FirstLight
October 15, 2025
RSVP FOR THE CHURCH RETREAT: Please RSVP by October 15th – email the office at
office@firstmennonitemorton.org.
The retreat will be Saturday, November 1 from 9am to 4pm.
Lunch is included and all costs have been covered.
SERMON REVIEW/QUESTIONS: Ruth 2 is focused on God's love for the foreigner. God loves the foreigner in our immediate family, the foreigner in our extended family, and the foreigner in our neighborhood. God provides food, family, and favor for the foreigner.
Who are the foreigners that you know? What foreigner is God calling you to love? What are ways that you can show God's love to them?
Menno Morton Monday ~ Link for video this week:
https://youtu.be/73jzRYPeie8?si=bFdRuMmcFvS8VdZP
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for those who are dealing with health challenges:
Dean Nestrud - Joyce Ropp - Ruthie Roth - Jim Wheat
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 Norma Jeter.
68th Relief Sale Prayer Request
Prayers for our 68th Illinois Relief Sale, scheduled for March 20 and 21, 2026, as well as the procuring of auction items will be deeply appreciated. God bless you for your faithfulness!
Pass It On
Each month, one FMC family will be tasked with reaching out to someone in a way that shows the love of Christ. Prayerfully consider who in your life God is calling you to encourage. The evangelism Committee will equip you to minister to those God puts on your heart.
Bell Choir ~ Wednesday nights at 6:30. Anyone that would like to ring bells is welcome to come! You do not have to know how to read notes to be able to play. If you have any questions contact Stephanie Stauffer. We will plan to play in November and December.
Relief Sale Sausage
Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale Board is offering one pound bulk & link packages of fresh sausage for $6.00 per pound. Pre-orders will be taken Oct 1st - Nov 1st via church sign-up sheets & our sale website. Pick up will be Saturday, Nov 22nd, 7:00 am - 11:00 am at First Mennonite Church of Morton. Payment is due at the time of pick up unless pre-paid when ordered. Cash, cards, & checks will be accepted.
We Care Food Pantry ~ October
We are collecting peanut butter & jelly during October for We Care Food Pantry. There are baskets in the family center lobby for you to drop off your donations. Thank you!
October ~ Library Selection
“Wielding the Sword ” by Sue Stanley. Join the author as she takes you on her journey (fight) with cancer. Courageous in her battle with the disease as she "wields the sword of the Spirit.” Sue states, “I’m not in denial of the goodness of medical treatment, but it must be coupled with the belief that God is faithful to
His word.”
Memory Verse ~ October
Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go I will
go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
CHOW ~ Wednesday, October 15th at 5:30 pm. Come & fellowship as you enjoy a meal of million dollar
spaghetti, salad, garlic bread & dessert.
Common Ground (40 & under) ~ Saturday, October 18th, 5pm group BBQ at the parsonage.
4-H (55+) Meal & Fellowship
Oct 19th following the worship service, a meal & time of fellowship for ages 55+. Come join the fun, the meal is provided with games following. A sign-up sheet will be on the library table.
Children’s Christmas Program ~ Rehearsals begin Oct 26th during Children’s Church.
The Children’s Christmas Program will be December 14th at 10:00 am.
Et Cetera Shop ~ will be closed Oct 27, 28, & 29 in preparation for the opening of the Christmas Store.
The Christmas store opens October 30th.
Mark Your Calendars
Oct 15: CHOW begins
Bell Choir
Oct 18: 40 & under - BBQ at the parsonage
Oct 19: 55+ Meal & fellowship
Oct 30: Et Cetera Shop Christmas Store opens
Nov 1: All-Church Retreat at Camp Menno Haven
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 (Nov - Monical’s)
Missionaries
Birkey Family with World Gospel Mission (AZ)
Pablo & Colleen Fast with Project Amazon (Brazil)
Mission Spotlight
As the Schoenhals family returns to Thailand after home assignment and medical leave, please pray for safe and smooth transitions. Also pray for God to call pioneer church planters into the harvest field of Thailand to join the team there.
Greeter Volunteers: Oct 19th ~ Lois King, Dan & Doris King
Oct 26th ~ Todd & Sarah Leander, Travis & Sara Cowley
Nursery Volunteers: Oct 19th ~ Cole & Mary Uebelhor
Oct 26th ~ Adam & Natalie Boeker
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Oct 15th ~ Whitney Carver
Judah Kestner
Oct 22nd ~ Anne Forret
Linda Crockett
Paul & Kathy Mellon (1983)
Sanctuary Changes ~ In an effort to make our worship space more accessible and welcoming to everyone, we will be removing the back two rows of pews to create additional space for those using wheelchairs or mobility devices. We appreciate your understanding and support as we take this step to better serve all members of our church family. Our goal is to ensure that everyone can participate comfortably and fully in worship.
Thank you for your cooperation and kindness as we make this improvement to our sanctuary. If you have any questions please contact one of the elders.
