November 2020 Volume 51 Issue 11 MUSTARD SEED

Volume 51Issue 11The Joy Is In The GivingAnd Being Together!November 2020MUSTARD SEEDOur church family offers us many ways to learnand grow together in ministry. Thank you toeveryone who has given of their time andtalents!Christian Education Zoom MeetingChildren’s TimeUPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, October 31st @3:45 p.m. - Bible Study October 31st & November 1st - All Saints Day Worship Service Monday, November 2nd @ 5:30 p.m. - Bible Study (Last) Monday, November 2nd @ 7:00 p.m. - Building Committee Mtg. (Zoom) Wednesdays @ 5:00 p.m. - Online Devotion & Prayer Partners (Sanctuary) Wednesday, November 4th @ 6:00 p.m. - Bible Study (Last) Saturday, November 7th @ 3:45 p.m. - Bible Study (Last) Saturday, November 14th - 9-12 Drive-in Food Drive (Helping Hands) Friday, November 20th @ 6:00 p.m. - Virtual Fellowship Sunday, December 6th @ 4:00 p.m. - Charge Conference

2Pastor’s Page - November, 2020“Jesus said ‘Whoever drinks the water I givethem will never thirst.Indeed, the water I give them will become inthem a spring of water welling up to eternallife.” John 4:14Time goes by so quickly. My older daughter is a senior in high school. I still remember seeing her walkingdown the hall at a fall festival in her first Halloween costume as a ladybug in 2004. A few weeks ago, wetook her senior pictures and I felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, I am so proud of the woman she is becoming. At the same time, I am sad to see my baby grow up.I’ve heard many of you comment that time has flown by in 2020. Now, we’re in the season of fall, which isone of the most beautiful times of the year. The fall colors remind us that change is in the air. A new seasonis coming. Even though we do not know what the future holds, we trust that God will continue to lead andguide us.Minooka students returned to school with a hybrid schedule on October 19. This is a good step in the rightdirection. Let’s do our best to stay healthy so that school can remain open. Let’s also lift up the students, parents, teachers, and administrators in prayer. Each of us can do our small part (wearing masks and maintainingsocial distancing) to keep our community healthy.I want to express my gratitude to our Building and Trustee Committee for their diligent work with our RidgeRoad property. This has been a dream for many decades and we’re making gradual progress. So, let’s prayfor wisdom. Let’s faithfully listen and respond to God’s invitation to trust and follow.Speaking of wise decisions, I am grateful for everyone who joined in the Bible studies. Over the past month,we studied “6 Decisions that Will Change Your Life.” It’s been a fun and engaging study. I’ve enjoyed being part of these small groups with you. I pray that you are learning, growing, and taking bold steps of faithduring these studies.November is election season. It is also the flu season. Add this to the ongoing pandemic and we have manyreasons to be anxious and afraid. During these tumultuous times, let’s turn to the Lord and ask for peace.Let’s draw near to the Lord and drink from the living water he offers. Rather than being caught up in the political attacks and negativity, let’s shine God’s love with hope and positivity. While others are sowing division and distrust, let’s share God’s light and love. Let’s make worship a priority. Let’s make time to serveand care for our neighbors. Let’s recommit ourselves to reading the Bible and praying every day.At the beginning of October, our Finance Committee sent out a stewardship letter and Estimate of Giving cardfor 2021. Please contact the church office if you did not receive your letter and card. I invite all of you toprayerfully consider your giving in 2021. Together, we will continue to serve and bless others in the name ofJesus Christ.During All Saints services (Oct 31 & Nov 1), we will recognize and give thanks for the lives of loved oneswho made their heavenward journey this year. If you’ve lost a friend or family member in the past year, joinus for worship as we care for one another and give thanks for the promise of resurrection.We cannot stop time. However, we can live more fully every day. We can choose to love God and love ourneighbor as ourselves. We can choose to give thanks and make each day more meaningful. In doing so, wehonor our Creator and make the most of every day.Blessings,Pastor Sarah

