Our church newsletter, "Monticello E-News," is distributed each week by email and posted here on our website. A limited number of printed copies are available at the Connection Point for those without email. To be added to the mailing list for the church, just click here for the quick sign-up form. |
E-News Archives
E-News for July 19, 2013
In this Week's Monticello E-News
Church-Wide News For members, long-time visitors, and first-timers too! Greetings from Pastor Rob Jesus said, "Let the little children to come unto me." This week, Monticello UMC does the same! On the heels of an incredible youth retreat for our teenagers, Vacation Bible School begins on Monday! Then, in just 6 weeks, we begin brand new children's programming on September 8. As your pastor, I am so proud of all of you as a church for volunteering, serving, decorating, and doing everything God calls the church to do to share God's love with our youngest disciples! As a church, we offer our thanks to all of you for your service and hard work for our children! And, another special welcome to Courtney Felzke, our new director of student ministries for the vision she brings. Grace and peace,  Last week, we had outstanding worship attendance for the beginning of our "Modern-Day Superhero" series. This week, we continue considering who the "superheroes" of our faith really are--those that inspired you, and motivated you to connect with Jesus Christ. And, in doing so, we remember the the only real superhero in our faith is Jesus Christ. Join us as we continue "Modern-Day Superheroes" this weekend! Potluck Reception at Church Tomorrow The church-wide potluck reception for Pastor Erin Lindsey Muckleroy and her new husband is TOMORROW, Sunday, July 21 in Fellowship Hall. Bring a dish to share celebrate the new marriage of our associate pastor. Everyone always asks--do we bring a gift? She's registered at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond if you would like to bring a gift. But, don't feel any pressure to do so! This is just a time to celebrate and Fellowship.
It's time for the "Everywhere Fun Fair" at Vacation Bible School 2013. Did you miss registration? It's not too late, but sign-up today to join more than 45 children at VBS. Sign-up here today. Parents, if you are bringing children to VBS and registered for a meal, then come at 4:50pm. If you are coming after the meal, arrive by 5:15pm to sign-in your child so they can begin on time at 5:30pm. Your children's safety is the most important thing. So, remember to bring your wristband when you pick-up your children at 8:00pm. If your child is car pooling with someone else, be sure the name of the person picking them up is on their file. You can make edits to the list when you drop them off. Join us, it's going to be an "Everywhere Fun Fair!" Serve Children in Foster Care on August 3 On Easter Sunday, you as a congregation entered into a partnership with Spofford Home, a residential treatment facility for children. You gave nearly $5,000 to Spofford Home as a special gift and, as a church, we planned to work on the facility so children in care might have a bright, colorful place to live. On August 3, Monticello UMC will send a mission team to paint 5 school rooms at Spofford Home. The painting happens between 8:00am and 2:00pm. If you want to car pool from Monticello, arrive by 7:10am for a 7:20am departure. More information, including registration information, is available here. Learn About Homeless Ministry and Share a Meal on August 1 On Thursday, August 1, at 6:00pm, join us as we learn about ministry to those who are homeless. We'll share a salad supper and a presentation from Grand Avenue Temple and learn about the challenge of homelessness, and how we can help from those that serve on the front lines on the streets of Kansas City. Get more information here. Sponsored by United Methodist Women, this event is open to everyone of all ages and genders. Come, learn how God can use you! Student Ministry News News just for families with children, youth, teens, and those who are college-age Youth to Worlds of Fun on August 10 Our youth group, "The Well," is headed to World's of Fun on August 10. If you are in grade 6-12, join us for an awesome day of fun, ministry, and great rides!! Learn more here. All New Children's Worship at 10:30am Beginning September 8 Parents, do you struggle with your children in worship? Well, Monticello has created an opportunity just for your little ones! Beginning September 8, 2013, we'll start a new "Children's Worship" during the 10:30am service. Mom and dad, you just bring your children age 4 through grade 5 to church. They sing with us an opening couple songs. Then, they come forward for JAM Time during worship. Afterwards, they'll be escorted to the newly remodeled children's center for 40 minutes of worship just for them. Together, they'll sing songs and experience music videos just for them!!! Then, they'll have a snack and break into small groups for "Godly Play," an interactive story-telling opportunity to play and experience God. That leaves mom and dad to worship in the sanctuary. Joyful Noise Children's Music Begins September 8 Do you have children who are age 4 through grade 5? Then Joyful Noise is just for them! This awesome new opportunity for children begins September 8 and will be a time to learn about God through music. We'll sing, act, and play handbells and handchimes. Together, we'll put on a Christmas musical and lead worship about 5 times during the year. Parents, you can come too if you want. Joyful Noise is coming soon!!! Don't miss it!! Stay Connected How to stay connected with what's happening at church Be the Change through the Prayer Chain Our updated prayer chain is now in full operation. Each week (and sometimes more often for emergencies), prayer chain participants receive an email with the current prayer needs appropriate for the public. Sign up today by emailing Cindy Hedges, our administrative assistant, and join us a we BE THE CHANGE through prayer. Join us on Facebook Join our church-wide Facebook group today and keep up to date. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/ For all those in student ministries or who have children in student ministries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/groups/246653995432259/ Our page is also open to everyone with some basic information on it. It's here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/pages/Monticello-United-Methodist-Church/120618051284527 Thanks! Thank you to so many, including these...
Mark these Special Dates Ahead See the details of these events on our church calendar.
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E-News for July 4, 2013
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In this Week's Monticello E-News
Church-Wide News
For members, long-time visitors, and first-timers too! Greetings from Pastor Rob Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! Have you ever relied on something for a long time and then had it fail, only to learn what you are used to no longer exists? We had that experience this week. After 23 years, our refrigerator finally gave out so it was off to look for a new refrigerator. But, do you know something? Today's refrigerators are nothing like those on the market 23 years ago!! Today's refrigerators are full of LED's, new cooling systems, built-in touch screens, and even the ability to send a shopping list to my phone over the internet. How odd!! After all, who really needs a WIFI connected refrigerator anyway? Well, we opted not to go with that model. But, it made me really think about the church in today's culture. We are challenged to make disciples, but sometimes it's hard for us to embrace the ways we connect with a new generation. After all, for those of us who have been in church for many years and even decades, "church" seems to be changing. We probably do not need a WIFI refrigerator in the new kitchen to be relevant, but the methods for church today seem to be shifting. And, we as a church are challenged to shift with them. But, it's an easy tendency for us sometimes to think that because the "new" methods are here, it just mean the "old" methods (and perhaps those that employ them) are no longer as important. As your pastor, I would suggest to you that is far from the truth. The timeless wisdom and teaching of Jesus Christ is just as important today as it was 2,000 years ago. Yes, it may come to us in an IPad with retina display today instead of in a book. The method has changed. But what is behind that method, our faith, does not change at all. So, in those moments when you feel the world is changing too fast (like I did with our refrigerator), know that God still has a purpose for all--young, old, and anywhere in the middle. Our context is changing, but YOU are just as important in spreading the message of Jesus Christ. May God bless you as you bless others! Grace and peace,
Throughout the last several weeks, we have been exploring our "Dreams" together and asking the question, "What is God calling us to do and to be in 2013-14?" It's an important question for us as a church as we seek to live into God's calling for us as a people of God. Throughout the series, we have heard the state of the United Methodist Church from Pastor Rob, then a challenge to reach a new generation from Pastor Erin, followed by a message challenging the church across the world to change and adapt to a changing context from our district superintendent, Rev. Mike Chamberlain. But, throughout the series, we have prayerfully considered our own dreams. We've turned those in on paper and our team has considered each and every one of those dreams. This weekend, join us in worship as we share the next steps as a people called Monticello United Methodist Church. We'll share some key strategic objectives for the church going forward and the specific ministry areas on which we'll focus together. Our own Deb Umbarger will serve as our special musician this week. Her music will help you grow more closely to God! We sure hope to see you for this informative and inspiring weekend of worship. Disaster Response from Monticello UMC--Questions Answered Over the past few weeks, we have been sharing with you the ways in which you can help with disaster relief in Oklahoma and Western Kansas. Thanks to our teachers today, Monticello has experienced a highly successful Basic Disaster Response class. With a dozen people in attendance, we as a community will be more ready to respond when called. Monticello will be forming teams with the conference to serve in upcoming months. We hope you will be there! Some quick answers to common questions? What class must you complete to serve on a mission team to a disaster area? Answer--You need a Basic Disaster Response class. Your certification is valid for 3 years from the date you took the class. Many of you took a class here in August of 2011. That certification is still valid. If you are unsure, contact Cindy.Hedges@getGOD.info and she can tell you if you are certified. Do I need anything else? Answer--Yes, by Conference policy, all disaster team members must also be Safe Gathering certified. You can begin that process at this link. If you need a scholarship for the $30 background fee, contact Kendra.Taylor@getGOD.info and she will help you with the process. What if I am not able-bodied enough to go? Answer--As a church, we will provide ways everyone can serve. That will include small children offering their prayers and artwork as well as senior adults writing cards and helping prepare meals for the team. Everyone can be engaged in disaster relief whether or not you can physically move debris or not.
