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Newsletter of Immanuel United Methodist Church
800 N. Main Street
Edwardsville, IL 62025
“The Old Church with the New Attitude”
January, 2015
From New Resolutions to New Renovations
In my many travels between hospital visits and meetings, I noticed a sign outside of
one the hotels I drive by regularly. The sign said, “Newly Renovated.” Well, that was
an exciting thought to suppose that the rooms in the hotel had been refreshed and upto-date décor now donned the hallways and breakfast area. But one thing I noticed—
the “w” in newly had fallen slightly through the crack in the sign and was hanging only
by a margin. Then, I noticed that the “v” in renovated was experiencing the same
trauma! Right smack dab in the middle of the message that the hotel was trying to advertise, dangled a very different message. Was the hotel truly renovated? Had they
looked at their sign? Did they know that the message they were communicating was
not one of new renovation?
I pondered this thought because I asked myself as Christians—
at Christmas Time—we talk about renewing our souls in the
Christmas Story. We ask for rebirth. We long for there to be a
place for our hearts in the Inn. We anticipate the wonder and
the awe of that night so long ago—the night in Bethlehem. We
try to feel excitement and joy. And we do all this because we
love God and God’s people.
But, do we have some dangling pieces at the very center of our lives that communicates a very different message? Have we paid attention to the sign that we use to
communicate to others? Are our lives newly renovated with the renewal and refreshment of that exciting and unique Christmas Story? Has our visit to the stable caused
the fresh winds of revitalization to blow out the dust balls and cobwebs of our dingy
hearts and souls?
This Christmas, spend time at the manger, in the presence of the Holy Child. Get to
know the King that was born in a simple and small space that allowed true renovation
of each life. And then, check the message we are sharing. Do you have any dangling
letters that you need to straighten up? Begin the year 2015 – Newly Renovated!
Pastor Jackie
The Vision
Page 2
Sunday, December 28, 2014
ONE SERVICE
10:00 am
Darla McFadden
Nashville recording artist Darla McFadden, a Christian music artist from
Lake St. Louis, Missouri, will be appearing at our 10:00 am worship
service on Sunday, December 28. Darla is in her 25th year of traveling and ministry. Her experiences have led her to develop a ministry
that is heartfelt and sincere. Darla’s ability to speak to the broken
spirit and understand their pain is a gift she shares from her heart.
We look forward to welcoming Darla on December 28th!
Souper Evening!!
Greeters Needed
The 55+ Fellowship
Group will be meeting
on January 11, 2015 in
the Journey’s Inn Room
at 5:30 p.m. for a sharing of delicious Soups and the Breaking
of Bread together. Anyone that has a
soup, chili, bean soup, ham and bean,
etc. recipe to share with our group is
welcome to come. Bring a small pot of
your best recipe to share and a side dish
or dessert. Bowls and silverware are at
the church, as well as drinks.
We have a need for additional Greeters
at both services. If you would be willing
to Greet worshipers at 9:00 am or Greet
and take the offering at 10:30 am,
please put your name on the Sign-Up
sheet in the Hospitality Room. We hope
to set up a rotation whereby your turn
would only come up once every two or
three months. Thank you very much for
serving Christ and Immanuel by welcoming our guests and members to worship.
Those attending are asked to bring a donation for the Glen-Ed Food Pantry.
Some items needed are:
Personal Hygiene Items: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, feminine products, toilet paper, tissues, etc.
Food:
Canned meats, condiments like mustard,
ketchup, mayo, spices, packaged foods,
all non perishable.
May we be generous with our donations
and be Thankful for all our Blessings.
Everyone is welcome to attend!!
Kiss the Pig Parking Lot Party
On April 26, 2015 Immanuel UMC is
throwing a Bash!! As you all know, we
have been so excited about the new
parking lot that was finished just in time
for winter months.
As Spring approaches, we wish to invite friends and
family from our community to celebrate
in our Kiss the Pig Parking Lot Party!
Ahead of time, chances will be sold to
cast your vote as to who you want to see
Kiss the Pig! Food Vendors will set up in
our parking lot to offer opportunities for
good eats! There will be a variety of
children’s activities—Fun for All! Plan
now—Join our Bash!
Page 3
The New Year Brings New
Opportunities!
