Pastor’s Letter 2

Photos 3-4

Committee Reports 5-8

Ministry & Fellowship Opportunities

8-9

Birthdays & Anniversaries 10

Calendar 11

Inside this issue:

First United Methodist Church, Freeport November 2017

The Lamplighter

HAM LOAF SALE

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Orders must be placed by Saturday, November 11

Call Diantha (815-232-4508) or complete an order form and return it

to Diantha or the church office (815-232-6210).

The price per individual loaf is $3.00. Containers will be provided.

Pick up time options 10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

Thank you for your support.

FIRST UMC‘s NEWEST MEMBERS

Left to right: Patrick & Gloria Davis, Penny Bailey, Voncile Carlson, Karen Gerth, Connie & Ron Melville

Dear Members and Friends,

Can you believe it’s November already? I could not believe it when I looked at my calendar today.

Of course, it only makes sense, given that yesterday was October 31. By the way, we had another wonderful evening at the parsonage as more than 2,100 adorable trick-or-treaters came looking for candy with their bags open (it seemed their parents were even happier as we gave them candy, too, and had a chance to talk about First UMC for a bit). Thank you to all of those who

donated 2,200 pieces of candy, those who placed labels advertising the church on each piece and the four brave souls who braved the bitter cold with me.

We were very happy to see Batgirl Emma-Rose Aten, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Alex Spahr, Police Officer Jayelle Spahr, Ariel Libby Wells and Dracula Elijah Wells stop by. I loved dressing up for Halloween and going trick-or-treating when I was a kid; we all get to relive that magic when we see today’s little ones having just as much fun as we did.

This is a season of contrasts. We go from trees bearing the most beautiful colors to bare limbs. We also go from welcoming in seven new members to our congregation and having Halloween fun to commemorating the members of this church who have passed since last All Saints. I am always very moved by our All Saints service, so I encourage you not to miss it this Sunday, November 5. Family members or friends will be lighting a candle for Marge Carpenter, Dick Frende, Betty Holmes, Art Jacobs, Marlene Maxey, Tracey Schmitz and Edna Viel. In this memorial, we also celebrate the communion of all the saints.

Next week, you will receive a letter from Warren regarding our Stewardship campaign. Stewardship Sunday will be on November 19. I think our pledges should be thought of in terms of the holiday following that Sunday—Thanksgiving. That is, what we are thankful for, not just in terms of this church, but about all of God’s blessings in our lives. In part, our pledges and offerings are a way in which we say “thank you” to God. In whatever way you consider your 2018 pledge, please pray that God would lead you in making that decision.

And, there’s more this month. This Saturday, November 4, our United Methodist Pretzel Cluster will be raking leaves for our elderly and disabled neighbors in the community. Also, we will be hosting the District United Methodist Men’s Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. on November 11. In addition, something new this year is an ecumenical Thanksgiving worship service the evening before Thanksgiving, November 22, 7:00 at Embury UMC. Many congregations in Freeport will be coming together to praise and give thanks to God.

Can you believe it’s November already? Yes! And we’re all looking forward to it!

Grace and peace,

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HARVEST BAZAAR

LABELING HALLOWEEN CANDY

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VBS HALLOWEEN

TRICK OR TREATING AT THE PARSONAGE

FIRST UMC TRIVIA

Do you recognize the young man to the far right?

Answer: Homer Meiers

(Homer’s one-room school was featured in Life Magazine)

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COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance Committee It is that time of year when the committee is assessing the expenditures for the church’s operations and

putting together the 2018 budget. There is a lot of rearview analysis to make the final budget proposal.

As Treasurer I am looking for ways to reduce our expenditures so our obligations can be met on a timely

basis. I truly believe that God provides, but sometimes it gets close!

As we prepare to analyze our own finances in the coming weeks for our 2018 pledges, I thought perhaps I

could provide some insight into what it takes to operate our church by sharing some of the monthly

expenses in the General Fund.

Montlhly Payroll $5,080.00 Pension & Insurance $1,950.00 Radio Broadcast $ 200.00 Advertising $ 80.00 Photo copies $ 100.00 Water & Sewer – Church $ 135.00 Water & Sewer – Parsonage $ 65.00 ComEd – Church $ 675.00 ComEd – Parsonage $ 70.00 Nicor – Church $ 475.00 Nicor – Parsonage $ 75.00 Frontier – Church $ 199.00* Frontier – Parsonage $ 95.00 These are just a few of the expenses incurred on a regular basis. The Frontier expenses marked with (*)

denote a new cost savings, and theses expenses will be reduced in 2018.

