Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 (New International Version)
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Dear Friends,
The church parking lot has a new top coat, and it is beautiful. Of course, none of us can park on it yet; it is too new.
Recently, a member of our congregation told me about a neighbor who won’t go to any church because churches are full of hypocrites. The way I see it church isn’t the only place we find hypocrites, they are found in churches and outside of churches. The difference between the outside and the inside is that we are aware that we are saved by grace. We know that we have shortcomings, faults, and sins. We are just forgiven and made new, as it says in the bible verse above. Life still hands us abundant opportunities to make mistakes. Life also give us opportunities to do things right. There was a time when people put off becoming Christians because the thought was a person couldn’t be forgiven for their sins after their confession in Jesus Christ. Thank God, literally because Presbyterians do not believe that. We can always ask for forgiveness.
Being made new is a journey. Through Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven and by the presence of the Holy Spirit our character changes. We grow. It is good to remember that people are looking at us and wondering if we walk the talk. Let us walk with faith in Jesus Christ.
On Sunday, you will be driving on brand new black top. Time will take its toll. In a few years it will be time for a new coat of black top. Thanks be to God we can be made new each and every day. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
P.S. It was so nice on Sunday to be home with my church family.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST DIALOG was yesterday. If you missed it, reply to this email and attach your article or calendar item. Do it right now. Please!
INTERESTED IN VISITING CUBA? We are planning another trip in the fall of 2010 to visit our sister church in Guanabacoa. The dates for the trip are November 7 through November 15. We will need to submit names of people who will be going by August 15 in order to allow time to obtain visas. The cost of the trip is $1,800 per person. This covers all air fares, overnight stays, and meals and transportation while in Cuba. If you are interested in going on this trip or just asking questions about it, contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377).
CHURCH RETREAT: It’s not too late to sign up for the Southminster Church Retreat at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI!! Please add your name to the list or contact Andrea Schmidt if you have any questions. Remember that we will be arriving Friday afternoon/evening, August 20 and departing Sunday morning, August 22.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about the Good Samaritan and what it means to help others. Thank you to all the volunteers who have signed up to teach/help this summer. We still need help in August. The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. PLEASE help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Starts this coming Monday, July 26-30 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.! Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. It’s not too late to register. Register on-line at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/SouthminsterHighSeas or at the church. Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
LIST OF ITEMS STILL NEEDED FOR VBS:
12 - empty 2-liter bottles
1 - Roll of cellophane (for portholes)
4 - Small blankets
1 - Box fans
Fishing nets
Please let Rebecca Hecker if you can provide any items.
VBS MISSION: This year’s VBS mission project is to collect school supplies for children and youth in need. Several of our members at Southminster are teachers who have an increasing number of such students. You can help by bringing school supplies any night during VBS, or by dropping them off at Southminster by Sunday, August 1st. Let’s help our neighbors get ready for an awesome school year!
The following are the specific needs:
Crayons (24 count or larger)
White glue in plastic bottles
Glue sticks
Markers (sets of broad tip or fine line markers)
Permanent markers (either individual black fine tip markers, or small sets of markers)
Loose leaf notebook paper (wide line preferred)
Pencils (#2, not mechanical)
Watercolor sets of 8 paints
Construction paper (all colors)
VBS VOLUNTEERS: Youth volunteers, remember to come this Friday night at 6:30 to learn about this year’s VBS theme, get your assignments, tie-dye your VBS t-shirt and eat pizza! ALL volunteers are needed Saturday morning at 9:00 to help turn the church into a huge ship! The more volunteers we have, the less time it should take to decorate. Also, all volunteers who didn’t tie-dye the night before, will tie-dye their VBS shirt. Come prepared to get dirty!
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Wow, summer is half over, and we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. HELP! One teacher is needed for the Kindergarten class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
July 25 - Sunday School topic: The Good Samaritan
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School - Come aboard for great fun! (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
August - Jonah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Esther
YOUTH:
Great America - this Sunday, leaving after worship. Last call for anyone, SPY and PYNGUINS, interested in Great America. Let Blair know ASAP if you haven’t already let him know!
Upcoming YOUTH events, for SPY and PYNGUINS: “Loop day,” August 15, and “Lock-In” August 28-29.
FROM YOUR LIBRARY: Be sure to check the library table in the narthex all this month for summer reading. There will be many new books, so check every week.
The time is NOW and we need YOUR help to save the Presbyterian Camps!! Please prayerfully consider MAKING A PLEDGE TO LAKESHORE CHRISTIAN CAMPING to ensure the camping experience will continue for another 100 years. Informational pamphlets with pledge cards are available on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary. Please visit the LCC website at www.prescampsforever.org or contact Andrea Schmidt, Sid Peterson or Norm Ellsworth with any questions.
RAISING FUNDS FOR LCC: Jubilee Resale, Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. A great selection of resale items, and all the profits will go to LCC! All sales are cash only. In the Fellowship Hall of Community Presbyterian Church, 39 N. Prospect, Clarendon Hills.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
July 14, 2010
Dear Friends,
I am on vacation. During the year various people send me forwards. Some are great! While I am on my vacation I would like to share some of them with you. Here is one. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
Big Brothers and Sisters
Am I my brother’s keeper? (Genesis 4:9)
We were having dinner recently with four couples. As the evening progressed, one of them shared her struggle with a sister, who at the age of 45 is chronically ill and likely a hypochondriac. This prompted another friend to share how his brother was in an unhealthy, codependent relationship with his 90-year-old mother. Around the table it went, each of them with their own story to tell about strain with an adult sibling.
As my wife and I drove home, the thought struck me: The problem with families is that all of us come from one! They can indeed be stormy at times, defying predictability, routinely disruptive--a lot like Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Perhaps one of you is estranged from a brother or sister.
Perhaps many months or even years have gone by since you’ve talked with or seen each other. Perhaps you have a sibling who still doesn’t have his or her life together and continues taking advantage of your parents. Perhaps no matter what you or anyone else does to help, he or she cannot walk a straight line, keep a job, or stay out of trouble.
I believe wisdom offers us three principles in trying to deal with this:
- Realize you’re not alone. Sibling difficulty was an issue in the very first family--something between Cain and Abel, as I recall--and it continues to stain most families today as they age and expand. What you’re dealing with is unfortunately more normal than abnormal.
- Stop trying to change them. If you have a tendency to be the 9-1-1 rescue responder, resign from that role. Put your trust in a big God, and turn the job over to Him. He’s good at it.
- Forgive them. Resist resentment. Stop punishing them. Give them the grace and mercy you have received from the Lord, and choose to love them, even if it must be from a safe distance.
Discuss. Rather than recounting the troubles between you and your adult siblings (or your parents), take time to discuss how you could apply these three principles to your situation.
And Pray. Pray for them. Never stop praying for them. Really praying.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SOLACE SINGLES is planning two upcoming concert outings. Sign-up sheets for both are in the narthex. (Note the July 16 -that’s this Friday!- reservation deadline for the second concert!) Call Barb Seymour for details (630-752-0656).
Wheaton Band Festival (free) on Friday, July 16 at Wheaton Memorial Park, 7:15 p.m., featuring the Chicago Brass Band and Switch Time Jazz Ensemble.
Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert at Glenbard South High School on Saturday, August 7, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $29 each; deadline for tickets is July 16.
QUILT MINISTRY: Our next meeting is Monday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. (Our “regular” date would have been July 12, but we changed it because of the outing to the Cougars game.) We welcome all levels of experience, especially those who enjoy sewing simple 8" blocks, straight lines only! Some volunteers tie knots with pearl cotton thread, some arrange blocks to make a beautiful quilt top. We welcome and “need” you with any gift and talent you have. Can’t come this month? Join us Monday, August 9, same time, same place. Questions? Contact Sue Knisely (462-7140) or Sue Clary (790-1109).
The DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST DIALOG is this coming Tuesday, July 20.
INTERESTED IN VISITING CUBA? We are planning another trip in the fall of 2010 to visit our sister church in Guanabacoa. The dates for the trip are November 7 through November 15. We will need to submit names of people who will be going by August 15 in order to allow time to obtain visas. The cost of the trip is $1,800 per person. This covers all air fares, overnight stays, and meals and transportation while in Cuba. If you are interested in going on this trip or just asking questions about it, contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377).
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. Thank you to all the volunteers who have signed up to teach/help this summer. We have one more open spot in July (need a helper on July 25) and most of August is open. The sign-up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. PLEASE help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: July 26-30 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m! Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. Register online at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/SouthminsterHighSeas or at the church. Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
You can help! Here’s a list of items still needed for VBS:
12 - empty 2-liter bottles
2 - Rolls of cellophane (for portholes)
4 - Small blankets
1 - Box fans
50 - Chinet paper plates (round - to make frisbees)
6 - Boxes Pringles Baked Wheat Sticks
3 - Bags Snyder’s Pretzel Square Shaped
2 - Bags M & M’s
2 - Boxes Honey Nut Cheerios
4 - Bags BLUE corn tortilla chips
4 - Containers ranch dip/dressing
4 – 8 oz. packages mild cheddar cheese
5 - Boxes chocolate graham crackers
5 - Containers Cool Whip
4 - Cans cherry pie filling
4 - Cantaloupe
2 - Watermelons
2 - Lbs. green grapes
2 - Lbs. red grapes
Please let Rebecca Hecker if you can provide any items.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS:
Youth training meeting will be held Friday, July 23, at 6:30 p.m. Be prepared to eat pizza and tie dye your VBS shirt!
ALL volunteers are needed to decorate on Saturday morning, July 24, from 9-12:00. Tie-dying will also be done, so be prepared to get dirty!
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Wow, summer is half over, and we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
July 18 - Sunday School topic: Sermon on the Mount
July 25 - Sunday School topic: The Good Samaritan (Need helper for this lesson)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School! Come aboard for great fun! (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
August - Jonah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Esther
FROM YOUR LIBRARY: Be sure to check the library table in the narthex all this month for summer reading. There will be many new books, so check every week.
SUMMER FUN EVENTS FOR YOUTH:
July 25 - Great America (after church). Check Facebook and reserve your spot by this Monday, July 19!
Aug. 15 - Loop Day (after church)
Aug. 28-29 - Launching-into-the-School-Year Lock-In.
Watch all the usual places for details!
UPDATE ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA: ESSE Center has sent information about this informative presentation. Arshea Siddiqiqui, M.D., a highly regarded Geriatrician with Adventist Midwest Geriatric Specialists, one of the leading geriatric practices in the Chicago area will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. The program is tonight -Wednesday, July 14- at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton. Registration and refreshments will be 6:30-7:00 p.m. with the presentation from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Call for reservations 630-260-3773.
I am on vacation. During the year various people send me forwards. Some are great! While I am on my vacation I would like to share some of them with you. Here is one. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
Big Brothers and Sisters
Am I my brother’s keeper? (Genesis 4:9)
We were having dinner recently with four couples. As the evening progressed, one of them shared her struggle with a sister, who at the age of 45 is chronically ill and likely a hypochondriac. This prompted another friend to share how his brother was in an unhealthy, codependent relationship with his 90-year-old mother. Around the table it went, each of them with their own story to tell about strain with an adult sibling.
As my wife and I drove home, the thought struck me: The problem with families is that all of us come from one! They can indeed be stormy at times, defying predictability, routinely disruptive--a lot like Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Perhaps one of you is estranged from a brother or sister.
Perhaps many months or even years have gone by since you’ve talked with or seen each other. Perhaps you have a sibling who still doesn’t have his or her life together and continues taking advantage of your parents. Perhaps no matter what you or anyone else does to help, he or she cannot walk a straight line, keep a job, or stay out of trouble.
I believe wisdom offers us three principles in trying to deal with this:
- Realize you’re not alone. Sibling difficulty was an issue in the very first family--something between Cain and Abel, as I recall--and it continues to stain most families today as they age and expand. What you’re dealing with is unfortunately more normal than abnormal.
- Stop trying to change them. If you have a tendency to be the 9-1-1 rescue responder, resign from that role. Put your trust in a big God, and turn the job over to Him. He’s good at it.
- Forgive them. Resist resentment. Stop punishing them. Give them the grace and mercy you have received from the Lord, and choose to love them, even if it must be from a safe distance.
Discuss. Rather than recounting the troubles between you and your adult siblings (or your parents), take time to discuss how you could apply these three principles to your situation.
And Pray. Pray for them. Never stop praying for them. Really praying.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SOLACE SINGLES is planning two upcoming concert outings. Sign-up sheets for both are in the narthex. (Note the July 16 -that’s this Friday!- reservation deadline for the second concert!) Call Barb Seymour for details (630-752-0656).
Wheaton Band Festival (free) on Friday, July 16 at Wheaton Memorial Park, 7:15 p.m., featuring the Chicago Brass Band and Switch Time Jazz Ensemble.
Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert at Glenbard South High School on Saturday, August 7, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $29 each; deadline for tickets is July 16.
QUILT MINISTRY: Our next meeting is Monday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. (Our “regular” date would have been July 12, but we changed it because of the outing to the Cougars game.) We welcome all levels of experience, especially those who enjoy sewing simple 8" blocks, straight lines only! Some volunteers tie knots with pearl cotton thread, some arrange blocks to make a beautiful quilt top. We welcome and “need” you with any gift and talent you have. Can’t come this month? Join us Monday, August 9, same time, same place. Questions? Contact Sue Knisely (462-7140) or Sue Clary (790-1109).
The DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST DIALOG is this coming Tuesday, July 20.
INTERESTED IN VISITING CUBA? We are planning another trip in the fall of 2010 to visit our sister church in Guanabacoa. The dates for the trip are November 7 through November 15. We will need to submit names of people who will be going by August 15 in order to allow time to obtain visas. The cost of the trip is $1,800 per person. This covers all air fares, overnight stays, and meals and transportation while in Cuba. If you are interested in going on this trip or just asking questions about it, contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377).
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. Thank you to all the volunteers who have signed up to teach/help this summer. We have one more open spot in July (need a helper on July 25) and most of August is open. The sign-up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. PLEASE help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: July 26-30 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m! Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. Register online at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/SouthminsterHighSeas or at the church. Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
You can help! Here’s a list of items still needed for VBS:
12 - empty 2-liter bottles
2 - Rolls of cellophane (for portholes)
4 - Small blankets
1 - Box fans
50 - Chinet paper plates (round - to make frisbees)
6 - Boxes Pringles Baked Wheat Sticks
3 - Bags Snyder’s Pretzel Square Shaped
2 - Bags M & M’s
2 - Boxes Honey Nut Cheerios
4 - Bags BLUE corn tortilla chips
4 - Containers ranch dip/dressing
4 – 8 oz. packages mild cheddar cheese
5 - Boxes chocolate graham crackers
5 - Containers Cool Whip
4 - Cans cherry pie filling
4 - Cantaloupe
2 - Watermelons
2 - Lbs. green grapes
2 - Lbs. red grapes
Please let Rebecca Hecker if you can provide any items.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS:
Youth training meeting will be held Friday, July 23, at 6:30 p.m. Be prepared to eat pizza and tie dye your VBS shirt!
ALL volunteers are needed to decorate on Saturday morning, July 24, from 9-12:00. Tie-dying will also be done, so be prepared to get dirty!
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Wow, summer is half over, and we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
July 18 - Sunday School topic: Sermon on the Mount
July 25 - Sunday School topic: The Good Samaritan (Need helper for this lesson)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School! Come aboard for great fun! (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
August - Jonah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Esther
FROM YOUR LIBRARY: Be sure to check the library table in the narthex all this month for summer reading. There will be many new books, so check every week.
SUMMER FUN EVENTS FOR YOUTH:
July 25 - Great America (after church). Check Facebook and reserve your spot by this Monday, July 19!
Aug. 15 - Loop Day (after church)
Aug. 28-29 - Launching-into-the-School-Year Lock-In.
Watch all the usual places for details!
UPDATE ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA: ESSE Center has sent information about this informative presentation. Arshea Siddiqiqui, M.D., a highly regarded Geriatrician with Adventist Midwest Geriatric Specialists, one of the leading geriatric practices in the Chicago area will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. The program is tonight -Wednesday, July 14- at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton. Registration and refreshments will be 6:30-7:00 p.m. with the presentation from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Call for reservations 630-260-3773.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
July 7, 2010
Dear Friends,
I am on vacation. During the year various people send me forwards. Some are great! While I am on my vacation I would like to share some of them with you. Here is one. It is not true, but it is one to make us think. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
Texas Beer Joint Sues Church
In Mt. Vernon, Texas, Drummond’s Bar began construction on a new building to increase their business. In response, the local Baptist church started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayers. Work progressed right up until the week before opening when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.
The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.
In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building’s demise.
The judge read through the plaintiff’s complaint and the defendant’s reply, and at the opening hearing he commented, “I don't know how I’m going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that does not.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Southminster is providing MEALS FOR PADS this weekend. We could still use some help with the serving on Saturday night. If you or your family could help serve supper, please contact Pat Wiedner: phone 630-858-0761 or email pjwiedner@hotmail.com.
CHRISTIAN ED./SUNDAY SCHOOL PLANNING MEETING: Join us in Fellowship Hall after coffee hour this Sunday, July 11, for a Sunday School planning session, focusing on planning for worship hour education for children and youth. All are welcome, and Sunday School teachers and members of the Christian Education Ministry are especially urged to attend. Topics of discussion will include planning for the Sunday School kick-off event (Sunday, September 12); scheduling of regular Sunday School, rotational Sunday School, and special worship hour programming; curriculum for Sunday School; and the annual Christmas program.
REGISTER BY SUNDAY for FAMILY CAMP/SOUTHMINSTER CHURCH RETREAT at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI, August 20-22. Please join us for fun, fellowship, relaxation and some beach time before everyone heads back to school!
Folks can plan to arrive Friday evening (though dinner will not be provided at camp) and depart on Sunday morning after breakfast and worship.
