The Circuit Rider

Volume 35, Number 5 August/September 2020

A comprehensive report on the ministry of Lebanon First UMC

Homecoming

Ezra 6:16

"The people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.”

2

Pastor’s message continued on page 3...

Pastor Kim’s Ponderings

Can you believe we are into summer? Spring just disappeared with all that happened with the pandemic. It is hard to adjust to the fact that we have missed so much with Covid! I know I have missed

seeing everyone, worshiping together… I even miss MEETINGS!

I am praying that we are able to resume worshiping together, as planned, August 9. I know it will be different, and even a little uncomfortable with the distancing and masks that are required, but it will just be so nice to look out into the sanctuary and see some faces. I think that has been one of the most difficult things for me – preaching to an empty sanctuary. :(

An article I read stated the following: “The COVID-19 pandemic, which has transformed virtually every aspect of public life in America, also has touched a very intimate part of Americans’ lives: their religious faith and worship habits. Some Americans say their religious faith has strengthened as a result of the outbreak, even as the vast majority of U.S. churchgoers report that their congregations have closed regular worship services to the public… One-quarter of U.S. adults overall (24%) say their faith has become stronger because of the coronavirus pandemic, while just 2% say their faith has become weaker. The majority say their faith hasn’t changed much (47%) or that the question isn’t applicable because they were not religious to begin with (26%).”

As I thought about this, I began to wonder for myself, “Where am I in that? Is my faith stronger?” When terrible things are happening to us or to people around us, we can wonder: Is God really good? Can God really be trusted? The answer is that God can bring about good gifts even in the midst of something bad like COVID-19. As I think about my own life, and maybe this is true for you, that through all this, I have been reminded that I really do not control my life, that I am utterly and completely dependent on the living God. If I think I am in control of things, that is merely an illusion. The truth is — bad things happen to those Jesus loves, but I am reminded of Matt. 5:45 – “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” No one is exempt from the trials of life!

3

...Pastor’s message from page 2

Pastor’s message continued on page 4...

I have learned so much from this crisis, though. Let me just share a bit with you. And let me say, I would love to hear from you what you have learned, as well. As always, you can reach me via email, text, phone… or a visit at the office – just let me know in advance that you are coming!

The most precious people on the planet are the ones we love (and for most of us, those we live with). Family, children, parents, relatives, close friends, roommates, etc. are people that I care for the most. Though I often take them for granted, when things get serious, I want to gather these dear people home and make sure they are ok.

Church gatherings are one of the most undervalued and underappreciated events in the whole world. This is the first time in my life that I have not been able to “be” with the church every week. It is unnatural and debilitating. I have failed to recognize how important it is to be with other believers regularly. I didn’t truly realize how important it was until I didn’t have it!

Busyness has a false sense of accomplishment while stillness feels deceptively like idleness. When I am running to work, church, events, meetings, and constantly on the move, I feel like I am really accomplishing something­ but often without much to show for it. This busy life has taught me to dislike times when I am sitting still and in the same place. This season is teaching me to accomplish things by staying put and sitting still. It is also teaching me to reclaim something I had forgotten was important – “being” somewhere and with someone.

4

...Pastor’s message from page 3

Pastor’s message continued on page 5...

Prayer is vastly undervalued and significantly underutilized. I pray every day. A quick mealtime prayer, or in the morning or before I go to bed are pretty common practices. What might happen to my family, my friends, my church, even the world if I really seized this opportunity of relative stillness and used it for concentrated, long periods of prayer? I don’t want to waste this unique opportunity.

If I can’t learn to pray during a worldwide crisis, when will I learn?

I have learned I am kind of a selfish person. I have learned this in ways I haven’t noticed before! When I can’t go where I want to go, or do what I want to do, or eat what I want to eat, I have found emotions rising in me that are kind of surprising. Why does not being able to go to a movie or watch live sports on TV matter so much to me? Why was the fact that I was locked in my house bothering me so much given what I said I am learning in #1 above? Instead, I want to be thankful for what I have and fixate on that, not what I don’t have (Phil. 4:11-13).

