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, edu-cation 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. Dr. Howard L. White

Associate Pastor: Yiwen Bi

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

Instagram: FUMC_Carbondale

ASBURIAN

March 4, 2020 Issue

In Church On Sunday

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

MARCH 8, 2020

Second Sunday of Lent Daylight Savings Time Begins

The Sermon: : Series: Boot Camp for the Soul Title: “Reset” Yiwen Bi

Scripture: Genesis 12: 1-4a; John 3: 1-17

Anthem: 8:15 What Wondrous Love Is This? Nina Morwell, bassoon

10:45 Come to the Water Sanctuary Choir Hymns:

98 To God Be the Glory 142 If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee 369 Blessed Assurance 654 How Blest Are They Who Trust in Christ

MARCH 15, 2020

Third Sunday of Lent

The Sermon: Series: Boot Camp for the Soul Title: “Hydrate” Rev. Howard White

Scripture: John 4: 5-42

Anthem: 8:15 He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word Howard White, soloist 10:45 He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word Sanctuary Choir; Paula McNally, soloist Hymns: 127 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah 479 Jesus, Lover of My Soul 298 When I Survey the Woundrous Cross

FIRST Thoughts

REFOCUSING FAITH

I passed the vision test to get a drivers license, so my mother didn’t understand why I couldn’t read the road sign telling me how far it would be to our exit. She asked me about a billboard. I could tell you that a man and woman were pictured, but couldn’t quite make out the name of the product. We scheduled a visit with an opthamologist, and much to everyone’s surprise, including mine, discovered that I was pretty significantly far-sighted and also had astigmatism. I could see those signs far away, but the letters weren’t clear enough to read. This began a season of adjusting to a new way of seeing the world.

Something similar happens in our life with God. When we begin a faith relationship, we might see the big picture and broad outlines but miss the details. There may be nuances to our faith experience that can add clarity or maybe even open a whole new universe of meaning.

One of my pastor friends recently shared with me five small shifts many people, in his ex-perience, find to be truly helpful as they deepen their walk with God. You can think of them as five small shifts to REFOCUS your faith.

GOD: From a distant deity to GOD WITH US. How can you REFOCUS on the God who is with you wherever you are?

GOSPEL: From a plan to a PERSON. How can you REFOCUS on Jesus who saves you rather than on the con- cept of salvation?

SALVATION: From us going home to God to God COMING TO US now. How can you REFOCUS on the life in the Kingdom here on earth more

than on a future heavenly home? Eternal life doesn’t begin after we die. It starts the moment we start a relationship with Jesus as our savior.

FAITH: From what I learn to WHO I LEAN ON. How can you REFOCUS on a faith that actively trusts God more than just

on what you think about God?

HOLINESS: From merely “separated from” to positively DEVOTED TO. How can you REFOCUS on what you are made for more than what you

are against? Instead of focusing on a negative behavior you are trying to

stop, look to the positive behavior you want to replace it with. I love this

quote from “The Secret Garden.” Two things cannot be in one place.

"Where you tend a rose, my lad, A thistle cannot grow."

God Bless, Pastor Howard

PARISHPARISHPARISH pulse As of March 4, 2020

202020202020 FLOWERFLOWERFLOWER CHARTCHARTCHART

Our 2020 flower chart is ready for sign-ups. It is in the same location - - on the wall at the incline, leading to the church office.

* A fee is charged.

12 Thursday 9:30 Golden Yoga-NOT MEETING 4:00 Chimes 5-6:00 Young Adults Group, Youth Room-NOT MEETING 5:45 Gentle Toning, Stretch and Yoga 6:00 Financial Peace University, H.R.-NOT MEETING 7:00 Sanctuary Choir, Rehearsal 13 Friday 14 Saturday 15 Sunday - Third Sunday of Lent 8:15 Worship Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Worship Service 12-2:00 Confirmation Class, Rm. 409 3:00-5 Scouts Girl Troop 66, Fellowship Hall 16 Monday 1:30-5:45 Red Cross Blood Drive, Heritage Room 7-8:30 Scouts Boy Troop 66, Fellowship Hall 17 Tuesday 8:30 Men’s Group, Heritage Room 9:30 Golden Yoga, Room 404 * 10:00 UMW, Morning Circle, Heritage Room 5-6:30 Rotary Club, Conf. Room

18 Wednesday 9:00-3 Healing Touch (by Appointment), Room 403 4:45 Handbells 6:00 Grateful Hearts, Room 308 6:00 Youth Group, Youth Room

19 Thursday 9:30 Golden Yoga 4:00 Chimes 5-6:00 Young Adults Group, Youth Room 5:45 Gentle Toning, Stretch and Yoga 6:00 Financial Peace University, H.R.