Cost: $125.00 per adult
$104.00 per youth (12-17)
$ 60.00 per child (3-11)
$ 15.00 per infant (0-2)
This cost includes lodging for 2 nights, 4 meals and access to everything camp has to offer. Feel free to take a look at the camp at www.prescamps.org.
Please sign up on the board in the narthex with your name and how many will be attending. Friends are welcome! To reserve the appropriate number of cabins, please sign up BY JULY 11. Direct any questions to Andrea Schmidt in person, via telephone at either 630-629-4526 or 630-846-4527 or e-mail at lizzie3@comcast.net.
FROM YOUR LIBRARY: Be sure to check the library table in the narthex all this month for summer reading. There will be many new books, so check every week.
SOLACE SINGLES is planning two upcoming concert outings. Sign-up sheets for both will be in the narthex. (Note the July 16 reservation deadline for the second concert!) Call Barb Seymour for details (630-752-0656).
Wheaton Band Festival (free) on Friday, July 16 at Wheaton Memorial Park, 7:15 p.m., featuring the Chicago Brass Band and Switch Time Jazz Ensemble.
Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert at Glenbard South High School on Saturday, August 7, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $29 each; deadline for tickets is July 16.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about King Solomon building the temple. It is important for our children to learn these great stories.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Thank you to all the volunteers who have signed up to teach/help this summer. We have one more open spot in July (need a helper on July 25) and the entire month of August is open. The sign-up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. PLEASE help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: July 26-30 from 6:00 to 8:30 .pm! Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. Register online at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/SouthminsterHighSeas or at the church. Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: With only two months left in summer, we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
CHRISTIAN ED./SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING: See above (second announcement).
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
July 11 - Sunday School topic: King Solomon builds the Temple
July 18 - Sunday School topic: Sermon on the Mount
July 25 - Sunday School topic: The Good Samaritan (Need helper for this lesson)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
SUMMER FUN EVENTS FOR YOUTH:
July 25 - Great America (after church). You need to let Blair know by July 19 if you plan to go. Check facebook.
Aug. 15 - Loop Day (after church)
Aug. 28-29 - Launching-into-the-School-Year Lock-In.
Watch all the usual places for details!
INTERESTED IN VISITING CUBA? We are planning another trip in the fall of 2010 to visit our sister church in Guanabacoa. The exact week we will be going is being finalized, but we will know it shortly. As it takes about ten weeks to apply for visas, we will need to submit names of people who will be going soon after we know the dates. If you are interested in going on this trip or just asking questions about it, contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377).
UPDATE ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA: ESSE Center has sent information about this informative presentation. Arshea Siddiqiqui, M.D., a highly regarded Geriatrician with Adventist Midwest Geriatric Specialists, one of the leading geriatric practices in the Chicago area will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. The program is on Wednesday, July 14, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton. Registration and refreshments will be 6:30-7:00 p.m. with the presentation from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Call for reservations 630-260-3773.
I am on vacation. During the year various people send me forwards. Some are great! While I am on my vacation I would like to share some of them with you. Here is one. It is not true, but it is one to make us think. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
Texas Beer Joint Sues Church
In Mt. Vernon, Texas, Drummond’s Bar began construction on a new building to increase their business. In response, the local Baptist church started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayers. Work progressed right up until the week before opening when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.
The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.
In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building’s demise.
The judge read through the plaintiff’s complaint and the defendant’s reply, and at the opening hearing he commented, “I don't know how I’m going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that does not.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Southminster is providing MEALS FOR PADS this weekend. We could still use some help with the serving on Saturday night. If you or your family could help serve supper, please contact Pat Wiedner: phone 630-858-0761 or email pjwiedner@hotmail.com.
CHRISTIAN ED./SUNDAY SCHOOL PLANNING MEETING: Join us in Fellowship Hall after coffee hour this Sunday, July 11, for a Sunday School planning session, focusing on planning for worship hour education for children and youth. All are welcome, and Sunday School teachers and members of the Christian Education Ministry are especially urged to attend. Topics of discussion will include planning for the Sunday School kick-off event (Sunday, September 12); scheduling of regular Sunday School, rotational Sunday School, and special worship hour programming; curriculum for Sunday School; and the annual Christmas program.
REGISTER BY SUNDAY for FAMILY CAMP/SOUTHMINSTER CHURCH RETREAT at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI, August 20-22. Please join us for fun, fellowship, relaxation and some beach time before everyone heads back to school!
Folks can plan to arrive Friday evening (though dinner will not be provided at camp) and depart on Sunday morning after breakfast and worship.
Cost: $125.00 per adult
$104.00 per youth (12-17)
$ 60.00 per child (3-11)
$ 15.00 per infant (0-2)
This cost includes lodging for 2 nights, 4 meals and access to everything camp has to offer. Feel free to take a look at the camp at www.prescamps.org.
Please sign up on the board in the narthex with your name and how many will be attending. Friends are welcome! To reserve the appropriate number of cabins, please sign up BY JULY 11. Direct any questions to Andrea Schmidt in person, via telephone at either 630-629-4526 or 630-846-4527 or e-mail at lizzie3@comcast.net.
FROM YOUR LIBRARY: Be sure to check the library table in the narthex all this month for summer reading. There will be many new books, so check every week.
SOLACE SINGLES is planning two upcoming concert outings. Sign-up sheets for both will be in the narthex. (Note the July 16 reservation deadline for the second concert!) Call Barb Seymour for details (630-752-0656).
Wheaton Band Festival (free) on Friday, July 16 at Wheaton Memorial Park, 7:15 p.m., featuring the Chicago Brass Band and Switch Time Jazz Ensemble.
Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert at Glenbard South High School on Saturday, August 7, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $29 each; deadline for tickets is July 16.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about King Solomon building the temple. It is important for our children to learn these great stories.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Thank you to all the volunteers who have signed up to teach/help this summer. We have one more open spot in July (need a helper on July 25) and the entire month of August is open. The sign-up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. PLEASE help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: July 26-30 from 6:00 to 8:30 .pm! Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. Register online at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/SouthminsterHighSeas or at the church. Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: With only two months left in summer, we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
CHRISTIAN ED./SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING: See above (second announcement).
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
July 11 - Sunday School topic: King Solomon builds the Temple
July 18 - Sunday School topic: Sermon on the Mount
July 25 - Sunday School topic: The Good Samaritan (Need helper for this lesson)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
SUMMER FUN EVENTS FOR YOUTH:
July 25 - Great America (after church). You need to let Blair know by July 19 if you plan to go. Check facebook.
Aug. 15 - Loop Day (after church)
Aug. 28-29 - Launching-into-the-School-Year Lock-In.
Watch all the usual places for details!
INTERESTED IN VISITING CUBA? We are planning another trip in the fall of 2010 to visit our sister church in Guanabacoa. The exact week we will be going is being finalized, but we will know it shortly. As it takes about ten weeks to apply for visas, we will need to submit names of people who will be going soon after we know the dates. If you are interested in going on this trip or just asking questions about it, contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377).
UPDATE ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA: ESSE Center has sent information about this informative presentation. Arshea Siddiqiqui, M.D., a highly regarded Geriatrician with Adventist Midwest Geriatric Specialists, one of the leading geriatric practices in the Chicago area will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. The program is on Wednesday, July 14, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton. Registration and refreshments will be 6:30-7:00 p.m. with the presentation from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Call for reservations 630-260-3773.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
June 30, 2010
Dear Friends,
I am on vacation. During the year various people send me forwards. Some are great! While I am on my vacation I would like to share some of them with you. Here is one. Enjoy, and take it from here.
Love, Wendy
Jesus was wandering around Jerusalem when he decided that he really needed a new robe. After looking around for a while, he saw a sign for Finkelstein, the Tailor. So, he went in and made the necessary arrangements to have Finkelstein prepare a new robe for him.
A few days later, when the robe was finished, Jesus tried it on - and it was a perfect fit! He asked how much he owed.
Finkelstein brushed him off: “No, no, no, for the Son of God there’s no charge! However, may I ask for a small favor. Whenever you give a sermon, perhaps you could just mention that your nice new robe was made by Finkelstein, the Tailor?”
Jesus readily agreed and as promised, extolled the virtues of his Finkelstein robe whenever he spoke to the masses.
A few months later, while Jesus was again walking through Jerusalem, he happened to walk past Finkelstein’s shop and noted a huge line of people waiting for Finkelstein’s robes. He pushed his way through the crowd to speak to him, and as soon as Finkelstein spotted him he said, “Jesus, Jesus, look what you’ve done for my business! Would you consider a partnership?”
“Certainly,” replied Jesus. “Jesus & Finkelstein it is.”
“Oh, no, no,” said Finkelstein. “Finkelstein & Jesus. After all, I am the craftsman.”
The two of them debated this for some time. Their discussion was long and spirited, but ultimately fruitful - and they finally came up with a mutually acceptable compromise. A few days later, the new sign went up over Finkelstein’s shop:
Lord & Taylor!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
This Sunday, and the first Sunday of every month, is the day we bring offerings for the People’s Resource Center. The July emphasis is laundry detergent and cleaning supplies. Donations can be placed in the narthex (near the stairwell to Fellowship Hall).
SIGN-UP DEADLINE IS SUNDAY: Take me out to the Cougars Ballgame! Don’t miss our annual outing to the Kane County Cougars game on Monday July 12th (All Faiths Night). Fun for the whole family. Tickets are only $5 per person and can be reserved on the signup sheet posted in the narthex. Sign up by July 4th so you don't miss this great fellowship event. For more details, contact Diane Swiss at dswiss60137@sbcglobal.net or 630-858-5488.
FROM YOUR LIBRARY: Be sure to look at the library display for books regarding the 4th of July.
Our women will celebrate Independence Day by getting together at IHOP! WOMEN’S BREAKFAST meets the first Monday of the month, which will be July 5, at 8:00 a.m. at the IHOP in Danada East. If you’re off work that day, come join the group for breakfast and fellowship.
We have another PADS SUMMER MEAL SUPPORT date coming up: Saturday, July 10. We still need lots of donations and help. How about your family coming and making sandwiches for PADS lunches? Or serving the PADS dinner? A small donation of time, talent, or resources ($$ to buy food) goes a long way to help not only the homeless, but also your family feel the joy of serving our Lord. Sign up sheets are in the narthex – add your name this Sunday! Questions? Call Pat Wiedner or Sarah Allen.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PLANNING MEETING: Join us in Fellowship Hall after coffee hour on Sunday, July 11, for a Sunday School planning session, focusing on planning for worship hour education for children and youth. All are welcome, and Sunday School teachers and members of the Christian Education Ministry are especially urged to attend. Topics of discussion will include planning for the Sunday School kick-off event (Sunday, September 12); scheduling of regular Sunday School, rotational Sunday School, and special worship hour programming; curriculum for Sunday School; and the annual Christmas program.
REGISTER BY JULY 11 FOR THE RETREAT AT SAUGATUCK! We are all invited to FAMILY CAMP/SOUTHMINSTER CHURCH RETREAT at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI, August 20-22. Please join us for fun, fellowship, relaxation and some beach time before everyone heads back to school!
Folks can plan to arrive Friday evening (though dinner will not be provided at camp) and depart on Sunday morning after breakfast and worship.
Cost: $125.00 per adult
$104.00 per youth (12-17)
$ 60.00 per child (3-11)
$ 15.00 per infant (0-2)
This cost includes lodging for 2 nights, 4 meals and access to everything camp has to offer. Feel free to take a look at the camp at www.prescamps.org.
Please sign up on the board in the narthex with your name and how many will be attending. Friends are welcome! To reserve the appropriate number of cabins, please sign up BY JULY 4. Direct any questions to Andrea Schmidt in person, via telephone at either 630-629-4526 or 630-846-4527 or e-mail at lizzie3@comcast.net.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about Joshua and the 12 tribes crossing the Jordan River. This follows our theme this summer that when we trust God, he protects us.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Summer Sunday School is up and running, but we still need volunteers to teach and help! There is a teacher’s packet for each lesson that includes the story and activities. Not comfortable being “the teacher”? Then sign up to be the teacher’s helper. We need a teacher and a helper for each week. The sign-up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Please help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: July 26 - 30 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.! Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. Register on-line at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/SouthminsterHighSeas or at the church starting Sunday, July 4. Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: We’re one month into summer, and we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
July 4 – Sunday School topic: Joshua and the 12 tribes cross the Jordan River
July 11 – Sunday School topic: King Solomon builds the temple
July 18 – Sunday School topic: Sermon on the Mount
July 25 – Sunday School topic: The Good Samaritan (Need helper for this lesson)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
SUMMER FUN EVENTS FOR YOUTH:
July 25 - Great America (after church),
Aug. 15 - Loop Day (after church)
Aug. 28-29 - Launching-into-the-School-Year Lock-In.
More details to come. Watch the SPY facebook site, Skadoosh, Enotes, the Dialog, the Church website, etc, etc, etc. (My, but aren’t we connected!)
INTERESTED IN VISITING CUBA? We are planning another trip in the fall of 2010 to visit our sister church in Guanabacoa. The exact week we will be going is being finalized, but we will know it shortly. As it takes about ten weeks to apply for visas, we will need to submit names of people who will be going soon after we know the dates. If you are interested in going on this trip or just asking questions about it, contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377).
UPDATE ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA: ESSE Center has sent information about this informative presentation. Arshea Siddiqiqui, M.D., a highly regarded Geriatrician with Adventist Midwest Geriatric Specialists, one of the leading geriatric practices in the Chicago area will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. The program is on Wednesday, July 14, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton. Registration and refreshments will be 6:30-7:00 p.m. with the presentation from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Call for reservations 630-260-3773.
I am on vacation. During the year various people send me forwards. Some are great! While I am on my vacation I would like to share some of them with you. Here is one. Enjoy, and take it from here.
Love, Wendy
Jesus was wandering around Jerusalem when he decided that he really needed a new robe. After looking around for a while, he saw a sign for Finkelstein, the Tailor. So, he went in and made the necessary arrangements to have Finkelstein prepare a new robe for him.
A few days later, when the robe was finished, Jesus tried it on - and it was a perfect fit! He asked how much he owed.
Finkelstein brushed him off: “No, no, no, for the Son of God there’s no charge! However, may I ask for a small favor. Whenever you give a sermon, perhaps you could just mention that your nice new robe was made by Finkelstein, the Tailor?”
Jesus readily agreed and as promised, extolled the virtues of his Finkelstein robe whenever he spoke to the masses.
A few months later, while Jesus was again walking through Jerusalem, he happened to walk past Finkelstein’s shop and noted a huge line of people waiting for Finkelstein’s robes. He pushed his way through the crowd to speak to him, and as soon as Finkelstein spotted him he said, “Jesus, Jesus, look what you’ve done for my business! Would you consider a partnership?”
“Certainly,” replied Jesus. “Jesus & Finkelstein it is.”
“Oh, no, no,” said Finkelstein. “Finkelstein & Jesus. After all, I am the craftsman.”
The two of them debated this for some time. Their discussion was long and spirited, but ultimately fruitful - and they finally came up with a mutually acceptable compromise. A few days later, the new sign went up over Finkelstein’s shop:
Lord & Taylor!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
This Sunday, and the first Sunday of every month, is the day we bring offerings for the People’s Resource Center. The July emphasis is laundry detergent and cleaning supplies. Donations can be placed in the narthex (near the stairwell to Fellowship Hall).
SIGN-UP DEADLINE IS SUNDAY: Take me out to the Cougars Ballgame! Don’t miss our annual outing to the Kane County Cougars game on Monday July 12th (All Faiths Night). Fun for the whole family. Tickets are only $5 per person and can be reserved on the signup sheet posted in the narthex. Sign up by July 4th so you don't miss this great fellowship event. For more details, contact Diane Swiss at dswiss60137@sbcglobal.net or 630-858-5488.
FROM YOUR LIBRARY: Be sure to look at the library display for books regarding the 4th of July.
Our women will celebrate Independence Day by getting together at IHOP! WOMEN’S BREAKFAST meets the first Monday of the month, which will be July 5, at 8:00 a.m. at the IHOP in Danada East. If you’re off work that day, come join the group for breakfast and fellowship.
We have another PADS SUMMER MEAL SUPPORT date coming up: Saturday, July 10. We still need lots of donations and help. How about your family coming and making sandwiches for PADS lunches? Or serving the PADS dinner? A small donation of time, talent, or resources ($$ to buy food) goes a long way to help not only the homeless, but also your family feel the joy of serving our Lord. Sign up sheets are in the narthex – add your name this Sunday! Questions? Call Pat Wiedner or Sarah Allen.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PLANNING MEETING: Join us in Fellowship Hall after coffee hour on Sunday, July 11, for a Sunday School planning session, focusing on planning for worship hour education for children and youth. All are welcome, and Sunday School teachers and members of the Christian Education Ministry are especially urged to attend. Topics of discussion will include planning for the Sunday School kick-off event (Sunday, September 12); scheduling of regular Sunday School, rotational Sunday School, and special worship hour programming; curriculum for Sunday School; and the annual Christmas program.
REGISTER BY JULY 11 FOR THE RETREAT AT SAUGATUCK! We are all invited to FAMILY CAMP/SOUTHMINSTER CHURCH RETREAT at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI, August 20-22. Please join us for fun, fellowship, relaxation and some beach time before everyone heads back to school!
Folks can plan to arrive Friday evening (though dinner will not be provided at camp) and depart on Sunday morning after breakfast and worship.
Cost: $125.00 per adult
$104.00 per youth (12-17)
$ 60.00 per child (3-11)
$ 15.00 per infant (0-2)
This cost includes lodging for 2 nights, 4 meals and access to everything camp has to offer. Feel free to take a look at the camp at www.prescamps.org.
