Messenger Newsletter June

The Messenger

First United Methodist Church

Des Plaines, Illinois

From the Pastor’s Desk                           

Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate as the “birthday” of the Church. Pentecost itself is a very old feast of the Jews that celebrated the presentation of the “first fruits” of the wheat harvest which took place 50 days after the first of the barley harvest. Sounds complicated doesn’t it. Well in some ways it is and in some ways it isn’t.

The barley harvest was usually the first “grain” harvest of the Jewish year. Most old varieties of barley only take 85-90 days to mature whereas the old varieties of wheat can take as many as 130 days to reach maturity. Another difference between barley and wheat is that wheat is much easier to store than barley which makes wheat a more staple crop to grow for people food, because it lasts longer before you have to feed it to the animals as fodder.

Barley is also in some ways a more hearty plant than wheat. Barley requires less water than wheat to bring its seeds to maturity. And barley can stand colder temperatures while it is growing with less damage than wheat can, so it was usually planted earlier in the year than wheat. Barley also yields a smaller crop than wheat when comparing ideal conditions for both grains. The ancient varieties of barley produced a crop in average of 24-28 to one. That means for each grain of barley that was planted and grew a crop produced an average number of seeds between 24 and 28. The ancient varieties of wheat produced in an average ratio of 36-40 to one. In other words a typical wheat harvest would yield roughly 30% more grain than a typical barley harvest.

Put all these factors together, and you get the barley crop as the first edible grain crop to be harvested during the year by at least a month and a half, but wheat became the staple crop grain because of its higher yield and it’s longer term storability. And that brings us right back to Pentecost.

The date of Pentecost on the old Jewish calendar was set at 50 days after the first harvesting of barley. The word Pentecost means “50 days.” So the “50 days” coincided with the first harvesting of wheat. Wheat was celebrated as the staple food crop that it was, so Pentecost was in essence the celebration of the harvest of the staple food product for the Jews.

The Jews were to bring the first-fruits of all their crops to offer to God as thanks for His provision. But the wheat harvest was critical for a healthy population to have long term stability in food resources. So naturally, the Lord commanded Israel to celebrate God’s provision of food thru the grain harvest each year. But there’s more to it than just food.

Bringing the first fruits of every crop you grew to God, was seen as the faithfulness of Israel towards God. If you gave the first of every crop it was seen as faith in God on your part, because you trusted that the Lord would also provide enough for you and your family during the rest of the year. But naturally, it’s a continuous temptation to eat the first fruits yourself, because you were hungry and had worked hard for that crop of whatever it was that you were growing.

Of course one must also consider what was believed when there was a crop failure. When the crops did not do well, it was seen as a result of God’s Judgment on Israel for whatever sins the nation was guilty of having committed. And there was plenty of historical data to remind Israel about what happens when they were NOT faithful to the Lord. There was one long remembered time when no rain fell for seven years. Imagine how miserable and hungry the people must have been. Israel had been worshiping other gods and that seven year drought was a direct result of their faithlessness. At the end of the seven years, the Lord did bring rain, but only after the Lord had utterly humiliated the priests of the foreign gods that Israel had been worshiping. And it did not rain until after the Lord had completely vindicated His prophet who had foretold the drought and after the people of Israel returned to worship the Lord, forsaking the foreign gods that they had so foolishly worshiped in their rebellion against GOD.           Continued on pg. 2

WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

MAY WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

Thank You!

 

Liturgists: Adina Walters, Brenda Murphy, Richard Ludwig, Sherry Scheffers

Sound: Don Ankeny

Greeters: Lynn Duncan

Ushers: Kathleen Barnes, Audrey Nankervis, Nancy Canova, Jeanne Fordham and Martha Lindberg

 

JUNE WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

Liturgists: Anne Cowin, Adina Walters, Brenda Murphy, Sherry Scheffers and Jackie Pofahl

Sound: Don Ankeny

Greeters: Tracy Goytia

Ushers: Kathleen Barnes, Audrey Nankervis

 

SUNDAY COFFEE SERVICE 2013

June 2013: The Worship Committee, Jim Blue contact.

Beginning on Sunday, June 2 we will be having ONE Worship service every Sunday beginning at 9:00 a.m. It will be a “Blended Worship” and each week will be different.

Children’s Sunday School will begin at 9:15 a.m.

 

Join us this summer for Worship!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continued from page 1; From the Pastor’s Desk

 

So on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, God sent His Holy Spirit into the believers who were gathered in the Upper Room. In essence, these first believers in Jesus Christ, as the risen from the dead Son of God their Savior and Lord were the first fruits of Jesus “earthly harvest” presented to God, 50 days after the first harvest from the dead. The very first “harvest” from the dead was Jesus Himself. The church for all these centuries has celebrated our own place as “first fruits” after Jesus Himself. It was the coming of the Holy Spirit, on the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection that we celebrate. It was the first time that the Holy Spirit had come to dwell in believers. Throughout the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit usually only rested upon a person for a limited period of time. But now, after our salvation was won for us by Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit of God actually took up residence inside of believers.

