FirstLight
September 3, 2025
Pastor Gentri Williams gave an excellent sermon on Sunday on Philippians 3:1-14--if you missed it, it is here.
"Does Jesus change everything, or is He just an accessory?"
Pastor Gentri shared that after Paul sets the groundwork of joy in the first two chapters, he turns to what would derail us from the Gospel and make Jesus an accessory:
1. Dogs--enemies of the Gospel
2. Evil Workers--those who would mess with the community
3. Mutilators of the flesh--Judizers who would turn to works rather than faith in Jesus
Rather than be defeated by these enemies, we are to allow Jesus to change everything:
1. Have no confidence in worldly standards (our own resume or family tradition)
2. Put our confidence in Jesus
3. Practice true worship
Pastor Gentri had a great question, "Does Jesus change everything, or is He just an accessory?"
Does Jesus challenge and change everything in your life? What areas of your life do you need to let Jesus come and work on and in? In your family? In your job? In your personal life? Ask Jesus right now to continue the work on these areas. Ask Him for help to change sinful, destructive patterns and bring His righteousness.
Football, Potluck, Mustard: Menno Morton Monday for the week is here.
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for those who are dealing with health challenges:
Dean Nestrud - Joyce Ropp - Jim Wheat
To Our Church Family
We would like to thank our church family for the flowers, cards and support during these last few weeks. Your condolences for my mom, Iris Frank and for Larry’s friend Bill have meant so much for both of us. Most of all thank you for your prayers! Joyce & Larry Belsley
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 Dan and Leona Yordy.
We Care Food Pantry ~ September
During September, First Mennonite Church is collecting peanut butter, jelly, & canned fruit for We Care Food Pantry. There are baskets in the family center lobby for you to drop off your donations. Thank you!
September ~ Library Selection
The library selection for September is “The Peacemaker” by Lori Copeland. This the first book in a series entitled “Men of the Saddle.” The author takes readers back in time to an era when cowboys were heroes and the rules of the Wild West prevailed. She blends humor, romance, and Christian content to make this an irresistible read.
Children’s Offering
Our Sunday School offering project for this year is "Healthy Food for Kids" through MCC. Your children's offerings will help support those in need in Zimbabwe. Please, ask them to tell you all about it in the weeks to come! Thank you.
Parenting Class
September 7th: Parenting Class starting for Common Ground (40ish and under). Have some questions about parenting? Want to be encouraged that God really is working in you and your children? This class is for you. Come as we share our burdens, look to God's Word, and see God's work in our children and us!
Guest Speaker
September 14th: Timothy Botts coming to share the Word in calligraphy. Art Show included in the First Mennonite hallway.
Potluck
A church potluck will be held September 21st following the church service. Table service and drinks will be provided.
Lend a Hand
The Service & Fellowship Commission would like to “Lend a Hand” to anyone in the congregation who needs help with a project. Two sign up sheets are on the library table. One for the people with a need, the other for volunteers. Two dates are available - September 20th & 27th. The week of September 14th you will be contacted with the details.
The Thorn - Epic story of God’s love for the world & the spiritual battle for all humanity. Described as cirque meets the passion of Jesus. Peoria Civic Center September 25th at 7:00 pm. Unlock promo code FMC for a $5 discount for tickets purchased by Sept. 14th.
Bridal Shower
A bridal shower for Caylee Nabors will be held September 28th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at First Mennonite Church. An invitation is extended to the church family to join the celebration. Caylee and David are registered at “the knot.com/davidcaylee.” Please RSVP to Julie Zoss, (309)339-9788.
Mark Your Calendars
Sept 7: Adult Sunday School Starts
Sept 14: Artist Timothy Botts Shares in the Service
Sept 21: All-Church Potluck
Nov 1: All-Church Retreat at Camp Menno Haven
Church Board - 2nd Monday of the month 6:30 pm
Quilting - Tuesdays at 9:00 am
Men’s Breakfast - Wednesdays 8:00 am at Miss Vickie’s
Ladies Lunch Bunch - 1st Tuesday of the month 11:30 am (place to be determined)
Missionaries
Birkey Family with World Gospel Mission (AZ)
Pablo & Colleen Fast with Project Amazon (Brazil)
Mission Spotlight
Please, pray for God to continue to prompt young men and women to explore a call to missions through a mission internship with EMM, considering West Africa as an area to serve.
Greeter Volunteer
Sept 7th ~ Julie Zoss, Joe & Alice Slager
Sept 14th ~ Rebecca Roth, Todd & Sarah Leander
Nursery Volunteers
Sept 7th ~ Max & Belle Kestner
Sept 14th ~ Adam & Natalie Boeker
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Sept 5th: Sarah Leander
Sept 8th: Michael Yordy
Sept 9th: Belle Kestner
Jeff & Sherry Roth(2023)
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@firstmennonitemorton.org
Office Admin, Anna Leander/Jayne Tucker|office@firstmennonitemorton.org
Facilities Director, Mark Crandall|(309) 573-4387
Office hours: MW 12-4pm & TTh 9-2pm
September 3, 2025
Pastor Gentri Williams gave an excellent sermon on Sunday on Philippians 3:1-14--if you missed it, it is here.
