Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful, Watery Watery Watery Watery WednesdaysWednesdaysWednesdaysWednesdays

This summer, youth programming will again take a squelchy splash! Join us on the evenings of June 15th, 29th, July 13th, 27th, & and August 12th (Friday Night Pool Party). The end of the summer pool party will begin at 7pm (Friday night). Every other time, please come to the church at 5:30. Each week there will be a Bible lesson and a time of fellowship for children 3 years old through upper elementary. If you have Middle School or High School youth interested, please have them come and help out! This year’s theme is Noah! Lessons will include:

• Noah builds the Ark (Genesis 6:13-22)

• Two of Every Kind (Genesis 7:1-16)

• Sending Out the Dove (Genesis 8:1-19)

• The Rainbow Promise (Genesis 8:20-9:17) Father’s DayFather’s DayFather’s DayFather’s Day Father’s Day is June 19th! As in previous years, you have the opportunity to honor or remember men who have mattered in your life via a donation to the Trustee’s Handyman Fund. Please fill out a memorial/honor form and turn in to the office along with your donation by June 17 to have their name included in the Honor/Memorial booklet on Father’s day. Forms can be found in your weekly bulletin starting June 5th or can be found on the counter in the office.

Summer Office HoursSummer Office HoursSummer Office HoursSummer Office Hours Office hours will change in June, July, and August. The office will be open 8:30am-4pm Monday through Thursday and will be closed on Fridays.

Youth Mission TripYouth Mission TripYouth Mission TripYouth Mission Trip Our youth will be going on a mission trip July 17-23 to Pocahontas, Virginia. The town of Pocahontas is the smallest of the work camps—just .6 square miles and 144 people. Close to the lowest per-capita income of any part of the nation, this hard working community struggles to make ends meet. While there, our group will demonstrate Jesus’ love and compassion in a tangible way, serving real people in need while working on projects like…

• Building wheelchair ramps and handrails

• Fixing leaky roofs

• Weatherizing homes and trailers

• Reconstructing sagging porches

• Interior and Exterior Carpentry Please be in prayer for this group as they go out and spread God’s love.

Christmas In JulyChristmas In JulyChristmas In JulyChristmas In July The Worship Committee is hosting a Christmas in July fundraiser. Christmas cookies will be available for a free will offering purchase after the Saturday 7/16 worship and between Sunday 7/17 worship services. The funds raised will be

used to purchase a new Christmas tree for the sanctuary. Additional funds will be used to spruce up our current decorations. Interested in helping? Contact Jennifer Arsenault if you are able to provide cookies. (217) 377-4264.

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Visit us at gcumc3.org or Find us on Facebook: “Gibson City UMC”

Pastor—John Tennyson Church Phone 217-784-5452 Church Email gcumc@sbcglobal.net

Saturday • 5:30pm—Casual Worship Sunday • 8:45am—Traditional Worship

Sunday • 11:00am—Contemporary Worship

Sunday School—10:00am

God Leads Us Beyond Our Comfort ZonesGod Leads Us Beyond Our Comfort ZonesGod Leads Us Beyond Our Comfort ZonesGod Leads Us Beyond Our Comfort Zones

The danger of knowing Bible stories all too well is that we don’t always ponder them long enough to place ourselves in the story. How would we feel and react if God led us to the same places that He led Israel or the disciples of Jesus?

Consider Israel after their Mission Impossible: rescued from slavery in Egypt. Surely if we were in that time and place, we could and would trust God with our future. Yet within no time in the harsh desert wilderness, the family of Israel is contemplating a return trip back to the familiar.

Why? Why would they even consider such an option for even a moment? The small tribe of Israel had witnessed Moses and Aaron confront a Pharaoh and his powerful empire, witnessed the “Clash of the Titan Waves” at the Red Sea, and had been delivered from hard labor and the abuse from cruel taskmasters. Future assured, right?

But the desert journey quickly provided the unfamiliar ground of dangers previously unanticipated; particularly panic over seemingly no food supply. The short answer to the “why” is human nature has an innate horror of the unknown. True for all of us: the unknown brings fear.

The familiar seems easier emotionally. Fresh in the minds of Israel was the advanced civilization of Egypt, the protection of the Egyptian army, and the stability of their economy. It was a known world where they were assured daily groceries. It gave them the pleasure and comfort of fish, melons, leeks, cucumbers, dates, and fresh bread.

In times of difficulty, it is easier to rely on the reality we can see with our physical eyesight, than it is to see God’s reality which often cannot be seen immediately before us.

