American Lutheran Church, Gibson City, Illinois “Committed to Love and to Serve”

May 2019 Newsletter

From Pastor Jim Davis

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! We celebrate the Easter season with great joy, knowing that Jesus rose from the dead and promises that if we believe in him, we will have eternal life. But Jesus also wants our old self to die to sin every day, so that new life in Christ can emerge, and we can be the people that God created us to be. The

Rev. Richard Rohr has written a book called Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self, and he offers twelve ways to help each one of us get in touch with our True Self every day:

1. Control what you say and do to others. Refuse to let negative, blaming, or mean thoughts affect how you respond to others.

2. Offer an honest and sincere apology to those whom you hurt. Talk with them privately to truly understand what you did wrong or how you hurt them.

3. Your mind often replays – over and over again – the most embarrassing moments and the worst things you do. Learn what you can do in the future to better address similar situations.

Do something to correct what you did to the person or the situation that you caused.

4. Do not listen to the lies that your mind or other people say about you, for instance: You are not good enough; you are not very smart; or you are not very attractive. Replace them by identifying and focusing on your God-given gifts and talents.

5. Make it a top daily priority to deepen your connection with God. It is difficult to feel lonely or hopeless when you know the Creator of the universe is watching over you and guiding you.

6. Learn who you really are on the inside, not who others want you to be. Find out what gives you joy, and what gives you fulfillment and meaning in life.

7. Live life by choosing to give to others, rather than having them give to you. You will feel an incredible sense of satisfaction that will drive you to continue to help other people through life.

8. Do good deeds for other people. This makes people around you happier, and also gives you meaning and purpose in life.

9. Help those who are in pain, excluded, or disabled. Show compassion, understanding, and love to all in need – both those who are close to you, and complete strangers.

10. Donate money and your time to seek justice by helping people to heal and succeed in the long term. As the old saying goes: If you give a person a fish, you will feed them for a day; but after that day is over, they will need another fish. Instead, teach the person how to fish, so they can provide for themselves and teach others how to fish for themselves.

11. Your words matter, so be very careful what you say. If mean words form in your mind, do not say them with your lips; instead, speak words that are kind and true. You only have one voice; be sure that it matches up with who you really are inside.

12. L-O-V-E: Love is what keeps us going while we are here on Earth. Love your friends; love your neighbors; do not forget to love yourself; and love your enemies in the same way as well. How you treat yourself will influence how you treat everyone else. In order to live as the person that God has created you to be, you must live a life that is truly yours – and not a life that someone else has imagined for you – or that they have forced on you. Your ego must be put to death daily, in order for your truest self to grow and flourish. May you live out a life with God that is truly yours from this day forward!

