Dear Friends,
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, had a relationship with fire. When he was six years old he was caught upstairs as his home burned around him. He had the presence of mind to move a trunk under the window so people could see him and rescue him. He was rescued right before the roof fell in. Both John and his mother, Suzanne, saw his deliverance as God’s work. As a result, his mother believed that God had great plans for him. His mother called him a “brand snatched from the burning.”
We are not Methodists. We are Presbyterians and truly, our Choir members and others demonstrated a lot of presence of mind on Sunday when one of the fixtures in the ceiling sparked a small fire. Thanks be to God, there was no roaring flame, we all exited smoothly and slowly and, unlike the Wesleys, we still have a roof our head. Anyone entering the sanctuary today would have no idea that we even had any excitement. We were also able to continue with the service outside and baptized Dylan. Many have emailed me and suggested a planned outdoor service sometimes.
The Property ministry is meeting Wednesday night, a preplanned meeting. (We are Presbyterians after all, dare we say, “Providence”?) They are planning to take a thoughtful approach to the question of lighting. They are getting bids and quotes and talking to our insurance reps. Please keep them and the session in your prayers as we move forward. We are blessed with many capable and gifted leaders in our church family.
This Sunday is “Second Helpings,” an educational and fellowship opportunity for the church family. Youth and children meet first in the Sanctuary at 11:00 and then go downstairs. At 11:45 a light lunch will be served for the whole church family. If for some reason you can’t stay for lunch, (soccer games come to mind), please stay for the extra bit of education. Adults will have a Bible study in the parlor.
On Sunday Sean shared his small blessings; I would like to close with his words and say that this congregation is a blessing to many, perhaps more than you know... and to me. I thank God for your ministry in the greater Glen Ellyn area and in the world. May you be blessed to be a blessing. We may not have been rescued like John Wesley from a burning house, but God does have plans for us.
Verse:
God make me mindful of my blessings
From every breath I breathe, To every word I speak
From my child’s laugh to the things that are very pressing
To my wife’s gentle touch and days that are quite bleak
Chorus:
Lord I believe in you,
Help my disbelief
Lord let me perceive you
In times of joy and grief
Open my eyes so I may see
Your blessings that surround me
Verse:
God make me mindful of my blessings
From the sun’s bright rays, To the stars cool shine
From morning to night let me start confessing
That you are my God until the end of time
Chorus:
Lord I believe in you,
Help my disbelief
Lord let me perceive you
In times of joy and grief
Open my eyes so I may see
Your blessings that surround me
Verse:
God make me mindful of my blessings
From the breeze on my face, To the home that I live in
Awaken me and let me start expressing
My thankfulness for all that you have given
Chorus:
Lord I believe in you,
Help my disbelief
Lord let me perceive you
In times of joy and grief
Open my eyes so I may see
Your blessings that surround me
Bridge:
And when I forget what you’ve given me
At the cost of your Son
Give to me the blessing
Of knowing you are the only one….
Chorus:
Lord I believe in you,
Help my disbelief
Lord let me perceive you
In times of joy and grief
Open my eyes so I may see
Your blessings that surround me
Peace,
Sean E Salins
Take if from here,
Love, Wendy
Announcements:
Head Usher Lanny Russell is putting together the schedule for the year for our usher teams. He has some openings that need filling! If you could serve the church by ushering on Sunday mornings, please let Lanny know (cell phone: 630-738-3600). The more ushers we have on the schedule, the fewer times you will need to work.
All women of Southminster are invited to A.M. Circle’s first gathering of the year this Friday, September 18, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. Come share what you’ve done over the summer and help us make our 2009-2010 plans. A.M. Circle meets the 3rd Friday of the month from September through May.
This Sunday, September 20, is the deadline for the October Dialog.
“Second Helpings:” Our first all-church, fall event, will be this Sunday, September 20, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. The Adult Bible and High School classes will meet, as Sunday school-aged children will get a “second helping” of Christian education and nurture. Fellowship continues as everyone shares a light lunch afterwards. (See additional “Second Helpings” information below, and other Christian Ed. announcements later in these e-Notes.)
Dear Parents, we will begin practice for this year’s Christmas program during our “Second Helpings” events. Please take time to read the attached letter regarding the program and practice schedule. Most importantly, we will begin reading through the play THIS SUNDAY, at Second Helpings. If your children would like to have a speaking role for the program, please try to have them at church this week. If you are not able to attend, please email me or call me and let me know. We will try to have parts assigned by the October rehearsal. As a special note: PLEASE RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION of the form if your children know that they are interested in participating this year. This will help me a great deal in planning ahead.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. I am looking forward to this wonderful opportunity to work with the youth of Southminster!
Suzanne Tennnyson (email: suzanne@tenn4.com or phone: 630-865-4095)
YOUTH!
