FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH , SPARTA ILLINOIS
THE LAMPLIGHTER
INSIDE THIS ISSUE :
SHUT-IN MINISTRY
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
HOLIDAY BAZAAR 2
COMMUNITY CHORUS
CONCERT
YOUTH GROUP NEWS
RINGING BELLS
3
INSERT:
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
CALENDAR
DECEMBER 2019
J O U R N E Y of Christmas
t h e
11-30 Bell Ringing at Walmart 9-3 pm 12-1 First Sunday of Advent 12-7 UMW Bazaar 12-8 Second Sunday of Advent Children’s Christmas Program 12-13 Community Chorus Concert: 7 pm 12-14 Handing out Christmas Baskets 12-15 Third Sunday of Advent Christmas Cantata 12-20 Children’s Sunday School Christmas Party 2-6 pm 12-22 Fourth Sunday of Advent Walk to the Manger 12-24 Candlelight Worship: 6pm 12-25 Christmas Day
PAGE 2 F IRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
SHUT-IN MINISTRY
Have you been wondering what you can do for the
church in the new year???? This ministry will only
take one hour a month out of your busy schedule.
The visitation team desperately needs volunteers to
visit our shut-ins. Our number of shut ins contin-
ues to increase and we don’t have enough church
members to visit them. As a visitor, you will only
be ask to visit two shut ins a month. Please consid-
er volunteering for this much needed ministry.
Contact Sharon Beckley. 443-4247 or 967-9046
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
The children Christmas program is December 8
at 6pm. It is titled Sing a song of Christmas. The
children having been working really hard on this so
mark your calendar and come show support for the
children of our church. There will be refreshments
following the program.
On December 20th we will be having a Christmas
party for the kids. School gets out at 2pm that
day so we will have someone at the school to pick
kids up and bring them to the church. There will be
crafts, movie, games and we will be feeding the
kids dinner. It should be over around 5:30pm.
The Sunday School Department will be hosting a
Trivia night on February 29. Be sure to mark
your calendar and start working on getting your
team ready!!!
I want to thank everyone who has donated items for
the holiday lighted parade it was greatly appreciat-
ed.
Thanks
Brooke Gerlach
2019 HOLIDAY BAZAAR
The 2019 First United Methodist Holiday Ba-
zaar is fast approaching so get those recipes
out, start getting crafty and mark you calen-
dar. This year’s Holiday Bazaar will be Sat-
urday, December 7 from 9 am—1 pm. We
will have our wonderful craft shoppe featur-
ing adorable crafts and gifts created by some
of our very own extremely talented church
folks. Our baker is always a hit with those
delicious homemade goodies. Vendors will
be set up in the Gathering room and you’ll
want to be sure and bring your appetite for
our luncheon (from 11-1) featuring home-
made soups, sandwiches and desserts. So
Mark your calendar and invite all your rela-
tives, friends and neighbors and enjoy this
ear’s Holiday Bazaar.
Still time to donate:
• We are in need of a few more workers for the
kitchen for every shift, especially 11:30 - 1:00.
• Donations for the Bakery, donations can be
brought in the morning of the Bazaar anytime
after 7 am.
This event is always a success due to the over-
whelming support of our Church family. Thanks to
everyone that signed up to donate salads and desserts
for the luncheon and to those that have signed up to
work. Also a big thanks to our “crafters”!
See you all at the Bazaar!!
The “Bazaar” Girls -
Jo, Pat, Abbey, Janet
PAGE 3 THE LAMPLIGHTER
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS
CONCERT Sparta First United Methodist Church will
host a Community Christmas Concert titled
“Christmas Grace” on December 13 at
7:00 pm.
Cookie Donations Needed There will be a sign up sheet for cookie do-
nations for fellowship following the commu-
nity Christmas Concert on December 13.
You may also con-
tact Carol Ashley for
more information.
YOUTH GROUP NEWS! December Youth News:
Sunday, Dec.1 - Youth Group at 6pm
Sunday, Dec. 8 - Youth Group at 6pm
Friday Dec 13. - Help with Christmas concert.
(More details to follow).
Sunday Dec. 15th -Youth Christmas Party!
6 to 8 pm.
