Sports Camp

Need help having your kiddos fall asleep this summer?  We have the solution for YOU . . .  Sports Camp at Troy UMC.

$6/day from 9-11 a.m.  Drop your kiddo for one day or all days.

Devotion, Warm-Up, Volleyball, Soccer, Softball, Cheerleading, Team Building, Friendship, Confidence, Encouragement, Prayer 

Contact Tonnie at Tonnie@troyumc.org for more information!

Sew Much Love: Pillowcases

Many of you may know that I volunteer with a group who supports monthly adoptions of deployed US Military Troops all over the world, and MASH units in Afghanistan.  We have some wonderful women who sew through the Troy United Methodist Group called “Sew Much Love.”  Also, for those of you who remember Pastor Joy Cachetta, she has three small churches, and women from there also sew.  What they have all created, as well as all the people who sew across the country, is amazing.  Each stitch is a prayer for a good night’s sleep and a safe return of all our troops.  Pillowcases have gone to ships, to the “Sandbox” (aka Afghanistan), to Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard groups.  Sometimes an individual in need will contact our group, Molly’s Adopt a Sailor, as we will rush a love box and a pillowcase out to them.

 

Our pillowcases take only one yard, if you leave out the extra strip of fabric that you will see in the video.  Sergers are the fastest, but for years, I have used a regular sewing machine.   We also have people who have tie died white ones, too.

As you go to sleep tonight, add a prayer for our troops.  If you would like to sew, a link to instructions is included. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7moryq_ZRFY

By Carol Pigg/@carols_kitchen

Sunday Thanks

Listening to Tim Price's sermon today at Troy United Methodist Church, he encouraged us all to pray without asking for anything, but instead praying a prayer of complete thanksgiving.  This gave me pause to think we should devote our day of rest and all days to thanking our Creator.  So, every Sunday consider participation in Sunday Thanks.

Please reflect on today, the past week, or one incident in particular.  Share what you are thankful for in the comments section below.  Perhaps, your sharing will encourage someone else to realize how much he/she has in which to be thankful.

Sunday at Troy United Methodist Church!

8:00, 9:00, 10:30, or 10:35

TGIW Cancelled for January 8, 2013

See everyone January 15, 2013 at TGIW!

Wednesday Bible Study

This Wednesday begins a new TGIW at church, I am facilitating a study called "Stronger," Finding Hope in Fragile Places by Angela Thomas.  It is a video based study so we will watch the video then have discussion.  If you want to check out the study before coming, just Google her name or the study.
God is stronger than everything... our struggles, our bad news, our overwhelming life, our attitudes, ugh....anything broken in me, pretty much sums it up. 
We will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Oak Room, hope to see you.

By Julie Ford 

Which Christmas Eve Service Will You Be Attending?

Early Christmas Candlelight
Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 with woman blessing Sue Busler
preaching (in the Sanctuary).

Christmas Eve Service Descriptions
Each of the Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
will include Christmas carols, special music, a
Christmas message from Rev. Dennis D. Price,
and a traditional candlelight ending with Silent
Night.

2:00 Family Life Center
Christmas music will be led with piano and small worship
ensemble. There will also be special music by the student
ministry band and other soloist.

4:00 Family Life Center
During this service, music congregation singing will be
accompanied with piano and keyboard. Special music will
include children’s ministry groups, kids choir, youth choir and
the Jr. Praise Band.

5:15 Communion Service in Sanctuary
This will be a brief time of Christmas Eve Communion in the
Sanctuary. All are welcome.

6:00 Family Life Center
Christmas Carols will be led by the worship band, worship
choir and special soloists.

11:00 Sanctuary
The final Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Service will be held in
the Sanctuary and music will be led by piano and organ.
Special music will be provided by the choir and other
instrumentalist.

Can't decide?  Attend more than one . . .