Time has one direction–forward. I can’t get anything back from yesterday. I need to appreciate today while I have it. The choices I make in putting off a conversation until later, or praying for someone, or playing that game with a friend or watching your children play, are all that matters right now in the moment I have. When that opportunity is gone, it is gone! I can’t get time back, and I should not assume I will have tomorrow.

5

...Pastors message continued from page 4

No one is guaranteed tomorrow, and as much as I try to understand that, I still don’t get it. I still live my life like I will always have a future on this earth. I think about next week, next month and next year like they are guaranteed dates on my calendar. I need to focus on, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) or “Do not worry about tomorrow for sufficient is the day for its trouble.” (Matt. 6:34). God is trying to teach me that now is all I am really guaranteed.

Today requires a pace of life that I am unfamiliar with – and it is not a faster one, but a slower one. I am convinced that I am just too busy. I have way too many options and I have learned the pace of life I was living is unhealthy and devalues the things that matter most. I need to choose the things that cannot be taken from me, and those things require a slower pace and more time than they generally get (i.e. prayer, “waiting on the Lord,” conversations with loved ones, stopping to share the gospel, reflecting on the goodness of God, taking a deep breath and enjoying the moment of grace when it is given, etc.).

This life is short and there are many ways to squander it, but only one way to redeem it: love Jesus with my whole life, and love Him above all else. It really is a straight and narrow path, and the road that leads to destruction is broad and many go down it. Yet it is not as difficult to find as it is to maintain. By the grace of God, I know the “narrow path” is that which leads to eternal life. I also know the temptations that lead me away from it. If I can learn nothing else from this season, I want to learn this ultimate lesson: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain!” (Phil. 1:21).

Blessings, Pastor Kim

6

URBANA – Cunningham Children’s Home announced that its first virtual Festival of Quilts garnered $55,160 for the agency in what they termed “an amazing experience.” Proceeds of the event will support Cunningham’s programs that benefit 731 youth, adults and families that they serve.

Stepping out of comfort zone A virtual event means doing things differently than before. Visitors stepped out of their comfort zones by logging in, shopping and purchasing quilts and gift shop items without even seeing them in person. The organizing committee and staff stepped outside of our comfort zones. Associate Director of Advancement Brooke Buzard, and Event and Volunteer Specialist Colleen Combes, hosted live video events on Facebook. Guests included: Cunningham Chaplain Gay KingCrede; Festival Committee members: Joan Sargent, Marge Stout and Pat Howard; Cunningham President/CEO Marlin Livingston; and Board of Directors President Cheryl Van Ness. Including the Facebook Zoom meeting with featured speaker Kelly McCleary, the "Quirky Quiltress," hosted by Director of Advancement Ginger Mills, the Festival live video events had 2,958 views!

CU Mask Makers donated a unique community quilt to the Festival of Quilts. Thirty-four members of the group made squares out of fabric scraps left over from making masks. The squares represent about 8,000 masks that had been made by the 34 members. Debbie Larson collected the squares and used her long arm quilting machine to attach it to the backing fabric. When she looked at the finished, vibrant quilt, she saw the good that a difficult situation has brought out in her community. It is indeed a beautiful piece of art. Making this story even more special is that the person who purchased the quilt for $600 is a member of the CU Mask Makers!

Cunningham’s First Virtual Festival a Success

Virtual Festival of Quilts continued on page 7…

7

I have never known more than fifteen minutes of anxiety or fear. Whenever I feel fearful emotions overtaking me, I just close my eyes and thank God that He is still on the throne reigning over everything and I take comfort in His control over the affairs of my life.

John Wesley

“I am a CU Mask Maker. Although I was not able to contribute a block, I feel an emotional attachment to this quilt and I think it has historical significance,” the purchaser said. “It commemorates a collective effort by our community to protect our community in a time of great hazard.”

The Festival of Quilts online extended the event’s reach. Viewers and patrons tuned in from all over the country and shipped items to Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Source and credit: IGRC “The Current” July 2020 issue

...Virtual Festival of Quilts from page 6

8

“Do not neglect doing good; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

(Hebrews 13:16)

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed it is our duty and our privilege to “do good” to others, to engage in “works of mercy.” Many times, we have read or heard the familiar quotation of Wesley’s, “Do all the good you can; by all the means you can; in all the places you can; at all the times you can; to all the people you can; as long as ever you can.”