People in our Prayers

Marilyn Ames has health concerns. Dick Anstrom, father of Rich Anstrom is a resident of Gibson Hospital Annex. Michael Balda, a friend of Larry Richoz is battling multiple blood clots. Tom Bennett is recovering from a serious automobile accident. He plans to return to work in Springfield on April 29th. Jerry Biggart, nephew of Bette Mohart continues to recover from a motorcycle accident and several subsequent surgeries. Carol Boyle is undergoing medical testing. Carrie Breum, grand-daughter of Frank & Margaret Stocker is teaching in Asia. Isaac Brucker is serving in the U.S. Army Airborne Unit at Fort Bragg, N.C. Lisa Buhs, daughter-in-law of Judy Buhs is battling MS. Emma Couillard, mother of Jeanette Bartells has health concerns. Pastor Jim Davis is scheduled for hip replacement surgery on April 29th. Heather Eisenhardt, grand-daughter of Bette Mohart is serving at Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago. Gabe Fairchild is battling cancer and kidney failure. Jeff Finis, cousin of Kevin Buhs is fighting cancer. Judy Friedlein, a long-time friend of Pastor Jim is battling cancer. Chuck Hay continues the long healing process of recovering from a serious leg injury. Nancy Hay is caregiver for Chuck and her father, Lou Wahls. Paul Hellyer, nephew of Kim Brucker is battling addiction. Denise Horton, a close friend of Molly Schroader is fighting cancer. Terry Hutchcraft is battling kidney disease. Dale Jones is a resident of Heritage Healthcare with dementia. Ada Kennedy is a resident of Gibson Area Hospital Annex. Drew Kirkpatrick is a former student of Kelly Tompkins who suffers from mental illness. Curtis Lindsey, grandson of Becki Reinhart has medical concerns. Nancy List is a resident of the Gibson Area Hospital Annex. Randy Long has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Jessica McCalip, a friend of Lanie Celeschi is battling Cystic Fibrosis, Osteoporosis, and arthritis. Gary McCullough is preparing to undergo treatment for colon cancer. Philip Meginnes, nephew of Carol Boyle and Ron & Carol Bielfeldt has colon cancer. Bette Mohart had her pacemaker battery replaced with outpatient surgery on April 12th. Her follow-up visit on April 18th showed the procedure was successful. Kade Nichols is a 12-year-old nephew of Evelyn Andris recovering from brain surgery. Pastor Dennis Norton of First Baptist Church has returned to Gibson City after a double-lung transplant. Our Prayer Team Members who have faithfully prayed for our congregation – and the people on our Prayer List – since October 21, 2013. Marilyn Quinn, sister-in-law of Judy Glascock is battling cancer. Allen Randecker, father of Kim Brucker is recovering from a serious fall and is battling double-vision. Jeff Randecker, brother of Kim Brucker suffers from depression. Ryan Reid, grandson of Frank & Margaret Stocker is serving in the U.S. Air Force in Japan. Steve Rhodes, son of Lois Rhodes has completed cancer treatments on his neck. Betty Rice, sister of Evelyn Andris continues to undergo physical therapy. Pastor Chrissy Salser is recovering from a successful foot surgery on April 23rd. Mary Timm has health concerns. Lou Wahls, father of Nancy Hay is a resident of Prairieview Lutheran Home, Danforth. Barb Williams is recovering from a recent fall.

Happy Birthday!

John Bielfeldt 1 Cynthia Davis 9 Judy Tjarks 25 Jordan DeFries 1 Gary Stroh 14 Wesley Mussman 27 Jared Thompson 2 Larry Bartels 16 Emily Bleich 28 Will Mussman 2 Patricia Lemke 21 Brea May 28 Chandler Gregerson 5 Rita Peters 22 Becky Craig 29 Betty Brokate 8 Bonnie Buhs 24 Betty Petersen 30

Happy Anniversary!

Mike and Wendi Zalaker 21 Gary and Peggy Lutterbie 25 Mike and Barb Bleich 24 Leo and Janna Rexwinkle 25

Graduating from 8th Grade are:

Halie Heinz, daughter of Katie Heinz; and Reagan Tompkins, daughter of Ryan & Misti Tompkins.

Graduating from GCMS High School are: Makenzi Bielfeldt, daughter of Janna & Leo Rexwinkle and John & Jessica Bielfeldt; Joshua Nuss, son of Marty & Roxann Nuss. Carol Carlson became a Great-grandma on Thursday morning, April 11th! Christian & Kenzee Krumwiede became the parents of a baby boy, Waylon Michael, at 5:13 am. Waylon weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 20 inches long. Congratulations and God’s Blessings to Carol and her family! We welcome new members Jim & Cynthia (Noland) Nagle, who joined our congregation on Palm Sunday, April 14th. They come to us from Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in rural Elliott. They both were born and raised in the Gibson City/Elliott area. They have three children – Jeff & Barb (Bily) Nagle, Jennifer & David Kessler, and John & Michelle (Tomhlin) Nagle. Their children have given them eight granddaughters and one great-grandson. Jim is retired from being self-employed in construction. Cynthia retired from nursing to retire again after 11 years at Solae (now known as DuPont) here in Gibson City. They enjoy family time, entertaining friends, and traveling often to Tennessee, since Jennifer and family live in Knoxville and John and family live in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. Jeff and family live here in Gibson City. They also enjoy winter months in Chandler, Arizona, camping, cruising and eating out when Jim does not have time to cook. Welcome Jim & Cynthia!