Several volunteers from Monticello served children and their families at Old Shawnee Days. Over the course of 10 hours in 2 days, our volunteers helped children prepare free crafts. In just a couple days, our volunteers reached over 100 children and their families, and offered them an invitation to summer and fall ministry opportunities for families. Thanks to all our volunteers, led by Janet Williams, for their hard work! Reception for Pastor Erin and her Hubby Did you notice Pastor Erin's name got much longer? "Pastor Erin Lindsey Muckleroy" is now hitched!! Join us for a reception on July 21, 2013 right after worship. Bring a dish to share as we'll have a potluck and a time to celebrate the new marriage of our fantastic associate pastor. Everyone always asks--do we bring a gift? She's registered at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond if you would like to bring a gift. But, don't feel any pressure to do so! This is just a time to celebrate and Fellowship. Student Ministry News
News just for families with children, youth, teens, and those in college
Youth Scavenger Hunt Tomorrow, includes our 4-5th graders! Have you just finished grades 4-12?? Then you'll want to be a part of the youth scavenger hunt on Sunday, June 30. Check out more info here, and contact Courtney to sign-up or just let us know at church tomorrow. All New Children's Worship at 10:30am Beginning September 8, 2013
Parents, do you struggle with children in worship? Well, Monticello has created an opportunity just for your little ones! Beginning September 8, 2013, we'll start a new "Children's Worship" during the 10:30am service. Mom and dad, you just bring your children age 4 through grade 5 to church. They sing with us an opening couple songs. Then, they come forward for JAM Time during worship. Afterwards, they'll be escorted to the newly remodeled children's center for 40 minutes of worship just for them. Together, they'll sing songs and experience music videos just for them!!! Then, they'll have a snack and break into small groups for "Godly Play," an interactive story-telling opportunity to play and experience God. That leaves mom and dad to worship in the sanctuary.
Joyful Noise Begins September 8, 2013
Do you have children who are age 4 through grade 5? Then Joyful Noise is just for them! This awesome new opportunity for children begins September 8 and will be a time to learn about God through music. We'll sing, act, and play handbells and handchimes. Together, we'll put on a Christmas musical and lead worship about 5 times during the year. Parents, you can come too if you want. Joyful Noise is coming soon!!! Don't miss it!!  Vacation Bible Camp 2013 UpdateTime's running out!! Sign-up today for Vacation Bible Camp 2013. Get more information about VBC, sign-up a child, or sign-up to volunteer today here. We are also looking for parents to help donate. Just grab a card in fellowship hall for the item you want to provide. Cabins, Cookouts, Smores, and Tubing on the Lake--Youth Retreat 2013
If you have just finished grades 6-12, this is for you!! It's almost here and we need you to register now if you don't want to miss out on this awesome summer bash! The retreat is July 12-14. For more information and to register, click here.
College-Aged Ministry Kickoff on July 9
Our director of Student Ministries, Courtney Felzke, has been hard at work contacting our college-aged students. Are you somewhere between the end of high school about your mid-20's? If so, you are an important part of our body of Christ! Join us for a get together on July 9. Interested? Contact Courtney today and plug in with our new young adult group. Stay Connected
How to stay connected with what's happening at church Be the Change through the Prayer Chain Our updated prayer chain is now in full operation. Each week (and sometimes more often for emergencies), prayer chain participants receive an email with the current prayer needs appropriate for the public. Sign up today by emailing Cindy Hedges, our administrative assistant, and join us a we BE THE CHANGE through prayer. Join us on Facebook
Join our church-wide Facebook group today and keep up to date. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/ For all those in student ministries or who have children in student ministries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/groups/246653995432259/
Our page is also open to everyone with some basic information on it. It's here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/pages/Monticello-United-Methodist-Church/120618051284527
Thanks! Thank you to so many, including these...
Mark these Special Dates Ahead See the details of these events on our church calendar.
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E-News for June 28, 2013
In this Week's Monticello E-News
Church-Wide News For members, long-time visitors, and first-timers too! Greetings from Pastor Rob Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! Have you ever relied on something for a long time and then had it fail, only to learn what you are used to no longer exists? We had that experience this week. After 23 years, our refrigerator finally gave out so it was off to look for a new refrigerator. But, do you know something? Today's refrigerators are nothing like those on the market 23 years ago!! Today's refrigerators are full of LED's, new cooling systems, built-in touch screens, and even the ability to send a shopping list to my phone over the internet. How odd!! After all, who really needs a WIFI connected refrigerator anyway? Well, we opted not to go with that model. But, it made me really think about the church in today's culture. We are challenged to make disciples, but sometimes it's hard for us to embrace the ways we connect with a new generation. After all, for those of us who have been in church for many years and even decades, "church" seems to be changing. We probably do not need a WIFI refrigerator in the new kitchen to be relevant, but the methods for church today seem to be shifting. And, we as a church are challenged to shift with them. But, it's an easy tendency for us sometimes to think that because the "new" methods are here, it just mean the "old" methods (and perhaps those that employ them) are no longer as important. As your pastor, I would suggest to you that is far from the truth. The timeless wisdom and teaching of Jesus Christ is just as important today as it was 2,000 years ago. Yes, it may come to us in an IPad with retina display today instead of in a book. The method has changed. But what is behind that method, our faith, does not change at all. So, in those moments when you feel the world is changing too fast (like I did with our refrigerator), know that God still has a purpose for all--young, old, and anywhere in the middle. Our context is changing, but YOU are just as important in spreading the message of Jesus Christ. May God bless you as you bless others! Grace and peace,
Throughout the last several weeks, we have been exploring our "Dreams" together and asking the question, "What is God calling us to do and to be in 2013-14?" It's an important question for us as a church as we seek to live into God's calling for us as a people of God. Throughout the series, we have heard the state of the United Methodist Church from Pastor Rob, then a challenge to reach a new generation from Pastor Erin, followed by a message challenging the church across the world to change and adapt to a changing context from our district superintendent, Rev. Mike Chamberlain. But, throughout the series, we have prayerfully considered our own dreams. We've turned those in on paper and our team has considered each and every one of those dreams. This weekend, join us in worship as we share the next steps as a people called Monticello United Methodist Church. We'll share some key strategic objectives for the church going forward and the specific ministry areas on which we'll focus together. Our own Deb Umbarger will serve as our special musician this week. Her music will help you grow more closely to God! We sure hope to see you for this informative and inspiring weekend of worship. Disaster Response from Monticello UMC--Questions Answered Over the past few weeks, we have been sharing with you the ways in which you can help with disaster relief in Oklahoma and Western Kansas. Thanks to our teachers today, Monticello has experienced a highly successful Basic Disaster Response class. With a dozen people in attendance, we as a community will be more ready to respond when called. Monticello will be forming teams with the conference to serve in upcoming months. We hope you will be there! Some quick answers to common questions? What class must you complete to serve on a mission team to a disaster area? Answer--You need a Basic Disaster Response class. Your certification is valid for 3 years from the date you took the class. Many of you took a class here in August of 2011. That certification is still valid. If you are unsure, contact Cindy.Hedges@getGOD.info and she can tell you if you are certified. Do I need anything else? Answer--Yes, by Conference policy, all disaster team members must also be Safe Gathering certified. You can begin that process at this link. If you need a scholarship for the $30 background fee, contact Kendra.Taylor@getGOD.info and she will help you with the process. What if I am not able-bodied enough to go? Answer--As a church, we will provide ways everyone can serve. That will include small children offering their prayers and artwork as well as senior adults writing cards and helping prepare meals for the team. Everyone can be engaged in disaster relief whether or not you can physically move debris or not.