Winter break: NO meeting for rest of December.
We will resume our regular Sunday meetings on
January 12.
RINGING BELLS FOR THE Sparta Community of Christian Churches
Saturday, November 30, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Our church will be responsible for the solicitation
of funds in support for
the Sparta Community
of Christian Churches
(formerly known as the
Sparta Ministerial Alli-
ance). Please sign up to
help! Your support is
greatly appreciated!
ANGEL TREE Once again it is time for helping to make a child’s
Christmas a little brighter.
We have many request that
you may want to help with.
All children sponsored by
our church are from the
Sparta Area. The program
itself has 310 children in it.
The tress, with ornaments
you may choose from, is in
the narthex. Please choose
one or more, sign the sheet
with your name and return the unwrapped gift to
the church by Sunday, December 8. Monetary
donations are very appreciated if you don’t want
to shop - we will. If you have any questions let
me know. Thanks for helping a child, Cindy
Sickmeyer 559-9059.
MEN’S MINISTRY MEN’S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST SUNDAY DECEMBERR 15 AT 8:00 AM
Men’s Fellowship Group Wednesday December 11, at 6:15 am
Date General
Budget
Capital
Campaign
Other Total
For the
Week
Saturday Worship/
Sun Worship/
Sunday School
10.27.19 $3,361.00 $568.39 $201.22 $4,130.61 22/75/49
11.03.19 $2,807.83 $590.00 $375.55 $3,572.16 19/87/44
11.10.19 $5,543.24 $976.51 $220.72 $6,740.47 13/97/58
11.17.19 $3,434.83 $1,425.00 $490.39 $5,350.22 20/133/68
General Budget Received Year to Date: $176,418.43
12/01 Kursten Boucher
Jamie Jeffers
12/02 Gary Henson
David Robinson
12/05 Bertha Becker
12/07 John Becker
12/08 Liam Renner
12/09 Liz Beckley
Terry Nagel
12/10 Randy Haskenhoff
12/12 Owen Butler
Sue Ann Douglas
Fran Hawkins
12/13 Braxton Glodo
12/14 Dan Cowan
12/15 Michael Hall
Jim Haury
John Jeffers. Sr.
Rebecca Nagel
James Neilson
12/16 Kendra Beattie
12/17 Michael Edwards
12/18 Beverly Harms
Travis Heller
Jeff Morrison
12/19 Marsha Schwartz
12/20 Traci Beckley
Kris Clendenin
John Jeffers, Jr.
Linda Presley
Betty Slavens
12/21 Kelsey Cowan
12/24 Lucas Gerlach
12/25 Ella Renner
12/27 Douglas Baue
Elliot Mueller
12/28 Becky McClure
John Wright
12/30 Suzanne Beattie
12/31 Lindsay Schroeder
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 welcome 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 [email protected]. Always re-
member to update us with any email changes.
Joys: Bud Bennett is home; Cameron White (new great-grandson of Don and Carol Ashley) is home;
Baptism –Henry Schupbach, God’s Gifts Singing, Youth Group Fish Fry
Concerns: Jan Weiner; Jack Becker; Fran Hawkins; Linda Mueller, Marilyn Belcher, Bette Bush, Carl
Lewis, Georgia Rezba, Irene Weber, Dot Stephenson, Bud Bennett, Pat Pillers, Doris Arnold, Mike
Miesner, Harry Dennninger, Barb Heil, Jack & Bertha Becker, Bob Koenegstein, Sharon Beckley
Christmas Poinsettia Flower Dedications
This years Poinsettia will be $7.00. Flower Offering envelopes will be
located in the pews. Please fill out “In Honor” or “Memory” of your
name, address, and check. We will be taking orders until December 1.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
12/06 Bruce & Cindy Heck 12/07 Marty & Theresa Patton 12/13 Ryan & Samantha Schupbach 12/15 Stephen & Abbey Miles 12/17 James & Donna McBride 12/18 Ross & Valerie Slaven 12/22 Dave & Cindy Sickmeyer
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PAGE 4 THE LAMPLIGHTER
