Cambridge United Methodist Church Loving God, Loving Others, Serving Both

NOVEMBER 2018 NEWSLETTER 120 West Exchange Street, Cambridge, IL 61238 Phone

309-937-2018

What is sin? Billy Graham defined sin as “any thought or action that falls short of God’s will. God is perfect,

and anything we do that falls short of His perfection is sin.”

Using Pastor Graham’s definition that means a lot that we do is sinful, and as we found in the

sermons from October 7th and 14th, it is easy to sin.

So after two sermons on sin, do we need to hear more on sin? Yes, I believe more now than ever. So many

people believe that all it takes to get to heaven is to live a good life. But here is the problem, when your

standard for salvation is a “good life”, what represents “good enough”? How would we ever know if we have

done enough “good” to get to heaven?

The salvation standard of “good” is called a “relative” standard, meaning that “good” is measured against what

you think “bad” is. Johnny might think that little fibs are ok, not bad, while Sally thinks that anything that is not

completely true is bad.

Is lying in order to not hurt someone’s feeling bad or good? There is a pretty good chance that once the person

that you have been trying to protect finds out, they will be mad at you.

What if your standard of bad is not the same as mine? We will never get along.

That is why we need “absolute” standards. An “absolute” standard is the same for everyone. And the good news

is that the Bible even provides us with an absolute standard for what a “good life” is, and it is guaranteed to

upset many people out there when they find out that they have a lot of work to do.

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone”. Mark 10:18

(ESV)

So the since the “good life” standard is to be as good as God, none of us can ever fulfill that salvation standard.

This is the beauty of having the Bible as our instruction book, God’s laws, promises and guarantees are all laid

out for us to follow, and life becomes easy. We no longer have arbitrary “relative standards”, we have carved in

stone “absolute standards”.

In my October 7th sermon I promised to answer seven questions about sin, so here are our “absolute standards”.

1. What is sin? Sin is anything that breaks one of God’s laws that He provided to us in the Ten

Commandments. Sin is an act of will, a choice that we make, not a necessity. Sin is an abuse of the

freedom that God gave us.

2. Why must sins be paid for? Why can't God just forgive and forget them? Sins must be paid for

because sin is breaking the law of God and if God ignores his own Law then he would be approving of

sin, and this would ignore His holy character. Sins are paid for in one of two ways, by Jesus through His

sacrifice on the cross, or by the sinner going to hell. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we

transfer the cost of our sin onto Him. Jesus has paid all of our bills once we accept Him, and His

commands.

3. Are some sins worse than others? Yes and no. In the world, there are some sins that are worse than

others, murder is worse than lying. In God’s eyes, all sins are the same, and they all have the same

remedy, either hell for the unrepentant sinner, or heaven for the person who repents and claims Jesus as

their Lord and Savior. For example, to God, murder is the same as anger (Matthew 5:21-23).

So the bad news is there is no small sin that must not be punished. The Good News is that there is no

sin too big for God to forgive.

4. Do Christians still sin? Yes, as Christians we are on a journey. When we are saved we do not become

sinless, but we try to sin less as we try to keep God’s commands. The Apostle that Jesus loved says it

this way,

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our

sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

- 1 John 1:8-9

Some denominations believe that once we are saved, we are always saved, that we can never backslide.

Fortunately the Bible, is clear as always, check the following verses in your free time, 1 Samuel 10:9-24;

2 Samuel 11; Matthew 26:14-16; Luke 22:31-34, 54-62 and Revelation 2:4.

Sometimes we want a checklist to make sure that we are staying on the straight and narrow, and for Christian’s,

there is no better checklist than the Bible, that is why some refer to the Bible as Basic Instructions Before

Leaving Earth. But for those of us who need a quick reference guide, here are two articles that I found helpful

during my research for the sin sermon series.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/09/08/a-list-of-sins-from-the-bible/

See also https://www.gotquestions.org/list-of-sins.html

Dear sisters and brothers, do not feel guilty about the sins we have committed, just realize that we cannot save

ourselves, and rejoice in the fact that Jesus died for us while we are still sinners (Romans 5:8), and we are

forgiven when we confess that Jesus is Lord, and that He was raised from the dead (Romans 10:9).

