Southminster E-Notes for October 28, 2009
Pastor Wendy has been ill all week. Please pray for her health and strength so she can return to us quickly.
Announcements:
Names are due today, please. This Sunday, November 1, we 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 today (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.
Due to Wendy’s illness, our Young Adult Group, which was to start tonight, will meet next Wednesday night instead.
This Sunday marks the end of Daylight Saving Time. Don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour before you go to bed on Saturday night.
This Sunday––and the first Sunday of every month––is the day we bring offerings for the People’s Resource Center. The November emphasis is coffee, tea, and sugar. Donations can be placed in the narthex (near the stairwell to Fellowship Hall).
Christian Ed. Notes:
Third Grade Bible: This Sunday, November 1, our only third grader, Dakota Dolister, will receive her Bible during the Sunday School hour. Please pray for God to keep Dakota’s heart open to His grace, mercy and wisdom.
Class Feature – Preschool: Be sure to catch the Preschool class feature in the upcoming November Dialog. You can get a first-hand glimpse into what our youngest Sunday School class is learning!
“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.
Coming soon! CHRISTMAS PROGRAM – Sunday, December 13
The children’s program for the November 15 Second Helpings will be dedicated to the Christmas Program rehearsal for all children and youth (Pre-K through high school.), coordinated by Suzanne Tennyson. We will begin rehearsal in the sanctuary directly after worship and afterwards, the entire church family will follow the newly created Second Helpings tradition of a soup and bread lunch. December 6 (right after worship) will be the final dress rehearsal for the Christmas program.
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, immediately after the children come downstairs for Sunday school.
Mark your Calendars for these Christian Ed. dates!
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.)
SLEEP OUT SATURDAY is soon, and we need some hardy adults to participate. Would you like to bless our youth by spending Saturday night, November 7, with them? (Or spend a part of it: if we get enough adults, you could do shifts!) Contact Blair, if you can help
SPY and PYNGUINS: It is time to commit! Let Blair know soon if you are committed to Sleep Out Saturday. Details will be on the group facebook site soon.
ADULT EDUCATION class: please note that we will be having our lectionary study November 1 and 8, but not on November 15.
The Women’s Circle Used Book Sale will take place after church on November 15 in the narthex. For those donating books, please bring them beginning this Sunday and put them in the coat closet. 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.
At our next Ladies Breakfast on Monday, November 2, we will have a Fall towel (kitchen, etc.) exchange instead of a sock exchange. Please join us at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP at Danada Square East, with or without a towel. Hope to see you there!
Committee Moderators and staff members are reminded that budget requests are due a week from Friday (November 6).
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.
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).
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
October 21, 2009
Ephesians 1:18-19
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Dear Friends,
2009 is the 500th birthday of John Calvin! This Sunday is Reformation Sunday, and we will remember the founder of Reformed Christianity and his faithfulness to Jesus Christ.
What do you know about John Calvin? Not much, probably. Unlike Lutherans and Methodists, we Presbyterians shy away from putting our heroes on pedestals. In fact, one of our elders at Southminster told me he was an “old sour puss.” If you look at his pictures you can see her point of view. In order to discourage veneration, he specified that he be buried in Geneva’s common cemetery in an unmarked grave. His house no longer stands, and no one even knows where it was. Anyone spending time in a Presbyterian meeting would not be surprised that he started out life as a lawyer.
There are two things that I would like you to know about John Calvin. One is his idea that we need Holy Spirit glasses when we read scripture. The way he put it is was, “Just as eyes, when dimmed with age or weakness or by some other defect, unless aided by spectacles, discern nothing distinctly; so such is our feebleness, unless Scripture guides us in seeking God, we are immediately confused.” Scripture is important to us because it helps us to live honestly in the world. Scripture helps us to see God truthfully, ourselves honestly, and God’s Way in the world clearly. The other was his personal prayer as request for “an unwavering declaration of surrender to the Lord, whom he sought to love with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.” His seal was a hand holding a heart offered to God.
This Sunday we will be offering our hearts to God as well. During the affirmation of faith we will have an opportunity to place commitment cards in our offering plates. These commitments range from declaring your pledge for 2010 to remembering our church family in prayer. Your commitment is personal and between only you and God. We will also host guests from Ghana Presbytery in Ghana. Join us in the parlor following worship for a chance to hear more about our sisters and brothers in Ghana. What a wonderful opportunity to share our faith with one another. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
Announcements:
If you missed the deadline (yesterday) for the November Dialog, get your information together right now and hit Reply. November and December are very busy times in the life of any church, and our members definitely want to know what’s going on.
