American Lutheran Church, Gibson City, Illinois
“Committed to Love and to Serve”
September 2018 Newsletter
From the Pastor
We kicked off our 75th Anniversary as a congregation with an
Old-Fashioned Pie and Ice Cream Social last month! This was followed up with an inspirational Jake’s Boys Concert as they joyfully expressed God’s love and grace through their words and music. Thank you to everyone who planned, donated, set up, served, cleaned up and/or attended this anniversary event!
We will continue to celebrate our 75th Anniversary over the next year. This will include inviting pastors who have served in the past to return and lead worship on a Sunday morning. On Sunday, October 7th, Pastor Karl and Carol Kessler will be our guests, with Pastor Karl giving the sermon during our worship service.
Pastor Kessler was installed as our eighth pastor on December 30, 1973. In 1974, new speakers were purchased for the church nave at a cost of $526.00. The American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW) hosted the first Community Ash Wednesday Lenten Breakfast for ladies from area Lutheran churches. This breakfast continues to be held annually, although women and men are now invited to attend. The first Christmas Day Dinner was also held in 1974 for people in the community who were alone or stranded on Christmas Day. Last December, we hosted the 43rd Annual Christmas Day Dinner.
On Reformation Sunday in 1983, a special worship service was held to commemorate the 500th Birthday of Martin Luther, the 40th Anniversary of our congregation, and Pastor Kessler’s 20th Anniversary of Ordination into Christian Ministry. Pastor Alexander Youck from Anchor, Illinois, was the guest speaker.
On November 1, 1986, David Kessler, the son of Pastor and Mrs. Kessler, was married to Jennifer Nagle in our church. Later that month, Pastor Kessler left to accept a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church of Port Clinton, Ohio, where they currently reside. We are looking forward to Pastor Karl and Carol Kessler’s visit on October 7th!
I am very interested in seeing your photos and hearing your stories of our congregation and the members who have built and shaped it! May we celebrate 75 years of memories with joy, grace, and thanksgiving!
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Jim Davis
People in our Prayers
Dick Anstrom, father of Rich Anstrom is a resident of Gibson Hospital Annex.
Jerry Biggart, nephew of Bette Mohart is recovering from a motorcycle accident and
several subsequent surgeries.
Carrie Breum,grand-daughter of Frank & Margaret Stocker is teaching in Asia.
Isaac Brucker is serving in the U.S. Army Airborne Unit at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Lisa Buhs, daughter-in-law of Judy Buhs is battling MS.
Mike Buhs, son of Judy Buhs has Stage 4 cancer.
Emma Couillard,mother of Jeanette Bartells has health concerns.
Heather Eisenhardt,grand-daughter of Bette Mohart is serving in the U.S. Navy
and is deployed to Bahrain.
Jeff Finis, cousin of Kevin Buhs, is fighting cancer.
Judy Friedlein, a long-time friend of Pastor Jimis battling cancer.
Jamie Grider & Christian Rosenbeck are getting married on September 15th.
Alex Happ,grandson of Carol Carlson has been discharged from the Marines; continues to suffer from migraines; and lives in Maryland with his wife, Holly.
Chuck Hay is healing from the removal of broken screws and shifted plates in his
leg. He is scheduled to have a knee installed on September 10th at Carle.
Nancy Hay is caregiver for Chuck and her father, Lou Wahls.
Paul Hellyer, nephew of Kim Brucker is battling addiction.
Denise Horton,a family friend of Molly Schroader is fighting cancer.
Lauren Hutchcraft & Matthew Donnelly are getting married on September 14th.
Terry Hutchcraft is battling kidney disease.
Dale Jones is a resident of Heritage Healthcare with dementia.
Gary Keim is homebound and undergoing physical therapy to regain his strength.
Ada Kennedyis a resident of Gibson Area Hospital Annex.
Nancy List is a resident of the Gibson Area Hospital Annex.
