What's Happening

In-person worship CONTINUES WITH ONLINE OPTION

We are in Phase 4 of Region 3 in Illinois. This allows for 50 persons or fewer for in-person assembly.

Sunday Mornings

Sunday, February 28th – Second Sunday in Lent. SCRIPTURE: Luke 13:1-9, 31-35 (Lament Over Jerusalem) UMCOR Special Offering.

Sunday, March 7th – Third Sunday in Lent. Holy Communion – at the rail. SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:1-32 (Lost Sheep, Coin, Son)

Sunday, March 14th – Fourth Sunday in Lent. Scripture: Luke 16:19-31 (Rich Man and Lazarus)

Sunday, March 21st – First Sunday in Lent. Women’s History Sunday. Scripture: Luke 18:31-19:10 (Zacchaeus)

Sunday, March 28th – Sixth/Last Sunday in Lent a.k.a Palm-Passion Sunday. SCRIPTURES: Luke 19:29-44 (Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem) / Luke 23:32-47 (The Crucifixion) – NO EASTER CANTATA THIS YEAR!

(Holy Week Services – see below)

Sunday, April 4th – Easter Sunday. Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant. SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:1-12 (The Resurrection). Our United Methodist Men are still planning their Easter breakfast! (An earlier SonRise service at 6:30 am is in the plans)

Sunday, April 11th – Second Sunday in Eastertide. Holy Communion (rescheduled). SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:13-35 (Emmaus Road).

OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL REALITY

As of 9/30/2020, the Stonington United Methodist Church financial condition is very stable. Church income and expenses are very similar to this time last year despite COVID-19-related events. Thank you for your faithful support for our church!
–Church Treasurer, R. Steiner

Dates & Meetings

(all meetings are open)

Building Committee – Wednesday, March 10th at 6:00 pm

Church Council – 7:00 pm – Wednesday, March 10th

HOLY WEEK SERVICES:
1. Maundy Thursday Service – An SUMC-EUMC Service @ Stonington UMC – Thursday, April 1st – 7:00 pm.

2. Good Friday Service – A Stonington Community Service @ Stonington First Baptist – Friday, April 2nd – 7:00 pm (service not yet confirmed).

3. We are planning on a 6:30 am SonRise Service at SUMC on Easter Sunday. UMM breakfast to follow!

Announcements

SUMC’s Preliminary Architectural Plans can be found on the “New Building Project” Tab of our website.

SHOPPING-FOR-SAFETY MINISTRY – Cannot order online? Having trouble getting out? Nervous about public spaces and crowds? Let SUMC do the shopping for you! Recently, individuals of our church created the “Shopping-for-Safety Ministry.” If you are even remotely concerned for your health or the health of a loved one in your house, give us a call and we will pick up some groceries or other necessities for you. We don’t want you making unnecessary risks! A group of volunteers are making themselves available for you! This ministry is for any Stonington area resident. Sam’s Club, Kroger’s, and Walmart are among the places we will frequent on your behalf. Contact Laurie L. (217-820-7733).

BUILDING USAGE AND FUNERAL DINNERS – On 8/12/2020, our Church Council clarified how our church facilities are to be used during the pandemic. Until we reach Stage 5 of the Restore Illinois plan, we must observe the guideline of 50 people or fewer. While we’d love to extend a formal funeral dinner to all who need (and will continue to do so following the restrictions) for now we must put a hold on potluck/buffet style meals in the church. NOTE: ALL EVENTS MUST BE 50 PERSONS OR FEWER FOR THE TIME BEING.

Weekly - Monthly Prayers

Weekly Prayer Requests:

The following are the prayer requests brought forward during the worship service (first names only).
From 1/3/21: Linda (continue prayers for recovery); all those suffering from the effects of the pandemic, quarantining, and symptoms of the virus.
From 1/10/21: Linda; Rebecca; all those suffering from COVID-19; Glenna (as she celebrates her 95th on Wed.).
From 1/17/21: Zander D. and all called offer security at the inauguration; Rebecca S.; Laurie’s mom, Dar (foot surgery); Madelyn L. (broken arm); Leslie (surgery); Aleana; Tom F.; John W.; Penny S.
From 1/24/21: Vicky J. (two family members lost to COVID-19); Tanner Mitchell family (fatal car accident); Caleb S. (in hospital since July with COVID-19).
From 1/31/21: Jo (Marilyn’s granddaughter); Tom F. family; Linda D.; Leslie D.; Rebecca S.
From 2/7/21: Linda D. (recovering from knee replacement surgery); Vicky Johnson (from Shadow Home; lost 4 family members in 4 weeks to COVID-19).
From 2/14/21: Marilyn R.; Linda D.
From 2/21/21: Ella (hit head hard); Linda D. (in Meadow Manor with blood clot); Audrey D.’s sister’s family; Leslie D.; Alex C. Family; Brittany C.; Bill T. + family AND Ella L. + family (both received cancer diagnoses recently); Emma B. Family;

Households, Churches, and World Regions of the Month:

In preparation for each month, 4-5 households from our church family are drawn from a jar filled with slips of paper.
The congregation is invited to include these households in their daily prayers for the month (or one household per week).
Households for March:
1. B. Bollinger
2. The T. & C. Covington Family
3. The R. & J. Hodges Family
3. K. O’Brien

Every month we pray for a collection of churches in our area (equivalent of 1 per week).
Churches for March:
1. Joy Assembly, Stonington – Rev. David Heath
2. Sherman United Methodist Church – Rev. Jon Carrell
3. First Christian Church, Moweaqua – Revs. Ryan Baker & Les Evans
4. Moweaqua and Sanner Chapel United Methodist Churches – Rev. Patricia Allin

Every month we pray for a region of the world.
Region for March:
Central Africa (Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic of the Congo, Rwanda, Angola, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe)

Every month is full of “special observances”; the ones listed below may help you stretch your prayer life.
March Special Observances:
1st – Peace Corps Day / World Compliment Day / Self-Injury Awareness Day
3^rd – Nat’l Caregivers Appreciation Day / World Wildlife Day
4^th – Nat’l Hug a G.I. Day
5^th –World Day of Prayer / Employee Appreciation Day
6^th – Dentist’s Day
8^th – Int’l (Working) Women’s Day
11^th – Nat’l Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day
12^th – Plant a Flower Day
13^th – Nat’l Good Samaritan Day / Brain Injury Awareness Day
14^th – Pi Day / Nat’l Write Your Story Day/ Nat’l Agriculture Day
15^th – Ides of March / Well-Elderly Day
16^th – Freedom of Information Day / World Social Work Day
17^th – St. Patrick’s Day
18^th – Forgive Your Parents Day / Kiss Your Fiancé Day
20^th – Nat’l Day of Action Against Bullying & Violence / Int’l Earth Day / “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Day (Mr. Rogers Day) / First Day of Spring!
21^st – Women’s History Sunday / Nat’l Renewable Energy Day / Int’l Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination / Nat’l Single Parent Day
22^nd – World Day of Water
24^th – Int’l Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for Dignity of Victims / Epilepsy Awareness Day
25^th – The Annunciation of the Lord (Angel Gabriel visits Mary – 9 months before Christmas) / Int’l Day for the Remembrance of Victims of Slavery
29^th – Mom & Pop Business Owners Day / March 30^th – Nat’l Doctors Day
31^st – Int’l Transgender Day of Visibility