Proclaim the Good News, and be

blessed,

Pastor Jim

Greater love hath no man than this, that

a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

if my people, who are called by my

name, will humble themselves and pray

and seek my face and turn from their

wicked ways, then I will hear from

heaven, and I will forgive their sin and

will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Greetings Men of God!

BASE CAMP MEN’S BREAKFAST The monthly men’s breakfast will be Sunday, November 11th at 7 AM in the fellowship Café. All women are invited to come have breakfast, enjoy fellowship and pray for the men.

BASE CAMP MEN’S DINNER – CHILI COOK OFF The monthly men’s meeting & dinner on Tuesday, November 13th

@ 6 PM will be a Chili Cook off. It will be held at Geneseo First UMC.

There is a sign up sheet in the entry for those men that would like

to bring their best chili for the cook off.

Cambridge men will meet at our church to carpool

PASTOR PRAYER PARTNERS

The November meeting for the

Cambridge and

Geneseo Pastor Prayer Partners will be Saturday, November 10th at 7 AM at

His Place. Cambridge Prayer Partners will meet at our church to carpool at

6:30 AM.

The December meeting on December 8th will be in Cambridge.

Friday, November 9th 2:00 PM Hillcrest Birthday Party

November 12th 10 AM UMW Planning Meeting for 2019

November 15th Wesleyan Group 7 PM at the church

Hostess Norma Werkheiser

Lesson – Jeanette Ross

November 20th Priscilla Group 2 PM at the

church

We need a Hostess & a Lesson

CAMBRIDGE LUTHERAN CHURCH INVITES YOU TO THEIR FALL GUEST

DAY

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 7 BRUNCH 9:00 AM PROGRAM 9:30 AM

SPEAKER JANET WOLFE OF GROW MINISTERIES, INC. WILL TALK

ABOUT

NAVIGATING THE “WATERS OF LIFE” ISAIAH 43:2

NEED A LAST MINUTE GIFT… OR JUST A THANK YOU!

SHOP IN THE GOURMET SHOP! STOP BY ON SUNDAY

MORNING AND PURCHASE A FEW THINGS TO HAVE ON HAND

FOR THOSE GIFT EMERGANCIES.

IF YOU NEED HELP JUST ASK ONE OF OUR FALL REVIEW LADIES AND THEY

WOULD BE GLAD TO ASSIST YOU.

FOOT CARE CLINIC NOVEMBER 6TH Foot Clinics are held each month on the first Tuesday from 9 – 12 the cost is $32.

There was a cost increase due to the cost of travel to Clinic Sites. This includes

getting your feet soaked, toenails trimmed and feet,

ankles and calves lotioned.

LADIES – if you bring your polish they will paint

your toes also!

UPCOMING CLINIC: December 4th

Food Pantry News The Cambridge Food Pantry will be open at the following times

Sunday, November 19th from 3 - 5 PM

Monday, November 20th from 9 -10 AM.

Cambridge Baptist Church will be in charge this month.

November Birthdays

1 - Joyce Schnowske

2 – Dean Yenor

6 – Joanne Fielding

8 - Debra Else

9 - Tom Montgomery

10 – Ramsey Spanton

11 – Joyce Snyder

13 - Tina Schieferdecker

15 - Bruce Lookingbill, Jenna Stromquist,

Alyssa Yenor

16 – Martha Smutzer

18 - Judy Gerks, Trish Reed

20 – Drake McDonough, Jennifer Underwood

21 - Bill Drescher Jr., Alice Reed,

Shelley Newcomb, Aaron Stach

22 - Dean Talbott

23 - Pat Atkinson, Lisa Yenor

24 – Livvy Edmund, Joyce Snyder

26 – Mike Wignall

27 – Steve Enger

28 - Brad Wexell

30 – Glen Rogers

ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND

BEAUTIFUL

GOD’S NATURE CORNER

Wintery weather is coming and it’s time to help our feathered friends. Many

types of feeders are available. There are hanging feeders, ground feeders and

suet feeders.

Suet feeds are welcomed by Woodpeckers and many other insect loving birds. Many “flavors” are available. Suet is a wonderful high energy food source.

Woodpeckers, Nut Hatches and insect eaters find meal worms (dried for easy use) a tasty source of energy. They are often on sale at Farm & Fleet. Blue Jays enjoy whole peanuts as well as other seeds.

