Weekly News

Saturday, September 11, 8:00 am.  Come join us for this time of fellowship.

Organ Spectacular

Monday, September 13, 7:30 pm, LCCC Chapel.  Seven area church organists, including Ray Bentley, will be presenting this program which is a function of the Music Department at LCCC.  Dr. Roy Stillwell is coordinating the event.

One Service Sunday

Sunday, September 12, come dressed in your casual picnic wear to our one combined service at 10:30 am and head right over to Gordon Moore Park afterwards for our Church Picnic!   (See article below for information on the church picnic.)  We will still have our 8:00 am service at the United Methodist Village.

Picnic—SUNDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO BUY TICKETS!

It’s almost time!  Sunday, September 12, join us for our One Service Sunday at 10:30 am then head on over to Gordon Moore Park for our annual church picnic.  Lunch will begin around noon.  Kids vs. adults kickball game will begin at 1:00 and a softball game will begin at 3:30. Bingo will also be taking place following lunch.  And that’s not all!  There will also be a bounce house,  a dunk tank, face painting, a balloon artist, and other fun games.  Tickets on sale through the office or on Sunday morning in the church lobby.  Cost is $6 per person, $20 family max.  Children 4 and under are free. 

Softball:  Main Street Adult Team vs. College/Youth Team

The Adult Team will be taking on the College/Youth Team (Whipper Snappers) on Sunday afternoon September 12 during the church picnic at 3:30 pm.  We hope that everyone will come out and support and cheer on the Teams.  Rumor has it that there will be a lot of “trash talkin’” and it will be a game NOT TO BE MISSED!!!

Temporary Parish Nurse

Etta Jane Leonard has agreed to fill for Judy Wallace as parish nurse while Judy cares for her mother.   Etta Jane will be in the church office on Wednesday mornings beginning tomorrow, September 1. 

Crusaders Begins

September 8, 6:00-8:00 pm.   We will begin with supper in Wadlow Hall.   The children will sit in “family” groups and will be served.   Each group will have their own table grace.   Following the meal, two groups will be formed:   Preschool–1st grade, and 2nd -5th grade.   Each group will have their own  lesson time, craft time, and music time.   Though the teachers will be with the children the whole time, a separate team will lead the craft time and the music time.   This summer we have been able to put together an extended team which includes our Crusaders workers led by Lisa Bregenzer, Chris Hiller, our Children’s Ministry Director, our Music Department including Alison Neace and Eddie Hitchcock, as well as some new participants.   Both church vans will be used on Wednesday nights so please call the church office if your child needs a ride. 

Honduras Rummage Sale

Our Trinkets, Trash and Treasures Sale is Saturday, September 18, 8:00 am-1:00 pm.  Donated items can be dropped off at the church starting Wednesday, September 15-Friday, September 17.  For special arrangements for item collection and information, contact Greg Gelzinnis at 550-9291 or any Team Honduras member.  

Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Progress 

May God bless our members who are donating their time driving tournament participants from the motel to the tennis courts so that the St. Louis area can welcome these athletes.  Serving these athletes is truly a blessing. 

Chi Rho Nut Sales

Once again Chi Rho will be selling nuts of all sorts as a fundraiser September 12-October 3.  Proceeds benefit a variety of programs and activities in our church, community, and throughout the world.  WE DO NOT purchase any extra nuts.  Orders will be delivered before Thanksgiving—just in time or the holidays!  If you have any questions, contact Judy Kamler, 466-6814.  Thanks for your support.

Chi Rho Women’s Circle

If you enjoy meeting with other Christian women for fellowship and service projects, then come to Chi Rho women’s circle.  We meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm at the church and our activities are as varied as our members.  Our first meeting is September 9 and we’ll be planning an October outing to Methodist Village.  For more information, call Judy Kamler, 466-6814.

Blessing of the Children...

...was an inspiration.   The estimate is that about 80 children and youth came forward for a prayer, a blessing, and a gift–about 50% from the 9:00 service and about 50% from the 10:10 service.  The age range was from babies in arms to high school seniors.  This was a delightful experience, full of meaning.   Our attendance soared Sunday.   We had 128 at 9:00, 108 at 10:10 and 76 at 11:15.   If you add the 30 who attended the 8:00 service, our Sunday morning attendance was 342.  Our thanks to Donna Hahs for providing and handing out the school gifts. 

Labor Day

As we approach this Labor Day Holiday, let us be thankful for our jobs and pray for those who are looking for employment.   Please note the churc office is closed Monday, September 6 in observance.

