March 2017

Grace Notes

March 2017 GRACE NOTES

Grace United Methodist Church

601 N. 4th St . Pekin, IL. 61554

www.pekingrace.org

309-347-7131

Grace Café

February 25, 2017

(Always last Saturday of

the month.)

11AM-12:30 PM

Food Pantry:

March 16, 2017

4-5 PM

Pastor’s Note 2

Radical 3

Christian Education 4

UMW 5

News & Announcements

6,7,8

Bible Readings 9

Prayer Concerns &

Thank Yous 10

Birthday Calendar 11

General Calendar 12,13

Inside this issue: (Page #s Listed)

Printed

February 21, 2017

Ash Wednesday and

The Season of Lent

Lent begins on ‘Ash Wednesday’,

March 1, 2017. Each year we plan a

special worship service at 6:30 pm to

begin our Lenten discipline together as

a congregation. At this service, we are

reminded of our human mortality by

the imposition of ashes, either on the

forehead or on the back of the hand, in

the sign of the cross.

Pancake & Sausage Dinner

Prepared by: Jamtime

By donation, proceeds will benefit our Snack Pack Ministry

Ash Wednesday: March 1, 2017

5:00pm—6:15pm

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March 2017

Grace Notes

Journeys With Joel

Years ago I was fishing in a river. The water was up to my mid-thighs, and my feet struggled for traction on the wet and muddy bottom as I landed a nice bass. At the time I was using a plastic tackle box that I wore around my waist in the front. I bent over to unhook my quarry. When I tried to stand up, I realized I had closed the lid on a hook which was now deeply embedded in my belly. When I bent over I also bent my knees to lower my center of gravity. Now picture this. I am standing up to my waist in fast-flowing water on slippery rocks. My knees and back are both bent with my face not much more than a foot above the river. I have a hook in my belly that digs in deeper every time I move, and I still have a very live fish splashing around on the end of my short line.

Have you ever been stuck, feeling like you only have bad options? No matter what you do, the chances are it is going to hurt and you might even experience major bodily harm or even death. My situation was not that bad but at the time it seemed like it. Sometimes our emotional traumas leave us feeling like we are bound.

When we invite Christ into our lives, He sets us free from slavery to the enemy, but almost al-ways there are some chains that we don’t allow to get cut or that we pick up again. Once we have tasted true freedom in Christ those chains hurt more than before.

Lent starts the very first day of March. This year I want us to think and pray about the chains that still bind us. It will take time, honest introspection and courage. Sometimes our chains give us short-term pleasure.. Sometimes we are so used to them that it is hard for us to realize they are there and even harder to cut them. They are a part of us, and getting rid them can be painful.

Starting at a very special Ash Wednesday service, we will all receive a piece of chain to remind us to pray and work on getting free from at least one of those chains forever as we journey towards Easter. Sermons will go along with this theme. We can’t do it alone; we need each other. Please come and join in the Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 March 1

st. (I need some volunteers to help cut the

chains.).

Oh, I didn’t make it out of the river. Could you please tell the guy who stole my identity to quit it? My wife and kids haven’t noticed yet.

Seriously, I was eventually able to to release the fish, fling my rod up on the bank and waddle into shallower water. The hook was a treble hook (it had three prongs instead of one). So, not only was it hooked into my tummy, but it also was hooked into the lid of the tackle box making it nearly im-possible to open. With great pain I was able to force the box open enough to get out my forceps. I usually used them to unhook the fish. Now it was my turn! My back and legs were cramping, and it was getting more difficult to stand up. The thought of falling into the water in this condition was sober-ing because, for the first time, I realized this could end in me drowning. I gathered my courage and clamped the forceps on the one free prong of the treble hook and yanked. I don’t remember the pain, but I do remember the freedom.

God wants you to be totally free. That is what this Lenten Season is about. I am so very blessed to be the pastor of such an amazing and wonderful congregation. Join me in the journey to God’s Freedom!

Blessings to you, Pastor Joel

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March 2017

Grace Notes

Trent Moberly

Coordinator of Youth Ministries Grace United Methodist Church tmoberly@pekingrace.org (309) 347-7131

Current Events

The Sunday of "The Big Game" is always a busy day for us! Our students work a sub-shop assembly line to churn out many sandwiches for you! Thanks to everyone who supported our Super Subs fundraiser again this year; we are getting ever closer to our goal for the mission trip! The Moberlys also hosted a party that night at their house for Radical students to get together and watch the game. Another thing we do together each year is gather at the Civic Center with thousands of other believers from all over to worship together and en-joy hearing our favorite Christian artists. This event is called WinterJam, and it is something we always look forward to! It's a powerful experience hearing thousands of God's people praising His name together in one place. Truly an impactful experience for anyone who is a part of it - even if it can be loud at times!

