Newsletter of:

The First United Methodist Church

214 W. Main St.

Carbondale, IL 62901

Our Mission Statement: “Called together by the Holy Spirit, we proclaim God’s presence and love in the world through prayer, worship, education and service. We invite children, youth, and adults to become disciples of Jesus Christ, live fully in the Holy Spirit, and embrace God’s love.”

Pastor: The Rev. Alan R. Rhein Associate: Tom Byford Dir. of Christian Education: Necia Jannings Prayer Chain: Email Sara Hinde at sjhinde04@gmail.com Broadcast: 10:45 service is heard live on WCIL-AM (1020) For van rides: Call the church office (457-2416) Email: fumc@fumc-cdale.org Website: www.fumc-cdale.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/FirstUnitedMethodistCdale Twitter: @FUMCCarbondale

ASBURIAN

In Church This Sunday

February 4, 2018

8:15 and 10:45 a.m. Worship Services 9:30 a.m. Sunday School

Sermon: “Popularity or Purpose” Tom Byford

Scripture: Mark 1: 29-39

Anthem:

8:15 Bread of the World in Mercy Broken Allison Spiller, soloist

10:45 For the Bread Sanctuary Choir

Hymns: 139 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty 273 Jesus’ Hands Were Kind Hands 632 Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether 670 Go Forth for God

Altar flowers this week are given by Tom Gallegly, in memory of Bob & Wilma Gallegly.

Indoor Greeters: Rhonda & Mike Kelley and family

Acolytes: 10:45 John and Madison Voss

Sound System Operators: 8:15 Joe Swindell; 10:45 Keven Mitchell

Liturgists: 8:15 Youth; 10:45 Youth

February Ushers: Mike Neill, Captain; 8:15 Don & Susan Frey, with youth 10:45 Krishna Balasubramanian, Ron Browning,

Joe Lenzini, Lori Palmer, Pam Reno, Will Stephens, and youth

Sunday

Dear Saints:

T he future is uncertain. The future is always uncertain.

There may be times when we think we know what will

happen.

Certainly we have all experienced seasons when we felt quite sure about the future. But, we have

never owned the future. Our plans may come to fruition with a high rate of frequency. But,

eventually, something happens that reminds us just how little control we have.

Last year, Nicole’s family was regularly discussing the declining health of her grandma. Then we

got the phone call that her grandpa had died. We were expecting to hear sad news about her

grandma any time, but news about her grandpa was a bit of a shock.

In our early twenties, Nicole and I thought we would have kids soon. After seven years of hoping

for children, we came to the conclusion that we might not have our own kids, and we prepared our-

selves for that reality. Then Nathan came along. Considering the difficulties we had, we prepared

ourselves to be parents of just one child. Now, with 3 kids running around the house, and another

to be born in a few weeks, we realize how futile our plans were.

The ancient Christian mystics used to talk about the sacrament of the present moment. Some say

the idea was borrowed from Buddhism. It is similar to some Buddhist teachings, but I believe it

was discovered independently. The concept basically means that we recognize and experience the

moment we are in as sacred, because it is. We cannot be fully alive in the past or in the future.

We can only experience the fullness of Christ within us in the present moment that God has given

us.

Regardless of your future expectations, goals, or plans, try this week to recognize the holy moment

you are in. These holy moments happen while sipping your coffee, scolding your children, sharing

a meal, crying over your loss, laughing over your gain, ignoring your mom’s text message,

hugging a friend, sharing with the poor, sitting through a boring ball game, etc. Every moment is

sacred. Every moment is holy. May God open your eyes to see.

Tom

PARISH

As of February 4, 2018

pulsepulsepulse In Church This WeekIn Church This WeekIn Church This Week

1 Thursday

1:00 Priscilla Circle, Room 210

6:00 Education Committee, Room 410

7:00 Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

2 Friday

9:30 Golden Yoga, Room 404

10:30 Church Women United, Heritage Rm.

