Marengo United Methodist Church VO LU ME X I
I SSU E 9
TH E M U STARD SEED SEPT EM BER 2 0 08
Inside this Issue: Friends, Anniversaries & Birthdays Back to School poem Calendar Choir Notes Coffee Project CPR Training Disciple Have You Heard? Library News
7 4 9 5 8 3 11 8 5
L.I.F.E. 101 Back Nursery News 7 Organ Repair Complete 3 Parent s Day Out 4 Prayer List 6 Rally Day 11 Roots to Wings 2 Rosebud Mission Thanks 6 Senior Moment 4 UMW 3 Wesley Fellowship Groups 10 Worship Leaders 3 Worship Schedule 11 Youth Group Events 5
Do you remember the mixed feelings you felt on the first day of school? There were fear, excitement, anticipation, confusion and joy all fighting for dominance. For some students, joy and excitement take hold and they rush home to tell their parents what a wonderful day they had at school, describing everything in detail, from their new friends and teachers to their new desk and chair. It is all new, and it is all wonderful! The natural fear, trepidation and confusion surrounding the new new year, new class, new books, new classmates, new teachers, new schedules, etc. are overwhelmed by the sheer joy of all the wonderful things they see and feel. Yet, for others, the first day of school is a traumatic event. All the strange and unfamiliar people and surroundings result in a wave of anxiety that can leave a child in a real state of panic. The first day of preschool typically begins with a few children crying and calling out for their mothers. The tears can turn into real panic as a child watches his or her parents walking away, leaving them there, with these strangers. Then the expressions of terror begin. All children and adults, when confronted by new situations, experience a wide variety of conflicting emotions. The question is, which will gain supremacy. For me, my first two months at Marengo United Methodist Church have been a real joy, filled Continued on page - 2
TH E M U S TA R D S E E D
Page 2
with excitement and hopeful anticipation. You could say that I have had a wonderful first day, [the fear and terror having been kept to a minimum.] As we start the new church school year with Rally Day on September 7th and our return to two worship services at 8:30 and 10:15 a.m., I hope we all begin with all the best of hopes and feelings, filled with excitement and anticipation. After all, God is a God of new beginnings! I am ready to get started. I hope you are as well. See you Sunday morning, September 7th for Rally Day. [No tears, just cheers.] Yours in Christ,
Pastor Keck Mowry
From Roots to Wings $220,000.00 Total offering received to date
$170,000.00
Pledges received from pledge drive
1 2 3
$120,000.00
4
$218,745.00 $23,194.05
$70,000.00
$20,000.00 1
2
3
4
V OL UM E X I
I SSUE 9
Doris Mangano is offering a CPR renewal class on Sunday, September 14th beginning at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. In order to stay current CPR certificates must be renewed every two years. There have also been some changes. Anyone who volunteers at the church that took the certification two years ago should attend. Anyone else that would like to be certified may also attend. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Doris Mangano (815-568-2932. The class will begin with a group class reviewing the new CPR information. This should take about a half hour. After that we will take turns on the CPR dummies and complete the final training. Doris only has 6 dummies, but expects to get everyone through the training by 2:30 p.m.
Page 3
"Recently I stopped for breakfast at the local pancake house. I intended to steal a moment to be alone before the day began and its many demands crowded my time. "Just an egg and a homemade biscuit," I told the waitress. "and coffee please" I handed back the menu and turned to the book I'd brought to jump-start my mind. I had barely finished the second page before she returned with my breakfast. She poured the coffee and asked if there's be anything else. "No, I'm fine, thank you" I answered. She smiled, "Enjoy!" she said and then hurried back to deliver someone else's order. Her final word hung in the air above my corner booth like a blessing. It was a choice she had offered me. I could go through this day oblivious to the miracles all around me or I could tune in and "enjoy"! I've heard a lot of sermons in my day but the one-word sermon preached by a busy waitress as she poured a cup of coffee was one of the best. God has given you this day. You don't want to miss it. Enjoy! Reprinted from Joy for the Woman's Soul.
