Sycamore United Methodist Church
160 Johnson Ave, Sycamore Illinois
Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 10:00
Saturday Evening Celebration Worship 5:00
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160 Johnson Ave, Sycamore Illinois Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 10:00 Saturday Evening Celebration Worship 5:00
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The following is a summary of the dreams and ideas that God has given through each of you. Over the next few weeks please take a look at these, and ask God how he can use you to help make these dreams come true for SUMC and our community. We have put them in 6 different areas of interest and they may truly overlap, but I believe that is how we build a body that works together. I believe that God works everything to the good, for those who believe in HIM.
Keep Looking UP Stewardship Committee
I. Foundation in the word of God (Worship) TO FILL THE PEWS Greater attendance each and every service. Friendly everyday sermon topics relating to current events. Sermon series topics that carry over from week to week. Communion each week. Calling up to the altar for prayer More sermons on salvation, opportunities for accepting Jesus into your heart. (adults & children) To have fun and enjoy HIS light! Saturday evening service would continue to grow To continue to be a place of little judgment where I will always be welcome. I have left so many times and have always been greeted with open arms upon my return. To continue the growth I’ve seen in the last few years. More of a PRAISE type service with more lively music. SUMC to continue to grow in the community To continue with excellent music and sermons that stir us to service and comfort for life’s challenges. Summer months, have Wed. night service, for those who camp or travel on weekends (and want to stay connected to their church family) Balance the attendance of our 2 services on Sunday morning (maybe adjust the times if necessary) Expand services to help single parents. To become “CHRIST CENTERED” in our lives. To be a church that seriously preaches and teaches the Bible verse by verse. We all need to really understand it. To make our church the place to be on Sunday mornings to learn and worship. To live the Methodist “Motto” Open hearts open minds and open doors. To add classrooms, meeting rooms, more seating in our sanctuary. To make SUMC the Beacon, Shining light church in our community and in Northern Illinois. Greater attendance each and every service. Would like to sing more songs out of the books instead of the paper ones. The good old songs, make one feel good. Like to see the wonderful music ministry continue—it is fantastic!!! One service with less music, one service with more music, one service contemporary worship, and one service more traditional worship and music. To continue with excellent music and sermons that stirs us to service and comfort for life’s challenges. Sunday Evening activities-example for youth to stay connected with SUMC friends.
Loving Community Keep doing what we’re doing, It’s working-“a big light to the gentiles” I Find SUMC to be exciting place, I think all services and programs are good Spirit filled church, in mission, filled with friendly, outgoing people. To love on another, Keep up the good Christian work. Thanks for asking-suggest smaller “Town Hall Meeting” more comfortable to speak Learn to be an encouraging congregation, with less gossip and nit picking. Let’s do more to make the church a home away from home. Email-prayer chain, events, announcements, daily or weekly emails To help everyone that walks through the doors, no matter their history
II. WELCOME
Love the “Coffee Shop” idea! Maybe include wi-fi access Be inviting to those who visit Recognize visitors with special nametags Use greeters @ each door for all services. Help encourage new guests & members to find small group to join Successful integration between the new members and long time members A church where it is easy for newcomers to feel welcome and get involved in activities Welcoming Committee – go around through coffee hour to see people standing by themselves and say hello and possibly introduce them to others. I dream of a NEW SANCTUARY IF:
Continue to serve all people Keep some things the same and adding some new dreams. Connecting people to God via nature. Be BEACON of God’s love & tolerance in our community. (written before the sermon) A beacon of Christian discipleship in the community and the world. A strong, united church with less division among the people. Congregation grows in faith and lives their faith outside church walls. To continue to be the open, friendly atmosphere that we have. Activity board in Narthex (dry erase or on-line) list all activities coming up for the week/month. “A smile, hug and invitation to study – none of these costs a cent” I would like to see us have more dinners, as fundraisers, for the public, turkey dinners- roast beef, etc. It would take work but other churches have them regularly. People love each other. Acceptance of differences, positive attitude obvious. Perhaps an additional service An organization that is committed to serving our LORD, but not spread out too thin for effectiveness.