The unseen of God’s reality is stated in the Book of Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 1: Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

The next two sermon series will take us well beyond our comfort zone -- guaranteed: June is Telling Your Faith Story, and July is Inviting Someone to Church. Do we believe God is leading our church to the

Promise Land? ~ Pastor John

Learning in Community Learning in Community Learning in Community Learning in Community With General Conference completed we look forward to our Annual Conference. Delegates (clergy and lay) of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference will meet in Peoria June 8-11. Pastor John, GC UMC Lay Delegate Faye Rosendale, and Iroquois River District Lay Delegates Susan Schultz and Virgil Rosendale will attend the Conference which will include worship, offerings, legislative considerations and action, seminars, and reports of Conference work. Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton will be honored for his service as he retires from full-time vocational ministry. All worship and plenary (full-group) sessions will be live-streamed. Please watch later announcements for the link. Please keep all delegates and the event in your prayers as they participate in the work of our connectional system. Opportunities for CommunionOpportunities for CommunionOpportunities for CommunionOpportunities for Communion

Did you know that we currently have two different groups serving communion in Gibson City? Our Connection Team re-introduced Home Communion last year. They serve communion to people at home on the first Sunday of the month. If you are interested in receiving communion at home, please call the office (784-5452) and we will make sure to get you on the list. You can also call the office if you are interested in serving home communion. This is a wonderful service that we can provide for members who aren’t able to make it to worship at the church. In addition to home communion, Pastor Phil and Malinda Lutz serve communion at the nursing homes. On the first Tuesday of the month at 1pm, they serve communion first at Heritage Manor, and then at the Annex. Beginning last month, they also serve communion at Holly Brook Villas at 10am on the last Tuesday of the month. Nursing home residents love to visit with old friends and new. Would you consider being a special friend to them, and join Pastor Phil and Malinda either at Holly Brook or the Nursing Homes?

WWWWORDSORDSORDSORDS FFFFROMROMROMROM OOOOURURURUR PPPPASTORSASTORSASTORSASTORS

Somewhere out there…Somewhere out there…Somewhere out there…Somewhere out there…

“Somewhere out there is a person God plans to use you to reach. Somewhere out there is a person

God will use to change your life as you reach them. Somewhere out there is person for whom Christ died, and for whom your church was built, and for whom

God has uniquely prepared you to reach.” I invite you to keep these words of Bishop Robert Schnase in prayer as we continue to plan for our 4th annual Poured Out Church, scheduled for the weekend of August 27 & 28.

• Who are the “somewhere out there” people our family of faith can reach?

• Who are you called to touch with the grace and ministry of Christ?

• What ways can we pour out to live into our mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world?

• Our next Poured Out planning meeting is at our church on:

Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30pm All interested are invited to attend. We celebrate that the number of participating churches continues to grow! Our prayer is for leaders to step up to coordinate specific activities for that weekend. Please contact Barb if you feel led to lead or have suggestions for activities. “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” -John 7:38 (NRSV) Let’s all be thinking and praying:

How are we called to be Living Water this year?

New Summer Study Offered!New Summer Study Offered!New Summer Study Offered!New Summer Study Offered!

Animate: Practices is a seven-session exploration of the central practices of the Christian faith. This study will be offered at 10:00am (Sunday School hour) beginning June 12. This first session will be a time of information and orientation to get a taste of the material and ask questions. All interested are welcome as no pre-session preparation or commitment is required. The study will meet in the High School youth room and will be facilitated by Barb Horsch. Animate: Practices will help participants explore these classic practices of our Christian faith:

• Prayer: Oriented toward God

• Food: Eating, with Jesus

• Worship: Seeking God’s Presence

• Sacraments: A Tapestry of Traditions

• Money: The Joy of Sharing

• Service: The Needs Right in Front of You

• Community: The Unexpected Family Each session features a video component with a contemporary Christian leader who helps voice questions people really have, and then encourages participants to respond. Each session includes six different ways to practice a particular discipline through the week. Questions? Please contact Barb.

