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
Welcome to Advent! Advent is a season of waiting…a season of expectation…a season of preparation for the coming of Emmanuel into our lives and our world.
We aren’t very good at waiting. We wait in traffic, we wait in stores, we wait for the doctor’s report and so on it goes. Sometimes we wait alone. Sometimes family and friends wait with us. Some waits have brought us joy, some bring sadness. Some waits have been worth waiting for…others have not.
Now it is Advent and here we are, finding ourselves waiting again…waiting for God, this baby, this Word to break anew into our lives in some wonderous and unexpected way.
So, during this season, we pray that there might be meaning in the waiting. We set the intention to use this time to make necessary preparations to prepare a place in our hearts for the new birth. It means being honest with ourselves as we examine our lives and we pray for strength to make changes in our lives where necessary.
Through it all, we ask God to keep us awake and aware…because this is the season when God takes us by surprise and gives us hope that everything can be made new again, even ourselves.
A blessed Advent to you all,
Pastor Kristen
Announcements
CRETE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS REINDOG CONTEST AND ANIMAL BLESSING:
Saturday, December 3rd @ 11AM
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at the tent on Cass & Main. The parade of pets will kick off at 11:00 a.m. and end, with prizes awarded at the Crete United Methodist Church on Main & Exchange. Awards will be given for best costumes and parade entries.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS will begin immediately following the contest and awarding of prizes. All pets: dogs, cats, birds, creepy crawly things, furry and not so furry friends are welcome to come and receive a blessing for the year ahead. Gift bags will be given for all participants.
A CHRISTMAS PIANO RECITAL by Paul Blievernicht will be held on Sunday, December 4th in our Sanctuary at 3pm. Come and enjoy this special offering of beautifully presented Christmas music. The recital should last 45 minutes. We thank Paul for his musical offering to help us get into the Christmas spirit. There is no charge for the event. A freewill offering will be taken to help support our recent building expenses.
BIBLE STUDY- ALMOST CHRISTMAS: A Wesleyan Advent Experience begins this week, Thursday at 10:00 a.m. - December 01, 2022
In John Wesley’s famous sermon, “The Almost Christian,” he encouraged people to follow Christ wholeheartedly. In Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, author and pastor Magrey deVega leads a group of authors in exploring how we can make the same commitment to Christ during Advent, and connect our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace.
GIVING TREE: Crete United Methodist Church will have the Annual Giving Tree. Please bring “Unwrapped gifts” to church on Sundays during worship hours to the entrance on Exchange Street. They may be placed under the tree just inside the door beginning Sunday, November 27th. Items appreciated are all types of toys such as baby dolls, Barbie dolls, puzzles, board games, soccer balls, nerf balls, cars, tractors, trucks, remote control toys, play dough, etc. Deadline to donate is December 11th.
If you are currently not attending church and wish to contribute, please contact Diane at the church office (672-8353) and leave a message asking to arrange for a pick-up or drop off time.
This year donated toys will be given to Angels on Assignment in Crete and the Jones Center in Chicago Heights. Warm items will be given to the Steger Community Closet (see Facebook pages).
Thanks in advance for supporting this community outreach program.
CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE will be Saturday, December 24th, beginning at 5p. Christmas Day Service will be Sunday, December 25th, at 10a
MASKS OPTIONAL: The wearing of masks at Crete United Methodist Church is optional. While masks are not required, those who are more comfortable masked are encouraged to do so. We also ask 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 as a good faith gesture on your part.
A CHRISTMAS PIANO RECITAL
Paul Blievernicht will play a recital.
The recital will be held on Sunday, December 4th in our Sanctuary at 3pm.
Come and enjoy this special offering of beautifully presented Christmas music. We thank Paul for his musical offering that will help us get into the Christmas spirit.
There is no charge for the event. A freewill offering will be taken to help support our recent building expenses.
The recital will last 45 minutes.
This Sunday
December 04
Bible Study begins December 01
Thursday morning on
December 01, at 10:00 a.m.
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November 27th First Sunday of Advent 10:00 a.m.
December 04 Second Sunday of Advent 10:00 a.m.
December 11 Third Sunday of Advent 10:00 a.m.
December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:00 a.m.
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
Saturday, December 24 at 5:00p
Christmas Day Service
Sunday, December 25th at 10:00 a.m.
Crete United Methodist Church will have the Annual Giving Tree. Please bring “Unwrapped gifts” to church on Sundays during worship hours to the entrance on Exchange Street. They may be placed under the tree just inside the door beginning Sunday, November 27th. Items appreciated are all types of toys such as baby dolls, Barbie dolls, puzzles, board games, soccer balls, nerf balls, cars, tractors, trucks, remote control toys, play dough, etc. Deadline to donate is December 11th.
If you are currently not attending church and wish to contribute, please contact Diane at the church office (672-8353) and leave a message asking to arrange for a pick-up or drop off time.
This year donated toys will be given to Angels on Assignment in Crete and the Jones Center in Chicago Heights. Warm items will be given to the Steger Community Closet (see Facebook pages).
Thanks in advance for supporting this community outreach program. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.
CRETE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS REINDOG CONTEST AND ANIMAL BLESSING:
Saturday, December 3rd @ 11AM
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at the tent on Cass & Main. The parade of pets will kick off at 11:00 a.m. and end, with prizes awarded at the Crete United Methodist Church on Main & Exchange.
Awards will be given for best costumes and parade entries.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
will begin immediately following the contest and awarding of prizes.
All pets: dogs, cats, birds, creepy crawly things, furry and not so furry friends are welcome to come and receive a blessing for the year ahead.
Gift bags will be given for all participants.
Saturday, December 3rd
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2023
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.
Began
August 25, 2022
Before and After School Program
Contact
Kathy Carter Young
Director of the Before and After School Program
Email: klcy6000@aol.com for further information.
The beginning Violin Class meets
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 7:30a- 8:15a
The Advanced Class meets
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 7:30a- 8:15a
Enduring Strings
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday - May 20th
Recital Tea
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.
All items are from donations, workers are volunteers, and all profits go to the Crete Methodist Church's Outreach Programs.
Located at Main and North Street, Crete, IL
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!)
SUPPORT UKRAINE: GIVE NOW:
Anyone wishing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country may contribute to Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund will provide direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries.
The link below connects you directly to NIC's Website
Bishop Appeal 2022- Ukraine Assistance
Remember to login in first before donating. This way your donation can be added as part of your tax contribuition for your tithe for Crete UMC. After signing in, click the 3 lines on the left of the top corner of your screen, choose Home and then search for CUMC in the "find a church" search bar. This will get you in the right place to have your contribution recorded by CUMC for tax purposes. Thank you.
https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/2496653
Crete
Weekly on Wednesday mornings
from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m.,
The Crete Food Pantry is giving to Crete Township Residents only who are in need
a free bag of groceries
at
1367 Wood Street
Crete, IL 60417
It is no longer curbside, partcipants must come into the building to register and it is only available to residents of
Crete Township. 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 The Crete Pantry, 1367 Wood Street, Crete, Illinois 60417.
Any gift goes directly to help those in our area-helping our neighbors." -- Donna Allen
Scrip Cards
Help the church while you
save money
and
let everyday spending work for you
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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.