Psalm 117:1-2
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.*
*In Hebrew: “Hallelu Yah.”
Dear Friends,
In the Psalms of praise, the Hebrew word “hodu” means giving thanks. A key phrase that occurs in these Psalms is “Hodu l’adonai, ki tov” which translated means, “Giving thanks to God.” However, “hodu” is also the Hebrew word for turkey. So our phrase can be translated as, “Eating turkey for the sake of God is good.” I have searched and I have no idea why the Hebrews connected Turkey with Thanks. Their word for peacock, though, is “Tukki,” which sounds kind of close, doesn’t it?
I think it’s great happenstance that Turkey and Thanks are related in the language of our Old Testament. Of course, I was delighted at age seven to find out that God’s people had Hanukah. I thought about how loving God was to give them a holiday around Christmas, so they wouldn’t be left out. I know it sounds naive, but I was naive.
For me, each and every day is a gift from God. Thanksgiving should be every day. Thanksgiving should be a way of life, rather than one day a year. May you live your life aware of all that God has blessed you with - from opening your eyes in the morning, to hearing the joy of a laugh, to the smell of good food. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
BENEFIT CONCERT: St. Petronille Catholic Church in downtown Glen Ellyn will host a community performance of Handel’s “Messiah” this Saturday, November 28, at 8:00 p.m. (Note time change: first publicity said 7:30.) This is a joyful way to usher in the Christmas season. The proceeds from the free-will offering at the concert will benefit the Glen Ellyn Walk-In-Ministry, which is one of Southminster’s supported missions. Please make plans to attend.
Don’t you just love Christmas music? Join our FESTIVAL CHOIR! We won’t rehearse on Thanksgiving, but plan to join us on Thursday nights in December at 7:30 in the choir room. If you like to sing but don’t feel you can commit to choir for the entire year, here’s a short-term “fix.” We’ll sing for Sunday services and on Christmas Eve (one service that evening at 7:30), and we always follow the Christmas Eve service with a party. We’d love to have you join us for this season!
MUSIC NOTE FOR YOUTH AND TEENS: We’re seeking students of all ages and talents to play a verse of a hymn or Christmas carol for Prelude Music on Sunday, December 20. If interested in playing, please call the office or talk to Darlene Crilly for details.
POINSETTIAS: Order Christmas poinsettias by signing up on the chart in the narthex by Sunday, December 13. Poinsettias are $18.50 each (please write “poinsettia” on the memo line of your check) and may be taken home after the Christmas Eve service. If you choose, your poinsettia may be donated to someone who is homebound.
S.O.L.A.C.E. SINGLES are invited to come hear the Singing Men of Oak Brook in their annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 20, at 3:00 p.m. at Christ Church of Oak Brook. Tickets are $20 each. Call Lois Stevenson (630-858-9315) by December 10 to reserve your ticket.
If you SHOP ONLINE for holiday gifts, it is now possible for a portion of what you spend to BENEFIT SOUTHMINSTER. When you buy online through the iGive.com network of over 700 online stores, Southminster will receive a percentage of every dollar you spend. For more information, including a list of online stores, just go to www.iGive.com/Southminsterpc, complete the registration form, and start shopping. All funds received by Southminster from iGive.com will be added to Southminster’s Mission Fund.
“SHARE THE SPIRIT” at Christmas! Once again Southminster is joining the People’s Resource Center in helping needy children in DuPage County have a brighter Christmas by buying toys or gift cards for children from ages 0 to 19. Stop at the tree in the narthex with “ornaments” on it. The ornaments will have gift suggestions for the various age groups. Please take an ornament, select a gift, and bring it back unwrapped to the narthex any time up to December 6. The Mission Ministry thanks you for your support and the many needy children in DuPage County especially thank you for your outreach of love. (See the “Christian Ed. Notes” below to see how children and youth can participate in this project.)
The LADIES BREAKFAST GROUP has decided not to exchange Christmas socks in December. Instead we agreed to bring mittens or gloves for the “Share the Spirit” collection. You can bring these items to church on Sunday, December 6, or to our breakfast on Monday, December 7 (8:00 a.m. at IHOP in Danada), and we will make sure they get to the People’s Resource Center. Thanks!
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
Please remember there is NO SUNDAY SCHOOL this coming Sunday due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Worship bags will be available in the hallway by the nursery for younger children. Please leave the laminated card and crayons in the bag, though for next time. Thank you.
Youth and Sunday School classes will be continuing the SHARE THE SPIRIT collection of hats and mittens through Sunday, December 6. Please bring these items in any time during the designated weeks and drop them off in the narthex. Thank you in advance for your donations. (See more information about “Share the Spirit” above.)
December SECOND HELPINGS: Due to the Christmas program rehearsal, we will have Second Helpings on December 6. After adult Bible study and youth and children rehearsal, the entire church family will enjoy a special baked potato bar with all the trimmings in Fellowship Hall.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM INFO - Only One More Rehearsal!
***If your child has a speaking part, please practice with him/her at home to reinforce the part.
Here’s the schedule for December 6:
10:45-11:00 a.m. - Costume Fittings in the Sanctuary.
11:00 a.m. - Final practice/dress rehearsal. We will begin rehearsal promptly after costume fittings.
11:45am – Baked potato bar with trimmings for entire church family.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, DECEMBER 13 - “TOO-OO-OO-OO BUSY”
Parents, please have your child/children in the sanctuary 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, December 13, so we can run through last minute preparations.
WHAT’S COMING UP IN CHRISTIAN ED.?
December 6 - Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal and baked potato bar lunch
December 13 - Christmas Program
December 27 - No Sunday School
No “Second Helpings” third Sunday in December
January 17, 24, 31 – Rotation units for K-middle school
Our ADULT BIBLE STUDY CLASS will begin a new lectionary year this Sunday with the following passages: Jeremiah 33:14-6; Luke 1:68-79; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43. (A list of the Lectionary readings from now to the beginning of Lent is attached to this E-Note email.) Join us and we’ll learn together. -Blair
YOUTH: SNL as usual this Sunday night, PYNGUINS at 6:00 p.m., SPY at 7:00 p.m. See ya there.
Add this to your calendar: Friday, December 18, will be the Women’s Circle annual CHRISTMAS SALAD LUNCHEON AND COOKIE EXCHANGE at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor and narthex. Program: Pat Muehl, “Christmas Art.” Salads will be provided by the members of the circle. Guests are always welcome. The cookie exchange is optional; feel free to come for lunch even if you don’t wish to participate in the exchange. If you want to exchange, bring a plate or container of your special holiday cookies and take home an equal number.