Several volunteers from Monticello served children and their families at Old Shawnee Days. Over the course of 10 hours in 2 days, our volunteers helped children prepare free crafts. In just a couple days, our volunteers reached over 100 children and their families, and offered them an invitation to summer and fall ministry opportunities for families. Thanks to all our volunteers, led by Janet Williams, for their hard work! Reception for Pastor Erin and her Hubby Did you notice Pastor Erin's name got much longer? "Pastor Erin Lindsey Muckleroy" is now hitched!! Join us for a reception on July 21, 2013 right after worship. Bring a dish to share as we'll have a potluck and a time to celebrate the new marriage of our fantastic associate pastor. Everyone always asks--do we bring a gift? She's registered at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond if you would like to bring a gift. But, don't feel any pressure to do so! This is just a time to celebrate and Fellowship. Student Ministry News News just for families with children, youth, teens, and those in college Youth Scavenger Hunt Tomorrow, includes our 4-5th graders! Have you just finished grades 4-12?? Then you'll want to be a part of the youth scavenger hunt on Sunday, June 30. Check out more info here, and contact Courtney to sign-up or just let us know at church tomorrow. All New Children's Worship at 10:30am Beginning September 8, 2013 Parents, do you struggle with children in worship? Well, Monticello has created an opportunity just for your little ones! Beginning September 8, 2013, we'll start a new "Children's Worship" during the 10:30am service. Mom and dad, you just bring your children age 4 through grade 5 to church. They sing with us an opening couple songs. Then, they come forward for JAM Time during worship. Afterwards, they'll be escorted to the newly remodeled children's center for 40 minutes of worship just for them. Together, they'll sing songs and experience music videos just for them!!! Then, they'll have a snack and break into small groups for "Godly Play," an interactive story-telling opportunity to play and experience God. That leaves mom and dad to worship in the sanctuary. Joyful Noise Begins September 8, 2013 Do you have children who are age 4 through grade 5? Then Joyful Noise is just for them! This awesome new opportunity for children begins September 8 and will be a time to learn about God through music. We'll sing, act, and play handbells and handchimes. Together, we'll put on a Christmas musical and lead worship about 5 times during the year. Parents, you can come too if you want. Joyful Noise is coming soon!!! Don't miss it!! Vacation Bible Camp 2013 UpdateTime's running out!! Sign-up today for Vacation Bible Camp 2013. Get more information about VBC, sign-up a child, or sign-up to volunteer today here. We are also looking for parents to help donate. Just grab a card in fellowship hall for the item you want to provide. Cabins, Cookouts, Smores, and Tubing on the Lake--Youth Retreat 2013 If you have just finished grades 6-12, this is for you!! It's almost here and we need you to register now if you don't want to miss out on this awesome summer bash! The retreat is July 12-14. For more information and to register, click here. College-Aged Ministry Kickoff on July 9 Our director of Student Ministries, Courtney Felzke, has been hard at work contacting our college-aged students. Are you somewhere between the end of high school about your mid-20's? If so, you are an important part of our body of Christ! Join us for a get together on July 9. Interested? Contact Courtney today and plug in with our new young adult group. Stay Connected How to stay connected with what's happening at church Be the Change through the Prayer Chain Our updated prayer chain is now in full operation. Each week (and sometimes more often for emergencies), prayer chain participants receive an email with the current prayer needs appropriate for the public. Sign up today by emailing Cindy Hedges, our administrative assistant, and join us a we BE THE CHANGE through prayer. Join us on Facebook Join our church-wide Facebook group today and keep up to date. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/ For all those in student ministries or who have children in student ministries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/groups/246653995432259/ Our page is also open to everyone with some basic information on it. It's here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/pages/Monticello-United-Methodist-Church/120618051284527 Thanks! Thank you to so many, including these...
Mark these Special Dates Ahead See the details of these events on our church calendar.
