Because People Need Jesus!

Dear First Methodist Folks:

It's a big weekend coming up as we celebrate National Back to Church Sunday.  Our theme is "Now's The Time."  I will be speaking about recognizing the God moments in your life.

Think about who you might invite to church.  Text them.  Call them.  Hand them an invitation card.  You have the opportunity to change someone's life for the better.  What could be greater than introducing someone to Jesus?

Be sure to make plans to attend Saturday Night Worship on September 24 as Bishop Frank Beard preaches at 6pm.  Bishop Beard is our new episcopal leader in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.  This is a one-night only opportunity and we are inviting folks from area United Methodist congregations to join us.  (He won't be here on Sunday morning).  Hope to see you there.

Because People Need J esus,

P.S.  Johnathan and Meagan Walden will be our special guests in worship on Sunday, September 25.  They are getting ready to begin a new life in Kosovo with The Mission Society.



WORSHIP TIMES:
Saturdays at 6 pm
Sundays at 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 am
Sunday School for all ages happens at 9:00 am
Children's Church is provided on Saturday evenings and Sunday at 10:30.
The nursery is open for all services except Sundays at 7:30.

Worship with Bishop Beard Saturday Night

Bishop Frank Beard, new episcopal leader of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church, has accepted our invitation to visit Geneseo.  He will be coming to town on Saturday, September 24 where he will speak at a special afternoon session of our Pastor Prayer Partner Retreat.  (This 1 pm session is open to all men, even those not participating in the retreat).  That evening, he will be the preacher at our 6 pm worship service.  We are opening this service to area churches.

Bishop Beard comes to us from Indiana where he has been the pastor of Castleton United Methodist Church near Indianapolis.  He assumed office on September 1.  His installation service will be Sunday, September 11 at 3 pm at Springfield First United Methodist Church.

Don't Forget:  You Can Eat Breakfast at Church this Sunday

Now that we have tables and chairs for The Commons, we can begin using our big gathering space in new ways.  Each Third Sunday, we plan to have a Breakfast supporting a special mission cause from 8:30 to 10:30 am.

The very first Third Sunday Breakfast will support Lance and Jena Neal's trip to Romania where they will be delivering the 44 pairs of shoes we donated over the summer.  Biscuits and gravy are on the menu.

If you would like to sponsor a breakfast for a Christian cause in keeping with the mission of our church, please see Yvette Biddle for guidelines and to select a date.

Equip is off to a great start!  Our Mid-Week Dinner and Discipleship night for adults launched last Wednesday.  It is not too late to sign up for one of the classes.  You can always join us for supper by RSVPing at the Information Center or by calling the church office.  

Dinner is for a suggested donation in the $5 or $7 range, or a maximum of $20 per family.  Child care for kids five and under is provided.

Special thanks to Trevor Gamache and his crew who provided a great dinner last week.

The classes are:
  • "Revival:  A Biblical and Historical Survey" by Pastor Chris
  • "Breathe"  a Women's Study led by Angela Blair
  • "The Sermon on the Mount" led by Thomas Blair
Kyle Retzlaff to Walk 22 Miles to Raise Suicide Awareness

Kyle Retzlaff from our church has a big heart for helping servicemen prone to suicide.  He has started his own effort called #imstillhere to offer help and support.  On Sunday, September 25 he will be walking 22 miles to raise awareness of the 22 veterans that are lost to suicide each day.  Here is what Kyle has to say:

Sunday September 25th, beginning at 9 am I will continue a journey started by my friend and brother Dan Newberry, I will also be walking 22 miles with a ruck on my back. In honor of those we've lost to suicide. According to a VA study each day over 20 veterans take their own lives. But together we can win the war against veteran suicide. The 22 miles represent the 22 veterans we lose everyday to suicide. The ruck represent the burdens of war we carry with us the rest of our lives. 

I have been so touched by this issue both personally and by those I've served with and even lost. Understanding those struggles my goal is to let everyone know that they are not alone.  #Imstillhere , we can bridge this gap.

