Dear Friends,
Many events in my life have influenced my ideas of Stewardship. Today I would like to share just three:
The first was when I was 19 and in college. That was the seventies. One Sunday morning my mother put a $20 bill in the plate as it was being passed. Today $20 would be worth about $75. I was surprised because my mother is very thrifty. I asked as only a 19 year old could ask, “Are you doing that to get a break on your taxes?” She gave me a withering look and shook her head no. I was surprised, and it caused me to think. I had never given thought to Stewardship before. What does Stewardship mean to you? Is it more than a tax break or a charity donation?
The second event took place about six years later. I was an adult living alone and my church, the Presbyterian Church of Old Greenwich, Connecticut, was having their Stewardship drive. Each of us was to come in during the weekend and pray about what God was leading us to pledge for the year. At that time I was donating about $35 a month. After praying I raised my pledge to about $75. I wasn’t sure where the money would come from. The following week I got a raise, which was out of season because raises were generally given in July, not November. Stewardship is not about going out on a limb and giving because God will take care of the details, rather Stewardship is about taking the time to think and pray and do what God directs you to do. Do you pray about what God is leading you to give?
The third event took place when my children were small. I wanted to give Blair some peace and quiet on a Sunday afternoon so he could work on his dissertation. I avoid the cold so I had to find a way to get the kids away from home and keep me warm. So during the winter I would take our kids to the movies for a couple of hours. Of course we bought treats to go with the movie. One Sunday morning during Stewardship a lay leader, Tim Teelin, asked how much money we spent going to the movies. I realized that my movie budget was bigger than my God budget. I didn’t like that, so we raised our pledge. Tim made me ask the question, “What place does God have in my budget?”
Stewardship is knowing that all you have comes from the hand of God: our talent, our time, and our money. Stewardship is about asking questions like; “What place does God have in my budget? “God, what would you like me to do with what you have given me?” And “Is my church family more than a tax break or on the level as the other charities we give to?” The message of Stewardship has matured and changed as I have grown in faith. I didn’t “get it” all at once. Stewardship is a faith journey as much as our prayer lives. Please take some time this week and talk to God about where God is leading you. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”
Announcements:
A.M. Women’s Circle will meet this Friday, October 16, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. Our speaker will be Pastor Wendy telling us about her medical mission trip to Haiti. All women of the church are invited to attend.
Our Fall Clean-Up Day is this Saturday, October 17. We will work from 8:00 a.m.–noon. Please come when you can and stay as long as you are able. As usual, we have a long and diverse list of projects, inside and out. And you’ll be rewarded with good fellowship, a sense of accomplishment… and refreshments. Come one, come all!
The Lions Club is offering FREE hearing screenings this Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Meadows of Glen Ellyn, 60 Nicoll Avenue.(A mobile hearing bus will be in the parking lot.) If you pass the screening, your hearing is normal; if you fail, you will be encouraged to seek a more thorough evaluation on your own. There are no sales or solicitations of any kind involved, and you don’t have to be a resident of Glen Ellyn to participate.
Parents, please remember that Pre-K through third graders will be singing the Zacchaeus Song (from Luke 19) on Stewardship Sunday, October 18. Please have your child in the sanctuary no later than 9:15 a.m. that morning so they can have one final rehearsal.
We’re including a Harvest Party along with the Second Helpings this Sunday, October 18, for all Sunday School children, Pre-K through middle school. We will begin the program in the sanctuary with Bible teaching with Pastor Wendy and then head down to Fellowship Hall for fun activities and snacks to celebrate the harvest season. Please let us know if you/your child will attend by calling the church office or email to Laura Baer at smpcce@ameritech.net. Adults and high schoolers will have class during the time of the party. Everyone comes together at 11:45 for a light lunch.
What a joyous occasion for Zaccheus, when Jesus joined his family for supper in their home! Not only had Zaccheus heard the good news and dedicated his life to Jesus that day, but he was also privileged to share a meal and enjoy fellowship with his savior. YOU are invited to come to the Lord’s house Sunday for a meal and fellowship - bring your family and a dish to share to Southminster’s Potluck Supper this Sunday, October 18, at 5:30 p.m. If possible, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the narthex, to help us with planning. However, feel free to join us for supper whether or not your have signed up!
