MAY 2019 Newsletter
Prospect United Methodist Church
Holy Spirit Take Control
Friends,
We’ve just wrapped up one of the most exciting seasons of the year…the Journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Over those 40+ days, we walked through Luke’s account of the life, teaching, death and Resurrection of Jesus…with an intentional calling to “Listen to Him.”
How does Luke end his telling of the Good News of Jesus?
With one more chance to listen to our Savior: “‘I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed in power from on high’ (Luke 24:49). When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually in the temple, praising God” (Luke 24:50-53).
How should we respond to the message of Jesus’ Resurrection?
The same way the original disciples responded: with joy, worship, praise and anticipation.
How will we be clothed in power?
The same way the original disciples received God’s power: through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Noted pastor and author Francis Chan laments that, for too many Christians, service to Christ is marked only by their own talent and intellect. Instead of living in the power of the Holy Spirit, ‘we operate as if we were merely saved to survive.’
That hardly makes sense. God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son, to live with us and to die for us, just so we could stagger through life? Didn’t Jesus promise a light yoke and plans to bless us?
It’s time for us to return to being Spirit-filled, Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered.
Join us (in study and in worship) as we embark on our next Journey through Scripture…a Journey from Easter to Pentecost (Sunday, June 9th). It will be a Journey marked by a focus on the gift of the Holy Spirit and God’s purpose for the Church and for our lives.
Jesus has Risen, friends. And Jesus reigns. And God continues to send Himself to us, so that Resurrection moments may continue to happen every day of our lives. There is a reason our United Methodist “logo” consists of a Cross and a Flame. We are saved through the Cross of Christ…and we’re to be on fire with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s go!
<><, Pastor Steve
MAY CALENDAR
You can also download the printable version by clicking on the link!
Treasurer's Report
Spring is Here! I am so happy with the warmer weather. I want to update you on a few things. The Chicken Noodle lunch brought in $1423.00 which is fantastic. A Big thanks to all that helped in anyway.
The Parade of Palms total so far is $2961.00. This will be added to the March to the Manager and the Christmas Eve offering to make the Mission budget for the year. This will be paid out as soon as the Mission Committee gives me the go ahead.
One of our biggest expenses for the year is the insurance and umbrella policy. This has been paid in full.
Each month we have been able to pay more on the mortgage than is required and that is due to the generous giving of some of our members.
I read in a little book “Wisdom of the Ages” a quote by Artemus Callaway “Life is not a grab-bag from which to take all we desire, but an opportunity to give the good that is in us, that it may go out and multiply and return to us in the forms we need in our daily life.” This is so true.
Have a great month, God Bless, Bonnie Mankle, Treasurer
2019 EVANGELISM FOR NON-EVANGELISTS WORKSHOP W/ DR. MARK TEASDALE
MORTON UMC, 9AM-3PM
SATURDAY, MAY 4
Dr. Mark Teasdale, Associate Professor of Evangelism at Garrett-Evangelical
Theological Seminary and author of "Evangelism for Non-Evangelists" will present a
full day workshop on Evangelism. Cost is $10 and includes lunch (we will cover the registration fee).
This event is sponsored by the Illinois River District, Sangamon River District, Spoon River District,IGRC Committee on Evangelism and IGRC Congregational Development.
Click the link below to register!
*Remember, we will cover your registration!
Cookies by the Pound
ATTENTION PARENTS/GRADUATES!
We will be celebrating graduation/promotion Sunday on May 12th. Please let us know the names of your college graduates (with degree and school), high school graduates, and 8th graders getting ready to be promoted to high school.
Mother’s Day Carnations are due May 5th!
In celebration of Mother’s Day, May 12, 2019, all friends and members of Prospect are encouraged to help build the glorious bouquet.
Each carnation purchased at a cost of $1.00 will create the bouquet.
If you wish to order carnations, please download an order form from the link below. Copies will also be available in the gathering area on Sundays.
Last chance to order carnations will be Sunday, May 5th.
Dunlap Senior Center at Prospect UMC!
Located in church Fellowship Hall, the Senior Activity Center is open every Tuesday and Thursday (except for holidays) from 9:00am-3:00pm for men and women 50 years.
The Senior Center provides a warm & free setting where you can meet people, join a card game, put together a puzzle, play Mexican Train dominoes, or just sit and chat with a cup of coffee. We also have a pool table and ping pong available!
Eventually they will also be offering classes such as easy exercise, line dancing, sewing, women's and men's crafts and other activities that may interest you.
Questions? Please email the coordinators at dunlapscac@gmail.com.
Highway Clean-up Needs your Help!!!
The good weather means that Highway Cleanup time is upon us. For all of you new members and friends, PUMC is responsible for cleaning Cedar Hills Dr. From Knoxville/Rt. 40 to Bland Rd. (See map below.)
