Consecration Sunday

One Stop Community Christmas

 

Thank you to everyone that helped with One Stop Community Christmas.  We served over 2300 children in over 1,000 families.  A special thanks to those that helped set up Friday night, including the Lake Land baseball and softball teams.  Without their help, there is no way we could have been ready.  Also, a special thanks to those who worked on Saturday and to those that donated to this cause.  We appreciate everyone's efforts in this community event.          Debbie Albin

Unified Service:  December 17, 24, 31

Office Holiday Hours

The office will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 25 & 26 and Friday, December 29 and Monday, January 1.

 

Poinsettias

If you would like to bring in a poinsettia in memory of a loved one who has passed away in the last year, please do so by Friday, December 22 at 3:oo p.m.  You may pick them up after the Candlelight service on Sunday, December 24 or on Wednesday, December 27. 

Keeping Up With Jordan and Mike

Pastor Mike has been involved in two funerals this week.  Wednesday afternoon was the graveside service for Karla Cole, daughter of First Church Member Joanna Elliott.  On Saturday, he will preside at the funeral of long time First Church member, Lois Smith.

Jordan has been getting the youth room ready to host the experimental worship services (the 10:45 Contemporary Worship) in January 2018.

  

Click Here to contact Pastor J. Michael Smith

Click Here to contact Youth Pastor Jordan Thomas

Click Here for Pastor Mike's website

First Church Saddened by Deaths of Two Long Time Members

The families of Gene Hoots and Lois Smith are in our prayers these days.  The funeral for Gene Hoots was last week, and the funeral for Lois Smith will be tomorrow (Saturday, December 16, at 11 a.m.)  Both were beloved members our church and had lived long and blessed lives. Gene was 90 and Lois was 93.  Church members, friends, and family have shared many wonderful stories of their lives the past couple weeks.

   

In addition to longtime church members, Pastor Mike has also presided over funerals for families of church members: Karla Cole (daughter of Joanne Elliott) and Russell Lang (father of Lorraine Malmborg.)

Volunteer & Community Opportunities

In the Community:

Volunteer your time or donate to Life Span.   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

One Worship Service, December 17, 10 a.m.

One Worship Service, December 24, 10 a.m.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, December 24, 7 p.m.

Office Closed, December 25 & 26, all day

One Worship Service, December 31

Office Closed, December 29, all day

Office Closed, January 1, all day

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Next Meeting Dates

Communications Task Force, January 23, 2018,  7:00 p.m.

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

Hospitality , January 11, 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, TBD

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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. (no service Nov. 26 for both Middle and Sr. High)  

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               (through December 20 until after the first of the year)

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-"Forgiveness", 6:3 0 a.m.  at                    Pagliacci's     

Contemporary Worship Practice  6:00 p.m.

Saturdays

Men's Breakfast, second Saturday of the month,       

       Downtown Diner, 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

December 10 attendance:

   8:15 am:     72                  

   10:45 am:   81

Finance Report:

   

General Fund: $  14,209 received  this week                  

                        $373,295  YTD

   (our general fund budget is $401,000 for the year)

   

Renovation Fund:   

Cost of project:              $434,766

Starting funds:                 107,142

2016 receipts                     57,646

2017 receipts                   122,522

Still Needed:                  $147,371

The amount received for 2017 includes receipts  last week of:  $555

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:

    

    Pantry : $100

    Christmas Baskets:  $495

    Memorials: $100