First Congregational

Community Church

Congregational TimesJune 2018 Volume 18,

Issue 6

Little Things from Lisa

Wow! What a surprise! In my life, I have been involved in many surprises for folks throughout the years. It is a source of joy for me to help celebrate an achievement or the life of somebody I love. So, it is no small wonder that you all pulled off a surprise graduation ceremony for me on what was my graduation weekend.

As many of you know, I had fully intended to travel to Virginia to graduate with the class of 2018 from Liberty University. I have worked hard to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Religion along with the distinction of “Suma Cum Laude” which means with honors. I managed to earn a 3.9 grade point average during my seven plus years attending the university. However, my medical issues and concerns prevented the dream of traveling out east from becoming a reality. But I honestly think I got the better end of the deal. Because you were all able to be with me on one of the biggest days of my life.

There is nothing better than enjoying one of the best moments of your life with the most important people in your life, and that’s what we did. I truly cannot express my joy and gratitude for this fellowship. We are a batch of mixed nuts, but together we live for the Lord!

Achieving a college degree has always been on my bucket list. And I did it! It feels wonderful to follow through on such a big goal. But more importantly, it has better prepared me to be your shepherd, teacher, and spiritual guide. All of the energy I put into studying can now be redirected back into ministry.

My prayer is for us to continue to increase our spiritual growth, serve with our whole hearts, and learn to live with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ in all we do. Thank you for allowing me into your fellowship and hearts. And thank you for all of your love and support that got us where we are today. May God continue to bless us and keep us in His care.

Peace!Pastor Lisa

BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES1 Bryttany Smith 25 Oscar Presley 6 Bob & Arlene Stultz9 Joan Traff 26 John Terry Sr. 9 Owen & Wendy Mathieu

12 Norma Linderoth 26 Diane Wheeler 17 Jeff & Marcie Ball16 Linda McAffee 27 Jeaneal Lantz 18 Duane & Marilyn Lillie19 Bill Melton 27 Rebecca Terry 23 John & Tracy Terry19 Abe Hannum 25 Bud & Linda McAffee20 Donna Fleming23 Ashley Abb25 Logan Ball

8:00 GREETERS 10:00 GREETERS3 Janet Lind Pat & Cathy Henderson

10 Gloria Marcum Karen Gothard17 Norm & Jean Iversen Bob & Arlene Stultz24 Mary Lou Sprague Noah & Johanna Melton

LITURGISTS FLOWERS3 Jayne Oakes Bud & Linda McAffee

10 Stan McCord Mary Lou Sprague17 Jordan Menges TBD24 Clayton Mathieu Pat & Cathy Henderson

PastorRev. Lisa M Abb

Music & OutreachHolly Richardson

CustodianBill Melton

ModeratorPaula PettersenAllan Mathieu

TreasurerStan McCord

Financial SecretaryDiane Wheeler

Church ClerkMarie Mathieu

Christian EducationChildren: Tracy Terry

Youth: Ethan & Jordan MengesAdult: Karen Gothard

DiaconateBill & Misty Melton

Brian & Diane WheelerStan McCord/Jayne Oakes

TrusteesJeff Ball

Cathy HendersonNoah Melton

Nominating CommitteeJudy Melton, Wendy Mathieu, Jeaneal Lantz

Memorial CommitteeJanet Lind, Dawn Lindsey, Lynne Nelson

Missions CommitteeKaren Gothard, Stan McCord, Marcie Ball,

Joy Aiello, Darlene Worley

Church Office: 815-623-2348

Items for Weekly Bulletin: email to firstconroscoe@gmail.com Please put “Bulletin” in the subject line

Items for Monthly Newsletter: email to klgothard@att.net

During our last night at Vertical Focus we said goodbye to three of our own who are sadly departing Vertical Focus. Johanna Melton has been a faithful, devoted, steadfast member who has showed up again and again for her fellow youth in Vertical Focus. She graduates this year and is off to college. Her presence will leave a hole in our group that will not be easily filled.