3Saturday 5:00 p.m.In-person WorshipMinooka United MethodistChurch205 West Church StreetMinooka, IL 60447815-467-2322minookaumc.comFacebook: Minooka United MethodistChurchSaturday Worship5:00 p.m.**In-person Traditional WorshipServiceSunday Worship Schedule8:00 a.m.*Outdoor Worship Service9:30 a.m.**In-person & Online Blended WorshipServiceOnline DevotionWednesday 5:00 p.m.Church Office Hours:Monday - Friday8:30a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Administrative AssistantKatie WojcieszakChurch Phone: 815-467-2322Church e-mail:admin@minookaumc.comSunday 8:00 a.m.*Outdoor WorshipPlease keep us informed ofmembers who are critically illor in the hospital:Office 815-467-2322Pastor Sarah 815-212-5166To be on our Prayer Chain,please call the Church Office.Sunday 9:30 a.m.In-person & Online WorshipWednesday 5 p.m. Online DevotionAs the holidays quickly approach, it is time to get creative. As well as our normal distribution of food, we have two other important challenges. The holiday celebrations maybe different for everyone this year, but we want to do our part for our families. Our firstchallenge is to “ make lemonade from an abundant of lemons”. Second, to “Be the reason that someone smiles today “. These are clichés, but seem appropriate at this time.First, we plan to accomplish this by providing a few holiday foods. Second, since wehave successfully returned to our individual inside appointments, we will try to provide asocial interaction that puts a smile on their faces.One of our lemons is our food reserves are very low. These past six months we havebeen using our donated food previous to January. When we had to switch to drive updelivery, we used most of the food supplies and supplemented with our Pantry budget.This has resulted in more buying and little reserves. Although this has been the situation,individuals have continued to donate. We are very thankful to these individuals for theirsupport.Recently, the Channahon Methodist Church and Fleming Family Reunion had a collection for us. We reached out to the Boy/Cub Scouts and we will be the recipients of theirfood drive. We also contacted Operation St. Nick who promised a donation and any future support we may need. However, we cannot count on the schools which kept us supplied throughout the past summer.Consequently, we are coming to you. If anyone wishes to share their holiday spirit weneed: a variety of soups, hamburger meals, carrots, canned fruits, condiments, seasonings, and tuna. Anything basic will be appreciated.What we do NOT need is cereal, pancake mix, corn, any type of beans, nor paper products.THE PANTRY TEAM WILL BE AVAILABLESATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14th, FROM 9 to 12. ITWILL BE A DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD DRIVE.Just pull up with your donation and a masked pantry member will take the donation out of your car. See you on November 14th. Fast, efficient, and safe!Finally, stay healthy and the Pantry team wishes everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving.Pastor Sarah Hong815-212-5166pastor@minookaumc.comMusic DirectorJill Kohler*Outdoor Worship will meet on the lawnbehind the church. It will be moved intothe annex if the weather is bad.**Reservations are recommended for allservices in the sanctuary. Contact theoffice.Jean Jun and the Pantry Team“Being Thankful in “All” Things”“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thessalonians 5:18)Sometimes it is the “all” in that verse that makes us think about it. Most of us can bethankful, for lots of things, at lots of times, but in “all” circumstances? That can betough. What about when you are discouraged, disillusioned, and struggling with disbelief,or when you are overwhelmed, overextended and just fighting being over-stressed. Whatabout when the needs mount high and the way doesn’t look clear or when people are cruel,life seems unfair, and the enemy’s trying to discourage you. We can be assured that Godholds us in His hands. God is with us always.Jesus repeatedly warned His disciples that hard times awaited them. His coming did notmagically right all the wrongs in this broken world. But He does provide a way for us tofind hope and direction in navigating the world. He calls us to keep our eyes on Him, toremain in relationship with Father, Son, and Spirt, and to live by His priorities of love,service, and obedience. Let God’s presence transform our perspective and lead us forward. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world youwill have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Be assuredthat you never fight the battles alone. Stay strong. Choose joy.Choose to be grateful in it “all”.In Christ,Pearl Lindley, Certified Lay Servant

42020-21Class InformationVirtual Sunday SchoolVideos will be uploaded on Friday afternoon on theMinooka UMC Children & Youth Facebook pageto use at your convenience. Family lesson packetsare available outside of the entrance to the church bythe office.November Confirmation Class Schedule11/1Isaac Is Born11/8Jacob & Esau Sunday, November 1st - No Class Sunday, November 8th - Zoom Class @11:00 a.m. Sunday, November 15th - In-person Class10:45 a.m. Sunday, November 22nd - No Class Sunday, November 29th - No Class11/15The BirthrightPlease pray for our Confirmands:11/22The Blessing11/29Jacob’s LadderSunday School Lesson PlansDateDatePre-K through 5th GradeZachary BeitlerMason SmithAva Staley6th through 8th Grade11/1God Calls Abraham & Sarah(Genesis 17:1-8, 15-22, & 21:1-7)11/8The Reluctant Prophet (Book of Jonah)11/15The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)11/22The Old and the New (Luke 5:27-39)11/29The Holy Sprit Surprises (Acts 10:1-48)Senior High Sunday SchoolMarlin Hartman (teacher) invites all 9-12th Grade studentsto join High School Sunday School on Sunday morningsat 10:45 a.m. In-person class will meet in the annex. Weara face covering, bring your bible, and a notebook! Contact Marlin Hartman for more information.The Sunday School Committee wants say thank you to the Outreach Committee, especially Gail Flatness & Ava Staley(Confirmand) for putting candies into Halloween Treat bags for the Sunday School students– Julie Y. Craig (Sunday School Superintendent).A big thanks to Mari Kirsch, Ruth Satorius, and Kim Wences (Youth) for recording Sunday School lessons, crafts, puppetshows, and Sunday School songs in October. Thank you to Madeline Reed & Pastor Sarah for recording Jr. High SundaySchool lessons in October. Thank you to Mari Kirsch & Pastor Sarah for assembling craft bags for each Sunday School familyin October.