A Publication of Forsyth United Methodist Church

News and information to keep you connected

November 2014

Recently, to prepare our hearts for Sunday morning worship, our Bible studies concentrated on the connection between 1 John 3:3 (“And all who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” NRSV) and Matthew 5:1-12 (that part of Jesus’ sermon often referred to as “the Beatitudes”). During our discussion we tried to define each of Jesus’ eight qualities of “kingdom people” and how the promise that follows each quality relates. For example, I’m stuck on number 1. The New Revised Standard Version translates verse 3 like this: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I submitted that to be “poor in spirit” has to do with “self-acceptance.” In other words, in my heart of hearts, I fully understand (and accept) who I am and Whose I am. Then (and only then) can the promise following the beatitude be fulfilled. And I love this promise: When one works toward “self acceptance” one begins living in God’s kingdom. An excellent working description of His kingdom is this: “The ability to accept yourself and your imperfections, and to enable others to be more self accepting.” Can you imagine the heaven-on-earth persons (like yourself) would experience if (or, to the extent that) if that definition was intentionally striven for? I honestly accept who I am (and Whose I am) and would see it an honor to help you do the same.

May it be so, Pastor Ken

NOVEMBER 2014 WORSHIP HELPERS

GREETERS: Gary & Sue Eades USHERS: Bob & Mickey Roberts Stan & Marcia Brelsfoard (2, 9, 16) Jim & Kathy Kramer (23) LITURGIST: Nancy White COMMUNION STEWARDS: Cal & Nancy Hollon CHILDREN’S MESSAGE: 2 - Roberta Newnam 9 - Deb Kirchner 16 - Nancy White 23 - Pastor Ken 30 - Sandy Lynch POWER POINT: Kyle Newnam SOUND: Vernon Brunner NURSERY WORKERS: 2 - Dusty Roberts & Kaitlin Kaspirowicz 9 - Dan & Heather Groves 16 - Barbara Current & Sarah Crose 23 - Carole Lorett & Kelly Manley 30 - Matt & Dana Wildman COUNTING COMMITTEE: 2 - Stan Brelsfoard & Larry Holloway 9 - Stan Brelsfoard & Cheryl Lehman 16 - Stan Brelsfoard & Kyle Newnam 23 - Calvin Hollon & Roberta Newnam 30 - Stan Brelsfoard & Deb Kirchner ALTAR FLOWERS: 9 - Yolanda Blackwell 16 - Stan & Marcia Brelsfoard Providers needed for other Sundays GOODIE PROVIDERS: 2 - Open Circle SS Class 9 - Seekers’ SS Class 16 - Sowers SS Class 23 - The UMW 30 - Pastor’s Class

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SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR NOVEMBER 2014

November 2 - Joshua 3:7-17 Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 I Thessalonians 2:9-13 Matthew 23:1-12 November 9 - Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Psalm 78:1-7 I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 November 16 - Judges 4:1-7 Psalm 123 I Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30 November 23 - Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 100 Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 November 30 - Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 I Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37

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I SPY A SERVANT…. The following servants were spied recently: Eric Manley helped his mom, Kelly, collect the Sunday School Attendance Books. Danny Weatherford sat with Jim Blocher during one of his chemo treatments. Yolanda Blackwell brings ladies from Hickory Point Christian Village to church with her. Several servants were spied making door hangers for the Community Clothing Give-Away.

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NOVEMBER 16 - HOPE 365

As in years past, we have been asked to help make Christmas a little nicer for a few Chaddock young people. Your donations to HOPE 365 on November 16 will help meet some of these kids’ wishes. Like everything else, costs/expenses for these gifts are higher than years past, so please give what you can, knowing you’re going to brighten-up these young ones’ Christmas Day! They have a road ahead of them that we can make a little bit easier by showing that someone cares!

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FREE CLOTHING GIVE AWAY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22

10 A.M. - 2 P.M. While cleaning out those closets of outgrown or no longer used winter clothing, please consider donating to the “Free Clothing Give Away”. Bring donations to the church any time between November 1-15 and place them in the donation box at the north door. Free chili and drink will also be served on the 22nd. Let’s help everyone have a warm winter by sharing good used clothing, especially sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, coats, boots, gloves and hats. Thanks for helping those less fortunate. If you need pick up for your donations, call 322-5187. If you are willing to help sort clothes between November 17-22, help in the kitchen, launder or help box up left-over items on November 22 after 2 p.m., contact Linda Holloway, Lura Weatherford or Mickey Roberts.