And save this date, too! Come one, come all to our first CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG SUPPER! Soup and sandwiches will start off the event on Sunday, December 20, at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Participants are asked to bring a plate of cookies to provide dessert for all. Following the meal we will “break into song'” singing Christmas favorites. We promise a fun time for all! All families and friends are welcome, whatever size “family” you are. Sign up in the narthex or show up that night. It will be great fun!
We’d like to stay in touch with our COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS (for birthday and holiday greetings, invitations to gatherings over breaks, College Care packages later in the year, and things like that). Please update your college student or young adult’s mailing and email addresses so we can let them know we care. Thanks!
Here’s one reason why we need to be able to reach our college students: COLLEGE STUDENT BRUNCH – Tuesday, December 29, in the parlor at 11:00 a.m. Invitations will be mailed to students.
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.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
November 18, 2009
Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Dear Friends,
“There was a pastor, a rabbi, and an imam...” Sounds like the beginning of joke, doesn’t it? It is no joke however. Last Thursday afternoon I was among a group of religions leaders who met at the mosque on Rt. 53. We met for fellowship and sharing of information. One of the ideas suggested was that we participate in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life on June 18-19, 2010. It was with great pride that I shared that Southminster Presbyterian Church generally has a team. It made me wonder out loud, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a whole row of tents on that day representing all the Houses of Prayer in Glen Ellyn?” It is a possibility. The theme for 2010 is “Celebrating a World with More Birthdays.” Perhaps we could get the entire religious leadership of Glen Ellyn together to walk a few laps.
Rabbi Steven Bob, the Rabbi at Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard, shared another idea. He is the founder of “The Fourth Day Initiative,” which is a project to put solar panels on houses of worship. As you recall from Genesis, it was on the fourth day that the Sun was created.
While all of those at our clergy gathering may have had different opinions and thoughts on the important issues of faith and life, we all came together to share ideas about how we could faithfully live together as people created in the image of God. And that is no joke! Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Everybody is welcome to attend the PRESBYTERIAN READERS book club in the parlor this evening, November 18, from 7:30- 8:30 p.m. Our November book is “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold. Even if you haven’t read the book, you can listen to our discussion. (The movie version of “The Lovely Bones” will open sometime during the upcoming holiday season.)
Don’t you just love Christmas music? Join our FESTIVAL CHOIR! We start rehearsing Christmas selections tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 19) at 7:30 p.m. in the choir room. If you like to sing but don’t feel you can commit to choir for the entire year, here’s a short-term “fix.” We’ll sing for Sunday services and on Christmas Eve (one service that evening at 7:30), and we always follow the Christmas Eve service with a party. We’d love to have you join us for this season!
The deadline for the December “DIALOG” is this Friday, November 20. It’s a short month with a holiday near the end... don’t delay or you may miss getting your information into this issue! (Looking ahead, we are going to move next month’s deadline up a couple days because of Christmas; the deadline for the January “Dialog” will be December 17.)
All women of the church are invited to WOMEN’S CIRCLE this Friday, November 20, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. Betsy Rogers will share her experiences shopping in Africa. Betsy explains: “We are going to visit the informal economy of South Africa, beginning with a look at the informal economy in Langa, a township, where non-whites were located during apartheid and Joe Slovo, an informal settlement that now houses urban poor. I will also answer questions like the following: Where do the women in the informal settlements shop? How do they get around? What can they buy? How do they get water? What other services are available? What is the difference between the products we can buy in the city versus the countryside? Do they have stores like ours? This is an opportunity for those who love to shop and those who love to learn about other countries to get their questions answered. See you there.”
If you SHOP ONLINE for holiday gifts, it is now possible for a portion of what you spend to BENEFIT SOUTHMINSTER. When you buy online through the iGive.com network of over 700 online stores, Southminster will receive a percentage of every dollar you spend. For more information, including a list of online stores, just go to www.iGive.com/Southminsterpc, complete the registration form, and start shopping. All funds received by Southminster from iGive.com will be added to Southminster’s Mission Fund.
“SHARE THE SPIRIT” at Christmas! Once again Southminster is joining the People’s Resource Center in helping needy children in DuPage County have a brighter Christmas by buying toys or gift cards for children from ages 0 to 19. Stop at the tree in the narthex with “ornaments” on it. The ornaments will have gift suggestions for the various age groups. Please take an ornament, select a gift, and bring it back unwrapped to the narthex any time up to December 6. The Mission Ministry thanks you for your support and the many needy children in DuPage County especially thank you for your outreach of love. (See the “Christian Ed. Notes” below to see how children and youth can participate in this project.)
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
“Share the Spirit” - A vision for missions: Thank you to all who brought HATS AND MITTENS this past Sunday. Youth and Sunday School classes will be continuing the collection through Sunday, December 6. Please bring these items in any time during the designated weeks and drop them off in the narthex. Thank you in advance for your donations. (See the “Share the Spirit” notice above to see other ways to support this project.)
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM REHEARSAL! Children and youth have only one more practice (dress rehearsal) on Sunday, December 6, for the December 13 Christmas program, “Too-oo-oo-oo Busy.” If your child has a speaking part, please practice at home to reinforce his/her part.
We will begin rehearsal on December 6 with costume fittings promptly at 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary. (During the rehearsal, other crews will be hard at work decorating the church for Christmas!) Afterwards, the entire church family is invited to enjoy a special baked potato bar lunch in Fellowship Hall.
Additionally, Darlene Crilly will be leading the children (Pre-K through third grade) in rehearsal time for the Christmas program songs on Sundays, right after they come downstairs following the Children’s Moment.
What’s Coming Up?
November 29 - No Sunday School; children remain in worship with their families
December 6 - Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal and baked potato bar lunch
December 13 - Christmas Program
December 27 - No Sunday School; children remain in worship with their families
(There will be no “Second Helpings” in December.)
ADULT BIBLE CLASS: Adults (or those who think they are), join us this Sunday for our continuing lectionary-based Bible study. 11:00 a.m. in the parlor.
YOUTH: SNL as usual this Sunday night, PYNGUINS at 6:00 p.m., SPY at 7:00 p.m. See ya there.
Benefit Concert: St. Petronille Catholic Church in downtown Glen Ellyn will host a community performance of HANDEL’S “MESSIAH” on Saturday, November 28, at 8:00 p.m. (Note time change: first publicity said 7:30.) This is a joyful way to usher in the Christmas season. The proceeds from the free-will offering at the concert will benefit the Glen Ellyn Walk-In-Ministry, which is one of Southminster’s supported missions. Please make plans to attend.
