American  Lutheran  Church,  Gibson  City,  Illinois  “Committed  to  Love  and  to  Serve”  

August  2017  Newsletter  

From Pastor Jim Davis

In Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23, Jesus tells the well-known Parable of the Sower. This parable addresses the challenges we face on our earthly journey. There are times when the evil one – Satan – hardens our hearts to what God says to us. There are times that our trust in God

may wither and die when we experience very difficult challenges. Our faith in God gets choked out when the temptations of this world take over our lives. But, we do thrive when we live in good soil by working together to serve God. This parable reminds me of the deep divisions that plague our country. As a society, we are becoming increasingly impatient, intolerant, and distrustful of each other. We are closing our garage doors electronically instead of conversing with our neighbors. We are venting on social media instead of discussing our differences face to face in privacy. We are learning to expect instant answers and gratification with no regard about how this may affect others. How can we, as Christians, deal with the arguing, disagreements, and impatience that goes on all around us? First – we cannot control what other people say or do; we can only control how we respond to what happens around us and to us. Work hard at responding to

situations in a calm, loving, and Christian manner. Second – recognize that a part of our brain called the amygdala gives us a 3-second emotional boost of adrenaline when we are suddenly surprised, threatened, or caught off guard. Our automatic response is to freeze, retreat, or go on the offensive without thinking about it. If a situation is not life-threatening, then count to three so this emotional rush of adrenalin can subside before responding to it. Third – if someone has angered, frustrated, or hurt us, then it is best to wait until our emotions are under control before responding to them – whether this takes ten

minutes, ten days, or ten weeks. Emotional responses only raise the level of anger and frustration.

Fourth – discuss, but do not argue! A discussion is a conversation where ideas are shared and people learn from each other. An argument is an attempt to make

someone believe something – whether they want to or not! Fifth – get involved in causes that express your passions. Join with other people who share your enthusiasm and make a difference! Sixth – through prayer, Scripture, meditation, and discussions with Christians you trust,

listen to what God is telling you to do – and then act on it! With the help and guidance of our Patient and Loving Savior, may we live and work together in Good Soil!

People in Our Prayers

Dick Anstrom, father of Rich Anstrom is a resident of Gibson Area Hospital Annex. The Family of Ron & Evelyn Andris for the Loss of Evelyn’s Godmother, Violet Maryann Boudreau. Adam Brerhorst, an 18-year-old good friend of Gary & Sharon Stroh’s grandson Adam, had a foot amputated due to Ewings sarcoma, and is now on chemotherapy. Carrie Breum, grand-daughter of Frank & Margaret Stocker is teaching in Asia. Galant and Leaven, two of Carrie’s students, ask for prayers for their continued growth in the Christian faith. Lisa Buhs, daughter-in-law of Judy Buhs is battling MS. David Carstens, brother of Carol Carlson, suffers from heart and COPD problems. Carly Chase, is an 8-year-old girl on maintenance chemo. Her twin brother is a former student of Kelly Tompkins. Kim Cooper, granddaughter of Camilla Lohmeyer is battling an aggressive cancer. Emma Couillard, mother of Jeanette Bartells has health concerns. Mandy Darbutt, an employee of the Villas of Holly Brook, is recovering from surgery. Heather Eisenhardt, grand-daughter of Bette Mohart is serving in the U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago. Judy Friedlein, a long-time friend of Pastor Jim is battling cancer. Herb Green has health concerns. Alex Happ, grandson of Carol Carlson suffers from migraines. He has two tumors on

each side of his esophagus near an artery, and additional tumors have recently been discovered. We pray also for his parents, Dennis and Lois, Grandma Carol, and all of his family and friends.

