First United Methodist Church Savanna, Illinois

www.firstumcsavanna.org Volume 10 Issue 11

TELSTAR

Telstar is published monthly by First United Methodist Church for its members and friends. 2100 Chicago Ave, Savanna, IL 61074 Ph: 815-273-2345 Fax: 815-273-2961 Pastor: Rev. Larry Thomson—[email protected] Admin. Asst./Editor: Joe Belander—offi[email protected] Web: www.firstumcsavanna.org

Inside This Issue: Worship Helpers

2

Pastor’s Pen, Prayer Concerns

3

A endance, Finance

4

UMW, Group With No Name

5

Sr High Youth, Birthdays and Anniversaries

6

Grounds Upgrade, Photos

7

Zion Cluster Mission Trip, Poinse a Order form

8

Kids Page

9

Upcoming Events

10

Calendar

11

Personal Goals and Commitment join our Facebook page www.firstumcsavanna.org And follow the link

Insert

WORSHIP HELPERS

WORSHIP HELPERS

Sunday, November 7, 10:15 am Liturgist: Corliss Belander Communion Stewards: Greeters: The Bauer family Ushers: Burt & Kathie Prins Acolyte(s): Ryan Miller Children’s Time: x Coffee Hour: Susan Michelle & Brigit Jepsen Media Tech: Carol Fosdick Sanctuary Cleaner: Kay Cavanagh

Thank you to our worship helpers. Greeters & ushers please be at the church by 9:30. Liturgist please contact the church office for informa on on the readings for the morning service. Coffee hour - If we are low or out of paper product supplies please let Peg Dauphin know so items may be purchased. If you signed up to help and are not able to please let Alice Riffe-Torrison know so she can contact someone to take your place. 815-273-2184

Sunday, November 14, 10:15 am Liturgist: Sharon Beyer Communion Stewards: x Greeters: The Hoffman family Ushers: Molly Andersen, Jessica Boyer, Kris Yingling, Sylvia Alden Reuterfors Acolyte(s): Ka e Hoffman Children’s Time: Coffee Hour: The Mayer family Media Tech: Sue Ingersoll Sanctuary Cleaner: Kay Cavanagh

Memorial Folders On a table in the Narthex, you will find "hand-outs" pertaining to Bruce Warner's Memorial Service. Bruce's daughter, Cindy, sent them and asked to share with FUMC members. Just feel free to take one.

Sunday, November 21, 10:15 am Liturgist: Linda Jachino Communion Stewards: x Greeters: Frank & Lois Grove Ushers: Burt & Peg Dauphin, Jessica Boyer, Sylvia Alden Reuterfors Acolyte(s): Hayley Guilinger Children’s Time: Coffee Hour: Media Tech: MaryEllen Dreger Sanctuary Cleaner: Kay Cavanagh

Nov. 2

Sunday, November 28, 10:15 am Liturgist: Molly Andersen Communion Stewards: x Greeters: Esther & Tommy Losh Ushers: Bruce, Rachel, Garre & Anna Badtke Acolyte(s): Alicia Bauer Children’s Time: Coffee Hour: Media Tech: Lyne e Thomson Sanctuary Cleaner: Kay Cavanagh

Change your clocks before bed on Nov 6 Page 2

PASTOR’S PEN Rev. Larry Thomson

November is the season of giving thanks. Thanksgiving Day is a special holiday. On it, we do not celebrate a great victory in ba le. Nor do we honor a dis nguished person who did a lot for other people. It is a day when we thank God for the blessings we, as a na on, enjoy. The Psalmist put it well when he wrote, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits." Even during mes of economic hardship we should be grateful to God for the blessings we have. We need to be reminded that the people who first celebrated Thanksgiving had to struggle just to stay alive. When they landed here on the coast of New England at the beginning of a long and harsh winter, they suffered greatly. They celebrated that first Thanksgiving in 1621, even though they had almost nothing. They were thankful to God for surviving the hard mes un l they could enjoy the bounty of a full harvest. As we Americans compare ourselves to them, most of us have more to be thankful for than to gripe about. As you gather with family or friends, let me suggest that you make plans in your household to say "thank you" to God. You may want to write down what you’re thankful for on a slip of paper. You may want to share your thanks, round-robin fashion, at the Thanksgiving table. Perhaps the children could be asked to draw a picture of what they’re grateful for this Thanksgiving and share it. Maybe your family could join in a Thanksgiving hymn or in a brief Thanksgiving service. Perhaps you might want to look for and raise up some of the wonderful Psalms of thanksgiving. To properly thank God, we must not only see what we’re thankful for but also say it. As we give thanks to God for our blessings, sharing with those who are less fortunate is also an important way of showing God how grateful you are. As Jesus once said, "What you have done to the least of these, you have done to me." Did you know that there is something healthy about giving thanks? No ce that I did not say there is something healthy about Thanksgiving meals. Most of us will overindulge this Thanksgiving, just as we do Page 3