UMW Collecting Items for Oasis Women's Center

United Methodist Women are holding a drive to benefit the women and children at Oasis Center in Alton for battered and abused women.  New underwear is a prized commodity at the center and would be greatly appreciated.  Pick up an extra package of womens, boys, or girls underwear or bras and put them in the box in the lobbies.  Size doesn't matter.  Paper products and large bottles of liquid detergent are also needed.  Contact Diane Jones at 288-7254 with questions.

Dinner for Eight

Would you like an opportunity to know 7 other people over dinner and a devotion?  During Advent, several people will be hosting "Dinner for 8" in their homes.  You can sign up on Sundays or Wednesdays (or in the office) for the date and time that work best for you and to bring one food item to share.  If you would like to host- please contact Deb@troyumc.org.  Advent will be the "Pilot"- but we are confident that we will continue to have Dinner for 8 each month.

Thanksgiving Service

There will be a Thanksgiving communion service with soup lunch (chili, turkey noodle, vegetable beef, and salad, too) following on Wednesday, November 27 at noon in the Family Life Center.  EVERYONE is invited to attend.

Gracias Senor

I always feel so much better after attending church at Troy United Methodist Church.  For me, the sermon inspires me, the music gives me the goosebumps, and the people make me smile.  Today was no different.

Pastor Dennis' sermon was entitled, Gracias Senor, and the scripture reference was Philippians 4:4-9:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Pastor Dennis was retelling about our church's work with another Hispanic church community in Southern Illinois (I cannot recall the name of the small town now, but do remember Pastor Dennis said this town came in second in the State basketball finals in '64).  While Pastor Dennis' college Spanish was rusty, he could make out the repetition of "Gracias Senor" which translates "Thank you, Lord" throughout devotions and prayers in this Hispanic community.  Thank you, Lord.  What greater gift to ourselves than to remember to repeatedly offer thanks to our Lord.

In fact, Pastor Dennis offered seven suggestions of further implementing this kind of thanksgiving into our lives:

1)  Have a morning gratitude session ever day.

2)  When facing the inevitable challenging day, compose a gratitude list.

3)  Instead of being angry with a person, show gratitude for this person.  Consider whether this person in question has done anything positive in the past, and focus on those acts.

4)  Show gratitude for your spouse versus criticizing him/her.

5)  Show gratitude for your kiddos versus criticizing them or their actions.

6)  When facing major challenges, be grateful for them.

7)  Look at what you have and be grateful versus focusing on what you do not have.
  
The hub and I immediately did just this by offering thanks to one another on our walk down the hall to pick up our kiddos from Sunday school.  Their joy after attending Sunday school filled me with gratitude.  Gracias Senor;  thank you, Lord.

By Courtney Winkler

Raise the Praise

When:  Friday and Saturday, November 15 and 16 at 7:00 p.m.;  Sunday, November 17 at the 10:30 a.m. worship

Where:  Troy United Methodist Church in the Family Life Center

This concert is FREE!  Doors open at 6 p.m. each night.  A free will offering will be requested to benefit Beverly Farm Foundation in Godfrey, IL, a non-profit organization and home to nearly 400 residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

ALL welcome!

Living Simply

John 10:7-10

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

In the event you missed church this past Sunday at Troy United Methodist Church, Pastor Dennis Price delivered a sermon entitled "Simple:  Life."  The overall theme as I understood it was the need to simplify our lives and make Jesus our number one priority.  One of the examples Pastor Dennis used to demonstrate his point was, "What did you do with that extra hour last week?"  Did you use that extra hour to fit in three more items on a to-do list?  Did you use the hour to sleep?  Did you use the hour to replenish yourself by reading the Bible or praying?