CONNECT, GROW, GO! . . . take hold of the life that really is life (I Timothy 6:18-19)

By Barb Horsch, Director of Education and Missions

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brother and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Corbin Freres 1 Sarah Peterson 1 Demi McCullough 1 Lonnie Engel 2 Danny Schultz 2 Regan Romshek 2 Carolyn Williams 3 Jessica Schultz 3 Terri Moore 4 Lyndi Ferguson 4 Michael Dowling 4

Diana Ehlers 5 Morgan Triplett 5 Garrett Frashier 5 Shelbie Kearfott 5 Kate Provin 6 Emma Brown 7 Tom Bennett 8 Robert Ferguson 8 Jaisi Bishop Giles 8 Rosemary Schertz 10 Lexi Brucker 10 Raymond Lantz, Jr 11 Jean Bielfeldt 11 Todd McNutt 11 Taylor Engel 11 Erin Endsley 12 Doug Hager 13 Caryl Kietzman 13 Steve Sharp 13

Alyssa Ward 13 Doug Bennett 14 Susan Schultz 15 Michael Farmer 15 Grant Steinman 15 Tom Fairchild 16 Mariah Hildebrand 16 Don Garard 17 Jason Main 17 Elizabeth Sheppard 17 Sarah Wurmnest 17 Erika Steinman 17 Carmen Pondel 18 Addison Farmer 18 Jared Davis 19 Nancy Aden 21 Sue Everett 22 Brenton Fairchild 23 Russell Ehlers 23

Drew Ward 23 Jim Gramley 24 Danielle Glascock 25 Erin Arsenault 27 Emily Clinton 27 Michael Romshek 28 Douglas Woodward 29 Warren Walters 29 Jay Troyer 30 Erica Baillie 30

Day Years Wayne & Audrey Apperson 2 61 Don & Donna Douglas 5 ?? Phil & Betty VanSwol 5 ?? Bill & Joan Pool 11 49 Eric & Pam Gee 15 31 Neil & Dawn Blissard 15 13 Ken & Tammy Seneca 17 27 Todd & Karissa Baillie 19 23 Mark & Ann Spangler 23 26 Tom & Sandy Fairchild 24 ?? Jerry & Mary Holsten 26 50 Frank & Lynne Titus 30 ?? Jim & Amy Hood 30 32

Nursing Home Residents Manor Ruth Fisher Judy Peters Annex Mary Rosebraugh Ronald Bowen Evelyn Hoover Robert Peeken Edith Stoltz Cecil Paul Davis Paxton Health Care Michael Morano Bill Dueringer

Health Concerns Cathy Breeden Edith Christensen Donald Douglas Ruth Fisher Doris Gerber Jan Hall Ruth Harris Mike & Judy Morano Barb Murrell Norma Patterson Carolyn Williams

Servicemen and women PFC Colton Young AB Cody McCoy

Jan-April 2016 Offering for Budget $96,206.51

Jan-April 2016 Budget $107,674.67

Weekend Sat 5:30

Sun 8:45

Sun 11:00

April 31th & May 1 17 101 25

May 7th & 8th 11 110 24

May 14th & 15th 19 132 33

May 21st & 22nd 17 121 21

PPPPRAYERSRAYERSRAYERSRAYERS, B, B, B, BIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYS, A, A, A, ANNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIESNNIVERSARIES

Mission Socks will be collected on June 20th and

21st and will benefit the Hanley School Fund.

Wesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana Circle The Wesleyana Circle will meet on June 14th at 6pm at Chris Hazen’s home for the annual potluck dinner.

Join Team Emily &

Help Cure FA! We would like to invite you to participate in a bike event that will be held in Channahon on Sunday, July 24th. The ride is sponsored by a not-for- profit organization called FARA. All proceeds will go to funding research for a neuromuscular disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia. Friedreich’s Ataxia is a genetic, debilitating, life-shortening disease. Our youngest daughter, Emily, was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia about 8 years ago. Since then our family has been actively involved in fundraising efforts for research. This is our 4th year for the ride. The ride offers a 4, 12, 27, and 50 mile route choice. All routes start and end in Central Park in Channahon. Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Bonefish Grill feed all participants post ride. Emily has been actively enrolled in a clinical trial since July of 2015. This is possible, in part, because of donations like yours. Come on out and be a part of a great event! For registration information please go to: rideataxia.org/Chicago

~ Rick & Becky Young & family Please call 217-781-4746 with any questions.

Card PartyCard PartyCard PartyCard Party Mary & Jerry Holsten will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary (50th!) on June 26. I would appreciate your help with a

card shower in their honor. Their address is: PO Box 211, Gibson City. Thank you! Evelyn M. Kelley

A Big Thank you!!A Big Thank you!!A Big Thank you!!A Big Thank you!! Thank you to those who made the great baked items for Tina’s Benefit. They were all so welcome. The benefit was a huge success. It was more than we thought it would be. For

those who came, THANK YOU!. Tina enjoyed seeing each and every one of you. Again, thank you. Tammy & Ken Seneca and Family Tina, Les and Katelyn Plue Karen & Jerry Wright

