Wednesday, August 15th at 7:00pm. The meeting ad-journed at 7:40pm and the members joined in saying the Lord's Prayer.

Haven’t been to church in awhile?

Don’t be a stranger! We welcome you

back anytime!

Worship on Sunday at 10:30 am

211 N. Hulbert Rd. PO Box 97

McConnell, IL 61050

www.McConnellUMC.org

JOIN US IN WORSHIP:

Sunday Worship - 10:30 am

Worship On Wednesday - Off for Summer

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED