The Messenger Pittsfield United Methodist Church Newsletter

Mick Lafllin, Pastor

(217) 285-9613 Fax: (217)285-5183 office@pittsfieldumc.org pastor@pittsfieldumc.org

Serving our Lord since 1839 www.pittsfieldumc.org

August 2018

Dear friends in Christ, as of this writing I have been pastor of the Pittsfield United

Methodist Church for over three weeks. And during this time, my entire family and I

have been wonderfully welcomed and received by the church and by the entire

Pittsfield community. I can’t begin to thank you for all that you have done for us; all of

your gifts, gestures, and acts of kindness will never be forgotten. My ministry has taken

off rather quickly, as I have already had five hospital visits and two funerals so far, as

well as Vacation Bible School. But I have loved it all, because there is always a great

joy in doing God’s work. I have discovered that the people of the Pittsfield Church have

an unusual openness of heart, which has been revealed by how you have opened your

hearts towards my family and me. I rejoice in this discovery, because as people open

their hearts to others, they will also open their hearts to God.

Like all Christian congregations, our church is facing some rather daunting challenges

ahead of us. This is to be expected, as the church has experienced a high level of grief

due to the sudden death of my predecessor, Tom Wilber, as well as the normal stress

that comes with any change in pastoral leadership. And with the changes that are

happening in our community and in our world, our church is concerned about our

financial future. Yet in the midst of these challenges, we need to remember one thing:

God is always with us and for us. God promised that He will always meet our needs,

and that we can do all things through the strength that He gives us. One of our

previous bishops, Bishop Greg Palmer, once gave the following challenge: “What

would you be willing to do for God if you discovered that you could never fail in the task

that is set before you?” We must always remember that success in the Christian life is

not measured by achievement, but rather it is measured by faithfulness and

perseverance. If we persevere in God’s work by refusing to give up when things get

difficult, God will always be faithful to us. Let us all commit ourselves to being faithful in

the tasks that God has set before us.

Faithfully yours,

Mick

MISSION News

Our Needs and Deeds Day is Saturday, August 4th. If you know of someone with a need, please encourage them to fill out the form in the bulletin at church or call the office. If you would like to help out on that day, fill out the form in the bulletin or call the office.

On Tuesday, August 14th at 2 P.M., our church will be hosting an Operation Christmas Child "Full Circle" speaker. Full-circle speakers are recipients of shoeboxes who are now in our country sharing their stories. Our speaker is Elena Hagemeier, who received her shoebox when she was living in an orphanage in the former Soviet Union. It was the first gift she had ever received. Please join us for a special time of Elena sharing her testimony. Bring a friend. Refreshments will be served.

The annual Shoebox Run will be Saturday, October 13th. If you want to start collecting items for our Shoebox packing, this year we are focusing on 10 - 14 year old boys since they tend to be the most neglected group of shoebox recipients. And - as always - if you need an excuse to buy that new pair of shoes, we can always use extra shoeboxes!

Sue Grigsby Chairperson of Mission Committee

United Methodist Women

Rebekah 2.0 Fellowship Thursday, August 16 at 6:00p in Orr Hall. The No Fuss Book Club Monday, August 20 at 1:30 p.m. in Media Center.

Book Review submitted by Mary Lea Prentice.

No Fuss Book Club ~~Book Review

The book, THE LATE HOMECOMER by Kao Kalia Yang, is about a family trying to find a place to call home. Thousands of Hmong families made the journey from the war-torn jungles of Laos to the overcrowded refugee camps of Thailand and onward to America, but their history remains largely unknown. Driven to share her family’s story after her grandmother’s death, Kao Kalia Yang’s memoir is a tribute to the remarkable grandmother whose spirit held them all together. Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, the family immigrated to St. Paul, Minnesota when she was six years old. Yang describes her family’s harrowing escape from Laos, their life in the refugee camps, the hardships and great joy of caring for a growing family in a new land, and her own experiences with American life and learning. This book can be checked out from the church library. The Dewey number is 959.7 and can be found on the west side of the library where the NO Fuss Book Club’s books are shelved.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

If you were able to tour the Parsonage on Sunday afternoon, June 24, you will recall that the kitchen was not quite done. Construction was at a standstill while we waited on upper cabinets to be delivered. We are happy to report that by the time Pastor Mick and Karen Laflin moved in on Tuesday night, June 26, everything was completed with the exception of some trim and that was installed when it arrived the following week.

The Trustees would like to thank all who helped in any way to bring the Parsonage renovation to its conclusion. Whether you donated your time to physically help paint, remove wallpaper or clean inside, paint-ed, mowed or cleaned gutters outside or donated funds to the effort, you made a difference!

