It’s Sunday School season once again at First United and there are many details I would like to inform you of so that you can be prepared for the first week of classes next week (Sept. 9).

First, Sunday School will begin at 10:30 each week and go for 45 minutes until 11:15. A bell will ring at 10:25 as a reminder that Sunday School will begin in five minutes and I’d ask that you do your best to ensure that you and, if applicable, your children, make your way to class on time. There will always be occasions when the preacher gets long-winded, when an important conversation needs to continue, or when an unexpected event occurs which makes it difficult to get to class on time, and that is understandable. Even so, everything will run a little more smoothly if we all seek to be prompt.

Secondly, like last year, there will be three adult options offered for Sunday School. A Seniors class led by Tim Fairchild will meet at 8 a.m. in the conference room to study the book of Proverbs. After church, I will again teach a Bible 101 class entitled “Huge Events in the Story of Scripture.” The purpose of this class is similar to last year’s 101 class in that the aim is to gain familiarity with main events in the plotline of the Bible. The 101 class is especially designed for those who are newer to the faith or who do not yet feel comfortable navigating in the Scriptures. Brian Kurz will again be teaching a Bible 201 class focusing on spiritual

growth. Brian will be using Jerry Bridges’ book Disciplines of Grace as a framework for the class as he leads the group through Scriptures pertaining to spiritual disciplines and personal spiritual growth.

Nursery care will be offered during Sunday School for children less than 3 years old, while the 3-5 year old class will be using The Jesus Storybook Bible curriculum. This curriculum

explains how the Bible points to the person and work of Jesus Christ. There will be three elementary classes (1st-2nd, 3rd, 4th-5th), who will likewise use The Jesus Storybook Bible curriculum. The Junior High students will be led by Jason Albritton and Dave Ihlenfeldt, using a curriculum that is focused on applying the Scriptures to real life scenarios. Brett will be leading the high school students in material he has designed pertaining to

Biblical literacy, missions, and topical studies of Scripture.

I also want to make you aware of some changes that have been made to Children’s Church for the 2012-2013 school year. On September 9, we will begin a new ministry for young children called J.A.M. (Jesus and Me). J.A.M. is a version of Children’s Church tailored to young children and will meet every week during the worship service in what was formerly the high school Sunday School room off of the Family Center. Becky Roth is leading J.A.M. with a team of volunteers and it is designed to give our young children a time of singing, teaching, and Scripture memory during the morning worship

September Church Calendar4 Little Lambs first day of school5 Sr. High Youth Group Kick-Off 7 pm 6-8 Local Outreach booth at Corn Festival9 Sunday School and J.A.M. begin10:30 am15 Men’s Ministry Breakfast 7-8:30 am Family Center15-16 Jr. High Lock-In doors open at 6:30 pm/ends at noon on Sunday29 Men’s Ministry Breakfast 7-8:30 am Family Center

Youth GroupsJr. High - Sunday at 5:00 pmSr. High - Wednesday at 7:30 pm

Sunday Worship ServicesMorning Worship 9 am-10 amJ.A.M. (ages 3 - K) 9 am-10 am every SundayChildren’s Church (grades 1-3) 9 am-10 am 1st & 3rd SundaySunday School 10:30 am - 11:15 am

Volleyball Monday 6:00 pm See Kris Bridgers for info

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Andy’s Letter • Spotlight on Fall MinistriesFirst United News • Milestones • Attendance • Church Calendar

September 2012Andy Huette, Sr. Pastor Brett Monge, Youth Director Grant Stauter, Pastor Apprentice 407 W Seventh Street, PO Box 280, Gridley, IL 61744 309-747-2299 www.1stu.org

Dear Church Family,

from young-to-old: enjoying our generations

The Little Lambs Open House was held August 21. Little Lambs will begin its third year on September 4. Stacy Ludy, Denise Benedict, and Bri Sanders are returning as the director and teaching assistants.

Continued on page 3 inside

The Coffee with Sr. Citizens and Pastoral Staff was held August 29. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food and fellowship. Thank you to Pat McKey, Chris Zeller and Louanne Umland for the food.

Getting ready for J.A.M.: Andy and Grant helped unload the shipment of furniture for the classroom.

Our Core Values Open Bibles One Another Beautiful Feet Spiritual Growth Authentic Worship

Spotlight on . . . Fall Ministries!

2 3

Attendance & Offering8/5 215 $ 7,238 8/12 263 $ 5,402 8/19 271 $ 6,9268/26 269 $ 6,668

September MilestonesBirthdays

1 Shelby Edwards1 Emily Wenger2 Danielle Mallory3 Lisa Barnhart5 Ethan Cooper6 Connor Stoller7 John McKey9 James Albritton9 Pat McKey9 Doug Nelson10 Charles Albritton11 Carlee Stoller12 Nickie Moulton13 Tim Sanders14 Tom Hany15 Jason Albritton15 Luke Ihlenfeldt15 Peggy Poppen15 Jeffrey Porzelius23 Jacob Carls23 Greg Maurer26 Ella Blair29 Silas Huette30 Al Hany

Anniversaries2 Matt & Emily Wenger4 Greg & Gilda Maurer13 Bill & Becky Roth25 Jeff & Denise Benedict26 Scott & Kim Edwards28 John & Tonya Krone28 Jeffrey & Teresa Porzelius30 Jim & Danielle Mallory

