FirstLight
March 11, 2026
Much grace to you! I pray you are doing well and encouraged by God's faithfulness.
This month we are celebrating God's heart for missions. 2 Peter 3:9 says that the Lord wants "everyone to come to repentance." We have the opportunity to share Good News with those around us with both our words, proclaiming the Gospel, and our actions, showing the Gospel of Jesus' love.
The video this morning is from our team's visit to Zimbabwe where our team celebrated the first harvest from an irrigation project that was made possible by a dam. Christian Brothers and Sisters came together to get water for the village of Mazhayimbe in Zimbabwe. May your heart be irrigated with encouragement as you watch this video showing Jesus' love.
Menno Morton Monday Video link: https://youtu.be/8zFvfkUn4tA
Much grace,
Pastor Andrew
2 Peter 3:8-10 ~ 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for those who are dealing with health challenges:
Maverick Simmons - Cassie Mol - Kim McGlaughlin
- Rosie Wolfer is in OSF having complications following recent surgeries.
- Julie Zoss is having difficulty with her back as she awaits surgery.
Family Prayer Spotlight
In James 5:16, we are called to “pray for one another.” Praying for one another is a powerful way to support and uplift each other. As a church family, we want to unite in prayer to love on our congregation. This week, we ask that you pray for John & Shirley Brown.
CHOW ~ Wednesday, March 18th at 5:30 pm. It’s pizza night.
Maundy Thursday Service: 6pm on Thursday, April 2
Ladies Lunch Bunch ~ The next lunch will be April 7th, 11:30 am. It will be at Sunny Side Street, 1964 Freedom Pkwy, Washington (across from Walmart).
68th annual Mennonite Relief Sale - Make plans to join us March 20-21 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, IL.
$200 donation to any church youth group that brings 5 youth to help with the Mennonite Relief sale pancake and sausage breakfast. March 21, 2026. The group needs to coordinate with Bob Betzelberger (309)231-6376 or Andy Schwenk (309)208-8759 prior to the sale.
Kiddie Corner Donations
There is an opportunity to support the Kiddie Corner by donating a NEW toy or book to be taken to the Mennonite Relief Sale. Items such as dolls, balls, trucks, cars, books etc. can be put in the collection box in the back foyer. Thank you for your help.
Nurture Committee is looking for someone interested in leading Vacation Bible School for FMC this summer, on July 13-16. This would involve choosing a theme and coordinating volunteers, as well as a schedule for activities. The Nurture committee will plan an end of the week party on that Friday evening, July 17th. If you are interested, please reach out to Kim Crandall for more details.
We Care Food Pantry ~ March
During March we are collecting boxed jello & pudding mixes and packets or canned tuna for We Care Food Pantry. There are baskets in the family center lobby for you to drop off your donations. Thank you!
Library Selection ~ March
Secrets by Robin Jones Gunn is the first book in the Glenbrooke series. A woman named Jessica moves to the small town of Glenbrooke to escape her past, but finds her new life complicated by romance with a paramedic and conflict with a jealous coworker. The novel focuses on themes of love, forgiveness, and finding peace.
Memory Verse ~ March - Psalm 67:1-2
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—
2) so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Mark Your Calendars
Mar 11 ~ 6:30 pm Bell Choir
Mar 13 ~ 5:00 pm Gym Reserved-Boss
Mar 14 ~ Fellowship Hall Reserved-B Roth
Mar 16 ~ 5:00 pm Gym Reserved-Boss
7:00 pm Men's Basketball
Mar 17 ~ Gym Reserved-Election
Quilting - Tuesdays at 9:00 am
Men’s Breakfast - Wednesdays 8:00 am at Cracker Barrel
Ladies Lunch Bunch - 1st Tuesday of the month 11:30 am
Missionaries
Doug Goertzen with MDS
Emily Ropp with MDS
Mission Spotlight
Please, pray for families and individuals to be called to join the work of leadership development and church planting in West Africa.
