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 08/25/16

Liturgist Beth Coop

Head Usher Ray Ramsey

Ushers

09/04 Tom Ashley/ Michael Stewart

Dave Hargis/ Ray Ramsey

09/11 Linda Bird/Rosalie Chandler

Roberta Guebert/ Joyce Camp

09/18 UMW

09/25 Gary & Jenith Henson

Audio/Visual Team

09/04 Ashley Birchler

09/11 Parker Haskenhoff

09/18 Cormac Kloss

09/25 Jared Sauzek

Randolph Care Center Worship

September 11 - ABC Class

Saturday Evening Worship

09/03 Brian Belcher & Rhonda Jones

09/10 Larry Rosenthal & Kathy Ruhmann

09/17 Roger & Janet Gerlach

09/24 No Worship

Acolytes

09/04 Katie & Libby Sauzek

09/11 Parker & Olivia Haskenhoff

Nursery

09/04 Beth Coop

09/11 Sharon Beckley

09/18 Cathy Norton

09/25 Michelle Haury

TRAINING FOR ACOLYTES On Thursday, September 15 at 4:00, we will have a training for all children (Grades 4 - 8) who would like to vol-unteer to be an acolyte for our church. It is an honor and privilege to be of service to your church. After training the church will provide pizza and soda. Children should be picked up at 5:30. We hope to have a sched-ule complete to send home at that time. Please email or call if your child is interested in being an acolyte. (aut57@frontier.com or 618-317-5057) Thank you for your service! God Bless! Autumn Peck

Monty Jackson in Concert Sunday, September 25, 10:30 am

We are pleased to announce that Monty Jackson will be with us

again in Worship on the last Sunday of September! Mark your

calendars and plan on inviting a friend to this wonderful event.

A Love Offering will be received in support of his Ministry!

Monty has toured extensively throughout the USA, Canada and the continents of Europe,

Asia, Africa, Australia, the South Pacific Islands and the Caribbean. Monty is a graduate of

Bakey Music Conservatory. His second Solo project entitled Prayers, Promise, & Praises was

released in 2011. He currently resides in Southern, IL, along with his wife Patti and two chil-

dren Christian & Cetera.

Because of the special Monty Jackson Sacred Concert on Sunday, September 25 at 10:30 am,

our regular Saturday Worship Service on September 24 is being cancelled so all may attend

the concert on Sunday!

Please keep in mind that we are making a special exception for this and it is our hope that the

House of the Lord will be filled to overflowing!

And please spread the word to all your friends about this change and invite them to come with

you to worship on Sunday, September 25!

The Lamplighter

Inside this issue:

Mission Projects

Church Conference 2

Golf Scramble

A Cabaret - Gary Cox 3

Sunday School News

Youth Group News 4

Men’s Ministry News

UMW News 5

Calendar 6

Birthday & Anniversaries 7

September 2016 First United Methodist Church, Sparta Illinois Isaiah 61:1-11 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim free-dom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of venge-ance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of right-eousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Sunday, November 13 50th Anniversary Celebration Of our current location. Please

share photos and memories

with us.

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

Celebrating 50 Years Ministry and Mission from

600 West University Avenue

A Ministry Outreach Project

As we celebrate our 50th year at this location in Sparta, we want to invite everyone at First UMC to become in-

volved in a specific act of ministry. Here is the plan and it’s based on the ministry plan our Confirmation Classes

use.

Pray: Ask the Lord to lead you into a ministry plan that reaches out into our community and beyond!

Dream: The oppor tunities are limitless as to how ministry can happen. Begin thinking of needs that may be

near where you live, work, favorite/familiar places or other areas that are important to you. Be creative, be wise, be

careful and above all, be loving! Remember, we want to share the love of God in a simple way!

Plan: Create a plan to see your ministry project happen. Begin with your stated purpose. For example,

Timeline: Determine how long it will take to accomplish your project. We would like all projects completed

by November 1.