As of this writing the evening of October 23, 2017 we have $5,556.65 in outstanding bills with a checkbook balance of $1,157.00. It is a struggle. Why are we sharing this information? For your prayers over our church’s finances. I know God will come through with his grace.

Sherry Cancelose Finance Treasurer

Board of Trustees Our Trustees Meeting was held on Tuesday, October 18. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Pastor Cal. Merle gave the Treasurer’s report and bills were approved for payment. Vicki Aten a gave report on the sound system. It was reported our property appraisal was performed on Friday, October 13, and all went well. Our risk was completed on October 24 with Bill Ackerman and Len French in attendance. It was approved to have Merle set up a special Roof Fund savings account. Out new security system is now up and running. It was approved to have Loeschers perform a winter inspection on our furnace. Freeport Industrial Roofing have been contacted to do a roof inspection. New refrigerator is now in operation. The brass door

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fixtures have now been replated and look beautiful. One phone line has been canceled per Warren. Jan Heffner reported on our 501(c)3 status.

Bill Ackerman and Len French

Board of Trustees Co-Chairs

Staff/Parish Relations Committee The Staff/Parish Relations Committee welcomed our seven new members—Penny Bailey, Voncile Carlson, Pat & Gloria Davis, Karen Gerth and Ron & Connie Melville—on October 29 and had a reception for them during our Fellowship Time. We are so glad they have formally joined our church family.

The members of S/PRC are as follows; John Aten(Lay Leader), Ralph Blum, Ruth Carus, Mary French, Kay Meiers, Marieta Pederson, Larry J.Phillips, Joann Willits, and Diantha Landowski(chair). Contact anyone of us when you have a question or concern which will be held in confidence.

May our hearts be filled with thanks and giving.

Diantha Landowski Staff/Parish Relations Committee Chair

Education Our fall One Room Sunday School curriculum has been very exciting as we hear Bible stories about Hannah, Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon. Our lessons help us learn how each person listened and served God and how we also can serve one another in love.

During our Adventure DVD stories each week, we are traveling with our Deep Blue Kids Asia, Kat, Caleb and Edgar on an imaginary flying ship to Guatemala. We will meet a new friend named Carlos. We have packed our suitcases, made our passports and will arrive at Carlos's church to learn about his church and culture. We are learning that their national bird is the Quetzal, they like to play futbol (soccer) and will soon celebrate All Saint's Day with many festivals, beautiful paper flowers and lots wonderful food.

Our adventures this year will also take us to Kenya to meet Mercy, then to Alaska to meet Aurora and finally to Armenia to meet Armen. Come join us each Sunday morning for an exciting and fun around-the-world adventure learning and growing in our faith together.

We invite you to help us reach out in love with the Advent Outreach Project for Mother Hubbard's Kiddie Cupboard and our local school children in need.

Advent Outreach Project Through December 17

Please bring pacifiers, plastic baby bottles, bottle brushes, and colorful socks for children ages Infant to 4 years-old to put on our Mother Hubbard's Tree in the narthex. If additional items are needed, we will add them to this list and have it on the Christmas tree.

Thank you for your kind and generous support in helping us provide baby items to help our young mothers and their families this winter.

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Mary French Church School Superintendent

United Methodist Women Once again we had another successful year at our Harvest Bazaar.

We tried two new things this year, which I felt were very successful. First of all we tried a silent auction. The

ladies put together some beautiful, useful baskets. Being the first time we tried the auction, we felt it went

very well, bringing in $600.

The second new thing we tried was a lunch hour that went straight through 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. instead of

different seatings. Everything went smoothly. The food was delicious as always. The serving ladies did a

very efficient job, also.

Our next meal to be served is the District United Methodist Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, November 11. We

will be serving an egg casserole and coffee cake to approximately 60 men.

The next project is the Ham Loaf Sale, Thursday November 16. You may now place your order with the

church office (815-232-6010) or Diantha (815-232-4508) by Saturday, November 11.

