Along with many in the First U family, Abby and I have really enjoyed following the EPG Lady Titans basketball team and the EPG Jr. High boys to State in the past few weeks. As basketball fever has been going around, I have been reminded of how watching and playing sports is a huge part of life for many in our church. In addition to local sports, many at First U are avid fans of college and professional sports. Last month, for example, most people in the church tuned into the Super Bowl, and in a few weeks, the glory of NCAA March Madness will be flickering in many of our living rooms. Christians have long wrestled with, and even disagreed about, how to view and participate in sports. Because so much of our time is spent playing and watching sports, it is wise to consider how believers can be involved in sports in a distinctively Christian way.

When God created the world, He called everything “good.” The material universe, full of beauty and potential, was a true masterpiece. The raw material of the world He created was and is intrinsically good. Sin, or that which is not good, is only the twisting, perversion, and corruption of God’s good creation. Athletic activities like hitting a ball, doing backflips and tackling someone (with consent!) are a good and creative means of enjoying the material world

God has created. Sports are fun, and God made them to be enjoyed with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:4). Further, God designed the world in such a way that athletic activities have the potential to bring about physical health, cooperation, self-discipline, and character formation through learning how to maintain proper perspective in a competitive world.

But all good things have the potential to be misused and to become snares of sin in our lives. From observation and from my own

experience, I’d like to explain two spiritual dangers that we must guard against as we play and watch sports.

First, we must guard against getting our personal identity, or human worth, from our own or our children’s athletic

accomplishments. Succeeding at a sport means that people will clap for you. It means that you are validated by others. Even when one struggles at a sport, she still knows that she can be validated if only she could run a little faster, jump a little higher, or kick the ball more accurately. Sports are a source of approval from others and worth is ascribed to those who can play the game the best. We would never verbalize that someone is worth more than someone else due to their ability to play a sport, but our actions reveal it to be true. Many kids grow up learning from peers and parents that their value is tied to their performance on the field. Those who perform March Church Calendar

10 Acts of Apostles Variety Show 6:30 pm

12 Little Lambs Family Enrichment 5:30 pm - Family Center

24 Baptisms in worship service 9:00 am

29 Good Friday service 7:00 pm

30 Easter Egg Hunt 11:30 am

31 Easter service 9:00 am Easter brunch 9:30 am

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Pastor Andy’s Letter • Spotlight on Men’s GroupFirst United News • Milestones • Attendance • Church CalendarMarch 2013Andy Huette, Sr. Pastor Brett Monge, Youth Director Grant Stauter, Pastor Apprentice

407 W Seventh Street, PO Box 280, Gridley, IL 61744 309-747-2299 www.1stu.org

Dear Church Family,

February at First U

“ . . . the Holy Spirit is the agent of transformation and also the ultimate author of Scripture. The Scriptures, then, are His chief instruments of His transforming work in us, so careful and prayerful reading of Scripture should also be a major part of our time with God.” —Jerry Bridges, The Transforming Power of the Gospel, 131

BaptismWe witnessed Maddie Morrison’s baptism and heard her profession of faith on February 3.

Chili Cook-Off - February 24

“The Christian finds his or her worth and identity by being accepted by God through faith in Christ.”

continued on insert inside

Our Core Values Open Bibles One Another Beautiful Feet Spiritual Growth Authentic Worship2 3

Attendance & Offering2/3 289 $ 5,780 2/10 259 $ 6,230 2/17 284 $ 7,1542/24 283 $ 5,176

March MilestonesBirthdays

1 Lori Hardman4 Lukas Krug7 Anna Albritton8 Lexie Kiefer8 Tammy Sanders9 Derek Meiss10 Janet Rosenberger13 Shannon Blanford13 Jonna Krone13 Aiden Palmer16 Tim Fairchild17 Sam Poppen17 Jeff Stoller19 Phil Hartzler22 Greg Allen22 Charlize Glatz22 Colton Probus24 Maelee Palmer25 Kain Gentes26 Dee Foor26 Alyssa Yoder27 Paul Laiming27 Carol Neuhalfen27 Brianne Sanders28 Stephanie Gonder29 Blake Buchanan29 Margie Stauter31 Nadia Rosenberger31 Vera Rosenberger Anniversaries3 Brad & Pam Neal11 Al & Keri Hany16 Tim & Tammy Sanders23 Robert & Shirley Carr

Sunday School Attend Offering Kids Fed2/3 130 $ 52.12 106 2/10 75 $ 27.70 562/17 86 $ 24.53 492/24 90 $ 25.83 51

Spotlight on . . . Men’s Group

When Helping Hurts by Steve Cor-bett and Brian Fikkert has changed my definition of poverty and this change is not comfortable. The authors begin early, writing, “I am not okay; and you are not okay; but Jesus can fix us both” (64). I didn’t choose this book to hear that I am not okay, but this is a huge step in learning how to alleviate pov-erty without hurting the poor and our-selves.