What are we learning?

Our Sunday school group and format look a bit different. With Trent taking part in the confirmation class and several of our regular students a part of confirmation until May, things have shaken up a bit. With the smaller group, Gloria Ranney and Michelle Moberly have been simply leading a conversation as students converse about disciplemaking, life, and faith. We hope this is a Spirit-led time where students are very engaged with each other. During Radical we have now wrapped up discussing a very insightful topic called Kavanah. If you'd like to hear more about it, talk to our students, they'd be happy to share! In this series we have explored the four elements of Kavanah that help us hit the mark in our relationships so we can better live like Jesus did as we interact with others. The challenge now is to live it out and embrace that as a new "normal" way of living!

Radical Recent and Coming Events

2/23 - Papa Murphy's Fundraiser - Bring a flyer and eat a Papa Murphy's any time this day to help our group raise money for our mission trip!

3/5 - Mission Trip meeting for trip participants as we continue preparing for Bayou la Batre

We are hoping to do a fundraiser at Kroger in March, but the date and time are to be determined. Stay tuned!

Save the Date! Grace UMC Family Feud will be Sunday, April 30th, from 6:30-8pm in the GF Family Life Cen-ter! Get your tickets starting in mid-late March!

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March 2017

Grace Notes

Christian Education

Children’s Church

We begin each week with the band leading us in song. This is a lively time with ac-

tions and dancing. Then we pray and study. We have been learning about the same

scripture lessons as the older worshippers hear in church. We also try each week to do

charades or a relay or some other game related to the lesson. When the weather coop-

erates – and when our lessons are completed – we go out to the playground for the last

few minutes of class. Please send your child’s coat with them in case we are able to

have time to enjoy God’s wonderful creation.

TLC News

Our Wednesday mornings in the nursery are busy and fun. This month we have been

learning about the planets and space, and for Valentine’s Day we did a unit on the

heart and got to listen to our hearts with a stethoscope!

JAMtime News

We have continued our unit on the early Methodist church and life in America at the

time the church was founded. A special thanks to all of the adults who have shared

their time and talent with JAMtime this year.

Sunday School

We are blessed with wonderful Sunday School students and teachers. We are using

the Cokesbury curriculum in the younger classes, and our 4th through 6th graders are

becoming puppeteers!

Lent is a time to reflect on Christ’s life and our own lives. May we see Christ’s love re-

flected in our lives – in our words and action this Lent and everyday!

5

March 2017

Grace Notes

GRACE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

United Methodist Women

Events Calendar

March 2 1:15pm Executive Meeting

March 9 12:00pm Mission Community General Meeting

Soup and Sandwiches

March 10 CWU Human Rights Celebration

March 13 9am-2pm District Mini Mission Meeting. Continental Breakfast and

potato bar lunch. March 15 12:15pm Miriam Circle, Our Inn Place and then CB Smith Reading

March 21 10:00am Book Club Pekin Estates Community Room

March 23 11:30am Rachel Sarah at Our Inn Place

March 23 9:00am Susannah Circle in Fellowship Hall

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Your generosity in donating both baked

goods and cash for the goodies, over-

whelmed the members of Miriam Circle.

Over three tables of baked goods netted

enough to cover 80% of the funds needed

for the books for the three kindergarten

classes at CB Smith. Our circles believes

that anything we can do to aid learning to

read will build brighter futures for the chil-

dren of Pekin. Bless you for your support.

We welcome new readers. We meet for

lunch at Our Inn Place on the 3rd Wednes-

day of each month during the school year.

Then adjourn to CB Smith for one-one time

with the kindergartners. Not all can attend

each time; we need help especially during

the winter time. If interested, call Connie

Disney or Carolyn Jackson.

Church Women United

Human Rights Celebration

Experiencing Blessings at the Table

When: Friday March 10, 2017

Time: 2:00pm

Where: St. Joseph Catholic Church

303 South 7th St. Pekin IL

Speaker: Pat Graf

Topic: Best of Africa

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March 2017

Grace Notes

Our Grace Men’s softball team will be holding their annual Chili

lunch on Sunday, February 26

Take out will be available starting at 9:30AM.

All donations will go towards supporting our Grace Softball Team

Sponsorship fee.

