100 Years Past and Forward100 Years Past and Forward100 Years Past and Forward100 Years Past and Forward

We are looking forward to much celebration during the month of August. It is the 100 year birthday celebration of our church building and organ! Below is the schedule for the Sundays in August. • August 3—Guest Speaker Don Jones

Reception for Don & Darlene Jones from 10-11 in the Fellowship Hall

• August 10—Guest Speaker Jim Bortell Reception for Jim & Roberta Bortell from 10-11 in the Fellowship Hall

• August 17—Special Presentation from 10-11 in the sanctuary including pictures and the history of the building

• August 24—Guest Speaker Randy Perry Reception for Randy & Kandi Perry from 10-11 in the Fellowship Hall

6th Annual Hymn Sing Festival6th Annual Hymn Sing Festival6th Annual Hymn Sing Festival6th Annual Hymn Sing Festival August 17, 3:00 PMAugust 17, 3:00 PMAugust 17, 3:00 PMAugust 17, 3:00 PM

Please mark your calendars now for an upcoming special day in the life of our church. The community’s sixth annual Hymn Festival will honor the 100th anniversary of our church building and its Mӧller Pipe Organ at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 17.

Dr. Susan Klotzbach is directing this year’s festival, and she will play the organ for hymn singing and for three instrumental selections. A trumpeter and percussionist from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington will accompany her.

This year’s festival will remember music from various eras, including Methodist Church founder John Wesley and his brother Charles, who wrote over 900 hymns. Examples of other themes include remembering those who served (Battle Hymn of the Republic), the Civil Rights Era (We Shall Overcome), and newer hymns (Here I Am, Lord).

Dr. Klotzbach is the university organist and an organ instructor at IWU’s School of Music. She earned two advanced degrees in musical arts from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she received the Performer's Certificate and Ann Anway Scholarship. Active in performance competitions, she has won the Spivey International Festival competition and was a finalist in both the American Guild of Organists National Competition and the Calgary International Organ Festival. She has also developed organ and continuing studies programs for area church musicians.

The music foundation will honor our church’s centennial with a certificate of appreciation. Please

plan to attend!

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

Pastors—John Tennyson Megan Thompson 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

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The Year of Our LordThe Year of Our LordThe Year of Our LordThe Year of Our Lord

Our cornerstone reads “1913”. In that year: • 1st coast to coast paved highway completed • 1st aircraft had 4 engines • 1st year of Henry Ford’s moving assembly line • 1st drive up gas station opened • 1st year a plane completed a loop the loop • 1st presidential press conference

And in 1913, construction began on a Methodist Episcopal Church in Gibson City, IL. But before construction began, there had to be a vision: both hopes and dreams for the appearance and function of the church building itself, and for its impact in our community and in the life of God’s family. I wonder how many countless hours of prayer preceded the first day of construction: both corporate prayer and prayers of individuals, prayers spoken aloud and prayers of long meditation, prayers that build a vision that built a church building that touched lives in East Central Illinois and far beyond. I wonder if the congregation and leadership dreamed about touching lives in countries around the world when they were dreaming about constructing our church in 1913? Did their prayers envision that our church would support missionaries and orphanages in countries like Uganda and Nepal? Could they visualize the happy faces of children in lands abroad who came to know the joys of God’s love because of a faithful congregation in a town called Gibson City over the next 100 years? I am sure they envisioned faithful worship at the Methodist Church in Gibson City. One look at the stained glass or hearing one note from our organ assures us that they had such a dream. But did they put a count on their dream? Did they think about 52,000+ worship services in the sanctuary they were building? I thank God for their hopes and dreams, and pray that ours continue to envision taking God’s joy and grace to our community and beyond.

