August 24, 2025 Worship

Worship for: August 24
11th Sunday after Pentecost - ASP Sunday

August 24, 2025
10:30 am

In-Person Worship
and
Find our online Worship:
on  Facebook
and on YouTube

Quirky Stories from Scripture

“Called Out of Comfort”

Pastor Paul Arnold

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14 

In Part Three of our sermon series, “The Quirkiest Stories in Scripture” we will consider the mystery of a bush that was burning brightly but not consumed. God used the burning bush to call Moses back “into the arena,” after he had lived quietly for years in the desert. Join us Sunday as we examine a burning bush, holy ground, a reluctant leader, and the name of God.

WORSHIP HELPS-click the links below

BULLETIN

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rally Day - September 7

♥ STAY CONNECTED ♥

PLEASE REGISTER your attendance by commenting on our Facebook page during the worship service. We'd love it if you would fill out a connection card!

PLEASE EXPLORE OUR WEBSITE: champaignfumc.org

NEWCOMERS If you are new to our community of faith, Pastor Paul would like to have a conversation with you and get to know you better. He wants to be your pastor and he hopes FUMC will be your church home. Please fill out the CONNECTION CARD found on our website. https://www.champaignfumc.org/connection-sheet

SIGN UP FOR MORE! If you would like to receive weekly letters from the pastor and church news, please go to our website and fill out our CONNECTION CARD!

DONATE ONLINE through Vanco or Paypal, on our website!

PRAYER REQUESTS If you would like us to pray for you or your loved ones, email your prayer request to: info@champaignfumc.org OR fill out the prayer request form on our website.

August 17, 2025 Worship

Worship for: August 17
10th Sunday after Pentecost

August 17, 2025
10:30 am

In-Person Worship
and
Find our online Worship:
on Facebook
and on YouTube

A Legacy of Faithfulness
Chad Beyler, Guest Speaker

Scripture: Hebrews 11:29-12:2

Sermon Preview: This Sunday, August 17, Chad Beyler will bring a message from one of the great, foundational passages in all of scripture. The message will be based on a text that celebrates the courage and impact of some of the great heroes of our faith. Join us for an uplifting morning!

WORSHIP HELPS-click the links below

BULLETIN

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rally Day - September 7

♥ STAY CONNECTED ♥

PLEASE REGISTER your attendance by commenting on our Facebook page during the worship service. We'd love it if you would fill out a connection card!

PLEASE EXPLORE OUR WEBSITE: champaignfumc.org

NEWCOMERS If you are new to our community of faith, Pastor Paul would like to have a conversation with you and get to know you better. He wants to be your pastor and he hopes FUMC will be your church home. Please fill out the CONNECTION CARD found on our website. https://www.champaignfumc.org/connection-sheet

SIGN UP FOR MORE! If you would like to receive weekly letters from the pastor and church news, please go to our website and fill out our CONNECTION CARD!

DONATE ONLINE through Vanco or Paypal, on our website!

PRAYER REQUESTS If you would like us to pray for you or your loved ones, email your prayer request to: info@champaignfumc.org OR fill out the prayer request form on our website.

Fall 2025 Wesley Covenant Group Bible Study

How do we find hope and courage in the midst of personal and earthly darkness? Author Steven Charleston is an indigenous elder and provides eight steps towards being part of God’s light in the darkness. Join us in this eight-week study from September 29 through November 17 by signing up at the link or QR code, registering in Friendship Center on September 14 or September 21, or contacting the church office.

Sign up: bit.ly/4f5Mm9X

FUMC Musical Ensembles Resume their Regular Schedules soon! All interested musicians are welcome to join!

Come to the Downbeat – your God-given gifts are needed!

Calling ALL musicians! We mean it! Opera singers, shower singers, happy birthday singers, bell ringers, ding-a-lings and musicians in training!  All humans from 3 years to 110 years are invited to give music @ FUMC a try.

Rehearsals for FUMC musical ensembles resume their regular schedules soon.  All interested musicians (and wanna-be musicians!) are welcome to join.  The rumor that you have to be an exceptional musician to join is NOT TRUE!  Invite your friends to join us.  If you miss the first rehearsal, come to another!  Contact Barbara Zachow for more information at 217‑356‑9078 or bzachow@comcast.net.