Recently, I received a coffee mug with this paraphrased inscription of the above quote:

“Social Distancing for Wesleyans Avoid all the people you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, as long as ever you can.” (Drinklings Coffee)

Change is inevitable, but not easy - especially for us seniors. We feel comfortable with the status quo. Change makes us anxious, but because we believe the teachings of Jesus, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” we are all trying to follow the new rules of social distancing. Young-at-Hearters, let’s spend more time in prayer, practice mercy for our friends and strangers. Let’s pray that God will use us as “instruments of God’s peace.”

“Put on a heart of compassion, kindness,… patience; and beyond all these things, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians 3:12,14)

Young-at-Hearters, watch this space for announcement of the next fellowship for the Young at Heart.

By: Evelyn Gregory

9

Kitchen Update

Sometimes, life can throw us some real curve balls, but a good team can make the most of it. That is just what the kitchen makeover team did! COVID-19 is the curve ball and the batters are Ed Symonds and David Renfro, who have overcome little hiccups along the way. They have still given us a wonderful layout and a beautiful new kitchen! Once we have purchased the new dishwasher, everything can be put back together, and it will be done! The countertops are quartz, both the pass-through and the work areas, and the pass-through shelf liners are in. The tile backsplash is up. The new sink faucet and garbage disposal are installed! The kitchen is almost ready, and we can’t wait to show it to you! Thanks for your patience.

By: Mike Bennett

LMM Fundraiser

The Lebanon Matthew 25:40 Ministries (LMM) earned $2,487 through donations of clothing, shoes and household linens. A total of 12,436 pounds in 189 30-gallon bags, 877 13-gallon bags and 2 boxes were given to Savers. This is an annual fundraiser for LMM whose ministries include the Food Pantry and Christian Care Coalition. The next fundraiser will be June 12, 2021.

By: Kay Korte

12

Divine Health

Summer usually means fun and outside activities, but with summer comes high temperatures and humidity that can stress our bodies. It is important that we follow healthy practices such as increasing

our intake of water to prevent dehydration. It is recommended at least 8 glasses per day, or a better judge is that your urine is a noticeably light yellow in color. Did you know that as we age, we lose our ability of feeling thirsty and frequently forget to drink liquids? Therefore, it is so important to keep well hydrated. Place a container in the refrigerator that you need to complete during the day. So many say they do not like the taste of water so try adding fruit flavoring or just add fruit to provide a taste you may enjoy. A favorite of mine is lemon, cucumber, and fresh mint for a very cool and refreshing taste. Experiment to see what you might like.

Remember to stay in a cool environment during the hottest part of the day. Again, as we age, we may lose some of our insulation (fat under the skin) to help control our temperature which may allow our body temperatures to increase. Being in air conditioning or a cool environment helps us to regulate our temps in a normal range. Wearing light weight and light colored clothing will also help.

Wear sunscreen if going out in the sun. Follow the directions on the product, but it is recommended to use a higher SPF level to prevent sunburn and for the prevention of skin cancer.

Continue with: healthy diet choices that may be easier this time of year with all the fresh fruits and veggies available at local farmers’ markets or our own gardens. Check out and try new recipes on preparing summer dishes.

Remain active, but if going for a walk or being outside, go in the cool of the morning or later evening. Avoid strenuous activity during peak time of heat during the day.

Enjoy the summer and stay healthy!!

Dr. Peg

13

GIVING!

Please continue to support the church even though we are unable to meet as a congregation. Please send your tithes and offerings either by mail or online giving. DO NOT drop off.

Mail or online please: Church address:

Lebanon First UMC 603 W. St. Louis St. Lebanon, IL 62254

Give electronically through our website:

lebanonmethodist.org

Save! Convenient! Stress Free!

