First United Methodist Church

600 W. University

Sparta, IL 62286

Return Service Requested

Phone: (618) 443-3714

Church Email: spartafumc@frontier.com

Pastor Gary’s Email: grjf@frontier.com

Nonprofit Organization

US Postage Paid

Sparta, Il 62286

PERMIT #37

A BELONGING Place

A KID’s Place

A place to GROW

A place of GRACE

Check us out online

On Facebook: Sparta First United

Methodist Church

Our Website:

www.spartafumc.org Dated Material — Mailed Out on 09/29/2016

Liturgist Cathy Norton

Head Usher Glenn Napier

Ushers

10/02 Jason Coop Family

10/09 Children’s Sabbath (Children’s Committee)

10/16 Bill & Cathy Norton

Johnathan & Amy Norton

10/23 Marty & Theresa Patton

10/30 Brian Beattie Family

Audio/Visual Team

10/02 Savannah Delgado

10/09 Ashley Birchler

10/16 Morgan Coop

10/23 Kelsey Cowan

10/30 Cameron Brooks

Randolph Care Center Worship

Sunday, October 9, Y & R Class

Saturday Evening Worship

10/01 Brian Belcher & Rhonda Jones

10/08 Roger & Janet Gerlach

10/22 Larry Rosenthal & Kathy Ruhmann

10/29 Brian Belcher & Rhonda Jones

Acolytes

10/02 Hannah Stine & Nora Kloos

10/09 Eli Coop & Sam Haury

10/16 Katie & Libby Sauzek

10/23 Parker & Olivia Haskenhoff

10/30 Aaron Bouas & Patrick Kloos

Nursery

10/02 Tanya Cowan

10/09 Autumn Peck

10/16 Cindy Sickmeyer

10/23 Wendy Baue

10/30 Connie Campbell

Back to Church Sunday!

All Church Fish Fry

October 16

Mark your calendars for an important day in the life of

our church! We want to celebrate Jesus and our joy in serving Him through our church! Bring a friend and fill your pew! There will be wonder-

ful music provided by our choir, the worship team and God’s Gifts!

And immediately after church we will be having an All Church Fish Fry, served

up by our master fish fryers, Tom Seals and Carl Holland! Please bring a dish to

pass, lawn chairs and lawn games (if the weather cooperates). Drinks and table service will be provided.

You won’t want to miss that! We will also be receiving a special mission offering in support of

Friends of Kids with Cancer.

There will be no Saturday worship on October 15.

Annual Church Conference

Saturday, October 29

2:00 pm

Our Mississippi River District Superintendent, Rev. Roger Grimmett, has

set our annual Charge Conference for Saturday, October 29 at 2:00 pm. This is

being designated as a ‘Church Conference’ so all members can attend. In making

preparations for the Church Conference, we are scheduling a number of meetings

to complete reports, planning and the budget for 2017. Please note the following

schedule:

October 3 Finance Committee Meeting: 6:00 pm

October 13 Nominations Committee Meeting: 6:30 pm

October 17 Administrative Council Meeting: 7:00 pm

(final approval of Charge Conference Reports)

The Lamplighter

Inside this issue: 50th Celebration

Ministry Opportunities 2

Mobile Market

Trunk or Treat

Magnify the Lord IV Concert

Sunday School News

Youth

3

Men’s Ministry News

Fall Bible Study

Women’s Bible Study

UMW News

Ad Council Minutes

4

Ad Council Minutes Change for Community Change 5

Calendar 6

Birthday & Anniversaries

Prayers for the People 7

October 2016 First United Methodist Church, Sparta Illinois Matthew 5:38-48 38 “You have heard that it was said,

‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39

But I tell you, do not resist an evil

person. If anyone slaps you on the

right cheek, turn to them the other

cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to

sue you and take your shirt, hand over

your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces

you to go one mile, go with them two

miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you,

and do not turn away from the one

who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said,

‘Love your neighbor and hate your

enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your

enemies and pray for those who perse-

cute you, 45 that you may be children

of your Father in heaven. He causes

his sun to rise on the evil and the good,

and sends rain on the righteous and the

unrighteous. 46 If you love those who

love you, what reward will you get?