I would ask that those that can, make a small donation in support of our journey. 100% of the money donated will go the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. The CVMA's mission is clear "vets helping vets" over this past year the CVMA has raised over $30,000 to assist various charities. Such as cottage 16, Honor Flight, and Hogs for Heroes. 

Here is a link to the gofundme page that Dan started:


Eldest Church Member, Mabel Brown, Passes at Age 99.

Attorney Mabel Brown, our eldest church member, passed away on September 13.  She joined our church on April 1, 1945.  Up until Thursday of last week, she went into her law office on State Street each weekday.  

Mabel's Obituary:

Mabel W. Brown, a long-time Geneseo attorney, died September 13, 2016, at the age of 99, at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo, IL. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 am Monday, September 19th at the First United Methodist Church in Geneseo, Illinois. Visitation will be 1 hour prior (10-11 am) to the service at the church. Cremation Rites will be accorded following the service and private inurnment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo. Miss Brown would have appreciated contributions in her memory, in lieu of flowers, to the Geneseo Humane Society, First United Methodist Church, Geneseo, Illinois, or to any conservative Republican candidate running for political office.

Miss Brown was born on December 7, 1916, in Geneseo, Illinois the only child of Harry E. Brown and Mabel Welton Brown. She graduated from St. Katherine's School, Davenport, Iowa, and then from Oberlin College in 1938. She graduated from the law school at the University of Chicago in 1941 and joined her father's law practice which he had begun in 1895. Miss Brown practiced with her father until his death in 1944. Like her father, she considered the practice of law the second highest calling and she continued to practice until her death.

Miss Brown was enthusiastic about politics and she was a loyal benefactor and supporter of charities and her church. In earlier years she enjoyed traveling and playing bridge. For many years on the walk home from work she enjoyed dinner at The Cellar restaurant in Geneseo, and in recent years she also had many pleasant visits with friends to Pasteur Restaurant in Moline.
She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by: her secretary, Betty Bodeen, her law partner, Roger Ray, office staff Becky Canfield, Ann Deitrick and Catherine Thompson; a number of cousins including Joanne Knabe, Plymouth, Minnesota, Jeffery H. Brown, Crofton, Maryland, and Roy W. Brown, Chillicothe, Ohio; and close friends George and Marsha Storm, Wes and Mary Harris, and Bob and Ann Schwieder.


  • Stephanie Cartwright will become a member of our church this weekend.  She will be our 63rd new member this year!
  • We are starting a busy season of weddings at our church.  This weekend Jill Arnold will be married to Jim Barto.  Other upcoming weddings are Katelyn Konvicka to Dalton Peterson on October 9, Molly Reel to Steven Johnson on October 16, and Bethany Pilcher to Robert Reese on November 12.
  • Upcoming Leadership Meetings:  The Nomination and Leadership Development Committee will meet on September 19.   The Finance Committee will meet on September 20.  The Staff-Parish Relations Committee will meet on September 22.  A meeting of our Multisite Ministry will be held on September 26.   Church Council will meet on October 18.  Our annual Charge Conference will be held on November 20 at 1 pm.
  • BIG CHURCH SUNDAY is coming up October 9.  There will be a special worship schedule on this weekend with two identical services held on Sunday morning only.  We will be talking about the vision and direction of our church as we draw people to Jesus, develop people in Jesus, and deploy people for Jesus.
  • BAPTISM SUNDAY is coming on October 16.  See the Information Center or Church Office for details.
     
Stephanie Cartwright pictured with Jeff DeMay


There is still time to register for the convening event for the Wesleyan Covenant Association in Chicago on Friday, October 7 at the Stevens Convention Center near O'Hare.

Check out the LINK for details, including an article by Pastor Chris.

This Weekend's Bulletin Announcements
 
Deep Waters Prayer & Praise Service
Our next Deep Waters will be held on Monday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. here in our Sanctuary.  Deep Waters is a monthly prayer opportunity for all who would like to come together in worship and praise to our Lord Jesus.  There are both worship and prayer leaders during this focused, corporate prayer time. 
 