You may have noticed that we have been using Worship Leaders to offer the welcome, the opening prayer, and read the scripture. If any of you feel that you have a gift for this ministry, please call Susan Gieseler (815-568-7502) or email to sgiesel@t6b.com. There will be a meeting in late September or early October to talk about perfecting our skills in worship. If this is something you would like to participate in, but you are concerned about writing the welcome or the prayer, Susan is always willing to lend a hand with that. The qualifications are that you are willing to step up to the microphone, and speak clearly and to practice reading the Scripture so that it can be read with expression, without stumbling over the challenging words. Thank you! Susan Gieseler
Circles are resuming. Check the bulletin for times and places. Both Esther and Ruth circles will meet in September. You will enjoy them.
First, I want to thank everyone for their patience and good attitudes while we worshipped in the basement. I want to thank all of the people who helped in moving all of the equipment down to the basement in July and then back up again in August!
Susan Gieseler
TH E M U S TA R D S E E D
Page 4
School days, school days! But rarely for seniors, so I submit the following questions to you. Consider this a pop quiz graded on a curve! If a turtle loses its shell is it naked or homeless? If nothing sticks to Teflon, then how do they make Teflon stick to the pan? Why do Kamikaze pilots wear seatbelts? If love is blind, then why is lingerie so popular? Why is the alphabet in that order? Is it because of that song? If a black box flight recorder is never damaged in a plane crash, why don t they make the whole plane out of that stuff? Why is there an expiration date on sour cream? If most car accidents occur within five miles from home, then why doesn t everyone just move five miles away? Why are psychics still working if they all know the winning lottery numbers? If you try to fail, but you succeed, which have you done? Perhaps not But be assured that: God s love is meteroric, His loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost. Psalm 36:5-6 MSG
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not flunk; He keepeth me from lying down when I should be studying He leadeth me beside the water cooler for a study break; He restores my faith in study guides. He leads me to better study habits For my grades' sake. Yea, tho I walk through the valley of borderline grades, I will not have a nervous breakdown; For thou art with me; My prayers and my friends, they comfort me. Thou givest me the answers in moments of blankness; Thou anointest my head with understanding, My test paper runneth over with questions I recognize. Surely passing grades and flying colors shall follow me all the days of examinations; And I shall not have to dwell in this school Forever!! Amen (submitted by Ann Stein who received eight years ago from Pat Maus)
Parents' Day Out will begin Monday September 8th. We are almost at full capacity which is a great compliment to our program after only 2 years. During Settler's Days we will be having a clothing resale drive here at MUMC, from 9am-4pm, Saturday October 11th. We are looking for donations of children's clothing sizes newborn through size 1416 from now until Thursday October 9th. We hope to use the profits earned from the fundraiser to buy vital program materials for PDO. We will also be needing volunteers to help with the sale for an hour or two. Please contact Liz Fischer if you have any donations of clothing or are interested in helping out. God's Blessings Liz Fischer- PDO Director
TH E M U S TA R D S E E D
Page 5
Junior Choir and Junior Bells will resume again on September 3rd. See Ed or Nancy Richard with any questions or for more information 847-515-1406.
On Sunday, Aug. 3rd we had 21 youth and 7 adults enjoy a splash filled day at Magic Waters after a rough start with a brief thunderstorm that rolled through to shut things down for about 30 minutes. Many have requested we do this again next summer. Thank you to LaVerne & Vicki Loudenbeck, Duane Oranger, Ray Esunis and Scott Meyers for driving & special Thanks to Tom Mangano for allowing us to use their van as the Oakes broke down the day before the event. Saturday, Aug. 9th we held our Youth Lock-in and picnic. Nineteen youth attended and eighteen stayed all night. Congrats to Jayme, Tara, Trevor, Tyler, Andre, Jaime and Richard for making it all night along with Mrs. Mangano and Mrs. Oakes. A big thank you to Mr. Oakes for manning the grill. More event pictures are on display outside the church office. We will have a youth group meeting after the 10:15 service on Sunday, September 7th for all youth in grades 6-12. Watch your mailboxes for further details. We are in the planning stages of a canoe trip for September.