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E-News for June 7, 2013
In this Week's Monticello E-News
Church-Wide News For members, long-time visitors, and first-timers too! Greetings from Pastor Rob Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! Summer is finally here! But this winter, we got behind a little bit on our planters at the house. So, this week, we have been weeding!! And, some of these weeds are nearly as tall as I am with roots even deeper! What did I learn? Be sure to stay connected to any project in your life because the more disconnected you get, the more weeds seem to dig in deeply! As we all consider our time in the sun, time to vacation, to spend with family, to celebrate holidays like July 4, I want to encourage you to make every effort to be in worship each and every week. Being connected to a church community and worshiping together is one way we re-charge, experience hope, and go into the world ready to connect our faith to our lives. If you're travelling, I would encourage you to find a local church to worship. For that matter, even bring me a bulletin and share with me your experiences in another church so I can see what other churches are doing in ministry. I hope to see you this Sunday as we start a brand new series. May God bless you as you bless others! Grace and peace, Pastor Rob  This weekend, we begin our visioning series called, "Dreaming: Baby Steps to Big Dreams." Together, we'll consider God's call to a people called Monticello United Methodist Church. We'll dream, explore, and consider what the future holds for a once tiny rural church where Wild Bill Hickok was the constable. But, today, nearly 150 years after its inception at the close of the Civil War, the people of Monticello now find suburbia on the back doorstep and ask, "How can the church be even more vital today and impact the community in a new and amazing way?" What is God calling us to to be and to do for God's people? We'll be joined in this series by preachers including Pastor Rob, Pastor Erin, and our District Superintendent, Rev. Mike Chamberlain. Join us for this visioning series. Come, dream with us as we take "Baby Steps to Big Dreams." Monticello Achieves Ministry Goals! Monticello has received two certificates in the last week. Thanks to you, Monticello has reached or surpassed its goals for 2012 in Worship Attendance, Small Study Group Participation, and Members Serving in Mission. These goals, set by your Church Council at the end of 2011, have challenged us to become even more vital in 2012. Thanks to all of you for being in worship, for joining a small class at 9:00am, and by serving to BE THE CHANGE every time you can. In addition, we are excited to share that we have received a letter from our Bishop Scott Jones, congratulating you as a church for submitting 100% of the apportioned mission and ministry dollars in 2012. Thanks to all the work on finances done by our Finance Committee and Church Council, as well as with thanks to all of you who faithfully offer your gifts each week. Your extravagant generosity has allowed Monticello not only to make significant improvement on facilities, but to also expand its ministry to students, give away nearly $5,000 to Spofford House on Easter, and still pay 100% of the mission and ministry giving to impact the state, the nation, and the world. Thank you! Church-Wide Rummage Sale for Missions Today and Tomorrow Stop by the church today from 2:00-7:00pm or tomorrow, Saturday, June 8 from 8:00am-2:00pm and pick up something from the church-wide rummage sale! The church grounds and Fellowship Hall are overflowing with books, clothing, toys, jewelry, household goods, glassware, and other items donated by those around the church and preschool. A concession stand with hot dogs, chips, and snacks will be available too. 100% of the proceeds from donated items will be given away to missions. And, at the end, any remaining items will be donated too. Come join us, find something fun, and donate to missions all at once!!!!  Help with Disaster ReliefMany of you have called or emailed the church asking for ways to help with Tornado Relief. Throughout the past several weeks, Pastor Rob has been receiving regular updates from the Annual Conference Disaster Relief team. So, we want to share with you a few concrete ways to help and NOT to help: DO
DO NOT's
We hope to see you on June 29 so you might be able to serve on our teams in the upcoming months!!!  Join us at Theater in the Park Join us for an evening at Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park for the show called, "Children of Eden." This is a partially truthful, partially fictional story of creation set to music. It's a fun show, appropriate for the entire family and will be a great fellowship outing for the entire church. If you'd like to join us, meet at Theater in the Park that night and purchase tickets (if you did not already order them through the church). We'll meet at 6:00pm for a 7:00pm show.  Ascension Quartet Coming on Father's DayOn Father's Day, June 19, we'll welcome national recording artists, "The Ascension Quartet." This male quartet has traveled all over the country singing traditional southern Gospel music. You'll love their low bass voice (think Oak Ridge Boys low bass) and high tenor mixed with their tenor and baritone voices. Together, they'll lead us in worship on June 19. Be sure to join us for this awesome day of music, and bring dad along too! Student Ministry News News just for families with children, youth, teens, and those in college  VBS 2013 Registration Opens If your child or grandchild is between age 4 and grade 5, VBS is for them! VBS will take place July 22-25 as a 4-day experience, called the Everywhere Fun Fair. Themed around a carnival, this will be fun, experience with lots of time to experience Jesus Christ being "everywhere" in our world. Get more information about VBS, sign-up a child, or sign-up to volunteer today here. Youth Summer Retreat 2013 Registration Opens Calling all youth grade 6-12!! This summer's mini-mission trip will be July 12-14. We'll be gathering together for a time of service and fellowship for this weekend retreat. Bring the smores, the swimming suit, work gloves, and a desire to have fun and experience Jesus Christ with your friends! For more information and to register, click here. Announcing New Children's Ministries for Fall You heard it in worship last weekend! We have expanded programming for children dramatically for fall. Look for programming at BOTH 9:00am and 10:30am so our young children can be engaged in learning that is fun and just for them all morning! Monticello IS a church for families and we are excited you are here!!! Stay Connected How to stay connected with what's happening at church Be the Change through the Prayer Chain Our updated prayer chain is now in full operation. Each week (and sometimes more often for emergencies), prayer chain participants receive an email with the current prayer needs appropriate for the public. Sign up today by emailing Cindy Hedges, our administrative assistant, and join us a we BE THE CHANGE through prayer. Join us on Facebook Join our church-wide Facebook group today and keep up to date. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/ For all those in student ministries or who have children in student ministries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/groups/246653995432259/ Our page is also open to everyone with some basic information on it. It's here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/pages/Monticello-United-Methodist-Church/120618051284527 Thanks! Thank you to so many, including these...
Mark these Special Dates Ahead See the details of these events on our church calendar.
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E-News for May 30, 2013
In this Week's Monticello E-News
Church-Wide News For members, long-time visitors, and first-timers too! Greetings from Pastor Rob Greetings from Annual Conference! Art Howell, your elected delegate, Pastor Erin, and I are here for the final Kansas East Annual Conference. Annual Conference is such a good experience because it reminds us that we are not "alone" as United Methodists. We are part of a connectional system--other people who love God and work to serve God's people. This is a historical event as the conference we have known since the 1950's will cease to exist. In its place, Kansas East, Kansas West, and Nebraska will merge to form a new conference, "The Great Plains Annual Conference." In August, Art, Pastor Erin, and I will travel to the Uniting Conference, another historical moment, as we serve as your voice and vote in this new conference. You'll hear much more about our experiences in the upcoming "Dreaming" series where we consider the vision for Monticello in the year ahead. I would encourage you as a family to work to attend each week of the 4 weeks of the Dreaming series, beginning June 9. It is a time of re-birth for United Methodists, a time of new vision! And, we are excited as your pastors and lay delegate that we can see re-birth and new vision as a church. Our prayer is that God will "transform our minds" (in the words of Paul) so that we might make new disciples and transform the world in 2013-14. May God bless you all! We'll see you this Sunday! Blessings, Pastor Rob  This weekend, we'll close our "In the Beginning" series as we consider what it means to be created in the image of God. What does the imago Dei call us to do and to be? Do we ever fall short of living into the image of God as individuals or as a church? How does God call us back? And, most importantly, what will we do about it? Join us as Pastor Erin shares a message called, "Embodying the Image of God." It is a message of learning, of hope, and of challenge. I hope to see you in church so you too can worship the God that created you! Holy communion will be shared as well.  Many of you have called or emailed the church asking for ways to help with Tornado Relief. Throughout the past several weeks, Pastor Rob has been receiving regular updates from the Annual Conference Disaster Relief team. So, we want to share with you a few concrete ways to help and NOT to help: DO
DO NOT's
We hope to see you on June 29 so you might be able to serve on our teams in the upcoming months!!! Church-Wide Rummage Sale This Week How can you help raise funds for programming and also clean out your house at the same time?? Join us for the Church Rummage Sale. It’s a great place to shop, but it’s also a great place to part with those things in your house you want gone.
The sale takes place on Friday, June 7 from 2:00-7:00pm and on Saturday, June 8 from 8:00am-2:00pm. The church grounds and Fellowship Hall will be overflowing with books, clothing, toys, jewelry, household goods, glassware, and other items donated by those around the church and preschool. A concession stand with hot dogs, chips, and snacks will be available too.