CollegeCollegeCollegeCollege

Samantha ArsenaultSamantha ArsenaultSamantha ArsenaultSamantha Arsenault Daughter of Jennifer Arsenault & Mike Arsenault

AS in Child Development Parkland Community College—Champaign, IL

Courtney GramleyCourtney GramleyCourtney GramleyCourtney Gramley Daughter of Jim & Jo Gramley

BS in Athletic Training Eastern Illinois University—Charleston, IL

Adam HoodAdam HoodAdam HoodAdam Hood Son of Jim & Amy Hood Doctorate of Pharmacy

University of Illinois Chicago—Rockford, IL

Kristen HoodKristen HoodKristen HoodKristen Hood Daughter of Jim & Amy Hood

Master’s in Education American College of Education

Joel HoodJoel HoodJoel HoodJoel Hood Son of Jim & Amy Hood

BS in Business Administration University of Illinois—Champaign, IL

Drake RoyalDrake RoyalDrake RoyalDrake Royal Son of Ty & Kara Royal

AAC in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Parkland Community College—Champaign, IL

Mikayla WoodwardMikayla WoodwardMikayla WoodwardMikayla Woodward Daughter of Link & Angie Woodward BA in Organizational Communications North Central College—Naperville, IL

Sarah WurmnestSarah WurmnestSarah WurmnestSarah Wurmnest Daughter of Kent & Jean Bielfeldt

ADN—Associates Degree in Nursing Parkland Community College—Champaign, IL

Emily YoungEmily YoungEmily YoungEmily Young Daughter of Rick & Becky Young

AA in Psychology Parkland Community College—Champaign, IL

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Eighth Grade PromotionEighth Grade PromotionEighth Grade PromotionEighth Grade Promotion

High School GraduatesHigh School GraduatesHigh School GraduatesHigh School Graduates

Emily ClintonEmily ClintonEmily ClintonEmily Clinton Daughter of Lori Clinton & Justus Clinton

Ethan FreehillEthan FreehillEthan FreehillEthan Freehill Son of Dave & Deanna Freehill

Spencer HazenSpencer HazenSpencer HazenSpencer Hazen Son of Dave & Laura Hazen

James FairfieldJames FairfieldJames FairfieldJames Fairfield James is the son of Mary Fairfield and Brad & Sarah

Fairfield and brother to Terese Fairfield, Brooke Fairfield, and Hannah Garrison. Here at GCUMC, James has served

as a projectionist at the 11:00 service, was a Midwest Mission Distribution Center Volunteer and was also

involved with mission trips. At GCMS, James has been a part of Project Ignition, Operation Teen Safe driving,

served on the IL SADD Student Advisory Board, was a CCC Student Representative, a member of Interact, served at the food pantry, took part in Special Olympics Bowling

and Basketball, was a Junior Auxiliary Member and played Bingo with the residents at the Annex. James

played on the football and basketball teams, was member of the track team, and was a member of Fellowship of

Christian Athletes. James was on the High Honor Roll and has been awarded Sophomore Student of the Year,

Sophomore Math Student of the Year, Junior P.E. Student of the Year, Senior October Student of the Month, SAR

Citizen of the Year, Chamber of Commerce Junior Citizen of the Year, and is an Illinois State Scholar. James was named WCIA Player of the Week, was a member of the

All Conference Team, and was named to the All Tourney Team for both the Turkey Tourney and the Monticello

Hoopla. He was awarded the Team Leadership Award for Football and Basketball, was the captain for Track and Basketball. He was All Conference in shot put and the

Basketball MVP. James plans to attend St Louis University and will major in Business Administration.

From there, he will pursue a law degree.

Morgan HazenMorgan HazenMorgan HazenMorgan Hazen Morgan is the daughter of David & Laura Hazen and sister to Spencer. At GCUMC, Morgan has helped in cookouts,

attended YAR four years, participated in Poured Out Church and has gone on four mission trips. Morgan was a

member of the FFA and yearbook at GCMS and a 4-H member. She played golf and was the Girl’s Varsity Co-

Captain. Morgan was on the high honor roll all four years and was a member of the National Honor Society. Morgan

plans to attend Southern Illinois University and study Horticulture and Youth Ministry.

Cayley WilsonCayley WilsonCayley WilsonCayley Wilson Cayley is the daughter of Carey & Dondra Wilson and

sister to Carter. At GCMS, Cayley was a member of the Junior Auxiliary and served on the Illinois Students against

Destructive Decisions Student Advisory Board. Cayley was on the Honor Roll. She was awarded the

Summer of Service Award and the Ford County DAR Good Citizen Award. Cayley plans to attend Purdue

University in the fall and major in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, she will continue schooling to

become a veterinarian.