We need 6-10 people meeting in the Banner School parking lot at 9:00 a.m. for approximately 1 hour on usually the last Saturday of the month. If there is a Sunday School class or family that would like to do it as a group but at a different time/day, that is great -- just get in touch with Lois Yoches (243-5062).
The county supplies the neon, reflective vests and trash bags; each person should bring working gloves and sturdy shoes. The cleanup works best if one person stays on the top portion of the ditch and one covers the lower part so no one has to walk up and down the steep ditch.
First date of the season is Saturday, May 25th! See you in the Banner School parking lot at 9:00 am!
2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The 2019 Annual Conference will be June 6-8 at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria
MIDWEST MISSION DISTRIBUTION CENTER COLLECTION
This year, we are collecting supplies to create 'tornado tubs' that will be brought with us to annual conference. Kits contain the following items:
The truck will be at Annual Conference from 8 am Thursday to 6 pm Friday
$9 donation for two totes
2 pair of work gloves
2 boxes of gallon-size resealable bags
2 permanent marker (i.e. Sharpie)
1 roll of duct tape (preferred colored) to label household items
2 dust masks (no surgical masks)
24 heavy-duty trash bags, rolled (35-45 gallon) for trash removal
24 clear trash bags (20-33 gallon) for larger personal items that need containment
Supplies can be collected and brought to Annual Conference and/or contribute to Advance Special #6620 and indicate "tornado totes."
If you would like to donate any of the above items, you can drop off your supplies or monetary donation to the church office anytime before June 6th.
Father’s Day Carnations
"Fore the Lord" Golf Scramble
FUMC Peoria is hosting a Fundraiser and Fellowship Event on Monday, June 10th. The outing will feature a 12:30 shot-gun start at Washington's Pine Lakes Golf Club. The $80 registration fee includes golf with cart, boxed lunch, water, dinner, prizes and a chance to hear guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Steve Pichaske.
Contact FUMC Peoria at 673-3641 to register as an individual player or group.
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE @ PUMC
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Turkey Dinner 2019
We are also looking for 2019 Turkey Dinner Chairpersons. Please prayerfully consider being a part of this year’s Turkey Dinner Team, and contact Pastor Steve (and/or Jim Durand) if you would like to learn more about serving as a chairperson (i.e. chief organizer) for this event.
NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES SUNDAY
NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES SUNDAY: May 5, 2019
Your gifts on Native American Ministries Sunday fund ministries that pave the way for those who aspire to serve Christ’s Church by making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
When you support Native American Ministries Sunday, you equip seminary students who will honor and celebrate Native American culture in their ministries. And you empower congregations that are finding fresh new ways to minister to their communities with the love of Christ. Our Giving Allows Native Americans to Encounter, Worship and Serve Jesus.
ADULT MISSION TEAM BRUNCH FUNDRASIER
CHADDOCK MISSION TRIP: SAVE THE DATE!
*CHADDOCK INFORMATIONAL MEETING: We will have a informational meeting on Sunday, May 5th. Anyone interested in going please try to attend! We would like to have the set number of people going as early as possible so we have enough time to book additional hotel rooms in advance.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
A huge thank you to Lisa Leitner and the cafeteria ladies at all the Dunlap schools. They brought a great donation to the pantry last month. Just in time to help us restock after the Easter baskets were given out. We depend on donations.
We still need: paper towels, toilet paper, peas, peanut butter, jelly, chili, canned pasta, tuna helper, cake/brownie mix.
Thank you for your support! -Gloria & Nancy
BANDAGE PROJECT
We will be rolling bandages for Global Health Ministries on May 8th and May 22nd at 3:30pm. Global Health Ministries sends containers of medical supplies to mission hospitals all over the world. We would love to have you join us!!!
New Members and Baptism
ON-LINE SERMONS
No problem! Our Sunday sermons are now posted on-line! You can find them on our website and Facebook page!
MUSIC NEWS:
2018-2019 THANK YOU'S!!!
Thank you to Judy, who has faithfully played for the choir for more years than we can count. She is so patient and kind with me and I appreciate her help very much!
Thank you to the choir members and the bell ringers, who have faithfully come to practice. They have been successful because of their dedication and commitment!
Thank you to the Strasma's and the Holt's, who have been a great encouragement to me personally. They have breathed a fresh perspective and fresh music into our church.
Thank you to all the accompanists who are always here. I never have to remind them. They are always there and always ready to go! Ginger, Nancy, Judy, Linda, thank you!
Thank you to Deb, Matt, and other sound booth volunteers. You are "behind the scenes", but we rely on you heavily.
Thank you to Pat and Grace who have helped me bring music to the children of our church. I know the kids are nervous and the kids are apprehensive, but with encouragement and consistency, they do learn. They are learning! They are participating! Praise them.....every time. Then they will learn to love music.