If you donate items to the sale, just drop them off in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, June 6, between 8:00am and 7:00pm or on Friday, June 7, between 8:00am and 2:00pm. You will receive a “Gift-in-Kind” letter to use on your taxes. If you could “pre-price” the item, that would help us. But, please know our staff and volunteers will negotiate prices as appropriate at the sale. When the sale is complete, the money earned will go towards missions. We’ll donate everything remaining to local charities. Join us at the rummage sale! Last Chance for Tickets to Theater in the Park Join us for an evening at Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park for the show called, "Children of Eden." This is a partially truthful, partially fictional story of creation set to music. It's a fun show, appropriate for the entire family and will be a great fellowship outing for the entire church. THIS IS THE LAST WEEK TO ORDER!! Get your tickets online here or at the Connection Point this Sunday. Ascension Quartet Coming on Father's DayOn Father's Day, June 19, we'll welcome national recording artists, "The Ascension Quartet." This male quartet has traveled all over the country singing traditional southern Gospel music. You'll love their low bass voice (think Oak Ridge Boys low bass) and high tenor mixed with their tenor and baritone voices. Together, they'll lead us in worship on June 19. Be sure to join us for this awesome day of music, and bring dad along too! Good News--Apportionment Giving to Missions Monticello is excited to share with you that we have received a letter from our Bishop Scott Jones, congratulating you as a church for submitting 100% of the apportioned mission and ministry dollars in 2012. Thanks to all the work on finances done by our Finance Committee and Church Council, as well as with thanks to all of you who faithfully offer your gifts each week, Monticello was able to pay 100% of the mission and ministry giving. This is a moment to celebrate as your dollars have impacted ministry in this area, around the country, and around the world! Student Ministry News News just for families with children, youth, teens, and those in college VBS 2013 Registration Opens If your child or grandchild is between age 4 and grade 5, VBS is for them! VBS will take place July 22-25 as a 4-day experience, called the Everywhere Fun Fair. Themed around a carnival, this will be fun, experience with lots of time to experience Jesus Christ being "everywhere" in our world. Get more information about VBS, sign-up a child, or sign-up to volunteer today here. Youth Summer Retreat 2013 Registration Opens Calling all youth grade 6-12!! This summer's mini-mission trip will be July 12-14. We'll be gathering together for a time of service and fellowship for this weekend retreat. Bring the smores, the swimming suit, work gloves, and a desire to have fun and experience Jesus Christ with your friends! For more information and to register, click here. Announcing New Children's Ministries for Fall You heard it in worship last weekend! We have expanded programming for children dramatically for fall. Look for programming at BOTH 9:00am and 10:30am so our young children can be engaged in learning that is fun and just for them all morning! Monticello IS a church for families and we are excited you are here!!! Stay Connected How to stay connected with what's happening at church Be the Change through the Prayer Chain Our updated prayer chain is now in full operation. Each week (and sometimes more often for emergencies), prayer chain participants receive an email with the current prayer needs appropriate for the public. Sign up today by emailing Cindy Hedges, our administrative assistant, and join us a we BE THE CHANGE through prayer. Join us on Facebook Join our church-wide Facebook group today and keep up to date. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/ For all those in student ministries or who have children in student ministries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/groups/246653995432259/ Our page is also open to everyone with some basic information on it. It's here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/pages/Monticello-United-Methodist-Church/120618051284527 Thanks! Thank you to so many, including these...
Mark these Special Dates Ahead See the details of these events on our church calendar.
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E-News for May 23, 2013
In this Week's Monticello E-News
Church-Wide News For members, long-time visitors, and first-timers too! Greetings from Pastor Rob Summer is here, finally! I love the opportunity to get outside, get in the pool, do some travelling, spend time on sports, spend more time with family, and have a good BBQ! God created summer for us to enjoy, a time of life-giving energy and fellowship! But, along with summer comes our busy travel schedules, our desire to be outdoors, and (sometimes) a tendency to skip church. Before I entered the ministry, I was a pretty regular attender in church. But, there were those weekends especially in the summer where I'd be just fine passing on hearing one more sermon, one more hour in church, and one more hour away from fun. So, why is worship attendance so important to us as Christians? (Who would have thought that after all those years of dodging boring preachers, I'd become one myself!!!) The answer, in short, is that worship is not just for us. Worship is for God. When we fail to gather on Sundays and worship, we miss a huge portion of our spiritual life--an opportunity to offer our collective praise and worship to God. But, more than that, we also miss that opportunity to be refreshed and energized--to be filled with hope by our fellow Christians on a journey with us. So, if you're travelling this summer, I hope you'll join my family and I and find a church out of town to visit. And, even bring a bulletin back! I'd love to see the ideas another church has. If you're here in town, our prayer is you will join us each and every weekend this summer. We've put together some incredible guest musicians over the summer and even a couple guest preachers. It will be a summer in which you will be refreshed, energized, and continue to worship (right before we all head to the lake or the pool!). I hope to see you in church Sunday, or I hope you'll bring me a bulletin from whatever church you might visit out of town so I can learn from them too! (Just remember there is NO programming at 9:00am on Memorial Day weekend. We'll still be here for worship!!) Blessings, Pastor Rob This Week in 10:30 Worship (NO 9:00am programming) It's Memorial Day weekend! There will be no 9:00am programming for any age this weekend. But, we'll still be here for worship at 10:30am and continue to study Genesis in our series called, "In the Beginning...God." I hope you'll join us. Do you have a family member that you remember on Memorial Day? Just email their name to Cindy.Hedges@getGOD.info by Friday at noon, and we'll recognize them in worship on the screens. On Sunday, we'll look more closely at what it means to be created in the image of God and look at why Genesis 2 is different than Genesis 1. We are also pleased to welcome to worship Diane Robertson, a professional vocalist, performer at the Lyric Opera, actress, and host of TV's "Down the Road." Diane brings an incredible vocal gift to use on Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to join us! United Methodist Night at the "K" this Friday All are welcome to come to United Methodist Night at the "K" where we gather to watch Royals baseball, fellowship, and enjoy the summer weather! The game is on Friday, May 24. Tickets are already sold out through the church, but you can join us at the game in section 403, row N and P (correction from last week). Just get tickets at the stadium. Hope to see you there! Church-Wide Rummage Sale How can you help raise funds for programming and also clean out your house at the same time?? Join us for the Church Rummage Sale. It’s a great place to shop, but it’s also a great place to part with those things in your house you want gone.
The sale takes place on Friday, June 7 from 2:00-7:00pm and on Saturday, June 8 from 8:00am-2:00pm. The church grounds and Fellowship Hall will be overflowing with books, clothing, toys, jewelry, household goods, glassware, and other items donated by those around the church and preschool. A concession stand with hot dogs, chips, and snacks will be available too.
If you donate items to the sale, just drop them off in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, June 6, between 8:00am and 7:00pm or on Friday, June 7, between 8:00am and 2:00pm. You will receive a “Gift-in-Kind” letter to use on your taxes. If you could “pre-price” the item, that would help us. But, please know our staff and volunteers will negotiate prices as appropriate at the sale. When the sale is complete, the money earned will go towards missions. We’ll donate everything remaining to local charities. Join us at the rummage sale! Ascension Quartet Coming on Father's Day On Father's Day, June 19, we'll welcome national recording artists, "The Ascension Quartet." This male quartet has traveled all over the country singing traditional southern Gospel music. You'll love their low bass voice (think Oak Ridge Boys low bass) and high tenor mixed with their tenor and baritone voices. Together, they'll lead us in worship on June 19. Be sure to join us for this awesome day of music, and bring dad along too! Church Night at Theater in the ParkAs we study Genesis and creation, we'll also fellowship with our whole church. Join us for an evening at Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park for the show called, "Children of Eden." This is a partially truthful, partially fictional story of creation set to music. It's a fun show, appropriate for the entire family and will be a great fellowship outing for the entire church. It's on Friday, June 14. Tickets will be available soon at the Connection Point and online. Student Ministry News News just for families with children, youth, teens, and those in college Welcome Courtney!!! After a long wait for the right person, Courtney Felzke, our new director of student ministries, began today. We are so excited to welcome her. If you have children in the nursery, preschool, elementary school, junior high, high school, or are in college, Courtney is your person! I encourage you to greet her again this weekend after worship. And, stay tuned for new programming headed our way! Hey parents of kids ages 4 through grade 5, this summer's Vacation Bible School dates are July 22-25. This 4-day experience, called the Everywhere Fun Fair is themed around a carnival!! Yep, that means food, fun, and lots of time to experience Jesus Christ being "everywhere" in our world. Registration information will be coming out soon. But, mark those dates and be sure to join us for VBS 2013!!!! Youth Summer Retreat 2013 Calling all youth grade 6-12!! This summer's mini-mission trip will be July 12-14. We'll be gathering together for a time of service and fellowship for this weekend retreat. Bring the smores, the swimming suit, work gloves, and a desire to have fun and experience Jesus Christ with your friends! More information coming soon, but be sure to mark those dates for this summer's mini-mission trip! Announcing New Children's Ministries for Fall You heard it in worship last weekend! We have expanded programming for children dramatically for fall. If you missed it, attached to the bottom of this newsletter is a handout from worship that summarizes all the new programming for children in the fall. Check it out! Monticello IS a church for families and we are excited you are here!!! Stay Connected How to stay connected with what's happening at church Be the Change through the Prayer Chain Our updated prayer chain is now in full operation. Each week (and sometimes more often for emergencies), prayer chain participants receive an email with the current prayer needs appropriate for the public. Sign up today by emailing Cindy Hedges, our administrative assistant, and join us a we BE THE CHANGE through prayer. Join us on Facebook Join our church-wide Facebook group today and keep up to date. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/ For all those in student ministries or who have children in student ministries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/groups/246653995432259/ Our page is also open to everyone with some basic information on it. It's here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/pages/Monticello-United-Methodist-Church/120618051284527 Church Directory Update Yes!!! We've been a little behind on this project. But, we are so pleased to have Debi Sokol assisting us now with the data entry. Debi is working to ensure names, addresses, phones, and pictures match. Our pastors are working on the facing pages of the directory. There will also be a memorial page in the back with those who have left us in the last year. We'll be offering a proof for everyone to check in the upcoming weeks. Then, the company will print the directories in June. Look to receive these very soon! Thanks! Thank you to so many, including these...