The Spotted Apron Cooking Class
  Are you ready to spice up your life?  Come to the next cooking class of the Spotted Apron on Tuesday, September 20 from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. in The Commons.  We'll learn about the aromas and tastes of spices and herbs that can really spice up your dinner!  RSVP today at the Information Center. 
 
Get Connected To A Group!
Interested in getting connected with others here at Geneseo First? We want to help!  We have groups that are available for any stage of life or study level. If you are unsure, just ask. Come check us out and sign up by the Information Center.  Launch Week for Groups is September 25!
 
Geneseo Food Pantry Fundraiser Breakfast Meeting
Dale Tanis, our church's Food Pantry Liaison, has announced that the Food Pantry will be holding a free-will donation breakfast along with an informational meeting to kick off their fundraiser campaign for their new location on Rt. 6/Main Street.  If you are interested in hearing more about the Food Pantry's plans, come to the breakfast meeting on Saturday, September 24 at 7:30 a.m. at St. Malachy's Church.
 
Church Bike Hike Along The Hennepin Canal
Bring the whole family to our 10 - mile Bike Hike along the Hennepin Canal on Saturday, September 24 from 9:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.  Sponsored by our Men's Ministries, we'll begin at the Grange Road locks and ride our bicycles to Warren Street Park in Colona. For details and a route map, grab a flyer at the Information Center.
 
Men's Retreat
All men are invited to join us at the church this Friday evening and Saturday, September 23 & 24 for our Men's Retreat.  This is the last weekend to sign up so please stop by the Information Center.  The retreat will offer some great sessions, meals and guest speakers including our newly elected Bishop Frank Beard who is presenting at 1:00 p.m. and also preaching that evening at our Saturday evening 6:00 p.m. worship service.  Don't miss out!
 
See You After The Pole
Our Student Ministries is hosting See You After The Pole for all youth from all our area churches and community.  All students from 6 th - 12 th grades are invited  to The Rock at South Campus for See You After The Pole on Wednesday, September 28.  We will have a pizza dinner at 5:30 and a program at 6:00 p.m.  This event is a follow-up  to See You At The Pole held at 7:00 a.m. where students gather around their school's flagpole for a time of prayer for unity and blessing for the new school year. 
 
Get-To-Know-You Family Dinner
You're invited! On Friday, September 30 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. come enjoy a night of food and fun while getting to know more about our Children's Director, Natalie Zook. There will be a taco bar followed  by games for kids and even some for the parents/guardians! Natalie will be sharing her testimony along with her vision for the future of Children's Ministry. If you have children ages birth to 11 years old, bring the whole family to join us.  Please RSVP at the Children's Check-in Desk.
 
Iron Sharpens Iron Conference For Women
We are gathering a group of women together to attend the Iron Sharpens Iron conference for women to be held on November 5 at River Church in Clinton, Iowa.  The conference will be held from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. and our group can receive an early registration discount.  If you are interested in ISI, please stop by the table near the Information Center for registration and an information flyer.
 
Prayer Requests

Please pray for the family and friends of Mabel Brown, long-time member of our church who passed away on Tuesday at age 99.  Visitation for Mable will be held at the church on Monday, September 19 from 10 - 11am; Memorial Service at 11am with a luncheon immediately following the service.

Continue to pray for Jack Buhler who is in the rehab section of HHH after falling and having surgery for a broken hip.
          

Prayer Team Prayer Requests
September 10 & 11, 2016

Pray for our godson, Reed.  Pray for his physical and mental development and peace for his parents.  Thank you, Shane & Prairie Meis
 
Thank you for all prayer for me and for Pastor Chris' visit while I was in the hospital.  Zelma  Stufflebeam
 
Pray for Lois Apple and Carole Kniser.  Dale Tanis
 
Pray for Gabriel for successful surgery and quick recovery.  Heather Aleman
 
Continue to pray for Corey Horn and Barb Horn as they get ready to leave for Chicago for Chemo treatment #5.  Corina Horn
 
Thank you for prayers.  I can see God working.  Please continue to pray for my family and me.  Brenda Holman
 