Add this to your calendar: Friday, December 18, will be the Women’s Circle annual CHRISTMAS SALAD LUNCHEON AND COOKIE EXCHANGE at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor and narthex. Program: Pat Muehl, “Christmas Art.” Salads will be provided by the members of the circle. Guests are always welcome. The cookie exchange is optional; feel free to come for lunch even if you don’t wish to participate in the exchange. If you want to exchange, bring a plate or container of your special holiday cookies and take home an equal number.
We’d like to stay in touch with our COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS (for birthday and holiday greetings, invitations to gatherings over breaks, College Care packages later in the year, and things like that). Please update your college student or young adult’s mailing and email addresses so we can let them know we care. Thanks!
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.
COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE coming up on Wednesday, November 25. Donate blood this Thanksgiving and start your holiday shopping with a $10 Target GiftCard. The Heartland Blood Center mobile unit will be in Glen Ellyn from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the B. R. Ryall YMCA (1/2 block north of the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Lambert, just under the Glen Ellyn water tower). Donors will also receive a coupon good for $5.00 off at the YMCA Christmas tree sales trailer. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. Bring photo I.D.! Sign up online at www.heartlandbc.org or call Karen at 708-342-9773.
What’s with all the CAPITAL LETTERS in E-Notes? We’ve been getting some feedback that E-Notes is getting too long (So, whose announcements do we leave out?) and that it’s too hard to find the information that you really want to see. E-Notes goes out in plain text, which means no boldface, italics, underlining - any of those things that we use in other publications. (The reason for plain text is that some email systems can’t “read” special formatting; messages end up with multiple lines of symbols between words and the page looks like gobbledygook.) So the caps aren’t supposed to be “shouting” - they’re supposed to help you find the subject of each notice. We’ll try this for awhile. Another possibility would be to send E-Notes out in .pdf files, like we do with Dialogs. It’s a given that we can’t please all the people all the time, but if you have strong feelings one way or another, drop us a line.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Dear Friends,
“There was a pastor, a rabbi, and an imam...” Sounds like the beginning of joke, doesn’t it? It is no joke however. Last Thursday afternoon I was among a group of religions leaders who met at the mosque on Rt. 53. We met for fellowship and sharing of information. One of the ideas suggested was that we participate in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life on June 18-19, 2010. It was with great pride that I shared that Southminster Presbyterian Church generally has a team. It made me wonder out loud, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a whole row of tents on that day representing all the Houses of Prayer in Glen Ellyn?” It is a possibility. The theme for 2010 is “Celebrating a World with More Birthdays.” Perhaps we could get the entire religious leadership of Glen Ellyn together to walk a few laps.
Rabbi Steven Bob, the Rabbi at Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard, shared another idea. He is the founder of “The Fourth Day Initiative,” which is a project to put solar panels on houses of worship. As you recall from Genesis, it was on the fourth day that the Sun was created.
While all of those at our clergy gathering may have had different opinions and thoughts on the important issues of faith and life, we all came together to share ideas about how we could faithfully live together as people created in the image of God. And that is no joke! Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Everybody is welcome to attend the PRESBYTERIAN READERS book club in the parlor this evening, November 18, from 7:30- 8:30 p.m. Our November book is “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold. Even if you haven’t read the book, you can listen to our discussion. (The movie version of “The Lovely Bones” will open sometime during the upcoming holiday season.)
Don’t you just love Christmas music? Join our FESTIVAL CHOIR! We start rehearsing Christmas selections tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 19) at 7:30 p.m. in the choir room. If you like to sing but don’t feel you can commit to choir for the entire year, here’s a short-term “fix.” We’ll sing for Sunday services and on Christmas Eve (one service that evening at 7:30), and we always follow the Christmas Eve service with a party. We’d love to have you join us for this season!
The deadline for the December “DIALOG” is this Friday, November 20. It’s a short month with a holiday near the end... don’t delay or you may miss getting your information into this issue! (Looking ahead, we are going to move next month’s deadline up a couple days because of Christmas; the deadline for the January “Dialog” will be December 17.)
All women of the church are invited to WOMEN’S CIRCLE this Friday, November 20, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. Betsy Rogers will share her experiences shopping in Africa. Betsy explains: “We are going to visit the informal economy of South Africa, beginning with a look at the informal economy in Langa, a township, where non-whites were located during apartheid and Joe Slovo, an informal settlement that now houses urban poor. I will also answer questions like the following: Where do the women in the informal settlements shop? How do they get around? What can they buy? How do they get water? What other services are available? What is the difference between the products we can buy in the city versus the countryside? Do they have stores like ours? This is an opportunity for those who love to shop and those who love to learn about other countries to get their questions answered. See you there.”
If you SHOP ONLINE for holiday gifts, it is now possible for a portion of what you spend to BENEFIT SOUTHMINSTER. When you buy online through the iGive.com network of over 700 online stores, Southminster will receive a percentage of every dollar you spend. For more information, including a list of online stores, just go to www.iGive.com/Southminsterpc, complete the registration form, and start shopping. All funds received by Southminster from iGive.com will be added to Southminster’s Mission Fund.
“SHARE THE SPIRIT” at Christmas! Once again Southminster is joining the People’s Resource Center in helping needy children in DuPage County have a brighter Christmas by buying toys or gift cards for children from ages 0 to 19. Stop at the tree in the narthex with “ornaments” on it. The ornaments will have gift suggestions for the various age groups. Please take an ornament, select a gift, and bring it back unwrapped to the narthex any time up to December 6. The Mission Ministry thanks you for your support and the many needy children in DuPage County especially thank you for your outreach of love. (See the “Christian Ed. Notes” below to see how children and youth can participate in this project.)
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
“Share the Spirit” - A vision for missions: Thank you to all who brought HATS AND MITTENS this past Sunday. Youth and Sunday School classes will be continuing the collection through Sunday, December 6. Please bring these items in any time during the designated weeks and drop them off in the narthex. Thank you in advance for your donations. (See the “Share the Spirit” notice above to see other ways to support this project.)
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM REHEARSAL! Children and youth have only one more practice (dress rehearsal) on Sunday, December 6, for the December 13 Christmas program, “Too-oo-oo-oo Busy.” If your child has a speaking part, please practice at home to reinforce his/her part.
We will begin rehearsal on December 6 with costume fittings promptly at 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary. (During the rehearsal, other crews will be hard at work decorating the church for Christmas!) Afterwards, the entire church family is invited to enjoy a special baked potato bar lunch in Fellowship Hall.