Mark these Special Dates Ahead See the details of these events on our church calendar.
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2013-14 Childrens Program.pdf
E-News for May 15, 2013
In this Week's Monticello E-News
Greetings from Pastor Rob As we enter graduation weekend, I'm reminded of how important our teenagers are to us both as families and as a church. Michelle, my daughter, will graduate from high school this weekend. It's a time of new beginnings, a time of celebration, and a time of challenge for her as she heads off into a new world. Do you ever think of church that way? A time of new beginnings, a time of celebration, and a time of challenge? What does God challenge us as Monticello UMC to do and to be in the world today? As we prepare for the sermon series, "Dreaming," I'm looking for your thoughts and ideas. Where do you hear God calling us to do in today's culture to serve Jesus Christ? Email me your thoughts anytime. After all, it's not just pastors that are called to serve God--it's all of us. So, let us know what you feel called to do and to be as the church today. I hope you'll join me in worship and in celebration for all those graduating this weekend. See you soon! Blessings, Pastor Rob This Weekend in Worship We'll continue our series called, "In the Beginning...GOD." As Christians, we're faced with difficult questions about the creation of the world. We struggle to find answers in a world where science and Christianity seem to be in conflict. How old is the earth? How should we understand the creation story in light of scientific theories today? Join Pastor Rob as we explore the early portions of the Book of Genesis and come to a better theological understand during "In the Beginning...GOD." This weekend is also Mother's Day, so bring the family along! Stay in the Discussion! Monticello now has a presence on Facebook both as a "group" and as a "page." In addition, our youth also have their own group too. If you're a Facebook user, stay in the discussion today and become a member of the "group" at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/. Once we receive your request to join, we'll approve it right away and you'll get updates first on Facebook and even get the chance to comment and provide feedback. If you're a teenager or the parent of one in our group, you can also join our youth group on Facebook. However, we limit this just to those involved currently. Join the youth Facebook group today at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/groups/246653995432259/. Our page is also open to everyone with some basic information on it. It's here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276468038357/#!/pages/Monticello-United-Methodist-Church/120618051284527. But, we encourage you to join the "group" to be in the loop the most as you can add comments there. Incredible Music Ahead in Worship! On Memorial Day weekend, May 26, Monticello is so pleased to welcome to worship Diane Robertson. Diane is a professional vocalist, performer at the Lyric Opera, actress, and host of TV's "Down the Road." Diane brings an incredible vocal gift to use on Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to join us! Then, on Father's Day, June 19, we'll welcome national recording artists, "The Ascension Quartet." This male quartet has traveled all over the country singing traditional southern Gospel music. You'll love their low bass voice (think Oak Ridge Boys low bass) and high tenor mixed with their tenor and baritone voices. Together, they'll lead us in worship on June 19. Be sure to join us for this awesome day of music, and bring dad along too! New Staff Member We welcome to our staff, Courtney Felzke, the new director of student ministries. She will lead our children's ministries, youth ministries, and our new ministry to college students. It is a joy to have here here. Courtney brings a seminary background, a wealth of experience in the church and in healthcare, and a love for children and teenagers. She is studying to become an ordained deacon, a pastor focused on connecting, serving, and being the hands and feet of Christ in the world. We are so excited God has called her to serve here at Monticello. Be sure to offer her a warm welcome!! Hey parents of kids ages 4 through grade 5, this summer's Vacation Bible School dates are July 22-25. This 4-day experience, called the Everywhere Fun Fair is themed around a carnival!! Yep, that means food, fun, and lots of time to experience Jesus Christ being "everywhere" in our world. Registration information will be coming out soon. But, mark those dates and be sure to join us for VBS 2013!!!! Youth Mission Trip 2013 Calling all youth grade 6 and up!! This summer's mini-mission trip will be June 27-30. We'll be headed out of town for 2 days of service, 1 day of lots of fun, and a day to worship a church very different from our own. Bring the smores, the swimming suit, work gloves, and a desire to have fun and experience Jesus Christ with your friends! More information coming soon, but be sure to mark those dates for this summer's mini-mission trip! Expanded Ministries for Children Coming this Fall Have you ever noticed how tough children can be in worship sometimes? I never really noticed, until I had a 4-year old. Parents, you can have your work cut out for you. Plus, we all want to bless our children with the love and nurture of a Christian Community. Moms and dads, we have heard your voices! You want more programming for your children. So, the Church Council at Monticello has approved expanding our ministries for children in the upcoming months! Be the Change through the Prayer Chain Our updated prayer chain is now in full operation. Each week (and sometimes more often for emergencies), prayer chain participants receive an email with the current prayer needs appropriate for the public. Sign up today by emailing Cindy Hedges, our administrative assistant, and join us a we BE THE CHANGE through prayer. United Methodist Night at the "K" All are welcome to come to United Methodist Night at the "K" where we gather to watch Royals baseball, fellowship, and enjoy the summer weather! The game is on Friday, May 24. Tickets are already sold out through the church, but you can join us at the game in section 424. Just get tickets at the stadium. Hope to see you there! Are we ever getting a church directory? Yes!!! We've been a little behind on this project. But, we are so pleased to have Debi Sokol assisting us now with the data entry. Debi is working to ensure names, addresses, phones, and pictures match. Our pastors are working on the facing pages of the directory. There will also be a memorial page in the back with those who have left us in the last year. We'll be offering a proof for everyone to check in the upcoming weeks. Then, the company will print the directories in June. Look to receive these very soon! Church Night at Theater in the ParkAs we study Genesis and creation, we'll also fellowship with our whole church. Join us for an evening at Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park for the show called, "Children of Eden." This is a partially truthful, partially fictional story of creation set to music. It's a fun show, appropriate for the entire family and will be a great fellowship outing for the entire church. It's on Friday, June 14. Tickets will be available soon at the Connection Point and online. Thanks! Thank you to so many, including these...
Mark these Special Dates Ahead See the details of these events on our church calendar.