Greeter Volunteers: March 15th ~ Todd & Sarah Leander, Mike & Jenny Yordy
March 22nd ~ Jeff & Sherry Roth, Brayton & D’Lisa
Nursery Volunteers: March 15th ~ Cole & Mary Uebelhor
March 22nd ~ Brayton & D’Lisa Boss
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Mar 16th ~ Doug Roth ~ Larry Belsley
Women’s Retreat ~ Camp Menno Haven, April 24-26, 2026. Join for an overnight retreat alongside other women who want to find connection with the Word of The Lord and with other women. Bible teaching from Jessica Boggs. 2026 Theme: John 10:1-10. Registration deadline, April 10th at noon.
Contact Information
Phone: (309) 266-7591|www.firstmennonitemorton.org
FMC APP: ‘FMC Morton’ (Android, iOS, Roku, AppleTV)
Facebook: First Mennonite Church of Morton
Pastor Andrew Stern|Pastor Andrew Stern
Office Admin, Anna Leander/Jayne Tucker|office FMC
Facilities Director, Mark Crandall|(309) 573-4387
Office hours: TTh 9-2pm
2026 68th Annual Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale
Make plans to join us again this March 20-21, 2026
at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, IL
Friday Trivia Night returns again this year on March 20th!
All your favorites come back again on Saturday, March 21st, beginning with our all you can eat Pancakes & Sausage breakfast at 6:00 AM.
Booths begin opening at 7:00 AM and our Grand Auction kicks off with the first item at 8:30 AM. It's fun for the whole family!
Free Admission and Free Parking.
Schedule of Events
Friday, March 20:
5:00pm: Doors Open
6:00pm - 8:30pm: Trivia Night; Meat Market & Select Food/Beverage Booths Open
Saturday, March 21:
6:00am - 11:00am: Pancakes and Sausage Breakfast
7:00am: Dutch Market & Meat Market Open
7:00am: Booths Open for Business
8:30am: Grand Auction begins - Quilts and wall hangings to be auctioned in
sections at the top of each hour until they are all sold
10:15am: Children's Auction in the west hall
11:00am: Ribeye Sandwiches, Butterfly Porkchop Sandwiches, Hot Dogs
Noon: Prayer, Remarks, and MCC Update
Auction items and booths continue into the mid afternoon hours.
March 11, 2026
Much grace to you! I pray you are doing well and encouraged by God's faithfulness.
This month we are celebrating God's heart for missions. 2 Peter 3:9 says that the Lord wants "everyone to come to repentance." We have the opportunity to share Good News with those around us with both our words, proclaiming the Gospel, and our actions, showing the Gospel of Jesus' love.
The video this morning is from our team's visit to Zimbabwe where our team celebrated the first harvest from an irrigation project that was made possible by a dam. Christian Brothers and Sisters came together to get water for the village of Mazhayimbe in Zimbabwe. May your heart be irrigated with encouragement as you watch this video showing Jesus' love.
Menno Morton Monday Video link: https://youtu.be/8zFvfkUn4tA
Much grace,
Pastor Andrew
2 Peter 3:8-10 ~ 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for those who are dealing with health challenges:
Maverick Simmons - Cassie Mol - Kim McGlaughlin
- Rosie Wolfer is in OSF having complications following recent surgeries.
- Julie Zoss is having difficulty with her back as she awaits surgery.
Family Prayer Spotlight
In James 5:16, we are called to “pray for one another.” Praying for one another is a powerful way to support and uplift each other. As a church family, we want to unite in prayer to love on our congregation. This week, we ask that you pray for John & Shirley Brown.
CHOW ~ Wednesday, March 18th at 5:30 pm. It’s pizza night.
Maundy Thursday Service: 6pm on Thursday, April 2
Ladies Lunch Bunch ~ The next lunch will be April 7th, 11:30 am. It will be at Sunny Side Street, 1964 Freedom Pkwy, Washington (across from Walmart).
68th annual Mennonite Relief Sale - Make plans to join us March 20-21 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, IL.
$200 donation to any church youth group that brings 5 youth to help with the Mennonite Relief sale pancake and sausage breakfast. March 21, 2026. The group needs to coordinate with Bob Betzelberger (309)231-6376 or Andy Schwenk (309)208-8759 prior to the sale.