Additionally, Darlene Crilly will be leading the children (Pre-K through third grade) in rehearsal time for the Christmas program songs on Sundays, right after they come downstairs following the Children’s Moment.
What’s Coming Up?
November 29 - No Sunday School; children remain in worship with their families
December 6 - Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal and baked potato bar lunch
December 13 - Christmas Program
December 27 - No Sunday School; children remain in worship with their families
(There will be no “Second Helpings” in December.)
ADULT BIBLE CLASS: Adults (or those who think they are), join us this Sunday for our continuing lectionary-based Bible study. 11:00 a.m. in the parlor.
YOUTH: SNL as usual this Sunday night, PYNGUINS at 6:00 p.m., SPY at 7:00 p.m. See ya there.
Benefit Concert: St. Petronille Catholic Church in downtown Glen Ellyn will host a community performance of HANDEL’S “MESSIAH” on Saturday, November 28, at 8:00 p.m. (Note time change: first publicity said 7:30.) This is a joyful way to usher in the Christmas season. The proceeds from the free-will offering at the concert will benefit the Glen Ellyn Walk-In-Ministry, which is one of Southminster’s supported missions. Please make plans to attend.
Add this to your calendar: Friday, December 18, will be the Women’s Circle annual CHRISTMAS SALAD LUNCHEON AND COOKIE EXCHANGE at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor and narthex. Program: Pat Muehl, “Christmas Art.” Salads will be provided by the members of the circle. Guests are always welcome. The cookie exchange is optional; feel free to come for lunch even if you don’t wish to participate in the exchange. If you want to exchange, bring a plate or container of your special holiday cookies and take home an equal number.
We’d like to stay in touch with our COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS (for birthday and holiday greetings, invitations to gatherings over breaks, College Care packages later in the year, and things like that). Please update your college student or young adult’s mailing and email addresses so we can let them know we care. Thanks!
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.
COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE coming up on Wednesday, November 25. Donate blood this Thanksgiving and start your holiday shopping with a $10 Target GiftCard. The Heartland Blood Center mobile unit will be in Glen Ellyn from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the B. R. Ryall YMCA (1/2 block north of the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Lambert, just under the Glen Ellyn water tower). Donors will also receive a coupon good for $5.00 off at the YMCA Christmas tree sales trailer. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. Bring photo I.D.! Sign up online at www.heartlandbc.org or call Karen at 708-342-9773.
What’s with all the CAPITAL LETTERS in E-Notes? We’ve been getting some feedback that E-Notes is getting too long (So, whose announcements do we leave out?) and that it’s too hard to find the information that you really want to see. E-Notes goes out in plain text, which means no boldface, italics, underlining - any of those things that we use in other publications. (The reason for plain text is that some email systems can’t “read” special formatting; messages end up with multiple lines of symbols between words and the page looks like gobbledygook.) So the caps aren’t supposed to be “shouting” - they’re supposed to help you find the subject of each notice. We’ll try this for awhile. Another possibility would be to send E-Notes out in .pdf files, like we do with Dialogs. It’s a given that we can’t please all the people all the time, but if you have strong feelings one way or another, drop us a line.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
November 11, 2009
Romans 1: 8-10a
“I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times...”
Dear Friends,
The officers of our congregation, the deacon and the elders, had a wonderful retreat/joint meeting on Saturday. We began our meeting with worship. We read scripture, sang, prayed, and asked the question, “What are we thankful for at Southminster?” There were many great things we were thankful for. Take a look for yourself. Those results are posted on the leaves on the bulletin board as you enter the building.
We also reflected on who we are and took a look at the development of our web site. We then broke up into small groups, discussed, and asked, “What are our opportunities and challenges?” What was most encouraging to me was the positive enthusiasm, good will and laughter the groups shared. It looks like we see some of the same opportunities and challenges. We also noted that our 50th Anniversary is March 8, 2011. The most beautiful thing to come out of our meeting is the recognition that Jesus Christ is at the center of the Southminster Church Family.
Our discussion will continue at another joint meeting with the deacons and elders on the evening of January 26. There we will ask, “Where is God taking us? Or, Where do we go from here?”
Friends, I encourage you to pray for us, to ask the same questions: “Who are we?” “What are you thankful for at Southminster?” “What are our opportunities and challenges” and “Where is God taking us?” Please share your thoughts with our deacons and elders. Please hold them in prayer. Please know that I am thankful for each of you in my life and in your ministry at Southminster. I am very grateful to our officers, for their joy in service and their presence on Saturday. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The WOMEN’S CIRCLE USED BOOK SALE will take place after church this Sunday in the narthex. You still have time to bring in books before Sunday; put them in the coatroom. The proceeds from the sale will go to the Women’s Circle to support their programs and mission. Call Linda Ellinghausen or Betsy Rogers with questions.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S THANK OFFERING jars will be dedicated on Sunday during the worship service. Please remember to bring your Thank Offering jar on Sunday morning. The Thank Offering gives women a tangible way to express their gratitude for the special blessings in their lives. But you don’t need to have a Thank Offering jar... or even be a woman... to support an offering that goes to projects such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence, and women’s concerns. When the invitation is extended to bring the Thank Offering forward, please feel free to “give as you are blessed,” even if it’s simply the loose change in your pocket.
“SHARE THE SPIRIT” at Christmas! Once again Southminster is joining the People’s Resource Center in helping needy children in DuPage County have a brighter Christmas by buying toys or gift cards for children from ages 0 to 19. When you come to church this Sunday, you’ll find a tree in the narthex with “ornaments” on it. The ornaments will have gift suggestions for the various age groups. Please take an ornament, select a gift, and bring it back unwrapped to the narthex any time from November 15 to December 6. The Mission Ministry thanks you for your support and the many needy children in DuPage County especially thank you for your outreach of love. (See the “Christian Ed. Notes” below to see how children and youth can participate in this project.)
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
“SHARE THE SPIRIT” - A vision for missions: Beginning Sunday, November 15, through Sunday, December 6, Sunday School classes and youth will be collecting new and gently used hats and mittens for the People’s Resource Center. Please bring these items in any time during the designated weeks and drop them off in the donation box in the narthex. Thank you in advance for your donations. (See the “Share the Spirit” notice above to see other ways to support this project.)