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E-News for May 7, 2013
In this Week's Monticello E-News
Greetings from Pastor Rob Have you noticed May is an incredibly busy time? Between graduations, Mother's Day, the end of school, and so much more, it seems we meet ourselves coming and going I wonder if Jesus felt "busy" too. After all, between travelling, constant crowds, and keeping the disciples awake while he prayed, the humanity of Jesus probably needed a break once in a while. But, Jesus would teach us a lesson. He would make regular attempts to connect with God, to pray, and sometimes even retreat to a garden. As you get busy this month, I would encourage us all to stay connected to worship. After all, it is that connection to our church family that helps us stay grounded in who and whose we are. I hope you'll join me in making worship a priority in your life this busy May too! Maybe in doing so, we'll all manage to stay on top of our busy schedules knowing Jesus walks with us! Hope to see you in church!! Blessings, Pastor Rob This Weekend in Worship  This weekend, we'll start a new series called, "In the Beginning...GOD." As Christians, we're faced with difficult questions about the creation of the world. We struggle to find answers in a world where science and Christianity seem to be in conflict. How old is the earth? How should we understand the creation story in light of scientific theories today? Join Pastor Rob as we explore the early portions of the Book of Genesis and come to a better theological understand during "In the Beginning...GOD." This weekend is also Mother's Day, so bring the family along!  Folk Mountain Gospel to Monticello this Sunday On Sunday, May 12, we'll be led in worship by "Folk Mountain Gospel," a vocal and instrumental group that plays the original instruments of the Bible. Come hear hammer dulcimers, zithers, and a sultry leading us in familiar music we know and love. This will be a weekend you don't want to miss!! Come join us for Folk Mountain Gospel, leading worship on Mother's Day.  Work for Christ this Saturday, May 11, from 10-12!! Join us as we serve the homeless at Grand Avenue Temple. You'll help those in need to locate clothing and other supplies in the clothing closet. This experience will bless you and those you serve. We are in need of about 5 more people to have a full team, so WE NEED YOU! All persons 14 and over are welcome to serve. If you are between 14 and 17, you do need your parent present with you. Please dress conservatively. Sign up today by emailing Janet Williams, our coordinator of missions, and join us a we BE THE CHANGE through serving those who are homeless. Janet will respond to you with a schedule of car pools and meeting times. Our updated prayer chain is now in full operation. Each week (and sometimes more often for emergencies), prayer chain participants receive an email with the current prayer needs appropriate for the public. Sign up today by emailing Cindy Hedges, our administrative assistant, and join us a we BE THE CHANGE through prayer. Expanded Ministries for Children on the Horizon!! Have you ever noticed how tough children can be in worship sometimes? I never really noticed, until I had a 4-year old. Parents, you can have your work cut out for you. Plus, we all want to bless our children with the love and nurture of a Christian Community. Moms and dads, we have heard your voices! You want more programming for your children. So, the Church Council at Monticello has approved expanding our ministries for children in the upcoming months! There will be a special announcement in worship on Sunday, May 19, so be sure to join us!  Are you looking to grow more closely to other women in the church and fellowship in a Christian women's environment? Be a part of the United Methodist Women's event this Saturday, May 11. It will be a great evening of food, fellowship, and fun with special guests, The Driscoll School of Irish Dance. Check out a recent news feature about the dancers here. For more information or to be a part of the event, contact Susan Cockrum, staff member at Monticello and president of United Methodist Women. United Methodist Night at the "K" All are welcome to come to United Methodist Night at the "K" where we gather to watch Royals baseball, fellowship, and enjoy the summer weather! The game is on Friday, May 24. Tickets are available by calling the church office at (913) 441-1435 or by ordering them from our website here. The ticket order deadline is FRIDAY, MAY 10, so order quickly!!! Are we ever getting a church directory? Yes!!! We've been a little behind on this project. But, we are so pleased to have Debi Sokol assisting us now with the data entry. Debi is working to ensure names, addresses, phones, and pictures match. Our pastors are working on the facing pages of the directory. There will also be a memorial page in the back with those who have left us in the last year. We'll be offering a proof for everyone to check in the upcoming weeks. Then, the company will print the directories in June. Look to receive these very soon! Church Night at Theater in the ParkAs we study Genesis and creation, we'll also fellowship with our whole church. Join us for an evening at Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park for the show called, "Children of Eden." This is a partially truthful, partially fictional story of creation set to music. It's a fun show, appropriate for the entire family and will be a great fellowship outing for the entire church. It's on Friday, June 14. Tickets will be available soon at the Connection Point and online. New Tech Team Training Have you always wanted to help in the sound booth? We are looking for additional volunteers to serve in this important ministry. Join 2 new members of our team this Thursday, May 9, at 4:00pm for training. Contact Pastor Rob to be a part of that training session, or to express interest in another one in the future. Student Ministries Director Update This week, our pastors and our Committee on Staff-Parish Relations will receive a second interview from a potential candidate for Director of Student Ministries. This important, vital person in the life of our congregation will serve our children from preschool through college and serve as a stable, positive influence in their lives for many years. Join us as we all pray for the team, the candidate involved, and pray God might offer us an incredible, humble servant for this role. Hey parents of kids ages 4 through grade 5, this summer's Vacation Bible School dates are July 22-25. This 4-day experience, called the Everywhere Fun Fair is themed around a carnival!! Yep, that means food, fun, and lots of time to experience Jesus Christ being "everywhere" in our world. Registration information will be coming out soon. But, mark those dates and be sure to join us for VBS 2013!!!! Youth Mission Trip 2013 Calling all youth grade 6 and up!! This summer's mini-mission trip will be June 27-30. We'll be headed out of town for 2 days of service, 1 day of lots of fun, and a day to worship a church very different from our own. Bring the smores, the swimming suit, work gloves, and a desire to have fun and experience Jesus Christ with your friends! More information coming soon, but be sure to mark those dates for this summer's mini-mission trip! Thanks! Thank you to so many, including these...
Mark these Special Dates Ahead See the details of these events on our church calendar.
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E-News for February 19, 2013
In this Week's Monticello E-News
Greetings from Pastor Rob It's hard to believe Lent has already started. After all, it seems as if we just finished Christmas. In our century, we forget the disciples would have walked with Jesus for many years. So, in the minds of society, there would have been about 33 years between the time of Jesus' birth and his crucifixion. Imagine if we as a church today celebrated Christmas, waited 33 years, and then entered Lent. For us today, that means that we get in a patter, or a rut of celebrating Christmas, then Lent, then Easter, and then some "down-time" as people sometimes describe it. The result is we get used to this pattern and tend to forget its significance in the lives of early Christians and in our lives still today. My challenge to you as your pastor this year is to make a committment to make Lent (and Christmas) new each year. Come back to church as if this is a new, first-time experience to walk with Jesus on a Journey to Hope. If you are out of town, find a local church to visit on Sunday. If you are here and well, make a committment to be in worship each week through Lent. Maybe you could event plan to attend those special services like Maundy Thursday and Good Friday too. By doing so, we intentionally engage in our own Journey to Hope too. Many blessings to you this Lenten season! We are always here if you need us. Blessings, Pastor Rob This Weekend in Worship We'll head into week 2 of Lent in our series called Journey to Hope. In a world where identity and self-image can make or break the journey, do you base your identity on who peole say you are or who you know God created you to be? Finding a firm foundation in who you are called to be will help you overcome obstacles in life. Join us this weekend as we continue our Journey to Hope. Learn more here. Prayer Partners Begin this Week--Do you have one? In week 1 of our Lenten series, Journey to Hope, we considered approaching God with the vulnerability of a child. Then, we come together as the church, the body of Christ, to share those vulnerabilities and grow in our love of Christ and each other. So, we took on a challenge to receive a prayer partner, a person to walk with us through Lent in prayer. It's simple...from now through Easter, gather at home, on the phone, or at a local coffee shop for a time of fellowship and prayer with a new friend from church. We had the opportunity to request a specific person or to branch out and meet someone new. After lots of requests came in for a prayer partner, we are making those matches now in the office. We pray over each request and ask God to guide us to the perfect match. Maybe you missed worship last weekend or maybe you have considered it and want a partner too! If so, just email Pastor Rob today and ask for one as we are finishing up the matches now. New Lenten Classes--It's Not too Late During Lent, we have our next round of classes for all ages. We started last week, but it's not too late to join! Just show-up for any Sunday class. For the Journey group, just call or email the office to get connected.