~ Pastor John~ Pastor John~ Pastor John~ Pastor John

WWWWORDSORDSORDSORDS FFFFROMROMROMROM OOOOURURURUR PPPPASTORSASTORSASTORSASTORS

Summer 2014 Summer 2014 Summer 2014 Summer 2014

It’s been a rocking summer so far here in Gibson—We’ve had 3 Watery Wednesdays, 2 Late Nights, 1 Mission Trip; a Summer of Service Sunday School that built and painted 5 birdhouses and taught our Middle & Senior High youth cooking basics; God’s Backyard Bible Camp for pre-K through 5 has been exploring how to live with our families and neighbors and how to serve God through serving others; and that’s only a small part of what’s been going on here at GCUMC!

And we aren’t done yet! Summer Sunday School continues through August with God’s Backyard Bible Camp and Summer of Service; we’ll Psplash around in Psoggy Psalm 124 on August 6th; figure out who can Outserve, Outlove, and Outlive who in our final Late Night: Survivor Edition; all while getting geared up to head back to school.

If these past two paragraphs are anything like what your family has experienced this summer, hearing that it’s almost back to school time might cause you to cry out, “But summer just started!” (or, “Finally! Routine!”) It seems like summer just got here, but with the craziness of ball games, swim meets, play dates and work, it might not seem like much vacationing got done over this summer.

But one way or another, school’s about to start. Along with school comes it’s own set of rituals, unique to each family and to each child.

I encourage you and your family to find a ritual that has meaning to you, if you don’t have one going into this year. Maybe sit down together and look at the pictures taken on phones and cameras, reliving some of the memorable summer shots. Or, plan a family game night, reconnecting one last time with everyone before school schedules pull our families every which way once again.

No matter what, it is my prayer that you and your family know, as you set off into the new school year, that God goes with you, before you, behind you, above you and below you. No matter what, God is there, loving us and helping us to overcome whatever challenges we might face.

And that’s a pretty awesome thing to remember.

Peace, Pastor MeganPastor MeganPastor MeganPastor Megan

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CONNECT, GROW, GO! . . . take hold of the life that really is life (I Timothy 6:18-19)

RALLY DAY WEEKEND, SEPT 6RALLY DAY WEEKEND, SEPT 6RALLY DAY WEEKEND, SEPT 6RALLY DAY WEEKEND, SEPT 6----7777

~ POURED~ POURED~ POURED~ POURED----OUT CHURCH 2014 ~OUT CHURCH 2014 ~OUT CHURCH 2014 ~OUT CHURCH 2014 ~

Because of Jesus Christ we share God’s love. Because

of Jesus Christ we join hands in service.

So . . . let’s pause and consider . . . • What does God want us to notice about our

community? • What needs are there? • How can we live out God’s love in practical

ways? • Who can you invite to join you?

A church in mission is a sign of God’s A church in mission is a sign of God’s A church in mission is a sign of God’s A church in mission is a sign of God’s presence in the world!presence in the world!presence in the world!presence in the world!

Yay, church!Yay, church!Yay, church!Yay, church!

On Sunday, Sept 7, our worship in the sanctuary will pour out to service in the street. We will take steps to

not just be hearers of the Word, but doers as well.

Last year our activities included singing at the nursing homes, doing yardwork, cleaning windshields at gas

stations, picking up trash, delivering cookies, praying, making cards, and sharing stories.

Where are we needed this year? Where will your faith take you?

Monday Morning PrayerMonday Morning PrayerMonday Morning PrayerMonday Morning Prayer

A reminder that all are welcome to gather for a time of prayer each Monday morning (except for some holidays) at 9am in the sanctuary. We pray for our church members and families by name, and also share joys and concerns of the community and world.

“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His

voice in the depth of our hearts.” -Mother Teresa

Our Monday time together generally runs 30-45 minutes. Don’t worry about having the right words to say; you don’t need to say anything at all. God knows our hearts and seeks time with us.

August Mission Socks August Mission Socks August Mission Socks August Mission Socks ---- CAPS CAPS CAPS CAPS

CAPS, the Community Afterschool Program, is a nonprofit program which seeks to provide a safe onsite environment for GCMS elementary students to play educational games, work on homework, and enjoy supervised recreation until parents/guardians are available to pick them up. Community support helps provide this enrichment program.

