Dear Church Family,

December at First U First United Church of Gridley

Open Bibles One Another Beautiful FeetSpiritual Growth Authentic Worship

United by common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

January 2014

Inside this newsletter:Pastor Andy’s Letter

Sanctity of LifeFirst U News

Milestones/AttendanceDecember Photos

Blessings, AndyPastoral Staff Andy Huette, Sr. PastorBrett Monge, Youth Director Grant Stauter, Discipleship Pastor

406 W. 7th Street, PO Box 280, Gridley, IL 61744 Phone 747-2299 web:www.1stu.org

Youth GroupsSr. High - Wednesdays 7:30 pmJr. High - Sundays 2-3:30 pm

Sunday Worship ServicesMorning Worship 9 am-10 amJ.A.M. (ages 3 - PreK) 9 am-10 am every SundayChildren’s Church (grades K-5) 9-10 am 1st & 3rd SundayCommunion and One Another lunch 4th Sunday

JAM and Children’s Church presented their program on December 15.

Near the end of 2 Timothy, Paul gives several personal instruc-tions to his friend Timothy, who is planning a visit to see him. Among these instructions, Paul writes, “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.” Paul, the apostle who instructed the church to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2), was a reader. One of the ways that he discerned the will of

God and experienced spiritual transformation was to engage with the community of faith via the written word. While reading—or even the ability to read—is not necessary to grow in the Lord, it has had a considerable means of spiritual formation for countless believers

throughout church history. For this reason, we have de-

veloped an annual routine here at First United each February in which all adults are encouraged to join a book group to read and discuss a book for the pur-pose of spiritual growth. Sign-ups for book groups will begin this morning in the fellowship

hall, where you can skim a copy of the available books and place an order for the book of your

choosing. Each group will meet four times in February during the adult Sunday School hour. There are three options to choose from this year, and depending on the group size for each book after sign-ups, there may be multiple groups per book. Enjoy!Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book About a (Really) Big Problem by Kevin DeYoung

If you haven’t read anything by Kevin DeYoung, I’d recommend making it a priority sometime this coming year. His writing style is engaging, thoroughly biblical, fair, humorous, and convict-ing. In Crazy Busy, DeYoung diagnoses the dizzying pace of 21st century life in search of sanity and a life that is faithful to Christ. DeYoung minces no words with statements like: “People call it

low self-esteem, but people-pleasing is actually a form of pride and narcissism” (35), “The people on this planet who end up doing nothing are those who never realized they couldn’t do everything” (60), and “You are in danger of letting the screen strangle your soul” (77). If you’re crazy busy, add one more thing for your to-do list: Sign up for this group today!Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of Wagging the Tongue by Matthew C. Mitchell

Resisting Gossip was one of those books that I read and thought, “I should read that book once a year for the rest of my life.” The book is full of Biblical medicine for the ever-present disease of gossip. Mitchell identifies five types of gossips from the Proverbs: The spy, the grumbler, the backstabber, the chameleon, and the busybody. I never realized how much I gossiped until I read the book! Yet, the book is not merely about pointing out our failings, it’s also a very practical exhortation of how to speak rightly, with the love of Christ, in everyday situations. If every member at First United read this book, praying along the way, I have no doubt that our church would be healthier, and more pleasing to the Lord. Gray Matters: Navigating the Space Between Legalism and Lib-erty by Brett McCracken

In his introduction, McCracken writes, “Gray areas are not our strong suit. It’s way easier to just say yes or no to things, rather than ‘well, maybe, depending . . .’” (8) and he’s right. As Chris-tians, and groups of Christians (churches, denominations, etc.), we tend to make rules to either approve or disapprove of elements of culture that Scripture would more likely deem to be a “gray area.” McCracken’s book “is not a book about making culture. It’s a book about consuming culture well: discerningly, maturely, thoughtfully” (12). The books samples four areas of everyday life: food, music, TV and movies, and alcohol, and his analysis is con-structive in becoming a discerning consumer of God’s enjoyable gifts. Gray Matters is sure to provide the kindling for animated and edifying book group discussion.

Our Little Lambs students practiced diligently for their December 19 Christmas program.

3-year old class

4-year old class

Christmas Eve Candlelight

Service 2013

2 3

Attendance & Offering12/1 293 $ 6,32712/8 231 $ 8,09412/15 306 $ 5,09312/22 317 $11,08612/29 254 $11,870

January Birthdays1 Robert Carr3 Haze Welsch4 Trent Kaupp5 Sloan Gentes 9 Sophia Allen11 Harper Deckard11 Jim Neal11 Glen Smith13 Bill Roth14 Carrie Dixon15 Katie Albritton18 Michael Rosenberger19 Caroline Wettstein19 Pearl Rinkenberger23 Megan Bridgers25 Mark Ludy26 Edith Wilson28 Aydra Richard29 Trevor Neal29 Jason Porzelius Anniversaries15 Glen & Joan Smith

Sanctity of Life Sunday

TT: What are two or three simple, practical ways that Christians can combat abortion in the course of their “ordinary” day-to-day lives?