3 Saturday

6:00 Saturday Night Live, Bandana’s,

Hosts are Lorraine & Ron Stadt

4 Sunday Youth Sunday Souper Bowl of Caring Offering for Good Sam’s

8:15 Worship Service

9:30 Sunday School for all ages

9:30 Confirmation Class, Room 403

10:45 Worship Service

5 Monday

7:00 Boy Scouts, Fellowship Hall

6 Tuesday

8:30 Men’s Group, Heritage Room

9:00 Daniel Plan, Room 403

10:15 Golden Yoga, Room 404

7 Wednesday

10:00 Children’s Story Time, Diane Neill

Dorsey Memorial Children’s Library,

& Room 413

4:45 Handbells Rehearsal

6:00 Youth Group, Room 409 and

Fellowship Hall

8 Thursday

2:30 Chimes Rehearsal, Fellowship Hall

& Bell Room

7:00 Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

9 Friday

9:30 Golden Yoga, Room 404

10 Saturday

11 Sunday 8:15 Worship Service

9:30 Sunday School for all ages

9:30 Confirmation Class, Room 403

10:45 Worship Service

12:00 Confirmation Class, Room 403

Save Save Save

thethethe

DateDateDate

Monday, March 12

1:30 - 5:45 p.m.

Heritage Room

www.redcrossblood.com

SATURDAY

NIGHT LIVE

February 3, 2018

6:00 p.m. at

Bandana’s

Your hosts for the evening are Lorraine & Ron Stadt

Join the Fun

In Sympathy: Sympathy to Tom & Nicole Byford and family, on the death of her grandmother,

Eleanor Bunnage, who passed away on January 25, 2018 in Nashville, IL.

Save the Date: In the upcoming weeks, FUMC will be taking photos and gathering information

for a NEW church directory! Sign-up will begin in early March, and pictures will be taken in

early April. Keep watching your Asburian and Sunday bulletin for more information. Sally Washburn

LENTEN STUDY MATERIALS WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX

What Wondrous Love Holy Week in Word and Art

Tuesdays

10:00 a.m., Room 410

Led by Pastor Alan

Tuesday Morning Lenten Study Beginning February 27

Each week will cover key scripture passages and events of Holy Week, beautifully illustrated and interpreted by the artwork of John August Swanson, along with com-mentary from members of the faculty at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Join us as we take this artistic journey through Holy Week, moving toward the hope of Easter.

Disciples for Sunday, February 4, 2018

Outside Greeter: Jon Gobert and Sandy Gobert Van Drivers: John Graig and Brian Gorecki Welcome Center: 8:15 Kathy Swindell; 10:45 Elaine Crain Coffee Hosts: 8:15 Jean & Don Boehne; 10:45 Sara & John Hinde Communion (8:15) Sue Stucky and Kathy Hollister; (10:45) Anna Marie Smith, Team Lead; Cindy Bertsch, Judy Cunningham, and Carol Mocaby February Nametags: Linda Meredith

CHECK IT OUT!!!...CHECK IT OUT!!!...CHECK IT OUT!!!... in the Diane Neill Dorsey Memorial Children’s Library

Tell Me About Baptism

by Stephen Elkins “...teaches children what happens to us when we are baptized and why baptism is so

important.” Part of the Train ‘Em Up interactive, fun-filled series of books about

Christian beliefs and principles.

July 22 - 26

Parents and children are invited to join us

Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:00 a. m.

Diane Dorsey Memorial Children’s Library

Join Ms. Jane for stories, music, games, and crafts as we learn about the Bible

and how Jesus taught

MARION MEDICAL MISSION (MMM) (additional information)

Marion Medical Mission’s 2017 goal was 2,800 wells. An estimated 420,000 of the extreme poor will have safe drinking water this year. 663 million people worldwide lack access to safe water. UNICEF

reports 1 in 5 children die before their 5th birthday because they lack potable water. Jackie Fitzella, MMM volunteer reported, “One of the most moving stories for me was when the headman from a village in Tanzania spoke during the (well) dedication. He said the women were currently walking 12 km (7.5 miles), each way to gather water each morning and that the current water source was not good. Animals drank from the same source along with people. The village had experienced many cases of diarrhea and dysentery, and now it was a blessing for them to have clean water close to their village. He blesses us for what we provided his village and blessed us that we would be giving strength by God to continue our work and provide other villages with this same gift.”

Thank you for the outstanding support you have provided for our mission activities. Missions Committee

Thursday, March 20 9:30 a.m. Morning Circle, Heritage Room

UPCOMING EVENTS

O ur youth will be serving the church this Sunday, February 4, 2018 for

Youth Sunday, by filling many of the roles in the worship services.

