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Vol. 17 No 7: July 2012

Worship and Sunday School Times

9:00 am - Traditional Worship Service 9:15-10:15 am Sunday School 10:00 am - Fellowship Hour 11:00 am - Contemporary Worship Service 11:15-12:00 am Sunday School

Congregational Comments is a publication of 1st Congregational UCC, 3465 N. MacArthur Rd., Decatur, IL. 62526

-1450. Published monthly, it is used to keep its members informed about programs of the church and to report news about First Church’s people

First Congregational First Congregational First Congregational First Congregational United Church of United Church of United Church of United Church of

ChristChristChristChrist “A united and “A united and “A united and “A united and

uniting church”uniting church”uniting church”uniting church”

Congegational Congegational Congegational Congegational CommentsCommentsCommentsComments

PastorPastorPastorPastor: Rev. Dave Taylor

Prayer ChainPrayer ChainPrayer ChainPrayer Chain: Helen Johnson: 855-8633

Email: nannyhjj34@aol.com

Playmates PreschoolPlaymates PreschoolPlaymates PreschoolPlaymates Preschool:

Director, Cathi Tavarczky: 875-7054

Newsletter EditorNewsletter EditorNewsletter EditorNewsletter Editor: Bill Huebner

Telephone: 876-1446 Cell: 855-7677

Email: wshuebner.editor@prodigy.net

Church Contact Information:

3465 N. MacArthur Rd. Decatur, IL 62526

Telephone: 877-2216 Fax: 877-9665 Email: firstchurchdecatur@sbcglobal.net

Website: www.firstchurchdecatur.org Office Hours: Mon. –Thursday, 8:00-4:30

Our Mission is to worship God, Welcome all who seek God, and Express our faith in our actions.

2

Pastor Dave Taylor

ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE Is one of your summer-time chores mowing the grass? Often when I mow, the tempera-ture is in the 90’s, and by the time I’m done, I’m HOT, sweaty, and thirsty. The fridge has many choices of drinks: soft drinks, lemonade, tea, milk, you name it;

yet when I’m hot and thirsty, the one thing I crave most is just a tall glass of ice cold water. Now, we all know that there is nothing quite as good for us as pure water. It helps the body to better do its job. Water makes up greater than 2/3 of the weight of the human body; the brain is 75% water, blood is 83% water, bones are 22% water, muscles are 75% water, and the lungs are 90% water. Water helps wash the junk out; it helps maintain health by making sure all the essential nutrients get to where they’re supposed to go. That’s why medical professionals tell us to drink so much of it every dayG"Drink eight - 8-ounce glasses of water a day." That's about 1.9 liters, which isn't that dif-ferent from the Institute of Medicine recommendations.” (Mayo Clin-ic website). But you know how it is. You get busy and there doesn’t seem to be time to get a drink of water. Or sometimes you look at the glass of water and think, “Nothing special about that.” You think how much you’d rather have something else, something that looks really good and tasty; so we try to satisfy our thirst with coffee, soft drinks, maybe even beer or wine. But all the while, something deep within us cries out for the real deal – good, pure water. Nothing will feel right until we get it. That doesn’t just apply to what we drink. Sometimes we can get thirsty in life. Sometimes we begin wondering if there is really more to it: if it’s possible to be happier, more content, more satis-fied? Psychologists tell us that many Americans today are unsatis-fied. They don’t think there is anything they can do to change their lives for the better. Oftentimes pain comes in our lives when we’re empty. It may

not be our stomach that is empty, but our hearts. Sometimes we

15

have a thirst deep down inside and we try to satisfy that “thirst” with material things, nice houses, cars, stimulants, other people, or other distractions. They all look good for a while, but that kind of fulfillment never lasts. Perhaps we think our happiness depends entirely upon us. If you’ve felt that way, there is good news for you. There REAL-LY IS MORE! It is really possible to live a full life, one filled with more joy, faith and strength. The life that God has for us to live is a lot like a glass full of wa-ter. It’s refreshing, it’s good for you, and it satisfies your thirst in a way that nothing else can. It’s something we have to take in daily to be happy and healthy. Often we get so caught up in our daily lives that we only talk (pray) to God occasionally. We become so accustomed to our state of spiritual dehydration that we don’t realize how far we have drifted from God. The Bible urges us to seek God. Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” We are to seek, to intentionally devote all our time, energy, and effort into coming into God’s presence and joyfully serve God and people. Do you seek God daily? When you have a decision to make, do you seek God’s direction? When you need comfort, do you seek God’s presence? That’s where abundant life is found. When we’re willing to be-lieve that, there is more to this life, and God is the only One who can provide the way. If you give God more of yourself, you will receive more of God. With this comes that sense of satisfaction, abundant joy, and peace. The “good life” begins with recognition of your thirst in life and your willingness to satisfy it in the “pure living water” of Jesus Christ’s love and truth for you and all humanity. “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me.” We invite you to join us in worship: 9:00 AM for Traditional Ser-vice, 10:00 AM for fellowship and refreshments, and 11:00 AM for our Contemporary Service. Sunday School and Bible Studies are also happening. Come join us as we bring our thirsty hearts and minds to God who fills us up and sends us out to make a holy difference. In Christ’s Spirit, Pastor Dave