every Thanksgiving. Giving thanks reminds us of the source of our blessings. Giving thanks reminds us how much God loves us. It is even good for us to have an a tude of gra tude! Research shows that people who count their blessings may find themselves sleeping be er, exercising more and caring more about others. People who remind themselves of the things they are grateful for — people who count their blessings one by one, consciously, every day — show significant improvements in mental health, and even in some aspects of physical health. And these results appear to be true whether you are a healthy college student or an older person with an incurable disease, according to research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. My friends, in this me of Thanksgiving, our challenge is to count our blessings — large and small, and to be grateful to God, who is the source of every good and gracious gi . If we can remember to be grateful, we’ll find ourselves even healthier in body, mind and spirit. We’ll feel be er about our lives, more op mis c about our prospects and more helpful toward people around us. A er all, Jesus proclaimed it, and modern research confirms it — a grateful faith can make us well.

Current Prayer Requests Stacy Kra Coats, Don Schreiner, Jim Stanelle, Paul Grissinger, Wadeen Dauphin, Lois Grove, Pa Fosdick, Suzanne Atherton, Judy Orn

Long Term Prayer Requests Bob Walker, Logan Myrick, Don Hartman, Joy Turner, Jim Torrison, George Morarie, Susan Block, Sandy Froehlich

Special Prayers Family & friends of Paul “Red” Melendy Military Personnel and their families

2010 APPORTIONMENTS Category

Yearly

FIRST UMC PLEDGE DRIVE TIMELINE

Pd YTD

11/1—Pledge Cards

Mission & Evangelism

$10,692

$2,832

mailed out

Support of Ordained Leadership

$11,328

$2,673

11/7—Consecra on

Reconnec ng the Connec on

$2,904

$726

Total Appor onments

$24,924

$6,231

Week

Sunday #1—Bring in

Sat.

Sun.

Pledge Cards 11/14—Consecra on Sunday #2—Bring in Pledge Cards

Sun. School

11/21—Consecra on Sunday Recap—Announce Total

1

13

74

33

Pledges to date

2

13

92

34

11/26—Last day to turn in Pledge Cards before

3

12

66

34

Celebra on Sunday*

4

18

69

35

11/28—Celebra on Sunday—Announcement of total

Avg.

14

75

34

pledged for 2011

2009

17

95

44

*Pledges will be accepted un l year end

Financial Updates

STEWARDSHIP WEEKEND

Last Month

Needed

Received

Budget Week 1

$3,494

$3,047

Budget Week 2

$3,494

$1,624

Budget Week 3

$3,494

$1,934

Budget Week 4

$3,494

$2,268

Budget Monthly

$13,976

$8,873

Budget YTD

$150,242

$140,855

Bldg Week 1

$135

$151

Bldg Week 2

$135

$31

Bldg Week 3

$135

$56

Bldg Week 4

$135

$61

Bldg Monthly

$540

$299

Bldg YTD

$5,805

$4,339

We will celebrate Stewardship weekend on Nov. 6-7 and Nov 13-14. Watch the mail for your pledge card. Our pledge cards will be dedicated during a special alter call on those weekends. If you are not able to come either day please send your pledge cards to the church office. Please Let God Lead you to financially supporting and volunteering your service to your church. Thank you!

