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.
MASKS OPTIONAL
Pastor Kristen Larsen
Admin. Assistant: Diane McGarel
Sunday's Sermon
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.
Weekly Devotion
As I write this, there is a continual banging on my window. Because the parsonage we live in is a bi-level, the window in my home office where I work and write these devotions, is on ground level. And for the last week, I’ve had a suicidal adolescent cardinal distracting me.
During sunny days and even when it’s overcast, I see it sitting in the large evergreen bush right outside. Then he leaps, flaps it’s wings a few times and BANG, he strikes the window with his beak. Sometimes he doesn’t even bother with the flight. He’ll perch himself on the window frame and just repeatedly bonk his beak on the windowpane over and over again. Doesn’t he get a headache?
I figure he’s a male from this year’s brood because his crest is turning red as well as some of his feathers. And his banging on the window is so loud, we can hear it throughout the house. I have to close my home office door in order for my husband and I to watch the evening news. And even with the TV on we can still hear it!
So I asked my buddy Ed about it at church on Sunday. He told me that from my description of this pesky beast that yes, he is probably an adolescent male. He said that cardinals are aggressive birds by nature. And because the window acts like a mirror, that crazy cardinal thinks it’s another cardinal looking at him, and by his nature, he goes after it.
The good news, he told me, is that there’s something online that you can order to put on the window that stops growing male cardinals from doing this. Somehow it breaks up the reflection in the mirror.
So let me ask you this. What do you see when you look in the mirror?
My mom, who had a wonderful sense of humor, as she aged, she looked more and more like my grandmother. She’d look in the mirror and say to her reflection: “Mother, what are you doing in my mirror!” And then, she’d laugh. And it was true. As my mom aged, she did look more and more like my grandmother.
Aging is not for the faint of heart. It happens to all of us. Our faces change as we age. But regardless of how they change, I do hope that what you see in your mirror is someone a little older, a little wiser, someone who is more loving and kind. Someone you’ve learned to like, maybe even love.
Regardless of how our faces change, I pray that you like what you see there: that you see a beloved child of God, who loves you with a love that will never let you go. Our God who looks at you and says to you, “You are precious in my sight.”
Yours in the journey,
Pastor Kristen
Announcements:
This Friday, May 23rd Scouts' Pack 123 will have Community Clean Up. They will begin around 6:30 p.m. around Crete United Methodist Church. Thank you Scouts.
This weekend, on Saturday, May 24th, in the parking lot of Main and Exchange will be The Crete Lions Club Mini Health Fair, from 12p to 4:00p. At the fair you can be screened for hearing loss or eye diseases and can have your blood pressure checked. You can also donate blood. On Facebook yesterday the Lions Club advertised that those who donate blood can receive a $25 e-gift card and they urge that you make an appointment today. Please check the Crete Lions Club Facebook page for more information.
Save the Date: On Sunday, June 29th, after church service hotdog and chips will be served. This event will be hosted by our Women's Club. All are invited to attend.
The next Women's Club meeting will be held on Monday, June 2nd, in the narthex. All are welcome to attend. The group meets the first Monday of every month.
We are in the need of greeters for Sunday Services. If interested in becoming a greeter, please contact the women's club.
The Crete United Methodist Thrift Shop is open on Saturdays, from 9p- 3p. Yesterday's posting on Facebook said they just got in some molds that are used for ceramics. They do get new merchandise in weekly. We wish to thank all the volunteers for all their hard work.
Save the Dates from June 16th through August 4th, rain or shine, for the Farmers' Market. It is being held at Main & Exchange, in the church's parking lot from June 16th through August 4th, only on Monday nights. rain or shine. If interested in being a vendor then please contact The Crete Chamber of Commerce at https://www.cretechamber.com) for an application. Once the application is downloaded and completed, please email to cretechamber.info@gmail.com and they will contact you about being a vendor.

Crete UMC's Women's Club next Meeting will be held on
Monday, June 02, 2025
in the narthex
1:30p.m.
They gather the first Mondays of every month.

Farmers Market Mondays, June 16 through August 4th, 2025
RAIN or SHINE
in the parking lot of Main & Exchange Street, Crete, IL
Market Coordinator - Somer Snow
Interested in being a vendor?
Please complete the Vendor Application and email it to cretechamber.info@gmail.com
Once your application is reviewed and accepted, we will notify you via email and will send an invoice for your booth.
The 2025 Vendor Application is now available!
Farmer's Market Vendor Application
If you choose to pay online, please submit your application via email at cretechamber.info@gmail.com
or mail it to us at P.O. Box 263 Crete, IL 60417
Want to become a preferred Vendor?
Click below and become a Chamber Vendor Member TODAY!
Market Vendor Membership Information
Market Vendor Membership Application
Need your Will County Food License?
All food vendors MUST have a valid Will Co. Food License to attend our farmer's market.


Hosted by the Crete United Methodist Women's Club.
You're invited to join us after church service
Sunday, June 29th for an afternoon treat of hotdogs and chips.
Approximately beginning at 11a
Art & Craft Fair this year, 2025
will not be at Main & Exchange this year
instead
this event will be on the grounds of Crete Public Library
at 1177 North Main Street, Crete, IL
July 11, 2025
Click here to learn more and download an application

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.

Before and After School Program
will resume in the Fall of 2024
Kathy Carter Young
Director of the Before and After School Program
Email: klcy6000@aol.com for further information.

Beginners class meets
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 7:30a- 8:15a
10 children per class
Advanced Class meets
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 7:30a- 8:15a
10 children per child
Recital Tea was held on Saturday, May 17, 2025
Enduring Strings
begins on September 3, 2024
Program runs on CM201U School Schedule Cost: $50 a month per child Sept/May

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
The Pantry is open on Wednesday mornings
from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m.,
It's only Available to Crete Township Residents
pick up and drop off of food is at
1367 Wood Street
Crete, IL 60417
To receive, come into the building located at 1367 Wood Street to register. Proof of residency is required.
"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 either The Crete Pantry, 1367 Wood Street, Crete, Illinois 60417 or at Crete UMC
If you are dropping off food at the Township, please contact the Crete Food Pantry directly at the Township to make your donation. The Township's Phone number is 708-672-8279 to schedule a time to make your donation.
Located at 1367 Wood Street
Crete, IL 60417

At Crete United Methodist Church we 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 and is designed to provide an opportunity for you to share and interact with others and find encouragement and support that you may need. To attend, please call
(708) 672-8353 or email office@creteumc.org
for information
Quick Links
Contact
MASKS OPTIONAL
While masks will not be required, those who feel more comfortable masked are invited to do so. We ask, as a good faith effort, that if you have not been vaccinated or if you are feeling a bit under the weather, that you personally chose to wear a mask while in the church buildings.
Worship Services:
Sunday mornings
at 10:00 a.m.
Phone: 708-672-8353
Email: office@creteumc.org
Phone: 708-672-8353
Email: office@creteumc.org
Diane McGarel, Admin Asst.
Office Hours
are Monday thru Friday from 8-1p.
Office Hours: In-person
Tuesdays, 8-1p
Fridays 8-12p
Calls received during non in-person office hours are forwarded and answered remotely. Your call is very important to us so if the line is busy please leave a message as Diane, the Office Admin Assistant will return your call as soon as possible.
Located at 1321 Main Street, Crete, IL 60417


©2022 Crete United Methodist Church
All Rights Reserved.
Created by Diane J. McGarel