Giving Tree 2015Giving Tree 2015Giving Tree 2015Giving Tree 2015

THANK YOU to everyone who supported the Giving Tree Ministry. This year 52 families with a total of 143 children were helped. Besides the gifts purchased for the children, County Market gift certificates were distributed to parents. Many also received hats, gloves and scarves. These families enjoyed a merrier Christmas because of your generosity.

March to the Manger UpdateMarch to the Manger UpdateMarch to the Manger UpdateMarch to the Manger Update A total of $4,974.81 was collected through our March to the Manger offering. Thank you for your generosity!

Valentine Boxes and EnvelopesValentine Boxes and EnvelopesValentine Boxes and EnvelopesValentine Boxes and Envelopes Valentine’s Day is next month and once again we are inviting you to share in giving to our special friends a gift of love. Please notify the office if you would like to have someone added to the Valentine’s List. Also, parents of youth in college, please update their addresses with the

church office to ensure that they get their Valentines as well.

Wednesday Night FellowshipWednesday Night FellowshipWednesday Night FellowshipWednesday Night Fellowship Wednesday Night Fellowship resumes on January 13th for youth and adults. Plan on bringing your kids for one of the youth activities or bringing your family to dinner. Just think, it’s one night you won’t have to cook! The schedule is as follows: Fellowship Dinner 5:30pm-6:30pm God’s Treehouse (PreK-5th Grade) 6:30pm-7:30pm Middle School Youth Group 6:30pm-7:30pm High School Youth Group 6:30pm-7:30pm Music With Gabe 7:30pm-8:30pm Sanctuary Choir 7:30pm-8:30pm Thank you to everyone behind the scenes who help make Wednesday night a great night of fun and fellowship! Wesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana CircleWesleyana Circle The Wesleyana Circle will meet on January 12, 2016. Check the bulletin for the meeting location.

TTTTTTTTTTTTHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE MMMMMMMMMMMMESSENGERESSENGERESSENGERESSENGERESSENGERESSENGERESSENGERESSENGERESSENGERESSENGERESSENGERESSENGER

JJJJJJJJJJJJANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARY 201620162016201620162016201620162016201620162016

Pastors—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

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

2016201620162016————Year of God SightingsYear of God SightingsYear of God SightingsYear of God Sightings

The Westminster Short Catechism states that our chief purpose is “to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever”. The word “enjoy” denotes happiness and contentment; a place where the soul has found fulfillment.

Yet such happiness and contentment seems elusive in the demanding life of our supersonic 21st century American lifestyle. Even when we return from a vacation, we seem in need of rest.

Too often we ignore a simple truth: there is no greater source of joy and satisfaction than being in the very presence of the One-From-Whom-All-Blessings-Flow.

We fall prey to the temptation to fill our time with every conceivable activity before we spend any intentional time with the Source-of-All-That-is-Good-and-Right-and Joyful.

Our minds falsely conceive that the religious life is essentially duty and rules. In daily life, we find ourselves too exhausted at the end of the day to spend any time in prayer or reading the Bible; they, too, just become another duty demanded by a remote deity.

Yet Jesus proclaimed just the opposite: God is in the midst of us. God is in the here and now of our lives. The Apostle Paul writes to the church at Ephesus, “I pray that you may comprehend with all the saints, the height, depth, length and width of the love of Christ”.

Joy, happiness, and fulfillment should not, need not, be foreign to our souls. Jesus came that we might know the God who is in the moment. Augustine wrote, “"Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee."

In this new year, our church embarks on Journey 10x10 together: to seek the God whom our soul desires. It is a journey thru 10 means of re-discovering the soul satisfaction of knowing the heart of God. May 2016 be a year renewed with sighting God in our daily lives.

- Pastor John

Sunday School Sunday School Sunday School Sunday School The children have just finished a rotation on “Christmas”. In the month of January, our children will have a rotation on “The Widow’s Offering”. The children will participate in a video, drama, science, and art workshop. Our Bible story is from Mark 12:38-44. The children will learn how sharing is important.