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM – Sunday, December 13
This Sunday, November 15, is the first practice for the Christmas program, “Too-oo-oo-oo Busy,” for all children and youth, directed by Suzanne Tennyson and Lisa Frey. Children and youth who have speaking parts have been given their script. Parents, please practice at home with your child, as there will only be one more practice (dress rehearsal) on December 6, directly after worship). This Sunday we will begin rehearsal in the Sanctuary following worship and afterwards, the entire church family will follow the newly created “SECOND HELPINGS” tradition of a soup and bread meal.
Additionally, Darlene Crilly will be leading the children (Pre-K through third grade) in rehearsal time for the Christmas program songs on Sundays, right after they come downstairs following the Children’s Moment.
What’s coming up in Christian Ed.?
November 15 – Christmas Program Rehearsal and “Second Helpings”
November 29 – No Sunday School; children remain in worship with their families
December 6 – Final Christmas Program Rehearsal (right after worship)
December 13 – Christmas Program
December 27 – No Sunday School; children remain in worship with their families
(There will be no “Second Helpings” in December.)
ADULT BIBLE CLASS: We do not meet this Sunday. See you on the 22nd. Blair
YOUTH NOTES:
SNL this Sunday the usual times: PYNGUINS 6:00 p.m. and SPY 7:00 p.m. Blair will be out of town, but Peter, Jessica, and Alec will be there.
Thanks to all you participated and helped with Sleep Out Saturday, especially the one who ordered the extremely mild weather.
Everybody is welcome to attend the PRESBYTERIAN READERS book club in the parlor next Wednesday, November 18, from 7:30- 8:30 p.m. You still have time to find and read the book for November: “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold.
All women of the church are invited to WOMEN’S CIRCLE this Friday, November 20, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. Betsy Rogers will share her experiences shopping in Africa. Betsy explains: “We are going to visit the informal economy of South Africa, beginning with a look at the informal economy in Langa, a township, where non-whites were located during apartheid and Joe Slovo, an informal settlement that now houses urban poor. I will also answer questions like the following: Where do the women in the informal settlements shop? How do they get around? What can they buy? How do they get water? What other services are available? What is the difference between the products we can buy in the city versus the countryside? Do they have stores like ours? This is an opportunity for those who love to shop and those who love to learn about other countries to get their questions answered. See you there.”
We’d like to stay in touch with our COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS (for birthday and holiday greetings, invitations to gatherings over breaks, College Care packages later in the year, and things like that). Please update your college student or young adult’s mailing and email addresses so we can let them know we care. Thanks!
For your calendar: HANDEL’S “MESSIAH” PERFORMANCE will benefit Walk-In Ministry. St. Petronille Catholic Church in downtown Glen Ellyn will host a community performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on Saturday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. This is a joyful way to usher in the Christmas season. The proceeds from the free-will offering at the concert will benefit the Glen Ellyn Walk-In-Ministry. Please make plans to attend.
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.
COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE coming up on Wednesday, November 25. Donate blood this Thanksgiving and start your holiday shopping with a $10 Target GiftCard. The Heartland Blood Center mobile unit will be in Glen Ellyn from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the B. R. Ryall YMCA (1/2 block north of the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Lambert, just under the Glen Ellyn water tower). Donors will also receive a coupon good for $5.00 off at the YMCA Christmas tree sales trailer. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. Bring photo I.D.! Sign up online at www.heartlandbc.org or call Karen at 708-342-9773.
“I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times...”
Dear Friends,
The officers of our congregation, the deacon and the elders, had a wonderful retreat/joint meeting on Saturday. We began our meeting with worship. We read scripture, sang, prayed, and asked the question, “What are we thankful for at Southminster?” There were many great things we were thankful for. Take a look for yourself. Those results are posted on the leaves on the bulletin board as you enter the building.
We also reflected on who we are and took a look at the development of our web site. We then broke up into small groups, discussed, and asked, “What are our opportunities and challenges?” What was most encouraging to me was the positive enthusiasm, good will and laughter the groups shared. It looks like we see some of the same opportunities and challenges. We also noted that our 50th Anniversary is March 8, 2011. The most beautiful thing to come out of our meeting is the recognition that Jesus Christ is at the center of the Southminster Church Family.
Our discussion will continue at another joint meeting with the deacons and elders on the evening of January 26. There we will ask, “Where is God taking us? Or, Where do we go from here?”
Friends, I encourage you to pray for us, to ask the same questions: “Who are we?” “What are you thankful for at Southminster?” “What are our opportunities and challenges” and “Where is God taking us?” Please share your thoughts with our deacons and elders. Please hold them in prayer. Please know that I am thankful for each of you in my life and in your ministry at Southminster. I am very grateful to our officers, for their joy in service and their presence on Saturday. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The WOMEN’S CIRCLE USED BOOK SALE will take place after church this Sunday in the narthex. You still have time to bring in books before Sunday; put them in the coatroom. The proceeds from the sale will go to the Women’s Circle to support their programs and mission. Call Linda Ellinghausen or Betsy Rogers with questions.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S THANK OFFERING jars will be dedicated on Sunday during the worship service. Please remember to bring your Thank Offering jar on Sunday morning. The Thank Offering gives women a tangible way to express their gratitude for the special blessings in their lives. But you don’t need to have a Thank Offering jar... or even be a woman... to support an offering that goes to projects such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence, and women’s concerns. When the invitation is extended to bring the Thank Offering forward, please feel free to “give as you are blessed,” even if it’s simply the loose change in your pocket.
“SHARE THE SPIRIT” at Christmas! Once again Southminster is joining the People’s Resource Center in helping needy children in DuPage County have a brighter Christmas by buying toys or gift cards for children from ages 0 to 19. When you come to church this Sunday, you’ll find a tree in the narthex with “ornaments” on it. The ornaments will have gift suggestions for the various age groups. Please take an ornament, select a gift, and bring it back unwrapped to the narthex any time from November 15 to December 6. The Mission Ministry thanks you for your support and the many needy children in DuPage County especially thank you for your outreach of love. (See the “Christian Ed. Notes” below to see how children and youth can participate in this project.)
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
“SHARE THE SPIRIT” - A vision for missions: Beginning Sunday, November 15, through Sunday, December 6, Sunday School classes and youth will be collecting new and gently used hats and mittens for the People’s Resource Center. Please bring these items in any time during the designated weeks and drop them off in the donation box in the narthex. Thank you in advance for your donations. (See the “Share the Spirit” notice above to see other ways to support this project.)