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God bless you on your birthday and each day the whole year through, May all His blessings bring you joy in everything you do.

1. Toni Longstreet 3. Nicholas Kelly 4. David Brown Tammy Stanton 5. Joe Seitz 6. Shirley Kuhn Nancy Leoucis 7. Robert Blackwell Jennifer Freeland Cole Mitchell Gerald Ruff Darla Weltmer Tracey Fisher 8. Connor Gann 10. Ellyn Campbell Diane Faber 12. Carley Gibson Will Reininger 13. Christina Clark 14. Jack McGinnis 15. Carl Jacobs Charles Zweck 16. Albert Wilson 19. Lindsay Malone 20. Stephen Dicken 21. Ellen Whitrock 22. Doris Jacobs 23. Zoey Clark 24. Anna Waller 26. Hayley Bunselmeyer Robert Cline Alexis Fankhauser Juanita Trimmer 27. Sharon Burbes

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES:

And may the many blessings

that have come from God above fill your hearts with all the joys of His enduring love.

Happy Anniversary!

3. Dale & Beverly Capshaw David & Brandy Kelley 4. Chris & Amy Kretsinger 7. Harold & Sandy Harmison Jerome & Elizabeth Scherer 9. Christopher & Amy Leman 15. Tim & Donna Druessel 19. Mark & Melinda Bunselmeyer 24. Nicholas & Sally Lauer 25. Robert & Carol Blackwell Richard & Sheila Mannweiler 27. Tim & Annell Gibson 31. John & Christine Priester

JULY

28. Lois Shelton 29. Mary Anne Logan Melanie Long 30. Erin Toberman 31. Jonathan Brownfield

3

FIRST SERVICE

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

JULY 1

LITURGIST: Darla Weltmer FLOWERS: Mark & Jeanette Flenner COFFEE: Allen & Ann Gerhold USHERS/GREETER: Dave & Mar-lene Gant, Paul & Ruth DeBruine

JULY 8

LITURGIST: Amy Leman FLOWERS: Russ & Janet Tiede COFFEE: Clarence & Carolyn Elliott USHERS/GREETER: Bob Bun-selmeyer, Bonnie Ruecker, Tom & Paula Cordts

JULY 15

LITURGIST: Bonnie Ruecker FLOWERS: Mary Lou Phipps COFFEE: Ted & Darby Mitchell USHERS/GREETER: Dave & Judi Carpenter

JULY 22

LITURGIST: Dee Wenneker FLOWERS: Anna Waller COFFEE: Sharon Burbes USHERS/GREETER: Al & Ann Gerhold, Ted & Darby Mitchell

JULY 29

LITURGIST: Paul DeBruine FLOWERS: Homer & Nancy Leoucis COFFEE: Walter & Carolyn Jones USHERS/GREETER:

SECOND SERVICE

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

JULY 1

USHER/GREETER: Sandy Harmison REFRESHMENTS: Sandy Harmison

JULY 8

USHER/GREETER: Mike Koyak REFRESHMENTS: Mike Koyak

JULY 15

USHER/GREETER: Bruce & Debbie Whitney REFRESHMENTS: Bruce & Debbie Whitney

JULY 22

USHER/GREETER: Betty Wheatley REFRESHMENTS: Betty Wheatley

JULY 29

USHER/GREETER: REFRESHMENTS:

4

GREETINGS FROM ZINBABWE

Dear Pastor Dave, I hope I find you well and greetings from Zimbabwe. How is your family and my brothers and sisters in Christ at the Church?

Regarding my health, I feel that I am an 'inch' away from full recovery,

my sense of smell is still gone but I have faith I recover it soon. I have

started to do some small work and I am coping up fairly alright; of

course I need to pace myself gradually. Again, thank you for all the

prayers and the financial support towards my medical requirements.