Last month I shared with you my intention to read the Bible all the way through. At the suggestion of friends, I am reading it chronologically. I wanted to share my intention with you so that you can hold me accountable. I did not give myself a time line. But I am taking the suggestion to read it chronologically. The schedule I am using is available to you in the library. I have read 72 chapters. There are 1190 chapters in the Bible, 929 in the Old testament and 261 in the New testament. If you read 3 chapters each day and 5 on Sunday, you can read the entire Bible in 362 days!!! "The surest way to God's heart is through his word. If you start there, you'll never go wrong" In conjunction with plans to read God's word (all of it!), we are also accepting donations of Bibles. These will be passed on wherever there is a need. Some Bible donations were delivered to Buras, Louisiana. Free box will always be available. We love to see new books added to our collection. We will continue to add material. Please donate any books you have enjoyed but are willing to part with to share your enjoyment. We have recently accepted a nice donation of Max Lucado books. He is a real inspiration. If you aren't familiar with him, this is an opportunity to enjoy his writing. If there are duplicates to our current books, they will be put in the FREE box!!
TH E M U S TA R D S E E D
Page 6
I started writing this article just before we left for Rosebud. By the time you read it, we will have returned from our 4th year (for Darrell Knisley) of supporting this mission. Unfortunately, due to scheduling problems the date this year was changed from June to August, which meant several members from Marengo were not able to go because they had to go back to school. (Sorry Tyler!) This meant the representatives for 2008 from our church were Darrell Knisley, Bob Rucker and Nicole Misiura. Prayers for Health and Healing: Lev Lappin and his friend; Scott KomiFirst of all I would like to thank everyone who donated clothes for us to take to the nowski, friend of the Hoffmans; Errol Alden; Cathy Manthei; Ron Carel, reservation. Jill, Nicole, David and I packed 30 bags (large yard bags) full of clothes. Rudy & Nell Grons son in law; Linda There was everything from men, women and children s winter coats, sweaters, pants, Resenbeck, Rudy& Nell Grons jeans, boots, shirts, pajamas, baby clothes and a handmade afghan to share with the daughter; Sean Romine; Sydney Ives, residents of Rosebud. friend of Bonnie Voller; Sheri Johnstone; Arthur Overhage, friend of I also want to thank Connie Sandman and Fran Wilson. Both of these teachers Brenda Ferreira; Dorothy Muench; arranged for us to collect old school books that were being Laurie Monti, Bonnie Voller s sister; replaced at their respective schools this year. We received Ann Locovare; Don Duthron, friend of science books and reading books for students in kindergarten Audrey Anderson; Whitney & Taylor to 8th grade. Our contact at Rosebud was excited to learn English, Brenda Ferreira s nieces; we would be bringing these out with us. The real challenge Brenda Hemmingsen, friend of Lisa was to get all of the donations out to South Dakota. Darrell Kirchhoff; Susan Gieseler s sister, was able to borrow a trailer, which he built sides for and we Debbie Leuders; Evelyn Thompson; packed it FULL. When we pulled out Saturday morning little Abigail Mendoza, friend of the Skow did we know the trailer would develop, not one, but two flat tires on its way to the family; Beverly Parke; Ryan Stevens; Dakotas. What normally is a 10 hour drive ended up taking almost 16 hours for Darrell Gary Kawal; Norm Finnell; Mary and his chase car. (They chased after new tires for Darrell.) But all ended well and we Ghastin, friend of Mary Pflueger; will head out Sunday for Rosebud. It is a 4 hour drive from Mitchell South Dakota to Fred & Barb Trask; Connie Sandthe reservation and we are all praying Darrell is able to make it without any more mans sister, Lois Howard; Shirley Vaughan, friend of the Hoffman fammishaps. On a positive note, we didn t leave anyone at a rest stop! ily; Ron Kadamus; Janet Swonguer s father, Ben Horton; Ryan Justen; I want to personally thank Chuck Andrews, Vanessa Angelo and Luke Wilson for helping us load the trailer Friday afternoon before we left. There was a lot of work to be Carter Gilbert; Maurice Kimball; done and everyone pitched in to help out. Chuck, thank you just doesn t seem enough Helen Davis; Sharon & Bill Bankson for all you did. From the very beginning to the bitter end, you were there. Thank you Prayers for Comfort and Support: very much. Vanessa was out riding bikes with her children, came by the church and jumped right in. What a pleasure to work with you. And Luke, we pulled you off the Family and friends of Dorothy Muench; Steve Tradewell; Military Men & street and you helped us move some really heavy boxes. Thank you! Women Lastly, Darrell, Nicole and I want to THANK YOU the members of Marengo United Prayers for the Homebound: Methodist Church for supporting us by buying Christmas wreathes and cookie dough Bev Parke; Katie Loomis and for praying for our safety and success. Spreading the word of God, one mission, one person, one place at a time is what we are called to do. Thank you for helping us Prayers for those in Nursing/Rehab: do it. Madge Adams; Norm Finnell; Robert Grass; Dale Jenne; Genelle Skeels; Margaret Pace; Mildred Walters Bob Rucker
TH E M U S TA R D S E E D
Page 7
In the fall we will go back to only having the one nursery. There was not enough usage in the early morning to continue with that time period- it ran for 6 months and we only had about 6 kids (total). We welcome Jill Rucker and Nicole Misiura to our nursery staff. We will also have some student boy nursery helpers this fall.