5 Thursday 9:30 Golden Yoga 4:00 Chimes 5:45 Gentle Toning, Stretch and Yoga 6:00 Education Committee 6:00 Financial Peace University, Heritage Room 7:00 Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

6 Friday 7 Saturday

8 Sunday Second Sunday of Lent Daylight Savings Time Begins 8:15 Worship Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Worship Service 12-2:00 Confirmation Class, Rm. 409 3:00-5 Scouts Girl Troop 66, Fellowship Hall 9 Monday SIUC Spring Break Starts 7-8:30 Scouts Boy Troop 66, Fellowship Hall-NOT MEETING

10 Tuesday 8:30 Men’s Group, Heritage Room 9:30 Golden Yoga, Room 404 * 11 Wednesday 9:00-3 Healing Touch (by Appointment), Room 403 11:30-12:30 Jackson County Retired Teachers, H.R. 4:45 Handbells 6:00 Grateful Hearts, Room 308 6-7:00 Youth Group-NOT MEETING

5:30 Saturday Night Live, Location: Prairie Living West (This is a location change)

In Church This Week

Mar. 5 to Mar 19 Calendar Dates for 2020: PLEASE come in to the Church Office and write in or call in your church-related events held in March 2020 on the Office Calendar as soon as possible.

Altar Flowers: The next available dates for Altar Flowers are April 26 and May 17. Altar Flowers cost $49. Flowers should be paid for in the Church Office prior to the designated Sunday.

Asburian Deadlines: Just a reminder that Mondays by Noon is the deadline for submitting articles and other revisions to that week’s Asburian. Please send submissions/revisions to barbm@fumc-cdale.org.

NEW Church Office Hours: the Church Office will be open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 to 5 p.m. The Church Office will be closed on Fridays.

Save the Date: RED CROSS Blood Drive, Monday, March 16th, 1:30 to 5:45 p.m.

Narthex, register on-line at www.redcrossblood.org

Volunteer Opportunities:

A volunteer is needed for Nametags for the month of August. Please contact the Church Office if you are interested.

A volunteer is needed on Thursdays after 1 p.m. in the Church Office to help stuff Sunday Bulle-tins (one hour).

Refreshment Hosts for Sundays (8:15 a.m.) to provide juice and snacks. Please contact Joy or Barb in the Church Office for volunteer opportunities at (618) 457-2416.

The children of Sunday School and Children’s Church will be joining the Sanctuary Choir for the

singing of the anthem, “Hosanna in the Highest” on Palm Sunday, April 5, at the 10:45 a.m.

worship service. The children will be practicing during Children’s Church beginning March 8.

Pick up a copy of the song in the narthex to practice at home.

On Palm Sunday, April 5, the children will rehearse with the

sanctuary choir in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. At the 10:45

worship service, the children will join Necia for Children’s

Time and remain for the anthem. They will be dismissed to

Children’s church following the anthem.

“Hosanna in the Highest” Palm Sunday, April 5

Disciples Corner

Disciples for Sunday, March 15, 2020

Altar Flowers are given by Barbara Stotler in memory of beloved husband, Ray Stotler.

Acolytes: 8:15: Reese Matzenbacher, Paige Hefferman Indoor Greeters: Lianne & John Watson Liturgists: 8:15: Kathy Hollister 10:45: Brian Matzenbacher Sound System Operators: 8:15: Joe Swindell 10:45: Dow White

Children’s Church: Sam Indorante, Carolyn Gibson Youth Helper(s): Katie and Guy Indorante Children’s Church Regis.: JoVonna Noble

Coffee Hosts: 8:15 Jean & Don Boehne 10:45: Lianne & John Watson Outside Greeters: John & Sally Washburn Van Driver: Don Bryant, Jr. Welcome Center: 8:15: John Brocato 10:45: Barbara Kimmel March Nametags: Sue Stucky March Ushers: 8:15 Ron Diel, Sue Stucky, Co-Captains, Jean Hoagland; 10:45 Dan Kimmel, Will Stephens, Bruce Wallace, Dan Anderson, Gary Hill

Disciples for Sunday, March 8, 2020

Altar Flowers are given by Judi Rossiter in memory of her mother and husband.