These are the people that come to mind, but I know there are more people who have helped consistently "behind the scenes".
So, as a favor to me....
Notice! Notice when someone is trying. Notice when someone is willingly volunteering. Gratefulness is a beautiful and refreshing thing. Burn-out is very real, but encouragement is refreshing. Please encourage someone who you have seen working hard this year!
Cliffnotes....
If you see anyone who has been helping with music, please give them a hug and a "thank you". It is a lot of work. Thank you's are so encouraging and so kind (and they're "free" you know).
-Kirsten
309-361-5200.
Our kids aren’t (or shouldn’t be) the only ones still in school. As a church that wants to help you grow deep in Jesus so that we can reach wide for Jesus, we believe that Bible study and small groups are essential for our individual and corporate lives. You can join at any time, there is always room for you!
SENIOR LUNCHEON: Meets on the last Tuesday of the month at Noon; potluck, open invitation
CAMILLA SMALL GROUP, Wednesday evenings @ 7:00 PM - Mary Pietreniak's house, women's group, open invitation
DEEPER STILL 10:00 Sunday mornings - Conference room, open invitation
BIBLE STUDIES: Breakfast with Jesus
Tuesday mornings from 8:30-9:30, open invitation (more details below)
(Feel free to contact the church if you're interested in starting/hosting a group at another time and/or location.)
Breakfast with Jesus
Our Tuesday morning group meets at 8:30 am in the church’s conference room. Contact the church office if you would like more information about either group, or would like to talk to Pastor Steve about forming your own midweek or Sunday morning small group for intentional Bible study, Christian discipleship and fellowship!
METHODIST MEN
Methodist Men had their last meeting before summer break on April 8th. Discussions included an overview of the church monitor role. Thank you to BJ Kyle for leading the discussion with the team and interested volunteers. Regular UMM meetings will resume on August 5th.
*We are also in need of church monitors for each Sunday starting June 2nd. Please have anyone interested in filling in a date contact me. (309) 370-5023, randaljday@yahoo.com.
Thank You, Randy Juskiv
Please consider joining us for our meetings and events. All are welcome-young and old!!! Enjoy the good food & company! If there are questions, let Randy Juskiv know @ randaljday@yahoo.com. See you in August!
MARY MARTHA
*COOKIES BY THE POUND FUNDRAISER: Mark your calendars! Mary Martha will have a cookie sale on Sunday, May 5th before and between services. Cookies will be $6.00 per pound and the money raised will be used for mission giving.
We give to ministries that include Crittenten, Lessie Bates Neighborhood House East St. Louis, Cunningham Children's home, Silent Auction, Chaddock Christmas Child, 100% of our funds are given to mission.
We welcome all ladies to join us!
PROSPECT BOOK DISCUSSIONS
The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13, to talk about Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover. Westover grew up with parents who were survivalists in rural Idaho. She did not go to school until she was seventeen, and her mother had not been diligent with home schooling. After much sacrifice and hard work, she eventually excelled in school and earned a PhD from Cambridge.
We will also meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 29, to talk about Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick. Award-winning journalist Demick follows the lives of six North Korean citizens over fifteen years—a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung, the rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il (the father of Kim Jong-un), and a devastating famine that killed one-fifth of the population. North Korea is perhaps the most repressive regime today, and citizens there are kept ignorant of the rest of the world as they struggle to support their families.
Questions? Suggestions for books to discuss? Contact Nancy Varness at 274-8124 or
CC NEWS:
He is not here. He was raised, just as he said.
- Matthew 28:6
Happy Easter season to all!!! What a beautiful entrance this Easter season has made. I'm not just referring to the sunshine, new life pushing through the soil, or the breathtaking sunsets, but the fellowship that many of us at PUMC have gotten to experience recently. This tends to be congregational care's "busy season" but beautiful seems a more appropriate descriptor. It was beautiful to me that individuals made time during their week to set up tables for us to dine at on Easter morning. It was beautiful to me the group of women & children that came together to prepare this resurrection day meal. It was a beautiful site to see the "more experienced" teach the "less experienced". It was beautiful to pray together for the Holy Spirit to surround each & every person that walks through the door of PUMC. It was beautiful to arrive Sunday morning hearing the birds chirping and the pots & pans clanging (biscuit tubes popping). It was beautiful to serve over 110 people. It was beautiful to see children with baskets or bags full of goodies from the egg hunt. It was beautiful to have individuals step up & help clean up the "beautiful mess" :) Most of all it was beautiful knowing that what God says he does! Thank you to everyone who participated and/or attended the Easter breakfast this year.
Next on the agenda is Dunlap High school's graduation brunch which will take place midmorning on Friday May 10th with the preparation of the meal occurring on Thursday May 9th @ 5pm in the fellowship hall. Anyone willing to help or is interested in seeing what a beautiful outreach this is please feel free to join!
