09/04/2026
Worship this Week
Scripture: Luke 10:38-42
Sermon: "Mirror of the Soul: Beauty"
Holy Communion at both services
Pastor Todd's sermon series entitled "Mirror of the Soul" is a six Sunday journey through the themes of the Psalms: awe, beauty, mercy, hope, time, and love. The series is guided by Rev. Dr. James C. Howell's book, The Heart of the Psalms: God's Word to The World. Dr. Howell is the senior pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the author of more than twenty books. He also has a podcast called, Maybe I'm Amazed.
Announcements:
Welcome to our new members
Please welcome our new members: Jayden Currie, Cassie Flack, Adam Flack, Nate Huddleston, Jan Allison, Joe Allison, Jean McFadden, Brent Dusek, Caleb Dusek, Donna Meaker, and Devan Shobe! They were received in to the life of our church at a special Celebration Sunday service, August 30th. They are each a blessing to our church’s ministry and its spiritual life.
Choir Start Up
Choir is starting back up with its first rehearsal on Wednesday, September 2, at 5:30 in the sanctuary. It will follow the usual schedule of singing on the 2nd and 4th Sundays except around Christmas and Easter. The first time to sing will be September 13th.
Thursday Morning Bible Study
We have begun a new book for the fall, entitled You Can Trust God to Write Your Story by Nancy and Robert Wolgemuth. The authors "write personally and beautifully, infusing readers with a Christ-centered vision, hope, and trust for the future." From the inside cover: "Learn why you really can trust God to write your story--no matter what plot twists you may encounter along the way." New and used books are available on Amazon. (We have found used books to be in almost perfect condition.) Please join us whenever you can--with or without a book--at 8:00 A.M. in downstairs Room 102. This study will continue until the first week of November.
Office Closed Thursday, September 3rd
The church office will be closed on Thursday the third while Pastor Todd is at a meeting in Springfield.
Endowment Funds Update
The endowment committee met this week and has approved reimbursing the general fund $4,704.66 for 2025 expenses that fall within the parameters of the Hazel Crosby Fund, paying $1,600 for Little Grassy youth camp fees from the Hazel Crosby Fund, and $7,000 for the praise band from the Hazel Crosby Fund, as well as $3,500 for the Backpack Ministry from the Benevolence Fund. The committee members are Chrissy Leitch, Steve Ferguson, Don Hance, Christina Krost, Joyce Lefever, and Donna Meaker.
The committee is also accepting requests for the contributions from the Benevolence Funds for faith and community groups building God's kingdom locally and abroad. Please email your request to Pastor Todd at [email protected] by October 23rd with your name, the name and contact information of the organization you're nominating, how much money you're requesting, and a statement about the impact they are having on people's lives. Previous organizations that have received funds include New Life Car Care, the Mattoon Community Food Bank, Mattoon Police Department's Safe Passage Program, Salvation Army, Camp New Hope, Rotary Club Access Ramps Ministry, and the Mattoon Schools Children's Assistance Program.
Fresh Vitality Starts September 9th
It will seem like a contradiction but getting up early and coming to our church’s “Cross Training” Prayer Group is vitalizing! We gather on Wednesday Mornings at 7:30 a.m. at 2620 Western Avenue. We end promptly at 8:30 a.m.
Inspiring. Sharing. Praying. Leaving with new vigor for not only the day, but the week. A calming, non-threatening atmosphere. If unsure, come once and see for yourself.
Questions? Ask Phyllis Dickinson 618.741.4848
Youth Group Start Up
The youth group will meet on the second and fourth Sundays of each month 5:30-7. We will get together for pizza and pop/water, a scripture lesson, and activity. Our first session will be September 13th for pickleball at Peterson Park. October 11th we will go to the Great Pumpkin Patch. October 25th we'll have a cookout and bonfire at the Viertels.