This Sunday launches our program for 2009/2010. Middle schoolers: join us at 6:00 p.m. for the premiere of PYNGUINS (we’ll tell you what that means when you get there, if you don’t already know), for snacks, fun, games, music, and spiritual good stuff. High schoolers, join us at the usual time, 7:00 p.m, for a time of music and spiritual stuff with the PYNGUINS, then games, snacks, fun, and fellowship.
Also, bring a friend next week when we meet at Panfish Park for a Photo Scavenger hunt, Pizza and a marshmallow roast. SPY and PYNGUINS will be together for this event, 5-8:00 p.m.
High Schoolers, AKA SPY, come to Chicago and Blackhawk Presbyteries’ Senior High Fall Retreat, “iWitness,” Nov. 6-8, at Covenant Harbor Retreat Center, Lake Geneva. We need to register by Oct. 23. Middle Schoolers, AKA PYNGUINS, your retreat will be Jan 29-31. More info to come.
All youth (not going to iWitness), join us for SLEEP OUT SATURDAY. Start collecting your cardboard now to sleep out on the church lawn to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless of DuPage County. This event is sponsored by Bridge Communities, a mission we support.
What is Going on This Fall in Christian Ed?
“Never Stop Climbing! Building our lives on Christ and his words.” (Matthew 7:24-27)
Kick-Off Notes: Our Christian Education kick-off was well attended. The hot dogs were tasty, and teachers in all the Christian Ed ministries had a wonderful opportunity to visit with adults and children and talk about the upcoming year. And, did we say the hot dogs were tasty? A huge thank you to everyone who helped to prepare for this event.
Our first helping of “Second Helpings” is this Sunday. See the note
Registration Forms for Sunday School: Forms will be available in Sunday School classrooms. Please return the completed form to your child’s Sunday School teacher.
Scripture Verse Memorization Challenge: For third grade through middle school—look for more information in Sunday School classes this coming Sunday.
Sunday School Supplies: We are getting low on crayons and washable markers for our Sunday School classes. If you would like to make a donation of these items, there will be a box in the narthex for the next few weeks. Thank you very much in advance.
Child Protection Policy Training: Training in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, September 24, 7:00-9:00 p.m. for youth and children’s ministry staff and volunteers. Contact Laura Baer if you plan to attend at 630-469-9149 or email at smpcce@ameritech.net.
Acolyte Training: Third graders on up can attend Acolyte Training on Sunday, October 11, at 8:45 a.m. in the sanctuary. Please encourage your child to serve in this important ministry and, if any children would like a refresher, please have them attend as well.
Mark your Calendars for these Christian Ed. dates!
September 20 – Music Ministry for Preschool through third grade; “Second Helpings” All-Church Event (11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.), first day of Adult Ed. Lectionary Study in parlor (11:00 a.m.), first day of High School class with Pastor Wendy (11:00 a.m.)
September 24 – Child Protection Training, 7-9:00 p.m.
October 4 – No Sunday School, No Adult Ed
October 11 – Acolyte Training, 8:45 a.m.
Have you considered becoming a member of Southminster? Please talk to Pastor Wendy Boden (office: 630-469-9149) or Elder Ginny Kline (630-668-7374).
Medicines for our sister church in Cuba: Through September 27 medicines are being collected for our sister church in Cuba that will be delivered by Bill Curry and Gretchen Fleming when they go to Cuba on October 18 to participate in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the sister relationship between the Presbytery of Chicago and the Presbytery of Havana. The following items are requested: Multivitamins—especially for adults but also for children; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin C; Vitamin E; Vitamin A; Ibuprofen; Naproxen sodium (e.g. Alleve); Acetaminophen; Glucosamine Chondroitin; Antacid tablets; Prevacid; (Lansoprazole); Zantac (Ranitidine); Prilosec (Omeprazol), Vicks Vaporub. If you can, please help by donating some of these items. A box will be available in the narthex in which you may leave your donations. Many thanks for your help!
Southminster Women: Ann Anderson and Melissa Nachman would like to know if you are interested in attending a Sunday night Women’s Bible Study. We are thinking of using the book “Walking with God” by John Eldredge. Please email Ann at sylviasmother@sbcglobal.net or call Melissa at 312 933 3147 if you would be interested in joining us.
Fellowship Event – There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for anyone who would like to attend the Glenbard South Fall Musical, “Singin’ in the Rain.” We will attend the play on Friday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7.00 and Gold Cards are accepted. The deadline for signing up is Sunday, September 27. Call Tricia Smith with questions.
S.O.L.A.C.E. Singles’ November gathering will be this Fellowship event. Be sure to sign-up on the posted sheet in the narthex by September 27. Members of S.O.L.A.C.E. will meet at Alfie’s at 5:45 p.m. for dinner before the musical. Any questions, talk to Pat Petersen (630-690-1434).