Pray for all the plans and preparations for the Neal's for Heels breakfast Sunday.  Pray for Jena to be healed from a case of poison ivy.  Lance & Jill Neal, Audrey, Jena and Jeron
 
Pray for my best friend to heal after a broken bone and having surgery.  Pray for family members that got a diagnosis of cancer.  Jen Jarvis
 
Pray for Randy Rathje who has cancer and losing his battle.  That he is able to see his first granddaughter before he passes.  Heidi & Greg Rastetter
 
Keep Phil and I in your prayers as we relocate to the Iowa City area.  Pray for a safe move and adjustment to a new job and area.  Also, safe travel as we continue to drive back here to attend church and see family.  Marilyn DeMay
 
Praise - singing in Wesleyan singers.  Prayer for healing of shoulder pain.  Lynn Reedy
 
For a true cease fire in Syria as a step to peace in that troubled nation.  Jerry Reedy
 
Pray for our first grandchild Audrey Aileen that she is born healthy.  Greg & Heidi Rastetter
 
Pray for Joe's health.  Pray for business, our family and a recent legal situation.  Lorraine Brooks.
 
Pray for George Dunbar.  His goal is to be home from the hospital on September 20.  George is dealing with pneumonia.  His spirits remain high. Kyle, Jamie and Kenneth Eickman
 
My dad is on the way to the east coast (driving) for a business trip.  Pray for safe travel there and back and that is business will be a success.  Becky Farb
 
Pray for my families' travel.  Pray for our son Michael.  Jim & Darlene Kelly
 
Pray for Barb, Linda, and Jenny.  Evelyn Hopkins
 
It is great to see new younger people in the choir.  Pray for healing for Linda and Betty.  The Haars'
 
Pray for Dan's cousin Dana who has suffered a stroke.  Pray for continued improvement.  Dan and Emily Baum
 
Pray for my mother-in-law's friend.  She recently lost her husband.  Pray for her granddaughter in Afghanistan.  Thank you so much  - loved your service.  Susan & Mark Nielsen
 
Praises - my niece Jordyn made her school play.  Kyle, Jamie and Kenneth Eickman
 
Thanks for your prayers for Heidi.  Wasn't having much success until Mayo called during week and she seems somewhat better.  There is always hope - she is resilient.  Thanks, Jim Allen
 
Pray for our son-in-law to have a job opportunity closer to home.  Shelly & Chuck Goreth
 
Pray for clarity and trusting God's will.  Kristin Granell
 
Pray for my sister.  She is having ongoing health problems.  Barbara Leonard
 
Continue to pray for Laura Franklin.  She has ovarian cancer.  Pray for healing, strength, and salvation.  Jim & Linda Washburn
 
Pray for those who lost their lives on 9/11.  Grant peace and comfort to all the families whose lives changed on that day.  May God be in our lives and our country.  Pray for family and friends of Tom Hopkins.  Pray for family and friends battling cancer and other illnesses.  Pray for safe travel for family and friends.  Linda VanDerLeest
 
Pray for guidance in faith.  Pray for loudness of the Lord's work.  Theresa Ashley
 
Pray for my friend who is trying to find a new church.  Thank you, Melody Clementz
 
Pray for Ben to get a good paying job and Bennett to get a good test result back from doctor.  Pray the baby will be happy in the nursery so we can come more.  Ben & Chelsie Holke
 
Pray for nursing home residents, workers and my friends and for family down south that I left.  Barb Flick

Praise:  Thank you Father for all our blessings.  We praise Your Holy Name.  Al & Sharon Rowland
 
Please pray for my Dad who is bleeding internally somehow.   Jan Dallas
 

Vital Signs

ATTENDANCE
Worship September 10 & 11

6:00 56
7:30 59
9:00 179
10:30 182
TOTAL 476

Same weekend last year = 409

Wednesday Youth Services 53
Ignite = 41
Sunday School 70

GIVING
Operating Income $11,047.00
Now for Tomorrow $2,042.00
Cumulative Now for Tomorrow $358,208.25

Rev. Dr. Christopher Ritter | First Methodist Church | 309.944.2793 | [email protected] | www.peopleneedjesus.org