Help Us Re re the Debt Make dona ons to: First UMC Debt Re rement 2100 Chicago Ave Savanna, IL 61074

The General fund s ll owes $15,195 to the Endowment Savings. See Thermometer.

We Need Your Support! Page4

$22,627 $19,000 $16,000 $13,000 $10,000 $7,000 $4,000 $7,430 donated so far

UMW

Kitchen Renovation Update

CIRCLES

A quick update on the Kitchen fundraising. So far $13,484 has been given to the fund including over $3,500 in memorial dona ons. Watch for future fundraising events and remember you can donate to this fund at any me simply by marking on the memo line of your check, “Kitchen Project”.

Esther Circle will meet in the Church Library on Tuesday, November 2, at 1:00 PM. The program will consist of our yearly THANK OFFERING Service. Since our circle was not scheduled to meet in November; this will be a "Dessert-Less" mee ng. We can be thankful for LESS calories, and drop an extra $ or $$ in our Thank Offering Box. ———————————— The Evening Star Circle will meet on Tuesday, November 2nd at 7:00 pm in the library. Vivian Eaton will be our hostess. Lyne e Thomson will lead us in devo ons. And Martha Purchis will present our annual 'Thank Offering" program. All women of our church are invited to join us for an enjoyable evening of "thanks" and fellowship.

Kitchen Renova on Fundraiser Make dona ons to: First UMC Kitchen Fund 2100 Chicago Ave Savanna, IL 61074

Group With No Name        This group usually meets the 4th Saturday of each month at 6 pm unless those in charge decide on a different ac vity on a different day. Everyone is invited to a end these gatherings. Our tenta ve schedule and those in charge:    November 27 ‐ Erik & Alice Torrison - Potluck at church, to Freeport to Michael Phelps concert  December ‐ Sylvia Reuterfors  January, 2011 ‐ Burt & Kathie Prins  February ‐ Jim & Vivian Eaton  March ‐ open  April ‐ Erik & Alice Torrison  May ‐ Bob & Teresa Bauer

Nov. 21 at 7 pm at First Presbyterian Church  Page 5

$20,000 $17,500 $15,000 $12,500 $10,000 $7,500 $5,000 $2,500

Sr High Youth Agenda Mee ngs will be held on the following Sunday nights from 6:00 to 7:00ish at the home of Kris Yingling, 11585 Dauphin Rd, Savanna. November 7 December 5 January 9 February 6 March 6 April 3 May 1 We also have a tenta ve schedule of fundraisers for next year’s REACH workcamp: November 14 Trivia and lunch a er church January 23 TBD February 20 TBD March 20 Trivia and lunch April 24 Easter breakfast Other fundraisers for youth group Tupperware sale in February

Birthdays & Anniversaries Nov 1 Chelsey Sprouse, Ruth Moore 2 Steve Yenney, Jessica Boyer 3 Jordyn Jackson 5 Ruth French, Brennan Cavanagh 6 Teresa Bauer 7 Chris ana Husband 8 MaryEllen Dreger, Owen Brubaker, Garre Badtke 10 Katy Floming 11 Kris na Davidson 12 Renee Baker 13 Jaden Schoenhaar

David Phelps will return for a Christmas concert on Saturday, November 27 at the Masonic Temple. See Kris Yingling for more informa on.

14 Charlie & Louise Hodge 1942 16 Ma Ihle 17 Ann Johnson, Dan Holcomb, Merton Loomis, Allen Miller

19 Joellen Sperfslage 20 Dan Reitemeier, Karissa Hartman, Lola Sterk 23 Cody Hartman, Kara Lenhardt 24 Charlie Hodge, Joan Arb 25 Carmen Holcomb, Martha White 26 Mary Craig 27 Pa Fosdick, Deb Fosdick 30 Joe Michels, Vivian Eaton Bill & Katy Wright 1963

Our Altar will be aglow with candles lit in remembrance of those who have passed away in the last year during our Memorial Dedication Service on November 7.

