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First U News Pastor Andy’s Letter • Spotlight on Caring for Beautiful Feet First United News • Milestones • Attendance • Church Calendar July 2013 Andy Huette, Sr. Pastor Brett Monge, Youth Director 407 W Seventh Street, PO Box 280, Gridley, IL 61744 309-747-2299 www.1stu.org Dear Church Family, June at First U July Church Calendar 10 Monthly Prayer Meeting 7:15 - 8:00 pm 21 Brian Johnson visit/preaching worship service 22-26 Vacation Bible School 6-8 pm 26 Vacation Bible School program 7:30 pm 27 Kaupp-Hand wedding 28 One Another Meal 10:15 Family Center Sunday Worship Services Morning Worship 9 am-10 am J.A.M. (ages 3 - PreK) 9 am-10 am every Sunday Children’s Church (grades K-3) 9 am-10 am 1st & 3rd Sunday Jr. High Youth Group 7 Summer Gathering 6-9 pm Stauter’s pond 21 Summer Gathering 6-9 pm Gridley Pool (church in case of rain) Sr. High Youth Group 10 Movie Night 7:30 pm Chris Zeller house 22-27 CIY, Macomb IL Women’s Bible Study Wednesdays at 7:00 pm The Fellowship Hall is living up to its name this sum- mer as we enjoy an extended time of fellowship. Mandy Poppen was commissioned on June 9 to her mission work in Nicaragua. She left for 4-1/2 months on June 16. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV “There is nothing uniquely religious about the word ‘abide.’ In the language of the New Testament, it is the ordinary word for ‘stay’ or ‘continue’ or sometimes ‘dwell.’ Jesus meant: ‘Stay in me. Continue in me. Keep me for your dwelling.’ It is the lifelong extension of en- countering Jesus.” —John Piper, What Jesus Demands from the World, pp. 62-63. The monthly prayer meeting will be July 10 at 7:15 p.m. The Women’s Bible Study will not meet on July 3. Our summer One Another meals will begin after the morning worship service. Mark your calendars for July 28 and August 25. Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered decisions which will most likely hasten the re- definition of marriage in America. It is now likely that an increasing number of states will legalize so-called same-sex marriage. As a re- sult, pastors and churches will be faced with the decision of whether or not to solemnize same- sex marriages in the coming days. As a pastor, I cannot help but wonder if the day will come when refusal to solemnize such a union will face legal consequences. As I have considered this significant cultural shiſt occurring in America, I have been remind- ed of some pastoral advice that I once received. When I first began as a Sr. Pastor in 2009, I met with three other pastors (Duane Otto, Wes Ooms, and the late Steve Estes) to learn how they prepared couples for marriage as well as to learn their wedding policies. In differing words, each of these men told me that it was important for a church and a pastor to commu- nicate that they are not in the wedding business, but are in the ‘business’ of nurturing Christian marriage. e pastoral calling is one of nurtur- ing Christ-exalting, holy matrimony by point- ing to God’s timeless Word before, during, and aſter the wedding ceremony. us, the mission of the Church remains the same, regardless of the rulings of civil courts or the court of public opinion. Should an increas- ing number of states legalize same-sex marriage, the church would not suddenly have a new call- ing. We are already called to uphold a starkly different picture of marriage than the world af- fords. ere is already great need for the Church to uphold Biblical teaching on marriage. ose who are not married already need a view of God’s plan for marriage that serves to correct Hollywood’s faux depiction of love. Married couples already need encouragement to remain faithful to their vows. ere are already healthy marriages in need of continued support, strug- gling marriages in need of exhortation not to settle for co-existence, and the wayward in need of truthful correction and loving care. e re- definition of marriage is no small thing, but it should come as no surprise to the Church that the Word of God stands in contrast to the values of this world. Holding up God’s plan for holy matrimony was already in contrast to the world’s conception of marriage prior to this week’s Supreme Court ruling. e distinction between the world’s teaching on marriage and the Church’s teaching is now more vivid, but our calling to teach, encourage, and embody the Biblical principles of holy matrimony re- mains the same. To this end, there are four ways that First United will specifically seek to foster healthy marriages in the months to come. First, during VBS week, the adult class will be going through some of the content from Timo- thy Keller’s book, e Meaning of Marriage. Each night will have a different focus, so please consider attending even if you can only make if for part of the week and the sessions are ap- Continued on page 3 inside “The mission of the Church remains the same . . .”
