A PUBLICATION OF THE
PROPHETSTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
PROPHETSTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2025 NEWSLETTER
2025 NEWSLETTER
JUNE FUN FACTS
June is a time of extremes. It’s a time when summer is really starting to get into full swing! Every day lasts just that little bit longer, making breezy summer evenings a real treat.
No matter where you are in the world, the end of June marks the end of the first half of the calendar year, so it’s a time to reflect on the year so far.
June used to be the fourth month in the year. Before Julius Caesar came to power, the calendar year only had 10 months. In 46 BC he created the Julian calendar by adding two more months to the year, which made June the sixth month.
The first day of summer in the northern hemisphere is June 21st, which is the longest day of the year.
If you were born in June, then you’re one of two-star signs. If you were born on or before June 20th then you’re a Gemini. Geminis are said to be
June is a time of extremes. It’s a time when summer is really starting to get into full swing! Every day lasts just that little bit longer, making breezy summer evenings a real treat.
No matter where you are in the world, the end of June marks the end of the first half of the calendar year, so it’s a time to reflect on the year so far.
June used to be the fourth month in the year. Before Julius Caesar came to power, the calendar year only had 10 months. In 46 BC he created the Julian calendar by adding two more months to the year, which made June the sixth month.
The first day of summer in the northern hemisphere is June 21st, which is the longest day of the year.
If you were born in June, then you’re one of two-star signs. If you were born on or before June 20th then you’re a Gemini. Geminis are said to be
passionate, adaptable, and smart. If you’re born on or after the 21st of June, though, then you have the Cancer star sign. Those born under the Cancer sign are said to be loyal friends with great emotional depth.
The birth flowers of June are honeysuckles and roses. Both of these flowers are symbols of all things relating to love, desire, generosity, and affection. If you were born in June, then there’s a good chance you’ll be a bit of a hopeless romantic! June is considered one of the best months to get married.
June has three birthstones – alexandrite, moonstone, and pearl.
Alexandrite is said to represent longevity and health.
The birth flowers of June are honeysuckles and roses. Both of these flowers are symbols of all things relating to love, desire, generosity, and affection. If you were born in June, then there’s a good chance you’ll be a bit of a hopeless romantic! June is considered one of the best months to get married.
June has three birthstones – alexandrite, moonstone, and pearl.
Alexandrite is said to represent longevity and health.
Moonstones on the other hand are said to bring good luck and are associated with love and passion.
Finally, we have pearls, the main birthstones of June. Above all else, pearls represent purity and faith.
4 – Ava Gravila
4 – Addison Housenga
5 – Sutton Bebon
9 – Irma Dessing
11 – Jeremy Brooks
14 – Neil Decker
17 – Barbara Seifert
26 – Tyren Baldwin
26 – Tamber Rippy
26 – Rebekah Gravila
27 – Joshua Smith
27 – June Earl
28 – Owen Miller
30 – Larry Stewart
ALLURE WORSHIP SCHEDULE:
June 15 – Prophetstown UMC
June 22 – Leon UMC
June 15 – Prophetstown UMC
June 22 – Leon UMC
June 1 – August 10 – Summer Break for Acolytes.
Anniversarys
13 – Wayne & Alzada Wachholz
14 – Michael & Rebekah Gravila
17 – Mark & Lorraine Thompson
24 – Louis & Betty Hummel
28 – Cory & Tammie Olson
30 – Brian & Kim Smith
LITURGIST SCHEDULE FOR JUNE:
1 – Lou Hummel
8 – Pat Crump
15 – Adam Carr
22 – Kim Smith
29 – Sally Renkes
1 – Lou Hummel
8 – Pat Crump
15 – Adam Carr
22 – Kim Smith
29 – Sally Renkes
USHER SCHEDULE FOR JUNE:
1 – Doug & Diane Hull
8 – Frank & Kasha Sebok
15 – Larry Stewart & Neil Decker
22 – Irma Dessing & Toni Buck
29 – Glenn Ackeberg & Brian Smith
1 – Doug & Diane Hull
8 – Frank & Kasha Sebok
15 – Larry Stewart & Neil Decker
22 – Irma Dessing & Toni Buck
29 – Glenn Ackeberg & Brian Smith
If the office doesn’t have your birthday, your anniversary, or your mailing address, please get them to me in the office so I can get them into the computer and the address book. I am in the office Monday through Thursday 8:00 – 11:00.
Thank you! Pat Crump
On Sunday, June 16, dads across the United States will be showered with gifts as they celebrate Father’s Day. Though it’s something we can count on celebrating every time the third Sunday in June rolls around, the holiday didn’t always have the public support it deserved. In fact, for decades it looked as if a day dedicated to the influential and hard-working fathers in our lives would toil in relative obscurity.
Washington was the first state to celebrate Father’s Day.
In 1909, Spokane resident Sonora Smart Dodd was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon at her local church when she had the idea to try to establish a similar day to honor the hard-working fathers of the community. Dodd was the daughter of a widower and Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart, who raised six children on his own after his wife died during childbirth.
She contacted local church groups, government officials, YMCAs, businesses, and other official entities, hoping to gather the community to recognize fathers around the state of Washington. The campaign Dodd embarked upon would eventually culminate in the first statewide Father’s Day in 1910.
Presidents still continued to recognize a day for fathers, just not in an official way from the federal government. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged people to “establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations,” and recommended that states recognize Father’s Day. But in Silent Cal’s famous laissez-faire way, he didn’t impose anything official.
Father’s Day was not officially recognized as a national holiday until 1972.
