The
Spire A publication of First United Methodist Church St. Charles, MO www.fumcstcharles.org
Volume 46 Number 6
March 22, 2017
Articles for the April 12, 2017, Spire are due in the church office by April 5, 2017. You may email them to
[email protected] with the word Spire as the subject.
This is when it’s critical that we ask the “why?” As a church, we may never all agree about the “hows?,” about the tactics and strategies. Can we agree on the “why?”
Friends:
One of the most important and powerful questions we can ever ask is “WHY?”. It’s the question of purpose and direction and meaning. It’s a question we probably should ask in our personal lives from time to time. Circumstances change. We change. The reasons for doing something change. The results that we once got are not the results we are now getting. “Why?” “Why am I doing this?” “Why now?” It’s a different question from the “HOW?” question. “How” is what we ask of strategy and tactic. “How?” is the practical question. Sometimes just changing the “how” is all that it takes to get us to a new place. But often it’s not.
“For the love of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit we gather NEW people to Christ, grow in Christ, and go for Christ.” This is our shared mission. This is our purpose. This is our “why?”. When we’re focused on the “why?” it moves us beyond a concern for our personal preferences to what and who God is calling us to be. Anybody can tell you their preferences. It requires maturity as a disciple to stay focused on purpose. Stay focused church! With Lenten Discipline, Bart
Pancake Breakfast April 2
Staying Connected
The boy scout troop is holding a pancake breakfast fundraiser on April 2, in the atrium. They will prepare and serve pancakes during all three worship services and until 12:30 pm. There is no cost for breakfast, but a donation basket will be available. The troop is raising money to renovate the Scout's camping trailer. They need new tires and a general safety re-do of the trailer.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to the families of those who have recently passed away: The family of Wilma Storm, who passed away on March 11, mother of Ray (Jan) Storm. The family of Keith Dyche, on March 8, father of Sherilyn (Rev. Brint) Hilliard and grandfather of Joshua, Bailee and Peyton Hillard. The family of Jim Morris, on March 21, brother of Beth (Rev. Bart) Hildreth. The family of Vicki Sherony, on March 19, former member of FUMC.
A Look Ahead April 2—Pancake Breakfast April 9—Palm Sunday April 16—Easter April 20-23—Kairos Prison Ministry weekend April 29, 30—collection for Savers FUNDrive June 19-23—Eagle Lake Summer Day Camp June 24—UM Day at Busch Stadium July 31-August 4—Vacation Bible School September 16-24—SAM trip to Maine
Writing Your Life Story Class Begins Every child I knew who had a sore throat or cough got the same home remedy: a sock soaked in hot “goose grease” pinned around the throat. Only the very lucky or the “town kids” were rubbed with Vicks-Vapo-Rub. Goose grease at our house was lard or Crisco mixed with camphor oil. I’m sure we smelled delightful at school the next day Writing YOUR life Story group begins again March 30 from 10 to 12 AM every Thursday for six weeks (No meeting on Maundy Thursday). Share your story. I would love to know something personal about my 2nd great grandfather, the first clerk in the Land Office for the State of Illinois. My grandchildren have no idea what I’m writing about in the above excerpt but my children may remember promises of goose grease if they didn’t take their medicine. Come to one class; come to all six. Whatever you can manage. Please let us know if you prefer a different time/day and we will try to work something out. Donna Carlson: donc50@sbcglobalnet
Easter Flowers
Staff Rev. Bart Hildreth, Ph.D. Rev. Debby Bartley Rev. Peter Norton Rev. Diane Pence Rev. Dr. Ken Gottman Rev. Brint Hilliard Margaret Love Jack McCormick Carolie Owens Larry Ruebling Lindsey Willard Sharon Byers Karla Curry Anne Brown Sarite Christison Sally Jacobsen Kerri Johnson Jim Nichols Stacey Davis Patti Adams Pat Williams Brielle Ketcherside
Easter flowers will be adorning our Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. You may purchase plants in memory or in honor of someone. Please fill out the Easter Flower envelope in the pew racks and return it with your check to First United Methodist Church by April 9. The price of each flower is $10.00. You may take your plant home after services on Easter Sunday.
We Need Help with Our Backpack Ministry We are feeding 70 children every weekend through our Backpack Ministry. Our pantry is running very low each week. We are in need of the following: individual mac-n-cheese canned vegetables snack crackers Vienna sausages fruit snacks raisin boxes. We also welcome monetary donations. 2
FUMC Preschool and Mother’s Day Out (MDO) Summer Registration The registration period for the Summer Preschool and MDO programs continues. During the summer session, the Preschool has classes for children 3 years old through 5 years old and the MDO program serves children aged 6 weeks to 3 years old. The six-week Summer Program for the Preschool and MDO is offered from 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The programs will run from June 6 to June 15, June 27 to June 29, and July 11 to July 27. Please contact Sally Jacobsen, Preschool Director, or Kerri Johnson, MDO Director at 636-947-9380 if you have any questions or would like to enroll your child.
