SUGAR CREEK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Sharing Our Joy in Christ by Reaching Out to Share God's Love
The last Wonderful Wednesday
meal and classes was May 17.
Enjoy your summer!
See you in September!
Coming this Summer!
HERO CENTRAL
VBS hosted by Chatham United Methodist Church, but
we will need Sugar Creek volunteers!
July 23—28 from 5:30PM—7:30PM
PORK CHOP DINNER Saturday, June 24
4pm—7pm
Adults ($9) Marinated Pork Chop, Baked Potato, Green Beans, Salad,
Dessert & Drink
Kids Under 12 ($4) Pork Burger, Green Beans,
Potato Chips, Dessert & Drink
Set-up is Saturday, June 24 at
12:00 PM, and clean up is
immediately following the meal.
Your help is appreciated!
Sign up in the Fellowship Hall!
In honor of Father’s Day
we will be serving slices of
pie during our Fellowship
Times (9:15 & 10:35) on
Sunday, June 18. Please
help us honor our fathers
by bringing in a pie/pies.
PIES FOR GUYS
Join us for an informational meeting on Monday, June 5 at 11AM. This is open to anyone interested to learning more about Chair Yoga.
Sunday, June 11
2:30PM
~Menu~
Barbequed pork, chips,
drink and dessert.
Baja SAE—Illinios Caterpillar Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center
Saturday, June 10
All men are invited to attend this special event. We will
meet at Sugar Creek at 8 AM and depart for Edwards, IL.
by bus at 8:30 AM. Our first stop will be Baja SAE,
followed by the Caterpillar Museum. We will leave the
Museum around 3 or 4 PM, and stop for dinner on our
way back home. We plan on being back to Sugar Creek by 7:00 PM.
We are encouraging the guys to invite a friend, neighbor, or family member to join them. The
cost is $15, which includes admission to the Caterpillar Museum and transportation. Make
sure to bring extra money for lunch, and dinner.
Seating is limited so sign up today! Questions? Contact John Anderson (217.529.8756).
Check out the Baja SAE website (http://students.sae.org/cds/bajasae/about) for more details.
1st John & Cathy Atchison
3rd Dale & Connie Bounds
10th Rick & Diane Miles
11th Larry & Susan Perko
13th Galen & Marsha Johnson
15th Steven & Cindy Chase
19th Don & Vickie Henley
19th Jeff & Kathy Koch
19th Jim & Becky Neuses
21st Nathan & Erica King
24th Jesse & Jennie Ayers
27th Greg & Andrea Reinwald
30th Tom & Karen Dozier
The church is in need of a lap-
top to be used for the TV in
the Foyer. If you have a used
laptop that runs Windows 10,
that you would like to donate, please
contact Jeff Randall (217-416-2457).
YOUTH PUMP CAMP Paducah, Kentucky
July 16—21 PUMP campers will put down their phones and explore a new kind of call. The 2017 Paducah Urban Mission
Plunge will delve into John 3:1a, which says, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
Through testimonies, devotions, scripture read-ings, and mission opportunities, students will explore the work God has called them to do and the identities He has given through His Son, Jesus. And, they will learn about the spiritual gifts with which God has equipped them to answer His call.
The Sugar Creek Youth are
in need of two vans for the
Paducah Mission Trip (July
16-21). The drivers will be
Christine Lindsey and
Jennifer Smith.
Do you have a van we can borrow? If so, please
contact the Church Office to let us know
(483.2270/[email protected]). Thank you in
advance for making this trip possible.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Don’t forget we are collecting items
for Operation Christmas Child
throughout the year. The collection
boxes are in the Fellowship Hall. The
suggested donation for JUNE is toys.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
Max Janssen
Williamsville High School
Grandson of Sue Weston
Alex Kohlmann
Glenwood High School
Son of Conrad & Julie Kohlmann
Zarina Alyona Lund
Glenwood High School
Daughter of Jim & Susan Lund
James Powless
Auburn High School
Grandson of Dee Ann Powless
Justin Rogalski
Normal High School
Grandson of Ron & Edwina Dowson
COLLEGE GRADUATES
Jessica Alberts
Central Methodist University—Fayette, MO.
Granddaughter of Tom & Judy Lowary
Michaela Jones
Lincoln Land Community College
Daughter of Don & Reta Jones
8TH GRADE GRADUATES
Abi Brummet
Auburn Middle School
Granddaughter of Ron & Edwina Dowson
Kameron Nichols
Pawnee Grade School
Granddaughter of Ray & Pat Nichols
On Sunday, June 4 we will be honoring
our graduates. Cake will be served at
the 9:15 AM Fellowship Time. Make
sure to stop by the fellowship hall and
congratulate our graduates, and have a
piece of cake.