 First Regular Rehearsal:

·    Chancel Choir – Wednesday, August 20, 7:00 – 8:15 pm - Choir Room
o   Youth and adults of any age
o   Provide choral music in a variety of styles for worship services

·    Perceptions Praise Team - Thursday, August 28, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Sanctuary
o   Youth and adults of any age
o   Keyboard, guitar, drum set, vocalists, other instruments

·    Chancel Ringers – Tuesday, September 2, 6:00 – 7:00 pm - Bell Tables
o   Youth and Adults of any age
o   Intermediate or Advanced handbell experience
o   Provide music in a variety of styles for periodic worship services

·    Angel Choir - Sunday, September 7, 4:00 – 5:00 pm - Room J
o   3 years old through 5th graders
o   Singing, tone chimes, beginning bells, Orff and rhythm instruments, foundational music reading skills

·    Youth Music – Sunday, September 7, 5:00 – 6:00 pm - Choir Room
o   6th through 12th graders
o   Singing, intermediate bells, instruments, other artistic talents

 ·   FUMC also hosts Choral Union – Monday, September 8, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Choir Room
o   Adults with willingness to sing in and contribute to the community chorus, the ability to match pitch, and the ability to produce a pleasing vocal sound
o   Give periodic concerts throughout the community

Walking Talking Lunch Bunch - Every Tuesday

Building Reserve and Health:
A Walking and Lunch Program

FUMC has been blessed with funding from the United Methodist Foundation to start a weekly exercise, fitness, and nutrition program for adults in our congregation and community. We are happy to announce that Debbie Chew will lead the program. Debbie has many years of experience in directing physical rehabilitation programs.

Each session will consist of gentle warm up exercises, walking, and a time for a shared lunch. The walking will be adapted for varying levels of speed and endurance. No fee is required to participate. The costs per person for lunch will be $12. Funding may be available for those who would benefit from assistance with food costs.

Please join us in Friendship Center on:

Date: Tuesdays

Time: 11:30 a.m. (We walk from the church at 12:20 to the restaurant.)

Restaurant Schedule:

September 2 - Rainbow Garden

September 9 - Guido’s

September 16 - CANCELLED

September 23 - Farren’s

September 30 - Aspen Tap

Walkers and volunteers to assist with the program are welcome!! Please contact the church office at 217-356-9078 for any questions or further details.

Part-Time Organist

PART-TIME ORGANIST

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF CHAMPAIGN
210 W Church Street, Champaign, IL 61820

ABOUT US
https://www.champaignfumc.org/

First United Methodist Church of Champaign is located downtown and serves the university community of Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities.  The congregation has a rich history of music ministry.  The program is constantly evolving to utilize the talents of current musicians and to meet the needs of the worshiping community.

 The sanctuary holds a 1965 three manual Cassavant Pipe Organ with electric action, a Kawai Grand Piano, Roland FP-4 keyboard, five octaves of Schlumerich handbells and four octaves of chimes.  Additionally, a small chapel organ, three additional grand pianos, a set of three timpani, two drum sets and other miscellaneous instruments are available in the building.  Over five thousand titles of keyboard solos and ensembles are catalogued and housed in the church’s music library.

 REQUIREMENTS

·         A person of Christian faith

·         High degree of competence on organ, piano, and keyboard

·         Accompanying experience

·         Willingness to rehearse sufficiently to maintain a high quality of music

·         Sensitivity and ability to communicate in a friendly and professional manner with church staff, church members, members of the public, and other persons present in the church building

·         Ability to sight-read and improvise is desired

 POSITION TYPE AND HOURS

·         Organist is a salaried employee

·         Salary based on candidate’s education, experience, and skill level

·         Organist expected to work an average of 20 hours per week

·         Schedule is arranged according to program needs in consultation with the Directing Pastor and Director of Music and Worship

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Prepare and play hymns, songs, and anthem accompaniments during weekly and seasonal worship services

·         Accompany Chancel Choir during weekly rehearsals

·         Rehearse with and accompany other ensembles and soloists as needed for worship services

·         Play for Major Music Sundays (generally one each semester)

·         Play for weddings and funerals. If unavailable, organist shall find a substitute.

·         Play and/or support the organization of recitals

·         Assist in maintaining music library for organ and keyboard instruments

HOW TO APPLY

  • Review of applications begins October 28, 2024, on a rolling basis. Finalists will be invited to audition/interview on site. Submit the following to:
    llcurtis@illinois.edu

  • Letter of Application

  • CV/Resume

  • Sample recordings of two pieces appropriate for prelude/postlude, two hymns, and a short improvisation on a hymn

  • Names and contact information (emails/phone numbers) for three professional references

 NOTE

·         Persons interested in sharing this position will also be considered

 TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT
Laura Curtis, Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) Chair
llcurtis@illinois.edu
2403 Waterbury Place
Champaign, IL 61822
(217) 778-2114

Where Connecting, Growing and Serving are a Way of Life