Gary McCullough is recovering from installing a second stint in his heart.
Jerry Mieczkowski, son-in-law of Bette Mohart gives thanks that his head and
neck cancer is in remission.
Bette Mohartis undergoing physical therapy at Gibson Area Hospital Annex.
Pastor Dennis Norton of First Baptist Church is fighting a rare lung disease. He
is raising 4 young children with his wife, Linda.
Charley & Marilyn Quinn, brother and sister-in-law of Judy Glascock are both
battling cancer.
Jeff Randecker, brother of Kim Brucker suffers from depression.
Ryan Reid, grandson of Frank & Margaret Stocker, is serving in the U.S. Air Force
at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Gary Reitz is home and recovering fromextensive hospital stays.
Betty Rice, sister of Evelyn Andris, is undergoing physical therapy to recover from
a broken leg.
The Family & Friends of Jim Spanglerfor the loss of his brother-in-law,
Jim Mitchell.
People in our Prayers, continued
Janet Styck is recovering from jaw replacement surgery.
Mary Timmhas health concerns.
Lou Wahls, father of Nancy Hay is a resident of Prairieview Lutheran Home, Danforth.
Happy Birthday – September
Jean Samet 2 Kim Brucker10Charles Hay22
Lanie Celeschi3Rylee Tompkins10Lisa Gregerson25
Susie Rosenbaum3Jeff Cribbett11Lauren Hutchcraft28
Grayson Frick4Connor Wahls12Alexandra May28
Jeanette Bartels8Jennifer Foster18Megan Kretzer29
Gerry Gallagher9Austin Zalaker19Kaitlyn Bowen30
Loren Bane 10Zachary Bane20Leo Rexwinkle30
Diane Bradbury21
Happy Anniversary – September
Tom & Kim Brucker 3Richard & Tina Anstrom13
Grant & Danielle Borders3Ross & Jennifer Parker14
Clint & Heather Johnson4Jeff & Amy Cribbett21
Darrell & Sharon Nunamaker 11Curt & Holly Miller27
Please remember those who are serving our country . . . .
Heather EisenhardtPVT Brucker, IsaacAB Reid, Ryan C.
3531 9th Infantry St 571323 TRS/FLT 351 Dorm 4D2
Has been deployedFort Bragg, NC 283101320 Truemper St. Unit 369603
To BahrainLackland AFB, Texas 78236-6434
Coffee and Conversation begins again in October . . . . All semi-retired and retired folks are invited to meet forCoffee and Conversation on the third Tuesday morning of each month from 9:00 – 10:00 in Parish Hall. Our guest on Tuesday, October 16th will be Mayor Dan Dickey.
Save the Date – The Fall Gathering of the Northeast Conference of Women of ELCA will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cullom. Please contact Jan Gill at 784-4963 for additional information.
Worship Assistants – September*
Head Usher – Rodney Schrack / Assistant Ushers– Dave & Chandler Gregerson
Altar Guild – Willy Stevenson
September 2ndSeptember 9th
Coffee/Refreshments – Coffee/Refreshments –
Acolyte– Kim BruckerAcolyte– Willy Stevenson
Greeters – Betty Brokate and Greeters – Aaron & April
Rhonda HornsteinNettleton
Asst. Minister – Cynthia DavisAsst. Minister – Margaret Stocker
Reader – Misti TompkinsReader – Rona Eyer
Comm. Asst. – Willy StevensonComm. Assts. – Mike & Rona Eyer
Offering Counters – Ron & Evelyn AndrisOffering Counter– April Nettleton
Sound Tech – Tom BruckerSound Tech – Ron Andris
September 16thSeptember 23rd
Coffee/Refreshments – Coffee/Refreshments –
Acolyte– Willy StevensonAcolyte– Willy Stevenson
Greeters – Ron & Willy StevensonGreeters – Tobie & Darcy Thompson
Asst. Minister – Kim BruckerAsst. Minister – Willy Stevenson
Reader – Ron AndrisReader – Tina Anstrom
Comm. Assts. – Sharon Stroh and Comm. Assts. – Kevin & Julie DeFries
Mike BleichOffering Counter – Judy Glascock
Offering Counters– Darrell & SharonSound Tech – Ron Andris
Nunamaker
Sound Tech – Tom Brucker
September 30th
Coffee/Refreshments –
Acolyte– Kim Brucker
Greeters – Carol Carlson and Darlene Kane
Asst. Minister – Ryan Tompkins
Reader – Jim Spangler
Comm. Assts. – Jewel Lewis and Cynthia Davis
Offering Counter – Willy Stevenson
Sound Tech – Tom Brucker
Servants United Parish Update . . .