2nd Gene Scott
3rd Cathy Atchison
4th Jessica Sharp
4th Lance Perko
5th Jim Neuses
5th Crystal Matthiesen
7th John Anderson
7th Peyton High
9th Doug Kent
17th Tom Stelte
17th Kevin High
18th Helen Wallace
18th John Halford
19th Larry Perko
22nd Louis Ealey
23rd Holly Taylor
26th Amy Bryan
9th Matthew Behl
10th Carl Kessler
11th Todd Lowary
12th Joe Pickrell
13th Cathy Gregory
15th Lauren Pickrell
16th Bob Gruen
16th Griffin Boblitt
Learn to love without condition.
Talk without bad intention.
Give without any reason.
And most of all, care for people
without any expectation.
Did you know that Sugar Creek offers an
electronic option for your giving? Your
contributions can be debited automatically
from your checking or savings account or
processed using your credit/debit card.
Electronic giving offers convenience for you
and much-needed donation consistency for
our congregation. Collection basket offer-
ing can fluctuate significantly from week to
week due to travel, illness and other
circumstances, but when contributions are
automated, the church receives funds on a
steady, uninterrupted basis.
To set up your electronic donation on our
website:
1. Go to www.sugarcreek.org
2. Click on the “Give Now” button
3. Click on the Create Profile button
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to
create an online profile and to schedule
your recurring contributions, or make a
one time payment.
General Fund
Contributions
Expense
Missions & Benevolence
Conference Obligations
Program Expense
Salaries (Pastor & Staff)
Utilities & Cleaning
Total Expense
Net Income (-loss)
Building Fund
Contributions
April 2017
$26,046
$1,711
$2,136
$1,052
$10,146
$2,475
$17,520
$8,526
$867
Year to Date
$85,492
$6,584
$8,544
$4,970
$43,378
$11,302
$74,778
$10,714
$3,775
YOUR MONEY
FUNDING GOD’S MINISTRY
April Stewardship Scripture: It’s our way of
encouraging everyone to become a better steward.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven: give and it will be
given to you….for the measure you give will be the
measure you get back. Luke 6:38
Sharing Our Joy in Christ in 2017!
Don’t have a Smartphone,
or not computer savvy, but
are interested in automatic
giving? Great news! We
also offer ACH” (electronic check).
You can set up your contributions to
come out weekly, bi-weekly, or once a
month. Contact Sheila in the Church
Office if you would like to learn more
about ACH Giving.
([email protected]/483.2270)
Scan the QR Code if you would
like to use your Smartphone
for your contribution to Sugar
Creek. The QR Code can
always be found on the back
of the Sunday bulletins.
ONLINE GIVING
MADE EASY!
No one has ever become
poor by giving.
Scan me!
“Time flies when you are having fun.” It is hard to believe that this will be my last contribution to the
Sugar Creek monthly newsletter. It doesn’t seem possible that I have been your interim pastor since
November of last year, and now we are ready to welcome Rev. Paul Dinges and his wife Nancy as the
newly appointed pastor to Sugar Creek United Methodist Church.
I have been thinking about the word God gave to Jeremiah to proclaim to the Israelite captives in Baby-
lon, I think that it is a word and a promise for the people of Sugar Creek:
Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I thank you for the graciousness with which you have received me and supported my ministry among you for the past few months, (as well as the prior stint five years ago.) I think that God has gathered a wonderful group of people into the Sugar Creek congregation and He has poured out an abundance of gifts and graces upon this congregation for the ministry and mission to which He is calling you. I pray that you will come together under the power of The Holy Spirit so that you and Pastor Dinges might joyfully move into the future to which God is calling you. Another word from the Prophet Isaiah comes to mind: (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I believe that God is calling Sugar Creek United Methodist Church to a new life with new opportunities to serve Him. However, in order to be free to participate in the new things to which God is calling Sugar Creek, we have to let go of the past. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your journey. Your Servant in Christ Floyd
From the Desk of Pastor Floyd Blackard
JUNE SCRIPTURES
June 8 - Pentecost 1 Corinthians 12:3-13 and Acts 2:1-21 Sermon: In the Power of The Spirit
June 11 – Trinity Sunday 2 Corinthians 13:5-14 and Matthew 28:16-20 Sermon: One God in Three Persons
June 18 – Father’s Day Romans 5:1-8 and Matthew 9:35-10:8 Sermon: From Disciples to Apostles
June 25 Romans 6:1-11 and Mathew 10:24-39 Sermon: Following Jesus isn’t Easy.
