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We're back on the farewell discourse in John's gospel this week. The lectionary text begins with a conditional statement of Jesus, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). As Charles Wesley (brother of John and a great composer of hymns) described in his numerous hymn lyrics, we claim "thy nature and thy name is love." We talk and hear about it all the time - songs, movies, and even at church. But what is love really? This word has become the most watered-down, cliché vocabulary in English. Is it a warm, fuzzy, affectionate feeling? Is it enthusiasm and devotion for someone or something? What does it mean when it comes down to our Christian faith and practice?
Reflecting on the passage, I thought of my first love for God as a teenager. I wanted to know more about God and what this strange Christian community called the church: 'Who is this divine being that makes these people welcome and embrace a nobody like me?' I experienced a love I never knew before and went into seminary.
Last Monday was a memorable day for United Methodist Clergy Women worldwide. On May 4th, 1956, the General Conference of the Methodist Church granted women full clergy status. I saw lots of social media posts last week among my colleagues celebrating women clergy and their ministry. I give thanks to those who said "yes" to God's calling as pioneers of faith, and to those who affirmed God's sacred calling of their colleagues.
Join our worship in person or online on this sixth Sunday of Easter and Mother's Day. Our Joyful Ringers will present beautiful bell music, and we will honor our mothers and mother figures in the service. You can watch the service online via the church website or Youtube channel.
Click here to sign in your attendance on the website. If you have joys or concerns to share, please submit them with your attendance record. It's important for us to know you were with us and stay connected in prayer.
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Silent Service Auction
This year’s Silent Service Auction brought in over $1400! A big thank you to all who donated items and service as well as everyone those who made purchases.
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Culver's Fundraiser
Hello all, THANK YOU to all who helped set up, volunteered and closed out the evening. We made the top 20% ($1400) and over $100 in tips. So our grand total as of tonight is...$1534.28. I think it's our best total in sales and donations to date!! Thank you again! - Michele Linner
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Praying Stitchers
Monday, May 11 at 1 p.m.
Praying Stitchers invites all who know how to or are willing to learn to sew, knit or crochet! Can’t make a daytime meeting? You can still participate! Sew a pillow case (we have an easy pattern). Knit or crochet a 12x12 square (or several) and one of our ladies will put them together making lovely prayer shawls. For more details, see Cheryl Fournier. Our next meeting is at church on Monday, May 11 at 1 p.m.
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Graduate Recognition
Sunday, May 17 at 10 a.m.
Join us as we celebrate and recognize our graduating students and children that are moving up. If your child or grandchild is graduating and you would like for them to be recognized, please submit their names to the church office or let Pastor Mi-Sook know.
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Send Off Party
for Pastor Mi-Sook
Sunday, May 17
Following Service
Let us come together to celebrate Pastor Mi-Sook and send her off with all our amazing memories and love as she embarks on her next adventure. To help us plan enough food for everyone, we kindly ask that you RSVP by Sunday, May 10, 2026. You may RSVP by clicking here OR fill out signup sheet at Church. As a lasting tribute to recognize Pastor Misook’s seven years of faithful service and leadership, we will plant a tree in her honor on Sunday, May 10, immediately after service.
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Chicagoland Voices will present a Spring Concert on Monday, May 18, 2026, 7:30 p.m. at Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake that will feature a wide variety of choral music including contemporary choral, spirituals, vocal jazz, and their acapella group, C16. Some composers featured include Morten Lauridsen, Elaine Hagenberg, Rollo Dilworth, Paul McCartney, Lucy Walker, Charlie Puth and many more. Tickets are $23/adult and $20/student if you buy directly from a choir member. If you buy from the box office, there are additional fees.
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We invite you to join us for a three-day Midwest Mission trip, July 12 - 14, in Pawnee, IL. We have 16 spots for our church group, and the First UMC of Woodstock team will join us. If you would like to attend, please sign up in the church lobby or call the church office.
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Minecraft VBS Day of Fun
Saturday, July 25
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sign up in the lobby and join us for a Minecraft VBS day of fun. "Putting on the Full Armor of God." We will have a special "Minecraft themed" catered lunch from 12:30 - 1 p.m.
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Monthly Newsletter
The May/June Newsletter is available for pick up. You can pick up the newsletter when you are at church. You also have the option to read the newsletter on our website or down below in our "Conference E-news and Newsletters" section. If this does not work for you, we will mail out your newsletter. Please let us know if you would like for us to take you off the mailing list. Click here to read the May/June newsletter.
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Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry is seeking valuable volunteers. The food pantry was established in 2000 to meet the growing needs of the underserved. Last year we served 12,105 clients and distributed 287,596 pounds of
food. Our gardens yielded 2,844 pounds of vegetables, herbs, fruits, & flowers. Of which, all was distributed freely. As our growing season approaches, we need volunteers to help feed our clients. Our hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. both outside and in the pantry. The work varies from day to say. We are located on Pyott Road. To contact us visit alithfoodpantry.org and scroll to the bottom. Fill in the contact information and in the message section type “volunteer gardens” or “volunteer other” and submit. You’ll be contacted within a few days. For more info please contact Algonquin/LITH Food Pantry at (847) 854-1904.