RA: First, pray regularly for pro-life ministries, church-es, mothers, and babies. If the darkness of child-killing is to be overcome, it will require spiritual warfare, fought with humble and persistent prayer (Eph. 6:10–20).Second, we can all give regular visibility to the issue of abortion in conversations and in places such as blogs and social media. Scripture says to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves (Prov. 31:8–9). It’s vitally important that we approach subjects such as abortion in a Christlike manner, full of grace and truth (see John 1:14).

Third, spearhead a pro-life ministry in your church, or find one in your area (visit www.care-net.org) and con-sider donating time, money, equipment, clothes, and professional skills.

If you’d like more ideas of ways to help the unborn and their mothers, I share a list on our site:www.epm.org/helpunborn.

On January 26, First U will observe Sanctity of Life Sunday and hold baby dedications in our worship service that Sunday. The following is excerpted from an interview with Randy Alcorn in Tabletalk, http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/eternal-perspective.

Chris and Dana, along with Sam (3-1/2) and Alysha(1-1/2) have been in the field for a little over one year. In Chris’ words, they are “working to start new fellowships of believers among middle class Hindus in South Asia. They are dedicated to intro-ducing families to Jesus and teaching them what it means to be the people of God.”

Their first year has focused on lan-guage learning and proficiency.

They say the hardest part of living in a foreign country is the extra ef-fort needed to live every day. They

never fully understand what is going on around them due to the language barrier.

The best part is that the local people are very welcoming and friendly. They are so excited that someone would move from America to learn their foods, culture, language and tradi-tions. Chris and Dana love eating food with locals and learning from them.

Their goals for 2014 are:1. to become extremely conversa- tional in Hindi in both speaking and understanding;2. to start Bible studies and evange- listic conversations in Hindi;3. to have a definite plan for retain- ing a visa for their next term.

Meet our Global PartnersChris & Dana in South Asia

Our missionaries complete an annual survey relating their work, needs, and goals. Occasionally, they will be featured in the

newsletter so you can get to know them.

Rend CollectiveConcert

February 12, 2014

59th AnnualPancake & Sausage Day

January 25, 2014

Pancake & Sausage Day will be January 25 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Women’s Fellowship will hold a quilt raffle and bake sale.There will be no “white elephant” sale.

Tickets go on sale today. They can be pur-chased at the church office, Suzy’s Cut & Curl, or Grand Central Salon. Proceeds will benefit the July 2014 short term trip to the Dominican Re-public.

It takes many volunteers to serve. Please see Denny Foor or Todd Morrison if you don’t have a job yet.

First United supports the Caring Pregnancy Center in Pontiac. Call them at 815-842-2484 with questions about donations and volunteer opportunities.

Their address is: 202 N Main St # 2, Pontiac, IL 61764

Tickets available online atwww.rendcollective.com/tour

Covenant Sunday &Annual MeetingJanuary 19, 2014

On January 19, we will covenant together during our worship service. The an-nual meeting will take place after the service.

Coming Up!

It’s an all-you-can-eat feast!

New Library Books for Kids!Check out these new titles in the library.

Photo DirectoryWe are taking photos for our online church directory on

Sundays in January and ongoing as needed. The photos will be taken in the west foyer. When you see the photographers with the camera, stop for your photo. No appointment needed!

Printed church directories will be available for those with no online access. Questions? Please see Tiffney Palmer.

Local Outreach would like to bless each of our college students with a care package from First U. We will collect items for the kits beginning January 12 and through the month of January.

If you would like to help, please bring identical items for each student. Suggested items: food (popcorn, snack packs, instant oatmeal, mac & cheese, nutella, crackers); toiletries (toothpaste, tooth brushes, body wash, shaving cream, razors, chap stick); school supplies: (pens, paper). Please don’t

bring gift cards or home baked/ fresh goods.Parents: Please submit your student’s name

and college address to Keri at the church of-fice (email: office@1stu.org). If possible, send a recent photo to attach to their box as we collect items.

We offer this One Another opportunity to encourage, pray for, and support our college students.

The kits will be mailed in February. If you have questions, please see Becky Stoller or Pat McKey.

College Care Kits

One Another

George Muller: Does money grow on trees?Catherine Mackenzie tells the biographical story of George Mueller, Christian evangelist and director of an orphanage in Bristol, Eng-land in the 1800’s. For ages 4 -8.

Other books in this series in our library: Corrie ten Boom: Are all of the watches safe?Amy Carmichael: Can brown eyes be made blue?

Ronnie Wilson’s Gift by Francis ChanRonnie Wilson learns what Matthew 25:40 looks like in every day life. “ . . . truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” For ages 4 - 8.

Other Francis Chan books in our library:The Big Red Tractor and the Little VillageHalfway Herbert

Fool Moon Rising by Kristi & T. Lively Flu-hartyAs Amazon says: “This rhyming, rollicking tale tells of a crime of cosmic pro-portions.” Kids and adults alike will enjoy reading this

illustrated poem showing the foolishness of pride. For ages 3 and up.

Heaven God’s Promise for Meby Anne Graham LotzUsing Scripture and beau-tiful illustrations, this book explains what heav-en is like, that Jesus lives there, and how our hope

in Jesus ensures us a home there too.For ages 4-8.