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.