Youth Parent Meeting

The youth parent meeting scheduled for Sept. 12 is being postponed.  Be watching for more information on a new date.

THIRST

We began Sunday night on a high note.   Our worship service included three videos that presented the topic of temptation.   We sang seven worship songs led by Steve Cox and a worship band.  Pastor Nicole began a sermon series on Luke.   She preached on the Temptations of Jesus.   She reminded us that everyone is tempted, but we can overcome our temptation by the power of God.   We had 72 in attendance.  Though most we under the age of 25, there was a wide attendance range from Middle School through retirement age.   The offering from Thirst has been designated for the House of Hope.  Thirst has grown this year in ministry.   We will worship every Sunday night to December.  Besides Pastor Nicole and Pastor Jame preaching, youth and young adults will be preaching as well.  

Attendance

Our attendance for Sunday, August 29 was 414, (Sunday morning, 342 + Thirst, 72= 414). 

Offering

Our offering Sunday was $7,236.00 general fund.  We are still behind from the summer but this 5th Sunday offering helps us.   We also received $131.32 in the loose offering for the UMM's PIE Ministry.

Women’s Bible Study

Bible study will begin Tuesday, September 7, 9:00 am.  Our study will cover the wisdom of three of the minor prophets:  Jonah, Joel and Amos. (They are called minor prophets because they are short in length, not because they aren’t important.)  We’ll discover in each book that “God takes drastic measures to get people’s attention.  He does so...because He deserves our fellowship.  No matter who we are...He will do whatever is necessary to draw us to Himself.”  Please join us as we open our eyes and hearts to God’s Holy Word.  You may purchase the $6 study guide on weekdays in the office.

Sanctuary Choir

Sanctuary Choir will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, September 8 at 6:30 pm.  We will rehearse weekly and will sing each Sunday at the 11:15 am service.  Come and join us as we sing praise to God!  If you are interested in singing, please join us for the first rehearsal or contact Alison Neace at alison@neaces.com or 462-2495 ext.230.

First Thursday Prayer and Fasting  

We will offer Holy Communion this Thursday at 7:00 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. (with pizza following the 11:45 service.)   We ask that the congregation intentionally be in prayer for the church this Thursday.  

Wesley Ringers

Wesley Ringers will begin weekly rehearsals on Wednesday, September 8, 6:00 pm.  If you would like information about the bell choir, please contact Debbie Kanyo at dkanyo@altonschools.org or 531-3865.

Wednesday Night Bible Study Starting in the Fall

A Wednesday Night Bible Study class led by Dan Nickel will start on September 15, 7:00 pm.  Historical investigations of the gospels have people assuming the Gospels are the textual work of the scribal elite.  In "Scripting Jesus," L. Michael White challenges us to read the gospels as they were intended - as performances and oral stories of faith written and rewritten by the four gospels writers with specific audiences in mind.  This class will analyze the gospel stories of Jesus in-depth through the historical lens and learn why they vary so dramatically and what that tells us about the beginnings of Christianity.  Please join us.

Bill Fester Memorial Golf Scramble

Saturday, September 25, 7:30 am, Rolling Hills Golf Course.  Register your team of 4 Sunday in Wadlow Hall.  Cost is $50 each.  Hole sponsorships are also available for $100. Questions?  See Jack Leonard.

Women’s Book Club Resumes

For those of you who enjoy reading Christian material and would like the opportunity to connect and fellowship with other women, you are invited to join a book club which meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

This fall, we will be reading and discussing a book written by Barbara Brown Taylor entitled:  An Altar in the World.  It challenges us to live each moment of our daily lives by finding the sacred beneath our feet and becoming fully aware of His presence in our world.

All women are welcome, so plan to join us on Sunday, Sept. 12 in the parlor at 6:30 p.m.  Books may be purchased through Amazon.com or any bookstore.  We will begin by discussing the introduction that evening.

If you need more information, contact Sheila Seitziner at 406-1055 or email: sheila_seitzinger@sbcglobal.net.

Thirst

Sunday, 6:00 pm.  Pastors Jame and Nicole will preach, as well as some of our youth and college students.  We invite you to come and worship Christ with us at this contemporary service.  All are welcome.  Childcare will be available.

Pastor Jame Prays for Us

Pastor Jame has begun praying over the entire congregation one by one in alphabetical order.  This week he is praying for:

Chuck, Sue and Trevor Parr

Daniel and Jessica Pascoe

Barry, Debbie, Tabi and Ali Patridge

Lisa, Bradley and Molly Pearson

Debbie Perkins

Gary and Bonnie Perkins

Lori Perkins

Ruth Perrin