Are not even the tax collectors doing

that? 47 And if you greet only your

own people, what are you doing more

than others? Do not even pagans do

that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your

heavenly Father is perfect.

Page 2 A BELONGING Place, a KID’s place, a place to GROW, a place of GRACE

50th Anniversary Celebration

A Faithful Past and A Hopeful Future!

Sunday, November 13 We are celebrating 50 years at our current location! On Novem-

ber 13, 1966, our church transitioned from downtown Sparta to

what was then the northwest edge of town, 600 W. University

Avenue. On that ceremonious day, our church made its famous

walk up St. Louis Street, leaving from a worship service begun

in our previous church location, carrying the Altar Cross, pew

bibles and hymnals, as well as other worship artifacts, and con-

cluded the morning worship in our

new building!

Rev. Tom Corum, who served as

our pastor from 1999-2007, will

be our guest speaker for the day, as we focus on, A Faithful Past and a Hopeful Fu-

ture! We look forward to having Tom and Stephanie and family back with us! We

have also invited back to worship with us that day, former pastors as well as those

who have ministry ties with our

church.

After worship we will continue

our celebration by having an all

church dinner held at the Sparta VFW

Post 2698.

Mark your calendars and save this important date! And if any-

one has photos or remembranc-

es to share we greatly welcome

them! Please send them to the

church office or by email at: spartafumc@frontier.com.

Ministry Opportunities Inventory In a few weeks you will receive a Ministry Opportunities Inventory questionnaire. Please prayerfully consider

where your areas of service could be through the ministries of our church.

Every Christian needs to find his or her place of service within the Body of Christ! And every Christian had been

equipped by the Holy Spirit to accomplish every task the Lord would want us to do!

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give

yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in

advance for us to do.”

The real joy of our Christian journey is discovered when we serve the Lord and work in His Kingdom for His glory

and in service to others!

Words of Gratitude

10/02 Clint Upschulte

10/03 Meryl McBride Lily Norton

10/04 Martina Ashley

Pauline Baird

10/05 Kathy Robinson

Alyssa Wetzel 10/07 Hannah Stine

10/08 Brendan Baue

Mike Cater Linda Mueller

Chase Rednour

Conner Stewart

Jack Treece

10/09 Laney Dierks

Brad Haury

Seth Hauskins

Angie Oathout

10/10 Talitha Park

10/11 Sara Dewey

10/12 Linda Jacob

Rachel Peck

10/13 Lucy Higgins Kimberly Surdyk

Patty Valleroy

10/14 Ellis Henley

10/15 Olivia Haskenhoff

10/17 Austin Deepe

Justin Krantz

10/18 Carol Haury

Collin Haury

10/21 Greg Hill 10/22 Lily Goldsberry

10/23 Emily Loesing

10/24 Eric Huddleston James E. Neilson

Samantha Schupbach

10/26 Ken Hall

Hailee Smith

Janae Yates

10/27 Brooke Gerlach

Beckley Goetz Zoe Peck Austin Stork Laura Woodowrth 10/28 Scott Beckley 10/29 William Finch Rachel Rheinecker 10/30 Evelyn Wright 10/31 Caleb Gailey Peyton Slavens

Each week on Monday a group from our church

meets in the Parlor at 9:00 a.m. to send cards of wel-

come, strength, and support as well as to pray for our

congregation and for the needs of the church, you are more than wel-

come to join them. Please join them in prayer. If you would like to

be apart of the prayer chain please call Elaine Hargis at 443-3205

or email her at ejhargis1@frontier.com. Always remember to up-

date us with any email changes.

