Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith

Better Late than Never:  Birthdays and Anniversaries for May

(Please let me know if your birthday or anniversary is missing on this list, of if you know of someone in the church we have overlooked.  We need your help to keep our records up to date.)

ANNIVERSARIES

5/5  Dave and Kristi Sowers

5/10  Roger and Lynn Berner

5/17  Merll and Susan Connor

BIRTHDAYS

5/3  Kristin Blakey

5/10 Scarlett Perrott and Ellowyn Hagen

5/14 Cara White

5/15 Josslyn Brown

5/16 Beau Brettschneider

5/17 John Bertetto and Karen Dwyer

5/21 Mike Pryor 

5/21 Peggy Reeder

5/29 Ray Schaljo

5/30 Samantha Berner

Mother’s Day at the Church

Mackenzie Hoss and Teresa Lane are taking the lead this year in organizing our Mother’s Day observance in the church.  After the two worship services, there will be a light lunch served in the dining hall.  Everyone is invited, no need for registration.  No cost.  The food is being provided by several groups in the church:  Wings, Gals in Grace, UWF, and the Tuesday Women’s Bible Study group.  The men’s group (Walking in Faith) will be serving everyone.  Meal is at noon following the 10:30 worship service.

Graduation Sunday at First Church

Melissa Krieger is organizing our annual recognition of graduates (kindergarten, high school, and all schools of higher education.)  Please contact her to let us know who in your family is graduating—so that we may include them in the recognition.  Melissa will need a little information about each one to help us honor them.  Text her at 217-620-8711.  

Anyssa Coffer is graduating from high school this year, and her family is inviting the church family to celebrate with them on May 17 between 4:30-7 p.m. at the church.

Men Need Help

Well, who doesn’t?  In this case, the “Walking with Jesus” men’s group is sponsoring the annual Burgers and Brats sale on May 23—the Saturday before Memorial Day.  This is a fund raiser to support local families who are struggling financially.  Funds are sent through the Middle School counselor here in Sullivan.  Last year, 56 children were helped from the money raised.  This year, we can touch even more lives if the sales (and contributions) increase.  The funds are used to buy gift cards at Kirby, which are then distributed through the school counselor.

Finally, because the “Walking with Jesus” group does not consist of spring chickens—(they are vigorous manly men, each one of them, but they have all retired from doing young men’s manly man things) they would like help setting up at 8 a.m. that day, or helpers to work between 10 and noon (or part of that time) and fresh workers to help clean up from noon to 1 p.m. Contact Dennis Ozier and share the good news that YOU WILL HELP with him at 217-728-2195.

Joys and Concerns from Sunday’s Worship Services

• Prayers for the family and friends of Jaylen Otto, 12, who died in an accident this past week.
• Joys for a great performance at a swim meet for Lucy and Gianna.
• Prayers for Bonnie Stewart, ill this weekend.
• Prayers for Darlene Standefer, health.
• Prayers for Sonya Best, eye surgery this week.
• Prayers for a good friend battling cancer.
• Prayers for Brad Rau for health concerns.

My days in town this week are today, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Note:  The elevator is not working in the church—and we are trying to get the right people in to fix it.  Meanwhile—if you were planning to take it somewhere, please arrange for other forms of transportation.  We have a ramp going in and out of the sanctuary—and if you plan to travel there—or to the choir room, we will be glad to open the doors to that side of the building for ease of moving around.  But let us know.