Chuck Hay has taken a serious fall and broken his right knee and lower leg bones. Dwayne & Barb Horsch are recovering from a house fire. Denise Horton, a family friend of Molly Schroader is battling cancer. The children, family & friends of Jami Hyatt, for the loss of her husband, Police

Chief Eric Hyatt. Ada Kennedy is a resident of Gibson Area Hospital Annex. Curtis Lindsey, grandson of Becki Reinhart has health concerns. Nancy List is a resident of the Gibson Area Hospital Annex. Ray Mook, a friend of Ron & Evelyn Andris is battling cancer and grieving the loss of his wife, Jackie. Leona Mulvaney, grandmother of Amy Doman, suffers from congestive heart failure and depression. Joann Reinhart is a resident of Heritage Healthcare battling dementia. Servants United Parish as it is being formed to the glory of God. Jim Spangler has health concerns. Gary Stroh continues to undergo physical therapy for his healing femur and knee. Mary Timm has health concerns. Ericka Wahls, niece of Chuck & Nancy Hay is struggling with heart difficulties. Lou Wahls, father of Nancy Hay has recently moved into Holly Brook Assisted Living.

Happy Birthday – August

Makenzi Bielfeldt 2 Nancy List 12 Adyson DeFries 21 Mckenzy Foster 2 Roger Cramer 13 Kamree Friday 21 Sharon Ames 3 Gideon Kretzer 13 Jewel Lewis 22 Pastor Jim 3 Barb Bleich 14 Amber Frick 24 Colton Johnson 3 Michael Peters 16 Ada Kennedy 25 Marli Lee 6 Ted Timm 16 Tina Anstrom 26 Lois Rhodes 6 Sadie Christensen 18 Phyllis Fuoss 30 Kevin DeFries 7 Warren Birkey 18 Delbert Tjarks 31

Happy Anniversary – August

Charles & Nancy Hay 1 Tobie & Darcy Thompson 21 Ken & Arlene Doden 2 Loren & LeEtta Bane 28 Don & Becky Craig 6 Patrick & Michelle Celeschi 29 Kyle & Sara Bielfeldt 7 Mike & Jennifer Carley 30 Kevin & Julie DeFries 12 Congratulations to Kevin and Gisela (Gigi) Kretzer who were united in marriage on Saturday, July 1st, here at American Lutheran Church. May God bless them in their new life together as husband and wife!

There will be a special Blessing of the Backpacks during our worship service on August 13th. All students are invited to bring their backpacks so they can receive a blessing, and a small gift from our congregation, before the first day of school. All full-time, part-time, substitute and retired teachers are invited to assist with the blessing. The Ninth Annual Hymn Festival sponsored by the Gibson Area Music Foundation will be held this year at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 20 at the United Methodist Church of Gibson City. Attendees will enjoy singing selected hymns, and hear background information on each hymn. Milt Kelly, a retired music educator from the Fisher schools, will direct this year’s program. There is no admission charge for the event, but a free-will offering will be taken in support of the Music Foundation’s mission to bring quality musical events to area residents and summer music camp scholarships to high school students. Donations may also be made to: Gibson Area Music Foundation, PO Box 292, Gibson City, IL 60936. The church is located at the corner of 10th and Church Streets in Gibson City. Adjacent free parking is available, and the sanctuary is handicap accessible.

World Missions: Thank you to those who have contributed sheets, fabric, comforters, mattress pads, and used blankets for quilting materials that you may no longer need or have found at garage sales, auctions, and second-hand stores. The quilters have completed over 140 quilts with three more months to go in our year. We are again reminded that warm quilts are desperately needed.

Personal care kits are also in short supply. We are hoping to send more of these as well as school kits this year. Though our shipping date is still months away, we would like to begin collecting for the kits. The following is a list of items needed for each kit. Please clip and keep for easy reference as you are shopping store sales, garage sales, etc. Some of the items like nail clippers, large tooth combs, rulers, pencil sharpeners, blunt-end scissors, and towels can be gently used rather than purchased new. God bless you for your efforts in this worthy cause.

