Making and nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ to serve the community and the world |
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Friends of Lithuania in Support of Peace and Ukraine
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UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES |
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Sunday Worship Service - March 13, 2022
Pastor Rob Hamilton Preaches - The Walk: Study
Through Scripture the living Christ meets us in the experience of redeeming grace. We properly read Scripture within the believing community, informed by the tradition of that community.We interpret individual texts in light of their place in the Bible as a whole. We are aided by scholarly inquiry and personal insight, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As we work with each text, we take into account what we have been able to learn about the original context and intention of that text. In this understanding we draw upon the careful historical, literary, and textual studies of recent years, which have enriched our understanding of the Bible. Through this faithful reading of Scripture, we may come to know the truth of the biblical message in its bearing on our own lives and the life of the world. Thus, the Bible serves both as a source of our faith and as the basic criterion by which the truth and fidelity of any interpretation of faith is measured.
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Our Services are in-person and livestreamed
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BLESSING TABLES FOR MARCH 13
This week's blessing tables themes include kid's games, Yoga table led by Colleen Fasbender, Men's Club table led by Mark Byars, and a general conversation table.
If anyone has a hobby or if anyone wants to highlight a church activity or committee just email Keith Bowgren at kbowgren@gmail.com and we will get you plugged in. New and different tables every Sunday with Children & Youth games each week.
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY UPDATE
JOIN US FOR SINGING!
Starting Sunday March 13, Preschool through 5th grades will join Mr. Popplewell in the choir room right after the Children's Time to learn some fun songs that we will sing during Palm Sunday and possibly Easter! Please join us so your child can feel comfortable singing or playing fun small instruments with us!
EASTER EGG HUNT
Our UMCG kids will be hosting a community Easter Egg Hunt and Earth Day craft project at Wheeler Park (by the playground) on Saturday April 16 from 1-2 pm. Join us for our Earth Day and Easter Celebration! Bring your Easter baskets! No registration required.
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KIDS BIBLE READING REWARDS!
Take a look at Cameron who just earned TWO gift certificates to Dairy Queen in St. Charles for reading his ENTIRE early reader bible! Way to go Cameron! Does your child want to pick a prize from our bible chest or earn a gift certificate? Follow the Bible reading book marks and show them to Miss Julie! Any questions? Email Julie at Julie@genevaumc.org
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A NEW KIND OF VBS
Mark your calendars for Saturday June 25, Saturday July 30, Saturday August 27, and Saturday October 1 for our NEW Spirited Kids Adventures! (aka Vacation Bible School). Our new monthly format will lead us into forming a new youth group just for Elementary aged kids! Our theme will be "Holy Spirit Activate!" Each month our kiddos will learn about how the Holy Spirit is alive in all aspects of the elements. June we will learn about how to activate the Holy Spirit by taking care of the Earth. The following months will focus on air, water, fire, and space! Each day will be at differing times and locations, so watch for details on that in the upcoming months on how to register and how YOU can help out!
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YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATE
Perfect Saturday Morning Youth Service Opportunity - All 6th-12th graders are invited to come help sort sort and pack food with us at the Northern Illinois Food Bank on March 19 from 9:00am-12:00pm. This is a great opportunity to serve our community and a fun way to log some service hours if you need them for other organizations that you are in. Please sign up using this link to participate. We have 16 spots available - including chaperones - and we think they will go fast. Youth are welcome to bring their younger siblings to serve as well, as long as they are 8 or older. We will meet at NIFB's West Suburban Center of NIFB - 273 Dearborn Court / Geneva, IL 60134 - at 8:50 on Saturday March 19. Please contact Mike Crain, Virtual Interim Youth Director, with any questions. Contact: mike.crain@ministryarchitects.com
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Chocolat Series for HS Sunday School
Another MOVIE series in High School Sunday School - Began on Sunday, March 6, we started a 4 week series of watching and discussing the spiritual themes in the movie Chocolat. This is a great movie and the discussion should be rich. High School Sunday School is at 9:00 am in the youth room in the lower level of the church.
College Care Packages Prep
College Students - We Want to Know: The youth ministry is planning on packing and sending out care packages later this Spring to all of our UMC Geneva students who are in college across the country. If you are a college student or if you are the parental guardian unit ;) of a college student, then please send the name of the student and the name of college/university to mike.crain@ministryarchitects.com. Use the subject line “College Student.” In fact, email this to Mike right now. It will take 30 seconds.
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EVENTS AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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UMCG FOOD BOOTH IS A GO FOR SWEDISH DAYS!
UMCG will operate a food booth during the festival that takes place June 22-26 this year. Many volunteers are needed to help with the booth. This is a great way to get to know your church family members better, as well as our community. If you are interested in helping staff the booth or for more information, please contact Steve Lillie (chairperson) at sandnlillie@gmail.com. |
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SPRING YOGA OPPORTUNITIES
Colleen Fasbender has shared several opportunities to practice yoga this spring. Sessions start on April 4 and run through May 26. Different class times are available: Monday: 9:30-10:45am, Monday: 5:30-6:45pm & Thursday: 9:30-10:45am. Class cost is $70.
Therapeutic Yoga Workshop: The Issues Live in the Tissues -SomaYoga To Reduce Anxiety and Stress will take place at UMCG on Friday March 25 from 9:30-11:30am. Cost is $35 if you register before March 18.