Please sign up on the board in the narthex with your name and how many will be attending. Friends are welcome! To reserve the appropriate number of cabins, please sign up BY JULY 4. Direct any questions to Andrea Schmidt in person, via telephone at either 630-629-4526 or 630-846-4527 or e-mail at lizzie3@comcast.net.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about Joshua and the 12 tribes crossing the Jordan River. This follows our theme this summer that when we trust God, he protects us.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Summer Sunday School is up and running, but we still need volunteers to teach and help! There is a teacher’s packet for each lesson that includes the story and activities. Not comfortable being “the teacher”? Then sign up to be the teacher’s helper. We need a teacher and a helper for each week. The sign-up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Please help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: July 26 - 30 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.! Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. Register on-line at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/SouthminsterHighSeas or at the church starting Sunday, July 4. Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: We’re one month into summer, and we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
July 4 – Sunday School topic: Joshua and the 12 tribes cross the Jordan River
July 11 – Sunday School topic: King Solomon builds the temple
July 18 – Sunday School topic: Sermon on the Mount
July 25 – Sunday School topic: The Good Samaritan (Need helper for this lesson)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
SUMMER FUN EVENTS FOR YOUTH:
July 25 - Great America (after church),
Aug. 15 - Loop Day (after church)
Aug. 28-29 - Launching-into-the-School-Year Lock-In.
More details to come. Watch the SPY facebook site, Skadoosh, Enotes, the Dialog, the Church website, etc, etc, etc. (My, but aren’t we connected!)
INTERESTED IN VISITING CUBA? We are planning another trip in the fall of 2010 to visit our sister church in Guanabacoa. The exact week we will be going is being finalized, but we will know it shortly. As it takes about ten weeks to apply for visas, we will need to submit names of people who will be going soon after we know the dates. If you are interested in going on this trip or just asking questions about it, contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377).
UPDATE ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA: ESSE Center has sent information about this informative presentation. Arshea Siddiqiqui, M.D., a highly regarded Geriatrician with Adventist Midwest Geriatric Specialists, one of the leading geriatric practices in the Chicago area will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. The program is on Wednesday, July 14, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton. Registration and refreshments will be 6:30-7:00 p.m. with the presentation from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Call for reservations 630-260-3773.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
June 23, 2010
Dear Friends,
I’m anticipating an important event in the life of not only Chicagoland but of our congregation this weekend: the Cross Town Classic White Sox/Cubs games at U.S. Cellular Field. In honor of this event, the Deacons are giving a special baseball-themed fellowship on Sunday. So wear your favorite team uniform!
Baseball and football are the two most popular spectator sports in this country. (It should be noted that soccer is catching up.) It seems that this ought to tell us something about ourselves and our values, so compare baseball and football:
Baseball is played on a diamond, in a park. The baseball park! Football is played on a GRIDIRON, in a STADIUM, sometimes called SOLDIER FIELD or WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM.
Baseball begins in the spring, the season of new life. Football begins in the fall, when everything is dying.
In football you wear a helmet. In baseball you wear a cap. In football you receive a penalty. In baseball you make an error.
Football has hitting, clipping, spearing, piling on, personal fouls, late hitting, and unnecessary roughness. Baseball has the sacrifice.
And finally, the objectives of the two games are completely different:
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! “I hope I’ll be safe at home!”
Given all of this, it isn’t as important whether you are a Cub fan or a Sox fan, the question is which game would God want us to play, football or baseball? I leave you with that, God’s blessing... and many thanks to George Carlin for the inspiring look at both sports. Take it from here,
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The DEADLINE FOR THE JULY DIALOG was Sunday, June 20. If you had items you wanted to include, you need to turn them in pronto or they won’t be able to be included. Thank you!
Please join us for BIRTHDAY FELLOWSHIP AND BASEBALL RIVALRY immediately after church this Sunday, June 27, in the Narthex. We will be celebrating the Cubs vs Sox cross town classic. Everyone is welcome to wear your favorite Cubs or Sox jersey or shirt! There will be peanuts and Cracker Jack, lemonade and root beer. Feel free to bring your mitt and ball to toss around outside.
FELLOWSHIP OUTING: Take me out to the Cougars Ballgame! Don’t miss our annual outing to the Kane County Cougars game on Monday July 12th (All Faiths Night). Fun for the whole family. Tickets are only $5 per person and can be reserved on the signup sheet posted in the narthex. Sign up by July 4th so you don't miss this great fellowship event. For more details, contact Diane Swiss at dswiss60137@sbcglobal.net or 630-858-5488.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about Paul’s journey under Roman rule from Jerusalem to Rome.
We still need volunteers to teach and help on the following Sundays: July 25 (the Good Samaritan), August 8 (Daniel obeys God with food), August 15 (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), August 22 (Daniel and the Lions) and August 29 (Esther). There is a teacher’s packet for each lesson that includes the story and activities. Please see the Summer Sunday School sign-up sheet on the C.E. Bulletin Board and sign up to teach or help with your favorite Bible story.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - July 26-30 from 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. Registration starts on July 11, but save the date now! Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Looking ahead to the school year, we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
June 27 - Sunday School topic: Shipwreck! (Paul’s journey under Roman rule from Jerusalem to Rome)
July 4 - Sunday School topic: Into the Promised Land (Joshua and the 12 stones)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
The YOUTH MISSION TEAM 2010 is back from a week of doing home repair projects for the poor, elderly and needy in Rush County, IN. By God’s grace, a great week was had by all. See the upcoming Dialog for details.
SUMMER FUN EVENTS FOR YOUTH:
July 25 - Great America (after church),
Aug. 15 - Loop Day (after church)
Aug. 27-28 - Launching-into-the-School-Year Lock-In.
More details to come. Watch the SPY facebook site, Skadoosh, Enotes, the Dialog, the Church website, etc, etc, etc. (My, but aren’t we connected!)
PYNGUINS (Junior High Youth): Join us for an Ice Cream Social at Blair and Wendy’s, 2S172 Huntington Place (Butterfield West subdivision, off Hwy 53) on Monday, June 28, at 7:30 p.m.
We are all invited to FAMILY CAMP/SOUTHMINSTER CHURCH RETREAT at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI, August 20-22. Please join us for fun, fellowship, relaxation and some beach time before everyone heads back to school!
Folks can plan to arrive Friday evening (though dinner will not be provided at camp) and depart on Sunday morning after breakfast and worship.
Cost: $125.00 per adult
$104.00 per youth (12-17)
$ 60.00 per child (3-11)
$ 15.00 per infant (0-2)
This cost includes lodging for 2 nights, 4 meals and access to everything camp has to offer. Feel free to take a look at the camp at www.prescamps.org.
Please sign up on the board in the narthex with your name and how many will be attending. Friends are welcome! To reserve the appropriate number of cabins, please sign up BY JULY 4. Direct any questions to Andrea Schmidt in person, via telephone at either 630-629-4526 or 630-846-4527 or e-mail at lizzie3@comcast.net.
I’m anticipating an important event in the life of not only Chicagoland but of our congregation this weekend: the Cross Town Classic White Sox/Cubs games at U.S. Cellular Field. In honor of this event, the Deacons are giving a special baseball-themed fellowship on Sunday. So wear your favorite team uniform!
Baseball and football are the two most popular spectator sports in this country. (It should be noted that soccer is catching up.) It seems that this ought to tell us something about ourselves and our values, so compare baseball and football:
Baseball is played on a diamond, in a park. The baseball park! Football is played on a GRIDIRON, in a STADIUM, sometimes called SOLDIER FIELD or WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM.
Baseball begins in the spring, the season of new life. Football begins in the fall, when everything is dying.
In football you wear a helmet. In baseball you wear a cap. In football you receive a penalty. In baseball you make an error.
Football has hitting, clipping, spearing, piling on, personal fouls, late hitting, and unnecessary roughness. Baseball has the sacrifice.
And finally, the objectives of the two games are completely different:
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! “I hope I’ll be safe at home!”
Given all of this, it isn’t as important whether you are a Cub fan or a Sox fan, the question is which game would God want us to play, football or baseball? I leave you with that, God’s blessing... and many thanks to George Carlin for the inspiring look at both sports. Take it from here,
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The DEADLINE FOR THE JULY DIALOG was Sunday, June 20. If you had items you wanted to include, you need to turn them in pronto or they won’t be able to be included. Thank you!
Please join us for BIRTHDAY FELLOWSHIP AND BASEBALL RIVALRY immediately after church this Sunday, June 27, in the Narthex. We will be celebrating the Cubs vs Sox cross town classic. Everyone is welcome to wear your favorite Cubs or Sox jersey or shirt! There will be peanuts and Cracker Jack, lemonade and root beer. Feel free to bring your mitt and ball to toss around outside.
FELLOWSHIP OUTING: Take me out to the Cougars Ballgame! Don’t miss our annual outing to the Kane County Cougars game on Monday July 12th (All Faiths Night). Fun for the whole family. Tickets are only $5 per person and can be reserved on the signup sheet posted in the narthex. Sign up by July 4th so you don't miss this great fellowship event. For more details, contact Diane Swiss at dswiss60137@sbcglobal.net or 630-858-5488.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about Paul’s journey under Roman rule from Jerusalem to Rome.
We still need volunteers to teach and help on the following Sundays: July 25 (the Good Samaritan), August 8 (Daniel obeys God with food), August 15 (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), August 22 (Daniel and the Lions) and August 29 (Esther). There is a teacher’s packet for each lesson that includes the story and activities. Please see the Summer Sunday School sign-up sheet on the C.E. Bulletin Board and sign up to teach or help with your favorite Bible story.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - July 26-30 from 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. Registration starts on July 11, but save the date now! Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Looking ahead to the school year, we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
June 27 - Sunday School topic: Shipwreck! (Paul’s journey under Roman rule from Jerusalem to Rome)
July 4 - Sunday School topic: Into the Promised Land (Joshua and the 12 stones)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
The YOUTH MISSION TEAM 2010 is back from a week of doing home repair projects for the poor, elderly and needy in Rush County, IN. By God’s grace, a great week was had by all. See the upcoming Dialog for details.
SUMMER FUN EVENTS FOR YOUTH:
July 25 - Great America (after church),
Aug. 15 - Loop Day (after church)
Aug. 27-28 - Launching-into-the-School-Year Lock-In.
More details to come. Watch the SPY facebook site, Skadoosh, Enotes, the Dialog, the Church website, etc, etc, etc. (My, but aren’t we connected!)
PYNGUINS (Junior High Youth): Join us for an Ice Cream Social at Blair and Wendy’s, 2S172 Huntington Place (Butterfield West subdivision, off Hwy 53) on Monday, June 28, at 7:30 p.m.
We are all invited to FAMILY CAMP/SOUTHMINSTER CHURCH RETREAT at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI, August 20-22. Please join us for fun, fellowship, relaxation and some beach time before everyone heads back to school!
Folks can plan to arrive Friday evening (though dinner will not be provided at camp) and depart on Sunday morning after breakfast and worship.
Cost: $125.00 per adult
$104.00 per youth (12-17)
$ 60.00 per child (3-11)
$ 15.00 per infant (0-2)
This cost includes lodging for 2 nights, 4 meals and access to everything camp has to offer. Feel free to take a look at the camp at www.prescamps.org.
Please sign up on the board in the narthex with your name and how many will be attending. Friends are welcome! To reserve the appropriate number of cabins, please sign up BY JULY 4. Direct any questions to Andrea Schmidt in person, via telephone at either 630-629-4526 or 630-846-4527 or e-mail at lizzie3@comcast.net.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
June 16, 2010
Scripture: Luke 15:21-24
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
Dear Friends,
“Undeserved” is the theme of our 2010 Youth Mission Trip this week. It is the story in Luke 15 of the prodigal son’s undeserved grace. The story of the Southminster trip was filled with hurdles and grace before they even left. The week before they left Youth Director Blair Nelson got a phone call from Enterprise Car Rentals. The 15-passenger van that they were to rent had been totaled and another van was not to be found. This was worrisome, not just because we needed transportation, but Blair had arranged for a great rental price. There was prayer! By Saturday Enterprise had come through with 2 Suburbans for the same price as the van. Yes, we need to pay for the extra gas, but we had transportation for the entire crew. At 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, the night before they were to leave, Blair got a phone call that the only other eligible driver couldn’t come after all. (We needed two drivers, now that we had two vehicles.) Her work schedule had been changed. More prayer. Her manager let her come. God has blessed us.
What is a typical workcamp like? At our workcamp in Rushville, Indiana there are 273 “workers” and 13 church groups. There are groups from Illinois, but there are also groups from Arizona, Nebraska, Minnesota, Ohio, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. The youth groups are Presbyterian, Catholic, Baptist… many denominations!... all Christians serving Christ. Workers are put on teams with youth from other churches. The crews work on homes during the day. The teams are usually up and out by 7:00 a.m. and back at the high schools where they sleep by about 4:00 p.m. At night, there is a worship service and nightly devotions with your own church group.
The big story is what happens at the worksite. Not only do the kids work, they have bible study along with lunch and they connect with the residents. I spoke to Max today. When I asked him about his resident his voice got quiet. He told me that his crew is making a wheelchair ramp for a resident who has degenerative bone disease. He told me how nice she was. Blair told me about Zee’s crew. While they were working on a home, a woman with a walker made the 100-yard journey to their site. She praised God for the work that the kids and adult sponsors were doing in her community. She explained that she hadn’t been able to sign up for a crew because she had been in the hospital during registration. The crew took it in their hands to ask the “powers that be” to make an exception and get this woman her own crew to make her a wheelchair ramp. She got a crew after all! I have been on 10 workcamps and I have never seen this happen. How very wonderful!
There is more to say but space is limited. I hope each of you make it a point to ask our youth and sponsors about their experience. Keep them in prayer and take it from here,
Love, Wendy
P.S. Pray for Dana whose health kept her from going, but who showed up early Sunday morning to see them off anyway.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION: FIGHT CANCER - JOIN THE RELAY FOR LIFE! We are forming a team again from Southminster to support the Relay for Life event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. this Friday, June 18, at Glenbard South High School. Won’t you walk the track to honor those we have lost or support those who are struggling or have beat cancer? Bring a lawn chair and come join us. Many activities are planned, and it will be a memorable evening. Sign-up sheets, survivor sheets, forms for the purchase of luminaries, and instructions to donate online will be in the narthex. Also, Chili’s Restaurant at Danada will donate 10% of your check to our team on every Tuesday and Wednesday through next week (June 23). Print a coupon from the June Dialog or pick one up at church (in the narthex or on the nametag shelf) before you go to Chili’s.
FELLOWSHIP OUTING: Take me out to the Cougars Ballgame! Don’t miss our annual outing to the Kane County Cougars game on Monday July 12th (All Faiths Night). Fun for the whole family. Tickets are only $5 per person and can be reserved on the signup sheet posted in the narthex. Sign up by July 4th so you don't miss this great fellowship event. For more details, contact Diane Swiss at dswiss60137@sbcglobal.net or 630-858-5488.
Another time to sing ‘Take me out to the ball game!”
Please join us for birthday fellowship and baseball rivalry immediately after church on June 27 in the Narthex. We will be celebrating the Cubs vs Sox cross town classic. Everyone is welcome to wear your favorite Cubs or Sox jersey or shirt! There will be peanuts and Cracker Jack, lemonade and root beer. Feel free to bring your mitt and ball to toss around outside.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about how each part of God’s family is important through Paul’s letter to the Romans.
Summer Sunday School is up and running, but we still need volunteers to teach and help! There is a teacher’s packet for each lesson that includes the story and activities. Not comfortable being “the teacher”? Then sign up to be the teacher’s helper. We need a teacher and a helper for each week. The sign-up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Please help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Planning is well under way for this year’s VBS, High Seas Expedition. Please look at your schedule and see if you could help out the week of July 26-30. Crew leaders are needed!
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Looking ahead to the school year (I know summer is just starting!), we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
June 20 - Sunday School topic: Body of Christ (Paul’s letter to the Romans)
June 27 - Sunday School topic: Shipwreck! (Paul’s journey under Roman rule from Jerusalem to Rome)
July 4 - Sunday School topic: Into the Promised Land (Joshua and the 12 stones)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
RECYCLE PAPER HERE and raise money for our Mission Ministries. You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. Let’s fill it with paper!
These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
Dear Friends,
“Undeserved” is the theme of our 2010 Youth Mission Trip this week. It is the story in Luke 15 of the prodigal son’s undeserved grace. The story of the Southminster trip was filled with hurdles and grace before they even left. The week before they left Youth Director Blair Nelson got a phone call from Enterprise Car Rentals. The 15-passenger van that they were to rent had been totaled and another van was not to be found. This was worrisome, not just because we needed transportation, but Blair had arranged for a great rental price. There was prayer! By Saturday Enterprise had come through with 2 Suburbans for the same price as the van. Yes, we need to pay for the extra gas, but we had transportation for the entire crew. At 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, the night before they were to leave, Blair got a phone call that the only other eligible driver couldn’t come after all. (We needed two drivers, now that we had two vehicles.) Her work schedule had been changed. More prayer. Her manager let her come. God has blessed us.
What is a typical workcamp like? At our workcamp in Rushville, Indiana there are 273 “workers” and 13 church groups. There are groups from Illinois, but there are also groups from Arizona, Nebraska, Minnesota, Ohio, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. The youth groups are Presbyterian, Catholic, Baptist… many denominations!... all Christians serving Christ. Workers are put on teams with youth from other churches. The crews work on homes during the day. The teams are usually up and out by 7:00 a.m. and back at the high schools where they sleep by about 4:00 p.m. At night, there is a worship service and nightly devotions with your own church group.