Today being Veteran's Day, my two girls were off of school.  Although sleeping in was on my to-do list, it was not on theirs.  Instead of running errands or taking in an activity outside the home, we decided to simplify our lives today.  Opting to stay in our pajamas for the duration, a leisurely (not necessarily healthful) breakfast of homemade Nutella waffles started our day.  My oldest daughter had written a thank-you letter to a Veteran for a school assignment, so we folded said letter after the breakfast plates were cleared and addressed it to her Great Grandpa O., a radio operator on a B-17 during World War II.  In the meantime, my youngest daughter dug in our craft box and found a soap making kit given to us by our thirteen-year-old neighbor.  We proceeded to create soap (for the first time) and then wrapped it in order to gift it to the same thirteeen-year-old neighbor.  Even I managed to walk a mile with Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home video;  yes, I should have walked the 5 Really Big Miles  as the subtitle suggests, but, hey, one is better than nothing.  After a stint in the kitchen making cake balls out of bundt cake which failed to fully release from the pan, the three of us snuggled in and watched a movie. 

While the hub was downstairs directing the girls in clean-up duties, I took an Epsom salt tub (suggested long ago by woman blessing Jessica Dudley via Faithful Fitness Friends) by candlelight and prayed for some women blessing friends.  

After I finish this post, I plan to load the dishes before the hub and I catch up on a missed episode of Homeland. Then, I am off to bed with a novel I have been meaning to finish for a few weeks now.  Although my family and I spent the day living simply, I feel as if this kind of simplicity allowed me to appreciate the richness of my life.

By Courtney Winkler 

Door Prayers

"Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."

2 Chronicles 6:39-41

"Ask and it will given to you;  seek and you will find;  knock and the door will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:6-8

"And on the two olive-wood doors he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with hammered gold."

1 Kings 6:31-33

 

Have you ever done what I call “door prayers?” They can be done in any building or in your home. However, I often feel called to pray at the doors at church. I have found that it usually takes me about an hour, and I personally like going early before church services start on Sunday mornings. You can pray throughout the whole building or split it up over several visits and do a wing of the church at a time.

Here’s what I like to do.

Stop at any door, and pray for the person who uses that room, or the ministries offered through it. So, when I stop at our administrative assistant, Sharie’s door, I will lay my hands upon the door frame, and pray something simple “Dear Lord, bless Sharie and the work she does in our church. We are blessed to have her as she attends to all the needs of our staff and our congregation.”

Then, I may move on to Pastor Dennis’ door. I will lay my hands upon the door frame and say “Dear Lord, bless Dennis as he is the shepherd to our church. Keep him strong in the faith of the Lord. Protect him and his family as they remain faithful to our God and our Savior.”

When I move to a custodial closet, I might say “Dear Lord, thank you for the great custodians we have, who work many late hours keeping our church clean and prepared for all the events we hold. We bless and praise you that they are employed by our church.”

As I go to our daycare office, a prayer could be “Dearest Lord, how blessed we are that you said ‘Let the children come to me.’ Bless their families and help us all raise the children in our church to love and trust you.”

Stop by the kitchen and pray “Lord, you made the fishes and loaves of bread feed thousands. We bless those who cook here. Thank you for the nourishment not only of our souls, but also of our bodies. Bless our Wednesday night dinners, our celebration of lives, our fund raisers that start here with food.”

You get the idea. I have done this many times and find that it moves me so greatly that I find myself crying in love for all the Lord has given us. 

By Carol Pigg 

Join Chicks with Sticks!

When I first came to Troy UMC, I expected to serve in some capacity. Based on my “Spiritual Gifts Assessment” and experience at a previous church, I was certain that I would serve in a capacity of caring and servanthood. But to tell you the truth, I was pretty burnt out and was not anxious to jump back in and do “what I always do.”

In the meantime I met another new member crocheting after a TGIW meal. I knit but wanted to learn how to crochet. She offered to teach me. That is how Chicks with Sticks started three years ago. We now have not just a knitting/crocheting group, but truly a ministry that serves at several levels. We teach and share with each other and/or anyone who would like to join us. Simple fellowship has grown into a special bond of caring and supporting each other. The items that we create are blessed each week and then donated to charities both near (here in Troy, Belleville, Granite City) and far (North Dakota, Japan, Columbia South America.)

