Volume

XII

Issue 8

Friends, It occurs to me, that whether we lived in the 50’s or

not, most Americans ―remember‖ the 50’s fondly. For instance, the television show ―Happy Days‖ portrayed the 50’s as an innocent and fun lov-ing time. Ignoring the social ills and political strife of the time, ―Happy Days‖ created an im-age of a simpler time centering around simpler concerns. These were happy people living in a happier times. While this is an idealization of that period of time, still there are qualities that we have lost or forgotten in America. A simplicity of living, opti-mism and sense of community all have de-graded over the past five decades.

Despite the economic trouble in our country and the political and social ills, we can live on the ―upside‖ of life. These days can be ―happy days.‖ It is time to rediscover the Biblical values lost to a time of mindless consumption and ―cheap‖ com-mercial development. I hope you will join us in November for a very spe-cial sermon series that can literally change your life. Yours in Christ,

October

2009

PAGE 2 MUSTARD SEED VOLUME XI I I SSUE 8

United

Methodist

Women

The UMW invites you to "do lunch" October 14th, which will be catered by Flatlanders. Join in the fun, food and fellowship. Lunch will be served at 12 noon. Christian book reviews will be given by Ann Stein. Some of the books be-ing considered for review are: The Shack, Three Cups of Tea, and Same Like Me. Books for review will be an assortment -- fiction, non-fiction, mystery, romance, comedy. Esther Circle will assist at a birthday party at the Florence Nursing Home on Tuesday, October 13th. Ruth Circle will meet October 15th at the home of Betty Jacoby. Ruth Circle will hold their annual craft bazaar during the Marengo holiday house walk Satur-day and Sunday, December 5th and 6th.

Agape Group

Christian writers have generally described agape, as expounded on by Jesus, as a form of love which is both unconditional and voluntary. Tertullian, in his 2nd century defense of Christians, remarks how Christian love attracted pagan notice: "What marks us in the eyes of our enemies is our loving kindness. 'Only look,' they say, 'look how they love one another'" (Apology 39) We are starting a new group that will extend this love to others on a weekly basis. The Agape Group will be a group of volunteers who take turns reaching out to members and visitors to our church. This group will meet on Tuesday evenings for 30 minutes to call and write letters to persons who have visited the church or members who have not been in church for some time. This is a very important outreach to people. It is an act of love (agape) that distinguishes us as a Christian community. We actively look after and love one another. This is not a weekly commitment, due to the fact that only two or three persons will be needed each week. It is also a short meeting, lasting only 30 minutes. The impact, however, will be enormous. You can become part of this group by signing up at the Welcome Center or by speaking with Pastor Mowry.

Marengo United Methodist Church is now a partner with Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County. We will be helping them with projects in the area. Our next opportunity to as-sist will be on Saturday, October 24

th, we will need

four people to help with installing countertops and painting. Information on this project and future opportuni-ties will be on the information table at the church. If you would like to sign up to help, contact Duane Oranger at (815) 347-8091 or by email at dso729@yahoo.com. Thank you.

Habitat for Humanity

Don’t forget your aluminum cans. Drop off your aluminum cans in the Gas Can Car (different vehicle!) on Sunday mornings! The Gas Can Mission provides gas money for our mission trips.

Gas Can Mission

PAGE 3 MUSTARD SEED VOLUME XI I I SSUE 8

Rosebud Trip 2010

The 2010 Rosebud Mission Trip is scheduled for June 12 - 19, 2010. If you are interested in going, contact Bob Rucker (815) 568-5535.

Keep the donations coming. We have received some great books. We welcome help with the li-brary as well as ideas for a book exchange, book sale, book reviews.

Church Library

Buras Trip 2009

It's that time again; our Buras Mission team is planning the next trip. The Dates are October 24, 2009 - October 31, 2009. We will be having an informational meeting the first week of October (Date TBA), if interested please come. Prayers are helping Buras and Trinity improve and move forward, but work is still to be done. Maybe this is the trip you can go on. The cost usually runs between $75-$100 per per-son, all inclusive. This minimal cost has been maintained by continued donations from the con-gregation, THANK YOU, and remember to label monies "Buras Mission Trip." Please contact Chris Angelo at: Mochachew2@aol.com or (815)568-2860, for information. God Bless.

Denim Drive

MUMC is a drop off point for Vanity’s Denim Drive. Drop off your old denim to the church between September 16 and November 3, 2009. What is Denim Drive, you ask? The Denim Drive is a call to action to donate old denim and give it new life by converting it into natural fiber insulation. Here is how it works. Donate old denim, yes, old dam-aged denim jeans, jackets, etc. The denim is then shipped to a baler where the metal is removed from the denim and then processed into smaller pieces. After treating the individual fibers to make them fire retardant, the denim is turned into Ultra-touch™ Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation. Thank you for helping rebuild homes for communities in need! For more information go to cottonfromblue-togreen.org. or talk to Nicole Meyers (815) 568-5606.