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CANFUL OF THANKSGIVING

NOVEMBER 23

As in past years, we will be collecting food items and/or monetary donations for the Good Samaritan Inn and Northeast Community Fund. Please bring donations on Sunday, November 23, and place them on the tables at the back of the sanctuary. Items for the Good Samaritan Inn: Instant Mashed Potatoes Stuffing Mix for Turkey (box) Green Beans (canned) Cranberry Sauce (canned) Fruit or Fruit Salad (canned) Items for Northeast Community Fund: Canned Meat (Beef Stew, Chicken, Tuna, Spam) Macaroni & Cheese (box) Peanut Butter Vegetables (canned) Fruit or Fruit Salad (canned) The Missions Committee will be making deliveries the following week.

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CHRISTMAS SHOEBOXES FOR SAMARITAN’S PURSE

We will again be collecting filled shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse. Official shoeboxes are available in the narthex, or you may wrap your own shoebox or purchase a plastic box to use. Be sure to pick up a brochure that lists suggestions as to what to put in your shoebox. There is also a label on the brochure for you to add to your box indicating whether it is for a boy or girl and what age group. continued…..

CHRISTMAS SHOEBOXES continued….. Thanks to your generosity, there will be lots of smiles on children’s faces all over the world this Christmas. Shoeboxes are due back to the church on or before November 23.

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HANGING OF THE GREENS NOVEMBER 30

We will again be decorating the church on the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, during the Sunday school hour. A light lunch will be served after the last tree is trimmed.

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UMW CHRISTMAS BAZAAR DECEMBER 6

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ham & Beans will be served from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. for a cost of $5.00. A Hot Dog Meal will also be available for $4.00. As in past years, there will be a Cookie Walk, Silent Auction and Margaret’s Market (formerly Rainbow’s End Treasure Table). Eloise’s Treasures (contributed by Mr. Keith Hazen) will also be available for purchase. Please help the UM Women make this Bazaar a BIG SUCCESS so they can make Christmas happy for the ministries they support.

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ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

You are invited to an Open Reception to join Don & Betty McCool in celebrating their 70th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday, November 9 from 2-4 p.m. at the Forsyth Community Room. Don & Betty respectfully request no gifts.

* * * You are invited to a 50th Wedding Anniversary Reception for Larry & Linda Holloway on Saturday, December 13 from 2-4 p.m. in the FUMC Fellowship Hall. Larry & Linda request no gifts, please.

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION Welcome New Members:

William & Meredith Pitts Danny & Lura Weatherford

These couples became members of FUMC on Sunday, September 28.

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Christian Sympathy to Jim & Phyllis Hockaday Hal Harrison, the father of their grandsons, Justin, Beau & Joel passed away on October 24. He was grandfather to Maddie, Isaac & Rhett. Hal had been in ill health for several years and in a nursing home in Odin, IL.

* * * Elder Watch - Monday, November 3 - 1 p.m. - Forsyth Library Community Room.

* * * Margaret’s Market is in need of “knick-knacks” for the UMW Bazaar. If you have small items you no longer need, especially holiday items, please bring them to the church after continued…..

FOR YOUR INFORMATION continued… November 22. If you have any questions, contact Lura Weatherford.

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CIA Pics - will be re-taken during the month of November. Please see Mickey Roberts. * * * Good Samaritan Inn - FUMC will be preparing and serving the noon meal at the Good Samaritan Inn on Wednesday, November 26. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex. The early prep shift is from 9-11 a.m., and the serving shift is from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Please bring cookies on November 23. These will be taken to the Inn on the November 26 workday.

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Pop for Sale: Available in the Lord’s Army room - goes toward the Children & Family Ministries - $.50/a can.

* * * Stamp Ministry: Edna Bragg thanks you for your service in stamp-cutting. This helps our missionaries by selling these stamps to stamp collectors. However, it is MOST IMPORTANT that the stamps be cut correctly. Please leave a ½” border on the sides and ¼” border on the top & bottom edges of each stamp when you cut, otherwise they may be un-usable.