Support: Set aside a minimum of $50 of your family/personal budget to initiate your outreach

Share: As you proceed with your project, record what you do through photos, video, wr itten notes, etc.

Team up: You may want to join with other fr iends or family to accomplish a larger project.

Mission Projects

Gary Cox Gary will perform a one man cabaret called “My Fathers World” on September 18 for proceeds to go the Sparta

Senior Citizen Center.

Joyce Camp Joyce’s Mission Project was to construct 25 or more lap blankets to give to

the Perryville Dialysis Center and anyone else that she learn could benefit

from a blanket. For a number of years my ministry has been to use recy-

cled material (old clothes) to make lap blanket for ill people. For example,

individuals' undergoing dialysis complain that the dialysis centers are cold.

These blankets are given to the patients to keep. Most of the material used

are old clothes donated to her by friends. The cost she incurs is for the

fleece backing and trim.

Please share your Mission Project with us by contacting the office or

sending us an email at spartafumc@frontier.com.

Annual Church Conference

Saturday, October 29

2:00 pm

Our Mississippi River District Superintendent, Rev. Roger Grimmett, has set our annual Charge Confer-

ence 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:

September 6 Finance Committee Meeting: 6:00 pm

September 12 Administrative Council Meeting: 7:00 pm

September 15 Nominations Committee Meeting: 6:30 pm

September 19 Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee Meeting: 6:30 pm

September 26 Finance Committee Meeting: 6:00 pm

September 29 Nominations Committee Meeting: 6:30 pm

October 3 Finance Committee Meeting: 6:00 pm

October 17 Administrative Council Meeting: 7:00 pm (final approval of Charge Conference Reports)

Words of Gratitude

09/01 Russell Deppe 09/03 Jean Hargis 09/04 Tom Diefenbach 09/05 Roberta Guebert Vickie Juenger Denise Stone 09/06 Elizabeth Deppe Elliot French Lynda Loesing 09/07 Brian Beattie Jenith Henson Ricky Zander 09/08 Irene Weber 09/10 Chris Haury Jackie Clendenin 09/12 Stacy Slavens 09/13 Terry Hagerling 09/14 Donna McBride April Robinson 09/15 Jason Coop Shawnee Fortner Wandene Williams 09/17 Brittany Deppe Edith Huddleston Libby Park Charlene Stewart 09/18 David Hauskins 09/20 Alva Ruth Russell 09/21 Leo Edler Hillary Heaton Chelsey Reese 09/22 Larry Ashley Linda Bird Shea Haury 09/23 Sean Patton 09/24 Jamie Peck 09/25 Scott Hargis Kim Hennrich Lynlee Glodo Elizabeth Sauzek Katherine Sauzek Lucy Yates 09/26 Libby Renner 09/27 Mary Ruth Bierman 09/28 Ashley McBride Dorothy Stephenson 09/28 Andrew Wilson 09/30 Dave Hargis Gary Stork

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 9 First United Methodist Church, Sparta

