Southminster E-Notes for October 7, 2009
Ephesians 5:18b-20
“...but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Dear Friends,
Come on Down and Sing! This Sunday morning you are invited to a prayer meeting. As the angel said, “Fear Not!” No one is asking you to pray out loud; rather you are invited to sing your heart out to God. Hymn singing is a form of prayer. We offer our voices and our hearts to God as we sing. This Sunday we will share in one another’s favorite hymns. We will not only have an opportunity to sing your favorite hymn, you will have the opportunity to sing someone else’s favorite hymn. This Sunday we will be sharing our hearts before God with one another. In a sense you will be given an opportunity to hear intimately how some of your sisters and brothers in Christ relate to God, how they best express in words their love of God. Singing is a significant and intimate form of spirituality. You may not like all the songs, in fact, there are a few I don’t know, but it is an honor and a privilege to get to know one another in such a personal way.
I can tell when my children are happy, because they sing as they go around the house. Many people sing as they go around the house—and elsewhere. I am not saying that the singing is always very good, but it is heartfelt. One of my spiritual disciplines is asking God to put a song in my heart for the day. I sing as I drive to the office. It opens my heart up to God as I greet the day. Sometimes they are “classic” hymns and sometimes they are “spirituals” and sometimes they are “contemporary,” but no matter what I sing, I sing it to God and it begins the day right. Perhaps after this Sunday you can ask God to put a song in your heart. It will change your day and it will change your prayer life. Take it from here! Come on down and sing!
Love, Wendy
Did you know?
... that work continues on a new Presbyterian hymnal? Use this link to read more:
http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/pressreleases/ppc09005.htm
Announcements:
Today is the deadline if you wish to purchase a memorial brick in time for installation by All Saints Day. Don’t delay! Call Grace Van Beveren (630-469-6769) for the required form.
Calling All Acolytes: Being an Acolyte is a wonderful way for the children to serve God and the congregation. This fall’s training session will be held in the sanctuary this Sunday, October 11, at 8:45 a.m. Children from the 3rd grade through middle school are eligible to attend this event. We will wrap up the training with a light breakfast of donuts and juice. If your child is interested in serving please call Laura Baer 630-469-9149 or email at smpcce@ameritech.net.
Nursery Relocation this Sunday: Please be aware that due to recent heating issues in the building, on Sunday, October 11, the nursery will be held downstairs in Fellowship Hall (although separate from the Sunday School classes).
A special meeting of the session has been called for this Sunday, October 11, at 10:45 a.m. in the parlor. The two items of business for this meeting are the repair/replacement of the furnaces, and the support of the Lakeshore Christian Camping organization.
There will be no Adult Ed. Bible Study class this coming Sunday, October 11. Blair will be preaching at the Convalescent Center that morning.
More Christian Ed. Notes:
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 9:10 a.m. on the 18th so they can have one final rehearsal.
October Second Helpings/Harvest Party: October will be an especially exciting month as we include a Harvest Party along with the Second Helpings on 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.
Mark your Calendars for these Christian Ed. dates!
October 11 – Acolyte Training, 8:45 a.m.
October 18 – Second Helpings/Harvest Party
November 15 – Second Helpings/Christmas Program Rehearsal
December 6 – Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal after worship
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.
Our Fall Clean-Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 17. We will work from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Any time that folks can contribute is appreciated! Please come when you can, and plan to stay as long as you like. 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!
You there... Come on down for a Potluck Supper! Join us Sunday, October 18, at 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Bring a dish to pass (Make it yourself or pick up something at the store.), and bring yourself and your family. Plan to have a fun time! See the sign-up poster in the narthex. You don’t need to sign up to come, but doing so helps with the planning.
We will soon make 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.
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.
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).