Acolytes: 8:15: Rayna Lucas, Olivia Bishop Indoor Greeters: Darren & Lindsey Bailey & Family Liturgists: 8:15: Duane Stucky 10:45: Kate Indorante Sound System Operators: 8:15: Scott Wright 10:45: Keven Mitchell March Nametags: Sue Stucky March Ushers: 8:15 Ron Diel, Sue Stucky, Co-Captains, Jean Hoagland; 10:45 Dan Kimmel, Will Stephens, Bruce Wallace, Dan Anderson, Gary Hill

Coffee Hosts: 8:15 Kathy Hollister 10:45: Phil & Gail Gilbert Outside Greeters: The Koch Family Van Driver: Dan Anderson, III Welcome Center: 8:15: Kathy Swindell 10:45: JoVonna Noble Children’s Church: Cayden & Carlisle Hinde, Joan Hart Children’s Church Regis.: Sharon Sims Parish Nurses: 9:15 Sharon Meyer; 11:45 Leann Watson

SATURDAY

NIGHT LIVE

March 7, 2020

5:30 p.m.

Hosts: Gary Hill, Judy & Henry Dillinger

Location: Prairie Living West (this is a location change)

SUMMER CHURCH CAMP is just around the corner!

Camps are available for Kindergarten to Adults.

Please check out www.igrc.org/camping to see this year’s full camping guide. If you have any question on camping information

or registration, please contact Yiwen: yiwenbi@yahoo.com, 618-457-2416

Carbondale First UMC will pay half of the registration cost for students from our church

who wish to attend a IGRC camp and half for one friend who attends with them.

SAVE THE DATE

July 26—30, 2020

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

SIGN UP TODAY!SIGN UP TODAY!SIGN UP TODAY!

AMERICAN RED AMERICAN RED AMERICAN RED

CROSS BLOOD DRIVE CROSS BLOOD DRIVE CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

at FUMCat FUMCat FUMC Monday, March 16

1:30 - 5:45 p.m., Narthex

Please sign up in the Narthex for an appoint-

ment or plan to drop in that day to give. Blood

supplies are also low and your help is needed.

You can also register online prior to the event.

www.redcrossblood.org

http://www.igrc.org/camping

March 17 Morning Circle, 10 a.m. Hostess: Sue Stucky

Location: Heritage Room

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Mission Committee News...

Jesus es el Senor was the designated agency for February food dona-tions. Three full bags and two tote bags of food were delivered on 3/2/20. A

good assortment of canned veggies, soups, chili, mac and cheese, and break-fast cereals were contributed. Good news. The trip along old US 51 showed

that the fruit trees are showing buds. No blossoms yet! But another sign of spring. We will be col-lecting food for Feed My Sheep in March. Thanks for your contributions and support of our ongo-

ing food drive. Let’s fill up the box in March.

Need an idea to recognize someone for their work or support? Midwest Mission Distribution

Center will provide a child with a School Kit at home or abroad for $12. A donation of $45 brings the Gift of PEACE by giving a Layette Kit to a mother and child in Latin America or Africa. A donation

of $140 gives the gift of PEACE by providing ten Personal Dignity Kits to help those around the world

and around the corner who have been affected by natural or man-made disasters.

Our Conference Our Kids (OCOK) (Sustaining Love’s Embracing Arms) reports that the generosity of churches and individuals in 2019 propelled OCOK to exceed expectations by raising

$1,300,000. OCOK is well on its way to celebrating $2,000,000 by the end of 2020. Currently 470 of Illinois Great Rivers Conference churches responded to this call. That leaves 339 still being asked

to partner for the future of the Spiritual Life Ministries at The Baby Fold, Chaddock, Cunningham, Spero and Lessie Bates Neighborhood House.

Wesley Foundation at SIUC sent thanks for the $1,500 donation from the March to the Manger. Those funds will benefit students through continued ministry and programs.