The big story is what happens at the worksite. Not only do the kids work, they have bible study along with lunch and they connect with the residents. I spoke to Max today. When I asked him about his resident his voice got quiet. He told me that his crew is making a wheelchair ramp for a resident who has degenerative bone disease. He told me how nice she was. Blair told me about Zee’s crew. While they were working on a home, a woman with a walker made the 100-yard journey to their site. She praised God for the work that the kids and adult sponsors were doing in her community. She explained that she hadn’t been able to sign up for a crew because she had been in the hospital during registration. The crew took it in their hands to ask the “powers that be” to make an exception and get this woman her own crew to make her a wheelchair ramp. She got a crew after all! I have been on 10 workcamps and I have never seen this happen. How very wonderful!
There is more to say but space is limited. I hope each of you make it a point to ask our youth and sponsors about their experience. Keep them in prayer and take it from here,
Love, Wendy
P.S. Pray for Dana whose health kept her from going, but who showed up early Sunday morning to see them off anyway.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION: FIGHT CANCER - JOIN THE RELAY FOR LIFE! We are forming a team again from Southminster to support the Relay for Life event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. this Friday, June 18, at Glenbard South High School. Won’t you walk the track to honor those we have lost or support those who are struggling or have beat cancer? Bring a lawn chair and come join us. Many activities are planned, and it will be a memorable evening. Sign-up sheets, survivor sheets, forms for the purchase of luminaries, and instructions to donate online will be in the narthex. Also, Chili’s Restaurant at Danada will donate 10% of your check to our team on every Tuesday and Wednesday through next week (June 23). Print a coupon from the June Dialog or pick one up at church (in the narthex or on the nametag shelf) before you go to Chili’s.
FELLOWSHIP OUTING: Take me out to the Cougars Ballgame! Don’t miss our annual outing to the Kane County Cougars game on Monday July 12th (All Faiths Night). Fun for the whole family. Tickets are only $5 per person and can be reserved on the signup sheet posted in the narthex. Sign up by July 4th so you don't miss this great fellowship event. For more details, contact Diane Swiss at dswiss60137@sbcglobal.net or 630-858-5488.
Another time to sing ‘Take me out to the ball game!”
Please join us for birthday fellowship and baseball rivalry immediately after church on June 27 in the Narthex. We will be celebrating the Cubs vs Sox cross town classic. Everyone is welcome to wear your favorite Cubs or Sox jersey or shirt! There will be peanuts and Cracker Jack, lemonade and root beer. Feel free to bring your mitt and ball to toss around outside.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about how each part of God’s family is important through Paul’s letter to the Romans.
Summer Sunday School is up and running, but we still need volunteers to teach and help! There is a teacher’s packet for each lesson that includes the story and activities. Not comfortable being “the teacher”? Then sign up to be the teacher’s helper. We need a teacher and a helper for each week. The sign-up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Please help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Planning is well under way for this year’s VBS, High Seas Expedition. Please look at your schedule and see if you could help out the week of July 26-30. Crew leaders are needed!
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Looking ahead to the school year (I know summer is just starting!), we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. One teacher is needed for the preschool class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
June 20 - Sunday School topic: Body of Christ (Paul’s letter to the Romans)
June 27 - Sunday School topic: Shipwreck! (Paul’s journey under Roman rule from Jerusalem to Rome)
July 4 - Sunday School topic: Into the Promised Land (Joshua and the 12 stones)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
RECYCLE PAPER HERE and raise money for our Mission Ministries. You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. Let’s fill it with paper!
These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
June 9, 2010
Scripture: Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV)
Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
Dear Friends,
We are looking forward to a visit from our sister church in the fall of 2011. On Labor Day Weekend 2011 Pastor Abel and his wife Sara will join us in celebrating our 50th year jubilee. Does this sound like a small thing? After all, that part of our jubilee celebration is about 15 months away. However, getting the paperwork in order is no small thing. When the U.S. consulate was first contacted, the only appointment open was in 2013 - TWO YEARS PAST our celebration. That was only the beginning of our hurdles. Gretchen Fleming, who was doing the leg work on this project, was a bit frustrated to say the least, but we prayed. Through a series of events, Abel and Sara have this very important appointment next week.
Thinking about this, there are two thoughts that come to mind: prayer and thanksgiving. In Psalm 5, the Psalmist “lays” his requests out to God and expects an answer. Do we lay out our requests, even the ones that seem not worthy of prayer, like paperwork? Do we expect an answer? Sometimes we pray and don’t look for an answer. We make our requests and don’t stop and look for the answer. When Gretchen told me the good news about the appointment I had forgotten that we had prayed about it. If it weren’t for Gretchen sharing the good news with me, I would have missed an opportunity to see God working in my life.
Gretchen told me that she thanked God by putting money in her “Thank Jar.” There are a number of ways to thank God, but her way intrigued me. Each fall the Presbyterian Women have the thank offering. During the year some of our women put coins in a jar to thank God for whatever they are thankful for. The money from that jar is pooled and sent to our National Offices; at least 40 percent of this offering supports health ministries throughout the world. The remaining 60 percent funds new creative ideas for mission. There are a lot of ways to thank God; Gretchen’s is just one of them. How do you thank God? Take it from here,
Love, Wendy
P.S. If you have trouble jump-starting your prayer life, a Psalm is a good way to get started.
P.P.S. I just talked to Gretchen. Let’s just say we still have some opportunities to see God at work and pray about Abel and Sara’s trip.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION:
Homelessness and Hunger don’t take a summer vacation! Southminster will be providing MEALS FOR PADS the second Saturday of June, July, and August. We still need a few things for our first summer meal this coming weekend. For dinner Saturday night: coleslaw and hot vegetables (green beans or corn). For breakfast Sunday morning: breakfast casseroles and cream cheese. If you’re willing to donate one or more of these, please reply to this email or contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377). Note that all donations for sack lunches need to be delivered to Southminster by 9:00 a.m. this Saturday; all food for dinner and breakfast should be here by 10:00 a.m. Saturday.
This is a mission EVERYONE at SPC can support in one way or another. Mission Ministry can NOT do it without you! Any questions? Contact Gretchen.
Please pray for the YOUTH MISSION TEAM, who will be serving in Rushville, Indiana, from this Sunday until June19th. Pray for their spiritual growth, safety, and that the people they help will be served well and see Jesus’ love through them.
CONFIRMATION: This coming Sunday, June 13, at 11:00 a.m. there will be a meeting in the parlor to discuss Confirmation. Parents of unconfirmed students entering 6th grade through high school age are invited.
FIGHT CANCER - JOIN THE RELAY FOR LIFE: We are forming a team again from Southminster to support the Relay for Life event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 18, at Glenbard South High School. Won’t you walk the track to honor those we have lost or support those who are struggling or have beat cancer? Bring a lawn chair and come join us. Many activities are planned, and it will be a memorable evening. Sign-up sheets, survivor sheets, forms for the purchase of luminaries, and instructions to donate online will be in the narthex. Also, Chili’s Restaurant at Danada will donate 10% of your check to our team from May 11 to June 23 on every Tuesday and Wednesday. Print a coupon from the June Dialog or pick one up at church (in the narthex or on the nametag shelf) before you go to Chili’s.
FELLOWSHIP OUTING: Take me out to the Cougars Ballgame! Don't miss our annual outing to the Kane County Cougars game on Monday July 12th (All Faiths Night). Fun for the whole family. Tickets are only $5 per person and can be reserved on the signup sheet posted in the narthex. Sign up by July 4th so you don't miss this great fellowship event. For more details, contact Diane Swiss at dswiss60137@sbcglobal.net or 630-858-5488.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about God’s love through Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Summer Sunday School is up and running, but we still need volunteers to teach and help! There is a teacher’s packet for each lesson that includes the story and activities. Not comfortable being “the teacher”? Then sign up to be the teacher’s helper. We need a teacher and a helper for each week. The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Please help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
ARTWORK FOR HALLWAY: Summer is the time to showcase the artwork of our children! We are asking that you bring in some of your child’s artwork from school to hang in our Hallway Gallery from June 15 through Labor Day. We have gotten some artwork, but there is still time to bring more. Linda Ellinghausen has graciously offered to mount the artwork, so we’ll need them by this Sunday, June 13. Please drop off your child’s artwork on the CE desk. All artwork of course will be returned after the showcase. I can’t wait to see what our artists have done through the year!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Planning is well under way for this year’s VBS, High Seas Expedition. Please look at your schedule and see if you could help out that week: July 26-30 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Specifically we need volunteers for doing SIMPLE snacks.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
June 13 - Sunday School topic: A love letter (Paul’s letter to the Corinthians)
June 20 - Sunday School topic: Body of Christ
June 27 - Sunday School topic: Shipwreck! (Paul’s journey under Roman rule from Jerusalem to Rome)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
RECYCLE PAPER HERE and raise money for our Mission Ministries. You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. Let’s fill it with paper!
These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
Dear Friends,
We are looking forward to a visit from our sister church in the fall of 2011. On Labor Day Weekend 2011 Pastor Abel and his wife Sara will join us in celebrating our 50th year jubilee. Does this sound like a small thing? After all, that part of our jubilee celebration is about 15 months away. However, getting the paperwork in order is no small thing. When the U.S. consulate was first contacted, the only appointment open was in 2013 - TWO YEARS PAST our celebration. That was only the beginning of our hurdles. Gretchen Fleming, who was doing the leg work on this project, was a bit frustrated to say the least, but we prayed. Through a series of events, Abel and Sara have this very important appointment next week.
Thinking about this, there are two thoughts that come to mind: prayer and thanksgiving. In Psalm 5, the Psalmist “lays” his requests out to God and expects an answer. Do we lay out our requests, even the ones that seem not worthy of prayer, like paperwork? Do we expect an answer? Sometimes we pray and don’t look for an answer. We make our requests and don’t stop and look for the answer. When Gretchen told me the good news about the appointment I had forgotten that we had prayed about it. If it weren’t for Gretchen sharing the good news with me, I would have missed an opportunity to see God working in my life.
Gretchen told me that she thanked God by putting money in her “Thank Jar.” There are a number of ways to thank God, but her way intrigued me. Each fall the Presbyterian Women have the thank offering. During the year some of our women put coins in a jar to thank God for whatever they are thankful for. The money from that jar is pooled and sent to our National Offices; at least 40 percent of this offering supports health ministries throughout the world. The remaining 60 percent funds new creative ideas for mission. There are a lot of ways to thank God; Gretchen’s is just one of them. How do you thank God? Take it from here,
Love, Wendy
P.S. If you have trouble jump-starting your prayer life, a Psalm is a good way to get started.
P.P.S. I just talked to Gretchen. Let’s just say we still have some opportunities to see God at work and pray about Abel and Sara’s trip.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION:
Homelessness and Hunger don’t take a summer vacation! Southminster will be providing MEALS FOR PADS the second Saturday of June, July, and August. We still need a few things for our first summer meal this coming weekend. For dinner Saturday night: coleslaw and hot vegetables (green beans or corn). For breakfast Sunday morning: breakfast casseroles and cream cheese. If you’re willing to donate one or more of these, please reply to this email or contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377). Note that all donations for sack lunches need to be delivered to Southminster by 9:00 a.m. this Saturday; all food for dinner and breakfast should be here by 10:00 a.m. Saturday.
This is a mission EVERYONE at SPC can support in one way or another. Mission Ministry can NOT do it without you! Any questions? Contact Gretchen.
Please pray for the YOUTH MISSION TEAM, who will be serving in Rushville, Indiana, from this Sunday until June19th. Pray for their spiritual growth, safety, and that the people they help will be served well and see Jesus’ love through them.
CONFIRMATION: This coming Sunday, June 13, at 11:00 a.m. there will be a meeting in the parlor to discuss Confirmation. Parents of unconfirmed students entering 6th grade through high school age are invited.
FIGHT CANCER - JOIN THE RELAY FOR LIFE: We are forming a team again from Southminster to support the Relay for Life event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 18, at Glenbard South High School. Won’t you walk the track to honor those we have lost or support those who are struggling or have beat cancer? Bring a lawn chair and come join us. Many activities are planned, and it will be a memorable evening. Sign-up sheets, survivor sheets, forms for the purchase of luminaries, and instructions to donate online will be in the narthex. Also, Chili’s Restaurant at Danada will donate 10% of your check to our team from May 11 to June 23 on every Tuesday and Wednesday. Print a coupon from the June Dialog or pick one up at church (in the narthex or on the nametag shelf) before you go to Chili’s.
FELLOWSHIP OUTING: Take me out to the Cougars Ballgame! Don't miss our annual outing to the Kane County Cougars game on Monday July 12th (All Faiths Night). Fun for the whole family. Tickets are only $5 per person and can be reserved on the signup sheet posted in the narthex. Sign up by July 4th so you don't miss this great fellowship event. For more details, contact Diane Swiss at dswiss60137@sbcglobal.net or 630-858-5488.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about God’s love through Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Summer Sunday School is up and running, but we still need volunteers to teach and help! There is a teacher’s packet for each lesson that includes the story and activities. Not comfortable being “the teacher”? Then sign up to be the teacher’s helper. We need a teacher and a helper for each week. The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Please help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
ARTWORK FOR HALLWAY: Summer is the time to showcase the artwork of our children! We are asking that you bring in some of your child’s artwork from school to hang in our Hallway Gallery from June 15 through Labor Day. We have gotten some artwork, but there is still time to bring more. Linda Ellinghausen has graciously offered to mount the artwork, so we’ll need them by this Sunday, June 13. Please drop off your child’s artwork on the CE desk. All artwork of course will be returned after the showcase. I can’t wait to see what our artists have done through the year!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Planning is well under way for this year’s VBS, High Seas Expedition. Please look at your schedule and see if you could help out that week: July 26-30 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Specifically we need volunteers for doing SIMPLE snacks.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
June 13 - Sunday School topic: A love letter (Paul’s letter to the Corinthians)
June 20 - Sunday School topic: Body of Christ
June 27 - Sunday School topic: Shipwreck! (Paul’s journey under Roman rule from Jerusalem to Rome)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
RECYCLE PAPER HERE and raise money for our Mission Ministries. You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. Let’s fill it with paper!
These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
May 26, 2010
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:14
“In sovereign love God created the heavens and the earth and called and formed the people of Israel to be a light to all the nations. In costly grace the Lord Jesus Christ ministered among us and was crucified and raised for us and for our salvation. In transforming power the Holy Spirit renews and sanctifies us, draws us into new communion with God and each other, awakens our praise and worship, and equips us for the service of God in the world. The Triune God does all this through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit.”
Dear Friends,
Just when you thought that all the major Church Holy Days are over, along comes Trinity Sunday, this Sunday. Unlike the other Church Holy Days it does not mark a particular occasion. (For example, Christmas marks the incarnation, and Pentecost the gift of the Holy Spirit.) Trinity Sunday marks our Christian understanding of God. Often people make this a mathematical exercise when, in fact, it is our Scripture’s witness to who God is and our own experience of salvation. For me, it goes beyond Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, because God can not be broken into discreet tasks. I rest in the fact that I am not a trinity and therefore have limited understanding of what being “God” is like. When I think of Trinity, I look at a scripture like 2 Corinthians 13:14 and find comfort. I find comfort in the facts that God is transcendent, far from my personal horizon, beyond my personal understanding. God is also immanent, closer than my breath, and understands me from the inside out, and that God came to all of us in Jesus Christ.
Because it is Trinity Sunday one of the songs we will be singing will be “Holy, Holy” by Jimmy Owens. Pat Weidner, who will be playing this Sunday, told me that the congregation has sung it before. I had to laugh because “Holy, Holy” was a controversial song when I was a teen. In 1973 I sang in a combined three-church high school choir. Because we sang “Holy, Holy” in 1973, only a year after it was written, it was considered by some to be too new and not appropriate for Church use. As a result, one of the churches pulled out of the combined choir. I was puzzled by it as a teen, but didn’t think twice about what it meant to the adults. Now, as an adult I find that I have some compassion for the youth and choir director involved. We didn’t even use drums!
May you worship our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! May you grow in your understanding of the wonder of the incarnation and the presence of the Holy Spirit. May you have compassion for people who don’t see things the way you do... and take it from here!
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
GRADUATES! Do you have a son or daughter –or are you yourself- graduating from high school, college, or grad school this spring? Please let us know the student’s name, school, degree, and future plans.
MISSION:
Homelessness and Hunger don’t take a summer vacation! Southminster will be providing MEALS FOR PADS the second Saturday of June, July, and August. Sign-up sheets for the June 12th meals are located on the Mission bulletin board in the narthex. Please sign up for what you would like to provide or if you are able to serve that evening. This is a mission EVERYone at SPC can support in one way or another. Mission Ministry can NOT do it without you! Any questions? Contact Gretchen Fleming.
Offer good only until May 31: Multiply your giving power with “GIFTS GROW!” Before May ends, please prayerfully consider donating to Gifts Grow so that others may know God’s love through your donation. The Mission Committee will match your gifts up to a collective amount of $3000. There has been detailed information in the May Dialog and in the yellow bulletin inserts we’ve used on Sunday mornings. Extra envelopes and the yellow information sheets can be found in the blue flowerpot in the narthex. Be sure to see how our gifts are growing by checking the display above the narthex windows. Thanks for your support of this unique SPC Mission.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
USED PAPERBACK BOOK COLLECTION: We are collecting used paperback books! If you have any paperbacks lying around that you would like to donate, bring them in to church and drop them off in the coat room. Clear out some space for some new books for summer, which you can pick up while benefiting the church on June 6th at our paperback book sale. Thank you! (Please remember that hardback books, textbooks, and old travel books will not be accepted!!)
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: Have you thought about teaching Sunday School, but couldn’t commit to a whole year? Have you always wondered what Sunday School is like, or do you miss teaching during the summer? Then sign up to teach, or to help with, Summer Sunday School! We’re looking for teachers and helpers each week this summer to help our children learn more about God. This summer they’ll learn about the adventures of Paul, experience the Holy Land, and hear stories of God’s people. Come join us for some Summer Sunday School fun! The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Hope to see you there!