Looking ahead to December, our General Meeting will be on December 12, 10:30 a.m. Gifts for shut-ins will

be packed first. Rev. Dixie Marklund will be installing our officers for 2018. Lunch at Imperial Palace will be

at 11:45. After lunch the ladies will deliver the gifts. On the same day is the Embury Christmas Tea at 1:30

p.m. Their program will include a performance by the high school choir.

Mary French & Helen Hoover UMW Co-Presidents

Memorials Committee The new refrigerator for the church kitchen has been delivered and paid for by funds from the memorials of

Art Jacobs and Betty Holmes.

The security system installation has been completed by Spigot. It appears to be working very well. The cost

for this project will be paid from memorial funds. The committee should meet soon to determine which

funds will be used for the projects completed on the committee’s wish list.

Jerry Rule Memorials Committee Chair

IT Hello, congregation! I thought I should inform you that if you are at the church and need a computer to use or do not have access to a computer and Internet at home, the church laptop is available for you to use. We have some simple guidelines when using it and those are printed and inside the laptop (when you open it you will see the paper). Also, there are instructions on how to take it to the Library or Fellowship Hall to use. The laptop is kept on top of the sound equipment at the sound board.

If you would prefer, I would be happy to personally show you how to use it, but it would have to be during

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an evening or the weekend. You can call my cell phone (815-713-6529) to make arrangements or if you have any questions.

Vicki Aten

MINISTRY & FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WORSHIP ASSISTANTS: Greeters, ushers, liturgists, acolytes, child-care providers, van drivers and Fellowship Time hosts are needed every Sunday (and communion servers the first Sunday of each month). Sign up on the sheet in the narthex or call one of the coordinators listed below:

Coordinators: Acolytes: Mary French (815-232-3072) Greeters: Russ & Barb Lesikow (815-235-3433) Altar Flowers: Deb Dickinson (217-840-1468) Liturgists: Mary Zumdahl Child Care: Mary French Ushers: Mary Zumdahl Communion Willits (815.291.4803) Van Drivers: Larry J. Phillips (815-291-1447) Fellowship Time: Mary French, Heather Kempel (815-233-0366), Pat Sellman (815-233-0453), Mary Zumdahl

If you have questions or would like to volunteer to serve please contact the appropriate coordinator(s)

BULLETIN FOLDING: Volunteers are needed to fold the bulletins on Thursday afternoons. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Bulletins are ready to be folded around 12:30 p.m. Please use the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex if you are able to help .

VAN MINISTRY: Dedicated to transporting to and from church people who would otherwise be unable to have fellowship and worship services of our church. We want to ensure that our members who need a ride to church have one. If you would be interested in driving or are in need of a ride, please contact Van Ministry Coordinator Larry J. Phillips (815-297-1447 or 815-291-0347).

MEALS ON WHEELS: Drivers and runners are needed to deliver meals to those who cannot get out and shop for themselves. It takes about a hour of your time. We meet at the hospital at 10:30 a.m. We are down to one route and will be delivering every 15 weeks. Please call Helen Hoover (815-232-6588) to volunteer or for more information. Our next time to deliver meals will be the week of November 20.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: If you knit or crochet, please join us 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the church. Also, we have a nice selection of shawls, so if you know someone that is ill or homebound please feel free to take a shawl. We just need the number from the card on the shawl and who you are giving it to. Please give this information to a prayer shawl ministry member or to Liz in the church office.

MEN’S BREAKFAST: Come join us for a great time of fellowship at 8:00 a.m. the first Saturday of every month at the Big Apple restaurant on Galena Avenue, just east of Park Boulevard. If you need a ride, call Pastor Cal (815-908-0289) or Larry J. Phillips (815-291-1447).

FREEPORT AREA CHURCH COOPERATIVE: In November we are collecting cans of soup, we have also been asked to collect cans of peas for the Christmas baskets which are due December 10 If you cannot purchase these items yourself, give Mary Zumdahl a cash donation and she will purchase them. Thanks to everyone who so faithfully bring I donation every month.

MOTHER HUBBARD’S KIDDIE CUPBOARD: The church is being asked to supply the store of the following items that are needed: bottles, bottle brushes and pacifiers.