Page 7 First United Methodist Church, Sparta

Prayers of the People

Happy Birthday

10/04 Charles & Linda Bird

Nathan & Krystal Heck Billy & Rachel Rheinecker

10/06 Matt & Amy Young

10/09 Terry & Barbara Hagerling 10/10 Clay & Tara Carmichael

10/12 Doug & Laura French

Brad & Shea Haury

Ricky & Sherry Zander

10/18 David & Melissa Castens

10/20 Ken & Polly Hall

10/21 Douglas & Wendy Baue

Kris & April Robinson

Greg & Patty Valleroy

10/22 Jim & Elaine Hargis

10/28 Jeff & Nindy Morrison

Joys: Melanie Johnston - piano, Ducks by Doug Baue, Monty Jackson in wor-

ship, All Church Luau Sunday School kick off party

Concerns: Andy Wilson, Byron Slavens, Doris Arnold, Pauline Baird, Tom

Morrison, The family of Alva Ruth Russell, Rev. Mike and Earline Michels,

911 and the Nation, Jack Becker, William Garret, Connie Grob family, Chris-

tine Neilson, Jan Weiner, Michael Miesner, Morgan Coop, Georgia Rezba,

Harold Denniger, Joyce Camp, Grace Herschelman, Don Bixby, Gary & Jenith

Henson, Marilyn Napier, Char Leith

Pray for Someone

Pray for those people who are hurting and going

through some unimaginable circumstances.

Pray for those who want their lives to be better

and to be free from those things

that may be holding them back.

Even though you may not know them,

God knows their situation.

Date General

Budget

Online

Giving

Saturday/

Sun Worship/ Capital

Campaign

09/04/16 $4,107.68 $434.82 21/58/45 $855.00

09/11/16 $4,029.28 $434.82 14/89/59 $350.00

09/18/16 $4,159.38 $512.39 19/88/70 $319.23

09/25/16 $2,929.81 $434.82 -/94/60 $570.00

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Mobile Market

Friday, October 7 Mobile Market is a free food

sharing program through the

Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council Food Pantry

Office in Sparta. Recipients must sign up and receive a voucher

from Jayne at the Sparta office (443-5231). This program is to

assist low income families. Our church will be the location site

for distribution. The first distribution day is Friday, October 7.

It will start at approximately 10:30 am. We need a minimum of 16 volunteers to make this happen.

Time involvement would be from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. How it

works: Food from a St. Louis Food Distributer will deliver 4

pallets of food products (we will not know what it is until it

arrives). Volunteers will prepare food for distribution and as-

sist with the flow of traffic. Recipients ‘drive through’ our

parking lot with trunks open and we place food from each

pallet into the vehicle. We anticipate serving 75-100 families.

This monthly outreach will have an important impact on the

lives of families in our county.

Trunk or Treat Outreach

Monday, October 31 Do you answer your door for trick and treaters?

Why not join the church this

Halloween for night of fel-

lowship and fun! “Trunk and

Treat” will take place at the

west end of the church park-

ing lot on Halloween night

from 6:00 - 8:00 pm and you are needed! Last year

we had nearly 300 children pass through the parking lot

and what a joy it was to see so many smiling faces. The

families commented on how enjoyable and safe it is to

bring their children to our church.

• Willing participants are needed to come and bring

their festive trunk, lawn chairs, and a big smile to

greet the little ones on Halloween night as treats are

passed out to our community children.

• Treats can consist of candy, stickers, pencils, or any

small items are great too. You can sign up at church to

let us know if we can count on your “trunk and treats”

for the evening. You can also partner up with a friend and share treats

and the evening together…. Just plan on greeting 300

happy children! What if every Sunday school class

planned to included a trunk… its a thought? You are

more than welcome to donate candy or items at the

church if you are unable to attend. The Missions team

is also supplying glow bracelets, treat sacks, popcorn

and drinks for everyone. Let’s celebrate by blessing our

community children!

Magnify the Lord IV Concert

Sunday, November 6

6:00 pm

Our Lady of Lourdes Church will be hosting this spe-

cial event that features the choirs from area churches.

This concert is a benefit for the Sparta Community

Food Pantry. A ‘free will offering’ will be received for

the food pantry and we are asking that people bring

canned goods to be used by the food pantry as well!

• Christmas is right around the corner and the Sun-

day School Christmas program will begin practicing

Sunday, October 16 right after children’s church. It

is open to any child in the church. The date of the

program is December 11 at 6:00 pm.

