Weekly Messenger - January 7, 2022 |
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Making and nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ to serve the community and the world |
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Blessing for the New Year
We've entered a new year. Many of us have made (or chosen not to make) resolutions for 2022 to better our lives, relationships, and the world. Our church is even undergoing some renovations for a brighter year (and future). Yet, there is much in...
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genevaumc.org
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UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES |
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Sunday Worship Service - January 9, 2022
Online worship service of baptismal anticipation and reaffirmation featuring music and Pastor Rob Hamilton's message - "Not Worthy"
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January 9, 16 & 23 Services will be online only.
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY UPDATE
Sunday, January 9 at 9:30 am - We will be having a Zoom class that correlates with the sermon on Jesus' baptism. We will talk about water, play some water glass xylophones, watch a short video, and play a word game. Please print the coloring sheet and check for the Zoom link in your email from Julie.
Sunday, January 16 - Julie will send you some Martin Luther King Jr. videos to watch with your children. No Zoom Class.
Sunday, January 23 at 9:30 am - We will be having a zoom class that correlates with the sermon on David and Goliath.
Sunday, January 30 at 9:00 am - Regular Sunday School Classes resume at the Church during the service!
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Open Gym Day January 22 - Our youth group has reserved a gym at Stephen D. Persinger Rec Center from 3:00-5:00 pm on January 22. It will be a fun time and there will be a prize for the youth who brings the most friends. Please let us know if you plan on coming by signing up here.
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Virtual Sunday School - Middle school and High School will be virtual while the church building is closed for remodeling. The two groups will meet together via Zoom on Jan 9 and 16. Stay tuned for details on the Jan 23 plans. Virtual Sunday School will be at 11:00 am.
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Pen and Paper in January - For most of January we will be meeting via Discord due to remodeling work being done at the church this month. Contact Darlene Kilmer, darkilmer@yahoo.com, 630-779-8389, if you need a link to join to the youth group Discord server. We will meet via Discord on January 8, 15, and 22, and hopefully, meet back in person at the church on the January 29.
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Hesed House - This is a reminder that our church serves at Hesed House in the evening of the second Monday of each month, serving food. Youth and their parents are encouraged to join other UMCG members in this great service opportunity. For more information or to sign up, please go to the Sign-up Genius page.
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EVENTS AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Volunteer to Serve Meals At Hesed House on January 10 and through 2022! |
Our church serves the evening meal, breakfast, and bag lunches at Hesed House on the 2nd Monday every month. Anyone who serves on the dinner crew must be 12 years or older and fully vaccinated. Dinner crew volunteers are needed from about 6:15 until around 8:30 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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Calling all Church Council and Committee Members!
UMCG's 2022 Leadership Summit will take place Saturday, January 15th from 9am-12pm via Zoom. This Summit will start organizing our shared work together for 2022, offer leadership training for the specific work before us, set expectations for our shared ministry and offer training on church procedures. We ask that all Council and Committee Members attend and we invite any other interested church members to listen in via Zoom.
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Salvation Army Food Drive - February 6 |
The Committee on Missions/Church in Society will be holding a food drive for the Salvation Army Food Pantry on February 6, when our church building will once again be open. Please bring items to church with you on that Sunday. Any non-perishable items are welcomed, but canned soups, vegetables and fruit, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, boxed macaroni and cheese, “Helper” meals, cleaning supplies, and diapers are always needed.
The Committee is overwhelmingly grateful for the 841 bags and boxes of food donated by the generous members of UMCG in 2021! Food needs are real and ever-present in the Fox Valley—thank you for helping us alleviate those needs and sustaining our less-fortunate neighbors.
The Committee on Missions/Church in Society
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Your input is needed for our church-wide assessment as we plan for the future of ministry at UMCG.
Please save the date Saturday, February 5 - for listening sessions & Sunday, February 6, 3:30pm - Ministry Architects Assessment Report.
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Tune in to Pastor Rob Hamilton's State of the Church Address on Sunday, January 23rd.
This recorded video address reflects on the past year and looks toward the future and it will be available for on-demand viewing starting at 7pm via our YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and at genevumc.org Pastor's Blog pages. Links to the videos and a manuscript will also be sent via email on Sunday January 23.
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CHURCH BEAUTIFICATION UPDATE
The pews were removed from the Sanctuary and placed in Fellowship Hall. Carpet was also removed. Thank you to the many worshippers on Sunday who helped carry hymnals and Bibles into Fellowship Hall! - Kathy McNeil, UMCG Trustees
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Fellowship Hall full of pews |
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Hymnals and Bibles on Pews |
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INTENTIONAL MINISTRY FOR CHANGING TIMES - NEW TOOLS AND PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX
Saturday, January 29, 9 am -11:15 am via Zoom
Bonus in-person technology training session available.
Cost: $10 per person or $50 max per church
Pre-meeting: All participants will receive an introduction video, a prayer video, and a teaching video on Adaptable Leadership to view before the Training Event.
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ACOLYTES NEEDED IN 2022
Calling all 4th-8th graders (or older) Be an Acolyte in 2022!
Every 1st Sunday in 2022 needs 2 Acolytes. Sign up first Sundays in 2022 with Jane. Acolytes arrive at 8:30 am on Sundays to get robes, practice lighting, and a brief prayer. Please sign up with Jane at jsiarny@att.net or by phone/text at 630-715-8590.
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SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION AVAILABLE
Attention all high school seniors and college undergraduate and graduate students! UMCG scholarship applications are now open. You can find the application form on our website under sign-ups or click this link. The deadline to submit your application is May 6, 2022 at 11:59 PM. No application will be accepted after that date, and all parts of the application must be received by May 6. This year, the scholarship committee will only accept official transcripts, so please plan accordingly so that the transcripts are received prior to the May 6 deadline. Please contact a committee member with questions or if you need help: Colleen Fasbender, Barb Pribble, Suzanne Zefron, Gwen Powell, Don Mendenhall, Cindy Anast, and Nancy Tweed.
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For many gardeners, January is the month when we plan for the coming year. It’s a great time to browse seed catalogs, and to mull over new plants to try. Also, it’s a good time to evaluate last year’s garden—what worked, and what didn’t work. What didn’t work for me? The usual—too many weeds! I will keep working on that! What worked? Several natives emerged as winners, including the aromatic aster (Aster oblongifolium) with its violet-blue flowers, and the blue-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago cassia), with its lovely golden flowers and compact size. Both have been attractive to bees.
So, what with planning for the garden to come and learning from the garden just past, there is plenty for the gardener to do in January.
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Tuesday Prayer Meeting Zooms during January
During January, Tuesday Prayer Partners will gather via Zoom on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm. Reach out to Mary Gay McKinney for the Zoom link. We pray for 30 minutes and we welcome YOU!
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CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP JANUARY MEETING
Are you a caregiver for a loved one? The Caregivers Support Group welcomes newcomers to monthly meetings. We'll meet on January 13, 2022 at 10:00 am. Check with Nancy Harrington or Mary Gay McKinney for details.
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NEWS FROM THE UMC COMMUNITY |
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Scholarships Available for UM Students
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) is accepting scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 academic year between January 1 – March 1, 2022. Students who are members of The United Methodist Church and planning to attend a United Methodist-related school, college, university, or seminary full-time are eligible to apply. More information on eligibility criteria, the application process, and FAQs can be found at umhef.org/scholarships. Applications and supporting materials must be submitted/postmarked no later than March 1, 2022. Download the flyer.
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The NIC weekly eNews is here.
The NIC December/January Reporter is available here.
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SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION FOR ENEWS AND MESSENGER |
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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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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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