Women’s Bible Study will meet this week and on subsequent Sundays from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the parlor We are studying “Walking with God” by John Eldredge. Contact Ann Anderson (630)469-2097 if you are interested in joining.
Additional Christian Ed. Notes:
Acolytes: Thank you to the children who attended the training this past Sunday and their parents for getting them here. A schedule will soon be published with each child serving 3-4 four times. Please call the church office or email Laura Baer at smpcce@ameritech.net if you have questions.
Mark your Calendars for these Christian Ed. dates!
October 18 – Second Helpings/Harvest Party
November 15 – Second Helpings/Christmas Program Rehearsal
December 6 – Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal after worship
December 13 – Christmas Program
SPY and PYNGUINS: No SNL this Sunday, Oct. 18. Instead, come to the church Potluck. Food is Good!
SPY’ers (high school youth) this is the land of choice, and you have one to make. We have two major events the weekend of Nov. 6-8. You can choose to attend iWitness, the Presbytery Senior High Retreat in Lake Geneva, WI, on Nov. 6-8 or be part of Sleep Out Saturday right here at SPC on Nov. 7. Unfortunately, you cannot be at both, unless you clone yourself now. [So what are you waiting for? Head for the lab now!!] The retreat costs $100. We will leave Friday at 5:00 p.m. and be back Sunday by approx. 1:00 p.m. Details on the Sleep Out will come later, but we will start setting up our cardboard city that Saturday afternoon.
Also, youth and adults, we need lots of cardboard for Sleep Out Saturday. Please start saving now and deliver it to the church on Nov. 7.
Adults: As you can see from my note to the youth, Nov. 6-8 is a very busy weekend for them. We need some help. I will need at least one other adult, a woman, to be a sponsor for the retreat, and we need help with the Sleep Out. The Sleep Out needs people to help set up, chaperones to stay the night, people to cook breakfast in the morning, and some to help clean up. Interested? Contact Blair: smpcyouth@ameritech.net.
We are working on a new schedule for liturgists. If you are interested in assisting in worship by serving as a leader/reader, then consider becoming a liturgist. Please contact Pastor Wendy Boden (630-469-9149 or wboden@ameritech.net) as soon as possible so we can add you to the schedule.
Next Tuesday, October 20, is the deadline for the November Dialog.
A book club, Presbyterian Readers, is forming at our church that will meet on the third Wednesday of the month from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the parlor At our first meeting — October 21 — we will discuss what books we have read in the past and what books we will want to read through the month of May. This group is open to all, men and women, members and non-members. If you have any questions please contact Wendy.
On Sunday, November 1, Southminster will celebrate All Saints Day as part of our morning worship. Our closing benediction will occur outside in the Memorial Garden. During our Prayers of the People we will give thanks to God for the people who have touched our lives and are no longer present with us except that portion which lives in our hearts and minds. If you have a loved one, a friend or a family member whose death occurred since last All Saints Day and whom you would like mentioned during our All Saints Prayer, please contact the church office by October 28, giving us their name and date of death. You can help us be as accurate as possible by providing correct spelling and leaving your name and phone number so we can check with you if we have any questions.
We’re starting a Young Adult Group! Once a month we will meet at Blair’s house for dinner and fellowship the last Wednesday of the month. Our first meeting is Wednesday, October 28, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Please call and let us know if you are coming so we can set a place at the table for you.
Southminster’s fourth annual Art Show is coming up! We’re looking for artists from our congregation who would like to share their work in our gallery from November 15, 2009 to January 18, 2010. Holiday hangings would be nice, but any work you are proud of would be fine: stitchery, painting, quilting, glass, photography, or whatever form of art you do. Items must be able to hang on our walls, and we’d like to ask that there be no repeats from last year. Contact Linda Ellinghausen (630-469-9039) or sign up in the narthex.
We are in need of a second person to work in the nursery. We are asking you to share this information with anyone you believe is qualified (at least 18 and with some child care training or experience) and who might be interested. The hours for this position are Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 noon (depending on the need during programs following worship). There may also be occasional other times when this person will be asked, if available, to care for children in the nursery during special church activities. The wage for this position is $10/hour. Please ask anyone who is interested to speak to Laura Baer.
Valet parking is available on Sundays for anyone who would like that service. In order for that offer to work, we need volunteers to assist with the parking! If you would like to volunteer to help with valet parking, there is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board as you enter the church.
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).
