FirstLight
February 25, 2026
Doug Tucker 2026 Chili Cookoff!
Menno Morton Monday video: https://youtu.be/x2WboVkQrPQ
Much grace...and much chili,
Pastor Andrew
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for those who are dealing with health challenges:
Maverick Simmons - Cassie Mol - Kim McGlaughlin
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 Rebecca Roth.
Ladies Lunch Bunch ~ Tues, March 3rd, 11:30 am at Monicals.
CHOW ~ Wed, March 4th, 5:30 pm. Menu - Chicken bowtie pasta, jello salad, & red velvet cake.
Wednesday, March 4, we plan to continue bagging more pencils and pens for the MCC School Kit project following C.H.O.W. We would love to have you join us, and complete kits will still be packed either the first or second week of August. Thank you!
Thank you from the Tucker family for the great Chili Cook-off event.
WOW, what a great tribute to Doug! He would have been so humbled & blessed. We are so thankful to each of you, whether you planned the event, were a contestant, a baker, set up, cleaned up, were a brave taster, or a prayer warrior, and all who helped or participated in any way. Doug loved to fellowship with his family & friends, sharing good food, fun, & his Dad jokes. Thank you!
“Why did the dad bring a ladder to the chili cook-off? Because he heard the competition was top-tier”
Shout out to winner Molly Neuhauser
Missional Church Training: Joe and Yvonne Garber from Eastern Mennonite Missions on Saturday, March 7 from 9am-3pm with lunch provided. Please sign up in the church foyer or email Pastor Andrew at pastor@firstmennonitemorton.org.
68th annual Mennonite Relief Sale - Make plans to join us March 20-21 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, IL.
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 ~ February
We are collecting Hamburger Helper during February for We Care Food Pantry. There are baskets in the family center lobby for you to drop off your donations. Thank you!
Library Selection ~ February
Johnny Appleseed from the Trailblazers of America series. This biographical book introduces children to life on the frontier, where John Chapman’s skills and kindness helped American settlers survive. Stories, maps, timelines, and hands-on activities are included.
Memory Verse ~ Feb Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Mark Your Calendars
Feb 25 ~ 6:30 pm Bell Choir
Mar 2 ~ 7:00 pm Men's Basketball
Mar 3 ~ 11:30 am Ladies Lunch Bunch - Monicals
5:30 pm Gym Reserved - Anne Forret
Mar 4 ~ 5:30 pm CHOW
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 a "God-given curiosity" to rise among the Hindu community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Pray they would be drawn to Jesus and that friends and Christian professionals in the area would be bold and kind in sharing their hope among them.
Greeter Volunteers: March 1st ~ Julie Zoss, Todd & Sarah Leander
March 8th ~ Brayton & D’Lisa Boss, Joe & Alice Slager
Nursery Volunteers: March 1st ~ Mark & Brooke Roth
March 8th ~ Adam & Natalie Boeker
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Feb 26th ~ Joan Cashdollar
Feb 27th ~ Scott & Julie Largent (1982)
Feb 28th ~ Doris King
Mary Ann Cashdollar
March 1st ~ Claire Cashdollar
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 as always.
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.
February 25, 2026
Doug Tucker 2026 Chili Cookoff!
Menno Morton Monday video: https://youtu.be/x2WboVkQrPQ
Much grace...and much chili,
Pastor Andrew
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for those who are dealing with health challenges:
Maverick Simmons - Cassie Mol - Kim McGlaughlin
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 Rebecca Roth.
Ladies Lunch Bunch ~ Tues, March 3rd, 11:30 am at Monicals.
CHOW ~ Wed, March 4th, 5:30 pm. Menu - Chicken bowtie pasta, jello salad, & red velvet cake.
Wednesday, March 4, we plan to continue bagging more pencils and pens for the MCC School Kit project following C.H.O.W. We would love to have you join us, and complete kits will still be packed either the first or second week of August. Thank you!
Thank you from the Tucker family for the great Chili Cook-off event.
WOW, what a great tribute to Doug! He would have been so humbled & blessed. We are so thankful to each of you, whether you planned the event, were a contestant, a baker, set up, cleaned up, were a brave taster, or a prayer warrior, and all who helped or participated in any way. Doug loved to fellowship with his family & friends, sharing good food, fun, & his Dad jokes. Thank you!
“Why did the dad bring a ladder to the chili cook-off? Because he heard the competition was top-tier”
Shout out to winner Molly Neuhauser
Missional Church Training: Joe and Yvonne Garber from Eastern Mennonite Missions on Saturday, March 7 from 9am-3pm with lunch provided. Please sign up in the church foyer or email Pastor Andrew at pastor@firstmennonitemorton.org.
68th annual Mennonite Relief Sale - Make plans to join us March 20-21 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, IL.
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 ~ February
We are collecting Hamburger Helper during February for We Care Food Pantry. There are baskets in the family center lobby for you to drop off your donations. Thank you!
Library Selection ~ February
Johnny Appleseed from the Trailblazers of America series. This biographical book introduces children to life on the frontier, where John Chapman’s skills and kindness helped American settlers survive. Stories, maps, timelines, and hands-on activities are included.
Memory Verse ~ Feb Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Mark Your Calendars
Feb 25 ~ 6:30 pm Bell Choir
Mar 2 ~ 7:00 pm Men's Basketball
Mar 3 ~ 11:30 am Ladies Lunch Bunch - Monicals
5:30 pm Gym Reserved - Anne Forret
Mar 4 ~ 5:30 pm CHOW
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 a "God-given curiosity" to rise among the Hindu community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Pray they would be drawn to Jesus and that friends and Christian professionals in the area would be bold and kind in sharing their hope among them.
Greeter Volunteers: March 1st ~ Julie Zoss, Todd & Sarah Leander
March 8th ~ Brayton & D’Lisa Boss, Joe & Alice Slager
Nursery Volunteers: March 1st ~ Mark & Brooke Roth
March 8th ~ Adam & Natalie Boeker
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Feb 26th ~ Joan Cashdollar
Feb 27th ~ Scott & Julie Largent (1982)
Feb 28th ~ Doris King
Mary Ann Cashdollar
March 1st ~ Claire Cashdollar
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 as always.
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.