We are adding another Christian Education Opportunity to our Sunday morning
schedule. Errick Cameron will begin a
class on developing and maintaining
Christian parenting skills. This class is
entitled, “Parenting Potential.” January
18th is the starting date for this class
and all those interested in this topic are
invited to meet in the Youth Room
downstairs at 9:45 am.
Errick’s history reflects stern but compassionate understanding of raising four
boys through many extenuating circumstances, such as the loss of their mother
to ovarian cancer. Errick’s wife, Cindy,
has raised two children, a boy and a girl
to experience equal challenges with love
and determination. Both of these individuals add a wealth of knowledge, experience and just down-right love for
God and God’s people. Welcome to the
Christian Education experiences at Immanuel UMC!
We will continue to offer stimulating and
engaging conversations in the Wired
Word class taught at the same time by
Penny May. People have spoken about
Penny’s skill and open-mindedness in the
Wired Word Class. Current topics always
invite various opinions and perspectives.
Thank you, Penny for leading such a raucous group! This class meets downstairs
in what used to be the Quilter’s Room!
The Seekers class is also a main-stay at
Immanuel UMC. Betty Gengler teaches
this class and has done a wonderful job
in asking good questions, inviting good
dialogue and preaching good news. This
class meets in the Church office at 9:30
am.
The Vision
Thank You Immanuel!!
Thank you to all those that donated,
helped, cooked and served at our Free
Lunch Friday meals all year, the Thanksgiving dinner and the Christmas dinner.
Sincere appreciation for all that was done
to help make this mission successful in
2014.
May we serve Christ with our hearts and
hands in 2015 at our Friday meals.
The Fundraising Committee will be meeting
on Wednesday, January 7th at 6 pm to
start reviewing the new 2015 fundraisers.
Anyone that would like to help this committee is welcomed to attend, and all of the
2014 members are encouraged to attend.
March to the Manger
Christmas offering envelopes are available
at church. Please remember the gift of Jesus Christ. May you be blessed as you give
as the Spirit leads to the work of building
the kingdom of God at Immanuel UMC. We
hope this contribution will enable us to pay
our apportionment obligation.
Looking Ahead…
Sweetheart Dinner & Silent Auction
will be held on Saturday, February 7. Be
on the look out for items to donate to the
Silent Auction!!
Paint with Ali will be the next 55+ Fellowship event on Sunday, February 22 from
2-5 pm. More information will be coming!
Rummage Sale May 1, 2 and 3. Think of
us when deciding what to do with your unneeded items!
The Vision
Page 4
POINSETTIAS
Many thanks to the following for furnishing poinsettias for our
holiday season this year:
Lisa Allen Family & Pat Schott
In loving memory of family members
Sherry Buhrmester
In memory of the Buhrmester and Cheney Families
Betty Burns
In memory of Robert & Geneva Stein
Donna Condrey
In memory of Dick Condrey
Joanie Green
In honor of Noah and Anna Middlekamp
In memory of my mother, Mary Belle Brueggemann
Ron & Mary Ann Goldsmith
In Memory of Catherine Howells and Lois Fiala
Sid & June Helle
In memory of the Helle and Spitze Families
Gary Koenig & Family
In memory of Edward Koenig, Parents, Grandparents,
Loved Ones and Friends
Wanda Marth
In memory of the Diefenbach and Marth Families
Chloe McIntyre
In memory of Robert McIntyre
Kerry O’Sullivan
In memory of Craig Durkee
Don & Roberta Piper
In memory of loved ones
Mike & Ruth Portell
In memory of loved ones
Barbara Taliana &
Norma Thompson
In memory of our dear friend Amy Frye
Barbara Taliana
In Honor of Norma Thompson
Karen Trone
In memory of loved ones
Ethel Witschie
In memory of loved ones
If you purchased poinsettias or if one was placed in your honor, we ask that you please
take it home following our Christmas Eve worship services.
Page 5
The Vision
Crocheted Ornaments
Chancel Choir Thank You
New this year was the opportunity to place
a crocheted angel or star on our sanctuary
Christmas tree to Honor or in Memory of
someone. Many thanks to Jill Winte and
Kiffon Lewis for lovingly crocheting these
ornaments! The angel and star ornaments
were placed on our Christmas tree in
Memory/Honor of the following:
The Christmas Cantata was sung for our
traditional worship service on December
7th. Thanks to all the regular and recruited
members of the Chancel Choir. Their hard
work was appreciated. We would like to
add a heartfelt thank you to Butch Mestemacher who so skillfully directed the choir,
and Sheila Acuncius, who gave of her time,
gifts and talents to provide such beautiful
accompaniment for the choir. We also add
a sincere appreciation for the continued
support that Becky Mestemacher offers to
each member of the Immanuel UMC Chancel Choir—always making sure everyone
has dates correct and music in shape!