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Worship Assistants in November Greeters (2) Ushers (3) Fellowship Altar Flowers

November 5 Barb Lestikow Norm Carpenter, Merle & Val Sherry Cancelose Heather Kempel, Clawson Marieta Pederson November 12 Larry & Pam Wieck Norm Carpenter, Gerry Regez Bob Wachlin Jim & Karen Gapinski Joanne Willits November 19 Jim & Karen Jerry Rule, Mary French Jim & Karen Gapinski

Gapinski Bob & Juanita Wachlin November 26 Ralph & Judy Blum Merle & Val Clawson, Kit Baldwin Helen Hoover Rosemary Frende

Liturgists Child Care Van Drivers Acolytes November 5 Sherry Cancelose Mary French & Sue Zink Larry J. Phillips Jennifer November 12 Jim Aten Mary French & Sue Zink John & Vicki Aten Jennifer November 19 Greg Kempel Mary French & Sue Zink Larry J. Phillips Jennifer November 26 Larry J. Phillips Mary French & Sue Zink John & Vicki Aten Jennifer

Communion Servers November 5 Jim Aten, Dixie Marklund

November 5 All Saints Sunday

November 11 Ham Loaf orders due Rockford District Men’s Breakfast , 8:00 a.m. (First UMC)

November 16 Fall Ham Loaf Sale

November 19 Stewardship Sunday

November 22 Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service 7:00 p.m. (Embury UMC)

December 4 Christmas Decorating

December 7 Hunger Luncheon (Wagner House)

December 9 Cookie Walk

December 24 Pretzel Cluster Morning Worship, time TBD (Faith UMC)

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Sponsor or so-sponsor one of our weekly radio broadcasts! If you would like to reserve a Sunday, please call the office. The cost of each broadcast is $50. You can co-sponsor a broadcast by teaming up with someone and sharing the cost. Please pay for the broadcast prior to the Sunday you are sponsoring. Make checks payable to First United Methodist Church with a memo, “Radio Broadcast.”

DEADLINE FOR THE DEC-JAN

LAMPLIGHTER ARTICLES

NOVEMBER 21

If you would like to provide

flowers for the Sunday worship

service, please call Deb Dickinson

(217-840-1468). The flowers are

$10 for one vase. Flowers must be

paid for prior to the Sunday you

have selected. If paying by check,

please make it payable to

Deininger’s. Also, we would

appreciate your returning the

insert/vase to the church

sanctuary so that we don’t have to

pay for one each Sunday.

1 Becky Peters 7 Val Clawson 8 Art Armagost 9 Jim Aten 10 Karen Boyer 30 Nick Wells

Please call the office (815-232-

6210) if you would like us to

place you or a loved one on the

prayer chain.

4 Merle & Val Clawson 14 Homer & Kay Meiers 18 Evelyn & the late Chuck Mrkvicka

Thank You for the cards, visits, phone calls and prayers while I was healing from foot surgery.

Diantha Landowski

Chad is doing so much better since his accident and with his hearing device to help with the ringing in his ear. We all appreciate your prayers during this last eight months.

Thank you,

The Wieck Family

Ilah was given a good report at

her follow up visit to the surgeon.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Jerry Rule

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

1:00 p.m. UMW Meeting

6:30 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting

2 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

3 4

9:00 a.m. Pretzel Cluster Community Cleanup (Embury UMC)

5

9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. All Saints Sunday

11:45 a.m. Fellowship

6

7

1:00 p.m. Senior Card Players

8

6:30 p.m. S/PRC Meeting

9

6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

10

11

8:00 a.m. District United Men’s Breakfast

12

9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship

11:45 a.m. Fellowship

13

14

1:00 p.m. Senior Card Players

15

9:00 a.m. Ham Loaf Prep 11:45 a.m. Lunch w/ the Pastor 6:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting

16

Ham Loaf Sale 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

17

18

19

9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Stewardship Sunday

11:45 a.m. Fellowship

20

21

1:00 p.m. Senior Card Players

22

7:00 p.m. Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service (Embury UMC)

23

24

25

26

9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship

11:45 a.m. Fellowship

27

9:00 a.m.

Christmas

Decorating

28

1:00 p.m. Senior Card Players

29

6:30 p.m. Ad Council Meeting

30

First United Methodist Church 503 N. Lily Creek Road

Freeport, IL 61032 815-232-6210 815-233-2454 Fax Email Address: fumchurch1@frontier.com Website: www.firstumcfreeport.org Facebook: Freeport First United Methodist Church

Catch the Spirit!

9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Celebration 11:30 a.m. Radio Broadcast (WFRL AM 1570)

Rev. Calvin B. Haines, Jr., Pastor