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM – Sunday, December 13
This Sunday, November 15, is the first practice for the Christmas program, “Too-oo-oo-oo Busy,” for all children and youth, directed by Suzanne Tennyson and Lisa Frey. Children and youth who have speaking parts have been given their script. Parents, please practice at home with your child, as there will only be one more practice (dress rehearsal) on December 6, directly after worship). This Sunday we will begin rehearsal in the Sanctuary following worship and afterwards, the entire church family will follow the newly created “SECOND HELPINGS” tradition of a soup and bread meal.
Additionally, Darlene Crilly will be leading the children (Pre-K through third grade) in rehearsal time for the Christmas program songs on Sundays, right after they come downstairs following the Children’s Moment.
What’s coming up in Christian Ed.?
November 15 – Christmas Program Rehearsal and “Second Helpings”
November 29 – No Sunday School; children remain in worship with their families
December 6 – Final Christmas Program Rehearsal (right after worship)
December 13 – Christmas Program
December 27 – No Sunday School; children remain in worship with their families
(There will be no “Second Helpings” in December.)
ADULT BIBLE CLASS: We do not meet this Sunday. See you on the 22nd. Blair
YOUTH NOTES:
SNL this Sunday the usual times: PYNGUINS 6:00 p.m. and SPY 7:00 p.m. Blair will be out of town, but Peter, Jessica, and Alec will be there.
Thanks to all you participated and helped with Sleep Out Saturday, especially the one who ordered the extremely mild weather.
Everybody is welcome to attend the PRESBYTERIAN READERS book club in the parlor next Wednesday, November 18, from 7:30- 8:30 p.m. You still have time to find and read the book for November: “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold.
All women of the church are invited to WOMEN’S CIRCLE this Friday, November 20, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. Betsy Rogers will share her experiences shopping in Africa. Betsy explains: “We are going to visit the informal economy of South Africa, beginning with a look at the informal economy in Langa, a township, where non-whites were located during apartheid and Joe Slovo, an informal settlement that now houses urban poor. I will also answer questions like the following: Where do the women in the informal settlements shop? How do they get around? What can they buy? How do they get water? What other services are available? What is the difference between the products we can buy in the city versus the countryside? Do they have stores like ours? This is an opportunity for those who love to shop and those who love to learn about other countries to get their questions answered. See you there.”
We’d like to stay in touch with our COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS (for birthday and holiday greetings, invitations to gatherings over breaks, College Care packages later in the year, and things like that). Please update your college student or young adult’s mailing and email addresses so we can let them know we care. Thanks!
For your calendar: HANDEL’S “MESSIAH” PERFORMANCE will benefit Walk-In Ministry. St. Petronille Catholic Church in downtown Glen Ellyn will host a community performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on Saturday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. This is a joyful way to usher in the Christmas season. The proceeds from the free-will offering at the concert will benefit the Glen Ellyn Walk-In-Ministry. Please make plans to attend.
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.
COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE coming up on Wednesday, November 25. Donate blood this Thanksgiving and start your holiday shopping with a $10 Target GiftCard. The Heartland Blood Center mobile unit will be in Glen Ellyn from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the B. R. Ryall YMCA (1/2 block north of the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Lambert, just under the Glen Ellyn water tower). Donors will also receive a coupon good for $5.00 off at the YMCA Christmas tree sales trailer. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. Bring photo I.D.! Sign up online at www.heartlandbc.org or call Karen at 708-342-9773.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
November 4, 2009
Dear Friends,
Do you recognize this?
Our mission is to provide a spiritual home where people can
- Encounter God as revealed in Jesus Christ,
- Worship, strengthen, and renew their faith,
- Educate themselves and their children according to the teachings of God, as expressed in the Bible, and
- Respond to God’s grace by living as God’s disciples and actively serving others.
It is our Mission Statement. It not only provides our roots, but also our wings.
It has been said that children need “Roots and Wings” in order to thrive. It’s true of everyone, I think, adult or child; we need the nourishment of our roots, our past, and our present in order for our dreams to take wing and fly. It is particularly true for a Church Family. We are rooted in Christ, fed by the Holy Sprit and the fellowship of believers.
This coming Saturday our church officers, the session and the deacons, are going to meet for a fall retreat at Hope Presbyterian Church. We will be looking at our roots, the things we are grateful for, and our dreams, what we sense God is calling us to be and do at Southminster.
I am so very grateful for the hearts of the session and deacon members being open to God and what God may be calling us to. Regarding our church family, I wonder what your roots may be. What gives you joy? What are you grateful for? What gives you energy and hope for the future? What are some of your dreams for your church family? Where would your dreams fly to?
Thanks be to God! We live rooted in love of Jesus Christ and fly on the wings of the Sprit. Please keep me and our officers in prayer for this Saturday. Take it from here!
Love, Wendy
P.S. The youth also need your prayers this weekend. They will be sleeping out this Saturday night for Sleep Out Saturday and then attending worship Sunday morning.
Did you know...?
...that President Woodrow Wilson was a son of a Presbyterian pastor and lifelong Presbyterian? In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations...” When you see a Vet remember to say, “Thank you!”
Announcements:
Our Young Adult Group starts tonight! (It was supposed to be last week but rescheduled due to Wendy’s illness.) Join us at Blair and Wendy’s from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. You still have time to call and let us know you’re coming so we can set a place at the table for you.
Youth! Great news! The weather forecast for Saturday night, Sleep Out Saturday, has been revised. The low temperature is expected to be 44 degrees, instead of the 21 degrees they were saying a couple of days ago! Please let Blair know ASAP if you are participating. We’ll meet at the church at 4:00 p.m. to build our houses and have dinner. Then go to the Rally downtown, then back to church for games ‘n’ stuff. We’ll spend the night and stay right through church. Hey, it will be real cool (lol).
Adult education: We will have our lectionary Bible study this Sunday, but not on November 15.
We’d like to stay in touch with our college students and young adults (for birthday and holiday greetings, invitations to gatherings over breaks, College Care packages later in the year, and things like that). Please update your college student or young adult’s mailing and email addresses so we can let them know we care. Thanks!
Christian Ed. Notes:
Christian Ed Ministry Meeting – this Sunday, November 8, at 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
“Share the Spirit” - A vision for missions: Beginning Sunday, November 15, through Sunday, December 6, Sunday School classes and youth will be collecting new and gently used hats and mittens for the People’s Resource Center. Please bring these items in any time during the designated weeks and drop them off in the donation box in the narthex. Thank you in advance for your donations. (See the “Share the Spirit” notice below to see other ways to support this project.)