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James Hazen 1 Casey McCullough 2 Brian Steidinger 2 Kaci Farmer 5 Stephanie Berkey 6 Sarah Tubbs 7 Bill Siegfried 8 Mark Davis 8 Max Moody 9 Marie Schneck 10 Susan Hawthorne 10 Katie Jones 11 Jack Royal 11 Jacob Barnes 12 David Kramer 12 Schuyler Frashier 13 Bettie Main 13 Wilma Reiners 13 Ruth Harris 14 Marlene Royal 14 Megan Shields 15 Courtney Shields 16 Kathy Eagleson 16 Bill Tubbs 16 Grace Steidinger 17 Jenny Arsenault 17

Justin Endsley 17 Dustin Heavilin 17 Gary McCullough 17 Kara Pool 17 Bryce Barnes 18 Terri Snyder 18 Josh Chase 19 Bill Pierce 19 Laura Hazen 20 Evadna Mooney 20 Michelle Kietzman 24 Phil Lutz 24 Jo Nettleton 24 Cecil Paul Davis 26 Barb Nagle 26 Alexis Farmer 26 Jessica Romshek 26 Amber Wittemann 26 Dusty Davis 28 Katie Dowling 28 Lori Frashier 29 Ethan Murphy 29 Betty Pearson 31 James Steinman 31

Day Years Dwaine & Barb Horsch 1 33 Doug & Susan Schultz 3 29 Brain & Cathy Steidinger 3 23 Dusty & Nancy Davis 4 58 Merle & Krista McCallister 5 35 Dave & Deanna Freehill 7 20 Frank & Casey McCullough 7 Dan & Denise Kearfott 7 32 Ray & Oleta Lantz 7 54 Nick & Taunya Elder 8 5 Jim & Jo Gramley 8 22 Steve & Susan Hawthorne 8 Bryan & Sue Shields 8 32 Fred & Barbara Wittemann 9 51 John & Ruth Davis 12 42 Matt & Danielle Brown 15 5 Steve & Leigh Ann Sharp 15 27 Craig & Karen Kummerow 16 34 Bob & Bettie Main 17 66 Mike & Janet Utterback 17 Brad & Sarah Fairfield 18 7 Bob & Meladee Ferguson 25 46 Link & Angie Woodward 26 25 Don & Mary Rhodes 27 20 Bob & Janet Davis 30 45 Kevin & Sherrie Knerr 31

Nursing Home Residents

Manor Marian Boog Glenn Davis Ruth Fisher Ella Mae Miller Judy Peters Deonna Sauer Clevita Tongate Shirley Butler

Asta Care Bob Main (Blmgtn) Doris Bridgewater

Health Concerns Marian Boog Doris Bridgewater Glenn & Mildred Davis Donna Douglas Ruth Fisher Mike Morano Deonna Sauer Michele Schmandt

Servicemen and women AIC Zachary E Mohn Kem Estaban SSgt Malcom Salyards 2LT Adam Salyards PFC Colton Young AB Cody McCoy Rudiger Strebeck Todd Rich

Weekend Sat 5:30

Sun 8:45

Sun 11:00

June 28th & 29th 15 136 28

July 5th & 6th 19 113 31

July 12th & 13th 10 93 21

July 19th & 20th 16 99 31

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

Jan—June 2014 Offering for Budget $123,060.90

Jan—June 2014 Operating Expenses $134,077.58

Difference -$11,016.68

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Sunday School Orientation & Sunday School Orientation & Sunday School Orientation & Sunday School Orientation & Thank You BrunchThank You BrunchThank You BrunchThank You Brunch The Children’s Ministries team is hosting a brunch on August 9th from 10-12 in the Fellowship Hall for all youth Sunday School Teachers, Shepherds, and Workshop Leaders. We would like to thank all of the individuals who helped make our youth Sunday School Program successful last year. We will also be kicking off the 2014-2015 Sunday School year and would like to invite anyone interested in helping to attend the brunch as well.