Prayers of the People

Happy Birthday

09/01 Brain & Kendra Beattie

09/03 Kenny & Debbie Baird

Tom & Jan Seals

09/04 Warren & Rhonda Gerlach

Bill & Linda Mueller

09/05 Kent & Barb Burns

Bradley & Rhonda Hall

09/06 Tom & Tomi Diefenbach

09/07 Brooks & Jo-Nita Gordon

09/09 Chris & Michelle Haury

Ray & Julia Heil

09/10 Scott & Angie Oathout

09/10 Jim & Becky Sickmeyer

09/16 Travis & Angie Hall

09/18 Mike & Charlene Stewart

09/19 Dean & Lucy Higgins

09/19 John & Jayne Wetzel

Doc & Wandene Williams

09/21 Scott & Liz Beckley

09/22 Kris & Jackie Clendenin

09/24 Greg & Lauriel Hill

09/26 John & Jamie Jeffers

09/28 Eric & Suzy Manker

09/29 Ron & Cindie Bruno

Joys: Bill Norton, Jane Schupbach, Pat Pillers 80th Birthday, Golf Scram-

ble, Congratulations to Clint & Katie Peck new baby boy

Anniversary: Mr. & Mrs Russell Deppe, Mr. & Mrs David Robinson,

Mr. & Mrs. John Becker

Concerns: Doris Arnold, Byron Slavens, Betty Slavens, Kenny Robinson’s

mother - Peggy Robinson, Debbie Schroeder’s Family, Harold Denniger, Ray

Ramsey Family, Georgia Rezba, Michelle Huary’s mother, Joe Byington Fami-

ly, Christine Neilson, Gary Henson, Char Leith

Words of Gratitude:

Thank you to my Family , my friends, and members of my church that helped

me celebrate my birthday. Thank you for all the cards, gifts and flowers. This

all means so much to me. ~ Sincerely Pat Pillers

Dear Friends, On behalf of the Sparta Area Food Pantry, we would like to ex-

press our sincere gratitude for the food collected at your recent photo session

for your church directory. You are one of the many blessings of this ministry.

With many thanks, Westminster Deacons

Sparta Food Pantry:

July - Families 133

Adults 288

Children 170

Date General

Budget

Online

Giving

Saturday/ Sun Worship/

Sunday School

Capital

Campaign

07/31/16 $1,869.00 $745.35 19/80/58 $325.00

08/07/16 $5,073.69 $614.05 19/82/- $726.00

08/14/16 $2,380.57 $454.05 16/98/63 $685.00

08/21/16 $5,299.05 $319.05 25/129/73 $670.00

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Page 3 First United Methodist Church, Sparta

Saturday was a great day for golf the rain held off until the golfing

was done. Everyone was a winner at the Golf Scramble hosted by

the First United Methodist Church. The Scramble earned over

$2,200 for the children to go to church camp. There were 41 golfers

making 10 teams, each team went home with 4 rounds of 18 holes of

golf. The golfers snacked on watermelon, peaches, cookies & hotdogs throughout the day. Hole 19 was a

lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, slaw, berry cobbler, berry pie, coconut cake, and

cookies. A big thank you goes out to Jessica and Kiara for serving the lunch. There were attendance prizes, a

silent action, fellowship, and fun. The success of this golf scramble was made possible through the donations

and prayers of many. The golf courses donating were: St Peters Golf Course, Tapawingo, Sunset Hills, Acorns

Golf Links, Waterloo, Mystic Oak, Waterloo, Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course, Oakaville, Columbia Golf

Club & The Bridges, Nashville Municipal Golf Course, Annbriar Golf Course-Waterloo, North County Country

Club-Red Bud, Pyramid Oaks, Percy, Red Hawk Golf Club, Pinckneyville, White Oak Golf Course, Marissa,

Chester Country Club, Nashville Municipal Golf Course. Gift certificates donations from: Mi Casa, Pizza Hut,

Rice & Fries, Sparta VFW, J & L Hair Salon, Great Clips, Doreen’s, Main Street Video & Tanning, Wal Mart,

Plaza Tire Service, Chickens Vintage Farm House, Stearns Furniture Company, Lollies, Sparta Banking Center,

and The Center, 1-year Fitness Membership. Monaitory Sponsorships were received from: Hooker’s Men's

Store, Howell Financial Services, Inc. Iron Ford, Patricia Pillers, Haury Plumbing, Schneidwind Insurance,

County Office Supplies, Shaw Pharmacy, Dr. Kugler, Virgil and Sha-

ron Runge, Chester National Bank, and Expressions Salon & Spa. And

a thank you to the people from the First United Methodist Church of

Sparta for your donations of items needed in the club house hospitality

snacks and 19th hole lunch. Thank you, Rhonda Smith. Thank you,

Julie & Ray, Brian & Rhonda Jones. Thank you, Pastor Gary. Thank

you, White Oak Golf Course. Thank you, EVERYONE who helped

in any way to help make this golf scramble a success. The children

going to church camp say, “THANK YOU!!!”