It is true that for everything that is given, blessings are received tenfold. I have found my place, my passion in serving. I know for certain that this has been an endeavor led by the Holy Spirit.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite others to join us to learn, visit, and share. You may want to come every week or maybe just occasionally. Perhaps our scheduled time doesn’t work for you, but you would like to donate items that you work on at home. All are welcome. We meet every Wednesday evening at the church from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Call me if you would like more information, or just show up! My phone no. is 345-6608.  My e-mail is cindyw@wisperhome.com.

And by the way, I never really learned how to crochet, but my knitting has really improved.

Serve Joyfully!

Cindy Whitcomb

TGIW

TGIWednesday

--> Relational Connections
--> Spiritual Growth
--> Community

TGIW will begins August 21!  Fried Chicken, Worship, New Classes and groups! 

TGIW for the Fall of 2013!

What is TGIW?  It's for you...  Wednesday evenings are a key ingredient to community at Troy United Methodist Church!  The relaxed schedule allows for you to have dinner, worship, and grow in faith through classes and groups for all ages.  Everyone is welcome.  You can pick and choose what to take part in from the Food Court to Worship to Classes and Groups.

Whole Pizzas For Sale!

Whole pizzas can now be ordered at the TGIW dessert window
Pizza menu:
3 cheese, Sausage, or Pepperoni=$7.00
Meat lovers or Deluxe=$8.50

Food Court

One of the TGIW anchors is the food court. It provides a convenient way to pull the family together for great dinner before the evening ministries. Here are the cost for the meal:
Hot Buffet: $6.00 (includes small salad, drink and dessert)
Salad Bar: $5.00 (includes dessert and drink)
Ala Carte items are priced individually (hot dogs, pizza slices, chips, etc).
Children 4-12 are $3.00, children under 4 eat free.
Household maximum of $19.00 - a great deal!
The food court is located in the the Family Life Center and is serving from 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM.

                           

Worship

There are two options for worship on Wednesday evening, both at 6:30 pm. 
The worship service in the Sanctuay typically uses hymns from the hymnal and is accompanied by piano.  Rev. Price (Sr. Pastor)  and Rev. Kurt Stone (Teaching Pastor) preach during this service.
The worship service in the Family Life Center is primarily led by the student worship band and youth ministry leadership team.  Other pastoral staff rotate the preaching. 
Also, as an act of worship on Wednesday evenings, many people give their talents and abilities to help in leadership in a variety of areas.  If you have a desire to help in leading in children or youth ministry or in music ministry, there are opportunities for you! 
Children's Ministry - david@troyumc.org
Student Ministry - kurt@troyumc.org
Music Ministry - emily@troyumc.org or tim@troyumc.org

Save the Date for Ladies Bible Study

What:  A Confident Heart by Renee Swope led by Julie Ford

When:  August 21st at 6:30 p.m.

Where:  The Oak Room at Troy United Methodist Church

Questions?  E-mail Julie at jeford5@yahoo.com

1st Step Learning Center Rocks

Little did I know four years ago after visiting a local park would a glimpse of a church sign in my peripheral vision change the lives of both my children and our family. The sign read, “1st Step Learning Center, Enrolling Now.” With a three-year-old and 1-yr-old in the backseat at the time, I hastily dug through the mess on my front seat to find a pen and paper in order to copy the number listed on the sign. When I returned home, I made the call and spoke (or rather quizzed) Kim McGrath, Director. When I heard weekly chapel, daily music, curriculum, physical education, Centers Room, progress reports, weekly newsletters, visits from the zoo, Rodeo Day, Grandparents Night, Parents Night, etc., I was more than sold; my daughter and (after a few phone calls) two of her friends were registered. My family and I feel blessed to have had our children experience this ministry of Troy United Methodist Church. In our case, though, we are “graduating” with not only an outstanding preschool experience, but also many new friends and a church we consider home. 

Courtney Winkler 

Connect with Cathy "Miss Cathy" Lynn

RUBY: How long have you attended Troy United Methodist Church?