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Addresses & Telephone #’s: Ruth Hitchens will be residing at Primrose Retirement Center for a few months. Her new address is: 1145 W. Arbor Dr., #105, Decatur, IL 62526 Tel. # 791-1920 Kyle Manley: 1320 Robertson Rd. Anniston, AL 36207

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THANK YOUS

“I would like to take this time to thank Larry and Linda Holloway and their helpers for putting together a fantastic Hog Roast and Halloween Party. This was my first year in attendance and I had such a good time. The food was absolutely delicious, especially the bar-b-que, and I met a lot of wonderful people who looked like they were really enjoying themselves. Special thanks to the two young sisters in poodle skirts for taking me to the local USO and dancing the night away after the Hog Roast was over.” Sincerely,

Four Star General George S. Parton (No relation to Dolly)

“Thanks to the many faithful workers who helped in the church flower beds this summer, and to those who mowed the lawn and made everything look nice outside the church.”

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LORD’S ARMY YOUTH CHOIR NEWS First of all, the choir wants to thank all of our faithful aluminum can collectors and recyclers. We made a can run on October 2nd and recycled 17 pounds of aluminum cans at 45 cents per pound for a total of $7.65 which will be added to our budget account. In case you have forgotten, Jim Twist provided the two plastic barrels we use to store the cans (one in the choir room and one in the furnace room). He procured them for us when he worked at the car wash in Forsyth. They are perfect for storing our cans! Jim was a big supporter of The LORD's Army. Next, we want to congratulate Eric Manley who won our annual Hedge-apple Chucking contest at our wiener roast last month. He and Lexi Groves had two mighty heaves with Eric's rolling just a little further. Lexi had a very unorthodox method of chuck-ing and was even encouraged by onlookers to change her chucking style. She decided to stick with it and came very close to winning. The choir were winners when it came time to sing their October anthem on Sunday, the 26th. We started by honoring Roberta Newnam for all she does for the youth of our church. Every week, she conducts Children's Church while the rest of us remain in the pews and hear Pastor Ken's sermon and prayer time. Roberta also plays an important role on several committees of our church including Worship and Children & Family Ministries. She also has been the director of Vacation Bible School for the past several years. We know how big a job that is!! We honored her service with a presentation bouquet of fall flowers and with a thank-you card signed by all the choir mem-bers. Then we honored her by singing the theme song from the 2013 VBS program "Kingdom Rock--Where Kids Stand Strong for God". This song was called "Stand Together" and had everything we look for in an anthem for the

boys & girls: a great Bible-based message, a catchy tune, and cute motions that went along with the song. The choir members did a very nice job singing the song and they really nailed the motions! They even helped the directors get the motions down and suggested after our last rehearsal that at least one of the directors practice the song at home before we sang on Sunday! (Just for the record, he took their advice!) This song tells us to trust in God alone and to stand upon his Word to help us stand strong. It also tells us that His truth will be our guide through the day and the darkest night. He will give us strength. That is why we can be strong and brave no matter what comes our way in life. We will stand strong! We pray that you will stand strong right along with us. For our November anthem, we blew the dust off of a cassette tape that we used many years ago. It sure has a good message as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. It is called "Humbly Grateful or Grumbly Hateful" and asks the questions, "Which one are you?" "What is your attitude" most of the time? The choir members want to give you an assignment for the coming month. Take some time and determine if "you grumble and groan" or "let it be known that you're grateful for all God's done for you." In preparation for Consecration Sunday on November 16th, I mentioned a sign by our free-will offering plate on the altar down in the choir room. The sign was taken from a church bulletin many years ago and reads: "We give our gifts of self and money because of our great joy that God has saved us in Jesus Christ from our sin. God is faithful. We respond in faithfulness." May we be as faithful as our choir members have been and continue to be.

Still doin' all those things and practicin' the motions to "Stand Together" and decidin' if we

are "Humbly Grateful or Grumbly Hateful", Steve, Cheryl, and Sarah -- Directors

UM WOMEN’S OCTOBER 21, 2014 MEETING

HIGHLIGHTS Linda opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. by lighting a candle and reading a special prayer. The eleven members present read their purpose. Treasurer’s Report: Due to Nancy Hollon’s absence, Linda reported a balance of $754.80. Devotions: Janiss read “God Making a Family” from Moments for Mothers. Old Business: Thank You’s were read from: Cunningham for the children’s T-shirts and Culver gift cards. Lessie Bates Davis House for their donation of $150. Joy Gardner thanking Linda for hosting the UMW Wiener Roast. New Business: Christmas Bazaar - December 6 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. People volunteered to chair the different areas of the bazaar. Personal & Spiritual Growth UMW Day in Springfield - Saturday, November 1. The Angel Tree and Ringing of the Bells for the Salvation Army: Volunteers signed up. Program: Lura gave an insightful program comparing John 12, Matthew 26, Mark 14 and Luke 7. The theme throughout these scriptures was: because of the selfishness of humanity, poor people will always exist. Thanks to Gayle for providing the delicious refreshments. The Next Meeting will be Tuesday, November 18.