Have you found yourself out of coffee before it is time to re-order?? We may have what you are looking for! Many times we have leftover coffee. If you are finding yourself thirsty, call Judy Andrews (815) 568-7746 or see her at church to see if we have your coffee.

Fair Trade Coffee If you are interested in participating in the planning of the Fine Arts Academy or just have ideas to share, please call Doris Mangano (815) 568-2932.

Fine Arts Academy

Greeters Needed If you would be interested in being a greeter on Sunday mornings, please contact Brenda Rommel (815) 568-3501. There is also a sign up sheet at the Welcome Center table. Being a greeter is an easy way to serve and a great way to meet and say hello to MUMC members and friends.

Ushers Needed One usher is needed for the 10:15 am worship service for the months of November and Decem-ber. If you are available for any of these months, or even part of a month, please contact the church office (815) 568-7162 or info@marengo-umc.org. Don’t worry if you have never been an usher be-fore, you will be ushering with an experienced usher who can help. Thank you. Pat Merritt

PAGE 4 MUSTARD SEED VOLUME XI I I SSUE 8

Last year, members of MUMC and the community of Marengo packed and col-lected 78 shoe boxes for Op-eration Christmas Child. That number was up 23 boxes from the prior year! For those of you who have

not heard of OCC, the mission is to fill a shoe box full of age and gender appropriate toys, school sup-plies, and hygiene items. Then drop it off at the church Sunday Nov. 8th or Sunday Nov. 15th. If those Sundays don’t work, you can drop it off during office hours the week of Nov. 9th. The boxes will then be taken to a relay site in Belvidere, during OCC National Collection week. From there, they are sent to one of the six regional offices across Amer-ica. The boxes are then placed in a little boy’s or girl’s hands in time for Christmas. Along with the gift- filled box, they will be given a booklet telling them the good news of our Savior Jesus Christ. Information will be available at the church on Oct. 11th. If you would like more information, go to our web-site, www.marengoumc.org.

Operation Christmas Child

You can order Scholastic Books and help our PDO program buy new books and learning materials from Scholastic! Browse all the great monthly Book Club selections at low prices and order on-line, and our classes will earn a FREE book every time someone orders on-line! Here is how it works: Use the information below to access the Scholastic Book Clubs Web site.: Browse the titles with your child and place your order with your credit card. Your order will come to the church and your credit card payment will go directly to Scholas-tic’s secure server. There is no need to send money to the church. After the orders are submitted, your order will be delivered to the PDO classroom and we will no-tify you of its arrival. To get started, go to the Web address below and enter our PDO program’s personalized user name and password in the sign-in fields on the right side of the page. Note: you do not need to create your own user name and password. www.scholastic.com/bookclubs USER NAME: MarengoPDO Password: BookOrders Ordering online is the most convenient way to use Scholastic Book Clubs. You can order any-time, right up until the online order due date. You’ll also get instant access to over 500 addi-tional titles plus online-only specials and dis-counts. And don’t forget: Every time you place an on-line order, PDO earns a FREE book for the classroom library! If you have any questions, please contact the church office. (815) 568-7162. Thank you for your continued support of the MUMC Parent’s Day Out Preschool Program!

You can still register for Sunday School! Head downstairs on Sunday at 10:00 am to register or you can get a registration form from the church office or on our website at ww.marengoumc.org.

This year the children will begin their day of wor-ship as they gather downstairs in our Fellowship Hall beginning at 10:00 am for a time of fellowship and singing. Please try and have your children dropped off and signed in by 10:05am. Our Sun-day School leaders and teachers will accompany the children as they join the congregation for Chil-dren’s Time. The children will then be dismissed with their teachers to return to their Sunday School classrooms. Parents will need to take their children down to Fellowship Hall and sign them in for the day and then go to their children’s classrooms to pick them up and sign them out after worship.

Sunday School

PAGE 5 MUSTARD SEED VOLUME XI I I SSUE 8

Grateful Praise: On the Street and Road Again

Saturday night, October 10, Grateful Praise will be taking our Christian praise and worship music to the street: Saturday Night on Main Street, that is. We have been invited to keep this outreach tradition go-ing, so we will perform again this year as part of the Settlers Days community celebration. You will find us from 5:30 – 6:30 pm in front of the stage on the south end of State Street. Come and sing along or just listen—we’ll be so glad to see you there! Instead of unpacking all of our equipment at the church after the performance, we will be back on the road early the next morning, Sunday, October 11. Milledgeville UMC has invited us back to provide an-other worship service—a message in song, scripture and drama. The proceeds from the love offering collected will again be donated to our partner church in Buras, Louisiana, for their continuing efforts to rebuild their lives as well as their homes and church. In addition to participating in worship at Marengo UMC, we continue to serve as “musicians on a mission.”

