Calling... You
Have you ever had an encounter that made you change the course of your life? Someone who caused you to see things differently?
A few people I know can remember the day their life changed. Maybe it was a child's birth, when they were accepted to a school, or the day they met someone. For four people in the scripture, their life changed when they met a man named Jesus. These men owned a fishing business, complete with their own boats and nets. When they met Jesus, though, the change was so complete that they left their boats, closed the company, and became Jesus' students. Talk about an encounter that changes your life! Have you had an encounter like that?
Join us this week as we hear their story and explore how it might intersect with yours. Join us on Sunday!
Worship 10am
In person or online at the links below (Facebook or YouTube)
Cards with Kids CANCELED
Because of the cold this weekend, we're canceling the Cards with Kids for Saturday. This is out of concern for our members safety due to the extreme weather predicted. We want everyone to stay safe and warm!
You are invited to join us at a future date!
Card Ministry Dates
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026
NOTE: The work time is 9:00am-noon for each of the above dates at the Calvary Church campus. Hope to see you there!
Super Bowl Party
Sunday, February 8, 5-9 p.m.
Hosted by the Stachelski's at their home, this is the final event of the Auction 2025 season. There are a few spaces available, so sign up right away. The cost if $35/person. First come, first served. See or contact Susan Friend (office@firstumclombard.org) to secure your spot(s). She will have a sign-up sheet at the back of the sanctuary until the spaces are filled.
Wolves Hockey Outing Feb. 21st
Men's Fellowship is hosting a group outing to the Chicago Wolves Hockey Game on Saturday 02/21/2026@7:00pm at the Allstate Arena. Tickets are $20.00 with parking $15.00 per car. See Steve Flint for tickets or email office@firstumclombard.org. Deadline is February 6, 2026. Note Alex Teater's band is playing before the game. Come out and support Alex.
BABY SHOWER & Potluck
Sunday, Feb. 22nd
Celebrate Brianna & Kyle at an All Church Potluck Baby Shower. Sign up sheet in the Narthex or at office@firstumclombard.org. February 22, 2026, following our regular worship service. Questions? Nicole P. or Pam L.
Scam Alert
Unfortunately, it's happening again. Someone is sending emails or texts pretending to be a member of our staff - such as Pastor Michael, Brianna, or Dan.
If you receive a short message from an email address that is not the exact same as our emails, that is a scam message. It will usually say something like, "do you have time for a short text conversation. It's urgent!" It may even say something like, "I'm in a meeting, can we text? It's urgent!" Notice the urgency the message tries to convey. It's not real.
The scam message may ask you to do anything from sending them a church directory to purchasing gift cards.
Again, remember to check the exact email the sender is using. It may say Pastor Michael in the heading, but when you expand the message it reveals that it's actually "user213@gmail.com" which is not our actual email address.
If we could keep this from happening, we would gladly do so. Unfortunately, that cannot be done by any email or cell phone providers. Only your constant vigilance helps keep us all safe.
Finally, our staff will never, ever ask for gift cards through an individual text or email. That's not us!
Peace! Pastor Michael
Global Sewing Ministry
Sleeping Mats
The first woven mat is finished! 120 bags for the length and over 600 for the width! A Sunday school class, a Girl Scout troop, and several volunteers worked on it.
So keep those plastic bags coming! Thank you thank you! Weaving is done every Monday from 9-12 and all are welcome.
Mondays
9-12 am
Join us for Prayer Group Thursdays at 9am
All are welcome to attend our prayer group dedicated to praying for our congregation, community and world needs will meet every Thursday morning at 9am in the church chapel at FUMC.
Women's Bible Study Thursdays 1pm by Zoom
Join the Women's Bible Study as they meet via zoom at 1pm every Thursday. Please email the office for zoom link at office@firstumclombard.org.
CULTURE SHIFT TRAINING
January 31st
Join us as Jim Ozier leads a training about the kind of internal culture that helps a church grow.
Jim teaches that culture, not programs, budgets, or buildings, determines whether a church thrives or merely survives.
When culture shifts, everything shifts: worship, generosity, mission, and morale.
This one-day workshop is focused on helping pastors and lay leaders assess, shift, and shape their church culture toward vitality and growth. Anyone can join!
Contact the office to register! Office@firstumclombard.org
Week(s) at a Glance
Sunday, January 25th
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship
11:00am Coffee &
Acolytes: Ameila & Ruthie
Liturgist: Amy M.
Slides: Martha
Sound: Eric
Coffee&:
Ushers: Tom & Steve
Monday, January 26th
9:00am Global Sewing Ministry
Tuesday, January 27th
6:30pm Church Council
Thursday, January 29th
9:00am Prayer
6:15pm Choir Rehearsal
7:15pm Bell Choir
Saturday, January 31st
9:00am District Training (Grace: Naperville)
Sunday, February 1st
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship
11:00am Coffee &
Acolytes: Ella & Evie
Liturgist: Pam L
Slides: Martha
Sound: Michelle
Coffee&: LG & Connie
Ushers: Tom & Jody
Sign Up to be a Liturgist
A liturgist stands up front and leads us all as we say our call to worship, opening prayer, and sometimes reads the scripture. They help us all do "the work of the people" on Sunday.
Sign up form is located at the back of the sanctuary or you can sign up by clicking on the button below.
Coffee & Sign Up
Coffee& is a special time after worship. Help us by preparing coffee and bringing a tasty treat to share. Our Men's Fellowship handles the Second Sunday of each month, and our United Women in Faith take care of the third Sunday. Could you help us by volunteering to bring something the other Sundays of the month? Sign up form is located at the back of the sanctuary or you can sign up by clicking on the button below.
Online Suggestion Box for Trustees
Is something broken? Can we fix clean an area? Send us a suggestion!
email: Trustees@firstumclombard.org
Become an Acolyte
Acolytes bring in the light of Christ each Sunday morning, reminding us that Christ's light is always with us. Children are accompanied by an adult to help them as they perform this essential part of worship. To sign up your child or loved one, click this link to email Pam Lohman.
Pray for those who are healing: John; Maxine; Jim; Beth; Angie Aguirre; Susan; Doug S.; Brenda; John & Diane;
Pray for those in mourning: The family of Peg Martin (friend of Sandy and Shirley Wright). The family of Kevin Snow. The family of Carole Kinsland.
Areas of our world on our minds: Venezuela; Minneapolis/St. Paul
Please note that for most requests, we only use first names and last initials in our enews prayer requests in order to respect each person's privacy. Where a request is public information (such as obituaries), full names may be used.