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UM MEN’S MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The September 28 meeting, held at the Maroa UMC was opened with prayer by Bob Roberts at 7:30 a.m. A breakfast of ham & egg casserole, donuts, mixed fruit, juice and coffee was prepared by John Zelhart, Terry Hoffman & Bill Turner. Seven men were in attendance. The Treasurer’s Report showed a balance of $88.93. The Devotions was a group discussion of a presentation on ‘Legacies’ offered by Bob Roberts. Spring Pancake Breakfast: The date for this event will be determined at the next meeting. Projects: The men are looking for a project(s) to reinvigorate their group.

* * * The October 26 Meeting was held at the Forsyth McDonalds at 7:30 am. John Zelhart provided the devotional. The Pancake Breakfast was scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2015. The Next Meeting will be Sunday, November 23 - again at the Forsyth McDonalds.

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November 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

10 am - 2 pm Cub Scouts using Fell. Hall (Turn Clocks Back 1 hour before going to bed.)

2 3 4 5 6 7 8Communion 1-5 pm Groves - Fellowship Hall 2 pm Ed. Meeting

1 pm Elder Watch For. Com. Ctr.

9 am Bible Study 9 am Yoga 6:30 pm Cub Sc.

6:15 pm Bible St. 6:15 pm Lord’s Army Choir 7:15 pm Adult Ch.

9 am Yoga 9:30 am Quilting 7 pm Boy Scouts

9 am - 4 pm Lay Students School

9 10 11 12 13 14 152-5 pm Lay Students School

7 pm Trustees Mtg.

9 am Bible Study 9 am Yoga 6:30 pm Cub Sc. 7 pm Council Mtg.

6:15 pm Bible St. 6:15 pm Lord’s Army Choir 7:15 pm Adult Ch.

9 am Yoga 9:30 am Quilting

Church Office Closed

16 17 18 19 20 21 22HOPE 365 Consecration Sun. 2 pm Charge Conf. - Maroa UMC

6 pm Cub Scout Leadership Mtg.

9 am Bible Study 9 am Yoga 6:30 pm Cub Sc. 7 pm UMW Mtg.

6:15 pm Bible St. 6:15 pm Lord’s Army Choir 7:15 pm Adult Ch.

9 am Yoga 9:30 am Quilting 5:30 pm Ch. & Fam. Min. Mtg. 7 pm Boy Scouts 7 pm PPR at Par.

10 am - 2 pm Community Clothing Give Away

23 24 25 26 27 28 29GSI Cookies Lord’s Army Sings Canful of Thksgv. Shoeboxes Due

7 pm Missions Mtg.

9 am Bible Study 9 am Yoga 6:30 pm Cub Sc.

9 am - 1 pm Good Samaritan Inn

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Church Office Closed

11 am - 5 pm Newnam’s using Fellowship Hall

30 5th Sunday

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS &

ANNIVERSARIES

2 - Drew Aschermann Trevor Groves 4 - Don & Betty McCool - 70th Anniversary 7 - Deanna Durbin 8 - Virginia Pasley Emil & Diana Burnham - 17th Anniversary 9 - Sharon Good Kathy Kramer 10 - Pastor Ken 13 - Kendra Garrett 14 - Sandy Lynch 15 - Becky Younker 18 - Emilio Medina Bryce Williams Jack & Betty Atchison - 69th Anniversary 19 - Gayle Dees 21 - Ailyah Martin Meredith Pitts 22 - Diana Burnham 23 - Kendra Newland 25 - Robert Malone 26 - Beulah Blickensderfer 27 - Sue Eades 28 - Evelyn Binegar Sharon Pearson 29 - Mike Younker

* * * * * EVENTS IN THE AREA

November 1 - Holiday Craft Bazaar & Bake Sale Wesley UMC, Decatur, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Breakfast & Lunch served November 2 - Turkey Dinner, Latham UMC 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Adults $9, Children 3-11 $4 November 9 - Selah & Mark Schultz Grace UMC, Decatur, 7 p.m. Tickets $15-20

See bulletin board for more information.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOR OCTOBER