We start tonight! 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. Tonight is our first get-together; 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.
Mission is pleased to welcome 2 visitors from the Presbytery of Ghana this Sunday, October 25. They will be participating in worship with Pastor Wendy, as well as giving a short presentation in the parlor following the service. Dr. Quarshie is one of the founders of ACI, the first Presbyterian seminary in Ghana. If you can’t stay and hear their presentation, please stop by the reception in their honor and give our fellow brother- and-sister-in-Christ a warm Southminster welcome! How exciting it is to share our faith with international visitors on the same Sunday Gretchen and Bill are with our sister church in Guanabacoa, Cuba. We are truly “One in the Spirit.”
Adult Education: This Sunday, October 25, we not have our Sunday morning adult class so we can spend time with our guests from Ghana. Neither will there be a class November 15: Blair will be out of town.
Women’s Bible Study is meeting on 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.
Christian Ed. Notes:
Tithing Halloween Candy: Parents, please talk to your child/children about contributing a free-will offering (tithe) of their Halloween candy this year to the PRC. If they bring their tithe in on Sunday, November 1, it will be delivered to the PRC that week.
Acolytes: We are still praying to get more children on board who want to be an Acolytes for the remaining year. A schedule will soon be published with each child serving three-four times per year. Please call the church office or email Laura Baer at smpcce@ameritech.net if your child is interested.
Music Ministry: Great singing job by our Pre-K - third graders this past Sunday! This concludes the formal music ministry for the children for 2009, as we now set our sights on the Christmas Program.
On Sunday, November 1, our only third grader, Dakota Dolister will receive her Bible during the Sunday School hour. If you see Dakota (often helping her mom out in the nursery), please congratulate her and let her know that you are praying for her to grow in God’s wisdom and grace.
The November 15 “Second Helpings” will be dedicated to the Christmas Program rehearsal from Pre-K through high school. We will begin directly after worship with selection of parts and rehearsing. Our program this year is being coordinated by Suzanne Tennyson. We will follow with the “Second Helpings” tradition of a soup and bread supper for the entire church family.
Mark your Calendars for these Christian Ed. dates!
November 15 – Second Helpings/Christmas Program Rehearsal
November 29 – No Sunday School
December 6 – Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal after worship
December 13 – Christmas Program
(There will be no “Second Helpings” in December.)
SPY and PYNGUINS: For those of you not going to iWITNESS, join us for SLEEP OUT SATURDAY: November 7, all night long! Do you need practice being cold? Probably not. But lots of people don’t get that choice because they have no warm homes to be in at night. Sleep Out Saturday is an event sponsored by Bridge Communities to educate us about the homeless. We’ll sleep out on the church lawn in a cardboard city to experience homelessness first hand (sort of). There will also be a rally, games, and lots of fun stuff. Blair’s gonna need a head-count, so let him know that you are planning on it.
Grown-ups: Because there are two youth events November 7 we need some folks to help. Please contact Blair if you can participate in Sleep Out Saturday as chaperone. Also, we need corrugated cardboard for Sleep Out Saturday. Again, contact Blair if you have some to spare, and who doesn’t?
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.
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 next Wednesday, 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.
The Women’s Circle Used Book Sale will take place after church on November 15 in the narthex. For those donating books, please bring them in after November 1 and put them in the coat closet. 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.
At our next Ladies Breakfast on Monday, November 2, we will have a Fall towel (kitchen, etc.) exchange instead of a sock exchange. Please join us at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP at Danada Square East, with or without a towel. Hope to see you there!
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.
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).
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Dear Friends,
2009 is the 500th birthday of John Calvin! This Sunday is Reformation Sunday, and we will remember the founder of Reformed Christianity and his faithfulness to Jesus Christ.
What do you know about John Calvin? Not much, probably. Unlike Lutherans and Methodists, we Presbyterians shy away from putting our heroes on pedestals. In fact, one of our elders at Southminster told me he was an “old sour puss.” If you look at his pictures you can see her point of view. In order to discourage veneration, he specified that he be buried in Geneva’s common cemetery in an unmarked grave. His house no longer stands, and no one even knows where it was. Anyone spending time in a Presbyterian meeting would not be surprised that he started out life as a lawyer.