Thank you to Pastor Ray Lantz of First Presbyterian Church in Gibson City, and Retired Lutheran Pastor Glen VanderKloot from Springfield, Illinois, for assisting with leading our Good Friday Evening Worship Service. Pastor Glen presented his original Biblical monologue "Reflections of Peter 10 Years Later," on the ups and downs of the Disciple Peter’s life with Jesus. This was followed by the Stripping of the Altar and leaving the church in silence.

Thank you to everyone who organized, decorated,

set up, prepared and served food, cleaned up, and

joined us for a Great Breakfast and Fellowship

before our Easter Morning Worship Service!

Lilies on the Altar on Easter Sunday were given to

the Glory of God by:

Pastor Jim & Cynthia Davis in thanksgiving for our Risen Savior. Kathy Branz in loving memory of her parents, Orvin & Cleona Branz. Ron & Willy Stevenson in loving memory of Remmer & Esther Cramer. Ron & Willy Stevenson in loving memory of

Ed & Beth Stevenson. St. John’s, Sibley WELCA Circle is holding its monthly Bible study on Thursday, May 9th at 2:00 pm in St. John's Parish Hall. It is based on Psalm 145:4, “One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” For the WELCA magazine Gather’s May 2019 intergenerational devotional, the Rev. Christa von Zychlin brings us “Two Way Blessings,” a study of intergenerational relationships in Scripture. Looking at the stories of Miriam, Anna and Simeon, as well as the miracle feeding of the 5,000, we will see how God uniquely shares wisdom among each of us—and how our lives are enriched in community with all ages! A frequent Gather contributor, von Zychlin has served Lutheran churches around the world through ELCA Global Mission. She currently pastors Trinity Lutheran Church of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Kathy Fabian is leading the Bible Study and Sharon Nunamaker is the Hostess. Children from Grades K thru 6 are invited to join the Foundations of Faith Youth Class from 9:15 – 10:15 on Sunday, May 12th, before taking a break for the summer. Thank you to Julie DeFries for faithfully leading the class this past year!

Everyone is invited to join us in Parish Hall for Coffee & Conversation on Tuesday, May 21st from 9:00 – 10:00 am. Our Guest Speaker is Rob Schmitt, the CEO of Gibson Area Hospital. Cleaning House? If you find treasures that you no longer want, then set them aside for our Annual Garage and Bake Sale on August 22, 23, & 24. It is preferred that you mark your own items, but if you need help or have any questions, please contact Sharon Nunamaker (217-649-9974). This has been a good fundraiser for us in the past!

Ten Things You Will Probably Never Hear in a Lutheran Church

1. Hey! It’s my turn to sit in the front pew!

2. I was so engaged, I did not notice that your sermon went 25 minutes over time.

3. Personally, I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.

4. I’ve decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.

5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday School class.

6. Forget the denominational minimum salary suggestions; let’s pay our pastors

so they can live like we do.

7. I love it when we sing hymns I have never heard before!

8. Since we are all here, let’s start the service early.

9. Pastor, we would like to send you to this Bible seminar in Hawaii.

10. I could not find space to park outside. Praise God!

Worship Assistants – May*

Head Usher – Brad Tompkins / Assistant Usher – Rodney Schrack Altar Guild – Evelyn Andris and Liese Holsten

May 5th May 12th – Mother’s Day

Coffee/Refreshments – Coffee/Refreshments – Acolyte – Willy Stevenson Acolyte – Kim Brucker Greeters – Kevin & Julie DeFries Greeters – Carol Carlson and Asst. Minister – Jim Spangler Marilyn Riblet Reader – Jan Gill Asst. Minister – Cynthia Davis Comm. Assts. – Joyce Hutchcraft and Reader – Rylie Tompkins Willy Stevenson Comm. Assts. – Brad & Kelly Tompkins Offering Counters – Ron & Evelyn Andris Offering Counters – Darrell & Sharon Sound Tech – Ron Andris Nunamaker Sound Tech – Tom Brucker

May 19th May 26th

Coffee/Refreshments – Coffee/Refreshments – Acolyte – Willy Stevenson Acolyte – Kim Brucker Greeters – Mike & Rona Eyer and Greeters – LeEtta Bane and Lois Vetter Ron & Carol Bielfeldt Asst. Minister – Willy Stevenson Asst. Minister – Jewel Lewis Reader – Kim Brucker Reader – Rona Eyer Comm. Asst. – Julie DeFries and Comm. Assts. – Rodney Schrack and Kim Brucker Margaret Stocker Offering Counter – April Nettleton Offering Counter – Willy Stevenson Sound Tech – Tom Brucker Sound Tech – Ron Andris

Be sure to fill out an Attendance Card every Sunday morning and place it in the offering plate! This will help us keep accurate attendance records for synod reporting and contributions. It is also an opportunity to share notes or prayer requests with Pastor; and to update your contact information.