Fr ed Tr ask Ashley Mikkelsen-Lueder s Kait lyn McGowan Sydney Koplin J anet Swonguer Nicholas Esunis Bill Weir ich Amanda Tomasi J acob Bour ke Cynt hia Koplin Bet t y J acoby Dawn Hof f man J ennif er Haas Anna Mangano Dennis Koplin Gar y St oklosa Clar a Piper Gene Knisley Fr ances Wilson Coye Beebe J udy Gr iebel Alexis Mor t imer Bar b Tr ask Walt er J akubowski J ayme Sandman J ust in J ef f er son Rebecca Per kins Heidi Cowan Libby Lohf f Allison J ust en Dar r ell Knisley Pat Mer r it t Rachel Gaillor et o J ennie Adamson Evelyn Thompson
1 2 2 3 3 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 15 15 17 17 18 19 20 21 21 23 24 24 26 27 27 30 30
Remember that the nursery is for children through kindergarten only, or handicapped children up to an age determined by Jill Rucker or myself. Parents whose children use the nursery are asked to come in and volunteer at least one Sunday a month. If your children occasionally use the nursery, volunteering once a quarter would be helpful. You can sign up with Doris Mangano for your Sundays and she will give you a reminder before your Sunday comes up. After school had ended we had as many as 15 children in the nursery, instead of our usual 6-10. It was exciting to see how calm the children were, as they quietly played together. It reflects the mood of the adult volunteer, being calm filters down to the children,- good job Jill!! We are all looking forward to another year, enjoying your children for the hour weekly we have them. Jill and I especially love holding, talking and playing them since our children are grown. (and besides the play dough is fun now we have an excuse as adults to enjoy playing with it!) Doris Mangano
Ray & Angela Richar dson Buck & Kim Bur gr af f Chr is & Debbie Oakes Mat t & Nicole Misiur a J oel & J ane Cowan Don & Mar ie Ur ban J ust in & Sar ah J ef f er son Ken & Connie Dennison Dennis & Bar b Koplin
2 3 5 5 10 11 14 15 26
TH E M U S TA R D S E E D
Page 8
Se t t l e r s D a y s I n c . An n u a l A r t s & Cr a f t s F a i r & Sm a l l B u s i n e s s F a i r
Crafters still needed!! New location at Marengo United Methodist Church 119 E. Washington Street On Saturday, October 11, 2008 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Congr at ulat ions t o new Gr andma Kelly Dur bin. Her blessings ar e t imes t wo as t wins wer e bor n t o Br andon Dur bin and Roni Pr uden on J uly 7, 2008. Lia J o weighed in at 4 lbs. 7 oz. and Ella Ann weighed in at 3 lbs. 15 oz. Gr andma is t ickled pink having t wo beaut if ul and healt hy gir ls! Welcome Lia and Ella!
Our love and prayers are with the family and friends of Dorothy Muench, who passed away in August 2008
Call Brenda Rommel at 815-568-3501 or Judy Starr at 815-568-6105 for an application
Grace Chamberlain recently made a big move. If you would like to give her a call or drop her a note her new address is: Grace Chamberlain 4609 W. Crystal Lake Rd. #228 McHenry, IL 60050 815-363-7453
Congratulations to Charlie Johnson who wed Stephanie Busman on July 25th in beautiful St. Thomas. The wedding was officiated by Pastor Steve Bullmer. August coffee orders will be available for pick up on Sunday, September 7th. Please try and pick up your orders promptly. The September order will have hot chocolate mix, as well as tea and coffee! Thanks to all who take advantage of the Equal Exchange Program.