It took until 1966 for President Lyndon Johnson to make a nationwide proclamation endorsing Father’s Day across the country. In his proclamation, Johnson wrote that on June 19, 1966, “I invite State and local governments to cooperate in the observance of that day; and I urge all our people to give public and private expression to the love and gratitude which they bear for their fathers.”
Nowhere in Johnson’s proclamation did it say anything about what would happen on Father’s Day the next year, though, and the corresponding Joint Resolution specified “the third Sunday in June of 1966.” It wasn’t until President Richard Nixon signed Public Law 92-278 that Father’s Day was permanently recognized by the federal government.
June’s Little Thoughts
It’s June already, it feels more like April to me but I’ll be complaining soon it’s too warm. Good old Illinois weather! June has some important celebrations, Flag Day 14th, Father’s Day 15th, and the 1st day of Summer 20th. Each celebration is important, but I think Father’s Day is my favorite. I’d like to share this tribute on a card I found………..
DAD
Every person needs someone to believe in them.
Someone who sees not just who they are but who they can be.
Someone who’s been there for most of their journey,
to applaud the victories, cheer them on
when they’re discouraged and catch them if they fall.
Someone who never fails to remind them just how much they matter.
So many times and in so many ways,
that someone has been you, Dad.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
I hope each of you Dads enjoy your special day!
Connie
Every person needs someone to believe in them.
Someone who sees not just who they are but who they can be.
Someone who’s been there for most of their journey,
to applaud the victories, cheer them on
when they’re discouraged and catch them if they fall.
Someone who never fails to remind them just how much they matter.
So many times and in so many ways,
that someone has been you, Dad.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
I hope each of you Dads enjoy your special day!
Connie
The United Methodist Bishops, in collaboration with other church leaders, have made public a new vision statement for The United Methodist Church that has been years in the making.
The vision states:
“The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”
As we continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, let us do so with passion, commitment and living out our shared vision to “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.”
As we continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, let us do so with passion, commitment and living out our shared vision to “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.”
Our congregation is wonderful!!
Thank you everyone for all of the donations to help Jessica Wirsing and her family. It is because of everyone’s generosity that $1148.85 was donated. The Mission Committee used surplus funds so our church was able to give Jessica and her family a donation of $1500 to help them.
A NEW ADVENTURE BEGINS WITH A BOOK!
State Senator Li Arellano Jr. invites students entering 1st through 12th grades to read 8 books over the course of the summer. If interested in the program, please fill out and submit forms by August 1st to be eligible. Forms are available at the Prophetstown Methodist Church.
State Senator Li Arellano Jr. invites students entering 1st through 12th grades to read 8 books over the course of the summer. If interested in the program, please fill out and submit forms by August 1st to be eligible. Forms are available at the Prophetstown Methodist Church.
8th Grade:
Aidan Garcea – Son of Tiffany & Joey Garcea
Ethan Meier – Grandson of Arlyn Meier
Laken Renkes – Daughter of Tirah & Dusty Renkes, Granddaughter of Sally Renkes
Savanna Stewart – Granddaughter of Barbara & Larry Stewart
Bryce Verhulst – Grandson of Gloria Verhulst
High School:
Jakob Brooks – Son of Kelly & Jeremy Brooks, Grandson of Kathy Raser, Great Grandson of Betty Dennis
Dylan Fuller – Grandson of Barbara & Larry Stewart
Madilyn Meier – Granddaughter of Arlyn Meier
Mya Weidel – Daughter of Jill & Carl Weidel, Granddaughter of Sally Renkes
Jakob Brooks – Son of Kelly & Jeremy Brooks, Grandson of Kathy Raser, Great Grandson of Betty Dennis
Dylan Fuller – Grandson of Barbara & Larry Stewart
Madilyn Meier – Granddaughter of Arlyn Meier
Mya Weidel – Daughter of Jill & Carl Weidel, Granddaughter of Sally Renkes
College:
Chase Garland – Grandson of Mary Garland
Shealee Stewart – Granddaughter of Barbara & Larry Stewart
Shealee Stewart – Granddaughter of Barbara & Larry Stewart
May God richly bless our graduates with their future plans.
Can you believe that it’s already June! This is definitely my favorite time of year! The weather is warm, the cookouts are in full swing and I feel the most comfortable at this time of year.
But we are living in a difficult time of history. Every time we open our eyes it seems like something difficult has happened. We start to wonder when does it end? Why is this happening? These are some questions that naturally come up.
Let me assure you God is still in control. But we also have a part
and are called to participate in his great love. The further we get away from his love and go our own way, the crazier this world gets.
God created this world and us out of love. Love that is supposed to overflow in our lives and spill over into the lives of others. How do we get back to that?
It is a complex problem, but embracing God in our lives and turning to him is the answer. How can you love one another today and every day? That is the question I have for you today. Please spend time thinking about this and about how you can live up to what God is asking us to do in our lives. Pastor Joey
God created this world and us out of love. Love that is supposed to overflow in our lives and spill over into the lives of others. How do we get back to that?
It is a complex problem, but embracing God in our lives and turning to him is the answer. How can you love one another today and every day? That is the question I have for you today. Please spend time thinking about this and about how you can live up to what God is asking us to do in our lives. Pastor Joey
The more you give, the more you get.
The more you laugh, the less you fret.
The more you do unselfishly,
The more you live abundantly.
The more of everything you share,
The more you’ll always have to spare.
The more you love, the more you’ll find,
That life is good and friends are kind.
For only what we give away
Enriches us from day to day.
(author unknown)
The more you laugh, the less you fret.
The more you do unselfishly,
The more you live abundantly.
The more of everything you share,
The more you’ll always have to spare.
The more you love, the more you’ll find,
That life is good and friends are kind.
For only what we give away
Enriches us from day to day.
(author unknown)