The fall Sunday School session will begin on September

11. This is the day children will move to new classes.

If they are entering pre K, 1, 4, 7, 9 and post high

school.

To kick off the fall session for Sunday School on Sep-

tember 10 we will be having a Hawaiian Luau

starting at 5:00 pm. We will be having a meal of pull

pork with Hawaiian games, and a photo booth. This

will be just a fun night of fellowship between young

and old. There will be prizes for the Sunday School

with most attendance and people who come in most

Hawaiian attire. So mark you calendars now for Sep-

tember 10 at 5:00 pm.

First United Methodist Youth

Sunday, September 25

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 Sun-

day 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.

Sunday, September 25 we will be having a kick

-off party from 6 - 8 pm. See you there!

If you have any questions or need a ride, please

contact Michelle Haury at 317-7081.

Barb Burns & Michelle Haury

Page 4

Adult Choir rehearsals resume

Wednesday, September 7th, 7:00 pm.

Join Us!

Sunday, September 18

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

joy a delicious breakfast, sharing and fellowship!

Men’s Fellowship Group

Tuesday: September 6 & 20 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 gathering!

Fall Bible Study

‘The Life and Ministry of Jesus’

Begins September 27/28

Tuesdays – 7:00 pm

Wednesdays – 9:30 am

We are continuing our Study of the Book of Matthew, fo-

cusing on the Jesus’ ministry and the Kingdom of God.

We will consider Matthew’s decidedly Jewish perspective

on the ministry of Jesus and how he portrays Jesus as in-

deed 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 begin on Thursday, September 8 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 Je-

sus. All women are invited to attend this study. Come

share and learn on Thursdays from September 8 through

October 27. For more information call the church of-

fice 443-3714 or Dot Heuman at 774-2531.

The last weekend of July myself and Dot

Heuman attended Mission U in Springfield.

While there we studied “The Bible and Hu-

man Sexuality: Claiming God’s Good Gift”

led by Mary Kathryn Pearce. You can find

this book along with another book from our reading pro-

gram “Things You’re Mother Never Told You” in the

church library.

Sunday September 11 with be the United Methodist

Sunday with special guest speaker Tim Manard from the

Cunningham Children Home. Saturday September 17 is

the Mississippi River District Annual Meeting in Leba-

non - fellowship 9 am - 9:30 am. Program “It’s Harvest

Time’ our District Superintendent will do the devotions

and missionary Priscilla Jaiah from Africa University

will be the guest speaker. The Cunningham Children

Home is requesting: Men’s Body Wash and box tops for

education. The Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood

House is requesting: shampoo, deodorant (men’s &

women’s) and body wash. There will be a box in the

narthex from Saturday August 27 - Saturday September

17. Also please remember them both in your prayers

and in your giving of items requested and thank you in

advance!

One of our 2017 reading books is “Money on Purpose:

finding a Faith- filled balance from the Nurture for

Community category” written by Shayna Lear. Are you

a saver, spender, giver, or investor? How does your fi-

nancial personality effect your financial future? What

are the rewards and risks of each use of money? What

does Scripture have to say about them? If you deeply

crave a sense of how God has positioned you with the

personality, spiritual gifts, and economic opportunity to

transform you finances and relationships, then your

prayers have been answered. Money on Purpose fea-

tures a quiz to help you discover your own financial

type. The author offers practical and faithful strategies

to restore a healthy and faith - filled balance to each per-

sonality’s financial life. An online Leader’s Guide

makes this practical and biblical resource ideal for

churches to engage members in study and discussions of

stewardship education.

Tuesday September 13 will be our next meeting Car -

ol Ashley will have refreshments.

Page 5 First United Methodist Church, Sparta

Men’s Ministry News United Methodist Women News

Women’s Bible Study Thursdays

9:30 am

“People of the Gospels”