TH E M U S TA R D S E E D
Page 9
TH E M U S TA R D S E E D
Page 10
Are you interested in digging deep into the Bible or want to spend an evening with church family who will care for you, pray for you and support you, then we have a Wesley Fellowship Group for you. There is always an empty chair and room for more at each group. You are never a stranger when you walk into a Wesley Fellowship meeting we are all God s family. We hope you will prayerfully consider joining a group. If you have any questions about a specific group, please feel free to contact that group leader. If you have questions about what a Wesley Fellowship Group is and what it means to belong to one, or are interested in starting a small group of your own, please contact Pastor Keck
M onday Monday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. you will find Marcia Simons leading a women s group who meet at Brenda Rommel s home (765 Mallard Drive in Marengo). This group is open to women of all ages. This fall the ladies will be launching a study on celebrating friendship. You can reach Marcia at 815-568-8735. Also on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m., Dewey and Betty Meinders host a group at their home in Union (17913 Meadow Lane). Lively and spirited discussions are the tone of this fellowship. Men and women of all ages are welcome to join them. The group is currently using Transformation Journal; A One Year Journey Through The Bible., reading from scripture daily. Dewey says, although we're not reading every chapter of the Bible, our understanding of God's word is growing big-time . If you would like to be a part of this group, you can reach the Meinders at 815-923-3411. Chuck & Judy Andrews host this group in their home (529 E. Prairie Street in Marengo) at 7:30 pm. This diverse group of men and women enjoy fellowship and invigorating discussions. All ages are welcome to attend. The fall start date is being determined, but you can reach the Andrews at 815-568-7746 for more information. Every other Monday evening a group of mom's, led by Elizabeth McGowan, meets at the church at 7:30 p.m. This group s focus is supporting mothers with small children in dealing with the challenges of everyday life. This group is currently studying the book of Luke. You can reach Liz at 815-568-0992.
T uesday Judy Andrews leads a group at her home (529 E. Prairie Street in Marengo) on Tuesdays at 9:30 am. After a summer hiatus this group will meet again beginning on September 9th. They will be looking at a book entitled, Same Kind of Different As Me, for about five weeks. The amazing true story of a modern-day slave, an international art dealer, and the unlikely woman who bound them together. Gritty with pain and betrayal to work our hearts to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) as we uncover the same kind of different as me . The group is open to women of all ages. You can reach Judy at 815-568-7746. Gina Rickerd will be leading a group that meets at the church on
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the senior high room (upper level of church). This group is a new group that just started up last spring, and took the summer off. The first meeting will be a discussion of the specifics of our group, including frequency of meetings (weekly or every other week) and topics of study.
W ednesday Mark your calendar now the Wednesday night Wesley Fellowship Group is starting back up and we are inviting you to join us. Starting September 3rd we will be meeting at Bob & Jill Rucker s home (1101 N. State Street) in Marengo at 7:00 pm. The first week will be a meet and greet to catch up with each other and introduce the topic for the next 6 weeks. Dessert, coffee and fellowship are the agenda for the evening. Starting September 10th, Jill will be leading the devotion time with a study of one of the Fruits of the Spirit - Faithfulness, The Foundation of True Friendship. This series was written with one goal in mind to allow the Spirit of God to use the Word of God to produce His fruit in our lives. The study will help us to discover what the Bible says rather than telling us what it says. There is always room for more, so please consider this your invitation to join a lively and spirited fellowship group where everyone s opinions, ideas and views are accepted and valued. The group is open to adults of all ages. If you have any questions, you can contact Bob or Jill at 568-5535.
T hursday Marge Murray leads a group that meets at the church on Thursday nights at 7:00 pm. The focus for this group is to write encouraging notes and cards to members of the church who are in our thoughts and prayers. Following a short devotion, this group is task orientated and welcomes men and women of all ages. You can reach Marge at 815-568-5739.
S aturday The first Saturday of every month Chuck Andrews leads a group of men at a breakfast meeting. This group meets in the Fellowship Hall in the church basement at 7:30 am. Following a hearty breakfast, the men study topics from various books. Open to men of all ages and denominations, Chuck encourages lively discussion, opinions and feedback. You can contact Chuck at 815-568-7746.