Remember your Food Pantry Donations this Holiday Season. Place donations in the food pantry box in the Narthex. Page 6

Church Grounds Upgrade

Mystery Dinner, Oct 17, 2010

  Another major upgrading project to the Church campus has been completed this past month. Spearheaded by Ron Miller (his exper se and equipment) the compleon of drainage, grading and landscaping of the area on the east/south Main Entrance of the building was accomplished. Joe Lieb provided leadership for the new, wider sidewalk which is a main feature of this improvement. A cadre of church members assisted as the work progressed, as well, our local Mission Team members completed several unfinished endeavors. A BIG THANK YOU is extended to each, as collec vely they commi ed over 150 hours of their me to our church and community. They include: Ron Miller, Joe Lieb, Ryan Miller, Steve Miller, Sco Almquist, Burt Dauphin, Merle Law, Max Purchis, Bill Wright, Jason Moore, Don Kramer, Pastor Larry Thomson, Kathie Prins, Lyne e Thomson, Sylvia Reuterfors, Peg Dauphin, Alice Riffe-Torrison, John LeComte, Erik Torrison, Charlie Meyer, Kevin Anderson

Page 7

Fall Cruise, Oct 20, 2010 Thanks to MaryEllen Dreger for se ng up this cruise and to Vivian Eaton for leading us.

Zion Cluster Mission Trip

Thank You

(2009 Mission Team)

We have 25 reserva ons for 25 volunteers to be at the United Methodist Commi ee on Relief in Baldwin, Louisiana from March 14 - 18, 2011. It is an cipated we will leave on Friday morning, March 11 and return Saturday, March 19. A $50 deposit guarantees your spot and goes toward the total cost of $185 needed for room and board at UMCOR. We need people to register soon to form the core team and to plan trip details and fundraisers for traveling costs and motels. The UMCOR Sager Brown facility offers various opportuni es to serve including working on disaster relief supplies at the Depot, rehabilita on of homes in the community, light office help, sewing and maintenance of the campus facility. Almost any can serve. The food is good, the accommoda ons are comfortable and there will be me for touring and the purchase of souvenirs. For more informa on, contact Jason Moore, Pastor Larry or call the office at 815-273-2345. Don’t miss this great opportunity for an experience of a life me.

Thank you to everyone for their prayers during my recent bouts of illness. A special thank you to Pastor Larry for the me taken to help put my mind at ease and to Ginny Anderson for the visits. It is all greatly appreciated and it has helped me get through. I’ve finished my radia on treatments and IV iron transfusions and am doing much be er. The last set of tests found things seem to be working well and we are all pleased. Again, thank you so much. I am blessed to have such a caring church family. ~~MaryLou Belander

Cost: $14.00 each _______In Memory of_______________________________________ _______In Honor of_________________________________________ Given by___________________________________________________

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Office Closed November 26/27 for Thanksgiving Office Hours Mondays & Fridays 9:00 am-12:00 Noon Tuesday thru Thursday 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Return this form to the church by November 30, 2010

   

Page 9

Hot Turkey Sandwich Lunch by the Mission Team Sunday, November 14 11:30 am Free Will Offering will help defray costs for Mission Trip to UMCOR

Time 

Page 10

Trivia game will follow lunch by the Sr High Youth Group

Sun S.S. = Sunday School for All Ages M.S.G. = Men’s Study Group

7

14

9 am S.S. 10:15 am Worship (Memorial Dedica on) 1 pm The Maniacs 5:30 pm UMCOR Mission Team 6 pm Sr High Youth 9 am S.S. 10:15 am Worship 11:30 am Hot Turkey Sandwich Lunch by Mission Team 12:30 pm Trivia by Sr High Youth

Mon

6:30 pm Women’s Service Club

November 2010

Tue 1 pm Esther Cir 7 pm Evening Star

2

Wed 6 am M.S.G.

3

First United Methodist Church 2100 Chicago Ave, Savanna, Illinois 61074 815-273-2345 www.firstumcsavanna.org offi[email protected]

1

8

Thu 12:30 pm Zion Cluster Clergy at Lanark

4

11

Fri

5

Sat

5 pm Worship

6

20 19 6 pm Cra Night- 9 am Cra DayKaren Hoffman Karen Hoffman 5 pm Worship 6 pm Maniac Lock In

12 13 10:30 am Brownies # 5105 5 pm Worship

17 18 12:15 pm Staff Lunch 6:30 pm Inter Church Council at 1st Presbyterian 24

25 Happy Thanksgiving Office Closed

27 26 10:30 am Brownies # 5105 Office Closed 5 pm Worship 6 pm Group With No Name

9 10 6 am M.S.G. 6 pm Worship Cmt

23

30

6 am M.S.G.