Transcript of June at First U First U News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/firstunitedchurchofgridley... ·...
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Pastor Andy’s Letter • Spotlight on Caring for Beautiful FeetFirst United News • Milestones • Attendance • Church CalendarJuly 2013Andy Huette, Sr. Pastor Brett Monge, Youth Director
407 W Seventh Street, PO Box 280, Gridley, IL 61744 309-747-2299 www.1stu.org
Dear Church Family,
June at First U
July Church Calendar10 Monthly Prayer Meeting 7:15 - 8:00 pm
21 Brian Johnson visit/preaching worship service
22-26 Vacation Bible School 6-8 pm
26 Vacation Bible School program 7:30 pm
27 Kaupp-Hand wedding28 One Another Meal 10:15 Family Center
Sunday Worship ServicesMorning Worship 9 am-10 amJ.A.M. (ages 3 - PreK) 9 am-10 am every SundayChildren’s Church (grades K-3) 9 am-10 am 1st & 3rd Sunday
Jr. High Youth Group7 Summer Gathering 6-9 pm Stauter’s pond21 Summer Gathering 6-9 pm Gridley Pool (church in case of rain)
Sr. High Youth Group10 Movie Night 7:30 pm Chris Zeller house
22-27 CIY, Macomb IL
Women’s Bible StudyWednesdays at 7:00 pm
The Fellowship Hall is living up to its name this sum-mer as we enjoy an extended time of fellowship.
Mandy Poppen was commissioned on June 9 to her mission work in Nicaragua. She left for 4-1/2 months on June 16.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV
“There is nothing uniquely religious about the word ‘abide.’ In the language of the New Testament, it is the ordinary word for ‘stay’ or ‘continue’ or sometimes ‘dwell.’ Jesus meant: ‘Stay in me. Continue in me. Keep me for your dwelling.’ It is the lifelong extension of en-countering Jesus.” —John Piper, What Jesus Demands from the World, pp. 62-63.
The monthly prayer meeting will be July 10 at 7:15 p.m.
The Women’s Bible Study will not meet on July 3.
Our summer One Another meals will begin after the morning worship service. Mark your calendars for July 28 and August 25.
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered decisions which will most likely hasten the re-definition of marriage in America. It is now likely that an increasing number of states will legalize so-called same-sex marriage. As a re-sult, pastors and churches will be faced with the decision of whether or not to solemnize same-sex marriages in the coming days. As a pastor, I cannot help but wonder if the day will come when refusal to solemnize such a union will face legal consequences.
As I have considered this significant cultural shift occurring in America, I have been remind-ed of some pastoral advice that I once received. When I first began as a Sr. Pastor in 2009, I met with three other pastors (Duane Otto, Wes Ooms, and the late Steve Estes) to learn how they prepared couples for marriage as well as to learn their wedding policies. In differing words, each of these men told me that it was important for a church and a pastor to commu-nicate that they are not in the wedding business, but are in the ‘business’ of nurturing Christian marriage. The pastoral calling is one of nurtur-ing Christ-exalting, holy matrimony by point-ing to God’s timeless Word before, during, and after the wedding ceremony.
