Welcome to
Crete United Methodist Church
Located in downtown Crete, IL.
1321 Main Street
708-672-8353
Worship Service is
Sunday mornings at 10 a.m.
We ask that you please wear masks in worship until further notice and practice social distancing. If you do not have a mask, one can beprovided for you.
Office's Email: office@creteumc.org
Admin. Assistant: Diane McGarel
Pastor Kristen Larsen
Sunday's Sermon
seeking
Church Musican
Our Mission
is to be Christ centered, teaching and learning community, dedicated to reaching out to all in a spirit of caring and sharing, a community where growth in Christ inspires us to be joyful sharing people.
Current Events
Weekly Devotion
A Happy New Year to you! We may be coming to the close of the calendar year, but it’s a New Year in our Christian calendar. Advent marks the beginning of the Christian year with a season of preparation as we anticipate the birth of Jesus.
Each Sunday, we light another candle in our Advent Wreath, to symbolize the growing light in the darkness as the birth of Jesus, “the light of the world,” comes closer. And each Advent candle represents a different force, a different light that the coming messiah brings.
Last Sunday, we lit the first Advent candle, the candle of Hope. Through the gift of Jesus Christ, we can experience hope – in spite of our present circumstances. It is hope that gives us the strength to endure.
One of my favorite poems was written by Emily Dickinson and it goes like this:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
The gift of hope is priceless. We can’t earn it. We can’t buy it. But we can receive it as the free and generous gift that it is.
Like the bird that sings in the storm, hope asks nothing of us, yet gives so much in return – nerve, strength, a song to sing.
Keep singing the song, dear friends,
Pastor Kristen
Announcements
PET BLESSINGS- This Saturday is Crete Country Christmas! After the Reindog Contest which begins at 10a.m. at the tent of Cass & Main, there will be a Parade of Pets, from Cass Street to Crete United Methodist Church at Exchange & Main. We will meet outside in the small circular driveway and overhang to the church entry doors (facing Exchange Street). Each pet will individually be given a blessing for the year ahead.
Click HERE to learn more.
Join us this Sunday as we continue our Advent Sermon Series: Lights in the Darkness Click HERE to learn more
More than two thousand years ago, prophets told of a coming messiah, a king who would bring light into the darkness.
During Advent, we will explore the depth and meaning of the Advent lights of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. What do these forces mean for our lives today and the uncertain times in which we live?
This series challenges us to experience these lights in our own experiences of darkness, and inspires us to be agents of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love in the world.
November 28: Hope
December 5: Peace
December 12: Joy
December 19: Love
Crete United Methodist Church’s Annual Giving Tree is ready to receive your donations of unwrapped toys, mittens, scarfs, gloves and socks. You can drop them off at the doors of the church entrance on Exchange Street, on Sunday mornings between 9 and 11am. December 12th is the last day to donate. They will be distributed to children in need at the Jones Center in Chicago Heights and from Angels on Assignment in Crete.
Reminder: Crete UMC's Thrift Shop is open Saturdays from 9-3pm
Crete UMC hosts an on-line worship sermon that is available on our Facebook page, our YouTube Channel, and can be e-mailed directly to you if you join our e-mail list.
Announcements
Began
August 18th, 2021
Before and After School Program
Contact
Kathy Carter Young
Director of the Before and After School Program
Email: klcy6000@aol.com for further information.
Before & After School Program
Enduring Strings
The schedule for 2021-2022 runs the on CM201U Schedule
Thrift Shop
Because we care about you, we will be utilizing best safety practices. Masks are required (one will be provided for you if needed). Plastic gloves and hand sanitizer will be available for your use. Social distancing will be maintained at all times and the number of shoppers and the duration in the store will be limited.
open Saturdays 9-3p
Online Giving
Secure, reliable, and convenient! Give a one-time gift (no account needed), or schedule recurring giving using your checking account, debit, or credit card. (See our SCHEDULE YOUR GIVING help page, or contact Diane at 708-672-8353, if you have questions!)
Crete
Weekly on Wednesday mornings
from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m.,
The Crete Food Pantry is giving curbside to Crete Township Residents who are in need a free bag of groceries
at
1367 Wood Street, IL 60417.
"Even as phase four is taking place, we are bombarded with ”virus” news. Life does go on and many people face unemployment and hard times. The Crete Pantry is continuing to serve any one who comes for food on Wednesday mornings. This is straining the budget of the Pantry.
If you are able to help financially at this time, your gift will be put to immediate use. Any monetary gift is tax deductible and can be sent to The Crete Pantry, 1367 Wood Street, Crete, Illinois 60417.
Any gift goes directly to help those in our area-helping our neighbors." -- Donna Allen
PADS
On fourth Thursday of every month, from October to April, Crete UMC volunteers provide dinner at St Irenaeus Church in Park Forest, IL. to those in need.
If you wish to be of assistance, please contact the church office
to find out how you can help.
Scrip Cards
Help the church while you
save money
and
let everyday spending work for you
Click HERE to learn more
returning soon
At Crete United Methodist Churchwe realize that there will be times in our lives where problems and circumstances seem overwhelming. It is at these times when we may want to isolate ourselves and hide.
We want you to know that you are not alone!
There are many who share your struggles. Crete UMC's Spiritual Themes in Recovery (S.T.I.R) helps those who are struggling with the addictions of Alcohol. S.T.I.R. is designed to provide an opportunity for you to share and interact with others and find encouragement and support that you may need.