A prayer to say with your kids this month: “Give us grateful and generous hearts, O God. You give us all we need—help us to share all that we have like the poor widow. AMEN.”

God’s Treehouse We are excited to come back from our Christmas break!!! God’s Treehouse activities will resume on Wednesday, January 13th at 6:30 pm. We are looking forward to seeing all the children’s smiling faces again! Preschool kids will be learning about how Jesus’ Ministry began, with lessons on his baptism, making choices, bringing good news, and Jesus heals. K-5 will continue on their journey through Bible Super Heroes.

Learning in CommunityLearning in CommunityLearning in CommunityLearning in Community Our annual Iroquois River District learning event for clergy and laypersons will be Saturday, January 16, 10 am-5 pm at New Horizon UMC, Champaign. Please see the flyer elsewhere in this newsletter for more information. Registration deadline is soon- don’t delay!

Director of Education and Missions Barb Horsch will be completing her professional certification coursework in Christian Education this month! “Teaching and Learning” is her final master’s-level course through Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

Susan Schultz completed “Missional Formation” this semester through Asbury Theological Seminary. The course looks into the theology, history, and methodology of ‘doing’ Christian missions. Understanding why we enter into mission work, learning what is and is not helpful (and downright devastating), and understanding our role in the mission of God are important aspects to consider as we exist as the Church, in and to the world.

WWWWORDSORDSORDSORDS FFFFROMROMROMROM OOOOURURURUR PPPPASTORSASTORSASTORSASTORS

Let’s Go Camping!Let’s Go Camping!Let’s Go Camping!Let’s Go Camping! Sure, it’s only January, but this is the perfect time to set priorities for the year. Please consider summer church camp - many faith leaders recall church camp as being most transformational in helping them draw close to God. “Providing settings where campers can have a concentrated period of time to focus on their relationship with God” - doesn’t that sound awesome?! This is the Illinois Great Rivers Conference camping program. Our conference camping program is an extension of our church’s disciple-making process. IL Great Rivers Camps provide: • An environment in which to explore God’s creative

genius. • The leisure to discover one’s self. • A community of fun and faith in which to develop a

genuine awareness of others. • The opportunity to foster a growing relationship

with Jesus Christ. You are never too old or too young to go to camp! The Illinois Great Rivers Conference offers camping experiences for all school-aged children as well as intergenerational camps that appeal to parent and grandparent-types along with children who are old enough to enjoy games, crafts, swimming, and worship. What a spectacular way to make a difference in the life of a child! Accompany them to camp! Or… sponsor a parent and child! The IL Great Rivers camping program is carried out at three beautiful campsites around the state - East Bay north of Bloomington, Little Grassy south of Carbondale, and Beulah Camp on the outskirts of Eldorado, also in southern IL.

Copies of the 2016 Camping Guide are available in the hallway outside the church office. Look for additional camping information on the bulletin board. All your options are described in this summer camp guide or online at www.igrc.org/camping. C’mon church! Let’s go camping in 2016! The link to register online: https://registration.campbrain.com/Portal/Login.aspx?H=IGRC&G=174

Alive NowAlive NowAlive NowAlive Now ---- devotional for a New Yeardevotional for a New Yeardevotional for a New Yeardevotional for a New Year The Upper Room’s devotional magazine, Alive Now, available at church, can be a great companion for your journey through 2016. The Jan/Feb theme is “Walking With” and includes ideas for daily scripture readings, thoughtful reflections plus a special prayer for Ash Wednesday (Feb. 10). Available for a nominal donation, pick up a copy from the small table in the main floor hallway.

Community Resources RoundtableCommunity Resources RoundtableCommunity Resources RoundtableCommunity Resources Roundtable The next Community Resources Roundtable will meet Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 1:00 in the Moyer Library community room. All interested are welcome to attend. The roundtable facilitates awareness and connection of social service resources with community needs.

