Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith

I am sad to pass on the news that Darlene Standerfer, one of our church members, passed away yesterday.  Her visitation will be this Thursday from 4-6 p.m. at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, with the funeral services at 6.  Cremation and burial will take place at a later time.

Our first session of Vacation Bible School will be this coming Saturday (June 13) and we will have more information in the next few days—including how to register.

News about future newsletters and the church website:  We expect to have our new church website up and running by the end of this coming week.  The old site has crashed and expired on us and the server (which has been sold to another company) has been uncooperative in helping us work things out.  Our URL will be different with the new server, so please keep your eye out for that.  It will be well publicized as soon as it is live.  Our emails will be moved from a company called “One Call” to a company called “Constant Contact.”  You will be getting weekly emails from that, along with occasional announcements and text messages.  It is crucial that we have everyone’s updated information.  

With all this technology, we will still do things the old school way as well.  If you prefer to get your communication through the postal service or other hard copy deliveries, let the office know and we will be happy to accommodate.  

Our new website—as well as our new email program will both be capable of handling registrations for events as well as contributions.

Worship information for this Sunday:

• Scripture:  I Samuel 8: 4-7
• Sermon Title:  “Who’s In Charge Here?”
• Praise Team Songs: Forever, Goodness of God, I Need Thee Every Hour, Graves Into Gardens
• Hymns:  Jesus Shall Reign, Standing on the Promises, We Are the Church

My days in town this coming week:  Tuesday—all day, Wednesday—noon on, Thursday—afternoon and evening.

Financial News:  As we have been reviewing the church’s financial picture, we are projecting an income for 2026 of $380,000.  Currently, $110,000 of that is unbudgeted.  My Pastor’s Recommendation to the Church Council is that they 1) ask the trustees to request $33,000 of that—along with a plan to put it to use for their necessary projects, 2) ask the Staff Parish Relations Committee to request $33,000 of that along with their plans to include some of it for restoring cuts made to the next pastor’s salary (made prior to my coming here), hiring an assistant for music and worship, and filling holes in the office staff, 3) ask the Bridging Table to request $33,000 for expanding programs and ministries for children, youth, member care, worship, music, evangelism, mission, community outreach, small groups, young adult programs, programs for seniors, spiritual growth programs, etc. along with a plan to spend that money strategically and accountably, and 4) ask the delegation to Annual Conference to request $10,000 along with a plan to participate more fully in the mission projects they are organizing.  

Bob Lane, Finance Committee chairperson, will give a brief presentation to the congregation in each of the two worship services tomorrow during the announcements.

If you have any question, concerns, or comments—we are very open to hearing from you.  Please feel free to talk to me or to Bob Lane.

SEE YOU IN CHURCH TOMORROW.  If you can’t make it—remember to catch us on our Facebook page.

Save the date:  Sunday, June 21 (Father’s Day):  One worship service at the park, 10:30 a.m., followed by a picnic potluck (meat, drink, and paper goods provided—along with games.)  See Teresa Lane if you have any questions or comments.