Weekly Messenger - March 4, 2022 |
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Making and nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ to serve the community and the world |
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Recently, I encountered two curious people and engaged them in conversation about Lent (one was a non-UM pastor and the other a faithful member of a UM church). The conversation was so similar between the two I combined the questions and my responses into one and am sharing the compilation with you. I share this with you just in case you had similar thoughts and questions...Read the rest of Rob's Message.
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UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES |
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Sunday Worship Service - March 6, 2022
Pastor Rob Hamilton Preaches - The Walk: Worship & Prayer
From the beginning of the Bible and all the way to the end, God’s people have lifted praise, thanksgiving and adoration to God. For generations we have been able to talk to God like talking to a friend. Learn new and renew your worship and prayer practices as we explore this first and core Christian practice.
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Our Services are in-person and livestreamed
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BLESSING TABLES FOR MARCH 6
This week's blessing tables themes include kid's games, Fine Arts table led by Jim Manos, Friendly Visitors table led by Nancie Lillie & Rod Yarger, 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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CHILDRENS MINISTRY UPDATE
SAVE THE DATE!
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.
YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATE
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Chocolat Series for HS Sunday School
Another MOVIE series in High School Sunday School - Beginning on Sunday, March 6, we will kick off Lent by diving into 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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Debbie Sampiller, Director of Administrative Ministries to retire this summer.
After 18 years of serving UMCG as the Director of Administrative MInistries, Debbie Sampliller has announced her intention to retire by the end of July 2022.
Debbie says, "It will be very difficult to leave this ministry that I feel I was called to. I have come to care deeply for many in this congregation. After much prayer, I have decided to retire. I would like to spend more time with my husband Michael and be free to travel to see family."
Indeed, Debbie's retirement will be a loss to our church as her warm smile, generous attitude, deep faith and mastery of our church's systems have been a blessing to all of our ministries!
SPRC looks forward to hosting a retirement celebration of Debbie's 18 years ministry and they will soon be evaluating and posting this position to begin a search and start a transition.
We wish Debbie and Michael a blessed and joyous retirement.
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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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SHOULD UMCG PARTICIPATE AS A FOOD VENDER AGAIN FOR SWEDISH DAYS THIS YEAR?
The Chamber of Commerce has contacted us and would like us back for another year. They have offered to shorten the day and time committment. To do so, we need someone to chair this event and we need volunteers. If you are interested in helping out please contact Mark Byars at mbyars@hotmail.com prior to our March 15 deadline.
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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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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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CREATION CARE NEWS
Come see the new Creation Care board in Fellowship Hall and remember to visit often because we will be
adding new events and information on a regular basis.
- Scan the QR code on the book cover of When We All Stopped and watch an animated version of the story narrated by Jane Goodall.
- See information that is available for the Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District’s Spring Tree, Shrub and Plant Sale. An order form also available here.
- See a list of the movies that are available for this years One Earth Film Festival. Over 14 movies will be shown virtually March 4th -13th.
- Lastly, if you see an article that you would like to share with us please place it in the CCT drawer located in the office.
Creation Care Team
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THERE'S LOTS OF CONTENT IN THIS MESSENGER. MAKE SURE YOU CLICK ON VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE AT THE END OF THE EMAIL TO SEE THE ENTIRE MESSENGER.
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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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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 each prayer you say
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Volunteer to Serve Meals At Hesed House on Second Mondays
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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SALVATION ARMY FOOD COLLECTION MARCH 6
The Committee on Missions/Church in Society will be holding a food drive for the Salvation Army Food Pantry on March 6. Salvation Army Food Pantry needs for March are spaghetti sauce, dry pasta, canned soups, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, and canned fruit. Any non-perishable items are welcome and “Helper” meals, cleaning supplies, and diapers are always needed. You are also encouraged to donate throughout the month.
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SIGN UP TO HELP WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILD IN BATAVIA ON MARCH 12
Our church has volunteered to work a build day for Habitat for Humanity in Batavia on March 12 from 8:30am-4pm. There are a variety of jobs perfect for every level of skill. Their staff provides on-site training and all-day guidance, as well as all of the tools and materials needed to complete the tasks at hand.
You need to be at last 16 years of age to volunteer.
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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 or Wednesday March 15-16. The Labyrinth will be set up each day. 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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Write a review of UMCG on Google or other social media pages.
- Here's a link to our Google review page. You will need to sign-in to your Google Account to write a review.
- If you are a Facebook user here is a link to Facebook Review page for UMCG. On the left it will ask "Do you recommend United Methodist Church of Geneva?" "Click Yes and enter your post.
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Did you know you can find updates about our Adult Small Groups on our Website?
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Pastor Rob’s Lenten Book Study and Sermon Discussion of The Walk by Adam Hamilton will take place during Adult Sunday School Class time on Sundays 10:30am-11:30am. Please order your own copy The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life from your favorite bookseller or contact the church office and we can order a copy for you.
The first session begins Sunday, March 6. Please read the introduction and chapter 1 before the first session.
Click on image to view video introduction.
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TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR WITNESS AT THE CROSS BOOK STUDY
The Tri-City Methodist Churches are offering a Zoom Lenten study which will be meeting on Tuesdays March 8-April 12 from 7-8pm. Pastor Mary Zajac of Baker Memorial UMC will be the facilitator and we'll be utilizing the book Witness At The Cross by A.J. Levine. Sign up at: tinyurl.com/tricityLentStudy22
The Early Bird Men's Fellowship will be also be studying this book starting March 10. Join them on Thursdays at 7:00am. For more information, contact Jim McConnell.
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Spirits & Studies is taking a break until we begin our Lenten Study, Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America. This study will begin on Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30pm. This study will be led by student pastor Cory Nordine. For more information contact Rev. Mary Gay McKinney
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Spirited Women are studying Brian Mcclaren's book: We Make The Road By Walking. The study discusses Spiritual Formation, Reorientation and Activation for Christians seeking an active faith.
Join us for lively discussions on Wednesdays from 9:15am to 11am in the parlor or via Zoom.
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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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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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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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