May Summary Donations/Offerings

On-line Giving: General: $ 4,461 Outreach: $ 250 Donations/Offerings: General: $11,604 Outreach: $ 500

May Totals: General: $16,065 Outreach: $ 750

June Summary Donations/Offerings

On-line Giving: General: $ 4,252 Outreach: $ 250 Donations/Offerings: General: $ 8,184 Outreach: $ 300

June Totals: General: $12,436 Outreach: $ 550

2020 Monthly Budget: Total: $17,252

As of July 21, Apportionments are paid through August.

14

Scam Warning

I want to write a note because I know EVERYONE reads EVERY word of the church’s newsletter from cover to cover! There has been an increasing amount of scams that have been occurring, especially in this pandemic. One of these scams is that you would receive an email from someone you know stating they are in a financial predicament and asking you to help by purchasing gift cards. I have had several pastor-friends who have had this happen with their emails. You think it is coming from the pastor, when in actuality, it is a scam. Let me say this loud and clear… I will NEVER, EVER send out an email asking you for money, for you to purchase gift cards, for help because I am stuck somewhere, or any other kind of financial request. And, if you have ANY questions about an email you receive that is supposed to come from me, PLEASE contact me or the church office to verify it. My email address is: kghagedorn@gmail.com. An easy way to check and see if the email you received actually is mine is to hover your mouse over my name (as the sender) and verify that the email is the one I listed. If it is different in any way – it is a scam! Many times the scammer will employ a slight-of-hand (like magicians do) so you think you are reading an email address correctly but they’ve actually switched out, added or replaced characters (commonly known as substitution and transposition). It’s common to see legitimate email addresses with an “m” replaced with an “rn”, (for example a scam of my email might be: kghagedom@gmail.com --- notice the difference – that “m” replaced the lower case “rn” of my last name. Another example is that it might be that a lower case “L” (example: “l”) switched out with the number “1” or a .com email reading as “.co” instead. Even the slightest change in an email address means the email is going somewhere else. These scammers also do the same thing on the phone. You

receive a call and it comes from someone saying they are in trouble, in jail, been arrested, etc., etc., etc. Again these are SCAMS. DO NOT FALL FOR THEM! The best way to handle phone calls is to just hang up.

Scam warning continued on page 15…

15

There is another common scam. The details vary, but it always begins with a call, usually from a telephone number that appears to be local. When the person answers the call, the scam artist tries to get the person to say “yes”—most often by asking, “Can you hear me?”-- “Is this the lady of the house?,” or a similar question. Do NOT answer with a “Yes.” By responding “yes,” people notify robo-callers that their number is an active telephone number that can be sold to other telemarketers for a higher price. This then leads to more unwanted calls. Also, in some cases, the caller may record the person saying “yes” and then they are able to use that recorded “yes” to claim that the person authorized charges to his or her credit card or account.

How can scammers access your account? Some companies share their customers’ information with third party companies or allow third parties to charge customers’ accounts (called “cramming”) in exchange for payment. Scam artists may also obtain financial information from data breaches or leaks or through identity theft.

However, if you think that just maybe it is true, and they say they are a family member, ask them a SPECIFIC question that only that family member would know the answer to. Do not ask them things like birthdays or children’s names – these can be easily obtained through the internet, instead ask something like “What did I give you for your last birthday/anniversary/Christmas present?” Any kind of question for which the answer would only be known between you and that person. If nothing else, ask them to call you back in 30 minutes and you call the person who they say they are and ask them directly if they just contacted you. Unfortunately, in times such as this, people want to be helpful – and the crooks KNOW it! Don’t fall for the scams. Always check it out. Don’t be afraid of upsetting someone, because if it is a true need, they will be grateful that you are being careful!

Pastor Kim

...Scam warning continued from page 14

16

Coming Home

Noting the theme of “Coming Home” reminded me of Sara Groves CD "Conversation", given to me from a Christian radio station in northern Illinois. One of my trips home to Lebanon checking on my parents, I listened to her music most of the trip. The selection that spoke to me was "Going Home."

"...Going home, I'll meet you at the table

Going home, I'll meet you in the air

And you are never too young to think about it

I cannot wait to be home..."

Of course, she is not meaning an apartment or house but a spiritual home. We meet one another at the table, at the meal our Lord has for us.