ARTWORK FOR HALLWAY: Summer is the time to showcase the artwork of our children! We are asking that you bring in some of your child’s artwork from school to be hung in our Hallway Gallery from June 15 through Labor Day. Linda Ellinghausen has graciously offered to mount the pieces, so we’ll need them by June 6. Please drop off your child’s artwork on the C.E. desk anytime through that Sunday. All artwork of course will be returned after the showcase. I can’t wait to see what our artists have done through the year!
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 30 - No Sunday School. Children remain in the service.
June 6 - We WILL have Summer Sunday School on this date. (We originally said it would start on June 13.)
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
June 6 - Bring in children’s artwork from school for Hallway Gallery
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT BIBLE CLASS: Sunday is the last lectionary Bible study class left for this spring, so don’t miss out! Passages for this week are: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Romans 5:1-5; and John 16:12-15.
YOUTH: Join us for the last SNL of the season, this Sunday at the usual time. That is 6:00 for PYNGUINS (middle school) and 7:00 pm for SPY (high school). Bring ideas for summer fun events and your vacation schedule to help us set some dates. See you there!
WOMEN’S BREAKFAST meets the first Monday of the month – the next gathering will be Monday, June 7 - at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP in Danada East. New friends are always welcome!
FIGHT CANCER - JOIN THE RELAY FOR LIFE: We are forming a team again from Southminster to support the Relay for Life event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 18, at Glenbard South High School. Won’t you walk the track to honor those we have lost or support those who are struggling or have beat cancer? Bring a lawn chair and come join us. Many activities are planned, and it will be a memorable evening. Sign-up sheets, survivor sheets, forms for the purchase of luminaries, and instructions to donate online will be in the narthex. Also, Chili’s Restaurant at Danada will donate 10% of your check to our team from May 11 to June 23 on every Tuesday and Wednesday. Print a coupon from the attachment to these E-Notes or pick one up at church (in the narthex or on the nametag shelf) before you go to Chili’s.
RECYCLE PAPER HERE and raise money for our Mission Ministries. You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. Let’s fill it with paper!
These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
“In sovereign love God created the heavens and the earth and called and formed the people of Israel to be a light to all the nations. In costly grace the Lord Jesus Christ ministered among us and was crucified and raised for us and for our salvation. In transforming power the Holy Spirit renews and sanctifies us, draws us into new communion with God and each other, awakens our praise and worship, and equips us for the service of God in the world. The Triune God does all this through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit.”
Dear Friends,
Just when you thought that all the major Church Holy Days are over, along comes Trinity Sunday, this Sunday. Unlike the other Church Holy Days it does not mark a particular occasion. (For example, Christmas marks the incarnation, and Pentecost the gift of the Holy Spirit.) Trinity Sunday marks our Christian understanding of God. Often people make this a mathematical exercise when, in fact, it is our Scripture’s witness to who God is and our own experience of salvation. For me, it goes beyond Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, because God can not be broken into discreet tasks. I rest in the fact that I am not a trinity and therefore have limited understanding of what being “God” is like. When I think of Trinity, I look at a scripture like 2 Corinthians 13:14 and find comfort. I find comfort in the facts that God is transcendent, far from my personal horizon, beyond my personal understanding. God is also immanent, closer than my breath, and understands me from the inside out, and that God came to all of us in Jesus Christ.
Because it is Trinity Sunday one of the songs we will be singing will be “Holy, Holy” by Jimmy Owens. Pat Weidner, who will be playing this Sunday, told me that the congregation has sung it before. I had to laugh because “Holy, Holy” was a controversial song when I was a teen. In 1973 I sang in a combined three-church high school choir. Because we sang “Holy, Holy” in 1973, only a year after it was written, it was considered by some to be too new and not appropriate for Church use. As a result, one of the churches pulled out of the combined choir. I was puzzled by it as a teen, but didn’t think twice about what it meant to the adults. Now, as an adult I find that I have some compassion for the youth and choir director involved. We didn’t even use drums!
May you worship our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! May you grow in your understanding of the wonder of the incarnation and the presence of the Holy Spirit. May you have compassion for people who don’t see things the way you do... and take it from here!
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
GRADUATES! Do you have a son or daughter –or are you yourself- graduating from high school, college, or grad school this spring? Please let us know the student’s name, school, degree, and future plans.
MISSION:
Homelessness and Hunger don’t take a summer vacation! Southminster will be providing MEALS FOR PADS the second Saturday of June, July, and August. Sign-up sheets for the June 12th meals are located on the Mission bulletin board in the narthex. Please sign up for what you would like to provide or if you are able to serve that evening. This is a mission EVERYone at SPC can support in one way or another. Mission Ministry can NOT do it without you! Any questions? Contact Gretchen Fleming.
Offer good only until May 31: Multiply your giving power with “GIFTS GROW!” Before May ends, please prayerfully consider donating to Gifts Grow so that others may know God’s love through your donation. The Mission Committee will match your gifts up to a collective amount of $3000. There has been detailed information in the May Dialog and in the yellow bulletin inserts we’ve used on Sunday mornings. Extra envelopes and the yellow information sheets can be found in the blue flowerpot in the narthex. Be sure to see how our gifts are growing by checking the display above the narthex windows. Thanks for your support of this unique SPC Mission.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
USED PAPERBACK BOOK COLLECTION: We are collecting used paperback books! If you have any paperbacks lying around that you would like to donate, bring them in to church and drop them off in the coat room. Clear out some space for some new books for summer, which you can pick up while benefiting the church on June 6th at our paperback book sale. Thank you! (Please remember that hardback books, textbooks, and old travel books will not be accepted!!)
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: Have you thought about teaching Sunday School, but couldn’t commit to a whole year? Have you always wondered what Sunday School is like, or do you miss teaching during the summer? Then sign up to teach, or to help with, Summer Sunday School! We’re looking for teachers and helpers each week this summer to help our children learn more about God. This summer they’ll learn about the adventures of Paul, experience the Holy Land, and hear stories of God’s people. Come join us for some Summer Sunday School fun! The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Hope to see you there!
ARTWORK FOR HALLWAY: Summer is the time to showcase the artwork of our children! We are asking that you bring in some of your child’s artwork from school to be hung in our Hallway Gallery from June 15 through Labor Day. Linda Ellinghausen has graciously offered to mount the pieces, so we’ll need them by June 6. Please drop off your child’s artwork on the C.E. desk anytime through that Sunday. All artwork of course will be returned after the showcase. I can’t wait to see what our artists have done through the year!
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 30 - No Sunday School. Children remain in the service.
June 6 - We WILL have Summer Sunday School on this date. (We originally said it would start on June 13.)
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
June 6 - Bring in children’s artwork from school for Hallway Gallery
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT BIBLE CLASS: Sunday is the last lectionary Bible study class left for this spring, so don’t miss out! Passages for this week are: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Romans 5:1-5; and John 16:12-15.
YOUTH: Join us for the last SNL of the season, this Sunday at the usual time. That is 6:00 for PYNGUINS (middle school) and 7:00 pm for SPY (high school). Bring ideas for summer fun events and your vacation schedule to help us set some dates. See you there!
WOMEN’S BREAKFAST meets the first Monday of the month – the next gathering will be Monday, June 7 - at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP in Danada East. New friends are always welcome!
FIGHT CANCER - JOIN THE RELAY FOR LIFE: We are forming a team again from Southminster to support the Relay for Life event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 18, at Glenbard South High School. Won’t you walk the track to honor those we have lost or support those who are struggling or have beat cancer? Bring a lawn chair and come join us. Many activities are planned, and it will be a memorable evening. Sign-up sheets, survivor sheets, forms for the purchase of luminaries, and instructions to donate online will be in the narthex. Also, Chili’s Restaurant at Danada will donate 10% of your check to our team from May 11 to June 23 on every Tuesday and Wednesday. Print a coupon from the attachment to these E-Notes or pick one up at church (in the narthex or on the nametag shelf) before you go to Chili’s.
RECYCLE PAPER HERE and raise money for our Mission Ministries. You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. Let’s fill it with paper!
These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
May 12, 2010
Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth - everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Dear Friends,
At home I hang my keys on our coat rack by the front door. On Tuesday morning, I couldn’t find them. Perhaps you know the feeling. Lost! Panic! Helpless! I couldn’t find them on the coat rack, so I searched the rest of the house. Finally, I went back to the coat rack and began to peal back the layers of coats and found the keys! I also found a jacket that I didn’t recognize. “Whose coat is this?” I wondered. There was a Southminster name tag on the front pocket. It belonged to Aaron Considine, a friend of ours who visited about a month ago.
The whole incident made me smile; the fact that we have name tags and try to call one another by name, the memory of his visit, my joy in sharing Southminster with a friend. The name tag also reminded me that God has called each of us by name. I was reminded of the words of the prophet Isaiah 43. “I have called you by name, you are mine.” We belong to God and we belong to one another. Christians are not meant to be Christians all by themselves, on their own. We were created to be a community of people, not only to be served by God, but to represent God in the world. As you go about your day take courage that you belong to God and together we share the blessings of God in our homes, communities and in the world. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
RUMMAGE SALE and CAR WASH: THIS SATURDAY, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and SUNDAY, Noon-4 p.m. Come, buy, feel good, and support the Youth Mission Trip, 2010!! If you have items to donate, please price them and bring them in by Friday. Leave everything downstairs in Fellowship Hall. We can use help sorting and organizing on Friday – see Blair’s note below under YOUTH.
SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY is this Saturday, May 15, from 8:00 a.m.-noon (or whenever we finish). It’s the same day as the Rummage Sale/Car Wash - come and help both causes! We’ll have projects indoors and out, for all ability levels. We promise a sense of accomplishment and abundant gratitude (plus food and fellowship) for all who assist!
This Sunday is YOUTH SUNDAY. The children and youth of Southminster have helped plan the service, prepare the music, and prepare the message. We look forward to allowing them to lead us in worship! ALL PARTICIPANTS are asked to report to the Choir Room Sunday morning at 9:00! (See more information below under Christian Ed. Notes.)
RED GERANIUMS FOR PENTECOST: The liturgical color for the Day of Pentecost (May 23) is red. Help fill the sanctuary with red geraniums that day! Geraniums are $12.00 each. Sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex; the last day to order will be this Sunday, May 16.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
THIS SUNDAY IS YOUTH SUNDAY! The kids will be singing “Jubilee” and reciting the Lord’s Prayer, complete with motions. If I have your email and your child will be participating, you should have a copy of the words and motions in your inbox. If you don’t have a copy and would like one, send me an email at smpcce@ameritech.net and I’ll get you one. Thanks for all of your hard work! Please, have your kids ready and in the choir room by 9 a.m. on Sunday!
SWEET TOMATOES FOR VBS! Next Wednesday, May 19, stop by Sweet Tomatoes (in Lombard on Highland Ave.) and help support Southminster’s Vacation Bible School! Just grab a meal and a drink and 20% will be donated to our VBS program! Paper fliers are available on the CE bulletin board or just print off a copy of the file that is attached to these E-Notes. (Note: You must have a flyer with you for your purchase to count.) Yummmm!
USED PAPERBACK BOOK COLLECTION: Starting this Sunday, May 16 (after the rummage sale) we will be collecting paperback books! If you have any books just lying around that you would like to donate, bring them in to church and drop them off at the CE office. Clear out some space for some new books for summer, which you can pick up while benefiting the church on June 6th at our paperback book sale. Thank you!
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: Have you thought about teaching Sunday School, but couldn’t commit to a whole year? Have you always wondered what Sunday School is like, or do you miss teaching during the summer? Then sign up to teach, or to help with, Summer Sunday School! We’re looking for teachers and helpers each week this summer to help our children learn more about God. This summer they’ll learn about the adventures of Paul, experience the Holy Land, and hear stories of God’s people. Come join us for some Summer Sunday School fun! The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Hope to see you there!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
May 23 - Jack Hecker
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 16 - Youth Sunday
May 19- Sweet Tomatoes Fun-Raiser (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
May 23- Last day of Regular Sunday School
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT BIBLE CLASS: We will meet this Sunday, (even with everything else that is going on!). Note that we will be meeting in the Choir Room. Our lectionary passages are: Acts 16:16-34, Rev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, and John 17:20-26. -Blair
YOUTH: All hands on deck at 7:00 a.m. Saturday for set-up. Remember, we will also be practicing for Youth Sunday during the sale on Saturday. Bring spare grocery bags and dress to get wet if you want to wash cars. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen and a lovely summery hat (Linda!).
Sorting for Rummage Sale: Youth or other volunteers, please contact Blair (630-917-6035) if you can do some sorting on Friday evening in preparation for the sale.
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
MISSION:
Double your giving power with “GIFTS GROW!” During the month of May please prayerfully consider donating to Gifts Grow so that others may know God’s love through your donation. The Mission Committee will match your gifts up to a collective amount of $3000. There is detailed information in the May Dialog and in Sunday bulletin inserts. Extra envelopes and the yellow information sheets can be found in the narthex. Be sure to see how our gifts are growing by checking the display over the narthex windows.
FIGHT CANCER - JOIN THE RELAY FOR LIFE: We are forming a team again from Southminster to support the Relay for Life event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 18, at Glenbard South High School. Won’t you walk the track to honor those we have lost or support those who are struggling or have beat cancer? Bring a lawn chair and come join us. Many activities are planned, and it will be a memorable evening. Sign-up sheets, survivor sheets, forms for the purchase of luminaries, and instructions to donate online will be in the narthex. Also, Chili’s Restaurant at Danada will donate 10% of your check to our team from May 11 to June 23 on every Tuesday and Wednesday. Pick up a coupon or mention the Relay for Life when you go to Chili’s.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
OUR PAPER RECYCLING BIN IS HERE! We have signed up as a responsible community recycling member with Paper Retriever recycling. Paper Retriever is an easy, free, community-based program that wraps recycling and fund raising into one neat package. The money we raise here will go toward our Mission Ministries.
You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. You may start bringing paper any time! These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth - everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Dear Friends,
At home I hang my keys on our coat rack by the front door. On Tuesday morning, I couldn’t find them. Perhaps you know the feeling. Lost! Panic! Helpless! I couldn’t find them on the coat rack, so I searched the rest of the house. Finally, I went back to the coat rack and began to peal back the layers of coats and found the keys! I also found a jacket that I didn’t recognize. “Whose coat is this?” I wondered. There was a Southminster name tag on the front pocket. It belonged to Aaron Considine, a friend of ours who visited about a month ago.
The whole incident made me smile; the fact that we have name tags and try to call one another by name, the memory of his visit, my joy in sharing Southminster with a friend. The name tag also reminded me that God has called each of us by name. I was reminded of the words of the prophet Isaiah 43. “I have called you by name, you are mine.” We belong to God and we belong to one another. Christians are not meant to be Christians all by themselves, on their own. We were created to be a community of people, not only to be served by God, but to represent God in the world. As you go about your day take courage that you belong to God and together we share the blessings of God in our homes, communities and in the world. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
RUMMAGE SALE and CAR WASH: THIS SATURDAY, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and SUNDAY, Noon-4 p.m. Come, buy, feel good, and support the Youth Mission Trip, 2010!! If you have items to donate, please price them and bring them in by Friday. Leave everything downstairs in Fellowship Hall. We can use help sorting and organizing on Friday – see Blair’s note below under YOUTH.
SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY is this Saturday, May 15, from 8:00 a.m.-noon (or whenever we finish). It’s the same day as the Rummage Sale/Car Wash - come and help both causes! We’ll have projects indoors and out, for all ability levels. We promise a sense of accomplishment and abundant gratitude (plus food and fellowship) for all who assist!
This Sunday is YOUTH SUNDAY. The children and youth of Southminster have helped plan the service, prepare the music, and prepare the message. We look forward to allowing them to lead us in worship! ALL PARTICIPANTS are asked to report to the Choir Room Sunday morning at 9:00! (See more information below under Christian Ed. Notes.)
RED GERANIUMS FOR PENTECOST: The liturgical color for the Day of Pentecost (May 23) is red. Help fill the sanctuary with red geraniums that day! Geraniums are $12.00 each. Sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex; the last day to order will be this Sunday, May 16.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
THIS SUNDAY IS YOUTH SUNDAY! The kids will be singing “Jubilee” and reciting the Lord’s Prayer, complete with motions. If I have your email and your child will be participating, you should have a copy of the words and motions in your inbox. If you don’t have a copy and would like one, send me an email at smpcce@ameritech.net and I’ll get you one. Thanks for all of your hard work! Please, have your kids ready and in the choir room by 9 a.m. on Sunday!
SWEET TOMATOES FOR VBS! Next Wednesday, May 19, stop by Sweet Tomatoes (in Lombard on Highland Ave.) and help support Southminster’s Vacation Bible School! Just grab a meal and a drink and 20% will be donated to our VBS program! Paper fliers are available on the CE bulletin board or just print off a copy of the file that is attached to these E-Notes. (Note: You must have a flyer with you for your purchase to count.) Yummmm!
USED PAPERBACK BOOK COLLECTION: Starting this Sunday, May 16 (after the rummage sale) we will be collecting paperback books! If you have any books just lying around that you would like to donate, bring them in to church and drop them off at the CE office. Clear out some space for some new books for summer, which you can pick up while benefiting the church on June 6th at our paperback book sale. Thank you!
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: Have you thought about teaching Sunday School, but couldn’t commit to a whole year? Have you always wondered what Sunday School is like, or do you miss teaching during the summer? Then sign up to teach, or to help with, Summer Sunday School! We’re looking for teachers and helpers each week this summer to help our children learn more about God. This summer they’ll learn about the adventures of Paul, experience the Holy Land, and hear stories of God’s people. Come join us for some Summer Sunday School fun! The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Hope to see you there!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
May 23 - Jack Hecker
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 16 - Youth Sunday
May 19- Sweet Tomatoes Fun-Raiser (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
May 23- Last day of Regular Sunday School
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT BIBLE CLASS: We will meet this Sunday, (even with everything else that is going on!). Note that we will be meeting in the Choir Room. Our lectionary passages are: Acts 16:16-34, Rev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, and John 17:20-26. -Blair
YOUTH: All hands on deck at 7:00 a.m. Saturday for set-up. Remember, we will also be practicing for Youth Sunday during the sale on Saturday. Bring spare grocery bags and dress to get wet if you want to wash cars. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen and a lovely summery hat (Linda!).