So let us rejoice in Christ our Savior, because His death on the cross and His resurrection have made it possible for us to not only put on Christ’s righteousness but to have the Spirit of God dwell inside of us, making the restoration of our daily walk with God a possibility. Thank God for His Son our Savior Jesus Christ and thanks be to God who fills His church with His Spirit.

 

In Christ’s service,

 

Pastor Brad

 

 

JULY 9 – 12, 2013

5:30 p.m. Supper

6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Activities

 

SUNDAY, JULY 14^TH –

VBS SUNDAY

 

This year’s VBS theme will be “Backyard Bible Camp Under the Stars”. There will be something for everyone this year! Pastor Brad will lead a study for the parents – nursery care will be available for those who need.

And FUN, FUN, FUN for the children!

 

We are looking for VBS Volunteers to help with the supper and activities. If you would like to help out, please see Anne Holmberg or Karen Boesche for more information!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS

JUNE 2013

 

Sunday, June 2: 2^nd Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 18: 20-39; Psalm 96 (UMH 815); Galatians 1: 1-12; Luke 7: 1-10

 

Sunday, June 9: 3^rd Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 17: 8-24; Psalm 146 (UMH 858); Galatians 1: 11-24; Luke 7: 11-17

 

Sunday, June 16: 4^th Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 21: 1-21a; Psalm 5: 1-8 (UMH 742); Galatians 2: 15-21; Luke 7:36 – 8:3

 

Sunday, June 23^rd: 5^th Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 19: 1-15a; Psalm 42 (UMH 777); Galatians 3: 23-29; Luke 8: 26-39

 

Sunday, June 30^th: 6^th Sunday after Pentecost

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Psalm 77: 1-2, 11-20 (UMH 798); Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9: 51-62

 

CARING MINISTRY

Rev. Oscar Carrasco, Mary Eley, Barbara Flauter, Lillian Gragg, June Griessmer, David Hissong, Joyce Lechner, Holly Maday, Laura Menger-Allen, Rolf Meyer, Mary Mott, Ric Pofahl, Wilma Scarff, June Sievers, Cathy Stein and James Stenstrom.

FOR MAY

 

Sunday, May 12^th: MOTHER’S DAY: ALL the ladies of the church received a single long stem carnation for Mother’s Day compliments of the Education Committee. Thank you!

 

Sunday, May 19: Sponsored by Adina and Jerry Walters in honor of their 1^st Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations!

 

Sunday, May 26: Sponsored by Bob and Joy Raczka in memory of Mildred Withey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 28: Prayers for Adina Walters who is at Alexian Brothers Hospital having issues with her GI disease.

 

May 28: Prayers for David Duncan who suffered a heart attack and underwent angioplasty surgery for an artery that was 90% blocked. His prognosis is good.

 

May 2: Continued prayers for Adina Walters who is having a procedure this morning at St. Alexis Hospital.

 

May 2: UPDATE: Anne Holmberg has informed me that Delores Fuhrman is now at the Abbington in Glenview. Mary Eley’s surgery will be on May 6^th.

 

May 1: Prayers for Adina Walters who is at St. Alexis Hospital in Hoffman Estates, room 638B.

 

May 1: Prayers for Mary Eley who will be having surgery in the near future.

 

May 1: Prayers for Dolores Fuhrman who suffered a stroke and is at Lutheran General Hospital.

THE MEMOIR WRITING GROUP

 

The Memoir Writing Group will be taking a break for the summer, but keep writing.

 

 

THE LADIES OF THE CHURCH

 

The Ladies of the Church would like to invite all the women to come to their monthly coffee! It is a good time for fellowship with one another along with a light snack. They meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in Goodyear Hall. (All months except July and August.)

 

 

 

 

News from the Finance Committee:

Gifts given to God through

First United Methodist Church

 

Two Months Ended April 30, 2013

 

                           Budget      Actual          Variance

Offerings                   $ 86,761        $ 70,530            $(16,231)

Expenses                      76,889           72,930                 3,959

Apportionment             9,872              4,000                  5,872

 

Month of April 2013

 

Offerings                   $ 21,690        $ 13,477            $   (8,213)

Expenses                      19,222           16,438                  2,784

Apportionment             2,468              1,000                   1,468

 

 

MISSION COMMISSION NEWS

Jan Weber, chair

JUNE COMMUNION OFFERING

 

This month’s communion offering will be sent to the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems. ILCAAAP is a church supported, statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to preventing problems caused by alcohol, other drugs, and gambling. We have supported this organization in previous years, but the need this year is as urgent as ever. There are several gambling bills in the Illinois legislature that will create a huge increase in gambling in Illinois. The Chicago Tribune in an April 10^th editorial, referred to these bills with the headline, “Worse than we thought”.