Spend time with adolescents and love it? Seriously??? While spending time with adolescents is not always tops on most folks list of ―fun things to do,‖ I have a great opportunity for anyone interested in helping out at Marengo Community Middle School. For many years I have had a program that pairs adult volunteers with 8th Grade students who are still struggling with Reading. This year I am in desper-ate need of more volunteers … and I can’t think of more giving, kind, patient people than YOU! Here are the specifics: Mondays from 7:40 A.M. – 8:23 A.M. (yep, quick and easy), check in with the MCMS office and head to Rm. #105 (Sue Gualillo’s classroom). I pair you up with a student(s) and we all head to the library. I provide the reading materials (very interesting non-fiction articles), the students read to you, and then you help them answer the questions at the end. Moms and Grandmas are great, but what about Dads or Grandpas too? I’m looking for a few brave fellas that would be willing to take on this challenge. Answering your concerns: Can’t make it every Monday? No problem, we are flexible, come when you can. It just helps if I have an idea whether you can or can’t come by that morning.

Calling all Grandmas, Grandpas & Just Plain Wonderful Volunteers!

You aren’t really a wonderful reader your-self? No problem, kids read to you and you get the answer key! I stay in the library with all the groups supervising and answering any questions that anyone might have. Don’t know if you’d like to participate in something like this? Maybe you would like to try it ONCE to see how it goes before you decide to make Monday mornings a regular thing. What I can guarantee: You will make great connections with great kids that truly need your help. You will show God’s love through your mentoring and kindness. It often ―takes a village‖ to raise our children. You will find it rewarding and fun! If you are interested or have additional questions, please contact me. Sue Gualillo PH 815.568.5720 (MCMS during the day) PH 815.568.2817 (Home, evenings) sgualillo@marengo165.org

PAGE 6 MUSTARD SEED VOLUME XI I I SSUE 8

I seldom miss an opportunity to visit a rummage sale or thrift shop. Re-cently, Indian Trails had a sale that I just had to attend. There were a lot of things for sale that were very similar to the things I am holding on to at home, but I spied a book titled, Make It Last (Over 1000 Ingenious Ways to Extend the Life of Everything You Own) Obviously, the owner of this book was giving up on the life of this book! Ken and I are both enjoying the book -- ways to preserve the life of household items, clothing, sports and recrea-tion items, home maintenance including plumbing, heating and cooling, your automobile, etc.

Times are currently economically unstable. Unstable times call for a real effort to be frugal. We experienced post depression years --My Dad found it very difficult to find work. As a result we received an education in making do and making things last. Our society was definitely not a throw-away society. Do you remember flour sack dresses, flour sack dish cloths, resoling shoes, darning socks, hand-me-downs? Remember some of the ways we saved on food bills: planting a garden, keeping bacon grease on the stove for frying, canning food (a very difficult job at that time), fruit cellars, etc. The entrepreneurs of our day were: the traveling knife sharpener, traveling umbrella repair person, and peddlers of many kinds. Have you heard it said that we are a throw-away soci-ety? Well, we grew up throwing away nothing! My Mom saved string, rubber bands, butcher paper, etc., etc., etc. So, while it is a good thing to be a faithful steward of our possessions, should we exert our time and energy on planning, worrying, saving? Give some thought to this story: "A lawyer, Andre-Francois Raffray, agreed to purchase the apartment of Jeanne Louise Calment in the city of Arles. Theirs was a legal arrangement under which he, then age 47, agreed to pay Mademoiselle Calment, then age 90, $500 a month for the right to move into her splendid apartment when she died. What a bargain! Or so he thought. She went on living for 32 more years, while he lived for only 30. He died at 77, after paying $184,000 for an apartment he never occupied. His widow and heirs had to continue paying Mademoiselle Calment the agreed monthly payment until she died -- at age 122!! On her 120th birthday she commented, "In life one sometimes makes bad deals." !! We know not what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. "Even to your old age I am he; even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made and I will bear. I will carry and I will save" Isaiah 46:4 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end" Lamentations 3:22

A Senior Moment by Ann Stein

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 6:00 pm - Brownie Troop Meeting 6:45 pm - Grateful Praise Rehearsal 7:00pm - WF@ MUMC

2 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 6 pm - Parent’s Night Out

