Dear Friends,
1 Peter 3:15-16: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
These words from 1 Peter are about persecution, which we in the Untied States don’t experience as part of our faith as much as some others in the world may. We are blessed. However, do you have an answer for the hope you have in Jesus Christ? We Americans are sometimes reticent to talk about our faith. It is a good exercise to sit, pray and consider your faith and how you may express it. Our new and returning elders went through this exercise and found it helpful. I think those of us who heard them were deeply touched. The same held true for our confirmands. When I was preparing my sermon last Sunday I reread their statements of faith, and I thought you should hear some of them, but time did not permit. Below are a few words about the hope that they have in Jesus Christ:
“My light is shining everyday and every morning. Jesus Christ is there to light my candle.”
“I will walk by faith; Your hand will guide me when my sight is gone. I am broken, flawed. I will walk and live in the light and the Word of the Lord.”
“I believe God brought my adoptive parents to me. When I was sick a lot when I was small, my parents’ prayers helped me.”
“I trust in God’s steadfast love.”
“When my grandfather died I didn’t know who to turn to. I found myself just stopping and praying. I found great comfort knowing that God created me in his own image and accepts me for who I am. But praying one on one with God in this tough time, knowing I could be angry and knowing God would comfort me to no end, made me feel that I was part of something more.”
“I asked why be confirmed, why would I need to prove my faith to anyone... I have come to learn that I am a member in the family of Christ and I am never alone. Because of this, I have chosen to stand up and join this family.”
Of course, there is much more. This is just a taste of what some of the confirmands wrote. What would you write? What is the reason for the hope that you have? Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
Did you know...?
...that the Presbyterian Church has a General Assembly? Every two years all the presbyteries in the country elect commissioners or representatives to a meeting of the General Assembly. The General Assembly makes decisions for the church as a whole. If there are changes to the book of order the changes are sent back to the Presbyteries for vote. This is where Presbyterians become a national rather than a local church. The 219th General Assembly (2010), will meet in Minneapolis, Minnesota — July 3–10, 2010. If you are an elder you have the possibility of going. Is the Land of Lakes calling you?
Announcements
Youth Mission Team:
Saturday, June 6, we meet at noon at Southminster to eat hot dogs, learn tool safety, and other important things. Bring your tool list.
Monday, June 8, we meet at Southminster at 5:30 for the Cougars game, with the Wheaton mission team. The game will end about 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, we meet at the Wheaton Church by noon to LEAVE FOR SEMINOLE!!
The next SNL is June 28.
To parents of children who were in the intermediate Sunday school class: We’re winding down our Pennies 4 PADS project! I was hoping to hold one final session of Sunday school this Sunday, June 7 to finalize things. To do that, we are going to need lots of buckets to carry the pennies in. If you have any spare buckets, please bring them to church this Sunday. Then on June 21, we’ll probably be showing off all of the pennies to the congregation during the Children’s Moment. We’re going to need help from all of the kids for that! Thanks, T.J.
This Sunday (and the first Sunday of every month) is the day we bring offerings for the People’s Resource Center. The June emphasis is toilet paper and other paper products. Donations can be placed in the narthex (near the stairwell to Fellowship Hall).
Pastor Wendy has issued this invitation to middle schoolers: School is out June 10! Let’s celebrate! If you are going into 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the fall you are invited for some fun and study on Wednesdays, June 10, 17, and 24, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. We’ll meet in my office.
All entering high school freshmen and older are invited to a Graduation Lunch honoring our college and high school graduates for 2009! Save the date of Sunday, June 28, at 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. RSVP to Sue Clary (email sueclary@sbcglobal.net or call 630-790-1109) or the church office.
The Deacons would like to offer Valet Parking year round. Would you be willing to help? Please sign up at the bulletin board at the entrance of the church. We also ask that those of us who are more able bodied please park at the back of the lot, leaving room for those who would be blessed by parking closer.
Homelessness and Hunger don’t take a summer vacation! Southminster will be providing meals for PADS the second Saturday of June, July, and August. We will have a bulletin insert on Sunday asking you to choose ways to help. Please use your gifts to help your neighbors. Any questions? Contact Chris Kozich, Caroline Linde, or Pat Wiedner.
Help us fight back against cancer! Please join Lew Garrison, Donna Marton and the Southminster Team for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life for Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and Winfield on June 12, at Glenbard South H.S. Come walk the track to honor those who have had cancer or to show your support for those who have battled and survived. If you are a survivor, come at 5:15 p.m. to register and be served a dinner. The ceremony kicks off at 6:00 p.m. with the survivors doing the first lap. Food, activities, music, and family fun are planned. Sign up sheets, survivor sheets, and forms for the purchase of luminaries are in the narthex.
From Christian Ed.:
Summer Sunday Fun! Summer Sunday School begins June 14 for preschool through fifth grade. Middle schoolers are welcome to assist teachers by helping with games and activities during Sunday school. Otherwise, they can remain in worship with their parents.
We are still looking for teachers and helpers for summer Sunday school. If you are interested in teaching a lesson or two or helping with games or activities, please contact Laura Baer at 630-469-9149 or smpcce@ameritech.net, or see the sign-up sheet on the Christian Ed bulletin board.
VBS registration has begun! See our website for details (click here) or call the church office for information. Be sure to tell your friends and family about this year’s exciting program, Crocodile Dock! Don’t wait till the last minute to sign on for this week of fun.
Items Needed: If you come across the following items during spring cleaning, we could use it for our VBS bayou theme: Spanish moss, inflatable alligators (yes, really!), rope lights, green and blue material, fishing nets or other fishing equipment, bug catchers, lanterns, crates, greenery. We are also in need of refrigerator boxes or boxes which are similar in size for games. Please contact Laura Baer at 630-469-9149 or at smpcce@ameritech.net with donations.
Adult Bible Class: Our Adult Bible class will not be meeting over the summer. Join us again in the fall at 11:00 a.m., every Sunday.
The Fellowship committee would like to have a “Summertime Progressive Dinner” event, and they are requesting feedback from the congregation to find out if there is enough interest to go ahead with definite plans. If you want fun and good food and have a desire to attend, please let us know by signing the Progressive Dinner Questionnaire in the narthex. Thank you.
Family Camp Fun! Want to make this summer a memorable one with filled with worship, community and fun? The Presbyterian camp at Saugatuck, MI is close to home and offers all this, and more. The Family Week Camp, July 19-25 (Note: These dates are corrected from previous E-Notes and the Dialog!), is filling up quickly, but there are some spots still available. Can’t fit an entire week into the family’s schedule? Check out the Family Camp Kick-off the Week, August 1-4, or the Family Camp Short Week, August 4-7. Call 1-800-728-1164 for more information or visit the camp web site and register online.
“An Update on Alzheimer’s Disease” - Tuesday, June 23, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.– at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton. ESSE Adult Day Services and Arden Courts of Glen Ellyn present John Saron, M.D., F.A.C.P., board certified in Internal and Geriatric Medicines, who will give an overview of Alzheimer’s Disease, and discuss current research and treatment options. Seating is limited, so call ESSE at 630-260-3773 to reserve your place. If you require adult care service, please state this when making your reservation and it will be provided by qualified ESSE staff while you attend this presentation. Complimentary refreshments will be provided by Pfizer from 6:30 to 7:00. Please enter through the back parking lot entrance, following posted signs.