Give my warm greetings to everyone, God bless.

Stay blessed,

Pindai

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WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

JULY THROUGH DECEMBER

While enjoying a delicious lunch and a break from setting up for the rummage sale, twelve ladies discussed plans for the next few months. These plans are tentative, but we would like for you to put the dates on your calendar so that you can, hopefully, join us. Several of the plans involve making definite reser-vations, so please read carefully. Women’s Fellowship is open to all women in the church and we hope you will plan on joining us for some fun adven-tures. Friday, July 13 – We plan on driving to Godfrey, IL to have lunch and do some shopping at Josephine’s. This is a 2 hour drive and we will need reservations, so we can make reservations for lunch and plan on how many drivers we will need. August 1st or August 8th – The Little Theatre in Sullivan will have “9 to 5” as its presentation for August. This was originally a very funny movie starring Dolly Parton. This will be an afternoon matinee. We plan on eating lunch in Sulli-van and attending the performance afterward. The tickets for the performance are $35.62 for seniors. (We all fit that category, don’t we?) Because of the cost, we will need to have your reservation confirmed with payment for your ticket. There will be no refunds, unless you are able to find someone else to purchase the ticket from you. If necessary we will maintain a waiting list. We will also need to know who can drive. September 21st – This day will find us traveling to a place called “The Farm” and the Morning Star Restaurant located on the road between Springfield and New Salem. We have heard many good things about this place. This should be a pretty drive as the fall foliage should be in full swing by then. October 19th – This day will find us traveling to Springfield for lunch and a shopping tour of the Goodwill store there. We have had it on good authority, that you can find some good and interesting bargains there. There is also an outdoor market nearby. As of now we do not have any plans for November. December will find us having lunch at the La Tea Da Tea Room in Clinton. As you can see, we have a very ambitious (and we hope a fun loving) calen-dar for the coming months. Please watch the Sunday Bulletin for any further information. You may call Marilee Gordon, Sandy Cummings, or Darla Weltmer for further information and your reservations

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Youth Happenings for July

BAGS. BOCCE AND BBQ

Whether you come for the food and games or to eat and just visit,

come join the Youth Group on Saturday, July 21st from 4:00 to

8:00 p.m. It will be an evening of games and food from the grill.

The cost is $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family. Tickets can be

purchased from Joe Moretti, Dave Carpenter, any Youth Group

member, or the Church office. All proceeds will go to the Youth

mission trip. Thank you for your support of Youth activities!

5

.VBS 2011

July 22-26

Sunday through Thursday

6:00-8:30 p.m. All Children age 3 through completed 5th grade are invited to attend! (preschool children have the option of leaving at 8:05

p.m.)

It’s almost time for VBS 2012 at First Church! We hope you are joining us for this high-flying, unforgettable time. This is a church-wide endeavor and we always have room for anyone that would like to help out! Included in the program again is a mission project. This year, we will collect monetary donations to send to World Vision for the purchase of mosquito nets for children in Mali, Africa. During the family craft time on Thursday evening, Friendship Cards will be created to send with our donations. YOU, our First Church family and friends, are invited to participate in our mis-sion project. We are accepting monetary donations (payable to First Congre-gational UCC with a memo “VBS Mission Project”) and we are accepting addi-tional Friendship Cards (bring those to church on Sunday July 22 or 29). OPERATION KID-TO-KID MISSION PROJECT: Save a Nation – Together Let’s Squash Malaria in Mali! What is Malaria? It is a mosquito-bone deadly disease. About half of the world’s population is at risk. Nearly 1 million people die annually for malaria - every 30 seconds, a child dies. Where’s Mali? It is a country in western Africa, about twice the size of Texas. Mosquito infestations are heaviest in southern Mali where the Niger River flows and especially during the rainy season. How Can You Help? Make a monetary donation and/or a Friendship Card for this very worthwhile project. Every $6 donated will buy one specially treated bed net that will cover two or more children and last for up to four years! The gift of simple mosquito nets can go a long way toward keeping children safe. Plus, its tangible evidence that someone cares for them. We hope you will consider helping us out in some capacity. And off course, we always need your prayers. For more information, contact VBS Co-Directors Marsha Mower and Maureen Ruski. THANKS!