From Pastor Ed:
Dear Servants United Parish,
After prayerful consideration, I have decided that I will retire effective January 1, 2019. My last day as a pastor of the parish will be December 31, 2018. While I would have preferred to announce my decision near the end of June, neither Bishop Roth nor I wished to interfere with the celebration of Pastor Chrissy Salser being ordained and installed. There is still sufficient time for the transition. I will take my remaining vacation time during October and November so that I will be in the parish through the Christmas Season.
This has not been an easy decision to make. I have been blessed by the opportunity to serve Christ and Christ’s church as an ordained pastor for the last seventeen years. I thoroughly enjoy what I do, and the temptation is to continue for just a little longer, but there will always be something else that I could stay for. I realize that it will seem rather quick for the parish to begin another call process, but I trust that you will be fine. The parish has grown so much over the past year in its understanding of shared ministry and I trust that with God’s help this will continue.
I want to thank the parish for allowing me to be part of this adventure. May it continue. I especially want to thank Community Lutheran Church who supported me in those early days and who, along with Trinity, Chenoa, were my partners in this endeavor for thirteen years. And, of course, I want to thank St. John’s who has welcomed me in a way that I could not have imagined.
Pastor Jim asked me once, “If you love what you do, why would you want to retire?” My answer to him at the time was, “I love to do lots of things and this doesn’t allow much time to do the others.” And that is a part of the decision. There are a lot of mountains to hike up, a lot of bicycle rides to take, a lot of yoga classes to teach and a lot of grandchildren activities to attend. I will be 68 years old by the time I retire, and while that is not nearly as old as I used to think, it is a lot older than I used to be and at some point, these activities will become more difficult. And I really look forward to spending more time with my wife, Cheryle.
This is not the only reason, however. I firmly believe that for the parish to grow into the mature shared ministry endeavor that I believe God has prepared it to be, there must be an ongoing development of leadership. It had been my dream for years to see something like this happen in the northeast corner of the synod and it has happened. When the parish was formed we had three pastors, none of whom were under sixty. We now have one pastor who is significantly younger
From Pastor Ed (continued):
than that, but I don’t believe that one is enough. This will be an opportunity for the parish to call another.
While I hope that I have gained some wisdom over the years, younger pastors bring gifts to ministry that I do not possess and if we are to continue to serve as God’s church we need to embrace these gifts.
In short, it is time. We will have time to talk more over the next months, to reminisce, to laugh, and, I am sure as December rolls around, to perhaps cry a little.
Blessings,
Rev. C. Edward Hudelson
There will be a combined Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 9th, at Trinity Lutheran in Chenoa. This special combined Worship Service is to honor Pastor Ed Hudelson, who is retiring December 31, 2018.
Pastoral Rotation for September 23, 2018:
- Pastor Ed Hudelson at Gibson City & Sibley
- Pastor Jim Davis at Anchor & Chenoa
- Pastor Chrissy Salser at Dwight
- Pastor Vic Baderschneider filling Pulpit Supply at Cornell
There will be no Pastoral Rotation in October.
Our next Combined Servants United Parish Worship Service will be held here at American Lutheran on Sunday, October 21st, at 10:30 am. We will be providing lunch and games after the service. If you have been unable to attend one of the joint services this will be a great time to do so.
