News

Please check the CALENDAR for the latest information. Titles and posting dates below are marked in red.

Need to correct something? Add something? Contact Craig Kummerow (email) or church office (email).

Kids' Connection

Have you missed Children’s Church? Immediately following the Children’s Message at the 8:45 Sunday Morning Worship Service, children ages 3 through 1st grade are invited downstairs for a story, prayer, and playtime! Posted 1/1/12

Lenten Services

February 22 (Ash Wednesday) - Fellowship of the King Meal will be held at 5:15pm, with the service following at 6:30pm.

February 29—6:00pm meal/7:00pm service First Christian Church

March 7—6:00pm meal/7:00pm service American Lutheran Church

March 14—6:00pm meal7:00pm service First Presbyterian Church

March 21—6:00pm meal/7:00pm worship GCUMC

March 28—6:00pm meal/7:00pm worship Location TBD

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (April 5th & 6th) services will be announced once final plans are made.

Posted 2/14/12

Meet and Seek

It has been said that “the church is made up of imperfect people who are responding day by day in all their relationships to God’s stunning grace.” Yes! As imperfect people, we meet together to love in our relationships with the world. Join us!! Our next meeting is Thursday, February 23, from 6pm—8pm. Childcare will be provided. Posted 1/30/12

Youth Annual Retreat

Youth Annual Retreat (Y.A.R.)—Retreat for High School Students. It will be February 24-26th. Registration now closed for this event. Revised 2/17/12

Combined Service/Congregational Meeting-March 4th

Combined Service Weekend - There will be one Worship Service on the weekend of March 3rd/4th, combining the March 3rd Saturday Night Light, 8:45, and 11:00 Sunday services. It will be at 9:00am Sunday morning, March 4th, and will be led by Jake’s Boys. There will be a congregational meeting following the service. Posted 2/7/12

Talent Show & Pie Auction

Talent Show and Pie Auction—Saturday, March 3 • 6:00 PM. A sign-up sheet for pies are on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Revised 2/17/12

High Cotton

Rick Rhodes' bluegrass band, High Cotton, will be leading our Saturday Night Light Service on March 17th. Please come out and worship with them and with each other. Posted 2/17/12

Lions' Club Pancake & Sausage Breakfast

The 37th Annual Breakfast will be held Sunday, February 26 from 8:00am until 12:15pm at the Gibson City Elementary School Cafeteria. Adult tickets are $5.50 in advance or $6.00 at the door. Proceeds go to benefit of the Gibson City Lion’s Club Community Projects. See Doug Hager for advance tickets. Posted 2/17/12

Midwest Mission Distribution Center Trip

The Midwest Mission Distribution Center trip will be March 23rd. This is an opportunity for each person to have a “hands on” mission experience. This experience is to fulfill Christ’s command to help the “least of these” whose needs are great because of some disaster or circumstance that is not of their making. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary. Contact Kim Fisher or Barb Horsch for more information. Revised 2/17/12

Mission Trips

Our bishop, Rev. Gregory Palmer, is encouraging us all to step out for the sake of Christ in 2012.

Consider these GC UMC options:

- Red Bird Mission Trip—June 2-9. See Barb Horsch for more information.

- Youth Mission Trip—July 8-14 to Rushville, Indiana. Posted 1/30/12

Wednesday Afternoon Snacks Needed

There is a sign-up sheet outside the office for anyone that would like to provide snacks for the school age kids on Wednesday afternoons. Please contact Pastor Megan if you have any questions. Posted 10/2/11

Exciting Changes for Wednesday Youth Fellowship

Sprouts—Sprouts (3rd—5th grade) will begin meeting September 14th from 3:30pm- 5pm to talk about the ways that we Love God (through worship and devotions) and Love Others (through justice and kindness). Come join us in Sprouting Out!

K-Motion—Kids' Choir is growing up! It’s not going to be just a choir anymore! Starting September 14th, we will act out stories of our faith in skits and dramas as well as making joyful noises unto God! Join us from 5-5:30 for K-Motion!

Junior High Youth Group—Also starting September 14th is a newly re-launched Junior High Group! We’ll be meeting from 6:00-7:00, learning how God’s stories are important to us through conversation, projects, and games. All 6th-8th graders are welcome to join us! (There will be a supervised room for homework from 3:30-5:00 starting September 28th).

Senior High Youth Group—The Senior High Youth Group will start up on September 21st, the week after homecoming. We‘ll meet from 7:30-9ish to talk, pray, have some fun and generally try to figure out together what it means to be a Christian in High School.

Posted 9/3/11

Satellite Sunday School Class

The members of the Satellite Class invite you to join them on Sunday morning as they explore and experience God's Word. The format generally includes a time for fellowship, announcements and/or transaction of class business followed by study time and discussion that is facilitated by the viewing of a Biblically-based DVD or video. We are starting a new 6-session, 12-week series, "God is Closer Than You Think" authored by John Ortberg. Opportunity is provided to view and discuss each topic twice. We would be delighted for you to join us in Christian Fellowship in studying God's Word. Posted 8/28/11

The American Heritage Series

Featuring David Barton, The American Heritage Series presents America’s forgotten history and heroes, emphasizing the moral, religious and constitutional foundation on which America was built. The stories will remind us of lessons and pieces learned in school, but expound to show the whole story as we have never heard before. Please join us for this dynamic DVD series. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend! This study will be on Wednesday nights starting September 28th from 6:30-7:30pm in the 10:10 Sunday School Classroom. For more information on these new studies, please contact Jon or Bonnie Clark at 217-745-2387 or jbbj88@yahoo.com. Posted 9/19/11

Fellowship of the King Meal

The Fellowship of the King meals will resume on Wednesday, September 28th. PLEASE NOTE: The meal will be from 5:15-6:15, which is a change from previous years. Join us every Wednesday for a free will offering meal and fellowship.

Posted 9/3/11

Meal Ministry

The Meal Ministry is started. Marinell Jones is the contact person. If you know of someone who has been in the hospital, had a new baby, or has some other need and would like a meal brought to them, please call the church office or Marinell at 217.784.5933. If you would like your name added to the list to prepare a meal for someone, let Marinell know. Posted 2/19/11

Flowers

Would you like to provide Altar or Pedestal Flowers for 2012? The Flower List has been posted on the bulletin board outside the office door. Please list your name and who you would like to honor or remember. Jayne Tjardes will provide the flowers and you will receive a bill from her in the amount of $30. posted 12/8/11

Prayer Stones available!

You will find in the sanctuary a bowl of blue stones from which you are invited to take one, representing a concern or an area of guidance in which you seek God's help. Carry it with you, reminding you to pray, and when God answers, bring the stone back and place it in the jar on the altar. Then take another stone and maintain a journey of constant prayer as you are led on your journey of faith. Slips of paper with instructions are provided near the bowl. Revised 12/7/11

Upper Room Devotion Guides

Upper Room Daily Devotional Guides are available for 2012. With meditations written by readers from around the world, the daily devotional guide is a perfect companion for individual and family devotional time. The guide is available for a donation of $1 each and can be found just outside the office door. A link to the online version can be found on the right side of any page of our website. Revised 12/7/11