Weekly Messenger - November 12, 2021
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Making and nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ to serve the community and the world
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What can Frozen's Anna teach us about how to faithfully deal with grief?
Last Sunday, we remembered those we love who have died. Death is God's enemy over which Jesus has claimed victory and yet in many instances when someone we love dies it doesn't feel like a win. Death can feel like a punch in the gut, it can feel numb, it might not even feel at all, it feels like a loss. That is because it is a loss.
In that loss we can start to feel lost. Like we've come unmoored or struggling to find our way in the dark. Jesus on the cross was feeling this kind of grief when he prays and pleads Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest."
What do we do when the pain of grief closes in? I think Disney sum's up one small thing we can do when grief surrounds us. In Disney's Frozen 2, two sisters Queen Elsa and Princess Anna ... Read Rob's full message here.
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Sunday Worship Services - November 14, 2021
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Join us for our Worship Services
Indoor worship service in our sanctuary at 9:00 am
Our service are livestreamed at 9:00am
The service will be livestreamed to YouTube
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“Losing Relationship s & Community” -
The pandemic has tested our relationships and our community as schools and jobs and churches changed...some entire businesses have been lost, many jobs are done differently; we've had to learn to live and work and worship differently, and our relationships have changed with almost everyone. Where do we find support and encouragement to cope with so much change in our "networks"? How did Job do it? How do we rebuild our community?
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
During Sunday school Mike Popplewell will be teaching a few Christmas Carols to the kiddos! We will be performing these songs during Children's Time on 12/12. Julie will be sending links to the songs for everyone to listen and learn on their own if you can't make it each week to Sunday school! Come Sing with US each week!
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YOUTH GROUP
Upcoming Events
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Christmas Movie Youth Sunday School: From November 21 - December 19, both the middle school and high school Sunday classes will be watching the classic Christmas movie Home Alone during Sunday school in their respective classes. You will be surprised how much this simple movie can spark conversations about faith.
Join your family for worship on November 28 and for the Cantata on December 12. (No Sunday School)
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Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest: We will be having our second annual youth ministry Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest from 2:00-3:30 via Zoom. All 6th-12th graders are invited to participate, and the cookie mix and cookie cutters will be provided for you by our youth ministry. Check the Weekly Messenger for additional details each week leading up to December 11.
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Pen and Paper, Saturdays from 6:00-9:00 pm: Every Saturday night a group of youth gathers to play a Dungeons and Dragons-esque role-playing game called Mutants and Masterminds. They meet in the UMC Geneva library. All youth are welcome to attend, though the current regulars are primarily high schoolers. There is no cost or no sign-up necessary. Pen and Paper will not meet on November 27, December 18 and 25, and January 1.
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EVENTS AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Please take note of Messenger & Bulletin Announcement Deadlines during the holiday weeks:
Monday, November 2 for Nov. 26 Messenger and Nov. 28 Bulletin
Monday, December 20 for Dec. 24 Messenger and Dec. 26 Bulletin
Monday, December 27 for Dec. 31 Messenger and Jan 2 Bulletin
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Casting Call for Live Nativity - Looking for two groups/families from our church to volunteer!
We are looking for individuals or families who can coordinate a live nativity display on December 12 from 2-4pm at our TriCity Methodist Advent event in Engstrom Park in Batavia.
The live animals, 'baby' Jesus and the set will be provided. Your group needs to pick a 20-minute time slot and show up dressed for the part and the weather. Modern bathrobes, sheets, or towels to be a shepherd or members of the holy family are encouraged. You can also check with your church education department on the availability of any costumes. The minimum size of the group would be two (for Mary and Joseph) but can be larger and can include any nativity characters or dress-up animals. Click this link to sign up.
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Save the Date for our Annual All-Church Conference. Tuesday, November 30 at 7pm via Zoom
(6:15 pm for SPRC members via zoom)
Rev. Lisa Kruse-Safford will be the Presiding Elder for our conference this year. Let us celebrate our ministries, worship and conduct the critical business to the mission of UMCG for 2022. Zoom links and access to conference materials will be published the starting November 19.
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Our Memorial Communion service on Thursday, December 2 at 7:00pm acknowledges the grief that gets accentuated during the holiday season. Loved ones who were at our tables and joined us for special events are missing. While we send letters to those whose loved ones have died in 2021, we invite any and all who find the holidays difficult to join us. Please phone the church office, 630 232 7120 to let us know you will be in attendance and how many are coming with you.