Servants United Parish now has a web site. The address is:
Be sure to check it out!
September 2018 – Events atAmerican Lutheran – unless noted otherwise
1 / Saturday / Cub Scouts – Parish Hall – 2:00-4:00 pm2 / Sunday* / Worship – 10:30 am / Worship at Annex – 1:30 pm / Worship at Heritage – 2:30 pm
3 / Monday / Labor Day / Pastor leading prayer at Sibley Appreciation Day Dinner – 6:00 pm
4 / Tuesday / First Day of School for Little Achievers
ELCA Statement on Women and Justice Bible Study – Cornell – 10:30 am
5 / Wednesday / Pastors Prayer Meeting – Country Kettle – 8:30 am
ELCA Statement on Women and Justice Bible Study – Dwight – 6:45 pm
6 / Thursday / Bible Study – Trinity, Chenoa– Check Facebook page before going – 10:00-11:30 am
Food, Fellowship & Finding God Service – Trinity, Chenoa – 6:00 pm
8 / Saturday / Cornell Days
9 / Sunday* / Worship – 10:30 am / Servants United Council Meeting – Chenoa – 2:00 pm
Ponderosa 4-H Club – 3:00 pm – Parish Hall
11 / Tuesday / ELCA Statement on Women and Justice Bible Study – Gibson City – 10:30 am
Pastor Jim leads Bible Study at Holly Brook – 2:30 pm
12 / Wednesday / Pastors Prayer Meeting – Country Kettle – 8:30 am
Bible Study – Old Log Cabin – Cornell – 8:30 am
Quilting – Parish Hall – 9:00 am
Worship with Holy Communion – Heritage Health Care – 2:00 pm
ELCA Statement on Women and Justice Bible Study – Anchor – 6:45 pm
13 / Thursday / NE Conference Pastors – St. John’s Lutheran, Bloomington – 9:00 am
Bible Study – Trinity, Chenoa– Check Facebook page before going – 10:00-11:30 am
Prayer Team – Comfort Room – 1:00 pm
WELCA Bible Study – St. John’s, Sibley – Parish Hall – 2:00 pm.
Food, Fellowship & Finding God Service – Trinity, Chenoa – 6:00 pm
14 / Friday / Wedding Rehearsal – Jamie Grider & Christian Rosenbeck – 10:00 am
Wedding – Matthew Donnelly & Lauren Hutchcraft – Evelyn Chapel, IWU – 4:00 pm
15 / Saturday / Wedding – Jamie Grider & Christian Rosenbeck – 4:00 pm
16 / Sunday* / Worship – 10:30 am
St. Peter’s (Dwight) and Community (Cornell) – combined Rally Day worship – Humiston Woods – 10:00 am – followed by lunch
17 / Monday / Pastors Chrissy, Ed & Jim at Leadership Training – Carlinville, IL
18 / Tuesday / Pastors Chrissy, Ed & Jim at Leadership Training – Carlinville, IL
Sibley Seniors Potluck Lunch – 11:30 am-1:30 pm – Sibley Township Hall
19 / Wednesday / Pastors Chrissy, Ed & Jim at Leadership Training – Carlinville, IL – 8:00 am - noon
Church Council Meeting – Parish Hall – 6:30 pm
20 / Thursday / Bible Study – Trinity, Chenoa– Check Facebook page before going – 10:00-11:30 am
Food, Fellowship & Finding God Service – Trinity, Chenoa – 6:00 pm
23 / Sunday* / Worship – 10:30 am – Pulpit Exchange – Pastor Ed Hudelson
24 / Monday / Cub Scouts – 6:30 pm – Parish Hall
25 / Tuesday / ELCA Statement on Women and Justice Bible Study – Cornell – 10:30 am
Pastor at Ford County M-Team Meeting – Noon
26 / Wednesday / Pastors Prayer Meeting – Country Kettle – 8:30 am
ELCA Statement on Women and Justice Bible Study – Dwight – 6:45 pm
27 / Thursday / Bible Study – Trinity, Chenoa– Check Facebook page before going – 10:00-11:30 am
Prayer Team – Comfort Room – 1:00 pm
Food, Fellowship & Finding God Service – Trinity, Chenoa – 6:00 pm
30 / Sunday* / Worship – 10:30 am
* Each Sunday, tune in to WGCY Radio, 106.3 FM for “Sing for Joy” from St. Olaf College (MN) from
7:00 – 7:30 am, sponsored by St. John’s, Anchor; and “Moments of Grace” featuring Pastor Jim from
7:30 – 7:45 am, sponsored by American, Gibson City.
