2nd Service

Our contemporary worship service is being held in the fellowship hall DOWNSTAIRS for the month of January.  The setting allows us to experiment with a different style of preaching, hospitality, and personal interaction.  We will return to the sanctuary in February.  Anyone is welcome to check it out some Sunday and have the experience.  

Click here  to see pictures of the January 7 service.

Feel free to bring your favorite coffee mug or to-go cup for the fresh brewed coffee!

Mattoon is Site for Bishop's Meeting

Mattoon First UMC has been selected as one of six sites around the annual conference for a conversation with Bishop Frank Beard about the future of the United Methodist Church.  The meeting here will be February 10, from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

People from the eastern and central parts of the conference will be attending that day.  

The most divisive issue facing the United Methodist Church today comes from the differences of opinions church people have over issues of human sexuality.  In 2016, the denomination almost split apart over those differences.  But in a last minute move to avoid division, the General Conference asked the bishops of the church to propose a "Way Forward" that might help keep us together.  Since then, a commission, appointed by the bishops, has been meeting and exploring various proposals. That commission is now at the point of sharing some of the things they have learned with the "grassroots" folks of the denomination.  (That would be us!)  

The purpose of this meeting is to share our own thoughts and to listen carefully to the thoughts of others.  It is not to be a rancorous meeting, but rather one in which we are trying to understand how we can work with people who have different ideas from us, even though the issues evoke great passion at times.

If you would like to register to attend this meeting, there is no cost.  But we have asked people to register so we will know how many to accommodate that day.  As the host church, we are awaiting word from the bishop's office about how what they would like us to do, other than provide a space.  If you would like to attend, click here.  If you fill out the registration form, Mattoon First is in the Embarras River District.  If you would like to read the current report of the commission, click here.  If you would like to see a You Tube version (movie) of the commission's work, click here. 

2018 Directory

There are still many families that we do not have pictures for.  If you have received an email or letter and would like your picture in the directory, please get them in to the office as soon as possible. We would like to make the 2018 Directory available very soon.

Volunteer & Community Opportunities

In the Community:

Volunteer your time or donate to Habitat for Humanity.    Click here   for more information about the needs of the shelter.

In the Church:

~Children's programs

~Youth Group

~Backpack program

~Mattoon Area PADS; a group from our church serves dinner the 4th Friday  every month; cook at 6:00 p.m., serve at 7:00 p.m., see Susie Beaumont for more information

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Special Events

2nd Wind for February- Viola's Kitchen, 5:30 p.m.

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Next Meeting Dates

Children's Council, January 24, 7:00 p.m. Communications Task Force, January 30, 2018,  7:00 p.m.

Education, January 31, 7:00 p.m.

Endowment , January 18, 7:30 p.m.

Finance, January 17, 6:00 p.m.

Hospitality , February 6, 6:00 p.m.

Missions, TBD

Pastor Parish Relations , January 18, 6:30 p.m.

Trustees, January 22 , 6:00 p.m.

UMW Executive Board, January 9, 1:30 p.m.

Youth Committee, January 16, 6:00 p.m.

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Regular Events

Sundays

Traditional Worship         8:15 a.m.

Sunday School               9:30 a.m.

Contemporary worship  10:45 a.m.

Middle School Youth      5:00-7:00 p.m. 

Sr. High Youth                6:00-8:00 p.m.      

Mondays

Mary Circle, second Mondays, 1:30 p.m.

Mary Mini Circle, fourth Monday of the month,  2:00 p.m.

Rebecca Circle, second Mondays, 7:00 p.m. 

Tuesdays    

Pastor's Bible Study    10:00 a.m.

UMW Executive Board   1:30 p.m., first Tuesday of the           month  

Women's Bible Study of Romans  6:00 p.m.

Wednesdays .  

Cross Training Prayer  6:30 a.m. at the Dickinson's         

Chancel Choir  5:45 p.m.

Downtown Kids  5:30-7:00 p.m., every Wednesday night         from Sept-May 

Thursdays

Women's Bible Study, 6:3 0 a.m.  at Pagliacci's-"When            Christians Get it Wrong" by Adam Hamilton

Contemporary Worship Practice  6:00 p.m.

Saturdays

Men's Breakfast, second Saturday of the month,       

       Denny's, 7:00 a.m.

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday    9 a.m.-12 Noon; 1:00-3:00 p.m. 

Click Here for our online calendar, covering all church events.

Praying Together This Week

People in our church family:

Statistics

January attendance:

    8:15 a.m.   69

   10:45 a.m.  53

Finance Report:

   

General Fund: $   10,094  received  this week                  

                        $   10,094  YTD

   (our general fund budget is $408,000 for the year)

   

Renovation Fund:   

Cost of project:              $434,766

Starting funds:                 107,142

2016 receipts                     57,646

2017 receipts                   127,587

2018 receipts                          280

Still Needed:                  $142,026

The amount received for 2017 includes receipts  last week of:  $ 280

The renovation work (heating, air conditioning, and tuckpointing) was organized in three phases.  The first two phases (completed in 2016 and 2017) are PAID FOR!  Due to funds on hand and the generosity of our members, we did not have to borrow any money for the first two phases.

In addition to the money received for the general fund, contributions were made last week to the following causes:

    

Backpack:  $ 150

Community Food Center:  $100