Youth to Sky Zone and Lock-in Friday Night Calling all youth in grades 6-12!!! Join us as we gather for a night of fun and friends! We'll meet at the church by 7:00pm Friday night, February 22. Together, we'll head for Sky Zone, a trampoline park in Shawnee, for games and fun! Imagine jumping from trampoline to trampoline, including the walls! Then, we'll come back to the church for food, movies, games, and fun! Pick-up at 7:00am on Saturday morning. To be a part, email Pastor Erin or call the church office today to sign-up. Announcing our newest member Miles Cone was born to Michael Cone and Janie Barth-Cone on Friday. Pastor Rob and Pastor Erin were present to pray for the family just before the birth. So, join us in offering your congratulations and prayers for Miles and family. Both baby and parents are doing great. Mark these Special Dates Ahead
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E-News for January 17, 2013
In this Week's Monticello E-News
Greetings from Pastor Rob Greetings from the Called Clergy Conference of the new Great Plains Annual Conference!! Pastor Erin and I have spent this week in Kearney, Nebraska, gathering with clergy from the current Kansas East Annual Conference, Kansas West Annual Conference, and the Nebraska Annual Conference. Change is ahead for us as a denomination Do you struggle with change? All of us do sometimes, even pastors. So, I want to share with you a bit of the change ahead for us. Back in June of 2012, lay delegates and clergy voted overwhelmingly to end the Kansas East, Kansas West, and Nebraska Annual Conferences begin a new Great Plains Annual Conference. This change takes place on January 13, 2014. But, the groundwork is well underway. Since the Annual Conference is the organization to which our churches are responsible and the organization which assigns pastors, this change impacts us in new ways. Here are a few examples: 1. The apportionment formula (or the amount we tithe as a church to the conference) will change. I'll share more about this at home. 2. Your pastors can be appointed to or from any location in Kansas or Nebraska. That opens a wider option for selection of pastors to fit each church. 3. The committees, boards, and mission organizations of the conference will all change. For those of you serving in that way, you can anticipate significant change, including the reduction of some boards/committees, the addition of others, and a mixture of people from 2 states serving on each. 4. What will NOT change is the mission we all hold dearly--to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. And, as a denomination that has transformation in its mission statement, this change will ultimately bring transformation in each church too. I'll look forward to discussing this more with you when I get home. The Called Clergy Gathering this week in Nebraska was an opportunity for us to hear preliminary plans for the future of the Great Plains Annual Conference, discuss how it affects us as clergy, and discuss how it affects us as a local church. We also discussed the denomination as a whole, how we approach ministry, and left challenged to be a part of the United Methodist Church as it morphs into an even more effective ministry. We'll have some sessions coming up for you to learn more at church. But, the week has been a blessing to us both. Pastor Erin and I would love your prayers for safe travels home after a long week of conferences. We both look forward to being back home in worship with you all!! This Weekend in Worship This weekend, we continue our series called, "God at the Movies" as we look at our own faith journey. We'll use the movie, "The Wizard of Oz" in a fun way and discuss what it means to be on a search, or a journey, to connect more deeply with God. I hope you'll join us at 10:30am for worship, or join one of our new classes at 9:15am. Then, come back for the full movie at 5:30pm, complete with popcorn. It will be a great family evening! Learn more here. Free Farm Hands Concert Saturday--DON'T MISS!!! IT'S THIS SATURDAY!!! Bring the whole family!! The Farm Hands is a bluegrass quartet coming all the way from the Grand Ole' Opry in Nashville. They'll be here at Monticello for a live this Saturday, January 19, 2012. Join us, maybe even in your down home outfits for an awesome night of bluegrass music! A potluck starts the evening at 6:00pm and the concert begins at 7:00pm. Want to learn more or catch some photos or video of the group in action? Click here. It's Not Too Late to Join a Class!!! Monticello has taken a huge step forward in participation in small study groups. Through the last 10 years of recorded statistics, the average participation in Sunday morning classes has been between 9 and 17 each week. On our first week of our new classes, 56 attended. Last week, 62 attended. That is a huge leap forward in this congregation's faith journey. I'm proud of you as your pastor. Remember, it's not too late to join us!!! Just show up Sunday. We talk, study, and consider how we can support each other on the walk. You can sign-up at the Connection Point or just show up. Remember, 9:15am class options are:
Still Want to Pledge for 2013? Giving is a way we honor God by offering our first and best to the work of Jesus Christ in the world. And, each year, we engage in a pledge campaign to plan the next year's budget. As Christians, we work to give on a regular basis, and work toward the tithe, or 10% of our annual income. The Finance Committee will gather soon to compare the approved 2013 budget against the pledged amounts from those who give. It is our hope to continue with the budget as approved, but it's important we are good stewards and only plan to spend what is given. All the 2013 pledges have been calculated, but if you have not had a chance to pledge for 2013 yet, it's not too late. In fact, this is perfect timing right now. Just send your pledge to Kendra.Taylor@getGOD.info or call the church at (913) 441-1435. Every pledged dollar counts towards the annual ministry budget, so join us by offering a pledge today!! Moms--Connect with Others in Monticello Moms We're thankful to Laurie Powers and Amy Dill for organizing a group called "Monticello Moms." This is an opportunity for moms of all ages to get together, encourage and support each other, and also grow in their faith. Monticello Moms is gathering this Sunday, January 27, at 1:30pm in Fellowship Hall. As your pastor, I've visited Monticello Mom's once and found this to be a loving, caring group. Are you ready to connect with others? Join them on Sunday!! For more information or to join, just call the church office or email Cindy.Hedges@getGOD.info. Youth Event Coming Up! On Saturday, January 26, Our youth in grades 6-12 will be heading out on a great evening of devotionals, fun, fellowship, and ice skating!! Dave Hanson, our interim youth director, will lead this awesome event, but you need to register in advance. So, call the church, post it on the youth Facebook page, or email Cindy.Hedges@getGOD.info if you want to join us. Register soon!!! Learn more here. Last Chance for Directory Forms Last chance! The directory will be coming out soon. And, we need all those who want to be in the directory (or just want to be sure you are on our mailing list) to fill out a database form. You'll find them in worship this weekend and at the Connection Point. Order Your Dinner Theater Tickets (even better, be in it!) Join us on February 9 as Monticello presents the "award-winning" Dinner and Variety Show! The show is completely free and begins at 7:00pm. The dinner begins at 5:30pm and is catered, so tickets are necesary. Get them on our website here or at the Connection Point this Sunday. Who knows, maybe you can even join in the show? To sign-up for an act, just stop by the Connection Point too. Don't miss this big event from our Family Ministry Team, The Dinner and Variety Show, coming February 9!! Learn more about the Variety Show here. Mark these Special Dates Ahead
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