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WORLD RELIEF - UPDATE - NEEDS
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Dear Church Members,
Thanks to all of you who attended the World Relief presentation by Chicagoland Executive Director Susan Sperry on October 24th. I recently received an update from Rev. Keith Draper, Head of the Church and Volunteer Engagement Team for World Relief. He writes..."we have now seen 23 people arrive in our Aurora office, 19 in our DuPage office, and 12 in our Chicago office. And the numbers are growing from Afghanistan and around the world, so we want to see a sustained response to the growing needs. We are now speaking about the waves of arrivals we expect over the next 6 to 9 months so churches can plan for and engage as they are able." I would add that the World Relief October Newsletter stated that, in the year ahead..."World Relief Chicagoland expects to welcome 235 Afghans and over 700 newly arriving refugees from all over the world.." To put this in perspective..."This is an increase in refugee resettlement of over 600% since 2017."
So the need remains great. My idea is to assemble at least one "kit" for a refugee family. These kits are extensive, and include basic household necessities for a newly arriving family. They include items for a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, as well as food, cleaning supplies, and miscellaneous items. I've already asked the leaders of groups within our church to spread the word and mobilize support within the groups they lead. But it's up to ALL of us to respond if we can. Please examine the Welcome Kit Lists published in the bulletins and in the Messenger to see if you could supply an item. (Bedroom sheets should be new but otherwise items can be "gently used.") Items are to be brought to the former Rt. 56 Sunday School room beneath the Fellowship Hall, (or old sanctuary), and will be delivered to the World Relief office in Carol Stream before Christmas. So let's all work together to welcome the new neighbors in our midst! Thanks to all of you for opening your hearts yet again."
In Christ,
Nancie Lillie and the Committee on Missions/Church in Society
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SALVATION ARMY - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - NEEDS
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FOOD PANTRY DONATION NEEDS FOR NOVEMBER
Coffee, tea, jelly, (not grape), and snack items (pretzels, popcorn, Triscuits, Wheat Thins, etc) and pancake mix.
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ANGEL TREE GIFTS
50 Angel Tree tags (gift buying opportunity for children served through Tri-City Salvation Army) will be available in Fellowship Hall on November 7
- Pick a tag and sign your name and contact on the sign-up sheet
- Shop for any of the suggested items (you don’t need to purchase all items listed – these are suggestions and sizes of items)
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Bag unwrapped gifts and attached Angel Tag
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Return to church no later than December 5
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GIFT CARDS
A gift box will also be located in Fellowship Hall available for collection of donations of gift cards (or money and we will purchase cards). Checks should be made payable to UMCG. What is collected will be distributed to Salvation Army, Kane County CASA, and the 2 homeless shelters we support – Lazarus House and Hesed House. Suggested range $10-$20 from Target, Walmart or Meijer. Gas cards are always welcome and teens love fast food or movie gift cards.
Questions – Contact Carolyn Sprawka 630-222-4150 or Heather Pleus 630-452-2139
Your Committee on Church in Society
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VOLUNTEER BELL RINGERS NEEDED
The Salvation Army is looking for bell ringers from Nov. 8 - Dec. 24. Scan the QR code in the flyer or go to RegisterToRing.com to find times and locations to sign up.
They appear to have 2 hour shifts so if that’s more than you think you can do – find a buddy and split between the two of you for 1 hour each.
You can also Contact Lt. Scott Smith at 630-377-2769, Ext 205.
All monies collected stay right here in the Tri-Cities.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday, November 18: Distribute boxed Turkey Dinners, 12:45- 3 pm & 2:45- 5 pm, (10 volunteers per shift.) Contact Cathy to sign up for this role.
Wednesday, December 1: Initial Toy Shop Set up, 9 am – 12 pm, (8 volunteers needed)
Thursday, December 2 thru Tuesday December 14 (exclude Saturday & Sunday):
Toy Shop Set Up: 9am - 12 pm & 1 pm-4 pm (5 volunteers per shift)
Wednesday, December 15: Help Adopt-A-Family load their gifts: 9:00-12:00 pm
(3 volunteers needed)
Wednesday, December 15: Personal Shoppers: 11:45-2 & 1:45– 5:00 pm,
(20 volunteers needed per shift)
Thursday, December 16: Personal Shoppers, 9:45 – 12 pm, 11:45-2 pm, 1:45 – 5 pm (20 volunteers needed per shift)
Friday, December 17: Personal Shoppers, 9:45 – 12 PM, 11:45-2 PM, 1:45 – 5 pm (20 volunteers needed per shift) Last 2 hours will be toy shop clean-up.
or 630-377-2769 ext 210
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Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases to the charitable
organization of your choice. Just select United Methodist Church of Geneva as your charity.