Kiddie Corner Donations
There is an opportunity to support the Kiddie Corner by donating a NEW toy or book to be taken to the Mennonite Relief Sale. Items such as dolls, balls, trucks, cars, books etc. can be put in the collection box in the back foyer. Thank you for your help.
Nurture Committee is looking for someone interested in leading Vacation Bible School for FMC this summer, on July 13-16. This would involve choosing a theme and coordinating volunteers, as well as a schedule for activities. The Nurture committee will plan an end of the week party on that Friday evening, July 17th. If you are interested, please reach out to Kim Crandall for more details.
We Care Food Pantry ~ March
During March we are collecting boxed jello & pudding mixes and packets or canned tuna for We Care Food Pantry. There are baskets in the family center lobby for you to drop off your donations. Thank you!
Library Selection ~ March
Secrets by Robin Jones Gunn is the first book in the Glenbrooke series. A woman named Jessica moves to the small town of Glenbrooke to escape her past, but finds her new life complicated by romance with a paramedic and conflict with a jealous coworker. The novel focuses on themes of love, forgiveness, and finding peace.
Memory Verse ~ March - Psalm 67:1-2
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—
2) so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Mark Your Calendars
Mar 11 ~ 6:30 pm Bell Choir
Mar 13 ~ 5:00 pm Gym Reserved-Boss
Mar 14 ~ Fellowship Hall Reserved-B Roth
Mar 16 ~ 5:00 pm Gym Reserved-Boss
7:00 pm Men's Basketball
Mar 17 ~ Gym Reserved-Election
Quilting - Tuesdays at 9:00 am
Men’s Breakfast - Wednesdays 8:00 am at Cracker Barrel
Ladies Lunch Bunch - 1st Tuesday of the month 11:30 am
Missionaries
Doug Goertzen with MDS
Emily Ropp with MDS
Mission Spotlight
Please, pray for families and individuals to be called to join the work of leadership development and church planting in West Africa.
Greeter Volunteers: March 15th ~ Todd & Sarah Leander, Mike & Jenny Yordy
March 22nd ~ Jeff & Sherry Roth, Brayton & D’Lisa
Nursery Volunteers: March 15th ~ Cole & Mary Uebelhor
March 22nd ~ Brayton & D’Lisa Boss
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Mar 16th ~ Doug Roth ~ Larry Belsley
Women’s Retreat ~ Camp Menno Haven, April 24-26, 2026. Join for an overnight retreat alongside other women who want to find connection with the Word of The Lord and with other women. Bible teaching from Jessica Boggs. 2026 Theme: John 10:1-10. Registration deadline, April 10th at noon.
Contact Information
Phone: (309) 266-7591|www.firstmennonitemorton.org
FMC APP: ‘FMC Morton’ (Android, iOS, Roku, AppleTV)
Facebook: First Mennonite Church of Morton
Pastor Andrew Stern|Pastor Andrew Stern
Office Admin, Anna Leander/Jayne Tucker|office FMC
Facilities Director, Mark Crandall|(309) 573-4387
Office hours: TTh 9-2pm
2026 68th Annual Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale
Make plans to join us again this March 20-21, 2026
at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, IL
Friday Trivia Night returns again this year on March 20th!
All your favorites come back again on Saturday, March 21st, beginning with our all you can eat Pancakes & Sausage breakfast at 6:00 AM.
Booths begin opening at 7:00 AM and our Grand Auction kicks off with the first item at 8:30 AM. It's fun for the whole family!
Free Admission and Free Parking.
Schedule of Events
Friday, March 20:
5:00pm: Doors Open
6:00pm - 8:30pm: Trivia Night; Meat Market & Select Food/Beverage Booths Open
Saturday, March 21:
6:00am - 11:00am: Pancakes and Sausage Breakfast
7:00am: Dutch Market & Meat Market Open
7:00am: Booths Open for Business
8:30am: Grand Auction begins - Quilts and wall hangings to be auctioned in
sections at the top of each hour until they are all sold
10:15am: Children's Auction in the west hall
11:00am: Ribeye Sandwiches, Butterfly Porkchop Sandwiches, Hot Dogs
Noon: Prayer, Remarks, and MCC Update
Auction items and booths continue into the mid afternoon hours.