DECEMBER 2019 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Communion Sunday 1st Advent Sunday 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 6:00 pm Youth Group
2 6:30 pm Trustees 7:00 pm Community Chorus
4 2:15 pm God’s Gifts 6 pm NOW Mtg. 7 pm Choir
5 6 Pastor Jerry’s Day Off
7 UMW Bazaar 5pm Worship
8 2nd Advent Sunday 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 6:00 pm Children’s Christmas Program
9 8 am Garden Club 9 am Care & Share 7 pm Ad Council
10 7pm UMW
11 6:15 am Men’s Group 2:15 pm God’s Gifts 7 pm Choir
12 Community Chorus Rehearsal Lamplighter Deadline
13 7 pm Community Chorus Concert
14 5 pm Worship
15 Christmas Cantata 3rd Advent Sunday 8am Men’s Breakfast 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 6:00 pm Youth Group
16 9 am Care & Share
17
18 2:15 pm God’s Gifts 7 pm Choir
19 9 am Mail out Lamplighter
20 Pastor Jerry’s Day Off
21 5 pm Worship
22 Walk to the Manger 4th Advent Sunday 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 7:00pm Youth Group
23 9 am Care & Share
24 Christmas Eve Worship: 6pm
25
Christmas Day Fellowship Hall in use
26
27 Pastor Jerry’s Day Off
28 Fellowship Hall in use 11-4 5 pm Worship
29 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship
30 9 am Care & Share 7 pm Community Chorus
31 1 New Years Day
Sunday Schedule 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship
Office Hours: Mon, Wed, Friday 8:30 - 1:30 pm Phone (618) 443-3714 Email: [email protected]
SAVE THE DATES:
Church Office will be closed from December 24 through January 2. For emergencies please call Pastor Jerry. Emails and voicemails will be checked regularly. [email protected] or 443-3714.
First United Methodist Church 600 W. University Sparta, IL 62286
Return Service Requested Phone: (618) 443-3714 Church Email: [email protected]
Dated Material - Mailed Out on November 21,2019
Reflecting
The
Light of God!
Audio/Visual Team
12/01 Kelsey Cowan
12/08 Olivia Haskenhoff
12/15 Sam Haury
12/22 Cormac Kloos
12/29 Eli Coop
Nursery
12/01 Beth Coop
12/08 Megan Coop
12/15 Mary Hauskins
12/22 Brooke Gerlach
12/29 Cathy Norton
Acolytes
12/01 Aiden & Andru Stine
12/08 Hailey Heller & Hannah Stine
12/15 Sam Haury & Collin Haury
12/22 Jake Greenhill & Leah Coop
12/29 Aiden & Andru Stine
Liturgist Tom Ashley
Head Usher Dave Hargis
Ushers
12/01 Marty & Theresa Patton
Gary & Jenith Henson
12/08 Carl & Sharon Holland
Dave Sickmeyer, Larry Ashley
12/15 Don & Carol Ashley
Bill & Linda Mueller
12/22 Virgil & Sharon Runge
Ray Ramsey, Jim Sickmeyer
12/24 Roger & Janet Gerlach
12/29 Roberta Guebert, Carol Kilman
Joyce Camp, Rosalie Chandler
Saturday Evening Worship
12/07 Larry Rosenthal & Kathy Ruhmann
12/14 Larry Rosenthal & Kathy Ruhmann
12/21 Brian Belcher & Rhonda Jones
12/28 Larry Rosenthal & Kathy Ruhmann
DECEMBER 2019 WOSRHIP SCHEDULE
On Facebook:
Sparta First United Methodist Church
W ERE ON THE W EB !
www.spartafumc.org
Nonprofit Organization
US Postage Paid
Sparta, Il 62286
PERMIT #37
Sunday Morning Snacks
12/01 Brooke Gerlach
12/08 Volunteer Needed
12/15 Doug Baue
12/22 Volunteer Needed
12/29 Volunteer Needed
We need volunteers to pro-
vide treats and clean up fol-
lowing Sunday Service. This
act of hospitality welcomes
visitors and regular attendees
when they arrive at church.
Our children particular look
forward to this. You may
sign up by week or month.
Sign up sheets will be on a
clipboard in the sanctuary
entrance. Thank you all for
signing up for this ministry. If
you are interested there are
still more dates to be filled.
Recommended