Also, after each service, they will be collecting a special offering called the

Souper Bowl of Caring Offering. The Souper Bowl Offering is given to the

Good Samaritan Food Pantry.

First United Methodist Church currently offers Weekly Youth Group

meetings on Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m., as well as monthly youth gatherings, called

Youth Super Church, on Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. Super Church usually meets

on the fourth Sunday of each month. We also have

Sunday School for junior high and high school youth each week. And, of course, one of

our most exciting opportunities is our annual, mission trip, called the ASP trip.

In addition to these regular get-togethers, we have outings and overnights from time to

time. Some activities are spiritually significant, while others are mostly just fun. What-

ever we do together, we have the goals of building community, growing in Christ, and

serving God. Tom Byford, Youth Ministry

FUMC

LET’S TACKLE HUNGER

2018 Souper Bowl of Caring We are proud to announce FUMC’s participation!

Our Souper Bowl of Caring offering will take place this Sunday,

February 4, at our Youth Sunday services. Every dollar donated will go to Good

Samaritan Ministries. On this Super Bowl weekend, the Good Samaritan Homeless

Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen will be trying to make a difference in our community

to those who don’t get enough to eat; people with no food or food

insecurity. Be a part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with

those in need. Please give generously. Thank you! Missions Committee

SUNDAY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Children’s Opportunities

Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School - (K - 5th grade) uses Deep Blue from Cokesbury. The morning begins with music at 9:30 a.m. in Room 415.

Sundays at 10:45 a.m. Children’s Church - (K - 5th grade). All children are invited to Children’s Church following the Children’s Time at the 10:45 a.m. worship service.

February Children’s Church - Who Then Is This? Bible Verse: “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4:41) Main Idea: Jesus shows God’s power.

Youth Opportunities, 9:30 a.m. Faith development through Bible lessons, emphasizing a relationship with

God through Jesus.

Middle School meets in Room 410 and uses On the Go.

High School Class meets in Room 409 and uses a variety of materials connecting the lessons of the Bible with issues relevant to today’s youth.

Adult Opportunities, 9:30 a.m.

Renew - Renew is a group of women seeking deeper meaning in their lives through Bible study, reflection, and prayer. They meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 402. Women of all ages are welcome.

The Investors Class - Investors Class is studying The Story of Heaven, by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. During Lent, we will use the study, Who is This Man? by John Ortberg. Investors is an intergenerational class for all adults. They meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 404 (the Chapel). Everyone welcome!

The Electives Class - Scripture studies are led by John Sims. They meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Heritage Room. All are welcome!

Small Group Opportunities

The Daniel Plan meets in Room 402 at 9:00 a.m. on most Tuesdays. Check the church calendar. Everyone welcome.

Grateful Hearts meets on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., Room 308.

Youth Group meets at 6:00 p.m. weekly on Wednesdays in Room 409 and Fellowship Hall.

D uring the 2017 Advent season, we were provided an opportunity to reflect, join in fellowship, and

experience spiritual enrichment - - through the Vesper services, the Christmas sing, and the soup suppers.

Many people volunteered their time and gifts and we offer a ‘thank you’ for those contributions.

The Investor’s Class, Grateful Hearts small group, and Renew Class would like to thank all who attended the Vesper services and soup suppers, and those who chose to make anonymous donations to our missions. The Grateful Hearts and the Renew Class will contribute donations received to the Pastor’s Benevolent Fund. The Investor’s Class will contribute donations received to the 2018 ASP trip.

Thank you! Jon Gobert

HAVE YOU UPDATED YOUR BENEFICIARY LIST?

Have you had life changes? Divorce? Divorce of a child, grandchild or parent? Death of loved ones? Favorite charity closed? Every January,

every person should review their beneficiaries for their wills; life insurance policies; IRA/retirement plan; trusts; and similar instruments. Be sure the names are correct; addresses are updated; statuses are current. Be sure your intentions are up to date!

RETIREMENT PLANS: You can name your church as a remainder beneficiary after

your death, and the church will receive the balance of your IRA or retirement assets.

What a wonderful way to enable your church to minister in Christ’s name to your com-

munity! Whatever passes directly to your church is exempt from income and estate

taxes. You must contact your IRA or retirement officer/trustee for the proper forms and

your spouse’s written authorization may be required.

WAYS OF GIVING THAT COULD BE USED FOR YOUR

STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT OR THE BUILDING FUND