Prayer List

Gary Rockett

Keith Smith

Kara Recine

People who have lost their will to live

Jamie

Grandpa Barnett

Peg Purcell

Joel McIntyre

William & Mavis

Earl’s co-worker

Kyla Hafeli

Becky Rhine

Louetta Smith

John Zettler

Jean Keehler

Prayer List

Gary Rockett

Bill Rockett

John Etcheson

Ron Barnett

Peg Purcell

Dorothy Jones

Abby Adams’ Family

Joel McIntyre

William Bell & Family

Josen

Fred Gustave

Kara Recine

Kurt & Suzy Richter

Marvin & Marion Kleinau

Prayer List

Margie & Bobby Underwood

Stephanie Gustave

Fred Gustave

Peg Purcell

Dorothy Jones

Bill Rockett

Gary Rockett

Kyla Hafeli

Becky & Keith Rhine

Darl Keehler

Josh Zettler

Olen & Emma Henson

Carbondale Congregation

Marvin & Marion Kleinau

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, March 22:  After church budget meeting

Sunday, March 29:  Potluck and priesthood meeting after church

March 25:  Darl Keehler’s Birthday

March 18:  Marvin & Marion’s Anniversary

March 29:  Steve & Jessica’s Anniversary

March 31:  Randy & Jessica’s Birthday

Prayer List

Dorothy Jones

Bill Herr

Ken Bach

Kyla Hafeli

Gary Rockett

Joe-Stephanie and Stacey’s client

DuQuoin School & the family of Ashanti

Fred Gustave

Dorothy Keehler

Sandy’s uncle

Tom Recine

Darl Keehler

Marion Kleinau

Stephanie Gustave

Carbondale Congregation

Noah Zettler

Abby Adams & Family

Prayer List

Virginia

Tom

Zach

Becky

Judy

Kyla

Barbara

Terri

Chanhee

Congregational Blessing

Steve & Jessica

Erica’s engagement to Chris

Marvin & Marion

Upcoming Events:

February 21^st:  Saturday, our winter social event.  Game night and pick your pasta. 

Prayer List

Dorothy Jones

Marion

Marvin

Chanhee

Fred

Stephanie

Kid that are failing in Tara’s class & mothers

Jessica

Randy

Peace

Upcoming Events:

The potluck for the 25^th has been rescheduled for February 8^th. 

February 20^th:  6pm Friday night meeting

Prayer List

Ann Etcheson

Shannon’s Brother-in-law

Kyla Hafeli

Robin & Sonshine

Marion Kleinau

Mike’s Job

Darl & Jean

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, January 25:  Marvin has called a worship/education group meeting.  Scheduled to meet after church has ended.

The potluck for the 25^th has been rescheduled for February 8^th.  I will be bringing a sign up sheet on the 25^th.

Prayer List

Ann Etcheson

Shannon’s Brother-in-law

Kyla Hafeli

Robin & Sonshine

Marion Kleinau

Mike’s Job

Darl & Jean

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, January 25:  Marvin has called a worship/education group meeting.  Scheduled to meet after church has ended.

The potluck for the 25^th has been rescheduled for February 8^th.  I will be bringing a sign up sheet on the 25^th.

            The word “believe” represent the relationship between man and God.  Unless we accept God on face value, without some kind of visual or auditory evidence, we will never find the salvation we seek.

            The Sunday service this week was based on a discussion of three of the sacraments of the church. Three sacraments, that by practicing, we sustain both the church and the individual. Baptism, as taught by Jesus, gives us a chance to say to God- I believe and I am willing to dedicate my life to you.  Confirmation of the Holy Spirit is an important sacrament in that the act reflects the actions of God in giving to Jesus the gift of the Holy Spirit following his baptism.  Not only does this signify a one to one relationship with God but it reflects membership in the church.

Sunday the 4^th of January marked the first celebration of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in the next year. This is always a very special time for our congregation for it allows us to tell Jesus we have not forgotten Him. It also lifts the spirits of the church in that a personal dedication bring each of us closer to the sacrifice Jesus made for us and the resurrection which the Lord promised us.

“Shine” was the overall theme of the day and shine we did. The music was uplifting and the message reminded each of us of our obligation and opportunity to tell the world about Jesus through our actions. The scripture for the day was based on the writing of John and is words were carried throughout the service. John told us of the importance of realizing that Jesus, in human form, was actually the “words of God” and by knowing Jesus we would know God.  So it is that by knowing the scripture according to St John we know all we need to know about God’s hopes for us as He wished them expressed.