College Cookout College Cookout College Cookout College Cookout August 2nd from 7p-9p at GCUMC

Current and entering students and friends are welcome! We’ll provide hot dogs and chips. Bring your own beverage and a side to share. It will be a time of re-connecting and fun before the new school year starts! Please RSVP to Pastor Megan (217.418.8354).

Watery WednesdaysWatery WednesdaysWatery WednesdaysWatery Wednesdays Please join us for our final Watery Wednesday from 5:30-7 on August 6th. We will meet at the church for dinner, play and prayer as we splish and splash through the “Watery Psalms!” The Psalm they will be learning about is Psalm 124—God is on our side/Back to School

Nursery HelpNursery HelpNursery HelpNursery Help Our Wednesday Night Programming will be starting back up on September 17th. We are currently looking for volunteers to help Melissa in the nursery after the fellowship meal. If you are interested in helping every week or on a rotating basis, please contact Brian Steidinger (chair of SPRC) at 217-249-8200.

Missions CookoutMissions CookoutMissions CookoutMissions Cookout The GCUMC Labor Day Cookout will be August 30th from 10am-2pm at County Market. We will be needing help running the stand and also eaters and dessert makers. Look for sign-up sheets later in the month of August.

Hymn Fest DessertsHymn Fest DessertsHymn Fest DessertsHymn Fest Desserts The worship committee is organizing the serving of refreshments at the Annual Hymn Festival which will take place at our church on August 17th at 3pm. We are looking for people to provide cookies. If you are interested

in helping, please contact Jenny Arsenault (784-8076 or mjsea1@yahoo.com).

Thank you to our church family for the prayers, cards & support you gave us during the illness and death of Phil’s sister Emma. Phil & Malinda Lutz

Automatic GivingAutomatic GivingAutomatic GivingAutomatic Giving In May we began offering a new automatic giving program to the congregation. As of July 1st we have 10 families signed up for monthly offerings. If you have questions, please ask Doug Hager, one of the financial secretaries (Ann Young, Leigh Ann Sharp, Rhonda Eckerty), or April in the office. If you would like to sign-up, forms are available in the office as well.

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Learning in CommunityLearning in CommunityLearning in CommunityLearning in Community Connection Coordinator Barb Horsch recently completed her 3rd year ("Administration & Leadership") in a 5-year program for Professional Certification in Christian Education within the United Methodist Church. The classes are offered by Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Coursework is guided by this philosophy:

“Through Christian Education the church seeks to help persons become increasingly aware of God’s seeking love as known especially in Jesus Christ that

they may respond in faith and love.” - educator/author Dick Murray.

In learning about some of the world's religions, Susan Schultz has visited with individuals and attended worship services of the Bahá'í and Hindu faith communities. Pictured is the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, IL, one of only 7 Bahá'í temples in the world.

MMDC Mission TripMMDC Mission TripMMDC Mission TripMMDC Mission Trip Middle School and High School Youth along with their parents and anyone interested are invited on a short mission trip to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center on August 14-16. We will help prepare supplies heading to disaster areas—many different skill sets are needed! $90 includes lodging, 7 meals, and admission to Knights Action Park. Contact Pastor Megan if you are interested!

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"It Was a Great Ride!""It Was a Great Ride!""It Was a Great Ride!""It Was a Great Ride!"

On Sunday, July 20, 2014, 320 people rode their bikes in "Ride Ataxia-Chicago", an event to raise funds for and awareness of Friedreich's Ataxia. Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance powers rides across the nation, this one being in Channahon, IL. Friends and supporters of GC UMC's own Emily Young showed up in a big way to help in the fight to find a cure for this degenerative neuromuscular disorder. The largest of the teams gathered, "Team Emily" consisted of 91 riders (a record for one team in one locale since the Rides began!) who rode either the 4-, 12-, 34-, or 52-mile routes. Over 30 additional volunteers helped in numerous ways to make the event run smoothly. "Team Emily" raised $25,871, (and counting), the largest amount among teams present. In total the event raised over $65,000! Many members of "Team Emily" are part of our church family. Some folks, including GC UMC-ers, were not able to stay for the photo, so the group was even larger than pictured!