School Kit Personal Care Kit 4 70-sheet spiral notebooks 1 lt. or med. wt. bath towel 1 30 cm (12 in) ruler 2 bath sized bars of soap 1 pencil sharpener 1 adult sized toothbrush 1 blunt end scissors 1 sturdy (lg. toothed) comb 1 eraser 1 metal nail clipper 5 unsharpened pencils 5 ball point pens (no gel ink) 1 box of (16 or 24) crayons

 

Don’t Forget!! We will be hosting our Annual Garage and Bake Sale the last weekend of August. We will have something for everyone so come check us out on Thursday, August 24 from 2 to 6 pm, Friday, August 25 from 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturday, August 26 from 8 am to 12 pm. We welcome any baked items. It is preferred that you mark your own items, but if you need help or have any questions please contact Sharon Nunamaker at (217) 649-9974. This has been a good fundraiser for us in the past! Would you like to have a little assistance with your yard work this summer? Such jobs as weeding, gutter cleaning or maybe putting your basement or garage in order? Do you have something metal that you would like for Ron Andris to haul away? There are volunteers from your church family who would like to help you! We are currently scheduling projects for Poured Out Church on Sunday morning, August 27th. Please call Gerry in the church office (784-4841) so your project can be put on the list!

Worship Assistants – August*

Head Usher – Brad Tompkins / Asst. Usher – Mike Peters

Altar Guild – Tom, Kim & Eli Brucker August 6th August 13th Coffee/Refreshments – Jan Gill Coffee/Refreshments – Jan Gill Greeters – LeEtta Bane and Joan Tjarks Greeters – Mary Ann Kreitzer Asst. Minister – Jim Spangler and Barb Bielfeldt Reader – Willy Stevenson Asst. Minister – Kevin Buhs Comm. Asst. – Willy Stevenson Reader – Kim Brucker Offering Counters – Ron & Evelyn Andris Comm. Assts. – Sharon Stroh Sound Tech – Ron Andris and Joyce Hutchcraft Offering Counters – Kevin & Lori Buhs Sound Tech – Tom Brucker August 20th August 27th Coffee/Refreshments – Greeters – Tobie & Darcy Thompson Poured Out Church Asst. Minister – Willy Stevenson 9:30 am Reader – Rylee Tompkins North Park Pavilion Comm. Assts. – Jewel Lewis and Ryan Tompkins Offering Counter – April Nettleton Sound Tech – Ron Andris

*If you are unable to attend church on the date listed, please trade with someone or find a replacement, and contact the Church Office so the

change can be noted in the bulletin. Thank you for sharing your time and talents to enhance our worship experience!

Upcoming Events – August

Wed, Aug 2: Servants United Pastors Meeting – Trinity, Chenoa – 2:00 pm Thu, Aug 3: Community Pastors Meeting – 8:00 am Sun, Aug 6: Moments of Grace – WGCY Radio – 106.3 FM – 7:30-7:45 am Worship – 10:00 am

Servants United Council Meeting – Trinity, Chenoa – 3-5:00 pm Tue, Aug 8: Bible Study – Villas of Holly Brook – 2:30 pm Wed, Aug 9: Quilters – Parish Hall – 9:00 am Worship at Heritage Healthcare with Holy Communion – 2:00 pm Thu, Aug 10: Community Pastors Meeting – 8:00 am Prayer Team – 1:00 pm – Comfort Room Sun, Aug 13: Moments of Grace – WGCY Radio- 106.3 FM – 7:30-7:45 am Worship – 10:00 am / Blessing of the Backpacks during Worship Tue, Aug 15: Coffee and Conversation – Parish Hall – 9:00-10:00 am Wed, Aug 16: Community Roundtable Meeting – Moyer Library – 1:00 pm GCMS – First day of school Church Council Meeting – Parish Hall – 6:30 pm Thu, Aug 17: Community Pastors Meeting – 8:00 am Sun, Aug 20: Moments of Grace – WGCY Radio – 106.3 FM – 7:30-7:45 am Worship – 10:00 am – Pulpit Exchange with Pastor Kurt Hoover Ninth Annual Hymn Festival – Methodist Church – 3:00 pm Mon, Aug 21: Deadline for September Newsletter – noon Tue, Aug 22: Ford County Health Department Advocacy Meeting – Noon Thu, Aug 24: Community Pastors Planning Meeting – 8:00 – 10:00 am