Softball Chili Luncheon

Sunday, February 26

2017 Grace Notes Dates

Articles Due Print Date

March 15 March 21

April 19 April 25

May 17 May 23

June 21 June 27

July 19 July 25

August 16 August 22

September 20 September 26

October 18 October 24

November 15 November 21

December 13 December 19

Wanted: Volunteer Servant Leaders SUNDAY MORNING HOSPITALITY HOUR NEEDS VOLUNTEERS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED,

PLEASE CALL CHRISTY MCDUFF AT 202-1929 OR EMAIL HER AT

CMCDUFF@CYFSOLUTIONS.ORG

PLEASE CONTACT OFFICE, WE NEED SOUND VOLUNTEERS FOR THE 8:30AM SERVICES.

THANK YOU!

Kitchen Health Department Inspection:

The Tazewell County Health Department inspected the kitchen and food pantry in

November 2016 and again last month, January 2017. Both times the score was 100%.

GOOD JOB!

Thursday, February 23 Take a flier to Papa Murphy’s any time on Thursday, February 23 and 20% of proceeds from your order

will go towards Grace UMC’s 2017 Radical Mission Trip!

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March 2017

Grace Notes

NEW YEAR ALTAR FLOWER SIGN-UP

There is a new calendar for 2017 for those who would like to sign-up to

have altar flowers purchased in memory of loved ones or for special

occasions.

A huge THANK YOU to Linda Garman for doing such a

fantastic job of coordinating with The Greenhouse to bring the church

such beautiful arrangements.

Please contact Linda Garman if you have any questions: 387-2924

FRIENDSHIP CLUB

MARCH 6TH AT NOON

Quarterly Statements Change…..Please Note!

Quarterly statements will be sent via e-mail beginning with the first quarter of 2017.

If you haven’t already, please let the office staff know your current e-mail address. This is in an

effort to strive for an environmentally friendly office.

Paper statements will only be printed for those who make a request to the office staff by

March 31, 2017. Our office number is 347-7131.

Thank you for your assistance with this.

Friendship Club will meet on Monday, March 6 at noon in the Hospitality area of the church. Following the noon potluck luncheon, we will hold an organizational business meeting as we prayerfully consider our options for the future. Please join us with ideas for our group.

If you need a ride or for more information, please call the church office at 347-7131.

Annual Leader’s Summit is rescheduled for:

Sunday, February 26 from 1-4:00pm

All elected church leaders, members of the Church Council, ministry team ar-

eas, committees, and designated groups of Grace UMC. If you do something

at Grace UMC which is some act of ministry or service, then you should plan

to be part of this inspirational and organizational gathering.

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March 2017

Grace Notes

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM TRUSTEES:

Trustees Policy Change for equipment use.

All musical instruments or equipment property of the Pekin Grace United Methodist

Church will remain on the premises and will not be available for removal or loan unless it

is a Church sponsored event or authorized by Trustee’s Chairperson in writing.

Grace College Scholarships

It’s that time of year!

The Grace Church college scholarship forms for the 2017-2018 school year will be available

after March 15.

Any Grace United Methodist Student Member may apply annually for these awards for use

at an accredited junior college or college. Because of limited funding, the committee can no

longer support graduate work at this time.

Applications can be picked up in the church office, printed from the website, or e-mailed. The

deadline to return applications is May 1.

Late applications will not be considered.

Some Committees will be meeting every other month: Meetings Scheduled: Marketing/Technology February 23rd (Meetings set as needed.) (Randy McDaniiels & Ryan Plunkett) Education March 12th (2nd Sunday of the month) Trustees March 9th (2nd Thursday of the month, e.o.m) Church Council March 27th (4th Monday of the month, e.o.m) Finance March 22nd (Meetings set month to month.) Staff Parish April 12th (2nd Wednesday of the month, e.o.m) Endowment Meetings set as needed by Committee Chair. (Thom Matheney) Worship Meetings set as needed by Committee Chair. (Dennis Crowell) Outreach Meetings set as needed by Committee Chair. (Lynne Johnson) Scholarship Meetings set as needed by Committee Chair. (Judy Streid) Hospitality Meetings set as needed by Committee Chair. (Christie McDuff)

NEW—Fine Arts Series at Grace UMC

Sunday, March 26th 4:00pm - Tom Booth Recital

Sunday, April 30th 4:00pm - Kindred Quartet

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March 2017

Grace Notes

FROM THE UPPER ROOM:

Week of March 1

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 What new practice can help me grow closer to Christ?

Hebrews 13:7-16 One of the greatest gifts I can give to God is my time.

Joel 2:12-17 Ash Wednesday is an invitation to remember God’s grace.

Colossians 4:2-6 When we pay attention, we see many opportunities to serve God.

Week of March 5

Romans 10:8-13 Today I will share my faith with someone.

Matthew 14:22-32 With Christ I can face any problem imaginable.

Romans 8:14-17 Who has shown me God’s unconditional love?

Isaiah 55:10-13 God continues to cultivate new life in me each day.