God provided a beautiful day for this wonderful event. The prayers of everyone in the church family were greatly appreciated by all who participated. If you would like to learn more, please visit curefa.org and rideataxia.org. To see videos of Emily being interviewed by Comcast Sports Net and WGN News, please visit our Facebook page, no account necessary. Most importantly, please keep Emily, her family, all those affected by Friedreich's Ataxia, and the researchers working to find a cure lifted in prayer. We are children of a God of miracles, and God hears our prayers. Praise be to God!

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AUGUST 2014AUGUST 2014AUGUST 2014AUGUST 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 OFFICE CLOSED

2 Communion

5:30 PM Saturday Night Light

6:30 PM College Cookout

3 Communion

7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast

8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00 AM Sunday School Reception for Don Jones

11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

4 5 1:00 PM Communion Manor/Annex 5:30 PM Praise Team 7:00 PM Trustees

6 8:30 AM Bible Study 5:30 PM Watery Wednesday 5:30 PM Missions

7 7:00 PM Finance

8 OFFICE CLOSED 7:00PM Late Night for MS/HS Youth Groups

9 10:00 AM SS Teachers’ Brunch 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light

10 8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00 AM Sunday School Reception for Jim Bortell

11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

11 5:30 PM SPRC 7:00 PM Covenant Council

12 5:30 PM Praise Team

13 8:30 AM Bible Study 7:00 PM Pie Night/Manor

14 15 OFFICE CLOSED

16 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light

17 Mission Socks

8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00 AM Sunday School Sanctuary Presentation

11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

18 6:45 PM Children’s Ministries Committee

19 Newsletter Articles Due 5:30 PM Praise Team

20 8:30 AM Bible Study

21 22 OFFICE CLOSED

23 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light

24 8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00 AM Sunday School Reception for Randy Perry

11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

25 26 5:30 PM Praise Team

27 8:30 AM Bible Study 9:00 AM Newsletter Prep

28 29 OFFICE CLOSED

30 10:00 AM Missions Cookout 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light

31 8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00 AM Sunday School

11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

MMDC Mission Trip

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Liturgist Greeters

(West, South, North) Acolytes

Sound Room (8:45)

Projector (8:45)

Projector (11:00)

August 3

Kim Fisher Rick & Becky Young

Link & Angie Woodward Open

Jacob Rutledge Steve

Hawthorne Dani

Eckerty Rachel Quinley

August 10

Craig Kummerow

Open Audrey Apperson & Margaret Farmer

Linda Goltz & Sue Shields Keegan Frashier Jon Clark

Taylor Engel

Jeremy Steidinger

August 17

Phil Whitehouse

Open Audrey Apperson & Margaret Farmer

Linda Goltz & Sue Shields Parker Chase

Brandon Clark

Erin Arsenault

Hannah Pruitt

August 24

Virgil Rosendale

Olivia Hawthorne Lonnie Engel

Blythe Borton

Katie Quinley

Head Usher for August is Virgil Rosendale

Glenn & Marsha Riddle Mick & Mary Jo Kingsley Craig & Karen Kummerow

August 31

Marsha Riddle

Glenn & Marsha Riddle Mick & Mary Jo Kingsley Craig & Karen Kummerow

Zander Wier Steve

Hawthorne Dani

Eckerty Rachel Quinley

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

AAAAUGUSTUGUSTUGUSTUGUST SSSSERVICEERVICEERVICEERVICE SSSSCHEDULECHEDULECHEDULECHEDULE

Pastor—John Tennyson cell 217-249-5453 email: pastorgcumc@sbcglobal.net Associate Pastor—Megan Thompson cell 217-418-8354 email: gcumcassoc3@sbcglobal.net Connection Coordinator—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 Jessica Schultz, Volunteer

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