Douglas WoodwardDouglas WoodwardDouglas WoodwardDouglas Woodward Doug is the son of Link & Angie Woodward and brother to Mikayla. Doug has been a member of GCUMC since

1998 and has helped out in the projection booth. At GCMS, Doug was a member of Interact Club and FCA, in which he was a Huddle Leader for two years. He was a co-leader of the Red Army and was the Mascot for two years. Doug played three years of basketball and played golf all four years. He was awarded MVP for golf his senior year and was on the Honor Roll all four years. Doug plans to attend Greenville College and major in Graphic Design. He plans to play golf at the collegiate level while there.

Andrea WorthingtonAndrea WorthingtonAndrea WorthingtonAndrea Worthington Andrea is the daughter of Don & Jacquie Worthington. Andrea has taken part in Poured Out Church, gone on

Mission Trips, participated at YAR, and helped out with many cookouts here at GCUMC. At GCMS, Andrea

worked on the yearbook, and was a member of the Art Club, Project Ignition and was on the AP Calculus Club.

She also played tennis. Andrea was awarded Student of the Month, Outstanding Student for Business and was named to the National Honor Society. She received the leadership

award for tennis and was also the Tennis Captain. She was also on the Honor Roll and Received 3rd Place in

HOIC for her sketchbook. Andrea plans to go to the University of Illinois and study graphic design or

possibly go into film making.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 1:00 PM Connection Team

2 5:30 PM Missions 7:00 PM Finance

3 OFFICE CLOSED

4 Communion 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

5 Communion 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 8:45 AM Traditional Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

6 9:00 AM Prayers 7:00 PM Trustees

7 1:00 PM Communion Manor/Annex 5:30 PM Worship Team

8 7:00 PM Pie Night/Manor

9 10 OFFICE CLOSED

11 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

12 8:45 AM Traditional Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

13 9:00 AM Prayers 5:30 PM SPRC 7:00 PM Covenant Council

14 Newsletter Articles Due 5:30 PM Worship Team 6:00 PM Wesleyana Circle

15 5:30 PM Watery Wednesday

16 17 OFFICE CLOSED

18 Mission Socks 2:00 PM Wedding 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

19 Mission Socks Father’s Day 8:45 AM Traditional Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

20 9:00 AM Prayers 6:45 PM Children’s Ministries Committee

21 5:30 PM Worship Team 6:30 PM Poured Out Planning Meeting

22 9:00 AM Newsletter Prep

23 24 OFFICE CLOSED

25 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

26 8:45 AM Traditional Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship

27 9:00 AM Prayers

28 10:00 AM Communion/Holly Brook 5:30 PM Worship Team

29 5:30 PM Watery Wednesday

30

June 2016June 2016June 2016June 2016

Annual Conference

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO 13 Gibson City, IL 60936

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Gibson City United Methodist Church 206 East 10th Street Gibson City, IL 60936

JJJJUNEUNEUNEUNE SSSSERVICEERVICEERVICEERVICE SSSSCHEDULECHEDULECHEDULECHEDULE

Pastor—John Tennyson cell 217-249-5453 email: pastorgcumc@sbcglobal.net Director Mission/Education—Barb Horsch cell 217-781-8048 email: mgf@leapstream.net Administrative Assistant—April Rotramel office 217-784-5452 email: gcumc@sbcglobal.net

Church Custodian—Jeremy Rotramel Organist—Beverly Nagle Choir Director—Ruth Davis

Nursery Attendants—Melissa Jamison Susan Schultz, Volunteer

OUR STAFF

Liturgist Greeters

(West, South, North) Acolytes

Sound Room (8:45)

Projector (8:45)

Projector (11:00)

June 5 Mick

Kingsley

Audrey Apperson & Margaret Farmer Virgil & Faye Rosendale

Olivia Hawthorne & Addison Farmer

Steve Hawthorne

Erin Arsenault

Rachel Quinley

June 12 Rhonda Eckerty

Pat Goembel & Patty Wilson Link & Angie Woodward George & Lori Frashier

Jon Clark Zander Wier

Katie Steidinger

June 19 Sharon Pool Pat Goembel & Patty Wilson

Link & Angie Woodward George & Lori Frashier

Keegan Frashier & Wrigley Maxey

Lonnie Engel

Taylor Engel

Jeremy Steidinger

June 26 Donna

Douglas

Dean & Lisa Farmer Joe & Zach Wier Jim & Amy Hood

Steve

Hawthorne Dani

Eckerty Katie

Quinley

The Head Usher for June is Jeff Eckhoff.