Thus, the mission of the Church remains the same, regardless of the rulings of civil courts or the court of public opinion. Should an increas-ing number of states legalize same-sex marriage, the church would not suddenly have a new call-
ing. We are already called to uphold a starkly different picture of marriage than the world af-fords. There is already great need for the Church to uphold Biblical teaching on marriage. Those who are not married already need a view of God’s plan for marriage that serves to correct Hollywood’s faux depiction of love. Married couples already need encouragement to remain faithful to their vows. There are already healthy marriages in need of continued support, strug-gling marriages in need of exhortation not to settle for co-existence, and the wayward in need of truthful correction and loving care. The re-definition of marriage is no small thing, but it should come as no surprise to the Church that
the Word of God stands in contrast to the values of this world. Holding up God’s plan for holy matrimony was already in contrast to the world’s conception of marriage prior to this
week’s Supreme Court ruling. The distinction between the world’s teaching on marriage and the Church’s teaching is now more vivid, but our calling to teach, encourage, and embody the Biblical principles of holy matrimony re-mains the same. To this end, there are four ways that First United will specifically seek to foster healthy marriages in the months to come.
First, during VBS week, the adult class will be going through some of the content from Timo-thy Keller’s book, The Meaning of Marriage. Each night will have a different focus, so please consider attending even if you can only make if for part of the week and the sessions are ap-
Continued on page 3 inside
“The mission of the Churchremains the same . . .”
Our Core Values Open Bibles One Another Beautiful Feet Spiritual Growth Authentic Worship2 3
Attendance & Offering6/2 272 $ 6,9956/9 255 $ 9,666 6/16 301 $ 7,6766/23 277 $ 6,821
July MilestonesBirthdays
1 Marsha Albritton1 Elly Huette2 Lois Burke4 Hannah Ludy4 Pam Neal6 Benjamin Porzelius7 Jeff Benedict7 Alex Poppen8 Zack Moulton10 Lydia Hall11 Steven Liggett14 Grant Morrison15 Stephanie Richard21 Madalynn Morrison21 Creed Welsch25 Grace Edwards25 Christopher Gentes26 Lucas Allen26 Amanda Carls26 Nadine Finck26 Heather Stanhouse31 Marqui Krone
Anniversaries5 Alan & Linda Schoppet8 Grant & Jil Stauter9 Paul & Susan Laiming15 Steve & Jena Liggett16 Tim & Cindy Fairchild 21 Kenny & Dianne Kuerth 21 Bob & Anne Wettstein 24 Frankie & Nadine Finck25 Brian & Susan Buchanan
New Babies in June2 Hart David Zeller Seth & Katie, parents Dave & Chris, grandparents
Caring for our Beautiful Feet
The Missions team is looking for individu-als and families to “adopt” our missionaries to encourage and remain in touch with them as they serve around the world. If you would like to adopt and/or join with someone who has al-ready adopted, please see Karen Neal.
Whether you adopt or not, please use the monthly prayer calendar to pray for them, their families and their work.
Our missionaries and their adoptive fami-lies:
Bill Allison, Cadre MinistriesAdopted by John and Tonya Krone.
B. family, Middle East*Adopted by Doug and Bev Nelson; Matt and Emily Wenger.
Joe and Amy Flammer, New ZealandAdopted by Doug and Patty Baird; Seth and Katie Zeller; Andy and Abby Huette
Austin and Anna H., North Africa*Adopted by Rebekah Kaeb; Joshua and Kan-sas Krone; Jordan and Marqui Krone.
Chris and Dana H., India*Adopted by Mark and Stacy Ludy; Andy and Abby Huette.
Brian and Josanne Johnson, Dominican Republic/HaitiAdopted by Chuck and Marsha Albritton; Todd and Jennifer Morrison.
Dan and Christi Ucherek, GuatemalaAdopted by Lori Hardman; Chuck and Mar-sha Albritton; Scott and Kim Edwards
Jake Foor, Next WorldwideAdopted by Tim and Cindy Fairchild; Diana Kitchell; Jeff and Denise Benedict.*identity is protected for security reasons
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Romans 10:15
Brian Johnson serves in the Dominican Republic with G.O. Ministries. He helped establish a seminary and teaches bible, theology and pastoral skills to pastors.Brian will visit First United on July 21 and preach in our worship service.