Prayer List

Tom & Virginia

Stephanie Gustave

Louetta Smith

Cara, Hamp & Annie

Kyla Hafeli

John Rolsten’s job

Grace Ayers

Gary Rockett

Chanhee’s family in South Korea

Lucille Smith

Congregational dreams

Gaza Strip

Upcoming Events:

January 6^th:  Marion’s Birthday

Sunday, January 11^th:  Budget meeting 1 PM at the church

January 14^th:  Darl and Jean’s Anniversary

January 15^th:  Stephanie’s Birthday

Dream for the following: (A 2, 5, 10 year plan can be created out of this)

Worship

·        Children’s Church (Tara) – 5 year (Marvin)

·        Integrate children (Sandy)

·        Planning – feedback/goals (Marvin/Marion)

·        Sacred Place (Marion)

·        Sacred You (Marvin) – relationship w/God, we clarify that in worship so that we can live it

Education

·        Classes offered (Marion) – possibly to community (learning in retirement)

·        Healing of the spirit space (Marion) – dreaming ideas for the arts

·        Scripturally literate (Marvin) – enhanced, paraphrase scripture on demand when needed – 5 yr

o       Suggestion – individual and group checkup – listen to CD while following along in bible

Facilities

·        Bigger, workable, offer to community, welcoming (Marion) – 5 year

·        Kitchen, gym, stage (Randy) – 5 year

·        Classrooms (Terri) – 5 year

·        All purpose room (Josh) – 5 year

Hospitality & Pastoral Care

·        Visiting, know people (Marvin) – Olen Henson mentioned – 5 years

o       Ex. Funerals, hospital, sacramental opportunities

·        Priesthood roles developed (Marvin) – 5 years

·        Cellgroups (Sandy) – 5 years

·        Breakfast every Sunday once the building is up (ALL) – 5 years

Outreach

·        Facility growth (Marion)

Community Involvement

·        Learning in retirement (Marion)

·        Speakers to come in (Marvin)

Prayer List

Kyla Hafeli

Marion’s sister – Sara

Fred Gustave

Stephanie Gustave

Chanhee Lee

Gavin

Tara Zettler

Weather conditions

John Etcheson & leadership of the church

Brad & Kelly Gustave

Christmas travelers

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, December 21:  Bring an angel to church

Thursday, December 25:  Christmas Day

Sunday, December 28:  Potluck immediately following the service.

Tuesday, December 30:  Terri Zettler’s Birthday

*  Please note that Steve and I will not be at church Sunday, December 28^th, because we will be visiting Steve’s family for Christmas.  I would appreciate someone who will be present at church that day to coordinate the potluck.  Thanks!

Jessica L.

The second Sunday in Advent was celebrated as Communion as well as the second coming of Jesus.. We were reminded that the birth of Jesus is only the first stage in God’s plan to bring all of us to his way of thinking.

            II Peter is especially helpful in studying God’s plan. Peter reminds us that God wishes no man to perish in sin. He wishes that all of us will repent before Jesus comes back to us in the latter days. And while the scripture talks of great destruction at the time of the return of Jesus, there is also great hope associated with His return because we know our task and have time to repent. We also know we have the capability to do wonderful things. All around us people are doing good things for their neighbors and for God, and we are among them. But we can do more.  As we now turn to concentrate on the birth of the Christ child, let us review in our minds our own actions. Let us seek the PEACE that comes from knowing God cares about us and we have the power to return that love.

Prayer List

India

United States

Stephanie’s job decision

Melvin’s job

Carbondale Congregation

Donny, Michelle, & Rylee

The Musical Tara is directing

Cara, Hamp, & Annie

Marion’s sister Sara

Boonie’s Family

Steven and Jenn’s finals

Keep everyone healthy during flu season

Leadership of the church missions

Don Bunnel

Upcoming Events:

Friday, December 12:  Tara Zettler’s Birthday!

Thursday, December 25:  Christmas Day

Sunday, December 28:  Potluck immediately following the service.

            Or class time this Sunday was spent digesting the meaning of two parables Jesus offered in the book of Matthew. Both refer to the importance of understanding that great things start very small and grow into something big. This is the case of the mustard seed and the leaven employed in bread. It is obvious that Jesus wanted those that heard him or those that read of him, as we do, to understand that our faith may be small today, but it can grow over time.

            Our worship this Sunday centered on the theme of “Staying Awake.” This of course refers to the teachings of Jesus in the 13^th chapter of the book of Mark. Jesus reminds us that He will come again into our world and before he does so many signs will be given. There will be false prophets, and pretenders and rumors of war and even evidence of man growing cold toward those he loves.  This information is particularly important to us in time of distress for Jesus leads us to believe that is when we will see him again. Finally, Jesus reminds us that only the “elect” will be saved. It is very important that we understand who the elect are in context. While there is more than one point of view as to the meaning, we hold the elect to be those committed to Jesus. We do not see the elect as chosen by God even before birth.

            The importance of today’s lesson cannot be brushed aside asking too much of us. If we truly believe in the truth of the gospel we must be prepared every day for the return of Jesus and we must seek to be among the elect.

Prayer List

Marion’s back

Keith Smith

Katherine Harris’ Family

Donny & Michelle Peska

Diane Reno

Kyla Hafeli

Families in need

Sara (Marion’s sister)

Kurt & Suzy Richter

Marie (Jean’s sister)

Daryl’s mother

Shannon & Gavin

Keegan & Family (Chanhee’s brother)

*  I found out today that Donny & Michelle will be going to Chicago

on Friday to pick up their new son!! Thanks for the prayers!