3 8 am—Men’s Breakfast 3:30pm - Small Group Ministry

4 World Communion Sunday 8:30 am - Worship 10:15 am - Worship 10:00 am - Kid’s Fellow-ship in Song/ Sunday School in Fellowship Hall 6:00pm - Sr. High Youth Fellowship

5 9-1:00 pm - PDO 10 am - Marengo Wmn Club Board 10:45 am -Gold. diner 1:30p.m.-WF @ Brenda Rommel’s 5:00 p.m. - Weight Watchers 6:00pm - Disciple I 7pm - WFG @ Meinders’, Andrews’ & Nicole Misiura’s 7:30 pm - AA

6 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 3:00pm - Girl Scouts 6:30 pm - Agape Group 7:00 pm - Trustees 7:00 pm-WFG @ MUMC 7:30pm - Al-Anon

7 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 9:00 a.m. - Yoga 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 6:00pm - Jr. Choir 6:30 pm - Jr. Bells 7:00 pm - Sr. Choir 7:00 pm - Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. - Yoga

8 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 6:00 pm - Brownie Troop Meeting 6:45 pm - Grateful Praise Rehearsal 7:00pm - WF@ MUMC

9 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10am—UMW Mission Team 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners

10 9 am—Small Group-Ministry 4pm - Grateful Praise Set up on Main Street 5:30 pm—Grateful Praise performs on Main Street

11 6:30 am—1:30 pm Grateful Praise leads worship at Milledgeville UMC 8:30 am - Worship 10:15 am - Worship 10:00 am - Kid’s Fellow-ship in Song/ Sunday School in Fellowship Hall 6:00pm - Sr. High Youth Fellowship

12 No PDO 10:45 am -Golden Diners 1:30p.m.-WF @ Brenda Rommel’s 5:00 p.m. - Weight Watchers 6:00pm - Disciple I 7pm - WFG @ Meinders’, Andrews’ & Nicole Misiura’s 7:30 pm - AA

13 9-1:00 pm - PDO 9:00 am - WF @ Judy Andrews’ 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 1 pm - Esther Circle Florence Nursing Home 3:00pm - Girl Scouts 6:30 pm - Agape 6:30 pm - Pastor Parrish 7:00pm - WF@MUMC 7:30pm - Al-Anon

14 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 9:00 a.m. - Yoga 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners Noon - UMW Luncheon 6:00pm - Jr. Choir 6:30 pm - Jr. Bells 7:00 pm - Sr. Choir 7:00 pm - Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. - Yoga

15 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 6:00 pm - Brownie Troop Meeting 7:00 pm - Ruth Circle 7:00 pm - Grateful Praise Rehearsal 7:00pm - WF@ MUMC

16 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 5:30pm - Stout/ Mapes Wedding Rehearsal

17 1:00 p.m. - Mapes/ Stout Wedding Reception to Follow in Fellowship Hall

18 Laity Sunday 8:30 am - Worship 10:15 am - Worship 10:00 am - Kid’s Fellow-ship in Song/ Sunday School in Fellowship Hall 6:00pm - Sr. High Youth Fellowship

19 9-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 am -Gold. diner 1:30p.m.-WF @ Brenda Rommel’s 5:00 p.m. - Weight Watchers 6:00pm - Disciple I 7pm - WFG @ Andrews’ & Nicole Misiura’s 7 pm - Stephen Ministry Supervision 7:30 pm - AA

20 Newsletter Deadline 9-1:00 pm - PDO 9:00 am - WF @ Judy Andrews’ 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 3:00pm - Girl Scouts 6:30 pm - Agape Group 6:30 pm - LEAD Team 7:00pm - WF@MUMC 7:30pm - Al-Anon

21 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 9:00 a.m. - Yoga 10:45am-Gold Diner 1:00 pm - Esther Circle 6:00pm - Jr. Choir 6:30pm—Advanced Confirmation 6:30 pm - Jr. Bells 7:00 pm - Sr. Choir 7:00 pm - Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. - Yoga

22 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 6:00 pm - Brownie Troop Meeting 7:00 pm - Grateful Praise Rehearsal 7:00pm - WF@ MUMC

23 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners

24 Noon-4:00pm - Fellowship Hall Reserved—Emily Hoffman’s Birthday Party for St. Jude’s

Habitat for Humanity Buras Mission Trip

25 David Hunter Haas Baptism 8:30 am - Worship 10:15 am - Worship 10:00 am - Kid’s Fellow-ship in Song/ Sunday School in Fellowship Hall 6:00pm - Sr. High Youth Fellowship Buras Mission Trip