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Tickets are still available! Join TriCity Family Services for a meaningful night showcasing hope in the garden of mental health. The 2022 Hope Grows Here Gala is the nonprofit’s largest signature event and will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment, and an inspiring program to help raise funds that will provide life-changing services for thousands of individuals experiencing mental health conditions.
The evening will also celebrate this year’s Golden Heart Award recipients: Dr. David Ginsberg; Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream and Geneva Lutheran Church.
Contact Veronique Saxe 630-977-9340 for any questions regarding this event.
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It's time to order Easter flowers. Look for this order in our bulletins in a few weeks and you can also pick one up in the church office. You can also open this form, fill out save and email to Debbie Sampiller. |
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UMC WOMEN'S CLUSTER LUNCHEON
March 23, 2022 at 11:30 am
Baker UMC
This is a great chance for Baker, West Chicago, and UMCG to meet with other ladies in the area. This year it is at Baker Memorial UMC in St. Charles beginning at 11:30 am.
Geneva ladies are asked to bring salads. The speaker is Bruce Strom, President and CEO of Administer Justice.
A sign-up sheet is in Fellowship Hall or contact Joan Hansen at jdhansen@sbcglobal.net or 630-251-4628 for more information or to sign up prior to March 15.
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The Health Team has updated our COVID Safety Guidelines
Please click on image for full document
Brief Synopsis
- Sunday Worship and & Sunday School: Masks required through Easter Sunday.
- Masks strongly encouraged, but not required for other gatherings.
- Effective March 1, coffee, refreshments, food service and kitchen use may continue.
- HVAC circulation needs to be in use when using rooms at the church.
- If COVID transmission rates change, these guidelines will be adjusted.
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LOOKING FOR A DRONE
We are looking to take some aerial pictures and video of Geneva and the church. Is anyone here a drone pilot or knows of one that would donate some time to take some photos and video later this spring? Contact: Carolyn Burnham
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SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION FOR MESSENGER AND CALENDARS |
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Submit information each week by Wednesday at 12pm for inclusion in Bulletin Announcements or the Weekly Messenger. Please use the submission form. This form can also be found on the sign-ups page on our website. You may also send them to communications@genevaumc.org. Information sent to this email goes to Carolyn, Debbie, and Lorie.
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Prepare a Lenten offering to be given in an Easter offering envelope.
Commit to a denomination (penny, dollar, quarter, $5, etc) of money and each week. Make an offering using the giving guide each Monday.
Next week: Make one contribution for every day you read 5 verses of Scripture this week.
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United Methodists around the world are condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As Christians we believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ.
We also know our God stands with the oppressed and calls on us to support them. United Methodist leaders, organizations and individuals are responding to the invasion of Ukraine through their prayer, aid and witness. Consider making a donation to help with humanitarian efforts in the Ukraine.
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Volunteer to Serve Meals At Hesed House on March 14!
Our church serves the evening meal, breakfast, and bag lunches at Hesed House on the 2nd Monday of each month. Anyone who serves on the dinner crew must be 12 years or older and fully vaccinated. Dinner crew volunteers are needed from about 6:15pm until around 8:30pm at the Hesed House, 659 S River St. in Aurora. More information and sign-up at this link Sign Up Genius. Note that you also need to register with Hesed House.
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Volunteer at the Northern Illinois Food Bank on March 31 from 1-3:30pm.
Twenty spots available for our church family and friends to pack and sort food at the food bank. Please contact Pastor Lisa if you are interested in serving by March 20. She will follow up with additional registration information. |
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Tuesday Prayer Partners - Tuesdays from 1 - 1:30pm in the Parlor.
Join the small group of people who gather in a hybrid setting (in the parlor and zoom) to pray for our church, world, nation, and each other. The prayer session lasts approximately 30 minutes. While many participants choose to name their prayers aloud, those who prefer to pray silently are equally important to the group.
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Prayer Labyrinth is coming to UMCG on March 15 & 16
Come and pray while you walk a Chartres Labyrinth in Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, March 15 from 11am to 9pm and Wednesday, March 16 from 8am to 9pm. You may take 30-60 minutes as you need, praying and walking with a friend or two. This prayer practice frees your heart to listen and speak with God while your feet follow this regular pattern into and out of the center of the "flower." An ancient meditative practice of the church, labyrinth patterns are found in cathedrals and gardens around the world. Materials will be available to help guide your prayers. Plan to walk in your socks or the booties provided. Our labyrinth is borrowed from Grace UMC in Joliet, with gratitude for their generosity.
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Today: Offer to pray for a friend
Next Week: Work on a 30-second elevator speech. Think about or journal on how you would summarize the Christian faith in seven words or less. Answer these questions for yourself: How does faith in Jesus make a difference in your life? Why are you a Christian? Who is Jesus to you?
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WATCH OUR DEVOTIONAL MESSAGES EACH WEDNESDAY
Check out our UMCG Facebook and Instagram pages for a weekly devotional post from Pastor Mary Gay to help deepen your spiritual life as she studies and engages the Bible and topics relevant to life today. You can also find them on our website.
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NEWS FROM THE UMC COMMUNITY |
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Prairie Central eNews is here
The NIC weekly eNews is here.
The NIC Reporter for March is available here.
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ACCESS THE UMCG DOCUMENT CENTER |
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UMCG has a hidden page on the website for our church family to access called the Document Center. This includes our committee roster, communications submission forms and in the future, our committee agendas, reports and minutes. |
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Watch Online Worship Services |
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211 Hamilton Street
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (630) 232-7120
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Connect with us on Social Media |
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