Your Trustees:

Kim Ator

Robin Callender

Bob Capps

Alicia Dierker, Chair

Hallie Fry

Karen Fudge

David Gay, Vice Chair

Joan Groom

Carol McCartney, Sec’y.

PRAYER CONCERNS

Aaron Dell, Alice, Alisha, Amanda, Amy, Anna Mae Dean, Barb Roberts, Becky, Betty, Bob McElfresh, Bryan, Callie, Carl, Carroll Cox, Chris, Christopher, Danny, Debbie/Carl, Ed, Elmer, Emily, Ethel, Gavin M., Gene, Glenn Meyer, Glenna Ferguson, Greg Smithers, Gregg, Harry & Helen Wright, Hillery, Jamie, Jan, Jane J., Jeff, Jenna, Jenny, Jeri, Jill, Jim Bradshaw, Joan, June Berry, Kayla Corn, Keith, Ken, Lambert, Larry, Laurie, Lela, Lois, Lori, Mark, Mary, Michael, Michelle Smith, Nancy Bradbury, Oliver, Pam Wood, Phillip, Ralph, Randy, Richard, Sandy Hen-ry, Sara, Sue, Tom B., Our Church, For Caregiv-ers, Those in Need, Those who mourn, Those with health issues, Our Nation and world, and those seeking work, and Our leaders.

FOR ALL THOSE SERVING OUR COUNTRY.

SYMPATHIES

Sympathies are extended to the families of: Jim

Denison, Curt Fudge, and Marvin Paxton.

Do You Need Prayer For

Yourself or

a loved one?

Call or e-mail

Prayer request to the church

so they may be added

to the prayer list.

Men’s Prayer Group

Tuesday mornings

7a.m. in Orr Hall.

Worship and Stewardship

June 24 Total Worship Attendance 127 No Sunday School - Reception Bryce Current Expense Fund $ 3,042.00 Building Fund $ 10.00

July 1 Total Worship Attendance 123 No Sunday School –Reception for Mick Current Expense Fund $ 6,103.55 Building Fund $ 634.00 Parsonage Fund $ 1.00

July 8 Total Worship Attendance 123 Sunday School 17 Current Expense Fund $ 3,969.42 Building Fund $ 32.00

July 15 Total Worship Attendance 112 Sunday School 8 Current Expense Fund $ 2,356.53 Building Fund $ 257.50 July 22 Total Worship Attendance 110 Sunday School 12 Current Expense Fund $ 3,047.25 Building Fund $ 707.00

Committee Meetings

Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee and Finance Committee Meeting This will be a joint meeting on Thursday, August 23 at 5:30p.m. in the Samaritan Room.

Thank You

Thank you Pittsfield United Methodist Church! We walked into our new home the evening of June 26th. It was late, rainy and we were

weary. The house was beautiful. Rugs my favorite color, hydrangea bouquet, food filled the pantry and a prayer for our home framed; what a warm welcome! Since arriving we have received more gifts, encouragement, and acceptance. We are blessed. Mick & Karen Laflin

Newsletter Articles

The deadline for articles for the September newsletter will be August 20th. Please mail or stop by the church office with your articles or e-mail them to us at: office@pittsfieldumc.org

Snack Pack Supp0rter

Tax Deductible Donations

If you would like to give a monetary donation to Snack Pack and have it added to your statement as a donation, you can make the check out to UMC-Snack Pack and put in collection plate or leave in the church office.

LAY LEADER SCHEDULE

9:00 O’clock Worship Service

August 5 Acolytes: Alexis & Alyvia Groom Greeter: Joan Baughman Lay Reader: Alicia Dierker Ushers: Roger Baughman and Jack Fry Communion Servers: Joe & Alicia Dierker and Joan Baughman

August 12 Acolytes: Jacob & Jane Bradshaw Greeter: David & Amy Gay Lay Reader: Gregg Carnes Ushers: Norris Richards and Phil Rhoades Communion Servers: Greg Rhoades, Jim & Bonnie Bruce

August 19 Acolytes: Noah & Emma Gay Greeter: Gale & Janet Boren Lay Reader: Noah Gay Ushers: Harley Whitlock and Phil Rhoades Communion Servers: David & Amy Gay Family

August 26 Acolytes: Drew & Abe Welbourne Greeter: Betty Shive Lay Reader: Mike Roseberry Ushers: Joe Dierker and Jack Fry Communion Servers: Tara, Jacob, Jane Bradshaw, Karen Puckett

LAY LEADER SCHEDULE

11:00 O’clock Worship Service

August 5 Acolyte: Sophie Gresham and Alexis Ator Greeter: John & Sherry Brennecke Lay Reader: Walker Filbert Communion Servers: The Gresham Family

August 12 Greeter: Tom Smith Lay Reader: Anna Curless Communion Servers: Mary Baker & Sandy Henry