26 9-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 am -Gold. Diner 1:30p.m.-WF @ Brenda Rommel’s 5:00 p.m. - Weight Watchers 6:00pm - Disciple I 7pm - WFG @ Meinders’, Andrews’ & Nicole Misiura’s 7:30 pm - AA Buras Mission Trip

27 9-1:00 pm - PDO 9:00 am - WF @ Judy Andrews’ 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 3:00pm - Girl Scouts 6:00pm - Date Night I 6:30 pm - Agape Group 6:30 pm - LEAD Team 7:00pm - WF@MUMC 7:30pm - Al-Anon Buras Mission Trip

28 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 9:00 a.m. - Yoga 10:45am-Gold Diner 1:00 pm - Esther Circle 6:00pm - Jr. Choir 6:30pm—Advanced Confirmation 6:30 pm - Jr. Bells 7:00 pm - Sr. Choir 7:00 pm - Cub Scouts 7:00 pm - Yoga Buras Mission Trip

29 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners 6:00 pm - Brownie Troop Meeting 6:00 pm - Date Night II 7:00 pm - Grateful Praise Rehearsal 7:00pm - WF@ MUMC Buras Mission Trip

30 9:00-1:00 pm - PDO 10:45 a.m. - Golden Diners Buras Mission Trip

31 Buras Mission Trip

PAGE 8 MUSTARD SEED VOLUME XI I I SSUE 8

Thank you to everyone for donations to my birthday project for St. Jude kids. My mom and grandma will be taking me to

Memphis early in November so I can give the presents to the St. Jude Hospital. We are extending the deadline for donation drop off to October 24th. If you haven’t heard, this year for my 10th birthday, I decided I am going to have my friends and family give gifts to the St. Jude kids and not for me. I wondered if maybe you would want to help out too. Thank you for your help and donations! Emily Hoffman Suggested Items from St. Jude’s Research Hos-pital: (All items must be new) Play Dish Sets and Play Food Fisher Price Little People (Figures) Action Figures Lego Bionicles/Clikits (Spiderman, Hulk, Batman, Transformers, Super-man) Hello Kitty/Polly Pocket Strawberry Shortcake (Small Dolls) Board Games and Travel Games Pre-paid phone cards (International and Domestic)Coloring Books Crayola Washable Markers/Crayons Construction Paper DVD Movies (New releases G, PG, or PG13)

Emily’s Birthday Project Gift Certificates Toys R Us JCPenney Wal-Mart Target Best Buy Blockbuster American Eagle Sport’s Authority Macy’s Old Navy Itunes Gap, Baby Gap & Gap Kids Visa/American Express St. Jude cannot distribute or use any of the

following items: Stuffed Animals Food Items Toy Guns Candy Cloth Body Dolls Balloons Porcelain Dolls VHS Movies Religious Items Soap/Bubble Mix Used Items of Any Kind There are donation receipts available at Ma-rengo United Methodist Church. You can pick one up when you drop off your donation. The office is open, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Or call (815) 568-0997 to sched-ule pick up of your donation and one will be pro-vided at that time. Emily will give the receipts to St. Jude so you get credit for your donation. Also, Emily would like to send you a thank you.

Free Medical Clinic

Rockford Rescue Mission is part-nering with Physicians Immediate Care to provide an Immediate care one day medical clinic for adults and children, including FREE school and sports exams. This one day clinic will be on Sat-urday, October 3rd from 10:00am – 1:00 pm at the Rockford Res-cue Mission, 715 West State Street, Rockford. No appoint-ment is necessary.

Pumpkin Festival

Every weekend September 26 – October 31 from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm. Have fun in the 4-Acre Corn maze (open daily-all new design) Make your way through the corn tunnel, pick your own pumpkin from the patch, enjoy hay rides every weekend, take your pick from the treats to

eat including, popcorn, sweet corn, fresh apples, pumpkin pies, caramel apples, fresh apple cider, apple cider donuts, brats, hot dogs and burgers! Purdom Farms 19502 River Road, Marengo, 815-568-7976

PAGE 9 MUSTARD SEED

VOLUME XI I I SSUE 8

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES Tom & Audrey Anderson 1 Duane & Diane Oranger 1 John & Molly Wyrostek 3 Andrew & Sarah Bourke 7 Harry & Dawn Hoffman 11 Chris & Kim McMenamy 12 Tom & Lisa Kirchhoff 16 Bill & Brandy Weirich 19 Cliff & Marcia Simons 26 OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS John Throckmorton 2 Frank Gualillo 3 Bill Piper 4 Brett Simons 4 Lynette Paradiso 6 Jill Rucker 6 Bruce Cowan 10 Ryan Elliott 10 Jane Cowan 11 Brittany McKone 11 Mariah Tradewell 11 Connie Boxleitner 13 Edith Darling 14 Joseph Mangano 15 Kim Pollnow 15 Julie McDonald 16

