Churches
Gillespie church hosting community Christmas concert on Sunday, December 11
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Gillespie is having a Community Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. The public is invited and there is no charge. The concert will feature favorite Christmas carols and songs performed by Thomas M. Taylor, IV.
Thomas is the son of Lynne and the late T.M. Taylor. He started singing very young, usually at church, and sang in choir all through middle school and high school. He attended Augustana College, Rock Island, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music. He joined his brother and some friends to form the heavy metal band The Consumption. Thomas, an accomplished guitarist, played lead guitar. He attended Eastern Illinois University and earned his Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance. Since then, he has performed with the Springfield Muni Opera, Hard Road Productions in Highland, SIU-E Theatre and Winter Opera St. Louis. He also studied in Novafeltria, Italy with La Musica Lyrica.
Thomas and his wife, Debbie, live in Litchfield.
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy your favorite Christmas songs performed by an amazing singer. Refreshments will be served following the program.
Zion is located at 107 West Elm Street in Gillespie.
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Gillespie Methodist Church is thrilled to announce the arrival of Logan and Jacey Zepp as their new ministerial team. The couple, relocating from Paint Lick, Kentucky, will begin their pastoral journey with the church on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
About the Zepps
Logan Zepp hails from Elma, Washington, where he grew up with three brothers in a family involved in agriculture, a livestock feed business, and logging. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business from the University of Idaho in 2017 and is recognized as the Washington State FFA Champion in Public Speaking and an FFA American Farmer Degree recipient. During the summer of 2020, Logan completed a UMC internship at a church in Richmond, Kentucky, where he felt God’s calling to ministry. He subsequently pursued theological studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and is on track to graduate with a Master of Divinity in spring 2026.
Jacey Zepp was born and raised in West Salem, Illinois, alongside three brothers and one sister. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Oakland City University in 2020. Jacey participated in a UMC internship at a church in Shiloh, Illinois, where she felt the stir of God’s calling. She moved to Wilmore, Kentucky in fall 2020 to study at Asbury Theological Seminary and completed her Master of Divinity in summer 2024.
The couple met in fall 2022 at Asbury through a mutual friend and began dating in February 2023 during the Asbury Revival. They were married in April 2024. Logan and Jacey share a love of reading, watching movies, and playing board games. Logan enjoys kayaking and woodworking.
Their family also includes two beloved pets: Lucy, a lively one-year-old Golden Retriever, and Minnie, a four-and-a-half-month-old Newfoundland puppy who’s growing quickly. Zeppelin, a six-year-old brown tabby cat, rules the household with snacks and a fondness for sleeping at the end of the couple’s bed. Zeppelin accompanied Jacey to Kentucky during her Asbury years and served as her “mini roommate.”
Ministry Focus and Vision
Logan and Jacey approach their co-pastoral ministry with a shared commitment to spreading the Gospel, fostering a life of faith within the church family and broader community, and growing Gillespie Methodist Church’s children’s and youth programs. They look forward to building strong connections with parishioners, supporting families, and collaborating with church leadership to nurture spiritual growth and vibrant worship.
Pastoral Role and Engagement
Logan and Jacey are excited to serve as co-pastors and to minister alongside one another as they minister to the congregation and community. They anticipate opportunities to nurture faith formation, outreach, and service, and to be closer to Jacey’s family in southern Illinois.
All are invited to join in welcoming Logan and Jacey as they begin this new chapter in ministry. Gillespie Methodist Church is a welcoming faith community committed to worship, discipleship, service, and outreach. The church seeks to embody the love of Jesus in its programs, partnerships, and daily life, inspiring believers of all ages to grow in faith and compassion.
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Great joy took place on Sunday, March 12, 2023, as members of the United Methodist Church of Gillespie witnessed and celebrated six young people being baptized and/or confirmed at the 10:30 a.m. church service.
The students professed their faith in Jesus and became members of the church.
The new members include Clayton Bethard, Izzy Manus, Lydia Lowry, Makenna Martin, Marshall Garwood, and Wyatt Rondi.
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The First United Methodist Church of Gillespie is accepting reservations on its third annual Christmas in Branson tour scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, November 14, 15, and 16th 2019.
The three-day trip includes a two-night stay at the Grand Victorian Hotel located on the Branson Strip, four class A shows, a drive-thru Christmas lights display, four buffet meals, a commercial bus tour, and shopping downtown and at the Crafters Mall.
Cost is $410.00 per person for double occupancy or $545 per person for single occupancy.
For reservations or more information, contact Bob at 217-313-3317.
