Dear Friends,
On Friday at 5:24 my daughter Anna called me to ask if her friend could spend the night. I told her yes and she was happy when we hung up. At 5:26, my husband Blair called to say he was on his way to Urgent Care with Anna. I couldn’t make out what the reason was, but I could hear her crying in the background. I left the office for Urgent Care to find that Anna had slammed her finger in the door of her friend’s truck. In a matter of moments she had gone from very happy to a world of pain. I think we could ask just about any parent and they would confirm that childhood can move very rapidly from joy to tears.
This Sunday in worship we will be dedicating our Sunday School program and baptizing Dylan Alsbury, son of Michael and Anita Alsbury. Christian Education and Christian Baptism are joyful but serious commitments. In the baptism we promise to be “family” for the person baptized. Christian Education is one of the ways we are family to one another in our congregation, whether it is giving through the church budget, volunteering and participating in Sunday School, VBS, Second Helpings, or in the youth program. This is one of the ways we are family as we grow in faith and support one another through all the twists and turns of life. You as a Christian family expressed care and concern for Anna this past Sunday. This Sunday we will have the opportunity to express our care and concern for Dylan. Please continue in prayer for our teachers. Please consider participating directly in Christian Education by attending the Adult Class in the parlor Sunday following worship or attending our monthly “Second Helpings.”
Please remember also that you are invited to a special “Kick Off” of Sunday School following morning worship this week. There is a BBQ! And you are invited. Take if from here,
Love, Wendy
Mark 3: 31-35:
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Did you know...?
All Christians are family to one another, but our branch of the Christian family is called, “Reformed.”
Announcements:
“Sing to the Lord a new song,” starting with our first rehearsal this week! If you are searching for a new ministry to become involved in at Southminster, and can carry a tune, then the Choir just might be the right place for you. We are saving a chair for you in the sanctuary! Come fill our space with joyful song! The first choir rehearsal will take place this Thursday evening, September 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the choir room followed by food and fellowship. Welcome back to all returning members, and we welcome and are in need of some new talent in each section of the choir. High School age students are also invited to join. For more information, please contact Darlene Crilly, our Music Director.
Teachers and CE Committee members: Don’t forget set-up for kick-off this Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall! Coffee provided. Anyone else who would like to help is welcome.
Medicines for our sister church in Cuba: Starting September 13 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!
What is Going on This Fall in Christian Ed?:
Never Stop Climbing! Building our lives on Christ and his Word. (Matthew 7:24-27)
This year is going to be a truly exciting one in Christian Education. We will be climbing together to learn and apply the Word of God. There is virtually something for everyone. Here is a line-up beginning this fall:
1. Come meet and greet our Adult Ed, Music Ministry, and Sunday School teachers after worship in Fellowship Hall this Sunday, September 13. Or, visit our Library and check out some good reading. Afterwards, we will enjoy a barbeque with hot dogs and burgers—you only need to bring your appetite. We welcome children and adults to bring a friend, so they can see what we have going on in Christian Ed this year. Please reply to this email or call the church office if you plan to attend so we can plan accordingly. (And High Schoolers – there is going to be a class for you this year, led by Pastor Wendy following Sunday worship. Plan to meet her in her office this Sunday at 11:30 after you’ve had some BBQ eats to discuss the plans for the year.)
2. “Second Helpings!” Our first all-church, fall event, on September 20, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Adult Bible class 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.
Additional C.E. Notes:
Fall Teachers: We have been blessed to have the following teachers beginning this fall: Adult Education: Blair Nelson; Preschool Class: Lisa Frey, Heather Jablonski, Rena Smith, Marta Sundquist and Chris Kozich, preschool substitute. Our Primary Class: Melissa Nachman, Andrea Schmidt and Julie Steele, substitute. In our Intermediate Class: Ann Anderson and T.J. Frey, and Megan Bohi, substitute; and our Middle School Class: Dan Bohi, Steve Johnson and Sue Hume substitute. Please pray for encouragement, perseverance and God’s wisdom for our teachers and all those whose hearts will be touched.
Registration Forms for Sunday School: Forms will be available in Sunday School classrooms during the Kick-off. Please return the completed form to your child’s Sunday School teacher.
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. If you plan to attend, contact Laura Baer at 630-469-9149 or email at smpcce@ameritech.net.
Check out our Library: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mk 12:30). God desires that all we have and all we are be focused on knowing Him and growing to be more like Jesus Christ. We have many books in our library that can help you in your spiritual walk. Come on in before or after worship on Sundays or during church business hours.
Mark your Calendars for these Christian Ed. dates!
September 13 - Fall Education Kick-Off, meet and greet teachers, BBQ lunch
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
October 4 – No Sunday School, No Adult Ed
Have you considered becoming a member of Southminster? We will hold a 3-session New Member Class on Sunday mornings, September 13, 20, and 27, from 8:30-9:15 a.m. If you are interested in attending, please talk to Pastor Wendy Boden (office: 630-469-9149) or Elder Ginny Kline (630-668-7374).
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.
Everyone who is single is invited to join S.O.L.A.C.E. Singles for the October outing to see the Wheaton Drama Guild production of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” on Sunday, October 4, at the 3:00 matinee performance. Tickets are $21.00 each; sign up in the narthex by September 15. Give money to Lois Stevenson or call her with questions: 630-858-9315. If people are interested, we’ll go out for supper afterward somewhere near the theater.
All women of Southminster are invited to A.M. Circle’s first gathering of the year 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.
Presenting the PYNGUINS! Middle schoolers, this year you get your very own youth group! High school and middle schoolers, stay tuned for information on this fall’s SPY and PYNGUINS programs. Mark your calendars: it all begins Sept. 20. PYNGUINS (middle schoolers) will meet Sundays, 6:00-7:30 p.m., and SPY (high schoolers) will meet from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Both groups will be together from 7:00-7:30 for a time of music and spiritual stuff. Have a great start of the school year, and get set for our kick-off on September 20.
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).
