A PUBLICATION OF THE
PROPHETSTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
PROPHETSTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2025
As we get ready for February, we are reminded of the blessings we
receive in our lives. We serve a mighty God who loves to bless us. We are his precious children.
As we settle into the new year of 2025, I challenge you to write down a list of all the blessings you have in your life right now. Whatever it is, write it down and the next day do the same thing. Do this for a month and see what happens. You will be amazed at all the ways God blesses us in our lives.
When we focus on these lists of blessings, we start to realize that we are blessed in ways we never thought possible. When we focus on the blessings of God with gratitude our whole attitude toward life changes.
These verses come from Jeremiah 17:7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
When we have a firm foundation of faith, we can be free of worry because we know that God is always with us. We also realize all the ways that God blesses us every day of our lives. Switching to this viewpoint of gratitude helps us keep life and faith in perspective. Give it a try and see all the ways that God is working in your life.
Pastor Joey
receive in our lives. We serve a mighty God who loves to bless us. We are his precious children.
As we settle into the new year of 2025, I challenge you to write down a list of all the blessings you have in your life right now. Whatever it is, write it down and the next day do the same thing. Do this for a month and see what happens. You will be amazed at all the ways God blesses us in our lives.
When we focus on these lists of blessings, we start to realize that we are blessed in ways we never thought possible. When we focus on the blessings of God with gratitude our whole attitude toward life changes.
These verses come from Jeremiah 17:7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
When we have a firm foundation of faith, we can be free of worry because we know that God is always with us. We also realize all the ways that God blesses us every day of our lives. Switching to this viewpoint of gratitude helps us keep life and faith in perspective. Give it a try and see all the ways that God is working in your life.
Pastor Joey
Groundhog Day is a quirky tradition celebrated every February 2nd. Ever wondered why we rely on a groundhog to predict weather?
Groundhog Day has deep roots in folklore and history, blending ancient customs with modern fun. This day revolves around a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, who emerges from his burrow to forecast the coming of spring. If Phil sees his
shadow, winter continues for six more weeks. If not, spring arrives early. This tradition, originating from German settlers in Pennsylvania, has grown into a beloved event with festivals, ceremonies, and even a famous movie.
Groundhog Day has deep roots in folklore and history, blending ancient customs with modern fun. This day revolves around a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, who emerges from his burrow to forecast the coming of spring. If Phil sees his
shadow, winter continues for six more weeks. If not, spring arrives early. This tradition, originating from German settlers in Pennsylvania, has grown into a beloved event with festivals, ceremonies, and even a famous movie.
NUTS! NUTS!
You can shop year around 24/7 at the Terri Lynn Webstore at https://pumc.terrilynn.com for all your pecan, cashew, walnut, etc. needs. These will be delivered directly to your home.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
4 – Ashley Svoboda
11 – Shawn Smith
13 – Woody Bryan
22 -Quinn Butts
24 – Gayla Raser
26 – Jeremy Raser
27 – Kelly Brooks
4 – Ashley Svoboda
11 – Shawn Smith
13 – Woody Bryan
22 -Quinn Butts
24 – Gayla Raser
26 – Jeremy Raser
27 – Kelly Brooks
ANNIVERSARY:
5 – Gary & Kelly Buck
8 – Mike & Chong Mandrell
5 – Gary & Kelly Buck
8 – Mike & Chong Mandrell
ACOLYTE SCHEDULE:
2 – Brayden & Peyton Garcea
9 – Owen Garcea & Tamber Rippy
16 – Ava Gravila & Hadley or Porter Bebon
23 – Mason Butts & Connor Butts
2 – Brayden & Peyton Garcea
9 – Owen Garcea & Tamber Rippy
16 – Ava Gravila & Hadley or Porter Bebon
23 – Mason Butts & Connor Butts
LITURGIST SCHEDULE:
2 – Sally Renkes
9 – Dixie Taylor
16 – Larry Stewart
23 – Adam Carr
2 – Sally Renkes
9 – Dixie Taylor
16 – Larry Stewart
23 – Adam Carr
FEBRUARY COMMUNION:
Sally Renkes
MARCH COMMUNION:
Kathy Raser
Sally Renkes
MARCH COMMUNION:
Kathy Raser
USHER SCHEDULE:
2 – Chuck & Janice Swanson
9 – Pat Uhler & Pat Crump
16 – Betty Dennis & Kathy Raser
23 – Esther Wagenecht & Diane Hull
February’s Little Thoughts
This is such a great example of The Living Bible…..His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very
conservative church. They want to develop a ministry for the students but are not sure how to go about it. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can’t find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.
Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats doun right on the carpet.
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver gray hair and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walked with a cane and he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can’t blame him for what he’s going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man’s cane.
All eyes are focused on him. You can’t even hear anyone breathing.
The minister can’t even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won’t be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, “What I’m about to preach, you will never remember, what you have just seen, you will never forget.”
Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!” Amen Connie
Mission Chatter:
The Mission Committee (with the help of some volunteers) has decided to help with the boiler fund by setting up a table of goodies each Sunday in February. There will be treats each week, grab a treat from the table and leave a donation. February Treats: 2nd – cookies, 9th – snacks, 16th – muffins, 23rd – noisy change.
A BIG THANK YOU to our Prophetstown UMC family for supporting our soup luncheon and donating so generously to the boiler fund! Also thanks goes to all the ladies that made soup, desserts, brought crackers, and helped in the kitchen and clean-up. If I forgot anyone, please forgive me. Let us ladies know if you enjoy the meals right after church, feedback is good.