American Evangelical Lutheran Church – Gibson City, Illinois
Church Council Minutes for July 11, 2018
Members Present: Ryan Tompkins, Mike Eyer, Darcy Thompson, Barbara Bielfeldt,
Jim Spangler, Gary Lutterbie, Pastor Jim Davis
Excused: Lori Buhs and Curt Miller
Call to order: President Ryan Tompkins called the meeting to order at 8:31 PM
Devotions: President Tompkins led the council in prayer.
Reports:
Secretary: The 06/20/2018 Council minutes were available for council members’ approval.
Treasurer: Darcy reported a07/11/2018 checkbook balance of $1,114.55. The 06/30/2018 detail Financial Report is posted on the bulletin board on the west wall of the Parish Hall.
A decision was made that having two unrelated members counting the money will only be done at special offerings.
Financial Secretary:
Deacon:
Parish Education: Nothing new at this time.
Trustee: Gary Lutterbie reported Jim Spangler changed the locks on the Pastor and Secretary offices.
Vice President: Nothing new to report.
President: Nothing new to report,
Team Reports:
Christian Fellowship: Cynthia Davis is working with Kevin Buhs on details for the Church’s 75th Anniversary Celebration committee. Jake Boys will be performing and a meal will be served.
Community Resource: The Community Outreach will be Friday, 8/25/2018 and Saturday, 8/26/2018. Cynthia Davis is working with the Outreach committee.
Prayer Team: Continues to meet twice a month.
Stewardship: Waiting on the right person to head the committee.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor provided an email he received from ALC neighbor Jeff Metzler.
Mr. Metzler is upset about the timing and volume of the Church bells/chimes. President Tompkins will email Mr. Metzler apologizing for the inconvenience but the bells/chimes have been a tradition of the church for several years and the Council decided to continue this tradition.
Approval of Reports: Jim Spangler moved to approve all reports as read. Mike Eyer seconded and motion passed by voice vote.
Servants United Parish:
Old Business:
New Business: The Council met with the Little Achievers Board of Directors and Teachers. The LAA Board will meet to review the Proposed Constitution/Bylaws. A meeting will be scheduled between LAA and ALC Council after their review.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 6:30 PM.
Adjourn: Mike Eyer moved to adjourn. Gary Lutterbie seconded and motion passed by voice vote at 9:19 PM. The meeting was closed by reciting the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Bielfeldt, Secretary
THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED BY CHURCH COUNCIL ON AUGUST 15, 2018.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA) is drafting a Social Statement on Women and Justice. Pastor Chrissy Salser is leading Bible study sessions that study the Statement over coffee and conversations. Everyone is encouraged to participate. The Bible study sessions are scheduled as follows:
- Session 1: “Lutherans and Scripture”
- 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at Community Lutheran Church (Cornell)
- 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Dwight)
- Session 2: “Historical Issues of Problematic Interpretation Regarding Women”
- 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at American Evangelical Lutheran Church (Gibson City)
- 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Anchor)
- Session 3: “The Book of Faith, Women and Justice”
- 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Community Lutheran Church (Cornell)
- 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Dwight)
American Lutheran Church