1 Peter 4:8-11 Regardless of my age, I can serve the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:24-34 My Christian community can show me God’s abundant love.

Isaiah 40:27-31 Today I will ask God to be my strength.

Week of March 12

Matthew 4:1-11 Today I will rely on God instead of myself.

James 2:14-26 Along with worship and fellowship, God desires our discipleship and service.

Revelation 7:9-17 How can I embrace my heavenly family here on earth?

Leviticus 19:32-34 I can share God’s love by inviting others into my life.

Psalm 90:12-17 How can I plant seeds of God’s love today?

Mark 7:24-30 How can I be more faithful in my prayer life?

Philippians 2:12-16 Today I will search for opportunities to use my gifts in God’s service.

Week of March 19

Matthew 20:29-34 I can be honest in my prayers

1 Corinthians 15:50-57 Today I will celebrate God’s power!

Genesis 7:11-24 Lenten disciplines can help me renew my faith.

Philippians 4:10-13 God will strengthen me and lift me up.

Genesis 1:1-2:3 Where in creation do I see God’s greatness?

Matthew 25:35-40 When I show kindness to others, I show kindness to Christ.

Psalm 118:5-14 God is always ready to listen to me.

Week of March 26

Luke 5:12-16 In times of uncertainty, I will pray to God.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 God is with me in my struggles today.

1 John 4:7-12 Today I will show God’s love to someone who is hard to love.

Acts 20:32-35 How can I use my gifts to bless others?

Luke 14:25-27 Putting my trust in God takes practice.

Psalm 25:1-10 In uncertain circumstances, God will remain steadfast.

2017

Grace Café Food Pantry

March 25 March 16

April 29 April 13

May 27 May 11

June 24 June 15

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March 2017

Grace Notes Please keep the following Grace members

and friends in your prayers:

Halle Bloom Maddie Stranz Sally Morris Ron Robinson Jan Becker Marilyn Brower June Stoner Joyce Hill Joanne Miller Howard Ferrill Jean Hill David Danner Jane Schermerhorn Helen Beard Vera Byrd Bill Gordon John Florez Dena Ackerson Dr. Buck Wright

Lord,

Direct our president’s heart toward

you. Give our president spiritual wisdom

and understanding to lead this nation ac-

cording to Your precepts and into all truth.

May the president be filled to over-

flowing with Your depth of insight into all

situations. Surround the president with god-

ly advisers. Inscribe on their hearts the

knowledge of Your will so they may know

You better. Amen

Published in DAILY GUIDEPOSTS 2015.

Dear Pastor Catlin and Members of Grace United

Methodist Church,

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank you for

your generous, continued support to help us serve the

thousands we do.

Thank you, Deanna, Board Member

the Center for Prevention of Abuse

Dear Joel:

Thank you for partnering with YWCA

Pekin to host another successful Martin Lu-

ther King, Jr. event in our community. Alt-

hough poor weather on the morning of our

event had an impact on our attendance, we

were excited that sixty people made an extra

effort to join us! Your willingness to host the

event is greatly appreciated.

Please know that your support does

make a difference to our ability to continue our

annual celebration of Dr. King. I hope that we

will be able to continue to work together to

bring multi-cultural events to our community!

Again, Thank you for supporting our

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in 2017!

Melinda Figge, Executive Director

Pekin Grace UMC, Pastor Joel,

During calendar year 2016, Chaddock has

received (at least) $465 that we can attribute to your

church. This total does not reflect gifts given

through the Conference Treasurer, just hose gifts

given directly to Chaddock.

This total includes direct contributions given

to Chaddock by individuals who we are able to iden-

tify as members of your church, as well as contribu-

tions sent from your church treasurer and other

groups/committees within your church.

So please encourage all church members,

when giving to any of our Conference ministries, to

identify their local church affiliation, both so they do

not wonder why your report does not reflect their

gift, and so that your church will receive a more ac-

curate measure of your congregations’ support for all

of our conference ministries.

Thank you, and may God bless your ministry,

Rev. Jeff Rasche

Sympathy… Our thoughts and prayers are with

these families during their time of sorrow.

*********************************

Grant & Peggy Golden and extended family on the

passing of his father, Reuben

The Patten Family on the passing of their

mother, Florence Patten

Community support: A belated thank you to the Family Video, located at

1712 Broadway, for their donation of twenty frozen

turkeys to the food pantry.

Thank you also to Dollar Tree, located at 3432

Court Street, for the donation of food and toiletries.

This is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to the blanket ministry group which donated approximately 30 blankets to the food pantry. They were

recently distributed and the recipients were very happy to get such a beautiful gift.

What a wonderful way to show God’s love.