III. Adult Ministries
More adult education bible studies offered – so that all members have an opportunity to grow spiritually. See more members and children enjoying our very special Sunday school hour. We have wonderful people in charge of that special hour. To continue offering Adult Studies on Sunday Mornings. Separate Sunday School times on Sunday mornings between 2 services. Adult Sunday School. More adult bible groups during the week Create more Bible study groups Bible study classes with engaging topics Like to see adult Sunday school classes grow. (Thanks for starting the programs) To meet spiritual nourishment of all church members Church where current members find renewed faith and enthusiasm. To connect members with others who seek GOD. Resurgence of small groups:
Retreats for singles, families, women and men. (Held quarterly) Invite people to watch Monday night Football together (on a big screen) That would help people get to know each other and do other things together, regular things. TOTALLY agree w/Andrea’s idea about the café’/coffee shop/gathering place. Maybe comfy couches?? Men’s ministry (25-40) Monday night football, prayer and study, then the game.
IV. Youth Ministry / Parenting / Children’s Education
Bible Study (like a Disciple I) for middle school kids and their parents. Continue reach out to troubled youth in community More youth in Sunday School/church --provide strong guidance in their faith journey. Have active and growing high school youth group Stronger youth programs. Teens and youth are the future Programs for the children of the church elementary age, not just choir. Like to see children’s and youth programs continue to grow (it’s doing very well) Continue to work with schools to reach young people. Additionally, Sunday school classes for the children during adult school studies, with a Jr. church type program while adults are in church. To build God’s love, in all our kids A strong youth group that listens to all youth at all levels of spiritual and emotional development. Continuation of youth mission trips (especially Mt. Tops) A Sr. High youth group that truly listens to the youth and offers what high school youth need spiritually as they face the challenges of getting ready to go away. Keep spreading the word of God to our children. Have children at all levels memorize verses, so that they can
More activities for youth: Local mission trips, more trips, Guest speakers. A launching pad for young people to learn understand, welcome and integrate Christ into their lives. Possibly 1 or 2 nights of math/reading tutoring. Older mentors for High School/College age people. To become known as a welcoming congregation, vibrant and caring and emphasizing our commitment to youth and families. Opportunities to get to know fellow parents. Support groups / Programs for families in need.
Family Gatherings
Potlucks with Bible Study Bake cookies make scarecrows go to apple orchard as a group do puzzles together Potlucks with games pray together go to retirement home Dinner and a concert series (youth serving, learning service to others) Potlucks with “meet your church neighbors” theme More dinner socials, interaction, ice cream socials, movie nights. Wednesday evening Service after WITH JOY
V. Community Outreach
A. Food Pantry Clothing distribution to go along with Food Pantry Expanded hours for Food Pantry A new emphasis on gifts and talents to increase our “manpower”. Have Hope Haven meals prepared together on Sunday evenings
B. Sr. Adult programs More care given to shut in’s and the lonely – perhaps a telephone ministry to call once a week. Stephen Ministry provide sitting or respite care for older adults & families Sign up sheet for when you need help. Build and support a retirement / Sr. Center / home on our property. Expanded outreach to seniors We need a senior high-rise. I will help entertain seniors. I would help once a month to have a senior daycare at the church at least one day a week so caregivers could have a break. Help for homebound elderly with visiting and making connections
C. MISSIONS. Continued support for mission trips such as UMCOR and Mt. Tops. These trips have forever changed the Sycamore people who have served and people of Louisiana and Tennessee who have been helped. That SUMC is active in mission work in our local community as well as beyond. To reach the unchurched in our community. I want the church to be a place that I love to be to share fellowship and happy times with great friends and family. Integration of all races and ethnic groups in Sycamore UMC. For SUMC to become the church in Sycamore which everyone wants to belong. A community who supports, loves, and cares for one another. I would like to go to more family mission trips. Hope Haven meals prepared together on Sunday nights.
VI. Financial Freedom
See our church completely debt free. To be financially solid to do all we wants to accomplish High balance in Good Shepherd fund to assist during difficult times Regular giving to the church so we are always on the plus side of our budget. Continue to grow and meet the needs of our community and Missions.
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