Consider leaving plants with seeds standing during winter months. They provide a yummy food source as well as protection from the elements and predators. I recently watched sparrows eat seeds from a large basil plant.

We all have angels guiding us…they look after us. They heal us, touch us, comfort

us with invisible warm hands…What will bring their help?

Asking. Giving Thanks. Sophy Burnham

God’s Bless You, Abigail Possum

September 2018 Finances

If your birthday or anniversary is not

on this list or is incorrect please

contact the office. Thank you.

November Anniversaries

1 - Ray & Isabelle Young

5 - Todd & Dietra Evans

7 – Dave & Rhonda Rusk

17 – Brett & Jennifer Underwood

19 – David & Jamee Smutzer

20 - Maury & Gladys Martin

22 - Gordon & Barbara Clark

23 - Dick & Kathy Borg

28 - Hal Dean & Sally Vincent

Checking/General Budget:

September Income was $15,487

September Expense was $11,984

Cash balance was $28,909

This resulted in a net income for the month of $3,503 compared to a net loss of $1,381 in August. September

had five Sundays compared to four Sundays in August.

Savings/Reserve Funds:

Youth balance $2,100

Awana (formerly Ignite) $4,990

Sunday School/VBS/Children $3,300

Missions currently (Sept) has $3,694 left to distribute with $430 set aside for the Thanksgiving meal.

Trustees ($33,153 available)

$9,260 Lift Project/Handicap Access

$5,000 Boiler fund

$15,301 Memorial fund

$3,592 Building fund for new projects

Backpack Blessings $16,063

Fall Review $13,690

NOVEMBER 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3

9 AM Exercise 10 AM Prayer Grp 3:15-5:30 AWANA 7 PM Confirmation

2 PM Young Anniversary Party at Hillcrest

Holy Communion 4

9 AM EDUCATION. HOUR

10:30 AM WORSHIP

All Saint’s Sunday

5 6

9 AM Exercise 9-12 Foot Clinic 6:30 PM Bible 101

7 2-4 PM Womens Bible Study

8 9 AM Exercise 10 AM Prayer Grp 3:15-5:30 AWANA 7 PM Confirmation

9 2 PM Hillcrest Birthday

10 7 AM PPP Mtg. Cambridge

OUR SUNDAY SCHEDULE

8:45 – 10:45 AM FRIENDSHIP CAFÉ

OPEN

9 AM EDUCATION HOUR

10:30 AM WORSHIP

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

7AM Men’s Bkfast 9 AM

EDUCATION. HOUR 10:30 AM WORSHIP

Veteran’s Day

10 AM UMW Planning Mtg

For 2019

9 AM Exercise 6 PM Forge Dinner/mtg CHILI COOKOFF 6:30 PM Bible 101

2-4 PM Womens Bible Study

9 AM Exercise 10 AM Prayer Grp 1:45-5:30 AWANA 5PM Family Dinner 7 PM Confirmation 7PM Wesleyan At the church

18 9 AM EDUC.HOUR

10:30 AM WORSHIP

3-5 PM Food Pantry

19

9-10 AM Food Pantry

20 9 AM Exercise 2 PM Priscilla Group at church 6:30 PM Bible 101

21 NO Bible Study

22 Thanksgiving

Day Dinner 11 AM – 1 PM

23

24

Anniversary Celebration A 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration for Ray & Isabelle Young will be

held on Friday, November 2 at Hillcrest Home from 2 -3 PM

Everyone is welcome to come have cake and punch and spend some time with Ray & Isabelle.

If you can’t make it to the party – stop by anytime and see them. They would love to see you.

Cards and Notes are also appreciated, their address is: Hillcrest Home, 14688 IL Hwy 82, Geneseo, IL 61254

BIBLE 101…In the Beginning! Bring your own bible and we will discuss a new chapter each week. We will be

starting in the beginning with Genesis Chapter 1. Both Men & Women are

invited and any bible will do for we like the different versions.

We will read the entire bible by the end of the study.

Noisy Offering 25

9 AM EDUCATION HOUR

10:30 AM WORSHIP CHARGE

CONFERENCE

26

27 9 AM Exercise

6:30 PM Bible 101

28

2-4 PM Womens Bible Study

29 9 AM Exercise 10 AM Prayer Grp 3:15-5:30 AWANA 7 PM Confirmation

30

The only expectation is that we all have read the assigned chapter for the week. This way we can

have a good discussion!