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Please talk to the Sound Team if you have difficulty hearing during the worship service. We have hearing devices available for you, and if you're already using a hearing aid with a Bluetooth function, we can make adjustments for you as well.
Stop by the sound booth to get assistance!
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Are you ready for a clean out?
We have a new addition in our parking lot - at the Northeast corner across from the bank. You can drop off gently used soft items. Please see list below. If it is full, do not leave your items outside but donate them at another time. So far we have received $712.45. All donations will go to the mission fund. Thank you!
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Ryan’s Case for Smiles is a national volunteer organization that provides handmade, whimsical pillowcases for children, to help them cope with the stress of their illnesses and injuries.
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If you are interested in sewing children’s pillowcases, for hospitals in our area, please contact Jean Jaderborg 815-508-0497.
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In the month of May we will be collecting for
Crystal Lake Food Pantry.
Items that the Food Pantry is currently in need of due to short supply from the Food Bank and other vendors:
Food Items:
Ramen Soup (all flavors)
Canned Chili (Beef or Chicken)
Canned Beef Stew
Paper Towels
Sugar
Canned Pasta
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Crackers
Toilet Paper
Bar Soap
Tea
Coffee..
Shampoo
Tooth Brushes
Tooth Paste
Adult Protein Drinks
Jelly (any flavor except Grape)
Large Juice
Pancake Mix
Oil...
Flour
Cereal (Heart Healthy)
Rice & Other Whole Grains
Facial Tissues
Size 5 and 6 Disposable Diapers!!
Gluten Free products are always a great choice!!
Additional Items that the Food Pantry seldom purchase, but can always use:
Canned Tomatoes
Condiments (Ketchup, Mustard, Relish, Mayonnaise, BBQ Sauce)
Salad Dressing
Spices
Salt & Pepper
ANYTHING IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Alternate to shopping: If you prefer to give a monetary donation, please make the check payable to Christ United Methodist Church. It is very important that you write on the memo line “Food Pantry.”
Drop off pantry items any time during office hours, Tues - Fri, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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You can now make all your donations online. Click here or scan the QR Code. You can also mail the donation to church or use EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer). The Stewardship letter and pledge cards have been mailed out. We ask that you prayerfully consider supporting the ministry of CUMC in the following year. Please bring or mail the filled out pledge card before the end of the year. Thank you! For any assistance, contact Joe Greenwood at josephgreenwood@yahoo.com .
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Please sign up on the calendar (inside the kitchen cupboard door) on a Sunday you would like to furnish a light treat and serve coffee & juice. All supplies except "treats" are at the church.
Thank you, Janet Kleckner
| | | May | June | | May 3 - Janet Graf | June 7 - | | May 10 - Janet Kleckner | June 14 - Linda Riggs | | May 17 - Send Off Party | June 21 - | | May 24 - Joe & Eleanor Kilberger | June 28 - | | May 31 - Mindy Zeppo |
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For Charlotte Letterle's brother-in-law, Mike, who is being treated for colorectal cancer
For Thelma Jones who is at Avondale Estate
For the Kilberger's friend, Gary, who is suffering with a slow growing blood cancer
For Judy Lantinen's husband, Keith, who had basal cell carcinoma on his leg and prostate cancer
For Lisa Greenwood mother, Patricia English, who is receiving chemo
For Larry Huber who is continuing his healing and recovery at home
For those who are affected by natural disasters throughout the world
For those who struggle with mental health and their families
For our local communities, our nation and our world
For peace and resolution in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict
For the grieving families and communities of gun violence
Prayers for the ceasing of state violence and the protection of all people
For this world that is in need of God's healing touch. Where there is war, bring peace; where there is despair, bring hope; and where there is division, bring unity.
For God's protection over the vulnerable and for wisdom to guide our leaders.
For us to be instruments of God's peace, to treat all people as brothers and sisters.
“Merciful God, hear our prayers!”
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We never pray alone but together as a community. We have a prayer chain, a small group of those who pray for submitted requests throughout the week. Let us pray for our church family, friends, neighbors, and our nation. Let’s draw the circle wider. Contact the pastor to join.
If you would like to keep your prayer request in beyond 2 weeks, we would appreciate if you contact the office with an update.
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Joyful Ringers Practice
Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m.
GA Meeting
Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m.
AA Meeting
Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 a.m.
Finance Meeting
Saturday, May 9 at 9 a.m.
Leadership Team Meeting
Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m.
Praise Team
Sunday, May 10 at 8:45 a.m.
Praise Team Practice
Sunday, May 10 following service
Praying Stitchers
Monday, May 11 at 1p.m.
GA Meeting
Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m.
| | Conference E-News & Newsletters | | |
Welcoming the Full Inclusion
of All People
Website: www.gocumc.org
christumcalgonquin@gmail.com
(847) 669-9009
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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