Sorting for Rummage Sale: Youth or other volunteers, please contact Blair (630-917-6035) if you can do some sorting on Friday evening in preparation for the sale.
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
MISSION:
Double your giving power with “GIFTS GROW!” During the month of May please prayerfully consider donating to Gifts Grow so that others may know God’s love through your donation. The Mission Committee will match your gifts up to a collective amount of $3000. There is detailed information in the May Dialog and in Sunday bulletin inserts. Extra envelopes and the yellow information sheets can be found in the narthex. Be sure to see how our gifts are growing by checking the display over the narthex windows.
FIGHT CANCER - JOIN THE RELAY FOR LIFE: We are forming a team again from Southminster to support the Relay for Life event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 18, at Glenbard South High School. Won’t you walk the track to honor those we have lost or support those who are struggling or have beat cancer? Bring a lawn chair and come join us. Many activities are planned, and it will be a memorable evening. Sign-up sheets, survivor sheets, forms for the purchase of luminaries, and instructions to donate online will be in the narthex. Also, Chili’s Restaurant at Danada will donate 10% of your check to our team from May 11 to June 23 on every Tuesday and Wednesday. Pick up a coupon or mention the Relay for Life when you go to Chili’s.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
OUR PAPER RECYCLING BIN IS HERE! We have signed up as a responsible community recycling member with Paper Retriever recycling. Paper Retriever is an easy, free, community-based program that wraps recycling and fund raising into one neat package. The money we raise here will go toward our Mission Ministries.
You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. You may start bringing paper any time! These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May 5, 2010
Southminster E-Notes for May 5, 2010
Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-17 (New International Version)
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
Dear Friends,
Above is my prayer for all of you. This Thursday, May 6, is National Day of Prayer. Our congregation doesn’t have anything formal planed, but I would like to encourage you to make time on Thursday to hold our nation in prayer.
Forty years ago, on May 4 National Guardsmen opened fired on students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University in Ohio, killing four and shocking the nation. I was only in the seventh grade when this event happened. The sad thing is that it didn’t seemed shocking to me, but it was shocking to my mother who taught English at a local college. I remember her grief and how it covered our home. Being a Baby Boomer who grew up watching the Vietnam War unfolding every night on TV news, I couldn’t understand why this story of 4 people being shot by guardsmen would be so upsetting to my mother. After all, JFK and MLK Jr had been shot, why not anyone else? I didn’t understand the difference between an assassination and guardsmen. Now, of course, I see how childish I was. By the way, I prayed yesterday, not only the families of the Kent State victims, but for the guardsmen whose intention it was to serve their country and were put into a very confusing situation. I doubt if they were much older than the protestors. I wonder what happened to them and what they may have felt as a result of forty years ago. We really don’t know all that happened that day.
When I was reflecting on the events of Kent State, I thought of what our country has been through since then. I thought particularly about school shootings and the violence that creeps along and leaks out into our society. Please pray for our country.
The National Day of Prayer is a part of our heritage. The first call to prayer was in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history. We could all use some prayer. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
JUBILEE 2011: The 50th Anniversary Planning Team needs your ideas for our big Jubilee celebration during 2011. We will meet tomorrow (Thursday, May 6) at 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor. Come join us if you are interested in the 50th Anniversary Planning Team or if you would like to assist with a particular celebration event. Contacts are Sue Clary (630-790-1109, (sueclary@sbcglobal.net ) or Pat Wiedner (630-858-0761, (pjwiedner@hotmail.com ).
MISSION:
Double your giving power with “GIFTS GROW!” During the month of May please prayerfully consider donating to Gifts Grow so that others may know God’s love through your donation. The Mission Committee will match your gifts up to a collective amount of $3000. There is detailed information in the May Dialog and in Sunday bulletin inserts. Extra envelopes and the yellow information sheets can be found in the narthex. Be sure to see how our gifts are growing by checking the display over the narthex windows.
RUMMAGE SALE is coming! Price stickers are available on the name tag shelf. Please price your donations and bring them to church starting this Sunday, May 9, following worship. (Please not before then; we don’t have enough storage space.)
The RUMMAGE SALE AND CAR WASH will be Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16. Mark your calendar now and plan to come support our Youth Mission Trip!
QUILT MINISTRY is moving to Mondays! Join us on May 10 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. We have completed 3 lap quilts and know we can do more with more helping hands and willing hearts. NO experience necessary - we welcome all! Talk to Sue Clary or Sue Knisely for more information.
SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY is Saturday, May 15, from 8:00 a.m.-noon (or whenever we finish). It’s the same day as the Rummage Sale/Car Wash - come and help both causes! We’ll have projects indoors and out, for all ability levels. We promise a sense of accomplishment and abundant gratitude (plus food and fellowship) for all who assist!
RED GERANIUMS FOR PENTECOST: The liturgical color for the Day of Pentecost (May 23) is red. Help fill the sanctuary with red geraniums that day! Geraniums are $12.00 each. Sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex; the last day to order will be Sunday, May 16.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEK: This Sunday there will be no Sunday School, in honor of Mother’s Day. Children through Kindergarten are welcome in the Nursery, while older children will remain in church.
PRACTICE FOR YOUTH SUNDAY (May 16): For Youth Sunday, children in pre-school through grade 3 are learning to sing “Jubilee!,” while Grades 4 and 5 are learning a handchime part to play with it. They will not have practice this Sunday, but if you would like to practice at home, that would be wonderful! All of the children will also be reciting the Lord’s Prayer and doing motions for us on Youth Sunday. We can’t wait to hear them! Please plan on the children arriving by 9:00 a.m. on May 16 to prepare for the service. Thanks!
SWEET TOMATOES FOR VBS! On Wednesday, May 19, stop by Sweet Tomatoes (in Lombard on Highland Ave.) and help support Southminster’s Vacation Bible School! Just grab a meal and a drink and 20% will be donated to our VBS program! Paper fliers are available on the CE bulletin board or just print off a copy of the file that was attached to the May Dialog. (Note: You must have a flyer with you for your purchase to count.) Yummmm!
USED PAPERBACK BOOK COLLECTION: Starting May 16 (after the rummage sale) we will be collecting paperback books! If you have any books just lying around that you would like to donate, bring them in to church and drop them off at the CE office. Clear out some space for some new books for summer, which you can pick up while benefiting the church on June 6th at our paperback book sale. Thank you!
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: Have you thought about teaching Sunday School, but couldn’t commit to a whole year? Have you always wondered what Sunday School is like, or do you miss teaching during the summer? Then sign up to teach, or to help with, Summer Sunday School! We’re looking for teachers and helpers each week this summer to help our children learn more about God. This summer they’ll learn about the adventures of Paul, experience the Holy Land, and hear stories of God’s people. Come join us for some Summer Sunday School fun! The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Hope to see you there!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
May 9 - Nalani Johnson
May 23 - Jack Hecker
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 9- No Sunday School (Mother’s Day)
May 16 - Youth Sunday
May 19- Sweet Tomatoes FunRaiser (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
May 23- Last day of Regular Sunday School
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: No Adult Class this Sunday. Enjoy Mother’s Day. -Blair
YOUTH:
No SNL this Sunday. Treat your Mom to dinner!! REMEMBER: May 15-16 is Rummage Sale, and May 16 is Youth Sunday!!
MISSION TRIPPERS: Remember, our next Pre-Trip meeting is May 23, 4:30 p.m.
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
OUR PAPER RECYCLING BIN IS HERE! We have signed up as a responsible community recycling member with Paper Retriever recycling. Paper Retriever is an easy, free, community-based program that wraps recycling and fund raising into one neat package. The money we raise here will go toward our Mission Ministries.
You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. You may start bringing paper any time! These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-17 (New International Version)
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
Dear Friends,
Above is my prayer for all of you. This Thursday, May 6, is National Day of Prayer. Our congregation doesn’t have anything formal planed, but I would like to encourage you to make time on Thursday to hold our nation in prayer.
Forty years ago, on May 4 National Guardsmen opened fired on students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University in Ohio, killing four and shocking the nation. I was only in the seventh grade when this event happened. The sad thing is that it didn’t seemed shocking to me, but it was shocking to my mother who taught English at a local college. I remember her grief and how it covered our home. Being a Baby Boomer who grew up watching the Vietnam War unfolding every night on TV news, I couldn’t understand why this story of 4 people being shot by guardsmen would be so upsetting to my mother. After all, JFK and MLK Jr had been shot, why not anyone else? I didn’t understand the difference between an assassination and guardsmen. Now, of course, I see how childish I was. By the way, I prayed yesterday, not only the families of the Kent State victims, but for the guardsmen whose intention it was to serve their country and were put into a very confusing situation. I doubt if they were much older than the protestors. I wonder what happened to them and what they may have felt as a result of forty years ago. We really don’t know all that happened that day.
When I was reflecting on the events of Kent State, I thought of what our country has been through since then. I thought particularly about school shootings and the violence that creeps along and leaks out into our society. Please pray for our country.
The National Day of Prayer is a part of our heritage. The first call to prayer was in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history. We could all use some prayer. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
JUBILEE 2011: The 50th Anniversary Planning Team needs your ideas for our big Jubilee celebration during 2011. We will meet tomorrow (Thursday, May 6) at 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor. Come join us if you are interested in the 50th Anniversary Planning Team or if you would like to assist with a particular celebration event. Contacts are Sue Clary (630-790-1109, (sueclary@sbcglobal.net ) or Pat Wiedner (630-858-0761, (pjwiedner@hotmail.com ).
MISSION:
Double your giving power with “GIFTS GROW!” During the month of May please prayerfully consider donating to Gifts Grow so that others may know God’s love through your donation. The Mission Committee will match your gifts up to a collective amount of $3000. There is detailed information in the May Dialog and in Sunday bulletin inserts. Extra envelopes and the yellow information sheets can be found in the narthex. Be sure to see how our gifts are growing by checking the display over the narthex windows.
RUMMAGE SALE is coming! Price stickers are available on the name tag shelf. Please price your donations and bring them to church starting this Sunday, May 9, following worship. (Please not before then; we don’t have enough storage space.)
The RUMMAGE SALE AND CAR WASH will be Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16. Mark your calendar now and plan to come support our Youth Mission Trip!
QUILT MINISTRY is moving to Mondays! Join us on May 10 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. We have completed 3 lap quilts and know we can do more with more helping hands and willing hearts. NO experience necessary - we welcome all! Talk to Sue Clary or Sue Knisely for more information.
SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY is Saturday, May 15, from 8:00 a.m.-noon (or whenever we finish). It’s the same day as the Rummage Sale/Car Wash - come and help both causes! We’ll have projects indoors and out, for all ability levels. We promise a sense of accomplishment and abundant gratitude (plus food and fellowship) for all who assist!
RED GERANIUMS FOR PENTECOST: The liturgical color for the Day of Pentecost (May 23) is red. Help fill the sanctuary with red geraniums that day! Geraniums are $12.00 each. Sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex; the last day to order will be Sunday, May 16.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEK: This Sunday there will be no Sunday School, in honor of Mother’s Day. Children through Kindergarten are welcome in the Nursery, while older children will remain in church.
PRACTICE FOR YOUTH SUNDAY (May 16): For Youth Sunday, children in pre-school through grade 3 are learning to sing “Jubilee!,” while Grades 4 and 5 are learning a handchime part to play with it. They will not have practice this Sunday, but if you would like to practice at home, that would be wonderful! All of the children will also be reciting the Lord’s Prayer and doing motions for us on Youth Sunday. We can’t wait to hear them! Please plan on the children arriving by 9:00 a.m. on May 16 to prepare for the service. Thanks!
SWEET TOMATOES FOR VBS! On Wednesday, May 19, stop by Sweet Tomatoes (in Lombard on Highland Ave.) and help support Southminster’s Vacation Bible School! Just grab a meal and a drink and 20% will be donated to our VBS program! Paper fliers are available on the CE bulletin board or just print off a copy of the file that was attached to the May Dialog. (Note: You must have a flyer with you for your purchase to count.) Yummmm!
USED PAPERBACK BOOK COLLECTION: Starting May 16 (after the rummage sale) we will be collecting paperback books! If you have any books just lying around that you would like to donate, bring them in to church and drop them off at the CE office. Clear out some space for some new books for summer, which you can pick up while benefiting the church on June 6th at our paperback book sale. Thank you!
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: Have you thought about teaching Sunday School, but couldn’t commit to a whole year? Have you always wondered what Sunday School is like, or do you miss teaching during the summer? Then sign up to teach, or to help with, Summer Sunday School! We’re looking for teachers and helpers each week this summer to help our children learn more about God. This summer they’ll learn about the adventures of Paul, experience the Holy Land, and hear stories of God’s people. Come join us for some Summer Sunday School fun! The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. Hope to see you there!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
May 9 - Nalani Johnson
May 23 - Jack Hecker
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 9- No Sunday School (Mother’s Day)
May 16 - Youth Sunday
May 19- Sweet Tomatoes FunRaiser (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
May 23- Last day of Regular Sunday School
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: No Adult Class this Sunday. Enjoy Mother’s Day. -Blair
YOUTH:
No SNL this Sunday. Treat your Mom to dinner!! REMEMBER: May 15-16 is Rummage Sale, and May 16 is Youth Sunday!!
MISSION TRIPPERS: Remember, our next Pre-Trip meeting is May 23, 4:30 p.m.
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
OUR PAPER RECYCLING BIN IS HERE! We have signed up as a responsible community recycling member with Paper Retriever recycling. Paper Retriever is an easy, free, community-based program that wraps recycling and fund raising into one neat package. The money we raise here will go toward our Mission Ministries.
You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. You may start bringing paper any time! These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
April 28, 2010
Dear Friends,
Believe it or not, my favorite flower is the dandelion. When I was a teen we owned a house that had a large lawn and many dandelions. My father would ask the three of us, myself and my siblings, to pull a bag’s worth before dinner each night. Remember this was way before companies like, “Chem Lawn.” While my aunt was visiting I overheard her say to my father, “How did you get those beautiful yellow flowers to grow in your lawn?” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What is a weed to some is a beautiful flower to another. My aunt caught my attention. The reason I like dandelions is that they remind me to count my blessings. In daily life, it is easy to get caught up in catching up, getting ahead or being overwhelmed by the details of life and miss the beauty around us, God’s blessings around us.
Two types of prayers are adoration and thanksgiving. When was the last time you simply prayed a prayer of adoration or thanksgiving? Most of my prayers are those of supplication (asking), and intercession (asking for others). On the way to the church this morning I saw a few lawns that had dandelions. They reminded me that one person’s weed is another person’s flower. When you were a child, did you ever blow the seeds of a dandelion and make a wish? Was it fun? Perhaps we might try blowing the seeds of praise and thanksgiving in our prayers each day. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
YOUNG ADULT GROUP: We’ve had to change our next gathering from April 28 to Monday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Wendy and Blair’s. So don’t come tonight, but let us know if you are coming on the 10th so we’ll have a place set for you.
SOLACE SINGLES will have a potluck in the church parlor this Friday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. We will be sharing our favorite dishes and discussing future plans.
ONE LAST CHANCE TO BUY FLOWER BULBS FOR VBS: We will be accepting late orders through this Sunday, May 2, at 11:00 a.m. You need to EMAIL Chris Kozich (christina@hhwv.net) to let her know! (Simply dropping off an order at church is not sufficient!) So if you didn’t get them in on time, here’s your second chance. Spruce up your garden and support Vacation Bible School at the same time!
The MIDDLE SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS taught by Dan Bohi and Steve Johnson will be meeting at Panera Bread this Sunday, May 2. We will meet in the narthex before church, and leave together at 9:30 a.m. We will return around 10:30. Parents, if you have not yet turned in a permission slip, please see Mr. Johnson or Mr. Bohi before entering the sanctuary Sunday morning.
FELLOWSHIP EVENT: FIESTA! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us on Sunday, May 2, following worship. We’ll have a breakfast taco buffet and breakfast sangria, Mexican hat dance, piñata, serape and shaker painting, and more. It’ll be fun for all ages! Put it on your calendar now!
MISSION:
Everyone loves home-baked goodies! You can bring some joy to hospice patients and their families, as well as patients in CNS Hospice’s Geriatric Assistance Program, by participating in BUNS: (BAKING UP NICE SURPRISES). Baked goods can be brought to church this Sunday, May 2, or dropped to the narthex by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 3, for delivery to CNS Hospice. Remember NO ICED items! Please package your goodies in individual of 2-3 cookies, muffins, or brownies. What a delicious and loving way to reach out to families during a difficult time. Sign up on the Mission board in the narthex today… or just bring your goodies this Sunday!
This Sunday, and the first Sunday of every month, is the day we bring OFFERINGS FOR THE PEOPLE’S RESOURCE CENTER. The May emphasis is tuna fish. Donations can be placed in the narthex (near the stairwell to Fellowship Hall).
WOMEN’S BREAKFAST meets the first Monday of the month at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP in Danada. The next gathering is this coming Monday, May 3. All women are invited, and we’re always happy to have new friends join us!
JUBILEE 2011: The 50th Anniversary Planning Team needs your ideas for our big Jubilee celebration during 2011. We will meet on Thursday evening, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor. Come join us if you are interested in the 50th Anniversary Planning Team or if you would like to assist with a particular celebration event. Contacts are Sue Clary (630-790-1109, (sueclary@sbcglobal.net ) or Pat Wiedner (630-858-0761, (pjwiedner@hotmail.com ).