Rebecca Circle
Rebecca Circle meets on the second Monday of each month. Our next meeting will be on September 14th at 10AM. At this meeting we will kick off our annual 'Baby Bottle Drive' benefiting Choices Pregnancy Center. Our program speaker will be Tammy from Choices who will tell us more about the role of Choices in supporting expectant mothers. During this meeting we also are planning for the upcoming Bazaar, Chicken Casserole Fundraiser, and finalizing details for UMW Sunday All women of the church and their guests are welcome to attend.
Baby Bottle Drive
The annual 'Baby Bottle Drive' fundraiser was moved to September this year. We will be kicking off this fundraiser on Sunday September 13th through Sunday October 11th. There will be a sign with instructions, a sign out sheet and empty baby bottles available. As in the past, please take one or more baby bottles, fill it with spare change, cash or a check and return it to the main office by October 4th. We appreciate the generosity of our congregation in supporting this important fundraiser for our community.
Choices Pregnancy & Health provides pregnancy services, referrals and education to women and families experiencing an unexpected pregnancy or in need of additional support.
The Children We Have - Women of Faith Sunday, September 20th
“Children are a gift from the Lord…” -from Psalm 127:3
Single or married. Young or mature. We have children that belong to us! There are those in our homes. Those in our church. There are those who receive our help at Cunningham in Champaign, Chaddock in Quincy, and The Baby Fold in Bloomington which are United Methodist Agencies that address the needs of children. We support those who do countless acts of loving help for children and teens. We also have our Cole’s County children who are our ‘neighbors’ at The Haven, and babies and toddlers at Choices Nursery. We give money. We give supplies. We pray.
Tom Goodell, who is the Chaplain at The Baby Fold in Bloomington, Illinois is a long-time United Methodist Clergy Person. He is an influencer of Love and Care. He is a servant who models that love of Jesus everywhere he goes.
We were blessed when he spoke to the Rebecca Circle earlier this year. So much so, we KNOW that he will be an extraordinary speaker/preacher as he brings a message pertinent to our church family here at Mattoon First UMC.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH FOR THE TWO WORSHIP SERVICES: 9:00 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. You will not be disappointed attending this annual “Women of Faith” Sunday.
Literary Event October 1
Attention ladies: after a year off, we will be holding a Literary Event on Thursday, October 1, at 5:30 in the Downstairs Worship Center. The event will include pie and a beverage served at 5 :30, followed by the book discussion. $5 will be collected that evening to cover costs.
Our book selection for this year is THE GIFT OF BLARNEY by David B. Motte. He tells about a miraculous event he experienced that shows God's presence in our lives. Our own Phyllis and Ron Dickinson were present when the event unfolded at Blarney Castle along with their friend Jessica Wiehrdt. Phyllis and Jessica will join us for the evening.
The book is available on Amazon for around $10. It is not available in libraries or bookstores. Since it is a short book, it would be easy to share copies.
Please sign up to participate in the fellowship cafe. We need a count to know how much pie to buy. $5 will be collected the evening of the event. Bring a friend to join us.
QUESTIONS. CALL PEGGY ROPIEQUET.
217-234-7898
Charge Conference October 18th
The annual charge conference will be at 5:30 pm Sunday, October 18th at Effingham Centenary United Methodist Church (203 E. Grove). Please let Pastor Todd know if you would like to carpool. A charge conference is the basic legal and governing body of a local United Methodist church, required to meet at least once a year to conduct official business, set leadership, and connect the local congregation to the wider denomination.
Pulpit Swap October 25th
Pastor Todd will swap pulpits with Rev. John Taliwaga from Effingham Centenary United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 25th. In addition to being a wonderfully delightful person, Rev. Taliwaga grew up and served United Methodist churches in the Philippines for several years before coming to serve in Effingham. His time with us is an opportunity to recognize our church's $5,000 gift to the Miracle Sunday in May that raised funds for theological education for United Methodist pastors outside of the United States.