Thanks!!!
Eloise Allen
Jesse Allen
Lisa Allen
Zinnia Allen
Greyson Brase
Mavis Emily Brase
Jack & Aaron Brase
Les & Kathy Buhrmester
LiVertie Burnham
Mark Cornell
Dorothy Fellhauer
Herb Fellhauer
Amy Frye
Gene Havis
Helle Family
Kate Hibbard
Mary Hinnen
Jesus’ Birth
Joan Kane
Nancy Kellam
Edward Koenig
Vera Koenig
Harland Marth
Ed May
Orville May
Grandpa Tom MCarty
Bill Schott
Pat Schott
Spitze Family
Ruth Stark
Geneva Stein
Robert Stein
Evelyn Stine
John Stine
Thanks to all who placed an ornament on
our tree!
Training Event
St. John’s United Methodist Church will host
a Training Event on Saturday, January 24th
from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. At this Training
Event, information will be shared to
enlighten leaders on the responsibilities with
Lay Servants, Conflict Transformation,
Stewardship and Finance, and Trustees Facilities. Lunch will be $10 per person. Our
church leaders are encouraged to attend
this event if at all possible. If you plan to
attend one or all of these workshops, please
register with Pastor Jackie, specifying which
workshops.
Inclement Weather Reminder
If the weather outside becomes frightful and
you are wondering if we will be holding
church services, please go to our website:
www.immanuelonmain.org
where the latest information will be posted.
If services are cancelled, the first call will be
to Al Davis who will post that information on
the website. Then those who do not have
the internet available to them will be called.
The Vision
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Lay Leadership in 2015
Recording Secretary: Pam Clarkin
Pastor:
Rev. Jackie Havis-Shear
Worship Leaders:
Butch Mestemacher
Jordan Grammer
Worship Committee: Peggy Worthey
Communications:
Ashley Starks
Missions:
Don & Evelyn Schaake
CHURCH COUNCIL
Chairperson:
Joe Newman
Lay Leaders:
Al Davis
Ashley Starks
SPPR Chair:
Ronald Goldsmith
Finance Chairs:
Jordan Grammer
Rhonda Grammer
Trustees Chair:
Don Piper
Treasurer:
Penny May
Lay Delegate:
Pam Clarkin
Youth Rep:
Dave/Trish Rader
Sunday School
Representatives:
Board of Trustees
Chairperson:
Members at Large:
2015
Pam Clarkin
Missy Carter
Don Piper
Kiffon Lewis
Jill Winte
UMM President:
UMW President
Floyd Fisher
Penny May
Phyllis Fisher
Penny May
Committee on Finance
Chairperson:
Rhonda/Jordan Grammer
Pastor:
Rev. Jackie K. Havis-Shear
Lay Delegate: Pam Clarkin
Council Chair: Joe Newman
SPPRC Chair: Ron Goldsmith
2015
Mary Ann Goldsmith
Don Schaake
Carolyn Land
Children’s Ministries
Coordinators
Trustee Representative:
Lay Leader(s):
Treasurer:
Finance Secretary:
Auditor:
2016
Sherry Buhrmester
Lara DeGroot
Rhonda/Jordan Grammer
Don Piper
Al Davis & Ashley Starks
Penny May
Anita Seehausen
Larry Lucy
2017
Maurice Mestemacher
Peggy Worthey
Matthew Lewis
Don Piper
David Kriege, Leonard Land
2016
Phyllis Fisher
Carl Reiter
Tom May
2017
Tim Moline
Mike Portell
Gary Koenig
Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations
Chairperson:
Ron Goldsmith
Lay Leader(s):
Al Davis & Ashley Starks
Lay Delegate:
Pam Clarkin
Pastor:
Rev. Jackie K. Havis-Shear
2015
Ron Goldsmith
Ron Schaake
Evelyn Schaake
2016
Kathy Hatton
Lisa Allen
Dave Rader
Committee on Nominations and Leadership
Chairperson:
Rev. Jackie K. Havis-Shear
2015
2016
Pam Clarkin
Pat Schott
Deloris Fisher
Larry Worthey
Al Davis
Don Schaake
2017
Pamla Newman
Sheila Page
Marc Franke
2017
Ashley Starks
LeeAnn Kane
Sherry Buhrmester
Page 7
The Vision
Immanuel’s Youth and Children did a great
job in presenting “Bethlehem Bound” to the
congregation on Sunday, December 14th.