TH E M U S TA R D S E E D
September begins a new sermon series on the need to step outside the confines of our typical environment to reach others with the message and reality of the gospel. Sunday, September 7, 2008 Rally Day Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3 Message: We are Called to Go Outside Sunday, September 14, 2008 Scripture: Luke 14:7-24 Message: We are Called to Make a Place at the Table Sunday, September 21, 2008 Scripture: Acts 9:1-19 Message: Overcoming Obstacles Sunday, September 28, 2008 Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 Message: Go Outside
Please join us for Sunday School registration at our Beach Party Celebration!
Page 11
If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples John 8:31, The New Jerusalem Bible In this verse, Jesus issues a challenge to those who would be his disciples: Take up residence in my teaching, he says. Spend time with me, he says long enough to feel at home with me. But with this challenge, Jesus also includes a promise: to make a home in my word, he says, is to find a home in my way. The nature of discipleship, Jesus says, is like the lifetime of labor it takes to establish a place of growth and nurture, refuge and redemption, trust and hope. In the end, becoming a disciple, like making a home, is its own reward. DISCIPLE offers us a challenge and a promise. The challenge is to see the regular, in-depth study of Scripture, designed to develop biblically nourished persons committed to discipleship, as the foundation for all congregational ministry. The promise is that all who come to Scripture allowing it to have its say will, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, experience a power that changes priorities and redirect lives. DISCIPLE guides small groups of persons to submit themselves to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of God s Word, and to be changed by God s Word. If congregations desire members whose way of life as individual Christians and as faithful community is transformed by the way of Christ, then studying Scripture is an essential step to take. For everyone. Imagine Imagine the members of Marengo UMC shaped by a shared knowledge and understanding of the whole biblical story and its connection to their lives. Imagine a congregation whose life together is nourished by the fruits of transformational Bible study. Imagine a church where every adult and older youth has read and studied the Bible from Genesis through Revelation and has spent time prayerfully considering their gifts as disciples and their roles as servant-leaders. Imagine a congregation led by laypersons with a deep awareness of the nature and purpose of the church developed through their study of Scripture. DISCIPLE at Marengo UMC This fall we will again offer the introductory course to DISCIPLE Bible Study. You have to take DISCIPLE I before you can take all other studies in the DISICPLE program. What is DISCIPLE I? DISCIPLE I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study A 34-week study of the whole Bible A study requiring daily reading of Scripture A study featuring group discussion each week based on careful preparation A study calling on persons daring enough to put themselves under the power of God s Word, and to be transformed by God s Word Groups are forming now! If you are interested in participating in DISCIPLE please talk to Pastor Keck or e-mail the church at info@marengo-umc.org.
We a r e o n t h e web ! Vis it u s at www.m ar en go -u m c.o r g
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
PAID MARENGO, ILLINOIS 60152 PERMIT #28
M A REN GO U N I T ED M E T H O D I ST C H U RC H
119 E. Washington Street Marengo, IL 60152 Phone: 815-568-7162 Fax: 815-568-7163 E-mail: info@marengo-umc.org
Our goal at Marengo UMC is to help people develop a lifestyle that maximizes all the purposes for which God created us. Our L.I.F.E. Series of four four-hour classes is your roadmap to that spiritual growth. If you take all four L.I.F.E. classes, you will be on your way to being the kind of disciple God wants and the world needs. Exploring Church Membership is the first of the L.I.F.E. classes. This seminar will teach you about Marengo UMC s mission, vision, and core values. You will learn what it means to be a Christian and what it means to be a member of Marengo UMC. If you are considering membership at Marengo UMC, the first step is to attend our L.I.F.E. Class 101. If you are already a member and you want to get on board with God s mission for our church, God s vision for your life, and a strategy for fulfilling both, we encourage you to take L.I.F.E. 101 and renew your passion for Christ and your membership vows. Exploring Church membership takes place on Sunday, September 28th from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m., with a break for supper. Sessions will be in the Conference Room or Fellowship Hall, depending upon the number of participants. Child care is available with advance signup. You can register by talking to Pastor Keck, calling the church office (815-568-7162), or e-mail us at info@marengo-umc.org.