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Worship Updates
Sunday, September 18, 9AM “Forgive Us Our Debts,” Luke 16:1-13. A lesson from Jesus on debt forgiveness and the power of money to control us if we aren’t careful.
Next Sunday, September 25, 9AM “The Gulf is Crossed,” Luke 16:19-31. Does how we treat those like poor Lazarus who sit at our doorsteps and who eat the crumbs from our tables have an eternal impact? The Rich Man finds out the hard way. Don’t be like him.
ONLINE WORSHIP CHANGES: Facebook no longer offers live video premiere. Our recorded service will still be available at 9:00 AM on our Facebook page, but worshippers don’t have the ability to make comments in real time anymore with others who are watching. We recommend switching over to our Church First UMC YouTube Channel to watch as a video premiere. However, in order to make comments while watching the video, you will need to have a YouTube/Google account (just like you need a FB account to comment on Facebook).
TO LISTEN ON THE RADIO: If you are not able to attend or watch online, tune into WLBK radio (1360AM, 98.5FM or www.wlbkradio.com) Sundays at 9 AM. This recording will also be available on our website (www.firstumc.net) under the “Worship” tab by Tuesday or Wednesday following each service.
Sunday School classes are held the 2nd through 5th Sundays at 9 am (September through May). Enroll your Preschool through High School child(ren) in Sunday school at https://firstumc.net/sunday-school-enrollment/.
Miscellaneous Updates
Church Office hours are Monday through Friday 9 am until 4 pm. Bookkeeper’s hours (subject to change): Tuesdays 1 to 2 pm, Wednesdays 5:30 to 8:30 pm.
STAYING CONNECTED We continue to pray for each other and to reach out with phone calls and cards. The First UMC prayer chain ministry is still very active. If you have a prayer need, please contact Linda Buhr ([email protected]) and she will pass the prayer request along to the prayer warriors
United Women in Faith General Unit Meeting – Postponed Due to COVID exposure at church meetings, the UWF meetings for Thursday, September 15, will be cancelled and rescheduled for Thursday, October 20.
Mission Possible – Healthy Kids Day Event Attention Mission Possible youth who are helping with Healthy Kids Day. Please meet at the Kishwaukee Family YMCA on Saturday, September 17, at 11:30 am in the main lobby with your completed permission form (contact Sherry at [email protected] if you need the form).
Youth Group meets monthly and is open to all Middle School and High School youth. Our next gathering is this Sunday, September 18, at 6:00 p.m. at the Goodrich home (contact Sherry at [email protected] for directions). We will have NERF® gun wars (bring your guns and ammo) and a bonfire. Hot dogs, chips and s’mores will be provided. Feel free to bring any snacks to share and a lawn chair.
Mission Possible 2023 Trip Sign-up All youth who are interested in attending or learning more about the 2023 Mission Possible Youth Mission Trip should attend the sign-up session on Monday, September 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the church dining room. Please bring at least 1 parent with you and bring your $50 deposit to reserve your place. The trip plans and fundraising and other activities happening over the next nine months will be explained. If you have friends or family members interested in going next year, please make sure they attend Monday’s meeting as well.
College Care Packages Christian Education is once again sending cards and small care packages to college-age young adults throughout this school year. Some ways you can help:
- Pray that God will continue to work through these amazing young adults
- Make a donation of $20 to FUMC Christian Education—this is the approximate cost per person to send him/her items throughout the year
- Provide information of a college-age student or young adult taking a different path that you would like to have added to our list of recipients (Name of young adult, birthday, address, school attending—including year in school, OR plans for the year, please also include your name and contact information) [A form is available in the August and September Messenger newsletters and bulletins]
First UMC Benefits When you Shop Online: Your online shopping can mean extra dollars for the church. Shop through UMCmarket, powered by iGive, (https://www.iGive.com/HyigyzS or download the iGive App for iPad/iPhone or Android). UMCmarket will donate to the church a percentage of every purchase through thousands of online retailers. Or shop through AmazonSmile (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2275713 or download the AmazonSmile App in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android. AmazonSmile works just like Amazon. Open the app and find ‘Settings’ in the main menu. Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on Amazon Smile on your phone. Log in using your Amazon log in credentials.
Financial Support
Thank you for your generosity! You are the vital link to mission and ministry at First UMC of DeKalb and because of your faithful giving our church is active and effective Here are some options for sharing your gifts:
In-person: Offerings will be received as you enter and/or exit the sanctuary.
Use our eGiving platform (a link can also be found on our church website – bottom of any page) to make electronic gifts. Here’s a video tutorial to learn how to give online.
Download our GIVING APP onto your smartphone! Make your online giving easier by downloading the church’s new online giving app here: https://ncs.ministryone.com/landing/qnbe or look for the App Store and Google Play icons at the bottom of our website.
Mail checks to the church at 317 N. 4th St., DeKalb, IL 60115. (Please do not mail cash.)
Donate on Facebook. Click the “Donate” button on our cover photo. All contributions made through Facebook are applied to the general fund giving. Designations cannot be made to specific funds.
Below are some of the ministries and missions you can choose on our eGiving site (please indicate which area you wish your check to support if mailing in your gift). You do not need to set up an account with eGiving, you are welcome to give as a ‘guest’.
GENERAL FUND Gifts to the general fund cover basic costs of doing ministry. Although we are not present in worship together, we still need to receive your offerings to meet basic needs like paying the electric bill so we can continue to live stream. This is also the fund to select for your annual pledged giving.
BUILDING FUND You are invited to partner with us to “Help Build The Future” as we continue the fund raising effort for construction of our new building.
SPARE CHANGE MINISTRY The emphasis for the third quarter is on doing rather than giving. Should any loose coins be received in the offering plate throughout July, August and September they will be placed in the Missions Ministry fund for use as needs arise. Watch the Messenger newsletter for upcoming Spare Change recipients. If giving by check or paper bills, or if you wish your coin contribution to appear on your quarterly contribution report indicate “Spare Change” on your check or offering envelope. Foreign currency cannot be accepted.