The content in this preview is based on the last saved version of your email - any changes made to your email that have not been saved will not be shown in this preview.
Weekly Messenger - October 15, 2021
Making and nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ to serve the community and the world
WORLD RELIEF SPEAKER AND DISCUSSION - OCT 24
Dear Church Friends,
 
Like me, many of you may have been deeply disturbed by the recent turn of events in Afghanistan, resulting in the sudden exodus of thousands of refugees seeking asylum elsewhere. I know that there are critical situations happening all across the globe, and perhaps many of you may be questioning why my focus is on Afghanistan. I can only answer, without melodrama or an intention to suggest that I have a direct line to God, that I feel called to bring this situation to our attention. (If God is not calling me, then certainly his Executive Assistant is, because I simply can not get Afghanistan out of my mind.)

In any event, Susan Sperry, the Executive Director of World Relief Chicagoland, has agreed to speak to our congregation on October 24th, at 10:15 am in our sanctuary. She has also agreed to say a few words from the pulpit preceding her presentation. I am aware that World Relief is in need of many concrete items needed by these refugees, such as gift cards, furniture, household supplies, etc. English tutoring help, transportation assistance, housing, etc., are additional needs. I am also aware that this church is at its best when "pulling together" to address real needs inside of or outside of our walls. So I invite you to attend church and the discussion on October 24. 

Yours in Christ,

Nancie Lillie, on behalf of the Committee on Missions/Church in Society
Sunday Worship Services
October 17, 2021
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 and our Website
The service will be posted later on Facebook
October 17 - Pastor Rob preaches "Give," the third part of the 3-part Sermon Series "Earn. Save Give."
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events!
Oct. 24: 1st - 5th Graders will be given bibles
Thu, Oct 28: UMCG will be handing out candy during the Downtown Geneva Trick or Treating event from 2-5pm. We hope to have a bounce house has well. Invite your friends and family!
Oct. 31: Sunday School class Halloween parties. Come to church dressed up in your costumes.
We are in need of regular volunteers to staff our nursery during the 9 am service. We are looking for volunteers that can help out once every 6-8 weeks. All volunteers will need to provide information for a background check in accordance with our Safe Sanctuary policy. If you are interested in helping out please contact Julie Popplewell.
YOUTH GROUP
Upcoming Events
All Events are combined Junior / Senior High unless otherwise noted.
Oct. 24: Escape Room – 3:15pm – iPanic Escape Room St. Charles
Date TBD:  Rake and Run
Nov. TBD:  Hesed House assistance—Possible multiple dates based on Jr and Sr High requirements
Dec. 11: Cookie Decorating Contest – Time TBD – UMCG Youth/Gathering Room. We will supply the basic ingredients, you supply the creativity
Contact: Keith Rawson
  • The Escape Room event will be held on Sunday, 10/24 at the St. Charles iPanic location at 1519 E. Main St.
  • We have reserved the Last Wish room at 3:45pm. Please meet the location at 3:15pm. for check-in. 
  • The cost is $35 per person.  
  • More information can be found on the iPanic website:  www.ipanicescaperoom.com , make sure you click on the St. Charles location.
  • iPanic requires a waiver pre-signup. An online version can be found here.
  • Room size is limited, so we need to know if you plan on joining us.  Please text Beth Sacrey at 630-989-0629.
EVENTS AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
On All Saints’ Sunday, November 7, the names of our members, regular attenders, and their immediate family members who have died in the past year will be read during worship, and their picture will be projected on the screen. Please submit your loved one’s name and a photograph to the church office at [email protected] by Monday, October 25. Digital photographs are preferred, but you may submit a hard copy, which we can scan. If you have any questions about All Saints Sunday, please contact the church office at 630-232-7120.
THE CHRISTMAS CANTATA IS BACK!
Please join us for the return of our choral Christmas cantata! This year we’ll be unwrapping joy as we present selections from the Alfred Burt Carols, including such classics as “Caroling, Caroling”, “Some Children See Him” and “The Star Carol”. The cantata will be presented, accompanied by the Metropolis Oboe Quartet, on Sunday, December 12. Rehearsals begin Sunday, October 31, 10:30 - 11:30 AM in the Sanctuary. We will rehearse distanced and masked for safety. If you are a singer high school age and older, and would like to participate, you will need to sign up here or at genevaumc.org. Questions? Contact Director of Music Scott Stevenson at [email protected].
ORDER SCRIP GIFT CARDS
Orders for Scrip Gift Cards will be placed in early November for the Holidays. We will not be selling gift cards in Fellowship Hall as in the past. This will be the ONLY time we will be taking orders till the end of the year!
 For a list of participating retailers, please go to the Shop with Scrip website shopwithscrip.com/brands and you will see a complete list along with card denominations offered.

Deadline for orders - October 31, 2021. To place orders, or questions, please contact John or Mardel McNally @ 630-845-3367. Check or Cash must accompany your order.
wedding_rings_flowers2.jpg
Wedding Invitation!
Peggy Bartlein and Scott Stevenson would like to invite any members of the congregation who are interested to attend their upcoming wedding ceremony, which will be held in the Sanctuary on October 30, at 5:00 PM.
CHURCH CLEANOUT OCTOBER 16
CLEANOUT HELP REQUESTED BY TRUSTEES
We also ask that anyone available on Saturday, October 16  starting at 9 AM come to the Church to help carry the red-tagged items to a large dumpster which will be in the parking lot adjacent to the west side of the Church. There will be items large and small, heavy and light, so there will be something for everyone
UPDATED ITEMS THAT WE ARE GIVING AWAY!
We have a theatre style popcorn popper, a cabinet a table top, working computers and monitors to give away.
Priority will be give to church ministries, groups or committees that request these items.
GOT AN IDEA? - MAKE AN ENDOWMENT REQUEST
The Endowment Committee provides start-up and special request money for good ideas that help grow our ministries. Do you or your committee have an exciting new idea? If so, reach out to any of the Endowment Committee members (Patty Dahlberg at [email protected], Bill Johnson, Rita Bowgren, Jules Heinemann, or Mark Byars). We will send you a short 1-page request form that gathers a description of the idea, who will be served by it, and the amount requested.

Endowment FAQ
Where do we get the money that we give away?
The Endowment Committee Fund is funded through designated and undesignated bequests.
Where does the money go?
We distribute 5% of the fund's 3-year-average growth (this year that 5% amounted to approximately $30,500), plus we tithe 10% of the previous year's growth to Missions and Church in Society.
Where has it been distributed to recently?
So far this year, we have supported the Renovation Team with a second gift of $9,500 (we contributed the same in 2019) and tithed $4,800 to missions. Do the math! We have more to give away so please bring us your ideas!
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL
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.
Check out our UMCG Friday Music Feature at 12pm on Facebook!
NEWS FROM THE UMC COMMUNITY
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 the next 6 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 October 17th: Elgin: Journey of Hope UMC
  1. For God to instill within us the vision for Journey of Hope.
  2. For God to remove barriers and obstacles to the vision for Journey of Hope.
  3. Pray for a revival within the church as we grow in our faith and discipleship, and build relationships with each other.

The NIC weekly eNews is here.
 
The NIC October Reporter is available here.
SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION FOR ENEWS AND MESSENGER
Submit information each week by Wednesday at 12pm for inclusion in Bulletin Announcements or the Weekly Messenger.  Please use the submission formThis form can also be found on the sign-ups page on our website. You may also send them to [email protected]. 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.
Give Online
Check Our Calendar
Watch Online Worship Services
211 Hamilton Street
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (630) 232-7120
Connect with us on Social Media