Sunday School starts on September 9. Class time is from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. Adult ClassesBible 101, “Huge Events in the Story of Scripture”taught by Andy Huette — SanctuaryBible 201: Spiritual Growth: What God Does and WhatWe Need to Do” taught by Brian Kurz — Fellowship HallStudies in Proverbs taught by Tim Fairchild 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Sr. Citizens — Conference Room

Children’s Classes3, 4, 5 years Tony Palmer, Brian BuchananClassroom off Family Center—J.A.M. roomGrades 1-2 Jennifer Morrison, Bri SandersClassroom 1—new hallwayGrade 3 Joshua Krone, Hadley Welsch, Chris GentesClassroom 2 —new hallwayGrades 4-5 Dianna Kitchell, Susan JohnsonClassroom B—old hallway Jr. High Dave Ihlenfeldt, Jason AlbrittonConference Room—new hallwayHigh School Brett MongeUpper Room

Nursery RoomsAvailable for children less than 3 years old.

Please pick up your children promptly following Children’s Church and Sunday School.Thank you for your cooperation!

OctoberRehearsal at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 10 and 17Performance Sunday, October 21 during morning worship service

NovemberRehearsal at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7 and 14Performance Sunday, November 18 during morning worship

DecemberRehearsal at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12 and 19Performance Sunday, December 23rd during morning worship Performance Monday, December 24th during Christmas Eve Service

Keyboard TrainingAnyone interested in learning more about the keyboards used by our praise

and worship teams is invited to “Keyboard Training” on September 9. There will be lunch served after Sunday School with training immediately following. If interested, please contact Tammy Sanders or Mark Butikofer.

Handbell ChoirAll 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students are invited to be a part of the Handbell

Choir that will open our youth service on September 30. The practice will be Sunday, September 23 from 9-10 a.m. during the worship

service. Please bring your 1st - 3rd grade child to the Family Center on that day.

J.A.M. (Jesus and Me) starts September 9.

service. Nursery care will still be available during the worship service for children under three years old. Additionally, Children’s Church for older students will continue to meet on the first and third Sundays of each month1 in the Family Center. In the past, Children’s Church has been for 1st through 5th graders, but this year it will be for 1st through 3rd graders only. The reasoning for this change is that our leaders rightly found it difficult to make Children’s Church adequately serve such a wide age range and also reasoned that it would be beneficial to have children join the adults in the worship service at a slightly younger age. Finally, if you have any questions regarding Sunday School, please do not hesitate to contact Lori Hardman, our Sunday School Superintendent and she would be glad to assist you.

I am very thankful for the many volunteers who diligently prepare to lead Sunday School and Children’s Church and for the broad participation in Sunday School at First United. Please join me in praying for the wisdom of the teachers and the growth of the students through the 2012-2013 Sunday School year!

Grace and Peace, Andy1. Note: There will be no Children’s Church on the third Sunday of September (9/16) due to the Family Center being used for the Jr. High Lock-in. J.A.M. (3 yrs.-K) will still meet on 9/16.

Jr. High Lock-In on September 15-16The annual Jr. High Youth Group Lock-In will be

Saturday, September 15 starting at 6:30 pm and ending at noon on Sunday, September 16.

The theme is “Warriors for Jesus” and the theme verse comes from 2 Corinthians 6:4-10.

Please see Brett for an informational flyer and the permission slip. Permission slips are due September 10.

Andy’s letter continued from front page

Children’s Church starts October 7.Ages 3 - KindergartenAs children turn three during the year, they may attend J.A.M. the following Sunday. They do not wait until the next school year.Teachers: Becky Roth, Stephenie Deckard, Karmelle Meiss, Katie Zeller Meets every Sunday from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. during the worship serviceMeets in the classroom off the Family Center (formerly the high school Sunday School room).

Grades 1 - 3Teachers: Katie Albritton, Bonnie and Denny SherrillMeets 1st and 3rd Sunday from 9:00-10:00 a.m. during the worship service.Meets in the Family Center.

Sr. High Kick-Off on September 5Our Sr. High Youth Group will hold its fall kick-off on

September 5 with “Bonfires and Baptisms.” The event will start at 7:00 p.m. and will include bonfire, food, worship music, games and baptisms.

They will then begin meeting weekly at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights.

Fall is right around the corner and that means the Men’s Ministry is about to begin. The kickoff date is Saturday, September 15 at 7:00 am. We will serve breakfast from 7:00-7:40 and then Mike Baker, Pastor from Eastview, will give a short talk on what biblical manhood looks like. We can have you back at home by 8:30. I am looking forward to kicking off Men’s Ministry and I look forward to seeing First U men there. —Grant Stauter

We are starting a choir led by Russ Zehr. Everyone is welcome to join. There will be two rehearsals per month beginning October 10. All rehearsals will begin at 7:00 p.m. Performances on Sunday mornings will be October 21, November 18, December 23, and and a performance on Christmas Eve. See Tammy Sanders with questions. The full schedule is listed below:

Make a Joyful Noise!Choir Plans for Fall

Women’s Bible Study will start again on Wednesday, September 12, at 6:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. We will be doing a study on Genesis from Tim Keller. All women are invited to join the group study. Please contact Bev Nelson or Louanne Umland if you are interested.

Men’s Ministry kicks off September 15 Women’s Bible Study starts September 12“But we your people,the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever;from generation to generation we will recount your praise.” Psalm 79:13

J.A.M. leaders meeting l-r: Stephenie Deckard, Katie Zeller, Becky Roth, Karmelle Meiss