RUMMAGE SALE is coming! Price stickers are available on the name tag shelf. Please price your donations and bring them to church starting Sunday, May 9. (Please not before then; we don’t have enough storage space.)
The RUMMAGE SALE AND CAR WASH will be Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16. Mark your calendar now!
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASS: See the note above about going to Panera Bread this Sunday morning. You MUST have a permission slip signed to be able to go!
BULB ORDERS: See that note above, too. (You may still order but only if you email Chris Kozich and give her the details by this Sunday.)
PRACTICE FOR YOUTH SUNDAY (May 16): Children in pre-school through grade 3 begin their Sunday School Class with a short singing practice. They are learning “Jubilee!” Grades 4 and 5 are learning a hand-chime part to play with it.
SWEET TOMATOES FOR VBS! On Wednesday May 19, stop by Sweet Tomatoes (in Lombard on Highland Ave.) and help support Southminster’s Vacation Bible School! Just grab a meal and a drink and 20% will be donated to our VBS program! Paper fliers are available on the CE bulletin board or just print off a copy of the file attached to the Dialog. (Note: You must have a flyer with you for your purchase to count.) Yummmm!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
May 9 - Nalani Johnson
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 9- No Sunday School (Mother’s Day)
May 16 - Youth Sunday
May 19- Sweet Tomatoes FunRaiser (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
May 23- Last day of Regular Sunday School
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: Our lectionary passages for this Sunday are Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-6; and John 13:31-35. Join us at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor for education and edification. -Blair
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY meets Sunday evenings at 7:00 in the parlor. with the first two chapters of Eugene Peterson’s “A Long Obedience in the Right Direction.” Please contact Ann Anderson (sylviasmother@sbcglobal.net, 630-469-2097) with any questions.
YOUTH: See you Sunday for SNL. Hopefully we can play outside this week.
MISSION TEAM: Our first pre-trip meeting is this Sunday, May 2, at 4:30. Bring you parents/legal guardian/responsible adult and $5 each for pizza. Let me know via facebook what your favorite soda is.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
OUR PAPER RECYCLING BIN IS HERE! We have signed up as a responsible community recycling member with Paper Retriever recycling. Paper Retriever is an easy, free, community-based program that wraps recycling and fund raising into one neat package. The money we raise here will go toward our Mission Ministries.
You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. You may start bringing paper any time! These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
Believe it or not, my favorite flower is the dandelion. When I was a teen we owned a house that had a large lawn and many dandelions. My father would ask the three of us, myself and my siblings, to pull a bag’s worth before dinner each night. Remember this was way before companies like, “Chem Lawn.” While my aunt was visiting I overheard her say to my father, “How did you get those beautiful yellow flowers to grow in your lawn?” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What is a weed to some is a beautiful flower to another. My aunt caught my attention. The reason I like dandelions is that they remind me to count my blessings. In daily life, it is easy to get caught up in catching up, getting ahead or being overwhelmed by the details of life and miss the beauty around us, God’s blessings around us.
Two types of prayers are adoration and thanksgiving. When was the last time you simply prayed a prayer of adoration or thanksgiving? Most of my prayers are those of supplication (asking), and intercession (asking for others). On the way to the church this morning I saw a few lawns that had dandelions. They reminded me that one person’s weed is another person’s flower. When you were a child, did you ever blow the seeds of a dandelion and make a wish? Was it fun? Perhaps we might try blowing the seeds of praise and thanksgiving in our prayers each day. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
YOUNG ADULT GROUP: We’ve had to change our next gathering from April 28 to Monday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Wendy and Blair’s. So don’t come tonight, but let us know if you are coming on the 10th so we’ll have a place set for you.
SOLACE SINGLES will have a potluck in the church parlor this Friday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. We will be sharing our favorite dishes and discussing future plans.
ONE LAST CHANCE TO BUY FLOWER BULBS FOR VBS: We will be accepting late orders through this Sunday, May 2, at 11:00 a.m. You need to EMAIL Chris Kozich (christina@hhwv.net) to let her know! (Simply dropping off an order at church is not sufficient!) So if you didn’t get them in on time, here’s your second chance. Spruce up your garden and support Vacation Bible School at the same time!
The MIDDLE SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS taught by Dan Bohi and Steve Johnson will be meeting at Panera Bread this Sunday, May 2. We will meet in the narthex before church, and leave together at 9:30 a.m. We will return around 10:30. Parents, if you have not yet turned in a permission slip, please see Mr. Johnson or Mr. Bohi before entering the sanctuary Sunday morning.
FELLOWSHIP EVENT: FIESTA! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us on Sunday, May 2, following worship. We’ll have a breakfast taco buffet and breakfast sangria, Mexican hat dance, piñata, serape and shaker painting, and more. It’ll be fun for all ages! Put it on your calendar now!
MISSION:
Everyone loves home-baked goodies! You can bring some joy to hospice patients and their families, as well as patients in CNS Hospice’s Geriatric Assistance Program, by participating in BUNS: (BAKING UP NICE SURPRISES). Baked goods can be brought to church this Sunday, May 2, or dropped to the narthex by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 3, for delivery to CNS Hospice. Remember NO ICED items! Please package your goodies in individual of 2-3 cookies, muffins, or brownies. What a delicious and loving way to reach out to families during a difficult time. Sign up on the Mission board in the narthex today… or just bring your goodies this Sunday!
This Sunday, and the first Sunday of every month, is the day we bring OFFERINGS FOR THE PEOPLE’S RESOURCE CENTER. The May emphasis is tuna fish. Donations can be placed in the narthex (near the stairwell to Fellowship Hall).
WOMEN’S BREAKFAST meets the first Monday of the month at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP in Danada. The next gathering is this coming Monday, May 3. All women are invited, and we’re always happy to have new friends join us!
JUBILEE 2011: The 50th Anniversary Planning Team needs your ideas for our big Jubilee celebration during 2011. We will meet on Thursday evening, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor. Come join us if you are interested in the 50th Anniversary Planning Team or if you would like to assist with a particular celebration event. Contacts are Sue Clary (630-790-1109, (sueclary@sbcglobal.net ) or Pat Wiedner (630-858-0761, (pjwiedner@hotmail.com ).
RUMMAGE SALE is coming! Price stickers are available on the name tag shelf. Please price your donations and bring them to church starting Sunday, May 9. (Please not before then; we don’t have enough storage space.)
The RUMMAGE SALE AND CAR WASH will be Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16. Mark your calendar now!
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASS: See the note above about going to Panera Bread this Sunday morning. You MUST have a permission slip signed to be able to go!
BULB ORDERS: See that note above, too. (You may still order but only if you email Chris Kozich and give her the details by this Sunday.)
PRACTICE FOR YOUTH SUNDAY (May 16): Children in pre-school through grade 3 begin their Sunday School Class with a short singing practice. They are learning “Jubilee!” Grades 4 and 5 are learning a hand-chime part to play with it.
SWEET TOMATOES FOR VBS! On Wednesday May 19, stop by Sweet Tomatoes (in Lombard on Highland Ave.) and help support Southminster’s Vacation Bible School! Just grab a meal and a drink and 20% will be donated to our VBS program! Paper fliers are available on the CE bulletin board or just print off a copy of the file attached to the Dialog. (Note: You must have a flyer with you for your purchase to count.) Yummmm!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
May 9 - Nalani Johnson
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 9- No Sunday School (Mother’s Day)
May 16 - Youth Sunday
May 19- Sweet Tomatoes FunRaiser (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
May 23- Last day of Regular Sunday School
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: Our lectionary passages for this Sunday are Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-6; and John 13:31-35. Join us at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor for education and edification. -Blair
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY meets Sunday evenings at 7:00 in the parlor. with the first two chapters of Eugene Peterson’s “A Long Obedience in the Right Direction.” Please contact Ann Anderson (sylviasmother@sbcglobal.net, 630-469-2097) with any questions.
YOUTH: See you Sunday for SNL. Hopefully we can play outside this week.
MISSION TEAM: Our first pre-trip meeting is this Sunday, May 2, at 4:30. Bring you parents/legal guardian/responsible adult and $5 each for pizza. Let me know via facebook what your favorite soda is.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
OUR PAPER RECYCLING BIN IS HERE! We have signed up as a responsible community recycling member with Paper Retriever recycling. Paper Retriever is an easy, free, community-based program that wraps recycling and fund raising into one neat package. The money we raise here will go toward our Mission Ministries.
You can’t miss the large green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow parking lot. You may start bringing paper any time! These items are acceptable: Newspaper; Magazines; Shopping Catalogs; Junk Mail; Office & School Papers, Church Bulletins; White Envelopes (with or without windows).
Items that are NOT allowed: Cardboard; Cereal/Soda Cartons; Food wrap/containers; Tissue Products; Phone Books; Cross-cut shredded paper (strip-cut shredded paper is OK if you put it in a paper bag); Glass; Plastic; Metal; Trash.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
April 21, 2010
Scripture: John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Dear Friends,
I was talking to a member of the congregation today who commented about a building project at another church more than fifty years ago. He said, “You know some Christians aren’t too loving toward one another.” What would you have said to that? What could I say? I just smiled and sighed and said, “Yup.” The more things change the more they remain the same. Jesus said that we would be known by our love. Would anyone mistake you for a follower of Jesus Christ?
Now if Jesus had only said, “By loving some or loving when it is easy or loving people we agree with... all will know that you are my disciples.” That would have made living our faith a whole lot easier. But Jesus didn’t say that. In fact, sometimes it is those closest to us who are hardest to love.
Some people find the proposition that we are saved by grace and not works as “too easy.” I wonder if they have tried it. The first step, accepting God’s grace and love freely, is easy. It’s the following steps that are difficult. After all, if we accept a free gift for ourselves, shouldn’t everyone else have a free gift of grace as well? And that is where it gets tough. Everybody else is saved by grace as well. “Jesus loves me” is true, and “Jesus loves them” is equally true. It is as GK Chesterton says, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.”
The difficulty is in being a disciple, someone who loves, who forgives, and is humble in the recognition that whatever we do we do by the grace of God found in Jesus Christ. So, how is that “loving one another” part of discipleship working for you? The first step is to remember that God’s love for you is not because you have done anything other than being born. We don’t earn love; it is simply given to us. The second step is to look at a sister or brother in Christ and remember that Jesus Christ truly values that person and loves him or her as much as he loves you. The third and constant step is to ask Christ to help you see him or her as he sees him or her. Pray for, ask for the “eyes of Christ” when you look at others. Perhaps then we will have the honor of being mistaken as a follower of Christ. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Did you forget the DIALOG DEADLINE yesterday? Don’t wait a moment longer! Get your article or calendar item in now and all will be well.
Quilters, and quilter-wanna-be’s, the QUILT MINISTRY meets tonight (Wednesday, April 21) at 7:30 p.m. For this month only we’ll be in the narthex. No experience needed and nothing to bring. We’ll have everything that’s needed, and it will be fun! Join us!
MISSION:
REBUILDING TOGETHER AURORA: Every year we gather a work team in April to rehab the home of a needy family in Aurora through Rebuilding Together Aurora (formerly Christmas in April). We need volunteers for this Saturday - no special skills required (but if you do have special skills, we’d love to know in advance for planning purposes). Please look for the photo display and sign-up sheets in the narthex or talk to our House Captain Norm Ellsworth.
Presbytery of Chicago PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S SPRING GATHERING will be held this Saturday, April 24, at First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield. The event is free, but there is an $8.00 luncheon fee. We will meet in the Southminster parking lot to carpool to the event. Be ready to leave at 8:15 a.m. A sign-up sheet with information is on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
FLOWER BULBS FOR VBS: Please turn in your flower bulb orders by Monday, April 26. If you do not turn in your order form by noon this Sunday, please CALL Chris Kozich (630-545-1237) to be sure that she has your order. To make sure that the bulbs arrive as soon as possible, the Christian Education ministry will be ordering the bulbs on Tuesday, April 27.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY will start this Sunday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the parlor with the first two chapters of Eugene Peterson’s “A Long Obedience in the Right Direction.” Please contact Ann Anderson (sylviasmother@sbcglobal.net, 630-469-2097) if interested in joining us.
YOUNG ADULT GROUP: We’ve had to change our next gathering from April 28 to Monday, May 10! 6:30 p.m. at Wendy and Blair’s; let us know if you are coming so we’ll have a place set for you.
FIESTA! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us on Sunday, May 2, following worship. We’ll have a breakfast taco buffet and breakfast sangria, Mexican hat dance, piñata, serape and shaker painting, and more. It’ll be fun for all ages! Put it on your calendar now!
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
NEW CHURCH OFFICERS
TRAINING DATES:
Wednesday, April 21, 6:00 p.m. (Note: This training replaces the meeting originally planned for next Wednesday)
Wednesday, May 12, 7:00 p.m.
MEET WITH SESSION on Tuesday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m.
RUMMAGE SALE: Save your stuff for the Rummage Sale fund raiser in support of the Youth Mission Trip. We’re asking you to mark you donations with prices as we did last year. Look for price stickers to pick up starting this Sunday. They will be in a display stand on the name-tag shelf. This saves us a huge amount of work. Thanks to you all for your cooperation.
The RUMMAGE SALE AND CAR WASH will be Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16. Mark your calendar now!
SOLACE SINGLES will have a potluck in the church parlor on Friday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. We will be sharing our favorite dishes and discussing future plans.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
PRACTICE FOR YOUTH SUNDAY (May 16): Children in pre-school through grade 3 begin their Sunday School Class with a short singing practice. They are learning “Jubilee!” Grades 4 and 5 are learning a handchime part to play with it.
SWEET TOMATOES FOR VBS! On Wednesday May 19, stop by Sweet Tomatoes (in Lombard on Highland Ave.) and help support Southminster’s Vacation Bible School! Just grab a meal and a drink and 20% will be donated to our VBS program! Paper fliers are available on the CE bulletin board or just print off a copy of the file attached to the Dialog. (Note: You must have a flyer with you for your purchase to count.) Yummmm!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
April 25 - Haley Jablonski
May 9 - Nalani Johnson
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 9- No Sunday School (Mother's Day)
May 16 - Youth Sunday
May 19- Sweet Tomatoes FunRaiser (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
May 23- Last day of Regular Sunday School
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: Our lectionary passages for this Sunday are Acts 9:36-43; Revelation 7:9-17; and John 10:22-30. Join us at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor for education and edification. -Blair
YOUTH: SNL Sunday, usual time and place. Weather permitting, we will play outside, again. Remember, May 15-16 is a BIG weekend, Rummage Sale and Youth Sunday, so mark your calendars.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
Southminster is going Green! We have recently signed up as a responsible community recycling member with Paper Retriever Recycling. Paper Retriever is an easy, free, community-based program that wraps recycling and fund-raising into one neat package. You will soon see the familiar green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow lot. Instead of paying for a monthly recycling service, the paper retriever service is free and can raise money if the paper volume is high enough. The benefits of recycling are obvious and we need participation of the entire Southminster family and surrounding community to make our program successful. Our program goal for recycle material is 2 tons a month (full bin). This seems like a lot, but it is very achievable if we all work together! Keep your eyes open for more information in upcoming E-notes and Dialog announcements. Stay tuned for instructions/training on how we will recycle and what types of material are allowed in the bin.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Dear Friends,
I was talking to a member of the congregation today who commented about a building project at another church more than fifty years ago. He said, “You know some Christians aren’t too loving toward one another.” What would you have said to that? What could I say? I just smiled and sighed and said, “Yup.” The more things change the more they remain the same. Jesus said that we would be known by our love. Would anyone mistake you for a follower of Jesus Christ?
Now if Jesus had only said, “By loving some or loving when it is easy or loving people we agree with... all will know that you are my disciples.” That would have made living our faith a whole lot easier. But Jesus didn’t say that. In fact, sometimes it is those closest to us who are hardest to love.
Some people find the proposition that we are saved by grace and not works as “too easy.” I wonder if they have tried it. The first step, accepting God’s grace and love freely, is easy. It’s the following steps that are difficult. After all, if we accept a free gift for ourselves, shouldn’t everyone else have a free gift of grace as well? And that is where it gets tough. Everybody else is saved by grace as well. “Jesus loves me” is true, and “Jesus loves them” is equally true. It is as GK Chesterton says, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.”
The difficulty is in being a disciple, someone who loves, who forgives, and is humble in the recognition that whatever we do we do by the grace of God found in Jesus Christ. So, how is that “loving one another” part of discipleship working for you? The first step is to remember that God’s love for you is not because you have done anything other than being born. We don’t earn love; it is simply given to us. The second step is to look at a sister or brother in Christ and remember that Jesus Christ truly values that person and loves him or her as much as he loves you. The third and constant step is to ask Christ to help you see him or her as he sees him or her. Pray for, ask for the “eyes of Christ” when you look at others. Perhaps then we will have the honor of being mistaken as a follower of Christ. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Did you forget the DIALOG DEADLINE yesterday? Don’t wait a moment longer! Get your article or calendar item in now and all will be well.
Quilters, and quilter-wanna-be’s, the QUILT MINISTRY meets tonight (Wednesday, April 21) at 7:30 p.m. For this month only we’ll be in the narthex. No experience needed and nothing to bring. We’ll have everything that’s needed, and it will be fun! Join us!
MISSION:
REBUILDING TOGETHER AURORA: Every year we gather a work team in April to rehab the home of a needy family in Aurora through Rebuilding Together Aurora (formerly Christmas in April). We need volunteers for this Saturday - no special skills required (but if you do have special skills, we’d love to know in advance for planning purposes). Please look for the photo display and sign-up sheets in the narthex or talk to our House Captain Norm Ellsworth.