15 16 8 am Girl Scout Fall 6 am M.S.G. Delivery

22

29 28 6 pm Hanging of the Greens unpacking night

21 8 am Trustees 9 am S.S. 10:15 am Worship 11:30 am Ad Council 7 pm Community Thanksgiving Service at 1st Presbyterian 9 am S.S. 10:15 am Worship

First United Methodist Church TELSTAR 2100 Chicago Ave. Savanna, IL 61074 Return Service Requested

Non‐Profit Org. US Postage Paid Permit #87 Savanna, IL 61074

Phone: 815-273-2345 Email: offi[email protected] www.firstumcsavanna.org

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” --Jesus Christ

Telstar deadline: 3rd Monday of each month Bulle n Prayer Concerns/Announcements due by Thursdays at 11 AM Screen Announcements due by Thursdays at 11 AM Email: offi[email protected] Internet: www.firstumcsavanna.org join our Facebook page h p://www.facebook.com/savanna.firstumc

November 11, 2010

Personal Goals and Commitment  What defines your life? Is it wealth? Belongings? Faith? Many of us live with a scarcity mentality, worried that we must gather and hoard as much as possible, saving for some imagined “rainy day.” Or we focus on self-gra fica on. But the Bible promises both God’s blessings and joy for those who choose to live another way. During today’s service, we will take ac on to change our lives by se ng five specific personal goals to work toward over the next year. We invite you to complete the “Personal Goals and Commitment” sheet and place it in your Bible for your personal reference in the coming year. One of these five commitments is your es mate of giving for the coming year. This week, you will be receiving an es mate of giving commitment card in the mail. On a prac cal level, we ask our members to turn in es mate of giving cards each year so that our Finance Commi ee is able to set an accurate ministry budget for the coming year. This allows us to make the most of every dollar given to the church. On a personal level, the commitment card is an opportunity for you to spend me in prayer and reflec on, considering what offering you would make to God through our church in the coming year. Please be watching for the mailing; then fill out the card and bring it with you to worship next Sunday First UMC Pledge Drive Timeline 10/31—Tithing and the Ten Apples—Defined by Generosity 11/1—Pledge Cards mailed out 11/7—Consecra on Sunday #1—Bring in Pledge Cards 11/14—Consecra on Sunday #2—Bring in Pledge Cards 11/21—Consecra on Sunday Recap—Announce Total Pledges to date 11/26—Last day to turn in Pledge Cards before Celebra on Sunday* 11/28—Celebra on Sunday—Announcement of total pledged for 2011 *Pledges will be accepted un l year end

Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity During the past few weeks, we have examined some of the financial challenges facing us as a na on, and we have looked at our own spending, saving, and giving habits. We have examined the biblical principles of financial management, and we have learned about ways to assess our financial situa on and develop a financial plan that will allow us to experience the true joy that comes through simplicity and generosity. Now, on this Consecra on Sunday, I ask God’s blessing of my commitment to these financial goals for the upcoming year. My Personal Goals and Commitment for 2011 1. I will thank God daily for all my blessings. My goal for daily Bible reading and prayer is ______ days each week. 2. I will seek contentment and simplicity and live within my means. My spending goal is _______________________________________ 3. I will seek freedom from the bonds of credit and debt. My debt reduc on goal is ___________________________________. 4. I will seek to wisely manage the gi s God has given me, inves ng and saving for the future. My saving goal is______________________ . 5. I will worship God each week by the giving of my thes and offerings. My es mate of giving for 2011 is _____________________________ Lord,  I present this commitment to you, acknowledging that everything I have and everything I am is a giŌ from you. I pray that you will grant me wisdom and strength in the coming year, and that you will bless and use the giŌs that I humbly present to you. Amen.    For personal use. Place in your Bible for reference in the coming year.