Chris McMenamy 16 Brian Struckmeier 16 Brittnei Ellis 18 Susan Gualillo 19 Emily Hoffman 20 Cameron Miller 20 Marjorie Murray 20 Ruth Wagner 20 Cliff Simons 21 Naomi Adams 22 Danielle Simons 22 Judy Andrews 25 Rudy Gron 27 Genelle Skeels 27 Hunter Haas 28 Megan Hanelt 29 Peter Voller 29 Richard Evans 30 Bob Rucker 30 William Huebsch 31

Lifting up our church family in prayer Prayers for Health and Healing: Bev Bourke; Donna VanMeter, Dawn Hoffman’s mother; Bruce Swonguer; Sara Mulasmajic; Belle Cassel, friend of the Dennisons; Linda Haefner, friend of the Hoffman family; Freedom Epich, Susan Gieseler’s niece-in-law; Ann Locovare; LaVerne Ryman, Debbie Oakes’ mother; Ryan Justen; Sean Romine; Karen Apel; Gary Stoklosa; Frank E. Gualillo of Yorkville, NY, father of Frank D. Gualillo; Jackie Roberts, Brenda Ferriera’s Aunt; Sydney Ives, friend of Bonnie Voller; Arthur Overhage, friend of Brenda Ferreira; Don Duthron, friend of Audrey Anderson; Fred & Barb Trask; Janet Swonguer’s father. Prayers for Comfort and Support: Clara Piper and family on the death of her brother, Albert Lee Duffy; Gerry Miles and family on the passing of Ken Miles; Isaiah Burnside, Pat Merritt’s grandson serving in Afghanistan; Steve Tradewell; For those facing unemployment; Our Country’s leaders; Military Men & Women and their families Prayers for the Homebound: Katie Loomis Prayers for those in Nursing/Rehab: Martha Esmond, Jane Cowan’s mother; Ann Locovare; Bev Parke; Norm Finnell; Genelle Skeels; Mildred Walters If you have updated status on someone on our prayer list or would like to add a loved one, email to info@marengo-umc.org or call the church office at 815-568-7162. Thank you.

For anyone unaware of what the M.O.R.E. Center does, we include a food pantry that distributes free food, an emergency financial assistance program to help with referrals, counseling, and monetary assistance, and a free clothing and small house-hold item distribution area. We are open two times each week, Wednesdays from 9:00am - 2:00 pm and Thursdays from 4:00pm—6:00 pm. We serve the Marengo-Union high school district. Our monetary guideline is the government poverty figures based on family size. MUMC has a donation box and jars located in the Narthex for the M.O.R.E. Center. M.O.R.E. Center: (815) 568-7950 www.marengomorecenter.org

Anniversaries & Birthdays M.O.R.E.

PAGE 10 MUSTARD SEED VOLUME XI I I SSUE 8

Super Couponing at MUMC

During difficult economic times, it's tough not to focus on getting by with less and waiting for the next bit of bad news. But, as Christians, how do we to respond to what's happening on Wall Street? In Upside Living in a Downside Economy, we will help by offering insight into seeking God's perspective in our daily money concerns. We will examine vital topics such as financial and spiritual investments, per-sonal motivation and God's will, money and marriage, and determining priorities. This study will include an individual and small-group study, Upside Living in a Downside Economy. It will guide participants in strengthening their spiritual connection while making economic corrections and, most importantly, responding according to God's plan. Nov. 1 - Seeking God’s Perspective Nov. 8 - Rebalancing Life Investments Nov. 15 - Do It Today Nov. 22 - Investing in God’s Future Harvest As part of this special Sermon Series Marengo United Methodist Church will host Jill Cataldo’s Super Couponing Class on Sunday, November 1st at 1:00 p.m.!! Join Jill to learn how to maximize your grocery savings and purchase hundreds of dollars worth of groceries for just pennies! Learn couponing secrets of the pros, which stores will let you stack multiple coupons, how to track sales and discounts online, and best of all - how to get the store to pay YOU to shop. Jill's couponing habits have captured the attention of the CBS Early Show, ABC News, Fox News, WGN News, the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago's Loop radio, and many other media outlets. Now, she'll share her methods with you! You need to register for this class. Call or email the church office (815) 568-7162 – info@marengo-umc.org. Class fee is $5.00 but with our $2.00-off coupon, you will start your savings right away with only a $3.00 class fee! Coupons are available at the Welcome Center in the Narthex or on the church website at www.marengoumc.org.