"...But I have felt you with my spirit

I have felt you fill this room

And this is just an invitation

Just a sample of the whole

And I cannot wait to be going home..."

I am eager to return to our home at 603 W. St. Louis St. It became my home nearly 65 years ago, and I am eager to join you there.

By: Margaret Godwin Bergmark

17

Birthdays: August 10: .......... Rebecca Jenkins

August 15: .......... Richard Boyd

........................... Kathy Ferrall

August 18: .......... Jeff Thornton

August 31 ........... Delmer Scheurer

........................... Harrison Ryckman

September 15 .... Ann Zimmerlee

September 21: ... Shirley Malone

September 26: .. Pastor Kim

Anniversaries:

August 3 ....... David & Helen Renfro

August 18 ..... McKinley & Shirley Hubbard

August 22 ..... Jim & Kathy Ferrall

August 26 .... Bill & Evelyn Gregory (70th)

August 31 ..... Rob & Deb Miller

NO September anniversaries

Need a Mask?

Cathy Symonds will provide reusable masks to those who need one at the low cost of $2 each. All proceeds are donated to charities of Cathy’s choice. So far she has donated over $600 to Chapter One and other charities.

18

Trustees Report

By: Joe Zimmerlee

The finish on the beautiful front sanctuary doors had deteriorated due to the weather. Mark Clem spent several hours refinishing them. They are now beautiful again.

Water has been slowly penetrating the outside north wall of the Parlor. As a result, the north wall inside the Parlor has been damaged. Terry Weil has been hired to clean and seal the outside wall and repair the interior wall. The cost is $5,310 and will be paid from Trust Funds.

One of the two heating boilers has gone bad. We have had two companies evaluate our system, and they recommended replacing both boilers due to age and compatibility. Both bids were around $15,600. Trustees will review the bids shortly and make a decision.

King’s Closet Report We had a licensed inspector check out the King's Closet house top to bottom, and he wrote a 44 page report. Long story-short, it is going to take a lot of work to bring it up to current living standards (maybe $40,000 to $50,000).

The Trustees and the Administrative Council will review the

information and will develop recommendations for future action.

Options being discussed are:

1. Raze the building (tear it down) - make it a parking lot or park

2. Sell it as is

3. Renovate and bring up to code then sell. This would increase

the property value.

4. Renovate and rent it. If we fix up the house the rent income

could be used for mortgage loan payments and church

outreach ministries.

5. Renovate and repurpose the building for a variety of

community ministries.

Nothing has been finalized as yet. The church membership will be given an opportunity to contribute to these recommendations.

19

The Circuit Rider is a monthly publication of Lebanon First UMC, Lebanon, IL

Reverend Kim Hagedorn

Content: The People of the Lebanon First United Methodist Church Production & Information Manager: Allyn Wiechert Content and Story Coordinator: Kim Vunesky Assembly: Holy Folders Proofs and Consultation: Kay Korte

For more information, call 618-537-6622

office@lebanonmethodist.org www.lebanonmethodist.org

www.facebook.com/LebanonFirstUMC

The Lebanon First UMC CONNECTION LINE Stay connected to church activities

& prayer requests! Three ways to connect; voice mail, e-mail or text.

Sign up today!

For more information, call 618-537-6622

office@lebanonmethodist.org

October/November 2020 Circuit Rider

Articles Due: September 16, 2020

To: Kim Vunesky (kimvunesky@gmail.com)

Where’s the Calendar?

Due to constant change of COVID restrictions, there will be no calendars for August and September. Please check the website for announcements concerning church activities.

No

n-P

rofi

t U

.S. P

ostag

e P

aid

Pe

rmit #

19

Leb

ano

n, IL 6

2254

Lab

el

9:30 AM Worship In the Sanctuary: Sunday, August 9!

RSVP REQUIRED: (see “Guidelines” article) Make yours today!

On-line: lebanonmethodist.org or call 537-6622

First Un

ited

Me

tho

dist C

hu

rch

60

3 We

st St. Lo

uis S

t. Le

ban

on

, IL 62254

(6

18) 537-6

622

AD

DR

ES

S S

ER

VIC

E R

EQ

UE

ST

ED