We illuminate our community with God’s grace as we lovingly accept, listen to, and serve all in the Spirit of Jesus.

SUNDAY SERVICES TAKE PLACE IN-PERSON & ONLINE AT 9:00 AM

Worship Service airs live on our Website , YouTube  and  Facebook at 9 am.

Go to the Worship Page on our Website to find more information about future services.

First Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2024

Hope Through the Ages: Jesus’ Genealogy Unveiled -Matthew 1:1-17

"Hope Through the Ages: Jesus’ Genealogy Unveiled" (Matthew 1:1-17) explores how Jesus connects us to the promises of the past so that we can live with hope for the future. Discover the significance of Christ’s lineage and how it empowers us to trust in God’s ongoing work in our lives today.

Good News Statement: Jesus connects us to the promises of the past so that we can live with hope for the future.

This week's Bulletin can be found in the Document Center.  

SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLE OR EVENT INFORMATION

Submit information for inclusion in Messenger and/or Bulletin Announcements by Wednesday at Noon. Please use the button BELOW or click here for the COMMUNICATIONS submission form -- all requests for communicating an event should be made via this form, including getting items on the calendar and reserving rooms for your event. This form can also be found on the sign-up page on our website. If you cannot use the submission form please email communications@genevaumc.org. Information sent to this email goes to Carolyn, Lorie and Kimberley, as does the submission form. 

ZOOM INTO THE FUTURE: JOIN OUR TOWN HALL!

Curious about the 2025 church budget? Wondering how the new Minister of Formation & Outreach will shape our ministry? Have questions about what it takes to maintain our church for the next 40 years? Join us for a Zoom Townhall Meeting on December 1 at 3 p.m. to dive into these topics and more!

This is your chance to learn, ask questions, and prepare for the Annual Church Conference on December 4th. Can’t make it live? A recording will be available. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the conversation about our church’s future!



Click for Zoom link

Meeting ID: 897 7140 7613

Passcode: 503502

All are invited to attend a potluck dinner and the All Church Conference on Wednesday, December 4

The potluck dinner will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Conference at 7:00 p.m. Come enjoy dinner together and then stay to hear about the latest church business.



If you have any questions, email Sharon Anderson.

A link to sign up for the potluck dinner is here -- hope to see you there!

November 19, 2024 --Council Meeting Summary

• The November Council meeting opened with a brief discussion of chapter 5 of Richard Rohr’s book, “Everything Belongs.”
• The Council approved the recommendation from the UMG Fund to grant up to $100,000 to be used over the next 60 months to offset the costs associated with hiring a full-time Minister of Formation and Outreach. This position supports our commitment to deepening our outreach and faith formation programs, fostering growth, and nurturing connections within the church and community.
• Council voted and approved the UMG Fund recommended 2025 available funds of $87,500 which will be distributed as follows: $8,750 to Church in Society & Missions, $40,000 for the Trustee Reserve, and $38,750 available for 2025 grant requests for new and unbudgeted ministries.
• Council voted and approved the 2025 Operating Budget of $733,973.35. The Stewardship Committee reported that the estimate of 2025 giving pledges as of Nov. 19 is $379,089 and $461,750 in estimated giving.
• Council voted and approved the 2025 scholarship fund allocation of $15,000 for 2024 and $15,000 for 2025.
• The Missions Committee is hosting a Bake Sale on Cantata Sunday, December 15 and will match whatever funds are raised. All proceeds will go to UMCOR hurricane relief.
• All are invited to the All church potluck in Fellowship Hall at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 4 followed by the All Church Conference at 7:00 pm.

MAKE YOUR OWN ADVENT WREATH

Sunday, December 1

10-10:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall

All supplies provided: candle holder ring, candles (wax or battery), and greenery. A booklet of readings will also be available.

Come join us and make an Advent Wreath to use at home. We also need volunteers to make Advent Wreaths for some of our homebound folks.

For more information contact Pastor Becky 630-452-5193 or pastorbeckyn@gmail.com

Advent Tea and Worship Service

Join us for the beautiful tradition of the Advent Tea and Worship Service Event on Monday, December 2nd at 9:30 am and 7:00 pm.

Our theme is Inner Christmas and the Holy Nights. Experience a service inviting us to draw inward creating a sacred space for the miraculous event of Christmas and consider ways of carrying this gift deep within our hearts and carrying it forward into the world.

Afterwards, we will have a festive celebration with tea and refreshments.