It will be here before you know it! CHRISTMAS PROGRAM – Sunday, December 13! Parts are being selected, and we need all children and youth to make a special effort to be at the only two rehearsals. The children and youth program for the November 15 “Second Helpings” will be dedicated to the Christmas Program rehearsal, Pre-K through high school, and will be coordinated by Suzanne Tennyson. We will begin rehearsal in the sanctuary directly after worship. Afterwards, the entire church family will follow the newly created “Second Helpings” tradition of a soup and bread supper. December 6 (directly after worship) will be the final dress rehearsal for the Christmas program.
Acolytes: Thank you to all children who expressed interested in serving as an Acolyte. A schedule will be sent out this week through the end of the school year. There are plenty of weeks open for service if your child is interested at a later time. Please contact Laura Baer at 630-469-9149 or smpcce@ameritech.net with any questions.
Music Ministry: Aside from the November 15 and December 6 Christmas Program rehearsals, Darlene Crilly will also be leading the children in additional rehearsal time on Sundays, directly after the Children’s Moment in Fellowship Hall. |
Candy for PRC: Thank you to all families who brought in their candy offering on Sunday for the People’s Resource Center.
What’s coming up in Christian Ed.?
November 15 – “Second Helpings”/Christmas Program Rehearsal
November 29 – No Sunday School
December 6 – Final Christmas Program Rehearsal (right after worship)
December 13 – Christmas Program
December 27 – No Sunday School
(There will be no “Second Helpings” in December.)
The Women’s Circle Used Book Sale will take place after church on November 15 in the narthex. For those donating books, please put them in the coat closet before the 15th. We would like to get hard- and soft-cover novels and children’s books – books that you would like to take home and read to yourself or your children. Please, no textbooks. The proceeds will go to the Women’s Circle to support their programs and mission. Linda Ellinghausen and Betsy Rogers are the co-chairs for this event.
“Share the Spirit” at Christmas! Once again Southminster is joining the People’s Resource Center in helping needy children in DuPage County have a brighter Christmas by buying toys or gift cards for children from ages 0 to 19. When you come to church on November 15, you’ll find a tree in the narthex with “ornaments” on it. The ornaments will have gift suggestions for the various age groups. Please take an ornament, select a gift, and bring it back unwrapped to the narthex any time from November 15 to December 6. The Mission Ministry thanks you for your support and the many needy children in DuPage County especially thank you for your outreach of love. (See the “Christian Ed. Notes” to see how children and youth can participate in this project.)
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.
Presbyterian Women’s Thank Offering jars will be dedicated on Sunday, November 15, during the worship service. Please remember to bring your Thank Offering jar on Sunday morning. The Thank Offering gives women a tangible way to express their gratitude for the special blessings in their lives. But you don’t need to have a Thank Offering jar… or even be a woman… to support an offering that goes to projects such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence, and women’s concerns. When the invitation is extended to bring the Thank Offering forward, please feel free to “give as you are blessed,” even if it’s simply the loose change in your pocket.
“Share the Spirit” at Christmas! Once again Southminster is joining the People’s Resource Center in helping needy children in DuPage County have a brighter Christmas by buying toys or gift cards for children from ages 0 to 19. When you come to church on November 15, you’ll find a tree in the narthex with “ornaments” on it. The ornaments will have gift suggestions for the various age groups. Please take an ornament, select a gift, and bring it back unwrapped to the narthex any time from November 15 to December 6. The Mission Ministry thanks you for your support and the many needy children in DuPage County especially thank you for your outreach of love. (See the “Christian Ed. Notes” to see how children and youth can participate in this project.)
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.
For your calendar: Handel’s Messiah Performance will benefit Walk-In Ministry.
St. Petronille Catholic Church in downtown Glen Ellyn will host a community performance of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. This is a joyful way to usher in the Christmas season. The proceeds from the free-will offering at the concert will benefit the Glen Ellyn Walk-In-Ministry. Please make plans to attend.
Community blood drive coming up on Wednesday, November 25. Donate blood this Thanksgiving and start your holiday shopping with a $10 Target GiftCard. The Heartland Blood Center mobile unit will be in Glen Ellyn from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the B. R. Ryall YMCA (1/2 block north of the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Lambert, just under the Glen Ellyn water tower). Donors will also receive a coupon good for $5.00 off at the YMCA Christmas tree sales trailer. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. Bring photo I.D.! Sign up online at www.heartlandbc.org or call Karen at 708-342-9773.
Marta Sundquist wrote us last week asking for prayers for her cousin, Scott. (He is the Scott mentioned in the Deacon Care Notes that follow.) “My cousin Scott Othoson had an intestine transplant this week. After a life time of the pain of Crohns disease, he has spent the last 8+ years with only 4 feet of intestine, requiring a daily ritual of 10+ hours on an IV to sustain himself. We are so thankful to God for giving him a successful surgery, and now must pray to help with the tremendous pain that comes with this surgery. Scott is a wonderful man, he not only embraces Gods love, but pours it out as well. Even on his tough days. Please pray for him.”
Do you recognize this?
Our mission is to provide a spiritual home where people can
- Encounter God as revealed in Jesus Christ,
- Worship, strengthen, and renew their faith,
- Educate themselves and their children according to the teachings of God, as expressed in the Bible, and
- Respond to God’s grace by living as God’s disciples and actively serving others.
It is our Mission Statement. It not only provides our roots, but also our wings.
It has been said that children need “Roots and Wings” in order to thrive. It’s true of everyone, I think, adult or child; we need the nourishment of our roots, our past, and our present in order for our dreams to take wing and fly. It is particularly true for a Church Family. We are rooted in Christ, fed by the Holy Sprit and the fellowship of believers.
This coming Saturday our church officers, the session and the deacons, are going to meet for a fall retreat at Hope Presbyterian Church. We will be looking at our roots, the things we are grateful for, and our dreams, what we sense God is calling us to be and do at Southminster.
I am so very grateful for the hearts of the session and deacon members being open to God and what God may be calling us to. Regarding our church family, I wonder what your roots may be. What gives you joy? What are you grateful for? What gives you energy and hope for the future? What are some of your dreams for your church family? Where would your dreams fly to?
Thanks be to God! We live rooted in love of Jesus Christ and fly on the wings of the Sprit. Please keep me and our officers in prayer for this Saturday. Take it from here!
Love, Wendy
P.S. The youth also need your prayers this weekend. They will be sleeping out this Saturday night for Sleep Out Saturday and then attending worship Sunday morning.
Did you know...?
...that President Woodrow Wilson was a son of a Presbyterian pastor and lifelong Presbyterian? In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations...” When you see a Vet remember to say, “Thank you!”