*If you are unable to attend church on the date listed, please trade with someone or find a replacement, and contact the Church Office so the

change can be noted in the bulletin. Thank you for sharing your time and talents to enhance our worship experience!

Servants United Update . . . . . . Activities happening at other churches . . . .

➢ Women’s Bible Study on Book of Revelations led by Pastor Chrissy Salser at

the home of Cheryle Hudelson, 1307 Navaho, Pontiac, IL – will resume meeting

every Friday at 9:30 am after Pastor Chrissy recovers from her recent foot

surgery.

➢ AWANA Club, outreach program of four churches in Cornell for young children,

beginning soon from 5:30 – 7:07 p.m., on Sunday evenings for 1 ½ hours,

Community Lutheran Church (Cornell).

➢ Bible Study, 8:30 a.m., 2nd Wednesday of the month at Old Log Cabin for

breakfast, then to announced location for Bible Study, Community Lutheran

Church (Cornell).

➢ Quilting, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m., 1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesdays of the month, Community

Lutheran Church (Cornell).

➢ Quilting, 9:00 – Noon, 4th Monday and 4th Tuesday, St. Peter’s ELC (Dwight).

➢ Food Distribution and serve food to families, 3:00 – 5:30 p.m., 1st Monday of the

month; unload trailer of food from Midwest Food at Noon, St. Peter’s Evangelical

Lutheran Church (Dwight).

➢ “Sing for Joy” from St. Olaf College (MN) from 7:00 – 7:30 a.m. each Sunday

morning on WGCY 106.3 in Gibson City, sponsored by St. John’s Evangelical

Lutheran Church (Anchor).

➢ “Moments of Grace” radio program featuring Pastor Jim Davis of Servants United

on WGCY 106.3 in Gibson City broadcasts every Sunday morning from 7:30 –

7:45 a.m., American Evangelical Lutheran Church (Gibson City).

➢ Quilting, 9:00 – Noon, 2nd Wednesday of the month, American (Gibson City).

The next Pulpit Exchange will be held on May 19, 2019:

Community LC (Cornell) & St. Peter’s ELC (Dwight): Pastor Ruth Hansen

St. John’s ELC (Sibley) & American ELC (Gibson City): Pastor Chrissy Salser

Trinity LC (Chenoa) & St. John’s ELC (Anchor): Pastor Jim Davis

May 2, 2019 is

Mother’s Day

May 12

American Evangelical Lutheran Church – Gibson City, Illinois

Church Council Minutes March, 2019

The American Lutheran Church Council did not meet in the month of March, 2019. Two online approvals were done. On March 6, 2019, President Mike Eyer sent the following email to Council members:

Hello everyone...Gerry informed me that Greg from Digital Copy stopped by the church to check some things on our copy machine. He said our existing model is having more problems than other copy machines although ours is not having problems at the present time per Gerry. We can get a new machine which runs 30 pages per minute instead of 25 pages per minute which our present copier runs and our monthly bill would drop from $296.67 per month to $292.00 per month (more pages for less dollars). The $292/month would be a 60-month lease and will stay at that price for the entire 60 months. We consistently have overage charges on our current copier; Gerry thinks we could maybe get a refund for unused pages if we go with the new plan. Current C2225 Lease $156.22 Base Service $ 93.00 Overages $ 47.45

$296.67 Per Month COMPARE TO: C3530i II Lease & Service $292.00 **Includes all of existing volume to prevent any overages. Since we are not having a council meeting until April -- this has to be finalized before the end of March. Please read the attachments below and give me your opinion and your vote at your earliest convenience. Thank you, Mike

An online vote was done and majority approval was given to update the lease with Digital Copy. On March 26, 2019, Pastor Jim Davis moved to approve the 2/20/2019 Council meeting minutes. An online vote was done and a majority vote approved the 2/20/2019 Council meeting minutes. Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Bielfeldt Secretary

THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED BY CHURCH COUNCIL ON APRIL 17, 2019.