There are two things that I would like you to know about John Calvin. One is his idea that we need Holy Spirit glasses when we read scripture. The way he put it is was, “Just as eyes, when dimmed with age or weakness or by some other defect, unless aided by spectacles, discern nothing distinctly; so such is our feebleness, unless Scripture guides us in seeking God, we are immediately confused.” Scripture is important to us because it helps us to live honestly in the world. Scripture helps us to see God truthfully, ourselves honestly, and God’s Way in the world clearly. The other was his personal prayer as request for “an unwavering declaration of surrender to the Lord, whom he sought to love with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.” His seal was a hand holding a heart offered to God.
This Sunday we will be offering our hearts to God as well. During the affirmation of faith we will have an opportunity to place commitment cards in our offering plates. These commitments range from declaring your pledge for 2010 to remembering our church family in prayer. Your commitment is personal and between only you and God. We will also host guests from Ghana Presbytery in Ghana. Join us in the parlor following worship for a chance to hear more about our sisters and brothers in Ghana. What a wonderful opportunity to share our faith with one another. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
Announcements:
If you missed the deadline (yesterday) for the November Dialog, get your information together right now and hit Reply. November and December are very busy times in the life of any church, and our members definitely want to know what’s going on.
We start tonight! 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. Tonight is our first get-together; 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.
Mission is pleased to welcome 2 visitors from the Presbytery of Ghana this Sunday, October 25. They will be participating in worship with Pastor Wendy, as well as giving a short presentation in the parlor following the service. Dr. Quarshie is one of the founders of ACI, the first Presbyterian seminary in Ghana. If you can’t stay and hear their presentation, please stop by the reception in their honor and give our fellow brother- and-sister-in-Christ a warm Southminster welcome! How exciting it is to share our faith with international visitors on the same Sunday Gretchen and Bill are with our sister church in Guanabacoa, Cuba. We are truly “One in the Spirit.”
Adult Education: This Sunday, October 25, we not have our Sunday morning adult class so we can spend time with our guests from Ghana. Neither will there be a class November 15: Blair will be out of town.
Women’s Bible Study is meeting on 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.
Christian Ed. Notes:
Tithing Halloween Candy: Parents, please talk to your child/children about contributing a free-will offering (tithe) of their Halloween candy this year to the PRC. If they bring their tithe in on Sunday, November 1, it will be delivered to the PRC that week.
Acolytes: We are still praying to get more children on board who want to be an Acolytes for the remaining year. A schedule will soon be published with each child serving three-four times per year. Please call the church office or email Laura Baer at smpcce@ameritech.net if your child is interested.
Music Ministry: Great singing job by our Pre-K - third graders this past Sunday! This concludes the formal music ministry for the children for 2009, as we now set our sights on the Christmas Program.
On Sunday, November 1, our only third grader, Dakota Dolister will receive her Bible during the Sunday School hour. If you see Dakota (often helping her mom out in the nursery), please congratulate her and let her know that you are praying for her to grow in God’s wisdom and grace.
The November 15 “Second Helpings” will be dedicated to the Christmas Program rehearsal from Pre-K through high school. We will begin directly after worship with selection of parts and rehearsing. Our program this year is being coordinated by Suzanne Tennyson. We will follow with the “Second Helpings” tradition of a soup and bread supper for the entire church family.
Mark your Calendars for these Christian Ed. dates!
November 15 – Second Helpings/Christmas Program Rehearsal
November 29 – No Sunday School
December 6 – Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal after worship
December 13 – Christmas Program
(There will be no “Second Helpings” in December.)
SPY and PYNGUINS: For those of you not going to iWITNESS, join us for SLEEP OUT SATURDAY: November 7, all night long! Do you need practice being cold? Probably not. But lots of people don’t get that choice because they have no warm homes to be in at night. Sleep Out Saturday is an event sponsored by Bridge Communities to educate us about the homeless. We’ll sleep out on the church lawn in a cardboard city to experience homelessness first hand (sort of). There will also be a rally, games, and lots of fun stuff. Blair’s gonna need a head-count, so let him know that you are planning on it.
Grown-ups: Because there are two youth events November 7 we need some folks to help. Please contact Blair if you can participate in Sleep Out Saturday as chaperone. Also, we need corrugated cardboard for Sleep Out Saturday. Again, contact Blair if you have some to spare, and who doesn’t?
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.
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 next Wednesday, 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.
The Women’s Circle Used Book Sale will take place after church on November 15 in the narthex. For those donating books, please bring them in after November 1 and put them in the coat closet. 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.
At our next Ladies Breakfast on Monday, November 2, we will have a Fall towel (kitchen, etc.) exchange instead of a sock exchange. Please join us at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP at Danada Square East, with or without a towel. Hope to see you there!
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.
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).
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14, 2009
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).
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).
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
October 7, 2009
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).
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).
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