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 say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Kristen Hood 2 Sue Shields 2 Brad Baird 3 Lori Clinton 3 Roger Reum 3 Kaitlynn Kietzman 5 Matt Brown 6 Danielle Brown 7 Keegan Frashier 7 Dolly Samet 7

Drew Endsley 9 Jessica Titus 10 Bill Dueringer 12 Marinell Jones 12 Alice Jones 14 Denise Kearfott 16 Kelly Borton 17 Jo Gramley 17 Evelyn Kelley 17 Staci Lindelof 17 Tammy Craig 18 Janece McCullough 18 Jackie Freehill 21 Terry Overman 24 Cassidy Brucker 24 Lauren Nagle 25

Kennedy Fanson 27 Mary Holsten 27 Kurt Kietzman 28 Carol Hari 29 Spencer Hazen 30 Jonah Moody 31

Day Years Virgil & Faye Rosendale 1 3 Merle & Alice Jones 11 16

Nursing Home Residents

Manor Marian Boog Ruth Fisher Judy Peters Shirley Butler Dolly Samet

Annex Mary Rosebraugh Ronald Bowen Evelyn Hoover Robert Peeken Edith Stoltz Cecil Paul Davis

Health Concerns Marian Boog Mildred Davis Cheryl Elder Ruth Fisher Ruth Harris Jane Hastings Ron Hood Barb Murrell Norma Patterson Servicemen and women PFC Colton Young AB Cody McCoy

Jan-Nov Offering for Budget $265,600.20

Jan-Nov Operating Expenses $269,221.73

Weekend Sat 5:30

Sun 8:45

Sun 11:00

Nov 28th & 29th 16 96 36

December 5th & 6th 14 104 21

December 12th & 13th 13 95 26

December 19th & 20th 11 101 40

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

January Mission Socks will benefit the

Gibson City Food Pantry.

January January January January Sermon Series Sermon Series Sermon Series Sermon Series Health & Health & Health & Health & WholenessWholenessWholenessWholeness • The Door to a Full Life • Knowing the Good Shepherd • Called to a Greater Purpose • The Extravagance of God • The Gate to Soul Satisfaction

CCCCOMMITTEESOMMITTEESOMMITTEESOMMITTEES

Covenant CouncilCovenant CouncilCovenant CouncilCovenant Council The Covenant Council is the main decision making body of the church. It consists of the chair-people of the committees of the church and elected at-large congregational members. The current chairperson is Kim Fisher. At-large members are Mick Horsch and Morgan Hazen. The Covenant Council meets on the second Monday of the month at 7pm in the Red Room. These meetings are open to anyone. If you have something you would like to present to Covenant Council, please contact Kim Fisher prior to the meeting to ensure that your request can be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

SPRCSPRCSPRCSPRC The primary goals of the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) are to encourage, strengthen, nurture, and support the pastors and staff and their families, and to promote unity in the church. The current chairperson of the SPRC is Angie Woodward. Committee members are: Jean Noellsch, Kathy Bennett, Ellen Maxey, Jim Hazen, Marsha Riddle, Becky Young and Patty Wilson. SPRC meets on the second Monday of the month at 5:30PM. Their meetings are closed. If you have a concern, please let one of the committee members know and they can address it at their next meeting.

FinanceFinanceFinanceFinance The Finance Committee oversees the expenditures, budget, and audit of the church finances. Finance meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7pm in the Red Room. The chairperson of finance is Joe Wier. Committee members are Dan Jones, Jim Hood, Mike Young, Wayne Snyder, Rick Ertel, Karla Hunter, Ann Young, and Leigh Ann Sharp. Virgil Rosendale is our church treasurer and our financial secretaries are Leigh Ann Sharp, Ann Young, and Karla Hunter.

TrusteesTrusteesTrusteesTrustees The Trustees are mainly responsible for maintaining all church property. They also oversee Memorial Committee. Trustees meet on the first Monday of the month at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall. The chairperson of trustees is Glenn Riddle. Committee members are Ken Hawthorne, Lynn Anliker, Dwaine Horsch, Amy Hood, Dave Merritt, Kelly Borton, Dave Hazen and Donna Douglas.