Any questions? Please notify Mary Pietreniak 309-258-4941 or Camilla @ 309-264-3569
SOUL CAFE
We would just like to thank everyone who signs up to help with Soul Cafe, whether it be bringing treats/drinks or serving it is VERY appreciated. Many have truly been enjoying the fellowship in between the services!
HOME COMMUNION
Please see Mary Pietreniak if you are interested in serving or receiving home communion.
THANK YOU
Thank you, PUMC, for all the love and support you provided during my pregnancy (especially when I was on bed rest and working from home) as well as after Harlow's birth! The amount of cards, texts, calls, emails, gifts, food and visits (both at our home and in the office) were overwhelming in the most wonderful way! I am so grateful for you all! -Dani
Youth News
FUEL NEWS
Hey Prospect UMC!
We’re working towards trying to get our students from being disciples to ministers at their schools. We are doing this with intentional discipleship, and answering student questions about the Bible, faith, and life. Please be praying for our students and leaders!
As for Fuel Sunday mornings, we are going through a series that Seedbed has put out, with a focus on being intentional with our faith. Please pray for our students as we continue to learn about what it could mean to live the adventure that having a life in Christ entails.
As for Fuel, we’re going to Chaddock with the rest of the team for PUMC! Please be praying for students as they prepare to serve at Chaddock.
We will also be going to a Peoria Chief’s game on May 17th! If your student is wanting to attend, let Evan know! There’s a catch, however, they have to bring a friend for their ticket to be free. :)
Would you be interested in helping students learning to be more like Christ? If you are interested in becoming a disciple-maker of students to follow Jesus, please give Evan a text or call at 309-258-9917!
Thanks and God Bless! Evan Penn
FUEL YOUTH SCHEDULE
Sunday morning Bible Study at 9:45am
May 17th - FUEL @ Peoria Chiefs Game
Children's Ministry NEWS
THANK YOU!
What a great Easter Sunday! More than 20 children enjoyed the beautiful weather and had such fun at our Easter Egg Hunt. And what a blessing that for the first time in two years, we were able to go outside. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Liz DiBernardi, for filling the eggs and coordinating this wonderful event.
Thank you, Brittany Schwindernhammer and Jackie Benningfield for your priceless contributions to Kingdom Quest this past semester.
KIDS' CHOIR NEWS
The Kids’ Choir will be singing on Sunday, May 19 during the first service.
We will practice on May 5 and May 12 immediately following the first service.
Thank you Grace and Kirsten for your energy and leadership.
KINGDOM QUEST
Beginning Sunday, June 2 through Sunday, September 1, Kingdom Quest will meet during the 8:45 service following the Children’s Message. Please consider taking a Sunday to lead our children in Kingdom Quest. All lessons will be prepared. All we need is your leadership. Please get in touch with Pat if you are interested.
*Mark your calendars – Vacation Bible School will be July 29 – August 2.*
KIDS' SUMMER CAMP INFO
PURPLE PANDA PRE-SCHOOL & AFTER CARE
As the weather warms up, our preschool students are learning about spring. Pre-K is finishing up reviewing letters and numbers and have caterpillars that will soon be hatching into butterflies! Pre-K graduation will be Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 pm. Our graduates will celebrate afterwards with an ice cream sundae party! The last day of preschool is May 16 for Pre-K and May 17 for 3 year olds!
Registration is currently underway for the 2019-20 school year, we still have some openings for three year olds in our 3 day (M-Tu-W) and 2 day (Th-Fri) program (child must be potty trained). Pre-K is currently full with a waiting list for fall 2019 but we are considering adding an afternoon class if there is enough interest.
Please contact me through Dani in the Church Office at 243-7300 or e-mail me at purplepandapreschool@gmail.com if you have any questions or you would like a tour or if you are interested in enrolling a child in preschool. Nikki Pollard—Director, Purple Panda Preschool
After Care is winding down, but we will still take applications for new students. Contact Dani if you would like to register your child for after care!
MAY BIRTHDAYS
Right Now Ministry (online small group and devotional resources)
Prospect subscribes to the RightNowMinistry (“the Netflix of Christian Bible study”) resource, which provides all of our members with access to 1000’s of video led curriculums including offerings specifically geared towards books of the Bible, Parenting, Marriage, Single Living, Men, Women, Teens, Children, Leadership and Finances from a Christian perspective, and more.
Contact Pastor Steve if you do not have access to the rightnowmedia.org site (or have forgotten your log-in).
BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN
Click the link below to download the 52-week Bible reading plan!
Prospect UMC
Email: dani.pumc@gmail.com
Website: www.pumcdunlap.org
Location: 300 E Ash St, Dunlap, IL, United States
Phone: 3092437300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DunlapProspectUMC/