Presbytery of Chicago PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S SPRING GATHERING will be held this Saturday, April 24, at First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield. The event is free, but there is an $8.00 luncheon fee. We will meet in the Southminster parking lot to carpool to the event. Be ready to leave at 8:15 a.m. A sign-up sheet with information is on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
FLOWER BULBS FOR VBS: Please turn in your flower bulb orders by Monday, April 26. If you do not turn in your order form by noon this Sunday, please CALL Chris Kozich (630-545-1237) to be sure that she has your order. To make sure that the bulbs arrive as soon as possible, the Christian Education ministry will be ordering the bulbs on Tuesday, April 27.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY will start this Sunday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the parlor with the first two chapters of Eugene Peterson’s “A Long Obedience in the Right Direction.” Please contact Ann Anderson (sylviasmother@sbcglobal.net, 630-469-2097) if interested in joining us.
YOUNG ADULT GROUP: We’ve had to change our next gathering from April 28 to Monday, May 10! 6:30 p.m. at Wendy and Blair’s; let us know if you are coming so we’ll have a place set for you.
FIESTA! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us on Sunday, May 2, following worship. We’ll have a breakfast taco buffet and breakfast sangria, Mexican hat dance, piñata, serape and shaker painting, and more. It’ll be fun for all ages! Put it on your calendar now!
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
NEW CHURCH OFFICERS
TRAINING DATES:
Wednesday, April 21, 6:00 p.m. (Note: This training replaces the meeting originally planned for next Wednesday)
Wednesday, May 12, 7:00 p.m.
MEET WITH SESSION on Tuesday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m.
RUMMAGE SALE: Save your stuff for the Rummage Sale fund raiser in support of the Youth Mission Trip. We’re asking you to mark you donations with prices as we did last year. Look for price stickers to pick up starting this Sunday. They will be in a display stand on the name-tag shelf. This saves us a huge amount of work. Thanks to you all for your cooperation.
The RUMMAGE SALE AND CAR WASH will be Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16. Mark your calendar now!
SOLACE SINGLES will have a potluck in the church parlor on Friday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. We will be sharing our favorite dishes and discussing future plans.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
PRACTICE FOR YOUTH SUNDAY (May 16): Children in pre-school through grade 3 begin their Sunday School Class with a short singing practice. They are learning “Jubilee!” Grades 4 and 5 are learning a handchime part to play with it.
SWEET TOMATOES FOR VBS! On Wednesday May 19, stop by Sweet Tomatoes (in Lombard on Highland Ave.) and help support Southminster’s Vacation Bible School! Just grab a meal and a drink and 20% will be donated to our VBS program! Paper fliers are available on the CE bulletin board or just print off a copy of the file attached to the Dialog. (Note: You must have a flyer with you for your purchase to count.) Yummmm!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
April 25 - Haley Jablonski
May 9 - Nalani Johnson
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 9- No Sunday School (Mother's Day)
May 16 - Youth Sunday
May 19- Sweet Tomatoes FunRaiser (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
May 23- Last day of Regular Sunday School
June 6 - Used Paperback Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: Our lectionary passages for this Sunday are Acts 9:36-43; Revelation 7:9-17; and John 10:22-30. Join us at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor for education and edification. -Blair
YOUTH: SNL Sunday, usual time and place. Weather permitting, we will play outside, again. Remember, May 15-16 is a BIG weekend, Rummage Sale and Youth Sunday, so mark your calendars.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
Southminster is going Green! We have recently signed up as a responsible community recycling member with Paper Retriever Recycling. Paper Retriever is an easy, free, community-based program that wraps recycling and fund-raising into one neat package. You will soon see the familiar green and yellow bin in our gravel overflow lot. Instead of paying for a monthly recycling service, the paper retriever service is free and can raise money if the paper volume is high enough. The benefits of recycling are obvious and we need participation of the entire Southminster family and surrounding community to make our program successful. Our program goal for recycle material is 2 tons a month (full bin). This seems like a lot, but it is very achievable if we all work together! Keep your eyes open for more information in upcoming E-notes and Dialog announcements. Stay tuned for instructions/training on how we will recycle and what types of material are allowed in the bin.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April 14, 2010
Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Dear Friends,
This past Sunday we read in John 20 and Revelation 1 about a Christian Community of faith being a place of forgiveness. We are given a choice between being healing priests or unforgiving victims. However, whenever I preach about forgiveness I always go shorter than I would like, and it was true this past week because there is so much to say. So, I would like to share the story of two “Lews.”
The first “Lew” is C.S. Lewis. In his book “What’s So Amazing About Grace,” Philip Yancey recounts that during a conference on comparative religions held in Britain, an animated discussion arose as to what was Christianity’s unique contribution to world religion. The controversy continued unabated until C. S. Lewis, in learning of the issue at stake, replied: “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” Grace is a gift not only given by God to us, it is a gift that we share with one another as in the words from Our Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” There is no wiggle room in this. It is as Colossians says, we are forgiven and so we forgive. However, the good news is not just that we are forgiven, but there is a process to forgiveness. This brings us to our second “Lew.”
One of the best books on forgiveness is by Lewis Smedes, “Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve.” It is worth a read. He outlines five points:
1. When we forgive we set ourselves free.
2. Forgivers are not doormats. When we forgive we are not saying someone is right.
3. Forgiving is not sticking around for abuse.
4. We don’t have to wait for an apology to forgive.
5. And the most important part is that forgiving is a journey.
God doesn’t expect us to forgive in an instant. Frankly, I think that would be dishonest. Take time to acknowledge to yourself and to God that you have been wounded and hurt before you forgive. Afterward begin the difficult but worthwhile process of healing. There is so much more to say, but for now, take it from here!
Love, Wendy
P.S. Good News! At Assembly yesterday the Presbytery of Chicago voted to empower the council to sell the Presbyterian Camps property to the Lakeshore Christian Camping group and to allow them to raise money. Please pray that the LCC will be able to not only raise funds but fulfill their dreams of an extended ministry at Camp Saugatuck.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
All women are invited to join the WOMEN’S CIRCLE this Friday, April 16, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. Pat Wiedner will present a program on the scriptural texts and musical settings of Mendelssohn’s oratorio, “Elijah.” The Circle will welcome guests from the Islamic Center of Naperville – Al Hidayah. Please bring new books for children from birth to 12 years of age. The books will be taken to the Presbytery’s PW Spring Gathering for a project they are sponsoring.
MISSION:
The Presbyterian Women’s Morning Circle is sponsoring a collection of ITEMS NEEDED BY FAMILY SHELTER SERVICES. We will have a collection box in the narthex through this Sunday, April 18, and we ask that any who can contribute to this collection. The items are as follows: lip gloss (clear-neutral); ladies’ deodorants; hair conditioners; shower gels; Lysol spray; dishwasher soap; liquid dish soap; garbage bags (white-13 gal. & black); Ziplock bags (gallon & quart). Take this list with you and look for bargains: buy-one-get-one-free offers and items on sale!
REBUILDING TOGETHER AURORA: Every year we gather a work team in April to rehab the home of a needy family in Aurora through Rebuilding Together Aurora (formerly Christmas in April). We need volunteers - no special skills required (but if you do have special skills, we’d love to know in advance for planning purposes). Please look for the photo display and sign-up sheets in the narthex or talk to our House Captain Norm Ellsworth.
Quilters, and quilter-wanna-be’s, the QUILT MINISTRY meets next Wednesday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. For this month only we’ll be in the narthex. No experience needed and nothing to bring. We’ll have everything that’s needed, and it will be fun! Join us!
Presbytery of Chicago PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S SPRING GATHERING will be held Saturday, April 24, at First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield. The event is free, but there is an $8.00 luncheon fee. We will meet in the Southminster parking lot to carpool to the event. Be ready to leave at 8:15 a.m. A sign-up sheet with information is on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
FIESTA! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us on Sunday, May 2, following worship. We’ll have a breakfast taco buffet and breakfast sangria, Mexican hat dance, piñata, serape and shaker painting, and more. It’ll be fun for all ages! Put it on your calendar now!
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
NEW CHURCH OFFICERS
TRAINING DATES:
Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 28, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m.
MEET WITH SESSION on Tuesday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: Next Tuesday, April 20, is the deadline for the May Dialog.
RUMMAGE SALE: Save your stuff for the Rummage Sale fund raiser in support of the Youth Mission Trip. We’re asking you to mark you donations with prices as we did last year. Look for price stickers to pick up starting this Sunday. They will be in a display stand on the name-tag shelf. This saves us a huge amount of work. Thanks to you all for your cooperation.
SOLACE SINGLES will have a potluck in the church parlor on Friday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. We will be sharing our favorite dishes and discussing future plans.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SECOND HELPINGS: Come join us after church THIS SUNDAY for Second Helpings! Second Helpings is an extra serving of Christian Education for the whole Church family, and ALL are welcome. Each week at 11:00 a.m., adults and children alike spend time learning about Christ, God, and themselves as they participate in either adult Bible study or children’s programming. This week the children will practice for youth Sunday (which will be May 16th). The day will conclude with a light lunch and fellowship, beginning at 11:45. Remember, everyone is invited, so don’t miss out on the fun!
PRACTICE FOR YOUTH SUNDAY: Children in pre-school through grade 3 begin their Sunday School Class with a short singing practice. They are learning “Jubilee!” Grades 4 and 5 are learning a handchime part to play with it.
SPRING BULB SALE: The deadline for the bulb sale is NEXT FRIDAY, APRIL 23RD!! We are selling Spring Bulbs to help raise money for this year’s Vacation Bible School. These beautiful bulbs from Dutch Mill Bulbs, selling for $6 each set, include strawberries, Stargazer Lilies, and Hostas, among others. The sale has begun, so grab an order form from the C.E. bulletin board in the narthex or talk to someone from Christian Ed to find out more! Get your orders in THIS WEEK!!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
April 25 - Haley Jablonski
May 9 - Nalani Johnson
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 9- No Sunday School (Mother's Day)
May 16 - Youth Sunday
June 6 - Used Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: Our lectionary passages for this Sunday are Acts 9:1-20, Revelation 5:11-14, and John 21:1-19. Join us at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor for education and edification. -Blair
YOUTH: SNL Sunday, usual time and place. Weather permitting, we will play outside, again. Remember, May 15-16 is a BIG weekend, Rummage Sale and Youth Sunday, so mark your calendars.
FORMATION OF SEARCH COMMITTEE FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR AND YOUTH DIRECTOR: Steve Johnson has agreed to moderate a committee to identify candidates for Christian Education Director and Youth Director and make the appropriate recommendations to the Session. The candidates may be interested in a full-time position to cover both of these sets of responsibilities or they may be interested in a part-time position for either Christian Education Director or Youth Director. At present Steve is putting together a small committee to head up this process. Anyone who knows of someone who might be interested in one or both of these positions should contact Steve.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Dear Friends,
This past Sunday we read in John 20 and Revelation 1 about a Christian Community of faith being a place of forgiveness. We are given a choice between being healing priests or unforgiving victims. However, whenever I preach about forgiveness I always go shorter than I would like, and it was true this past week because there is so much to say. So, I would like to share the story of two “Lews.”
The first “Lew” is C.S. Lewis. In his book “What’s So Amazing About Grace,” Philip Yancey recounts that during a conference on comparative religions held in Britain, an animated discussion arose as to what was Christianity’s unique contribution to world religion. The controversy continued unabated until C. S. Lewis, in learning of the issue at stake, replied: “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” Grace is a gift not only given by God to us, it is a gift that we share with one another as in the words from Our Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” There is no wiggle room in this. It is as Colossians says, we are forgiven and so we forgive. However, the good news is not just that we are forgiven, but there is a process to forgiveness. This brings us to our second “Lew.”
One of the best books on forgiveness is by Lewis Smedes, “Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve.” It is worth a read. He outlines five points:
1. When we forgive we set ourselves free.
2. Forgivers are not doormats. When we forgive we are not saying someone is right.
3. Forgiving is not sticking around for abuse.
4. We don’t have to wait for an apology to forgive.
5. And the most important part is that forgiving is a journey.
God doesn’t expect us to forgive in an instant. Frankly, I think that would be dishonest. Take time to acknowledge to yourself and to God that you have been wounded and hurt before you forgive. Afterward begin the difficult but worthwhile process of healing. There is so much more to say, but for now, take it from here!
Love, Wendy
P.S. Good News! At Assembly yesterday the Presbytery of Chicago voted to empower the council to sell the Presbyterian Camps property to the Lakeshore Christian Camping group and to allow them to raise money. Please pray that the LCC will be able to not only raise funds but fulfill their dreams of an extended ministry at Camp Saugatuck.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
All women are invited to join the WOMEN’S CIRCLE this Friday, April 16, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. Pat Wiedner will present a program on the scriptural texts and musical settings of Mendelssohn’s oratorio, “Elijah.” The Circle will welcome guests from the Islamic Center of Naperville – Al Hidayah. Please bring new books for children from birth to 12 years of age. The books will be taken to the Presbytery’s PW Spring Gathering for a project they are sponsoring.
MISSION:
The Presbyterian Women’s Morning Circle is sponsoring a collection of ITEMS NEEDED BY FAMILY SHELTER SERVICES. We will have a collection box in the narthex through this Sunday, April 18, and we ask that any who can contribute to this collection. The items are as follows: lip gloss (clear-neutral); ladies’ deodorants; hair conditioners; shower gels; Lysol spray; dishwasher soap; liquid dish soap; garbage bags (white-13 gal. & black); Ziplock bags (gallon & quart). Take this list with you and look for bargains: buy-one-get-one-free offers and items on sale!
REBUILDING TOGETHER AURORA: Every year we gather a work team in April to rehab the home of a needy family in Aurora through Rebuilding Together Aurora (formerly Christmas in April). We need volunteers - no special skills required (but if you do have special skills, we’d love to know in advance for planning purposes). Please look for the photo display and sign-up sheets in the narthex or talk to our House Captain Norm Ellsworth.
Quilters, and quilter-wanna-be’s, the QUILT MINISTRY meets next Wednesday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. For this month only we’ll be in the narthex. No experience needed and nothing to bring. We’ll have everything that’s needed, and it will be fun! Join us!
Presbytery of Chicago PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S SPRING GATHERING will be held Saturday, April 24, at First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield. The event is free, but there is an $8.00 luncheon fee. We will meet in the Southminster parking lot to carpool to the event. Be ready to leave at 8:15 a.m. A sign-up sheet with information is on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
FIESTA! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us on Sunday, May 2, following worship. We’ll have a breakfast taco buffet and breakfast sangria, Mexican hat dance, piñata, serape and shaker painting, and more. It’ll be fun for all ages! Put it on your calendar now!
WOMEN’S CIRCLE MAY LUNCHEON: On Friday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. we will have lunch at Mykha’s Restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn. The buffet lunch is $10.00. Mykha, the restaurant’s owner, has agreed to talk to us about her life experiences. ALL women of the church are invited to attend. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board nearest the parlor.
NEW CHURCH OFFICERS
TRAINING DATES:
Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 28, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m.
MEET WITH SESSION on Tuesday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: Next Tuesday, April 20, is the deadline for the May Dialog.
RUMMAGE SALE: Save your stuff for the Rummage Sale fund raiser in support of the Youth Mission Trip. We’re asking you to mark you donations with prices as we did last year. Look for price stickers to pick up starting this Sunday. They will be in a display stand on the name-tag shelf. This saves us a huge amount of work. Thanks to you all for your cooperation.
SOLACE SINGLES will have a potluck in the church parlor on Friday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. We will be sharing our favorite dishes and discussing future plans.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SECOND HELPINGS: Come join us after church THIS SUNDAY for Second Helpings! Second Helpings is an extra serving of Christian Education for the whole Church family, and ALL are welcome. Each week at 11:00 a.m., adults and children alike spend time learning about Christ, God, and themselves as they participate in either adult Bible study or children’s programming. This week the children will practice for youth Sunday (which will be May 16th). The day will conclude with a light lunch and fellowship, beginning at 11:45. Remember, everyone is invited, so don’t miss out on the fun!
PRACTICE FOR YOUTH SUNDAY: Children in pre-school through grade 3 begin their Sunday School Class with a short singing practice. They are learning “Jubilee!” Grades 4 and 5 are learning a handchime part to play with it.
SPRING BULB SALE: The deadline for the bulb sale is NEXT FRIDAY, APRIL 23RD!! We are selling Spring Bulbs to help raise money for this year’s Vacation Bible School. These beautiful bulbs from Dutch Mill Bulbs, selling for $6 each set, include strawberries, Stargazer Lilies, and Hostas, among others. The sale has begun, so grab an order form from the C.E. bulletin board in the narthex or talk to someone from Christian Ed to find out more! Get your orders in THIS WEEK!!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
April 25 - Haley Jablonski
May 9 - Nalani Johnson
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
May 9- No Sunday School (Mother's Day)
May 16 - Youth Sunday
June 6 - Used Book Sale
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: Our lectionary passages for this Sunday are Acts 9:1-20, Revelation 5:11-14, and John 21:1-19. Join us at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor for education and edification. -Blair
YOUTH: SNL Sunday, usual time and place. Weather permitting, we will play outside, again. Remember, May 15-16 is a BIG weekend, Rummage Sale and Youth Sunday, so mark your calendars.
FORMATION OF SEARCH COMMITTEE FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR AND YOUTH DIRECTOR: Steve Johnson has agreed to moderate a committee to identify candidates for Christian Education Director and Youth Director and make the appropriate recommendations to the Session. The candidates may be interested in a full-time position to cover both of these sets of responsibilities or they may be interested in a part-time position for either Christian Education Director or Youth Director. At present Steve is putting together a small committee to head up this process. Anyone who knows of someone who might be interested in one or both of these positions should contact Steve.
Peter Davidson has completed basic training and is now assigned to Ft. Lee, in Virginia. We will again have address labels available in the narthex area. Please send Peter notes, cards or post cards from your heart and home. Thanks.
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