St. Charles Jazz Weekend

Concert and Worship at Baker Memorial Church

We are excited to be participating in St. Charles Jazz Weekend again this year This community event runs September 10 through 13. Find out more at stcjazzweekend.com. Here is what's happening at Baker Memorial Church:

• Sam Wyatt Quartet will perform on Saturday, September 12 from 3-4 p.m. Join us for a celebration of Miles Davis and John Coltrane centennial birthdays. The quartet includes Sam Wyatt, piano; Andy Schlinder, tenor saxophone; Mary Halm, bass and Steve Hunt, drums.
• Jazz in Worship is Sunday, September 13 at 9:30 a.m. Come early and enjoy pre-worship music beginning at 9 a.m.

Invite your jazz-lovin' family members, friends, and neighbors to this special concert and service!

Jazz Concert Needs Greeters!

Saturday, September 12

Help Baker Memorial Church welcome guests to the Sam Wyatt Quartet Jazz Concert this Saturday, Sept. 12. Greeters are needed at 2:30 PM to cover both the Cedar Avenue doors and the 4th Avenue door. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Please contact Pastor David ASAP if you can assist: 630.584.6680, pastordavid@bakermemorialchurch.org.

Monthly Men's Breakfast

Saturday, September 12 at 8:30 a.m.

Gather for food and fellowship with Baker Memorial UMC's Men's Group at 8:30 a.m. at Colonial Cafe (1625 East Main Street, St. Charles). Contact Dave Wilson and Tom Warren for more details.

New Member Inquiry Sessions

Sunday, September 13 & 27

Pastor David will hold two sessions—pick one to attend—after worship in Wesley Hall on Sundays, September 13 and 27 at 10:45 a.m. No registration needed.

Fall Blood Drive

Thursday, October 1 from 2:30-6:30 p.m.

Save a life and donate blood at our fall blood drive! Versiti Blood Center will be on-site to take your donation on October 1st. Make an appointment here. Walk-Ins are welcome.

Restock Our Baker Food and Care Pantry

Our green pantry box needs non-perishable, non-expired and portable food items: pop-tab cans of soup or stew or pasta, individually bagged chips; cookies; peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers, beef sticks; and canned tuna & chicken. (Granola & protein bars are not needed at this time.) Drop items off at the blue container outside the church office. Thank you!

United Women in Faith

Here's what's happening in September:

• Sunday, September 20 is UWF Group Picture Day. This will be done at the front of the church after the postlude. Let’s get a current picture of our group!
• Monday, September 21 at 9 a.m. is Drop-In Coffee at Maple Leaf Coffee House. Location: 1 Illinois Street, St. Charles
• Saturday, September 26 at 10 am is a Labyrinth Walk. Join us for a faith walk at the Olcott Center (Theosophical Society) in Wheaton. Location: 1926 North Main St, Wheaton
• Fall Schedule: View the full UWF schedule here.

Sunday School Begins September 20th

We warmly invite your family to grow with us in Sunday School! your Our first day of the new season calendars is September 20th. We gather every Sunday at 9:45 a.m., immediately following the Children’s Message in the sanctuary.

Interested in volunteering? Our program flourishes because of the love and dedication of our volunteers, and we would be honored to have you support our young disciples. Please consider joining our monthly rotation or our substitute list. Sign up here.

Northside Brass in Concert: Autumn Brass

Sunday, September 20 from 3-4:30 p.m.

Baker Memorial Church's resident ensemble the "Northside Brass Quintet" celebrates fall through an inspiring program featuring a blend of classical masterworks, stirring fanfares, American favorites, and contemporary works. For tickets:  https://www.northsidebrass.com/public-concerts

Worship Preview for "Jazz Sunday," September 13. 

We will add one more layer to the foundation of God's agape love in our series "Building Beloved Community." From Matthew's Beatitudes, the "blessed" are ones who both identify with and practice Jesus' way of mercy. The Apostle Paul names them as "beloved" (Philippians 4:1-9). The builders of beloved community may not be the most likely contractors but they are called, like us, to be persons of humility, curiosity, and faithfulness.

We gather for worship during Jazz Weekend! Jazz Sunday worship feature music from our extraordinary musicians: including Sam Wyatt, piano, Mary Hunt LeCuyer, vocals, Mary Halm, bass, Jack Macklin, guitar and Steve Hunt, drums. Come for pre-service music at 9 AM! In-person and online worship at 9:30 a.m. with Baker Memorial UMC

Sunday Bulletin Link for Online Church

Watching online worship LIVE? There is a link each week to a PDF copy of the worship bulletin here and on the Online Church website page, so that you can follow along.

• Click here to view the September 13th bulletin.
• Register attendance and prayer requests here.

MINISTRY MESSAGE

2026 B.G. Gross Scholarship Awarded to Students

The B.G. Gross Scholarship Endowed Fund is named in honor of the late Dr. Gross, who was the director of music and the organist at Baker Memorial UMC many years ago. The fund provides scholarships for church members seeking higher education beyond high school and for members currently enrolled in institutions of higher learning. The scholarship is supported by designated offerings to the fund given throughout the years.

On Sunday, August 30, 2026, the following Baker Memorial Church students received this year's scholarships:

• Brooke Bayless: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
• Yordanka Fanslow – Pratt: Elgin Community College
• Gavin Hunt: University of Missouri
• Kailey Kunstman: Wartburg College

The Endowment Committee invites all members to consider a gift through their will or bequest to Baker Memorial United Methodist Church. By doing so, you can support the church's mission and help us serve our community for generations to come. If you’re interested in discussing how you can include the church in your estate planning, reach out to an Endowment Committee member: Beth Nawara (chair), Steve Hunt, Greg Pratt, Steve Wright, Denise Berry, Marie Kapustka, Rev. David Aslesen or pick up a brochure near the church office. 

See More News on the Website!

• To see a list of events and programs go to the What's Happening page. Click the button below.
• See volunteer opportunities listed on our Volunteer page. Click the button below.

Ways to Give

Your donation will help provide critical support for our ongoing ministries.

• Donate online here
• Mail your donation directly to the church: 307 Cedar Avenue, St. Charles, IL 60174