Prayer Team – 1:00 pm – Comfort Room Annual Garage Sale – Parish Hall – 2:00-6:00 pm

Fri, Aug 25: Annual Garage Sale – Parish Hall – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Sat, Aug 26: Annual Garage Sale – Parish Hall – 8:00 am – Noon Sun, Aug 27: Poured Out Church – Worship at North Park Pavilion – 9:30 am Community Service Projects – 10:00 am to noon Lunch at North Park – Noon to 1:00 pm Thu, Aug 31: Community Pastors Planning Meeting – 8:00 – 10:00 am

August 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5  

Servants United Pastors Meeting – Trinity – Chenoa – 2:00 pm

Community Pastors Planning Meeting – 8:00 am

Ninth Pentecost 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Moments of Grace – WGCY – 7:30 am

Worship – 10:00 am

Servants United Council Meeting – Trinity – Chenoa – 2:00 pm

Bible Study at Villas of Holly Brook – 2: 30 pm

Quilters  –  Parish  Hall  –  9:00  am    Worship/Holy  Communion  –  Heritage  Healthcare  –  2pm  

Community Pastors Planning Meeting – 8:00 am

Prayer Team – Comfort Room – 2:00 pm

Tenth Pentecost 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Moments of Grace – WGCY – 7:30 am Worship – 10:00 am with Blessing of the Backpacks

Coffee & Conversation – Parish Hall – 9 – 10 am

GCMS First Day of School Community Round Table Meeting – Moyer Library – 1 pm

Council Meeting – 6:30 pm

Community Pastors Planning Meeting – 8:00 am

Eleventh Pentecost 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Moments of Grace – WGCY – 7:30 am

Worship – 10:00 am – Pulpit Exchange – Pastor Kurt Hoover

9th Annual Hymn Festival – UMC – 3:00 pm

Newsletter Deadline – noon

Pastor @ Ford County Health Dept. Advocacy meeting – noon

Pastors Meeting – 8:00 am Prayer Team – 1:00 pm Garage Sale – 2-6:00 pm

Garage Sale – Parish Hall – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Garage Sale – Parish Hall – 8:00 am - noon

Twelfth Pentecost 27 28 29 30 31 Moments of Grace – WGCY – 7:30 am Poured Out Church Worship – North Park – 9:30 am Service Projects – 10 am – noon Lunch at North Park – noon – 1 pm

Community Pastors Planning Meeting – 8:00 am

What Is Going On Within Servants United Parish?

The following activities are open to all six congregations:

• Community Lutheran Church Cookout (Cornell) Wednesday, August 2, 2017, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

• Trinity Lutheran Church Bible Study (check Trinity Facebook page before going) Thursday, August 3, 2017, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. (Hosea) Thursday, August 10, 2017, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

• Gospel Singing (Trinity Lutheran Church (Chenoa) Sunday, July 30, 2017, 8:30 a.m.

• Joint Worship of Community Lutheran Church (Cornell) & St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Dwight) Sunday, August 13, 2017, 10:30 a.m.

• St. John’s Lutheran Church Bible Study (Anchor) (Luther’s Catechism)(Pastor James Reents) Monday, September 18, 2017, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Ten Commandments) Monday, September 25, 2017, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Creed) Monday, October 2, 2017, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Sacraments)

• Community Lutheran Church Bible Study (Cornell)(Luther’s Catechism) (Pastor James Reents) Monday, September 18, 2017, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Ten Commandments) Monday, September 25, 2017, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Creed) Monday, October 2, 2017, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Sacraments)

• Joint Confirmation Program St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Forrest) 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., Sunday Begins every other week on September 17, 2017 until end of November, then

again from January through March 4, 2018 • Reformation Celebration Combined Church Service & Luncheon,

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Dwight) Sunday, October 29, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Combined Choir Possible Youth Involvement Lunch at 12 noon