Announcements:
Our Young Adult Group starts tonight! (It was supposed to be last week but rescheduled due to Wendy’s illness.) Join us at Blair and Wendy’s from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. You still have time to call and let us know you’re coming so we can set a place at the table for you.
Youth! Great news! The weather forecast for Saturday night, Sleep Out Saturday, has been revised. The low temperature is expected to be 44 degrees, instead of the 21 degrees they were saying a couple of days ago! Please let Blair know ASAP if you are participating. We’ll meet at the church at 4:00 p.m. to build our houses and have dinner. Then go to the Rally downtown, then back to church for games ‘n’ stuff. We’ll spend the night and stay right through church. Hey, it will be real cool (lol).
Adult education: We will have our lectionary Bible study this Sunday, but not on November 15.
We’d like to stay in touch with our college students and young adults (for birthday and holiday greetings, invitations to gatherings over breaks, College Care packages later in the year, and things like that). Please update your college student or young adult’s mailing and email addresses so we can let them know we care. Thanks!
Christian Ed. Notes:
Christian Ed Ministry Meeting – this Sunday, November 8, at 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
“Share the Spirit” - A vision for missions: Beginning Sunday, November 15, through Sunday, December 6, Sunday School classes and youth will be collecting new and gently used hats and mittens for the People’s Resource Center. Please bring these items in any time during the designated weeks and drop them off in the donation box in the narthex. Thank you in advance for your donations. (See the “Share the Spirit” notice below to see other ways to support this project.)
It will be here before you know it! CHRISTMAS PROGRAM – Sunday, December 13! Parts are being selected, and we need all children and youth to make a special effort to be at the only two rehearsals. The children and youth program for the November 15 “Second Helpings” will be dedicated to the Christmas Program rehearsal, Pre-K through high school, and will be coordinated by Suzanne Tennyson. We will begin rehearsal in the sanctuary directly after worship. Afterwards, the entire church family will follow the newly created “Second Helpings” tradition of a soup and bread supper. December 6 (directly after worship) will be the final dress rehearsal for the Christmas program.
Acolytes: Thank you to all children who expressed interested in serving as an Acolyte. A schedule will be sent out this week through the end of the school year. There are plenty of weeks open for service if your child is interested at a later time. Please contact Laura Baer at 630-469-9149 or smpcce@ameritech.net with any questions.
Music Ministry: Aside from the November 15 and December 6 Christmas Program rehearsals, Darlene Crilly will also be leading the children in additional rehearsal time on Sundays, directly after the Children’s Moment in Fellowship Hall. |
Candy for PRC: Thank you to all families who brought in their candy offering on Sunday for the People’s Resource Center.
What’s coming up in Christian Ed.?
November 15 – “Second Helpings”/Christmas Program Rehearsal
November 29 – No Sunday School
December 6 – Final Christmas Program Rehearsal (right after worship)
December 13 – Christmas Program
December 27 – No Sunday School
(There will be no “Second Helpings” in December.)
The Women’s Circle Used Book Sale will take place after church on November 15 in the narthex. For those donating books, please put them in the coat closet before the 15th. We would like to get hard- and soft-cover novels and children’s books – books that you would like to take home and read to yourself or your children. Please, no textbooks. The proceeds will go to the Women’s Circle to support their programs and mission. Linda Ellinghausen and Betsy Rogers are the co-chairs for this event.
“Share the Spirit” at Christmas! Once again Southminster is joining the People’s Resource Center in helping needy children in DuPage County have a brighter Christmas by buying toys or gift cards for children from ages 0 to 19. When you come to church on November 15, you’ll find a tree in the narthex with “ornaments” on it. The ornaments will have gift suggestions for the various age groups. Please take an ornament, select a gift, and bring it back unwrapped to the narthex any time from November 15 to December 6. The Mission Ministry thanks you for your support and the many needy children in DuPage County especially thank you for your outreach of love. (See the “Christian Ed. Notes” to see how children and youth can participate in this project.)
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.
Presbyterian Women’s Thank Offering jars will be dedicated on Sunday, November 15, during the worship service. Please remember to bring your Thank Offering jar on Sunday morning. The Thank Offering gives women a tangible way to express their gratitude for the special blessings in their lives. But you don’t need to have a Thank Offering jar… or even be a woman… to support an offering that goes to projects such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence, and women’s concerns. When the invitation is extended to bring the Thank Offering forward, please feel free to “give as you are blessed,” even if it’s simply the loose change in your pocket.
“Share the Spirit” at Christmas! Once again Southminster is joining the People’s Resource Center in helping needy children in DuPage County have a brighter Christmas by buying toys or gift cards for children from ages 0 to 19. When you come to church on November 15, you’ll find a tree in the narthex with “ornaments” on it. The ornaments will have gift suggestions for the various age groups. Please take an ornament, select a gift, and bring it back unwrapped to the narthex any time from November 15 to December 6. The Mission Ministry thanks you for your support and the many needy children in DuPage County especially thank you for your outreach of love. (See the “Christian Ed. Notes” to see how children and youth can participate in this project.)
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.
For your calendar: Handel’s Messiah Performance will benefit Walk-In Ministry.
St. Petronille Catholic Church in downtown Glen Ellyn will host a community performance of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. This is a joyful way to usher in the Christmas season. The proceeds from the free-will offering at the concert will benefit the Glen Ellyn Walk-In-Ministry. Please make plans to attend.
Community blood drive coming up on Wednesday, November 25. Donate blood this Thanksgiving and start your holiday shopping with a $10 Target GiftCard. The Heartland Blood Center mobile unit will be in Glen Ellyn from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the B. R. Ryall YMCA (1/2 block north of the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Lambert, just under the Glen Ellyn water tower). Donors will also receive a coupon good for $5.00 off at the YMCA Christmas tree sales trailer. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. Bring photo I.D.! Sign up online at www.heartlandbc.org or call Karen at 708-342-9773.
Marta Sundquist wrote us last week asking for prayers for her cousin, Scott. (He is the Scott mentioned in the Deacon Care Notes that follow.) “My cousin Scott Othoson had an intestine transplant this week. After a life time of the pain of Crohns disease, he has spent the last 8+ years with only 4 feet of intestine, requiring a daily ritual of 10+ hours on an IV to sustain himself. We are so thankful to God for giving him a successful surgery, and now must pray to help with the tremendous pain that comes with this surgery. Scott is a wonderful man, he not only embraces Gods love, but pours it out as well. Even on his tough days. Please pray for him.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