SAVE

$2.00

Off the $5 Super Couponing

Class fee at Marengo

United Methodist Church

119 E Washington Street,

Marengo, IL

(815) 568-7162

info@marengo-umc.org

www.marengo-umc.org

Consumer:

This coupon is only

valid on Sunday,

November 1, 2009 at

Marengo United

Methodist Church

Marengo United Methodist Church Coupon Expires November 1, 2009

PAGE 11 MUSTARD SEED VOLUME XI I I SSUE 8

This letter was received from Lonnie Chafin, Conference Treasurer dated September 15, 2009 Sisters and Brothers in Christ: “I thank my God ever time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gos-pel from the first day until now, being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV) The economy stresses the entire nation, our families, and our churches. Your church likely knows first-hand families struggling to cope with job insecurity, to hold onto their homes, to maintain their health in-surance, or to keep their source of income. Throughout the conference, churches are facing the realities of our present economy. We know how hard it is to keep the church’s ministries sufficiently funded. In these times we recognize and praise your creativity and resourcefulness in making ends meet. We con-tinue to pray for you daily, and that your personal experience of the recession has been gentle. I write to express sincere thanks to your church for your faithful apportionment giving. The recession makes plain what we’ve been neglecting for so long; thanking the churches who, year after year, consis-tently and faithfully make the ministries of our annual conference possible. God’s call upon the United Methodist family reaches to every corner of the world. We can only respond to this call because of your sacrificial giving through apportionments. Perhaps your church is able to contribute in a similar pattern to past years because the recession's effects are felt less strongly by your congregation. More likely, it is your faithful belief that by giving to the global mission of the church, your congregation realizes Christ’s expression to the very margins of the world: removing land mines in Angola, providing a quality educa-tion to children in rural Kentucky, housing battered women and children in Chicago, or creating new gos-pel-sharing communities. You have been a true friend amidst the challenges we faces as annual confer-ence, as local churches, and as church families. So on behalf of the Bishop, the Cabinet, and the Annual Conference staff and leadership, we thank you for your generosity. In Christ, Lonnie Chafin, Conference Treasurer

From Your Finance Team

Inbox: You’ve Got Mail

Dear Reverend Mowry, Thank you to you and your congregation for your generous donation to our weekend nutrition pro-gram. This will help so much in providing healthy snacks for the children in Marengo. Sincerely, Sabine Dieball Marengo Woman's Club

To the Tuesday Fellowship Group, Thank you so much for providing our family with such great meals. We are so blessed to be part of such a loving and kind church family. We greatly appreciate your kindness. Adam, Nicole, Coye and Hayden Beebe

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Monday Monday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. you will find Marcia Simons leading a women’s group who meet at Brenda Rommel’s home (765 Mallard Drive in Ma-rengo). This group is open to women of all ages. You can reach Marcia at 815-568-8735. On Monday nights at 7:00 p.m., Dewey and Betty Meinders host a group at their home in Union (17913 Meadow Lane). Spirited discussions and compas-sionate sharing are the tone of this fellowship. Men and women of all ages are welcome to join them at any time. If you would like to be a part of this group, you can reach the Meinders at (815) 923-3411. This group meets every 1st, 2nd, 4th (and 5th) Monday of each month, and takes the 3rd Monday off. Also on Monday evenings, Chuck & Judy Andrews host a group in their home (529 E. Prairie Street in Marengo) at 7:00 pm. This diverse group of men and women enjoy fellowship and invigorating discus-sions. All ages are welcome to attend. You can reach the Andrews at 815-568-7746 for more infor-mation. Meeting every Monday evening is a group of moms, led by Elizabeth McGowan. The group meets at the church at 7:00 p.m. This group’s focus is supporting mothers with small children in dealing with the chal-lenges of everyday life. You can reach Liz at 815-568-0992. Tuesday Judy Andrews leads a group at her home (529 E. Prairie Street in Marengo) on Tuesdays at 9:30 am. The group is open to women of all ages. You can reach Judy at (815) 568-7746. Gina Rickerd will be leading a group that meets at the church on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. If you are inter-ested in joining this group of men and women, con-tact Gina at (815) 568-0524. Wednesday Susan Gieseler leads a group that meets at the church Friendship Room on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm prior to choir rehearsal. Attendees are en-couraged to bring their supper to eat while we meet. Currently, the group is reading short stories and then discussing them from a Christian perspective. The