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: M 12-4pm & TTh 9-2pm
October 15, 2025
RSVP FOR THE CHURCH RETREAT: Please RSVP by October 15th – email the office at
office@firstmennonitemorton.org.
The retreat will be Saturday, November 1 from 9am to 4pm.
Lunch is included and all costs have been covered.
SERMON REVIEW/QUESTIONS: Ruth 2 is focused on God's love for the foreigner. God loves the foreigner in our immediate family, the foreigner in our extended family, and the foreigner in our neighborhood. God provides food, family, and favor for the foreigner.
Who are the foreigners that you know? What foreigner is God calling you to love? What are ways that you can show God's love to them?
Menno Morton Monday ~ Link for video this week:
https://youtu.be/73jzRYPeie8?si=bFdRuMmcFvS8VdZP
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for those who are dealing with health challenges:
Dean Nestrud - Joyce Ropp - Ruthie Roth - Jim Wheat
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 Norma Jeter.
68th Relief Sale Prayer Request
Prayers for our 68th Illinois Relief Sale, scheduled for March 20 and 21, 2026, as well as the procuring of auction items will be deeply appreciated. God bless you for your faithfulness!
Pass It On
Each month, one FMC family will be tasked with reaching out to someone in a way that shows the love of Christ. Prayerfully consider who in your life God is calling you to encourage. The evangelism Committee will equip you to minister to those God puts on your heart.
Bell Choir ~ Wednesday nights at 6:30. Anyone that would like to ring bells is welcome to come! You do not have to know how to read notes to be able to play. If you have any questions contact Stephanie Stauffer. We will plan to play in November and December.
Relief Sale Sausage
Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale Board is offering one pound bulk & link packages of fresh sausage for $6.00 per pound. Pre-orders will be taken Oct 1st - Nov 1st via church sign-up sheets & our sale website. Pick up will be Saturday, Nov 22nd, 7:00 am - 11:00 am at First Mennonite Church of Morton. Payment is due at the time of pick up unless pre-paid when ordered. Cash, cards, & checks will be accepted.
We Care Food Pantry ~ October
We are collecting peanut butter & jelly during October for We Care Food Pantry. There are baskets in the family center lobby for you to drop off your donations. Thank you!
October ~ Library Selection
“Wielding the Sword ” by Sue Stanley. Join the author as she takes you on her journey (fight) with cancer. Courageous in her battle with the disease as she "wields the sword of the Spirit.” Sue states, “I’m not in denial of the goodness of medical treatment, but it must be coupled with the belief that God is faithful to
His word.”
Memory Verse ~ October
Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go I will
go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
CHOW ~ Wednesday, October 15th at 5:30 pm. Come & fellowship as you enjoy a meal of million dollar
spaghetti, salad, garlic bread & dessert.
Common Ground (40 & under) ~ Saturday, October 18th, 5pm group BBQ at the parsonage.
4-H (55+) Meal & Fellowship
Oct 19th following the worship service, a meal & time of fellowship for ages 55+. Come join the fun, the meal is provided with games following. A sign-up sheet will be on the library table.
Children’s Christmas Program ~ Rehearsals begin Oct 26th during Children’s Church.
The Children’s Christmas Program will be December 14th at 10:00 am.
Et Cetera Shop ~ will be closed Oct 27, 28, & 29 in preparation for the opening of the Christmas Store.
The Christmas store opens October 30th.
Mark Your Calendars
Oct 15: CHOW begins
Bell Choir
Oct 18: 40 & under - BBQ at the parsonage
Oct 19: 55+ Meal & fellowship
Oct 30: Et Cetera Shop Christmas Store opens
Nov 1: All-Church Retreat at Camp Menno Haven
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 (Nov - Monical’s)
Missionaries
Birkey Family with World Gospel Mission (AZ)
Pablo & Colleen Fast with Project Amazon (Brazil)
Mission Spotlight
As the Schoenhals family returns to Thailand after home assignment and medical leave, please pray for safe and smooth transitions. Also pray for God to call pioneer church planters into the harvest field of Thailand to join the team there.
Greeter Volunteers: Oct 19th ~ Lois King, Dan & Doris King
Oct 26th ~ Todd & Sarah Leander, Travis & Sara Cowley
Nursery Volunteers: Oct 19th ~ Cole & Mary Uebelhor
Oct 26th ~ Adam & Natalie Boeker
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Oct 15th ~ Whitney Carver
Judah Kestner
Oct 22nd ~ Anne Forret
Linda Crockett
Paul & Kathy Mellon (1983)
Sanctuary Changes ~ In an effort to make our worship space more accessible and welcoming to everyone, we will be removing the back two rows of pews to create additional space for those using wheelchairs or mobility devices. We appreciate your understanding and support as we take this step to better serve all members of our church family. Our goal is to ensure that everyone can participate comfortably and fully in worship.
Thank you for your cooperation and kindness as we make this improvement to our sanctuary. If you have any questions please contact one of the elders.
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: M 12-4pm & TTh 9-2pm