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
My computer sits against a wall with a window looking out into the backyard. I get to see all sorts of things. A couple of months ago, 3 deer crashed through the trees beyond, ran to the front of the house, crossed Exchange Street and I watched them as they galloped their way down Douglas Street, saying a prayer for their safety, as they headed to the woodlands beyond, I assumed.
A few days ago, there was a raccoon lumbering outside my window, not as big as others I’ve seen before. And I’ve seen some pretty impressive ones here, usually climbing up the poles to my bird feeders for Heaven’s sake. It’s a comical sight for sure. Those poles now list at all sorts of wonky angles, but I don’t mind.
This little one I saw took refuge under the big evergreen tree in the back yard. It’s a beautiful tree whose branches go all the way down and brush the ground. It’s a great hiding place. I don’t know if it’s planning to live there, I haven’t seen him since, but I rather hope not. I’d much prefer the wildlife to visit but not stay, thank you very much.
The signs of spring are all around us, my friends; the greening of the land, the leaves sprouting on the trees, the glorious colors of the budding trees. There is likely no better time of the year to ponder Hildegard of Bingen's concept of the greening of the soul. “There is a power that has been since all eternity, and that force and potentiality is green!” she wrote.
That greening is what the Psalmist describes in Psalm 23: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”
The way Frederick Buechner put it, “Not at every moment of our lives, Heaven knows, but at certain rare moment of greenness and stillness, we are shepherded by the knowledge that though all is far from right with any world you and I know anything about, all is right deep down. All will be right at last. I suspect that is at least part of what “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” is all about. It means righteousness not just in the sense of doing right but in the sense of being right---being right with God, trusting the deep-down rightness of the life God has created for us and in us, and riding that trust the way a red-tailed hawk rides the currents of the air in this valley where we live. I suspect that the paths of righteousness he leads us in are more than anything else the paths of trust like that and the kind of life that grows out of that trust.”
My prayer for you this spring day is that you would experience that greening, that you would be led by that Good Shepherd, that you would trust like that.
Yours in the journey,
Pastor Kristen
Announcements:
The Crete United Methodist Thrift Shop is located at 1321 Main Street. The Shop is opened on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It’s a wonderful place to get some great bargains!
The United Women Methodist Club next meeting will be held Monday, May 06th at 1:30p, in the Narthex. All are welcome to attend. in addition, on May 21st, The United Women Methodist Club will be visiting Sunrise. Afterwards, they plan to gather for lunch. The times and dates for the May 21st will be determined at the May 6th meeting. All are welcome to join in on the fun.
Save the Date: June 09, 2024 for our Get Reacquainted Breakfast
The United Women Methodist Club will be hosting this event. Pancakes, sausage, and eggs
will be served right after Church Service in Fellowship Hall. Free will donation will be accepted.
Crete Women’s Club Plant Sale will be held on May 11th, from 9a to 1p, in the parking lot.
All proceeds benefit local philanthropies and scholarships. For sale will be geraniums, baskets, and herbs. All are welcome to attend.
Crete Woman’s Club Art & Craft Fair that will be held on July 11th and 12th. They are looking for vendors that will be held in the parking lot. If interested in being a vendor for the Crete Woman Club Art & Craft Fair, please click here to connect to their website at:
https://cretewomansclubnet.wordpress.com/garden-walk/
Cruise Nights & Farmers Market begins June 3rd, 2024
Beginning June 3rd, 2024 starts Cruise Nights in Crete. It’s also the start date of Crete’s Farmers Market. The Market will be held in our parking lot, Monday nights, from June 3rd to August 26th. If interested in being a vendor for the Farmers Market, please click this link below to obtain an application for market. https://www.cretechamber.com/_files/ugd/31bb01_f897cba20e184c5abe294d8dbb8483d0.pdf
Once your completed, please send this application to cretechamber.info@gmail.com for review and acceptance.
The Crete Chamber will notify you via email and will send an invoice for your booth at the Farmers Market.
The Farmers Market will be held in June, July, and August on Monday nights, from June 3rd to August 26th, Monday nights from 4-8p.
United Methodist Women's Club
next meeting will be held on
Monday- May 6, 2024
1:30p, Narthex
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Upcoming Events:
May 21st, 2024
The United Methodist Women's Club will be visiting Sunrise and then afterwards will be having lunch.
Time for the event is still being determined
June 9th, 2024
Breakfast: Let's Get Reacquainted
Right after service we will gather in Fellowship Hall for
breakfast. Pancakes, sausages, and eggs will be served. A free will donation will be accepted to help pay for the cost of the breakfast.
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.
Begins
August 24, 2023
Before and After School Program
Contact
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
Cost: $50 a month per child Sept/May
Start date was Tuesday, September 05, 2023
Enduring Strings
RECITAL TEA
for 2024 scheduled for May 18th
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
Throughout this pandemic, the mantra of Crete United Methodist Church has been the Wesleyan principal to “Do No Harm.” With this in mind, the Covid Response Leadership team has made the safety and well-being of our members, staff, volunteers, and visitors the single most important priority.
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