August 19 Greeter: Sue Teuscher Lay Reader: Brian Curless Communion Servers: John & Sherry Brennecke, Rod Prentice

August 26 Greeter: Mary Baker Lay Reader: Rod Prentice Communion Servers: Brenda Christianer and Chandler Hayden

23-Jack Hayden 24-Patrick Dodd, Abby Lagemann, Howard Richards, Brooke Haynes, 25-Jeannie Martin, Emilee Smith, Jim Carnes, Marjorie Roseberry, Wesley Roberson Kent & Chris Harter 26-Nancy Peebles, Christian Dean, Katie Geisendorfer, Madelyn Pattison, Jackson Fish 27– Tessa McAllister Tom & Stephanie Reinhardt 28-Amy Gay, Jane Johnson, Scott & Carrie Carnes 29-Justin Dodd, Clayton Reinhardt 30-Ryan Cox, Paula Dean, Grace Grigsby 31-Debbie Hanna

New Birth

A son, Carson Matthew Cawthon, was born

May 25, to Jordan and Rachel Markert Cawthon.

He weighed 8 lb. 8 oz. and was 21 inches long.

Grandparents are: Robert & Melissa Wilson.

David & Sarah Markert,

DeeDee McDonald and

Todd Cawthon.

Carson was welcomed

home by big bother, Owen.

Are you Missing Dishes?

There are pans, drinking glasses and dishes that

have been left here so if you are missing some-

thing…...come to the church and check out the

Lost & Found Department in the kitchen. The

Lost & Found Department is located on the

counter top on the South wall by the telephone.

Smile Amazon.com

Pittsfield United Methodist Church is a recipient

of Smile.Amazon.com. If you order online with

Amazon, go to our website and click Amazon

Smile button, sign into your account. It’s that

easy.

August Birthdays and

Anniversaries

01-Gary Pursley, Kent & Mary Baker 02-Dustin Kirgan, Jennifer Fray, Eric Williams 04- Amy Caughlan, Jim Filbert Monty & Jeannie Martin 05-Kerri Spies, Joan Groom David & Brenda Christianer 06-Greg Kattelman, Molly Dunham 07-Genevieve Hayden, Gary Palmer Keith & Maggie Martin 08– Max Martin Harry & Helen Wright 09-Stephanie Miller 10-Gary Edmonds, Gary Cox Jayce Stendback and Jayden Stendback 11-Bryan Smith, Terry Rush, Tyler Haynes Don & Judy Scranton 12-Todd Peebles, Sherry Brennecke, Andy & Lisa Welbourne Roger & Rita Burbridge 13– Bethany & Eric Williams Gary & Janice Cox 14-Stan Geiselman, Rob Seybold, Floyd & Donna Pursley 15- Geneva Wendler, Noue Filbert, Anna Curless Harley & Lori Whitlock 16-Donnie Smith, Chris Harter, Chandler Hayden, Alex Feenstra Bill & Brenda Rinehart 17-Jonathon Rumple Jack & Hallie Fry 18-Julie Rumple, Jacob Stendback Gary & Rhodora Pursley 19-Cammie Pruett, Amy & Bobby Harris 20- Molly & Josh Hoots 21-John Brennecke, Nathan Christianer Mark & Debbie Roseberry 22-C. J. McDonald, Addie Dodd Everett & Judy Dean

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Remember you can always and almost anywhere give to Pittsfield

United Methodist Church! Our outreach to our community and to our

world is dependent on your generous support. The Finance Committee

through a company called “VANCO” (recommended by the General

Council on Finance and Administration of the United

Methodist Church) has made it possible to give to our

church electronically!

3 WAYS TO GIVE to Pittsfield United Methodist Church

[1] You can now make a contribution to our church through a mobile app!

To get started, download “Joyfully2umc” or “GivePlus Church” for free from the App Store or

Google Play.

Search the app for Pittsfield United Methodist Church (be sure you have chosen 222 N Monroe,

Pittsfield, IL). You can easily make donations directly from your smartphone using your debit/

credit card or checking/savings account.

You can also choose to donate as a guest or set up an account that allows you to securely and

conveniently schedule recurring donations and manage and review your giving history.

[2] OR you can go to our website, pittsfieldumc.org and click “Donate Now.”

[3] OR you can scan the OR code.

We hope you enjoy this new way to contribute to our ministry. Thank you for your support.

Finance Committee

LaMoine River District United Methodist Women Meeting September 22, 2018

At Pittsfield United Methodist Church

We are hosting this district meeting at our church. We encourage and invite all women of

our church to attend this meeting. If you are

interested in attending or helping with it please

contact Carol Bradshaw 285-2580 or the church

office 217-285-9613.

Watch for more information!

United Methodist Church 222 N. Monroe Street Pittsfield, IL 62363

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