"Does Jesus change everything, or is He just an accessory?"
Pastor Gentri shared that after Paul sets the groundwork of joy in the first two chapters, he turns to what would derail us from the Gospel and make Jesus an accessory:
1. Dogs--enemies of the Gospel
2. Evil Workers--those who would mess with the community
3. Mutilators of the flesh--Judizers who would turn to works rather than faith in Jesus
Rather than be defeated by these enemies, we are to allow Jesus to change everything:
1. Have no confidence in worldly standards (our own resume or family tradition)
2. Put our confidence in Jesus
3. Practice true worship
Pastor Gentri had a great question, "Does Jesus change everything, or is He just an accessory?"
Does Jesus challenge and change everything in your life? What areas of your life do you need to let Jesus come and work on and in? In your family? In your job? In your personal life? Ask Jesus right now to continue the work on these areas. Ask Him for help to change sinful, destructive patterns and bring His righteousness.
Football, Potluck, Mustard: Menno Morton Monday for the week is here.
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for those who are dealing with health challenges:
Dean Nestrud - Joyce Ropp - Jim Wheat
To Our Church Family
We would like to thank our church family for the flowers, cards and support during these last few weeks. Your condolences for my mom, Iris Frank and for Larry’s friend Bill have meant so much for both of us. Most of all thank you for your prayers! Joyce & Larry Belsley
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 Dan and Leona Yordy.
We Care Food Pantry ~ September
During September, First Mennonite Church is collecting peanut butter, jelly, & canned fruit for We Care Food Pantry. There are baskets in the family center lobby for you to drop off your donations. Thank you!
September ~ Library Selection
The library selection for September is “The Peacemaker” by Lori Copeland. This the first book in a series entitled “Men of the Saddle.” The author takes readers back in time to an era when cowboys were heroes and the rules of the Wild West prevailed. She blends humor, romance, and Christian content to make this an irresistible read.
Children’s Offering
Our Sunday School offering project for this year is "Healthy Food for Kids" through MCC. Your children's offerings will help support those in need in Zimbabwe. Please, ask them to tell you all about it in the weeks to come! Thank you.
Parenting Class
September 7th: Parenting Class starting for Common Ground (40ish and under). Have some questions about parenting? Want to be encouraged that God really is working in you and your children? This class is for you. Come as we share our burdens, look to God's Word, and see God's work in our children and us!
Guest Speaker
September 14th: Timothy Botts coming to share the Word in calligraphy. Art Show included in the First Mennonite hallway.
Potluck
A church potluck will be held September 21st following the church service. Table service and drinks will be provided.
Lend a Hand
The Service & Fellowship Commission would like to “Lend a Hand” to anyone in the congregation who needs help with a project. Two sign up sheets are on the library table. One for the people with a need, the other for volunteers. Two dates are available - September 20th & 27th. The week of September 14th you will be contacted with the details.
The Thorn - Epic story of God’s love for the world & the spiritual battle for all humanity. Described as cirque meets the passion of Jesus. Peoria Civic Center September 25th at 7:00 pm. Unlock promo code FMC for a $5 discount for tickets purchased by Sept. 14th.
Bridal Shower
A bridal shower for Caylee Nabors will be held September 28th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at First Mennonite Church. An invitation is extended to the church family to join the celebration. Caylee and David are registered at “the knot.com/davidcaylee.” Please RSVP to Julie Zoss, (309)339-9788.
Mark Your Calendars
Sept 7: Adult Sunday School Starts
Sept 14: Artist Timothy Botts Shares in the Service
Sept 21: All-Church Potluck
Nov 1: All-Church Retreat at Camp Menno Haven
Church Board - 2nd Monday of the month 6:30 pm
Quilting - Tuesdays at 9:00 am
Men’s Breakfast - Wednesdays 8:00 am at Miss Vickie’s
Ladies Lunch Bunch - 1st Tuesday of the month 11:30 am (place to be determined)
Missionaries
Birkey Family with World Gospel Mission (AZ)
Pablo & Colleen Fast with Project Amazon (Brazil)
Mission Spotlight
Please, pray for God to continue to prompt young men and women to explore a call to missions through a mission internship with EMM, considering West Africa as an area to serve.
Greeter Volunteer
Sept 7th ~ Julie Zoss, Joe & Alice Slager
Sept 14th ~ Rebecca Roth, Todd & Sarah Leander
Nursery Volunteers
Sept 7th ~ Max & Belle Kestner
Sept 14th ~ Adam & Natalie Boeker
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Sept 5th: Sarah Leander
Sept 8th: Michael Yordy
Sept 9th: Belle Kestner
Jeff & Sherry Roth(2023)
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@firstmennonitemorton.org
Office Admin, Anna Leander/Jayne Tucker|office@firstmennonitemorton.org
Facilities Director, Mark Crandall|(309) 573-4387
Office hours: MW 12-4pm & TTh 9-2pm