• On November 6 after morning worship the Sunday

School Department will be having a meal of Sausage

and Sauerkraut to help with the cost of

the float for the Holiday Parade.

• Cookbooks have been submitted to

the publishing company. Hopefully

we will get them back sometime 1st of

October. We will be selling them af-

ter worship on Saturday and Sunday.

We were able to put 250 recipes in the

book. These will make nice Christ-

mas gifts. Thanks to al who submitted recipes to

make the book a success.

• There will be No Sunday School on December 25.

First United Methodist Youth

Sunday, October 2 and 16

6-8 pm Church Fellowship Hall

We will meet twice a month for youth. We will meet

on the first and third Sundays of each month. On the

first Sunday of the month we will have our MISSION

SUNDAYS. The third Sunday of each month we

will meet from 6-8 pm and have a meal, fellowship

and fun. Please join us on the first and third Sundays.

If you have any questions or need a ride, please con-

tact

Page 3 First United Methodist Church, Sparta

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

Sunday, October 16

Don’t miss out on our monthly fellowship! Come and

enjoy a delicious breakfast, sharing and fellowship!

Men’s Fellowship Group

Tuesday: October 4 and 18 at 6:15 am

We are meeting every other week for Bible reflection,

prayer and fellowship! Mark your calendars and get in

the habit of rising early for this every other week gather-

ing!

Fall Bible Study

‘The Life and Ministry of Jesus’

Tuesdays – 7:00 pm

Wednesdays – 9:30 am

We are continuing our Study of the Book of Matthew,

focusing on the Jesus’ ministry and the Kingdom of

God. We will consider Matthew’s decidedly Jewish per-

spective on the ministry of Jesus and how he portrays

Jesus as indeed the King, Israel’s long awaited Messiah,

what does His Kingdom mean for our lives.

Notice for all Women. Fall Bible study for women

will on Thursday at 9:30 am. We will be studying

"People of the Gospels" looking at the stories of four

women and four men and their relationship to Jesus. All

women are invited to attend this study. Come share and

learn on Thursdays through October 27. For more infor-

mation call the church office 443-3714 or Dot Heuman

at 774-2531.

PURPOSE OF UNITED METHODIST

WOMEN: The organized united of Unit-

ed Methodist Women shall be a community of wom-

en whose PURPOSE is to know GOD and experience

freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to

develop a creative, supported fellowship; and to

expand concepts of mission through participation

in the global ministries of the church.

Pleas continue to pray for the Lessie Bates Davis

Neighborhood House in East St. Louis and The Cun-

ningham Children’s Home in Urbana.

Next Meeting: October at 7:00 pm

Attendance; Pastor Gary, Edith Huddleston, Christine

Jeffers, Denise Stone, Dot Heuman, Linda Bird, Lar-

ry Ashley, Tom Ashley, Rhonda Smith, Wendy Baue

Meeting began at 7:00 pm with lighting of the candle,

followed by a prayer lead by Pastor Gary.

Old Business:

The May Minutes were reviewed by all. Tom Ashley

made a move that the minutes be accepted as written.

Linda Bird seconded. Minutes were approved.

Church School Superintendent: Brooke Gerlach

September 10 will be our fall Sunday School Kick-

off event. This will be a luau theme party for the

whole church and Sunday School Classes. Still need

to remind people if they have recipes they want in the

cookbook they need to be getting them in soon the

deadline is approaching of August 13.

Evangelism: Wendy Baue

Jan Seals and Wendy have been organizing for our

50th Celebration on November 13. A Pot Luck Meal

and guest speaker, Tom Corum are planned for the

event. More details will be coming later. That week-

end is the actual date of they walked from the old

church to the new. The theme of the celebration is

“Great is thy faithfulness”.

Finance Committee: Pastor Gary

The committee met last week. A date was set for

stewardship week, November 19 & 20.

Treasurer: Wendy Baue

After the financial report was reviewed, Dot Heuman

moved to accept it. Denise Stone seconded the mo-

tion. The report was accepted as presented.