Jordan and Ethan Menges will be leaving us this summer to move to Iowa where Jordan will pursue her graduate degree in psychology. Jordan and Ethan have been a blessing as co-leaders to our group. We will miss their presence with us each and every week.

There is no formal summer schedule as of yet for our activities. As I told the group at our last meeting, we will begin activities after the rummage sale and they will be planned week to week. So, keep your eyes and ears open for announcements of upcoming fun!

Have a safe, fun, and exciting summer. Make a plan to do something special you’ve never done before!

VerticalFocus

Our next meeting is Monday, June 18th at 7pm. We meet the 3rd Monday of each month. This is a great time for fellowship and catching up on what is happening in our lives. All women of the church are invited.

We are planning on going out to eat on Monday, July 16th at Bravo’s in South Beloit at 6:30pm. There will be a sign-up sheet at the front of the church on the ledge. If you would like to car pool, please meet at the church at 6pm. If any questions, please see Misty Melton.

Don’t forget the Women’s Evening Circle is still selling Rada knifes. If you are interested, please see Judy Melton.

Women’s

Coming To The Pulpit

All throughout Lent we examined if we were fools for following a Savior like Jesus. At times Jesus’ methods and words seemed radical. At other times, too passive for some. Yet Jesus stood firm in His identity and challenged the world the change to follow Him. Do you have what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?All through June and July, we will be examining the role of discipleship. What does God want from us? How can we surrender ourselves to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Is there a cost involved to follow Jesus? Be sure to join us to discover where our lives are on the path the Lord as set for us and where we have wandered away.

Our men’s luncheon will be on Wednesday, June 6th at 11:30 AM at Sophia’s Restaurant in Roscoe. Hope to see ya’ there!

Norm Iversen

Retiree’s and

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

It can be very difficult for some to live out the call of the scripture above. Sometimes difficulties and health crises go on and on. For many in our fellowship, that has been the case as of late. Prayers have indeed been answered! Blessings have been seen! God is good for sure. But isn’t enough enough?!?

When others feel unable to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks no matter what, that is where we come in as their brothers and sisters in Christ. We rejoice that we can pray on their behalf. We pray continually because of their inability in their strife. And we give thanks for a God that cares for each and every one of us and the pain we go through.

Keep the prayers coming, every day! Pray so often and so loudly that Satan cannot be heard above the glory! Shout Amen and Hallelujah to God for loving us through our darkest hour. And then rest in the knowledge that He has it all in His care. Peace.

Please keep these folks in your prayers. If you have someone you would like to have listed here in the future, please notify the church office, Karen Gothard, or Pastor Lisa.

Dustin Insko & Family Jeaneal LantzSally & Bruce Marshall Connie Leather & daughter Cher

LaVeda & Harold Stout & Francis Jerry Clendenny

GROUP LIFE AND FELLOWSHIPMark your Calendar!

Pastor Charles Sagay from Cameroon, AfricaWill be with us Sunday, July 8

We will celebrate the wonderful things God is doing in the lives of the Baka people with a

Potluck dinner and Dessert auction

At 11am (following the 10am service)

Please bring a dish to share, your own table service, and A dessert or two for the auction

As Always:Thank you to all who provide goodies each Sunday, making our time of fellowship yummy.

Just a reminder:Coffee and goodies are provided weekly following each worship service. If you would like to share a treat or help with kitchen duties, sign-up sheets available downstairs (or just pitch-in

when you can).

WORSHIP CHOIR REHEARSALS:Every Sunday at 9:15am

(last Sunday School room on the left)

Have questions or ideas? Call Holly for details.

We’re diggin’ in deep!Mondays at 1pm

Fireside RmAll are Welcome!

“Just Older Youth”We are beginning a new outreach program for our fellowship! Each month, on the third Wednesday of the month, we will host a lunch, game, and fellowship time for senior adults from Noon to 2:00 pm. This will be a free event open to the public and non-members will be encouraged to join us.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us in 10:23-25, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

It is our hope and prayer to provide a place to come together to encourage, enjoy, and embrace one another. Folks will begin with a free lunch and conversation with some new friends. And then we will host a game or event that appeals to the crowd. For June, we will be having Bingo with prizes!!