In preparation for our new Pastor, Paul Dinges, that will be assigned to Sugar Creek UMC on June 10, 2017, at Illinois
Great Rivers Annual Conference, let us be in prayer.
Week 1 (June 11-17) - Pray that Pastor Paul is not overworked.
Pray that the stress of being overwhelmed, overcommitted, over busy, and under-appreciated doesn’t get in the way of his calling and cause destruction in his family while packing and preparing for his move. Pray that God would provide workers, volunteers and elders, to come alongside Pastor Paul and assist in continuing the work of God. John 14:1; Acts 6:2-4
Week 2 (June 18-24) - Pray Pastor Paul will not feel unprepared.
Pray that your Pastor Paul would be given the knowledge to counsel and mentor, the wisdom to confront when necessary, and discernment when seeking God’s leading and direction for the Sugar Creek United Methodist Church (UMC). In particular, pray (Isaiah 11:2 NLT) that “the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, and the Spirit of knowl-edge and the fear of the Lord.”
Week 3 (June 25-July 1) - Pray Pastor Paul will not struggle with depression and discouragement.
Pray that the pressures of Pastor Paul and his wife would be relieved, that encouragement would reign in their lives, and that Sugar Creek UMC would be a community that offers unconditional grace, love and unrestricted forgiveness. Rom. 15:4-6, 2; Thess. 2:16-17
Week 4 (July 2-8) - Pray Pastor Paul is not negatively impacted.
Pray for solid, joyful, Christ-exalting marriages. Pray that church leadership would recognize and provide for Pastor Paul’s family – for their personal, spiritual, and physical needs, so that they won’t be distracted from the ministry God has called them to. Pray that our Pastor’s wife will find employment. Acts 12:5; 1 Timothy 5:17, 18
Week 5 (July 9-15) - Pray that Pastor Paul is not lonely.
Pray that Pastor Paul would establish a handful of close friendships with godly men. Pray for one close friendship in which he could be fully transparent and spiritually accountable in all areas of life and min-istry. There are many (so many more than are listed above) ways we should be praying for our pastoral staff – for joy, discipline, accountability and integrity, among others. Pastors are not exempt from the dangers and temptations that each of us face and they need our prayers just as much as we need theirs. As we move toward answering some of these unanswered questions, I encourage you to start with prayer. Because if all else seems impossible, prayer is the one thing we can turn to. In what other areas can we can pray for our Pastor? Pat Wright Prayer Ministry Chair
PRAYER IS THE BEST
ARMOR AGAINST
ALL TRAILS.
Our congregation family has chosen a new Vision state-
ment: "Sharing our Joy in Christ Jesus by Reaching Out to
Show God's Love"!
The vote was not a close one. This is an amazing show of
both unity and community here at Sugar Creek UMC! We are an incredible family and have a
lot to offer. This vision statement proves that. We have bound together once again to discern
a new Vision from God - one that will sustain us and inspire us to reach out to others - one
that will bind us together in God's love - and one that will show the community who we are.
We have some great examples of reaching out coming in May and June - things like Mission
Day and prayer vigils can help us share God's Love. There will be many other opportunities as
well. God will present them to us - formally or just in a small whisper. Be watching and listen-
ing for them!
Your Sister in Christ ~
Crystal Matthiesen, Leadership Chair
217-899-0572
We would like to thank our Sugar
Creek Family for the prayers, visits,
and food we’ve received with Mark’s
illness. We are so very blessed!
Mark & Pat Freeman
JUNE TEAM MEETINGS Teamwork makes the dream work!
Caregiving Team
Monday, June 5 at 6:30 PM
Education Team
Monday, June 12 at 6 PM
Trustees
Tuesday, June 13 at 6:30 PM
Leadership Team
Tuesday, June 20 at 6:30 PM
Missions Team
Tuesday, June 27 at 6:30 PM
Sunday, June 18
The annual Church Picnic will be held at
Lake Springfield (areas 2-4 by Henson
Robinson Zoo) on Sunday, August 27
immediately following the 11 AM Service
(12:30pm). Bring a side dish and/or a
dessert to share. We will provide fried
chicken, drinks, and table service. Bring
your lawn chairs!