Angel Tree tags, supporting children through Tri-CIty Salvation Army, will be available in Fellowship Hall after worship this Sunday. Please pick up a tag with details about a child to shop for this Christmas. Then have fun shopping and bring the gift to church UNWRAPPED with your Angel tag attached by DECEMBER 8.

A gift box will be located on the same table as Angel Tags for the collection of gift cards (or money and we will purchase cards) for Salvation Army, Kane County CASA, and the 2 homeless shelters we support – Lazarus House and Hesed House. A check should be made out to UMCG. We suggest amounts of $20 from Target, Walmart or gas cards are always welcome -- teens love fast food or movie gift cards!

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECT -- GIFT BAG FOR PETS

This year the community outreach project for Whoville Fest will be to gift the dog and cat companions of the Meals on Wheels recipients a “Max Bag” of goodies. Each handcrafted Max Bag will include a toy and treats and will be assembled by the guests at Whoville Fest on December 7. The volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels will then deliver the bags on their meal delivery day.

We are looking for donations of cat and dog toys to include in the bags. A donation box is located in the Donation Station through Thursday, December 5, 2024. NO RAWHIDE BONES, PLEASE.

CAN YOU HELP BAKE OR WORK OUR 2ND ANNUAL WHOVILLE FEST?



We are so excited to host the Whoville Fest again and are looking for help working the event and/or baking treats for the party!

Click here to access our online signup!

Come ONE, Come ALL, to our First UMCG Family Christmas Caroling Party on Saturday, December 14th!

You don’t have to have a great singing voice to sing Christmas carols, just a willingness to share the Spirit of the Christmas season with our homebound members in the church!

We will meet at the church at 12:30 PM; divide into groups, and drive to four of our homebound member's homes in Geneva and St.Charles by 1 pm. We’ll plan to sing right outside their doors for about 10 to 15 minutes and then move on to the next home. After we’re done caroling, we‘ll come back to the church, and sing to some of the neighbors around the church. To top off the afternoon, we will then enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies up in Fellowship Hall.

This is an ALL church activity, and would like to encourage families to join us for this fun afternoon of caroling to our homebound members in our church.And please invite a friend to join us in this caroling party! The more the merrier, and the stronger our voices will be!

Click here to RSVP -- the more the merrier! There will also be a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall starting November 24.Any questions please talk to or contact Christine Donovan, 630-698-0021, ckd5@sbcglobal.net

THE CANTATA BAKE SALE IS COMING SOON!

Start your shopping list: Sugar, flour, butter . . . chocolate, of course! Get your favorite recipe out-- we are hoping for a delicious treat table!

Proceeds are for UMCOR hurricane relief, and Missions will match your donations this year!

Can’t wait to see all the delicious holiday treats! 

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL ADVENT STUDY: THE CHRISTMAS LETTERS

 By Magrey R. DeVega

BEGINS SUNDAY

Abingdon Press: “This Advent, Magrey de Vega invites you to explore some of the letters in the New Testament, the Epistles, to hear about the miracle of Christ's birth from those who first told the story.

Romans, 1 John, Philippians, and Colossians contain the earliest attempts by the church to understand and celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

We are meant to read them as if they're written to us, to guide us, and to teach us and help us follow Christ. Spend time with these holy, ancient words this Advent, and come to appreciate the meaning of Christ's birth like never before.”

Adult Sunday School meets in the Parlor each Sunday at 10:30 am. The book is available through Amazon and other locations. The study will also be supported with a video each week. Please consider joining them and invite a friend for good discussions and fellowship! Contact Jim McConnell with questions.

Please join Missions & Church in Society Committees at Feed My Starving Children at 555 Exchange Court, Aurora, IL 60504 on Saturday, January 4, 2025 11:30 am-1:15 pm. This event is for Children of God ages 5 years old and up. It is a fun family activity!

Three ways to sign up. (Choose 1 of the 3)

1. Follow this link to sign up or donate http://www.fmsc.org/join-group?joincode=D15531

2. Email 4jkarwoski@comcast.net to have the link sent to you from FMSC.

3. Text/call Jennifer @ 630-641-7285 with names and ages (if under 18) of all volunteers.

We look forward to a fun packing event! 

UMCG'S TEAM OF Katy Howell, Julie Popplewell, Charlie, Elise Erhart, Gregory Harrelson, and Maddie Catich works on this home this past summer

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