May 2018 1 Wednesday

2 Thursday Prayer Team – Comfort Room – 1:00 pm

3 Friday

4 Saturday

5 Sunday** Worship – 10:30 am Servants United Council Meeting – Trinity Lutheran, Chenoa – 2:00 pm

6 Monday DAR Luncheon – Parish Hall – 12 noon

7 Tuesday

8 Wednesday Quilting – Parish Hall – 9:00 am

9 Thursday Northeast Conference Pastor’s Meeting – St. Paul’s, Forrest – 9:00 am WELCA Bible Study – St. John’s Lutheran, Sibley – Parish Hall – 2:00 pm Little Achievers 3’s Spring Program – 10:00 am

10 Friday

11 Saturday Open House – 80th Birthday Celebration for Gary Stroh – Parish Hall – 1:00 to 3:00 pm

12 Sunday** Mother’s Day Foundations of Faith – 9:15 to 10:15 am Worship – 10:30 am

13 Monday

14 Tuesday Little Achievers 4’s Graduation – 7:00 pm

15 Wednesday Church Council Meeting – 6:30 pm – Parish Hall

16 Thursday Pastors Prayer Meeting – 8:30 am Little Achievers Last Day of School for 3’s – class picnic Prayer Team – Comfort Room – 1:00 pm

17 Friday Little Achievers Last Day of School of 4’s – class picnic

18 Saturday

19 Sunday** Worship – 10:30 am – Pulpit Exchange – Pastor Chrissy Salser

20 Monday

21 Tuesday Coffee & Conversation – 9:00-10:00 am – Rob Schmidt – GAH CEO

22 Wednesday

23 Thursday Pastors Prayer Meeting – 8:30 am

24 Friday

25 Saturday

26 Sunday** Worship – 10:30 am - Baptism of Woods Lassiter

27 Monday Memorial Day

28 Tuesday Pastor at Ford County M-Team Meeting – Noon

29 Wednesday

30 Thursday Pastors Prayer Meeting – 8:30 am

31 Friday

** Each Sunday, tune in to WGCY Radio, 106.3 FM for “Sing for Joy” from St. Olaf College (MN) from 7:00 – 7:30 am, sponsored by St. John’s, Anchor; and “Moments of Grace” featuring Pastor Jim from 7:30 – 7:45 am, sponsored by American, Gibson City.

31st Annual Synod Assembly ~ June 7-8-9, 2018

The I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, IL

Let Pastor Jim or Gerry know if you are interested in attending as a representative of Servants United Parish.

St. John's Lutheran Church Anchor

Presents

The St. John's Players in

Dinner Theater for Both Shows Saturday June 8, 2019 Doors open 6:00 Curtain 7:30

Sunday June 9, 2019 Doors Open 12:00 Curtain 1:30

Adults $20.00 12 & Under/ 62 & Over $15.00

For Reservations Contact Jeff Dowell

Call/Text (309) 369-4395 Email: jeffreyjtd@yahoo.com

American Lutheran Church

905 East First Street Gibson City, IL 60936 217-784-4841 americanluthgc@sbcglobal.net www.americanlutherangc.com

Office Hours: Gerry – Tue, Wed & Thurs – 9 am – noon

Pastor Jim – Thursday – 9 am – noon / Other times by appointment (Pastor’s day off is Monday)

Church: 217-784-4841 / Parsonage: 217-784-5444 / Cell 309-826-4968

May 2019 Newsletter Pastor – Jim Davis

Parish Secretary – Gerry Gallagher President – Mike Eyer

Vice President – Jim Spangler Secretary – Barb Bielfeldt

Treasurer – Darcy Thompson Financial Secretary – Lori Buhs

Deacon – Rona Eyer Parish Education – Darlene Kane

Trustee & Council Representative – Gary Lutterbie Trustees – Mike Peters and Rodney Schrack