Upcoming Events:

The next Friday night meeting originally scheduled for December 5^th has been cancelled.

Sunday, December 7:  Josh Zettler’s Birthday!

Friday, December 12:  Tara Zettler’s Birthday!

Thursday, December 25:  Christmas Day

Sunday, December 28:  Potluck immediately following the service.

Prayer List

Hunger in North Korea

Freedom in North Korea

Economy in South Korea

Donny & Michelle Peska (adoption)

Debbie DeMent and Kindergarten class

Gary Rockett

Bill Rockett

Olen & Emma Henson

Leslie Brown

Daniel Spencer

Kyla Hafeli & Family

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, November 22^nd is Randy & Terri’s Anniversary 28 years!

Tuesday, November 25^th is Sandy’s Birthday!

The next Friday night meeting originally scheduled for December 5^th has been cancelled.

For those who would like to follow us into the hotdogger, we will be meeting at the DuQuoin, IL Walmart off of Highway 51. It is on the left side of the road across from Dairy Queen. We will me there at 3:30pm on Saturday and go on into the Zettler Farm to begin the conversation at the hotdogger at 4pm. 

For those of you who are coming directly from Carbondale and would like to meet to carpool, that is fine. Just coordinate rides with one another. I would recommend meeting at the church at 3pm and then allowing the 30 min to travel to the DuQuoin WalMart on Highway 51.

Prayer List

Kyla Hafeli & Family

Fred & Stephanie

Tom & Virginia

Darl & Jean Keehler

Peace

Gary Rockett

40 Days to Election

Earl & Louetta Smith

Barabara Thomason

Bill Sharp (Sandy’s Uncle)

Keith Smith

Cara Recine, Hamp, and Annie

Alicia Gregg (Problems with pregnancy)

Upcoming Events:

Sunday School Hour this week was devoted to the study of Luke 8:4-15, the parable of the Sower and the Seed. It would seem that Jesus was trying to tell his audience that the message of God falls on different ears: some receptive and some not. The hour was spent trying to understand what that meant to listeners 2000 years ago and to us today. One interesting outcome was the suggestion that within each of us there are levels of understanding. Also, we concluded that we should not grow discouraged because we do not grow together. Finding God is our mutual goal.

The Worship Hour followed a traditional pattern—singing old and new hymns (My Life Goes On In Endless Song), praying for those in need (listed below), and focusing on the theme “loving God with our hearts not just our lips.” Isaiah warned of the tendency of his people to speak of God in glowing terms while mistreating their neighbors.  We pondered, in open discussion, the difference between Christianity and being a Christian. In other words, do we follow Jesus or the institution of the church?  Our speaker asked us to ponder the question, “what have we experienced that allows us to worship God?”

We closed with a serious question on our hearts—“Can we begin a serious conversation about Jesus with those not present?”

We welcome you to join us next Sunday when the theme centers on “Commanded to Love,” in 11am worship and  “The Anatomy of Peace” in the 10:am class hour.  Just come by next Sunday and join us in our exciting journey with Jesus.

Prayer List

Kyla Hafeli & Family

Fred & Stephanie

Tom & Virginia

Darl & Jean Keehler

Peace

Sarah (Marion’s sister)

40 Days to Election (Sept. 20)

Earl & Louetta Smith

Travelers (Erin, Barb, Wyatt, & Asa)

Tara Zettler

Upcoming Events:

Friday, October 24^th meeting rescheduled to November 1^st before the Hot-Dogger.  Be there at 4:00 P.M.

Saturday, November 1:  Our Fall Activity…NO…The Hot-Dogger!  Join us for a night of fun at the Zettler farm.  If you would like to bring anything contact Jessica Lore, I have a list of things we still need.   We are planning a pumpkin carving contest, some wienie roasting and smores, and then a campfire led by Tara Zettler.  Hope you can make it!

 Have a great week!

Prayer List

Kyla Hafeli & Family

Josh, Tara, and Noah Zettler

Jean Keehler

Fred & Stephanie

Tom & Virginia

Carbondale Congregation

Earl & Louetta Smith

Peace

Sandy Pagon & Parents

40 Days to Election (Sept. 20)

Erica Barnett

John Zettler

Steve’s Cousins

Dates to put in your calendar:

Saturday, October 18:  Church workday.  Be there at 9:00 A.M.  We will have a list of jobs that need to be done.  Everyone bring a sack lunch.

Friday, October 24:  Our regular once a month congregational meeting.  Hopefully groups will have had a chance to meet.  The meeting starts at 6:00 P.M. bring your own supper.

Saturday, November 1:  Our Fall Activity…NO…The Hot-Dogger!  Join us for a night of fun at the Zettler farm.  If you would like to bring anything contact me, I have a list of things we still need.  More details coming soon.

Have a great week, and we’ll see you soon!

God Bless,