 

This organization is more than an anti-gambling lobby. It provides educational programs targeting teens about dangers of addiction. On the website, Ms. Bedell states: “Gambling revenue comes at too high of a cost. For every dollar you might get from gambling, it will cost $3 in social, criminal justice and regulatory costs.” Donations are needed to help spread this message, but she also asks for phone calls and prayers for your legislature and governor. Contribute by participating in the communion offering on Sunday, June 2^nd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday’s for the month of

1: June Sievers, Michael Anderson

2: Sarah Oehrlein

4: Steve Gurvis

5: Joanne Burkley

6: James Urbanio

7: June Griessmer, Adina Walters, Kenny Torp

10: Brenda Murphy

11: Randy Edmondson, Lisa Hartness

12: Edward Blondell, Joy Raczka

15: Pastor Brad! Kevin Vosburgh, Paul Oehrlein,

       Katherine Sogar

16: Ric Pofahl

17: Ruth Currer

18: Rusty Burke

22: William Knopf, Erik Olumstad

23: Marion Pugh

24: Helen Wolfgram

26: Andy Chapp

27: Sam Trinite, Dillon Eaton

28: Tori Danegger

29: Harriet Maday

30: Dolores Fuhrman, Gail Bradley, Nicholas Urbanio

 

Did we miss your special day? Please let Char know in the church office to have your name added to our list!

 

Mary Louise Shakespeare

6918 Saladino Drive

Roscoe, IL 61073

* * *

Wilma Scarff

c/o Country Club Retirement Campus

55801 Connomara Drive #49

Bellaire, OH 43906

740-676-2300

 

Donna Catlett

Email: dcatlett13@gmail.com

Please delete the desplaines.org address for

Donna as she has officially retired.

 

 

SUNDAY GREETER SIGN-UP SHEET

 

A Greeter is the first person we see as we enter the church. Our Greeters are positioned at the main entrance and are waiting to greet you as you enter our Sanctuary. They are there every Sunday morning with a smile and an extended hand. If you are interested in this fulfilling ministry, just sign up for your special Sunday on the sheet located in the Narthex following worship, or call the church office and Char can assist you in choosing your dates!

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL

FIELD DAY AND

 

 

Join us Sunday, June 9^th for our Annual Sunday School Field Day and Ice Cream Social! Anne Hardy and her team will be preparing an Italian Luncheon this year with an Ice Cream Sundae Bar for dessert!

 

There will be lots of games and fun on the front lawn of the church for the kids while the others are in worship. The Luncheon and Social will immediately follow worship.

 

ALL are invited – NO ticket necessary! A free will offering will be collected for the Youth and Adult Mission Trips this Summer.

 

This event is sponsored by the Education Committee.

 

 

ADULT MISSION                                        TEAM

FUNDRAISER

 

Who’s ready for some Boomers Baseball? Come see the Schaumburg Boomers vs the Frontier Greys on Tuesday, June 18^th. Game time is 6:30 p.m., but you’ll want to get there early to hear our own Susan Moore sing the National Anthem! Kids 12 and under eat Free; Bark in the Park Night, bring your four-legged friend out to the ballpark; free parking; and EVERYONE including your dog has an opportunity to run the bases after the game! All for only $10! See Laura Miller for tickets!

 

*  The Adult Mission Team will be meeting on Sunday, June 9^th immediately following worship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

UMCOR RESPONDS TO TORNADOES

 

After an unusually slow start to the 2013 US tornado season, a series of violent tornadoes cut through communities from Texas to Minnesota.

 

Especially hard hit were Granbury, Texas, and Shawnee and Moore, Oklahoma. The storms left whole neighborhoods in rubble and the lives of survivors upended.

 

100% of your gift to US Disaster Response, Advance #901670 supports relief in the affected communities today and recovery over the months and years to come. This advance enables UMCOR to respond to immediate needs such as food, water, emergency shelter, and relief supplies, and also supports survivors’ long-term recovery needs, including the rebuilding of homes and disaster case management.

Help UMCOR rebuild lives in Texas and Oklahoma. Please give generously.

 

US Disaster Response, Advance #901670

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NSRV)

 

www.umcor.org

 

 

  

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

 

If you sustained losses or damage from severe storms or flooding you may be eligible for disaster aid.

 

You can call to Apply:

1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585

For 711 or Video Relay Service, call

1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

For more information or to Apply: www.DisasterAssistance.gov

Or Apply on your smartphone at: m.fema.gov

 

When you apply for disaster assistance please have the following available:

                       

*Social Security Number (including your spouse’s)

*Private insurance information, if available

*Address and zip code of the damaged property

*Directions to the damaged home or property

*Daytime telephone number

*A telephone number where we can reach you or                                                     leave a message

*An address where you can get mail

*If you want your disaster assistance funds sent directly to your bank, provide the FEMA agent with your bank account type (savings/checking), account number and routing number

 

Disaster recovery assistance for eligible recipients is available without regard to race, color, gender, religion,

national origin, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SACRED GROUNDS

COFFEE CORNER

 

The Sacred Grounds Coffee Corner will be taking the summer off! Bags of coffee are still available for sale if you need!! Please see Donna Catlett or Arnie Ladd if you would like to purchase a bag of delicious Sacred Grounds    Coffee!

 

 

 

 

 

 

HELP A READER BLOSSOM

 

Many adults need help improving basic reading, writing or speaking skills.

Help a reader blossom!

The VITA Program of

Oakton Community College

In Skokie needs tutors!

 

A four part training will be held on

June 18^th & 20^th;

July 10^th & 24^th.

 

For more information,

call 847-635-1426