Breakfast with Santa followed the service.
Thank You to Paige Brase and Dave Kriege for these Photos!
The Vision
Page 8
Prayer Ministry
(† Indicates weeks—call office to continue another 4 weeks)
† Family of John Hibbard, nephew of Pat Schott, who passed away on Monday
Carolyn Land had carpal tunnel surgery on Friday
Emily Johnson, friend of Gwen Cornell’s family, 23 years old with 17-month old daughter, diagnosed
with Tumeral MS (the worst kind)
Jeremy Carmen, friend of Gwen Cornell’s family, prostate cancer has returned
†† Floyd Fisher recovering at home from heart procedure
Family of Bill Powell, father of Nancy Schwalb
††† Mary Etherton, friend of Shannah Wagner, cancer
Donald Hardbeck possibly facing end of life issues
Donna Hardbeck, recovering from pneumonia
Joan Long who will be seen by an Orthopedic Surgeon on December 30th at Mayo Clinic
†††† Whitley Hedger, 12-year old from St. John’s with inoperable brain tumor
Thank You...
Praise Report!
Dear Church Friends, Thank you for your
healing prayers when I had my knee surgery.
Thanks to Pastor Jackie for coming to the hospital and for the wonderful meals from Sherry,
Sharon and Gary, and LaVonne. It all meant a
lot to me!
-Joanie Green
Brian Wasser, the three-year old great
grandson of Don and Evelyn Schaake’s
friends Bud and Betty Schmidt, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and has been on
Immanuel’s prayer list for most of the past
year. During that time he has undergone
three surgeries and many sessions of radiation and chemotherapy, and on December 3 “rang the bell” after receiving his final treatment and getting a clean bill of
health. His family feels he received excellent medical care at Barnes Children’s Hospital, but also feel the power of prayer
played a big part in his recovery and want
to thank everyone at Immanuel Church for
their prayers and support during this
stressful time.
From our District Superintendent: Thank you
so much for the birthday cake I received [at
Charge Council!] I appreciate your thoughtfulness!
Give my thanks to your church!
-Pastor Roger
God bless the Pastor, the members and the
volunteers who make the Friday lunch available. You do such a fine job and aren’t told
enough how much you are appreciated.
Thanks so much for all you do.
- Jean & Jerry McCullough
2015 Contribution Envelopes
If you requested a boxed set of contribution envelopes on your pledge card for 2015, or if
you had a boxed set this year and did not turn in a 2015 pledge card, contribution envelopes have been prepared for you. You may pick them up from the table in the Hospitality
Room. If you had a number higher than 310 in 2014, then you have received a new number for 2015, due to cutting back on the number of envelopes that we ordered. If you
would like to have a boxed set of contribution envelopes and one has not been prepared for
you, please call or e-mail the church office and we will take care of that. If you did not
want to received the contribution envelopes, a number will be assigned to you. You will be
receiving a letter telling you the number to place on your checks and offerings.
The Vision
Immanuel United Methodist Church
800 North Main Street
Edwardsville IL 62025
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
CONTACT US!
Office: (618) 656-4648
Fax: (618) 656-1162
Web Site:
www.immanuelonmain.org
Church E-mail:
[email protected]
Pastor’s E-mail:
[email protected]
Look us up on Facebook
Reverend Jackie Havis-Shear
Cell Phone: (618) 531-9134
Maurice “Butch” Mestemacher
Choir Director
Jordan Grammer
Contemporary Worship Leader
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Contemporary Service
9:00 a.m.
In Sanctuary
Common Time
9:45 a.m.
Includes:
Children’s Sunday School
Adult Bible Study
Youth Group Devotions
Coffee + More
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Traditional Service
10:30 a.m.
In Sanctuary
Nursery Available All
Morning