We will welcome several missionary families to First United this summer. Please give them a warm welcome.June 30 - Joe and Amy Flammer, New ZealandJuly 14 - B. family, Middle EastJuly 21 - Brian and Josanne Johnson, Dominican Republic August 4 - Addisyn Block, Dan and Christi Uchere, Village of Hope, GuatemalaAugust 11 - Austin and Anna H., N. Africa - will give a 30-minute presentation after Coffee Fellowship
Led by Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the best-sell-ing Five Love Languages, this conference is not a dry, formal marriage seminar—it’s a time of fun and dis-covery that can help you build the love relationship of your dreams. Whether you’re getting married in six months—or have been married 60 years—you’ll get solutions you can use. With biblical advice and a healthy dose of laughter, Dr. Chapman gives valuable tips on breaking unhealthy patterns and choosing to develop a God-honoring, happy marriage.
Both married and engaged couples will benefit from practical sessions addressing topics like com-munication differences, dealing with criticism, un-derstanding love languages, and making sex mutually fulfilling.
First United is offering a “buy one, get one” to help cover the cost of registration. Please see Keri Hany if interested or to find out more about parking, hotels and other details.
The Marriage You Always Wanted
The Marriage You Always WantedSaturday, September 7
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Moody Bible InstituteTorrey-Gray Auditorium
820 N LaSalle BlvdChicago, IL 60610
Cost: $35 per person”Buy One, Get One”
First U will pay for 1/2 of eachcouple’s registration costs.
See Keri Hany forFirst U’s group registration.
www.moodyconferences.com
Spare & Share Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
It took helpers of all ages to cook and serve the Spare & Share banquet. Elise Morrison and Dee Kitchell helped Jennifer prepare the food.
Women’s Fellowship catered the Spare & Share Vol-unteer Appreciation Dinner. Jennifer Morrison and her crew fed 126 Spare & Share volunteers along with 23 First U volunteers who served the dinner.
Women’s Fellowship uses catering proceeds to help fund First U projects including scholarships for Ice Camp, summer church camp, Sr. High CIY, and sup-plies for the Guatemala mission team.
Hop on for Hope
Saturday, August 3Begin biking between 6-8 a.m.
Cost: $20 for all biking participantsDonation-only for 2-mile participants
No refunds if rained out
Pre-register with form (see Keri) orSame-day registration begins at 6 a.m.
First United Methodist Church 201 N Chestnut, LeRoy
Bike/Walk FundraiserPlease join a group from First United for a bike ride/walk to raise money for Village of Hope, a special needs orphanage in Guate-mala. You have the option to bike four dif-ferent routes: 10, 25, 35, or 50 miles. There is also 2-mile walk or ride for non-bikers and less serious bikers.
See Keri Hany for pre-registration and for August 3rd carpooling information.
Play Ball!Sports Corner
SoftballInterested in playing on First United’s co-ed softball team? Please contact Cory Deckard ([email protected]). The first game is 7/14. The cost is $20 per person to play.
VolleyballThe First United recreational volleyball group is playing on Monday nights when enough people are available to play. If you are interesting in playing, please see Kris Bridgers, 747-3098.
plicable to those who are single, engaged, or married.
Secondly, in mid-August, I’ll begin a short sermon series on marriage, relationships, and singleness in our Sunday morning worship ser-vices.
Third, we will be encouraging couples to sign up to attend Dr. Gary Chapman’s mar-riage conference in Chicago on September 7. (See below). After reviewing several different marriage conference options, Chapman’s was chosen based on a high recommendation from trusted friends who have attended, for its af-fordability, and because the one-day format makes it feasible for many at First United to at-tend.
The fourth way that we hope to invest in mar-riage is to provide ongoing support after the sermon series and conference for couples de-siring mentoring or counsel.
Marriage is not merely a societal invention, it’s a God-created institution that exists to dis-play His glory. As such, the Church’s calling is to nurture healthy marriages that exemplify the love of Christ. The world around us may de-value or redefine marriage, but we must trust that what God’s Word commands is for His Glory, the good of others, and our joy. May He be pleased to nurture the current and future marriages at First United through His Word this summer.
Andy’s letter continued from front page
Grace and Peace, Andy
Spotlight on . . .