Fall Registration Registration for the fall Preschool and Mother’s Day Out programs is now open. These programs, which are located in the educational wing of First Church, are Christian-based services with qualified, Christian teachers. Both programs have limited class sizes to ensure that each child has a quality experience. The Preschool has classes for children 3 years old through 5 years old and the MDO program serves children aged 6 weeks to 4 years old. During the school year, the Preschool provides an environment where children can experience spiritual growth and develop social and academic skills. The Preschool classes are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. two days per week for 3 year old children and three or five days per week for 4 and 5 year old children. In addition, the Preschool offers a Lunch Bunch Program which meets daily between noon and 3:00 p.m. The MDO program serves families of our community by providing a safe environment where children receive quality childcare from the caring, Christian staff. The Mother’s Day Out program is in session Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Children may attend 1, 2, or 3 days per week. Please go to www.fumcstcharles.org for more information about the Preschool and Mother’s Day Out programs. Sally Jacobsen, Preschool Director, and Kerri Johnson, MDO Director, can be reached at 636947-9380 if you have any questions or would like to enroll your child.
Church Wide Savers FUNDrive Sponsored by United Methodist Women and Youth The United Methodist Women and the Youth Group are coordinating a donation effort/ fundraiser in cooperation with Savers Thrift Store. We are collecting soft goods, such as, but not limited to, clothing, shoes, accessories, bedding and towels. We will distribute collection bags on April 9 and April 23, but you are welcome to use your own bag. Early donations will be collected by the 8th Street glass doors beginning April 17. Please do not leave your donations in the Atrium. The final collection dates will be Saturday, April 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. On those days, we will have vans and trucks at the far end of the back parking lot where your donations will be collected. Our goal is to collect 600 bags for a profit of $1,500 which will help support local, national, and worldwide missions. Please contact Betty Knapp at
[email protected] or 636-219-2363, with your questions. 3
HELP WANTED! VOLUNTEER TODAY! Showers of Blessing needs volunteers to help with the homeless laundry. Our volunteers work on a rotating schedule. Right now we work once every 8 weeks. Please call Dianne Peters if interested; 636-493-9414.
Lawn Rangers Wanted Got a green thumb; love to garden? If not are you at least willing to mow the lawn? Join the “lawn rangers” every Thursday morning as they mow, rake, and otherwise make the church lawns beautiful. Call the church office for more information.
Pew Patrol Needs Help Will you please consider helping the crew that tidies up the sanctuary? We currently have two crews—an even numbered month crew and an odd numbered month crew. They come in on Monday or Tuesday mornings and pick up the sanctuary, put hymnals in place, recycle old bulletins, and put forms in the pew racks. The more help they have, the less time it takes. Right now the crews are very short handed. If you would like to help out, please call the church office at 636.947.0066.
Childcare Workers Needed At First Church our littlest members are a very important part of our community. We believe that their care should be of the highest quality. First Church is looking for childcare workers for various church programs. The hours will vary during the week. For more information, please contact Kerri Johnson at 636-947-9380.
Recent Field Trip Left: Holly Gillette, owner of Parkview Gardens Greenhouse (1925 Randolph St. St. Charles) explains about greenhouses to the preschool class from First UMC Preschool during a recent field trip. Right: After touring the greenhouses , the children learned about propagation, how plants grow, how soil is mixed, and what germination means. They finished with a great book, The Parable of the Easter Lily. Everyone had a great time!
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SUMMER DAY CAMP 2017 AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SAINT CHARLES DISCIPLESHIP is a lifelong process and a journey rooted in a relationship with Jesus. Summer Day Camp, at First United Methodist Church Saint Charles, is an opportunity to connect the non-churched or nominallychurched to the body of Christ. HERE ARE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES IN WHICH YOU CAN BE A PART OF THIS EXCITING EVENT: CHECK-IN VOLUNTEERS (Small time commitment; huge impact) Check-In volunteers are the first connection point for parents from the community as they register their camper each morning and pick up their camper each afternoon. If you have a love for others and understand the need for the highest safety and security for children, please consider this opportunity. TRAINING PROVIDED ON SUNDAY, 6/18 in the AFTERNOON. To volunteer, go to eaglelakecamps.com/volunteer YOUTH CREW CAMPERS (10 youth, ages 13—18) For information and to volunteer, go to eaglelakecamps.com/crew MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS to provide medical attention to campers. Must be CNA, registered nurse, paramedic or EMT; most needed hours are between 10AM and 3 PM. To volunteer, go to eaglelakecamps.com/volunteer
Thank you, United Methodist Men, for donating funds to provide each camper with a First UMC t-shirt.
REGISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND VOLUNTEERS IS NOW OPEN! Please go to www.fumcstcharles.org for information and to register. SUMMER DAY CAMP June 19—23, 2017, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm First UMC will partner with Eagle Lake Camps for a second year of summer day camp. The first 150 children (ages 7 - 12) will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The fee: $79 per child for week (includes lunch). We are seeking a Director or Co-Directors.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 31—August 4, 2017, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon THEME: SUPER HERO CENTRAL: Discover Your Strength in God HERO VERSE: Do good! Seek peace and go after it! Psalm 34:14b THE FEE: FREE! (Thank you, church!) VBS I—for Pre-School children (potty-trained 3s through completed-Kindergarten) The Co-Directors are Sally Jacobsen, Kerri Johnson, & Julie Pallardy VBS II—for Elementary school children (completed 1st through 5th grades) We are seeking a Director or CoDirectors.
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