Dan Barnett *Steve & *Cheryl Bingamon Yolanda Blackwell Jim Blocher Edna Bragg *Marcia Brelsfoard Vernon Brunner Barb Carroll Glenda Church Bob, Beth, Sarah & *Rachel Crose Phyllis Crutcher Barbara Current Pastor Ken & Gayle Dees David & Joy Gardner Heather, Lexi & Trevor Groves Ruth Hitchens Jim & Phyllis Hockaday Cal & Nancy Hollon Larry & Linda Holloway Cheryl Lehman Carole Lorett Kelly & Eric Manley Emilio, Sarah & Christina Medina Mike & Kendra Newland Mickey Roberts Dorothy Shookman Mary Twist *Danny & *Lura Weatherford Elsie Westerman Norman & Nancy White Sharon Wood *Indicates this person attended another church one or more Sundays of the month.

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ATTENDANCE UPDATE

SS Worship Through Sept. 30 1239 3000 October 5 45 86 October 12 29 86 October 19 43 81 October 26 43 80 Totals 1399 3333 Averages 36 78 (No SS on January 5 due to blizzard, Un-hanging of the Greens, Easter or at Weldon Springs)

GIVING UPDATE October 5 $ 6,142.00 October 12 2,478.00 October 19 3,458.00 October 26 1,748.00

HOPE 365 OFFERING

1st Quarter $1,019.21 2nd Quarter 1,053.00

3rd Quarter 712.09 October 213.45

“NOISY OFFERING”

(Donations for bunnies for the Heifer Project.) Year to Date - $733.68 October - 71.89 AFRICA GIVING July - $20.25 August - . 38.50 September - 24.25 October - 13.00

NEWS FROM MARGARET FARNSWORTH MISSIONARY TO KENYA WITH WORLD GOSPEL

Praises: 1. In spite of having a virus earlier in the week, I was able to muddle through an important meeting. God is faithful! 2. I spent a delightful two visits with a former acquaintance in Kenya during the past week. What a joy it was to see her again! 3. Without realizing it, my visit in #2 above coincided with a national Indian holiday, and it was fun to share it with her and learn the history. 4. It was my own fault, but I injured my back last week. The pain is dwindling - praise the Name of my Healer! 5. You prayed as we took the time to do extra data entry to update our accounting software. Praise the Lord that it is done! And we are almost caught up and in sync with our older system. 6. Two of the budgets needed for our annual process have been turned in with a week to go before the deadline. Thank you for praying. 7. We have some very special visitors from World Gospel Mission headquarters with us this week. They are such a delight to host! 8. The Bible study attendees continue to bless me with their spiritual depth and hunger for more of God. Requests: 1. Please pray for peace in Kenya and around the world. 2. Please continue to pray for the process

concerning the accounting software we are incorporating. It is improving, and we are nearly caught up with the dual entry. 3. Please pray for our budgeting process. The forms have been sent out, and the submission deadline is November 1. 4. Please pray this Scripture for me: Ezekiel 18:4 - Thank You, Lord, that my soul belongs to You. Keep me far from sin - and I confess that there is sin in my life. May my attitude, my words, my actions and inactions all be in line with Your perfect will. Just a Thought..."I see that you have studied this before," was the comment I received during our discussion at Bible study this week. Yes, I had, and it was an area about which I am passionate. Lord, help me to be zealous for You, for Your Word, and to know You more and more. Keep my heart "strangely warmed" as I continue to be faithful in seeking You. Seeking the Holy Spirit's fire, Margaret Farnsworth

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November 2014

Happy Birthday!

2nd Trevor Groves

18th Bryce

Williams

21st Ailayah Martin

?? Baby Medina

Forsyth United Methodist Church 210 E Ruehl St. Forsyth, IL 62535 217-877-1441

Changes to Come

A few changes will be coming to the Children & Family Ministries Committee in the upcoming year. One of those changes is that the CIA Courier will no longer be a separate piece of the newsletter beginning in January. All announce-ments and event information will be found in the main church newsletter. Fewer events will be planned for the upcoming year; however, that doesn’t mean events can’t be added as they become options. We still want to know what sort of events interest our church family.

Upcoming Events!

Dec. 14th Christmas Program/ Lord’s Army singing

THE CIA

COURIER

November 2014

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Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing

love and his wonderful deeds for men. Psalm 107:8

Sermons4Kids.com

THE CIA COURIER

CIA Courier 3

November 2014

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