Page 4

Men’s Ministry News United Methodist Women News

Women’s Bible Study Thursdays

9:30 am

“People of the Gospels”

Administrative Council Meeting

July 11, 2016 Minutes Approved

Financial Secretary: Linda Bird

The capital campaign has been increasing since the reno-

vation has started.

Kids Place

There will be a meeting next week.

Missions: Christine Jeffers

Dental Safari is coming up on July 23. Lots of donations

have been received. There will be 3 -5 volunteer stylists

for haircuts. We are preparing for 500 children, they will

be receiving bracelets, combs, socks, hair brushes, and

hygiene items in their goody bags. They are some extra

funds still available and we may buy some body wash yet

for the bag. The event is ready to go, if any one wants to

volunteer they are welcome we are in need of some park-

ing assistants, hall monitors, and to assist with distributing

items. Last month at our Missions Dinner/Auction there

were 9 meals auctioned off for a total of $435.00. The auc-

tion was very successful. Our next meeting is tomorrow

evening.

Music Director: Gary Cox

In October, we are talking to Jessica Kemper about doing

a concert here on a Sunday night. September 25, Monty

Jackson will be back to perform we will be having no ser-

vice on Saturday September 24 so that everyone will join

us for that Sunday. Praise team is working on more music

for this summer. Choir starts resumes in August.

Prayer Chain: Edith Huddleston

Christine Neilson and Barb Hagerling have been added to

the prayer chain. Christine is now back at home.

Trusses: Larry Ashley

Parking lot resurfaced is postponed until September or

after construction. There was a suggestion to take out the

bushes. Carl Holland will be pulling out the bushes, and

mulching the top of it. The church signs were removed

along the highways. We are replacing them with smaller

sign for the city to put up for direction to our church.

They will have our emblem, name, and arrow (for direc-

tion) on them for $166.00. We will be purchasing two of

them one for Hillcrest and other for Market street. Our

agreement from Armark needed renewed. The contract is

for 3 years at $57.50 and the board accepted it. We will be

replacing the dumpster with 2 totes which is cheaper and

meet the city new requirements. Someone will be wash-

ing the parsonage to remove the mildew.

UMW: Denise Stone

On June 24-26, Denise attended the NCJ meeting in Grand

Rapids Michigan.

Upcoming Events:

August 12, Friday there will be a Rummage Sale from

7 am - 12 pm.

Mission U is July 29 – 31. Dot Heuman

and Denise Stone will be attending.

Dot will be the assistant youth leader for the

weekend day sessions.

Bazaar is being planned by the bazar ladies, the date to

be set later.

October 15, Saturday the local officers will be update.

Worship Committee: Dot Heuman

There is an ushers training event scheduled for All

monthly usher’s leader to attend on July 25 at 6:30 pm.

She also suggested doing an acolytes training event. Dot

has been monitoring offering envelopes and supplies in

the pews.

Calendar items

This week, North Central Jurisdictional Conference is

being held. This happens every 4 years. This is the

election of Bishops there is 4 bishops are retiring.

The conference is in Peoria.

August 13 – Missions Golf Tournament at Marissa

golf course for kids to go to camp.

All camping needs have been met for this year. All

proceeds will go toward next year.

They are hoping to raise $1,000 – 1,500.

August 15- 17 Pastor Gary will be attending College

of Christian life.

October 3- 10 Pastor Gary will be on vacation.

July 26-30 Life Touch pictures will be here. Sign-ups

are currently taking place. Everyone whom gets a

picture taken will receive a free pictorial and an

8x10 family portrait.

August 13 is deadline for recipes for church cook-

book.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:10. Tom Ashley made the

motion, Edith Huddleston seconded the motion, meeting

adjourned.

October 29-30 Weekend for Missions

‘Change for Community Change!’

The weekend of Saturday,

October 29-30 will be our next collection this year. Begin now to

save up your ‘loose change’ in support of mission! There are ex-

tra Collection Containers located

in the Narthex.

Page 5 First United Methodist Church, Sparta