We are all suffering from poverty that can only be alleviated by reconcil-ing relationships, by moving closer to God (59). This is not abstract or mere-ly “spiritual;” the authors give working principles for how to initiate relief, re-

habilitation, and development in poor communities. The local church has the lion’s share of the responsibility for managing these principles and putting them into practice.

I am thankful to be a part of a church that uses this book to guide its mis-sions and provide in book groups. This book is difficult at times, as is ex-pected when one’s worldview is being challenged, but because we will discuss it each Sunday, I keep reading and keep learning how we can all be what God created us to be, glorifying Him and re-storing ourselves to right relationship with Him and His creation (74). —Karmelle Meiss

Book Review: When Helping Hurts

Have you read a good book from our library? Please see Keri Hany about writing a book review.

First U’slibrary corner

Acts of Apostles Variety ShowSunday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m.

In August, First United will send a team to Village of Hope, a Lifesong facility in San Lucas, Guatemala. Village of Hope is build-ing duplex homes that will house special needs chil-dren. They have a Guate-malan Christian couple hired to be the housepar-ents of the first home that will hopefully open in early spring.

First United supports missionaries, Dan and Christi Ucherek at Village

of Hope. The Ucherek’s de-scribe their work: “We are reaching out to the least, the lost, and the lowest in San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guate-mala. The Lord has called us to start Village of Hope, a special needs orphanage for children living with HIV/AIDS in Gautemala.”

The Ucherek’s have two children, Malakai (age 3-1/2), Finley (age 11 months) and are in the process of adopting a third child from Ethiopia.

Meet Our MissionariesDan & Christi Ucherek, Guatemala

Applications for the Village of Hope mission trip in August are due by March 10. Information can be found on our website: www.1stu.org/#/ministries/short-term-mission-trips

If you have never com-pleted an “Attender info form,” we don’t have your milestones. Please see Keri Hany for a form.

On March 10, First Unit-ed will present the fourth Acts of Apostles Variety Show. Emily Wenger is playwright and director backed up by a talented cast and crew.

It is an evening filled with biblical truth pre-

sented through comedy, drama, and song.

Please bring friends and family on Sunday, March 10. Come prepared to be entertained. The curtain rises at 6:30 p.m.

Refreshments and fel-lowship will follow.You’ll meet all kinds of in-

teresting characters, like Ryan River Ridge, at the variety show.

Karmelle Meiss and Stacy and Mark Ludy have been in the book group discussing When Helping Hurts.

Easter PlansMarch 29

Good Friday Communion Service - 7:00 pm

March 30Easter egg hunt, crafts, prizes & more - 11:30 am

Hot dogs & refreshments served

March 31Easter Service - 9:00 a.m. Brunch served at 10 a.m.

No Sunday School

Psalm 1:1-3, provides blessing and a promise of prosperity, for men who stand apart from the world and de-light in the ways of the Lord. Men of First United and the community are gathering on designated Satur-day mornings to study God’s word, learn how to practically apply bibli-cal truths, share experiences, and en-courage one another.

Men’s Ministry is providing a com-fortable place for men to grow in their faith and understanding of Christ’s teaching. We have discussed topics such as Integrity, Work, Persever-ance, Devotion, Prayer, and Worship. Future topics include Fatherhood, Marriage, and other disciplines of a Godly walk.

Our Men’s Ministry has also par-ticipated in a few work projects and

will be planning some other recre-ational activities for spring/summer.

As a newer member to this congre-gation, Men’s Ministry has provided a great opportunity for me to con-nect with other men in our church. Our discussions have provided great opportunities to learn from the ex-perience of others. Whether you are someone who is comfortable sharing your views or someone who prefers to sit back and listen, I’m sure you will find Men’s Ministry a comfort-able place to connect, learn, and pol-ish the Armor of God, (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Please watch the posters at the church entrances for future dates and topics. We always have coffee and great breakfasts too.

—Tim Johnson

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm1: 1-3

Photo credit: Al Hany

Malakai, Dan, Christie, Finley