• Pulpit Exchange August 20 – Pastor Kurt Hoover September 24 – Pastor Ed Hudelson October 22 – Pastor Kurt Hoover November 26 – Pastor Ed Hudelson December (undecided)

• Servants United Parish Council Meetings – Trinity Lutheran – Chenoa – 2:00 pm August 6th September 10th October 1st November 5th December 3rd

• Christian Bands, Illinois State Fairgrounds Grandstand, August 20, 2017, 12 noon – 10 p.m. • Volunteer Day at Midwest Food Bank (TBD) • Progressive Dinner (TBD) • Befriender’s Ministries (7 people in training) (TBD) • Caroling in December (TBD)

American Evangelical Lutheran Church – Gibson City, Illinois Church Council Minutes

June 21, 2017

Members Present: Lisa Gregerson, Barbara Bielfeldt, Darcy Thompson, Ryan Tompkins, Lori Buhs, Jim Spangler, Gary Lutterbie, Pastor Jim Davis Excused: Curt Miller Guest: Kevin Buhs Call to order: 6:00 PM Kevin Buhs asked the council to please contact American Lutheran Church members first to help with repairs or other needs of the church or parsonage. The council will work on compiling a list of member’s area of expertise. Prayer: Pastor Jim Davis opened with prayer. Reports: Secretary: No reports. Treasurer: Darcy reported the following balances as of 5/31/2017: General Fund: 859.18 Building: 4,790.58 Christmas: 1,427.63 Memorial: 5,267.16 Benevolence: 1,695.00 Thrivent: 5,264.48 Total Checking/Savings: 19,304.03. 5/17/2017 Checkbook balance: 1,806.31. Darcy reported new figures for Pastor Jim’s Servant United wages. Annual base wage would be $71,599.74. With other Pastor/Parsonage expenses the total amount would be 75,309.74. This is a savings of $3,849.26 based on the 2017 budget amount of $79,159.00. Financial Secretary: No report Deacon: No report. Parish Education: No report Trustee: Gary Lutterbie reported a second estimate of $29,000 for the parking lot repaving which does not include the circle drive. They would use hot mix versus the cold mix that was estimated at $9,093. Kevin DeFries suggested oil/chipping instead of blacktop which would be hard to paint stripes on but cheaper in price. Gary recommended that semi-trucks not be allowed in the parking lot. The parsonage has been sprayed for algae and the parsonage gutters were cleaned. The fascia on roof needs repaired. A new screen/storm door is needed for the parsonage front porch.

Vice President: No report

President: No report Pastor’s Report: Pastor is asking for suggestions on how to assure there are ushers present for funeral services. A signup sheet will be posted. Ryan Tompkins volunteered to head up this task.

Approval of Reports: Jim Spangler moved to approve all reports as read. Lori Buhs second. Motion passed. Old Business: None New Business: None Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 6:00 PM. Adjourn: The council adjourned at 6:39 PM to join spouses and 2016 council members for dinner at Burgers & Beer.

The meeting was closed by reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Bielfeldt, Secretary

THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO COUNCIL APPROVAL

DID YOU KNOW THAT.....    • Offerings are still being remitted for this year’s Pedal for a Purpose for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI)? As of July 10th, we have received $57,243.52 for LSSI’s “Prisoner and Family Ministry” and “Children’s Community Services” programs. We have surpassed our goal by 14.5%. Thank you for your generous support!    

     • There are currently 15 two-point parishes with the Central/Southern Illinois Synod and one two-point parish that is shared with the Southeastern Iowa Synod? In addition, there are 14 congregations that share their ministry through a geographical parish. Nearly 36% of all synod congregations are involved in shared ministry with another congregation.    

   • According to a 2016 study, the ELCA anticipates that from 2016 to 2019, there will be 842 persons ordained? At the same time, the ELCA anticipates that 1,711 pastors will retire.  