WorshipWorshipWorshipWorship The Worship Committee oversees most things related to our weekly worship services as well as other special services throughout the year. The worship committee meets more on a quarterly basis, so please contact a chairperson to find out when they will be meeting next.

The chairperson for 2016 is Kathy Eagleson. Committee members are: Matt Brown, Terry Snyder, Evelyn Patton, Lezli Merritt, Tom Fairchild, Jennifer Arsenault and Colle301en Woodcock.

Children’s MinistriesChildren’s MinistriesChildren’s MinistriesChildren’s Ministries The Children’s Ministries Committee oversees the youth programming in our church from Preschool age through High School. They also oversee the Kids’ Connection program on Sunday mornings. They meet on the third Monday of the month at 6:45pm in the Red Room. Committee members are: Michelle Engel, Danielle Brown, Angie Davis, Lori Frashier, Molly Ertel, Jackie Quinley, Zach Wier, Joyce Dewey, Denise Kearfott, Staci Ward and Candice Hawthorne.

MissionsMissionsMissionsMissions The Mission Committee oversees the missions which GCUMC supports. They help organize mission trips and projects, raise funds, and choose the recipients of the monthly mission socks offerings. Missions meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. The chairperson of Missions is Kent Bielfeldt. Committee members are: Merle McCallister, Brad Fairfield, Sarah Fairfield, Caryl Kietzman, Kristen Hood, Lauren Pool, Mike Utterback, Bill Hunter, and Sherrie Knerr.

Connection TeamConnection TeamConnection TeamConnection Team The Connection Team is concerned with the invitation, hospitality, and congregational care of new visitors and the members of the church. The chair persons of this committee are Judy Eckhoff and Janet Utterback. The members of this committee are Pat Goembel, Susan Hawthorne, Beverly Nelson, and Cathy Steidinger.

Endowment CommitteeEndowment CommitteeEndowment CommitteeEndowment Committee The Endowment Committee oversees funds given to the church in which the interest and earnings of the principle are available for non-general budget needs of the church, but the principle is reserved from expenditure. The member of the Endowment Committee are Greg Pool, Janet Utterback, Phil Noellsch, Todd Littell and Rick Young.

MemorialMemorialMemorialMemorial The Memorial Committee oversees funds given to the church in which both the principle and the interest and earnings are available for non-general budget needs of the church. Committee members are: Chris Hazen, Judy Rutledge, Phil Noellsch, Lynne Titus, Bettie Main, Jo Nettleton, and Margaret Farmer.

LLLLEARNINGEARNINGEARNINGEARNING OOOOPPORTUNITYPPORTUNITYPPORTUNITYPPORTUNITY

IRD Clergy & Lay Leadership Training: Places of the Heart:

The Rural Church Community

“Places of the Heart: The Rural Church Community” will be our theme for 2016. During our January training event we will learn new and exciting ways to reach new people, touch lives, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our guest speakers, Rev. Steve Killion, Retired Elder with years of rural church experience, will share with us various way God uses the rural community to fulfill God’s Purpose. Our worships will answer questions, equip, encourage and focus on specific topics. Persons who currently serve or have been elected to serve in related ministry areas for the coming year are encouraged to attend and bring members of their team. Child care will be provided by reservation only.

January 16, 2016 10:00am-5:00pm Champaign New Horizon UMC

3002 W Bloomington Rd, Champaign IL 61822

WorkshopsWorkshopsWorkshopsWorkshops

1. The Role of the PPRC - led by Rev. Rose Booker-Jones, District Superintendent

2. Apportionments: Our Connecting to the World - led by Rick VanGiesen, Conference Treasurer

3. Preparing Small Congregations for Young Adults - led by Rev. Justin Snider, Danville St James Associate Pastor

4. Safe Sanctuaries - led by Stephanie Corum, Attorney/Public Defender

5. Connecting First Hand with Youth - led by Joslen Summar, District Youth Representative (Session 2 only)

6. Radical Hospitality: Is Your Church Appealing? - led by Rev. Don Shane, Sidell and Rev Teri Shane, Homer

7. Filing in the Blanks - led by Pat Setzler, District Administrative Assistant

8.8.8.8. Youth, You Have A Voice Too! - led by Joslen

Summar, District Youth Representative (Session 1 only)

ScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

10am-12pm Opening Worship/Speaker 12:00-12:45pm Lunch 1:00-2:30pm Workshops—Session 1 2:30-3:00pm Break/Refreshments 3:00-4:30pm Workshops—Session 2

RegistrationRegistrationRegistrationRegistration

On-line registration will begin on Monday, December 7 through the conference website. Child care will be provided by reservation only. There is no registration fee, but the cost of lunch is $10 AND you MUST register in advance by Monday, January 16. The link is https://igrc-reg.brtapp.com/IRD2016DistrictClergyandLayLeadershipTraining. If you are not able to register on-line or if you have any questions, please contact the district office at office@iroguoisriverdistrict.org or 217-359-0640.

January 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Office Closed

2 Communion 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

3 Communion 7:00AM Men’s Breakfast

8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00am Sunday School

11:00am Contemporary Worship

4 9:00 AM Prayers 7:00 PM Trustees

5 1:00 PM Communion Manor/Annex 5:30 PM Praise Team

6 1:00 PM Connection Team

7 5:30 PM Missions 7:00 PM Finance

8 9 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

10 8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00am Sunday School

11:00am Contemporary Worship

11 9:00 AM Prayers 5:30 PM SPRC 7:00 PM Covenant Council

12 1:00 PM Wesleyana Circle 5:30 PM Praise Team

13 Wednesday Night Fellowship Resumes 7:00 PM Pie Night/Manor

14 15 16 Mission Socks 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

17 Mission Socks 8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00am Sunday School

11:00am Contemporary Worship

18 6:45 PM Children’s Ministry

19 Newsletter Articles Due 5:30 PM Praise Team

20 Wednesday Night Fellowship

21 22 23 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

24 8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00am Sunday School

11:00am Contemporary Worship

25 26 5:30 PM Praise Team

27 Wednesday Night Fellowship 9:00 AM Newsletter Prep

28 29 30 5:30 PM Saturday Night Light Worship

31 8:45 AM Traditional Worship

10:00am Sunday School

11:00am Contemporary Worship

Wednesday Night Fellowship 5:30pm—Fellowship Meal 6:30pm—Youth Activities (PreK—5th Grade) 6:30pm—MS Youth Group 6:30pm—HS Youth Group 7:30pm—Sanctuary Choir 7:30pm—Music with Gabe 8:30pm—Jake’s Boys

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

JJJJANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARY SSSSERVICEERVICEERVICEERVICE SSSSCHEDULECHEDULECHEDULECHEDULE

Pastor—John Tennyson cell 217-249-5453 email: pastorgcumc@sbcglobal.net Director Education/Missions—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)

Jan 3 Angie

Woodward

Jeremy Grider Pat Goembel & Patty Wilson Derek & Stephanie Kietzman

Olivia Hawthorne & Wrigley Maxey

Steve Hawthorne

Zander Wier

Jeremy Steidinger

Jan 10 Kent

Bielfeldt

Mick & Mary Jo Kingsley Christina Moody

Linda Goltz & Sue Shields Jon Clark

Erin Arsenault

Katie Quinley

Jan 17 Amy Hood Mick & Mary Jo Kingsley

Christina Moody Linda Goltz & Sue Shields

Keegan Frashier & Kelsey Whitehouse

Lonnie Engel

Dani Eckerty

Rachel Quinley

Jan 24 Mick

Kingsley

Dave & Laura Hazen Derek & Stephanie Kietzman

Jon & Bonnie Clark

Steve Hawthorne

Taylor Engel

Katie Steidinger

Head Usher for January is Doug Eckerty

Jan 31 Lisa Farmer Dave & Laura Hazen

Derek & Stephanie Kietzman Jon & Bonnie Clark

Olivia Hawthorne & Addison Farmer

Jon Clark Zander Wier

Jeremy Steidinger