About 17 years

RUBY: What drew you to this church?

They offered a lot of activities, especially for our children

RUBY: Which service do you typically attend?

9:00

RUBY: Share a favorite Bible verse and/or inspirational song, and why this is a favorite.

Matthew 17:20 …if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,”move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. I like to think of this whenever I feel like I am not strong enough or don’t know enough in my faith.

My favorite song is He. It says it all. I first learned it as a child because my mom sang it at a lot of weddings. 

 

RUBY: Tell us about your involvement at Troy UMC and/or the community. 

I have been a preschool teacher at First Step for 15 years. I helped with VBS for many years. I was a Cub Scout leader and was on the Council for Boy Scouts for over 12 years. I attend the women’s Bible study group on Monday afternoons.

RUBY: Which book do you look forward to reading with your students each year? 

I have many favorites but the first 2 that come to mind are Noah’s Ark and Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert.

RUBY: The best aspect about teaching is . . .

that unconditional love and trust you receive from the students and seeing the progress each one makes throughout the year.

RUBY: You have hooked me on card-making. Tell us about your own card-making. 

I first started card-making about 20 years ago along with scrapbooking. I have taught classes in it and belong to a “card” club that gets together to make cards and share ideas. I own way too many stamp sets, but I love them all and can never decide which ones, if any, to get rid of!

RUBY: Tell us about your family.

My husband, John and I have been married for almost 31 years. We have 3 sons, Matthew (age 27), Zach (age 24), and Tyler (age 19). Matt has blessed us with 2 grandsons, Landon (age 6) and Chase who is 8 months old. They keep us very busy.

RUBY: How may we contact you in order to make a further connection?

e-mail at cmlynn@charter.net

Connect with Kim "Miss Kim" McGrath

RUBY: How long have you attended Troy United Methodist Church? 

About 9 yrs.

RUBY: What drew you to this church?

Everything they offered for children.

RUBY: Which service do you typically attend?

9am service, I LOVE the music it truly lifts me.

RUBY: Share a favorite Bible verse and/or inspirational song, and why this is a favorite.

Jeremiah 29:13 – you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart.

And my FAVORITE song is a tie between Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord and Blessings by Laura Story.

I think because they all touch my heart so deeply. Especially Blessings because the words mean so much to me.

RUBY: Tell us about your involvement at Troy UMC and in the community.

I am the director for 1^st Step Learning Center – (the preschool here at Troy UMC) and I volunteer with Harvest Ministries, Children Ministries and have joined the team of “Dessert Makers” for TGIW recently. I really just love to help out where I can and I love to cook and bake!

RUBY: I was sold on 1^st Step Learning Center the first time I spoke with you on the phone. Tell us about 1^st Step Learning Center and your involvement with it.

Well, when my daughter was 2, I heard about the preschool program through a friend. I called and put her on the wait list, and she was enrolled a few weeks later. At that time parents were required to volunteer once a month in the classroom. I loved it so much I volunteered as much as I could. I was approached by the director to be a substitute teacher and did that a couple of times. I was then asked if I would be interested in becoming a teacher and office assistant for the following school year. And I have been here ever since.

RUBY: If you could, what kind of business would you love to start? 

I always wanted to own a bakery. 

 

RUBY: Tell us about your family.

I have a husband – David, all I can say about him is he makes me laugh and is truly amazing. And God blessed us with a miracle in the form of a beautiful daughter – Abby. She is my everything, and I am extremely proud to be her mom. I am very lucky to have my extended family mostly in this area. My parents, sister, brother, and lots of niece and nephews and great nieces and nephews that live with in 10 minutes of us.

I would be wrong if I didn’t include my pets as part of my family. We have our “girls” Sophie, and Lola and our only boy Sheldon - our puppies and my bird Bailey and Abby’s cat Jumpers.

RUBY: How may we contact you in order to make a further connection? 

You can e-mail me at work or home or I am on Facebook as well.