Wesley Fellowship Group Opportunities

group is open to men and women of all ages. You don’t need to belong to choir to participate. Con-tact Susan Gieseler for more information. (815) 568-7502. Another option for fellowship on Wednesday eve-nings is at 7:00 pm at the church Fellowship Room. This group’s first nine weeks will be dis-cussing The Fruits of the Spirit. Contact Bob & Jill Rucker for more information. (815) 568-5535. Thursday Marge Murray leads a group that meets at the church on Thursday nights at 7:00 pm. The focus for this group is to write encouraging notes and cards to members of the church who are in our thoughts and prayers. Following a short devotion, this group is task orientated and welcomes men and women of all ages. You can reach Marge at (815) 568-5739. Saturday The first Saturday of every month Chuck Andrews leads a group of men at a breakfast meeting. This group meets in the Fellowship Hall in the church basement at 7:30 am. Following a hearty breakfast, the men study topics from vari-ous books. Open to men of all ages and denomi-nations, Chuck encourages lively discussion, opin-ions and feedback. You can contact Chuck at (815) 568-7746.

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Great New Programs for our Children!

Dear Children age 3 through 3rd Grade, We’re back for Date Nights! Barbara, Jack, Gaye Anne, and Richard can hardly wait to see you on Date Night! This year we will be having two date nights. Date Night One for children age 3 through kinder-garten will meet the last Tuesday night of the month starting October 27, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Date Night Two for children in grades 1 through 3 will meet the last Thursday night of the month starting October 29, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Plan on having some Halloween Fun! Boys and girls, remember to bring your parent(s), grandpar-ent, or an adult friend to Date Nights. Since Thanksgiving and Christmas fall at the end of No-vember and December, we will skip these months, but will resume meeting each month from January through May in 2010. We will be sending personal invitations to you be-fore each Date Night. For those who would like to participate but did not attend last year, please ask your parent to call Dawn Hoffman at the church office (815-568-7162) to let us know of your inter-est as soon as possible. Fondly, Barbara & Jack Carder Gaye Anne & Richard Anderson

Parents, is this just what you have been waiting for? It’s a program designed to give parents of young children a time to have a quiet dinner or free time for your enjoyment. Your children will get to have a snack, a devotion, free play, stories, art, games, etc. Just to have a supervised fun time without their parents. The church adult helpers for this program include the following: Pastor Mowry, Brenda Rommel, Bob and Jill Rucker, Fred and Betty Struckmeier, Joe & Mau-reen Whiting, Richard and Gaye Anne Anderson. This Parent’s Time Out program will start on Friday, October 2, 2009, from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at the church. Children between the ages of 3 years through 3rd grade may participate. We do need to have on file an emergency form for each child prior to your participation. The form may be obtained from Dawn Hoffman in the church office (815-568-7162). We would appreciate a phone call to know if your child or children will be in attendance. This will help in our preparations. Please call your reservation to any of the following persons at least 2 days prior to the scheduled event: Dawn Hoffman (1-815-568-7162), Betty Struckmeier (1-815-568-6179) or Gaye Anne Anderson (1-815-568-8806). We hope you will share your children with us and enjoy the free time yourselves. Gaye Anne Anderson Director of Children’s and Family Ministry

Date Nights! Parent’s Time Out!

Choirs meet in the choir room on Wednesdays

Senior Choir - 7:00 pm. Junior Choir Junior Bells 2nd - 8th grades 3rd - 8th grades 6:00 pm 6:30 pm

Jr. Bells & Jr. Choir will perform at both services on Sunday, October 11th

Choir Notes Christmas Tea

The annual Christmas Tea is just around the corner!! Tuesday, December 1, 2009. Keep an eye on the bulletin, Eseed and November Mustard Seed for more information!

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

MARENGO, ILLINOIS 60152

PERMIT #28

We are on the web!

www.marengo-umc.org

www.marengoumc.ning.com

119 East Washington Street Marengo, IL 60152

815-568-7162 Fax: 815-568-7163

Email: info@marengo-umc.org

We are a loving community of faith, offering compassionate fellowship,

Bible-based teaching, Christ-centered worship, and opportunities to serve,

in order to equip people with a faith that works in real life.

On Sunday, September 27th we commissioned three new Stephen Ministers who have completed their initial 50 hours of training and are ready to receive assignments to care receivers needing a Christian friend to walk with them in times of crisis and to seek God’s healing. At this time we now have 20 active Stephen Ministers serving in Marengo United Methodist Church. In grateful apprecia-tion we recognize them for their years of dedicated service:

New Stephen Ministers: Belle Mahon

Joe & Maureen Whiting Two Years of Service: Four Years of Service: Richard & Sue Evans Naomi Adams Cookie Hasemann Jack & Barbara Carder Bill & Clara Piper Five Years of Service: Six Years of Service: Brenda Rommel Audrey Anderson Ken & Ann Stein Penny Collins Lynette Paradiso Betty Struckmeier

Seven Years of Service: Gaye Anne Anderson

Richard Anderson

Stephen Ministry