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MAY 2012 FINANCIAL REPORT

May 12 YTD Budget Income $15,739.17 $78,695.85 Budget Expense $17,140.48 $86,702.40 Income $16,489.35 $86,592.18 Expenses $12,762.35 $72,511.01

Words of welcome Welcome! As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, we thank God for the freedom to worship. God bless us as we gather here. * * * The psalmist invites us: “Make a joyful noise to the LORDG. Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:1-2, NRSV). Welcome one another to this time of worship. * * * Even before the world was made, God the Father chose us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ. God himself welcomes you here this day — and so do I. * * * Welcome to worship and fellowship. May we treat one another as com-passionately as the good Shepherd treats us, his sheep. Greet one another in Jesus’ name. * * * Everyone is precious in the Lord’s sight. Thank you for blessing us with your presence. All are invited to a time of fellowship following the ser-vice.

11

FOODS RESOURCE BANK GROWING

PROJECT

Our Foods Resource Bank growing project is un-derway. Our 5-acre corn crop stands about 52” tall. However, the combination of hot temperature and no rainfall does not bode well for our crop. The

ground is starting to crack and the corn needs water. Pollination will occur the end of June, and rain is needed so the ears will form. If you would like to contribute to the expenses of the 2012 FRB Grow-ing Project corn crop, you may use the envelopes in the pews or mark another envelope accordingly. Please make your check payable to First Congregational UCC. Proceeds of this crop will support a sus-tainable food program in the developing world in a country that our church selects. The last six projects have yielded a total of over $45,000 to help people in some of the poorest parts of our world learn to feed themselves with dignity and pride.

TWO PROJECT WORKERS

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GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Eden Theological Seminary wants to encourage members of the United Church of Christ to explore theological education. They are offering an amazing, exploratory year of seminary with NO TUITION! Qualifications for the EXPLORE SCHOLARSHIP: 1. Member of a United Church of Christ congregation. 2. First year student in the Master of Divinity degree at Eden. 3. Full-time student participating in contextual education. This is NOT JUST ONE scholarship. This is a full, first year tuition scholarship for ALL STUDENTS who meet the above qualifications. For more information: Check out www.eden.edu or contact Carol Shanks at 877-627-5652 or cshanks@eden.edu .

THANK YOU

I would like to thank everyone for their prayers for my son, Adam Wick-lund. He will be coming home in July. I am blessed to be in such a wonderful church. Thanks be to God. Love Debra Wicklund PS: Thank you too, Nathew loves his blanket.

7

Adult Program News

Guys’ Night OutHWhatsit? Adult Program Ministry is inviting guys of all ages to join us Saturday, July 7 at 6:00 for an evening of good food and entertaining talk. Fol-lowing a steak dinner, our guest, Stan Seevers, will share his collection of whatsits. Tickets are $10 and are on sale in Fellowship Hall between services or in the office during the week. Call Alfreda Tribout (877-9896) with any questions.

Save the Date: August 12

Normal CornBelters vs. the River City Rascals

Join us for an evening of family fun when we trek to Normal to watch Frontier League baseball. We will meet in the church parking lot and carpool to Corn Crib stadium, home of the Normal CornBelters. The game begins at 5:00, so meet us in the north side parking lot at 3:15. We will depart shortly thereafter. Box seats are $9. If interested, please add your name to the list on the Adult Program bulletin board in Fellowship Hall, or call Alfreda Tribout (877-9896).

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Sun Mon Tue Wed

1

Church Services

9:00 Traditional

11:00 Contempo-

rary Worship

2

10:00 Children’s

Reading Program

3

1:00 God’s Busy

Hands

7:00 Al-anon

8:00 AA

4

Church Office

Closed

8

9 10:00 Chil-

dren’s Reading

Program

6:00 Worship/

Music

7:00 Super

Monday

10

1:00 God’s Busy

Hands

7:00 Al-anon

8:00 AA

11

15

10:00 Pastoral

Care Card Sale

16

10:00 Children’s

Reading Program

7:00 Church

Council

17

1:00 God’s Busy

Hands

7:00 Al-anon

8:00 AA

18

22

6:00 VBS

23

10:00 Children’s

Reading Program

6:00 VBS

24

1:00 God’s Busy

Hands

6:00 VBS

25

6:00 VBS

29 30

31

1:00 God’s Busy

Hands

7:00 Al-anon

8:00 AA

9

Thu Fri Sat

Church Office

5

2:30 Bible Study

6

7

6:00 Guys’ Night

Out

12

2:30 Bible Study

13

Woman’s

Fellowship

Trip

14

19

2:30 Bible Study

20

21

4:00 Bags, Bocce

& Barbeque

6:00 VBS

26

2:30 Bible Study

6:00 VBS

27

28