SPERO FAMILY SERVICES sent thanks for the $1,000 contribution from the March to the Man-ger. Our unwavering support allows staff to provide the same support system to clients. For many, the support and stability they receive from Spero is life changing. Unlike their previous situations, it can guide them on the path to becoming a successful adult and living a successful life. Thank you

for your generous support of mission activities locally and across the country and the world.

Thanks for your support, Missions Committee

FA ITH COMMUNITY NURSE NEWS

The flu isn’t over yet!!

Most people with the flu have a mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symp-toms, you should stay home and avoid contact with others except to get medical care. If you have flu symptoms AND are in a high risk group, or are very worried about your illness, contact your health care provider. Those at high risk include young children, people

65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions. In this is the case, it is better to contact your doctor early in the illness and remind them about your high risk status. The benefit of antiviral treatment is greatest if started within 2 days after the onset of illness. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling of fever/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vom-iting/diarrhea. Not everyone with the flu may have a fever. Remember, to WASH YOUR HANDS often and keep them away from your face. With the threat of the flu and the coronavirus scare, it is prudent to greet each other in church with an elbow bump, nod, or wave, rather than a handshake or hug.

O ur Lenten Sermon Series is called “Boot Camp for the Soul.” Reflection and change take work, hard work. Lent can

be like a boot camp for the soul, a restart in a focused ar-

ea. We walk this season together, demanding the best of

ourselves, ready to support one another, and prepared to

see truths that shatter our self-understanding. After that, our Easter series is “Closer and

Closer” - the resurrection means deeper relationships with God and one another.

Sunday

March 15th

Sunday

March 22nd Sunday

March 29th

To order tulips and place a memorial/honor listing in the bulletin, return this

form to the church office no later than WEDNESDAY, March 25. (You may

order a pot of Tulips for $12.00. All dedication information must be turned

in to the office by March 25.) There are several plants in each pot. The tulips

will be in pink, orange, purple, yellow and red. No choice of color will be given.

Please take your flower home on Easter morning

after the late service.

2020 Spring Blooms Order Form

Help decorate the Sanctuary with a 6” pot of

Tulips this Year on Easter Sunday, April 12th

Your Name______________________________________________________________

In Memory / Honor of (circle one) ___________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Qty: _______ Enclosed is $12.00 for each flower arrangement. Total $__________

DEADLINE - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25TH

SUNDAY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Children’s Opportunities, Sundays

Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School (K-5th grade) uses the Deep Blue from Cokesbury. 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.

Youth Opportunities, Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m. Junior/Senior High Class meets in the Youth Room and uses a variety of materials connecting the lessons of the Bible with issues relevant to today’s youth.

Adult Opportunities, Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

Renew Class - Renew is a multi-generational Women's Study Group that focuses both on the Bible and devotional books enhancing scriptural study. All women are welcome!! We meet in the Chapel, Room 404. On January 12th, we will begin a six-session study using Adam Hamilton's book: The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life. This is a 6-week study focusing on "five essential spiritual prac-tices that are rooted in Jesus' own walk with God and taught throughout the New Testament. Each of these practices is a part of our daily walk with Christ and an essential part of growing together in the church."

The Electives Class - Scripture studies following the lectionary led by Rev. John Sims. They meet in the Heritage Room. All are welcome! \

Small Group Opportunities

FUMCNext-Carbondale meets in the Heritage Room. Help us explore ways we can share the love of Christ with all people? Come share your ideas. Looking forward to seeing you!

Gentle Toning, Stretch, and Yoga Techniques meets on Thursdays at 5:45 p.m., Rm 404, the Chapel.

Golden Yoga meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., Rm 404, the Chapel. A fee is charged for this class.

Grateful Hearts Grateful Hearts is a group of women who meet to strengthen their faith through Bible study, fellowship, and prayer. They plan to begin the Lenten study Seven Mile Miracle by Steven Furtick this Wednesday, March 4. The group meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in room 308. All women are wel-come.

Men’s Group All men of the church are invited to coffee and refreshments on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. in the Heritage Room. We discuss anything and everything from the perspective of our relationship with God.

Saturday Night Live is a group of “mature” or “maturing” adults who meet monthly for dinner and fellow-ship. The group usually meets the first Saturday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Watch the Asburian calendar for dates and location information. Everyone is welcome.

Youth Group meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Youth Room. Time and location to be determined. each week.