Every quarter, UMCG will be sent the amount earned from all of our purchases.
- Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
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Support UMCG by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com
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Register for ASP June 11 - 18, 2022!
Register for ASP 2022! Please fill out this quick google form to be added to our contact list, even if you're not 100% sure you can go! Our first meeting is January 23 at 3 pm. We can't wait to serve with you!
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Meet friends and build fellowship during this Advent season. Please sign up to volunteer to help with the Advent Coffee on Sunday, December 5 or Monday, December 6. Set up, coffee servers, and clean up needed Many hands make the work go faster. Sign-up sheets are posted in Fellowship Hall.
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ADULT LIBRARY NEWS
Practically Divine, (NF) Becca Stevens, (248.4) has been donated “in loving memory of our dear friend Mary Berres (6-2021), by Marie and Wayne Peterson.” The author is an Episcopal priest, president and founder of Thistle Farms, Nashville, TN. The book will be on display in the atrium in front of the adult library Sunday, November 14.
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STEEPLE WALK DECEMBER 5 - TWO VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED
The Steeple Walk Committee is looking for two volunteers to sit at a table in the Atrium from 2-2:30 pm on Sunday, December 5 to help take tickets and pass out programs. Volunteers are welcome to enjoy the concert and if they wish, to accompany a group to the rest of the performances. Please contact Kent Gallagher if you are able to help.
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SMALL GROUP SPOTLIGHT - PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
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Prayer Shawl Group
The prayer shawl group formed in the Fall of 2020 and is a small but mighty group of women. We meet on zoom or in person for an hour about once a month and bring our current knitting and crocheting to work on while we chat together. At the end of the hour we bless all the completed shawls. We pray with intentions of healing and comfort for those who will receive the shawls, as we are knitting and crocheting.
We have sent shawls to over 100 church members, friends, and family around the country, and have given them to community friends outside the church as well. Nancy Harrington has made over 100 prayer squares for several groups, including all 40 ASP team members. We took shawls to each of our six homeowners we worked with on ASP as well, and they were very much appreciated.
We have had a wonderful time on zoom and in person together. We have enjoyed chatting and forming new friendships with women from UMCG, sharing laughter, tears, and struggles together. It was a special blessing for all of us this past year during the pandemic.
We would welcome others to join us and are happy to teach knitting and/or crocheting.
ON SUNDAY WE WILL BE BLESSING PRAYER SHAWLS DURING OUR WORSHIP SERVICE.
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Each Wednesday our Rev. Mary Gay McKinney posts a devotional message to our Facebook Page at 12 pm. They are also available on our Website.
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Check out our UMCG Friday Music Feature at 12pm on Facebook!
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NEWS FROM THE UMC COMMUNITY
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Prairie Central District Prayer Initiative
Our congregation is invited to participate in a season of prayer for the 70 United Methodist Churches in the Prairie Central District over 7 weeks. Personally, each day we pray for one of the 7 churches and then congregationally, each week in worship our congregation will pray for one of the churches and their prayer concerns.
Sunday: United Methodist Church of Geneva
Monday: Elgin: Journey of Hope UMC
Tuesday: Naperville: Wheatland-Salem UMC
Wednesday: Bensenville: First UMC
Thursday: Elmhurst: First UMC
Friday: Naperville: North Central College Campus Ministry
Saturday: Cary UMC
Congregational prayer focus for the week of November 14 - Bensenville: First UMC
- Please pray for their health, vitality and outreach.
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The NIC weekly eNews is here.
Prairie Central eNews is here.
The NIC November Reporter is available here.
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SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION FOR ENEWS AND MESSENGER
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Submit information each week by Wednesday at 12pm for inclusion in Bulletin Announcements or the Weekly Messenger. Please use the submission form. This form can also be found on the sign-ups page on our website. You may also send them to communications@genevaumc.org. Information sent to this email goes to Carolyn, Debbie, and Lorie.
If you would like a thank-you included in the Weekly Messenger, we need you to request that it be shared here. Anyone sharing a thank-you should have consent before sharing with the congregation.
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Watch Online Worship Services
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211 Hamilton Street
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (630) 232-7120
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Connect with us on Social Media
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