Tuesday’s at 6:30 pm in the Upper Room

Starting November 6, 2018

Any questions, please check with Pastor Jim or Christy Aniol

Hope to see you there!!

Women’s Bible Study

will begin November 7th

2-4 PM in the Upper

Room **We are switching to afternoons for the Winter

We will return to evening studies in the spring

The No-Homework Women’s Bible Study: Group Hug

By Christine Tate

This 8 week Bible Study will include topics such as:

Taking Care of Yourself; An Organized Life;

People Pleasers; Being a Virtuous Women;

Christian Relationships And More

The study will give a deeper self-examination without the

time commitment.

Come join us!

Fall Review Thank You’s

We have a group of dedicated women who have met almost

every Monday since January, as well as many other days

during the weeks, preparing and decorating products for the Gourmet Shop. Without these ladies, we would

not have the wonderful array of items to sell. When you see any of them, please give them an extra big THANK

YOU! They are the backbone of our Fall Review! Rosemary Schieferdecker, Karol Licht, Sally Vincent, Linda

Charlet, Norma Werkheiser, Joan Johnston, Gladys Smith, Ruth Banse, Natalie Schieferdecker, Debbie Johnson,

Sue Franck, Judy Anderson, and Jeane Downing need to be recognized for their efforts. Other people have

helped with major projects, but these ladies are our Gourmet Shop Group!!! Please thank them when you get

a chance!

Also, please thank the following chairmen for their work:

Admissions: Deb Enger

Bakery – Breads: Sue Franck and Debbie Johnson

Bakery – Cookies: Sally Vincent and Judy Anderson

Breakfast: Kathy Borg, Joni Secymore, and Linda Harp

Carryouts: Lori Dole

Crafters: Linda Denison

Decorating: Barb Wigant and Bonnie Talbott

Dining Room: Linda Denison

Door Prizes: Loreen Borkhart and Karen Larson

Gourmet Shop Set Up: Trish Reed

Gourmet Product Decorating: Norma Werkheiser

Tortellini Soup: Gourmet ladies

Ham Loaves: Joni Secymore

Apple Dumplings:Debbie Johnson and Sue Franck

Fudge:Linda Charlet

Lasagna: Sally Vincent and Linda Denison

Noodles: Linda Denison

Swedish Meatballs: Natalie Schieferdecker

Lunch:

Ham Loaves, Potatoes and Beans: Joni Secymore

Sandwiches: Kathy Stromquist

Soup: Debbie Johnson

Phone Calling: Bess Anderson and Ruth Banse

Compiling List of Workers: Barb Wigant

Publicity: Sarah Nodine, Linda Denison

Office Work: Lori Dole

Coordinator of Chairmen: Linda Denison

And, of course, we thank everyone who helped in ANY way with our 29th

Annual Fall Review. God has blessed us with a congregation who can

work together for a common cause!

The Fifth Annual

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

will be served at the Cambridge United Methodist

Church on Thursday, November 22nd from 11am

to 1pm. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy

a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at no cost and

have the opportunity to give thanks through

fellowship with their community. For those who

might be alone and unable to attend, unable to

prepare a meal, or would like to arrange delivery of a warm meal to your home or to a

member of our community, please contact the church office at 309-937-2018.

Menu includes: Roast Turkey, Dressing, Real Mashed Potatoes & Gravy and all the fixings like Sweet Potatoes, Scalloped corn, green bean casserole, rolls pumpkin pie & other desserts.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 26:35 SIGN UP SHEETS FOR DONATIONS AND HELPERS IS IN THE ENTRY – PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SIGN UP. THANK YOU!

This year, A Hand to Hold is asking for your

help to collect books for children who will be

spending their Christmas at the Children’s

Hospital of Illinois. We ask that all books are

new in order to keep the children safe and

healthy throughout this winter and the months

to come. Children staying at the hospital vary

from infants to teenagers – so books for all

ages are encouraged and welcomed. Drop off

locations include the Cambridge United

Methodist, Cambridge Elementary School,

Cambridge High School, the Cambridge

Village Office and the Cambridge Public

Library. Thank you in advance to everyone

who chooses to donate. These books to

brighten more smiles than you know!