Show  your  community  how  you  

Live out God ’s Love in Practical Ways by  spending  the  morning  with  us  as  we  join  the  Bible  

Church,  First  Christian,    First  Presbyterian,  New  Beginnings  and  United  

Methodist  churches  of  Gibson  City  for  service  projects  here  in  town  on  

Saturday,  August  26th  and  Sunday,  August  27th  

 We  will  gather  for  a  joint  worship  service  on  Sunday  

in  the  park  from                

9:00  –  10:00  am                        (golf  carts  will  be  available  to  take  people  from  cars  to  pavilion)    

From  there  we  will  go  out  and  help  our  friends  and  neighbors  with  projects.  There  will  be  opportunities  for  people  of  all  ages  to  participate.    Some  of  the  activities  will  include:  

Helping  with  Home  Repairs  (This  will  be  on  Saturday  and  Sunday  with  more  details  to  follow)  

 

Bagging/carrying  groceries  to  customer’s  cars  at  County  Market  (This  will  be  on  Saturday  and  Sunday  from  8:00  –  10:00  am.)  

 

Food  Drive  to  benefit  the  Food  Pantry  at  Shepherd’s  Closet  (Flyers  with  bags  will  be  distributed  within  the  neighborhood  a  week  prior  with  instructions  to  leave  the  bags  on  their  porches  for  pickup  on  Sunday.    We  would  like  to  have  some  adults  and  youngsters  

with  wagons  go  around  the  neighborhood  collecting  the  donations.)    

Caroling for Christ as  we  sing  favorite  hymns  at  Heritage  Manor,  the  Gibson  City  Annex  and  the  Villas  of  Hollybrook.

Armed  With  Prayer

(Volunteers  will  drive  to  various  locations  and  join  in  prayer  for  our  community.)      

Care  and  Concern  (Those  who  would  like  to  make  cards  that  will  be  sent  to  our  members.    This  will  be  done  at  the  Villas  of  Hollybrook.)  

 Cookies  for  Christ  

(Perfect  for  you  bakers  out  there  who  would  like  to  come  together  to  bake  cookies  that  will  be  given  out  to  the  community.    This  group  will  meet  on  Saturday  at  2:00  pm.    We  will  be  looking  for  bakers,  people  to  donate  

cookie  dough  or  monetary  donations  to  help  cover  these  costs.  )    

Everyone  is  then  invited  to  join  together  at  the  North  Park  Pavilion  for  lunch  and  fellowship  at  12:00  Noon.    Lunch  will  include:    Smoked  Pork  Loin,  Salads,  Chips,  Fruit,  Desserts  and  Drinks.      

 T-­shirts  will  be  available  for  anyone  interested  so  please  see  the  sign-­‐up  sheets  for  those.  

 

This  is  an  amazing  opportunity  to  show  God’s  love  to  the  Gibson  City  community  and  you  are  encouraged  to  take  this  time  to  share  a  portion  of  the  love  God  has  shown  you!  

 

If  you  would  like  to  volunteer  for  any  of  these  events  or  would  like  to  help  coordinate  an  event,  please  contact  Cynthia  or  the  church  office.      

Hope  to  see  you  there!  American Evangelical Lutheran Church 905 East First Street Gibson City, IL 60936 217-784-4841 americanluthgc@sbcglobal.net www.americanlutherangc.com

Office Hours: Gerry – Tue, Wed & Thurs – 9 am – noon

Pastor Jim – Wed – 9 am – noon / Other times by appointment (Pastor’s day off is Monday)

Church: 217-784-4841 / Parsonage: 217-784-5444 / Cell 309-826-4968

August 2017 Newsletter Pastor – Jim Davis

Parish Secretary – Gerry Gallagher President – Lisa Gregerson

Vice President – Ryan Tompkins Secretary – Barb Bielfeldt

Treasurer – Darcy Thompson Financial Secretary – Lori Buhs

Deacon – Curt Miller Parish Education – Jim Spangler

Trustee & Council Representative – Gary Lutterbie Trustees – Mike Peters and Rodney Schrack