Posters are available to be taken and put up around town. If you know of anyone who would like to join us, please pass on the information. We hope to grow this to be quite a dynamic senior outreach for our community. Please add JOY to your prayers.

Greetings! Many thanks to all that volunteered and brought items for our Free Clothing Giveaway in May! We hope you will all look forward to taking part in the following

activities in the coming weeks…..

June 7 th , 8 th , and 9 th Garage Sale at the church. Volunteers are needed for (1) Setup; (2) Working on Thurs, Fri or Sat; and (3) Teardown on Saturday afternoon. Please see Judy Melton if you are able to help.

July 8 th ANNUAL DESSERT AUCTION to support Pastor Charles Sagay and the many good works at the Mission School of Hope!

Look for a sign-up sheet soon to volunteer to bring in treats to sell in the auction – only 1 or 2 items are needed per person.

We will also be having a potluck luncheon starting at 11am, so plan on bringing a dish to share and your own table service. Come join in the fun!!

June-July Collections at Rock House KidsOur friends at Rock House Kids are starting their annual drive for New Backpacks and School Supplies to get the kids ready for the next school year. As always, you can place any donations for Rock House Kids in the labeled bins at the front or back of the church.

Youth Page

Youth PageYouth Page

Monthly Church Events – June 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Bryttany Smith birthday

2

3

8AM & 10AMWorship Services with Communion

9:15 AM CHOIR REHEARSAL

Fellowship Hour between services

4

1:00 PMMonday Afternoon Bible Study

5 6

11:30 AM Retirees & Wannabes

6:30 PM Bible Study

Bob & Arlene Stultz anniversary

7 8 9

Joan Traff birthday

Owen & Wendy Mathieu anniversary

10

8AM & 10AMWorship Services

9:15 AM CHOIR REHEARSAL

Fellowship Hour between services

11

1:00 PMMonday Afternoon Bible Study

7:00 PMChurch Council Meeting

12

Norma Linderoth birthday

13

6:30 PM Bible Study

14 15 16

Linda McAffee birthday

17

8AM & 10AMWorship Services

9:15 AM CHOIR REHEARSAL

Fellowship Hour between services

Jeff & Marcie Ball anniversary

18

1:00 PMMonday Afternoon Bible Study

Women’s Evening Circle Meeting7:00 PM

Duane & Marilyn Lillie anniversary

19

Bill Melton birthday

Abe Hannum birthday

20

6:30 PM Bible Study

Donna Fleming birthday

21

10:00 AMCFO’s Meeting

22 23

Ashley Abb birthday

John & Tracy Terry anniversary

24

8AM & 10AMWorship Services

9:15 AM CHOIR REHEARSAL

Fellowship Hour between services

25

1:00 PMMonday Afternoon Bible Study

Logan Ball birthday

Oscar Presley birthday

Bud & Linda McAffee anniversary

26

John Terry Sr. birthday

Diane Wheeler birthday

27

6:30 PM Bible Study

Jeaneal Lantz birthday

Rebecca Terry birthday

28 29 30

First Congregational Community Church 10780 3rd Street – P. O. Box 66 Roscoe, IL 61073-0066 Phone: 815-623-2348

Rev. Lisa Abb firstconroscoe@gmail.com

web site: www.firstconroscoe.com

Every Sunday8:00 A.M. Morning Worship Service 8:45 A.M. Bible Study8:45 A.M. Coffee Fellowship Hour9:15 A.M. Choir Rehearsal10:00 A.M. Morning Worship Service11:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship Hour5:00 P.M “Straight Up Sundays” Youth Programs

Join us for a Heart Warming FamilyWorship Service at 8:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. Nursery service is available for children 4 years of age and under.

Join us downstairs for coffee, dessert, and Fellowship in between Worship Services.

Every Monday1:00 P.M. Bible Study

Every Wednesday6:30 P.M. Bible Study