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Greetings!o
Things can change fast .....
My mother was musing about all the changes a day can bring. This has been a week of changes for my parents. On Tuesday my father was sent to the hospital with what we thought was the flu but has turned out to be an infection in his lungs. Combined with the Parkinson's, the infection has left him extremely weak. And Mom's memory loss is ever more apparent ... so she can't be alone. This morning we introduced a full time caregiver for her, and still don't know what the next steps for Dad will be. In spite of her memory loss (often she doesn't know me or my sister or even my Dad) .... she was spot on when she said to her new caregiver that things can change fast.
I know that others of you have also had things change in the past few days or weeks. Change is hard enough when it is incremental. But when it happens all of a sudden, it requires a massive mental, emotional ... sometimes physical ... shift. This is when the incremental strengthening of our faith and our spirits can make a difference. To be evermore aware of God's presence in all things ... when things are pretty routine ... can transfer to the ability to experience God's presence in the midst of the upheaval of the larger changes in our lives.
I remember 20+ years ago when I had a heart problem. I tried to calm my struggling heart and breathing using methods I'd read about but never really practiced. I tried to meditate, to breath deeply, to focus on something beyond the pain. But because it wasn't a regular practice for me, it only made me more scared.
I've developed a few more ways to calm myself during stress or threat now. And all the tools in the world don't make the challenges we face in our families and world all that easy. But I have worked at my prayer life ... and my awareness that God is with us .... Emmanuel. I hope that you, too, know God's presence in all things ... when there are days when things change fast, when situations don't seem to change fast enough, and when we are blessed with ordinary days.
On Monday night at the Companions for the Journey gathering we learned about the origins of an old favorite hymn - It is Well with My Soul. Horatio Spafford had lost an infant son to scarlet fever, lost his business and property during the Chicago fire and then lost all of his four daughters when their ship went down at sea. A couple of years later he was on his way to Europe when the ship passed over the area where his daughters had died and the words of this classic hymn came to him in a moment. He somehow came to know that his soul was well ... in spite of all that had happened ... and he wrote of it this way:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, is it well with my soul.
Spafford didn't live saying that "if only" this or that happened or didn't, all would be well. He lived "as if" God was present and he came to know it in his heart and soul.
For all who are struggling with change ... fast or slow ... be assured that God is with you offering you love and grace and peace.
Rev. Margaret Gramley
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 Kingswood Kitchen Gets New Pots
Thanks to everyone who donated their Jewel stickers over the past few months. We were able to get an additional 10 new pots and pans for the Kingswood kitchen.
In all, 3,730 stickers were donated with stickers still coming in this week. That's more than $37,000 worth of groceries! 26 new pots and pans were given to the Shelter Inc. Homes. Four were given to Rev. Sang Hun Han and Heesung. Jo Stone has posted special care instructions for these pots in the kitchen. The promotion has ended so thank you everyone!
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 Reluctant Pilgrim: A Moody, Somewhat Self-Indulgent Introvert's Search for Spiritual Community by Enuma Okoro is the first book in our the Winter Interfaith Conversations with Beth Am. We'll begin at Kingswood on Feburary 2. This book is a memoir of Okoro's journey from child faith to adult questions and faith in those questions and God's presence in ordinary community. It will be interesting to be in conversation with our Jewish sisters and brothers. Okoro raises many questions for us all.
The March book ... Devotion by Dani Shapiro ... is another memoir that details a spiritual journey and seeking God through Jewish traditions and practice.
The Okoro book is available at church.
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 Family Bowling
Saturday, January 29 - from 2-4pm Beverly Lanes, 8 South Beverly Lane, Arlington Heights Price of bowling is $8.10 per person and includes shoes. Invite your friends, neighbors and relatives.
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 Winterfest
Friday, January 28 6:15-8:30pm
Bring your favorite board game to play with a friend or we'll have some games to share too!
Dinner 6:15-7:00pm. Hot dogs and brats with all the fixin's.
Children's Activities 7:00pm
Adult discussion -7:00pm Enough, Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity led by: Dave Gerhardt and Mike Goetting
Sign up during coffee fellowship.
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Bible Study
First Light - Jesus and the Kingdom of God A six week video based study that explores the social, economic and religious "matrix" out of which the Jesus movement emerged. There will also be selected lecture clips from a Great Courses study on the Holy Land Revealed presenting the archaeological and topographical landscape of this region. Sundays 4:00 - 6:00pm
A Life Worth Living
A nine-week study of The Letter of Paul to the Philippians will be offered Monday evenings from 7:00 pm to approximately 8:30 pm beginning February 7. The course is called A Life Worth Living. Gary and Mary Ann Genge will facilitate the course. Sign up sheets will be available in the Fireside Room. There is no cost for participation and just a few verses of pre-reading from Philippians is suggested for class preparation.
Living the Questions Part 2
The 2nd 7 week session of Living the Questions will begin in February. There will again be a class offered on Sunday mornings at 9 am and a class on Thursday evenings at 7 pm. These classes will be led by Gary Genge. You do not have to have been in the first sessions to be a part of the second sessions.
Look for sign ups to this after the first of the year.
Winter Wednesdays
February 16 at 7:30pm
Laughter is the Best Medicine
March 16 from 4-9pm
Walk the Labyrinth
Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity
Wishing you had some support and direction as you try to live into your New Year's resolutions? This discussion class is focusing on how we relate our finances and our faith. There are multiple opportunities to be part of this four-week discussion Even if you've not attended any session so far, feel free to join one of the classes:
Thursday 10am - February 3 led by Margaret Gramley
Thursday 7pm - January 27 led by Harry Brubeck/Sandy Pietrzak
Sunday 9 am - January 23, 30 led by Debbi Dickinson
Winterfest Fridays - Jan 28 Feb 11& 25, March 11
led by Dave Gerhardt/Mike Goetting
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 February Meeting
The new women's group, Companions on the Journey, kicked off on Monday night. We had a great turnout - 27 ladies were there for food, fellowship, faith and friendship!
Many thanks to everyone who joined us - we hope you will come back for our February fellowship.
For those ladies who couldn't make it - hopefully you can in February Mark your calendars Monday, February 21, 2011 from 7 - 8:30pm.
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KAAN Winter Movie Series
The African Queen is showing Saturday, Jan. 29 at 7pm.
What better way to start off the KAAN winter movie series than with the 50th anniversary of this classic movie?
All adults are invited to relive or see this film for the first time, share favorite moments, indulge in some trivia and fellowship.
Questions or comments Contact Pam Gish @ pam_gish@hotmail.com.
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 Pancake Breakfast
Boy Scout Troop 401 is hosting its Sixth Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 13, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The breakfast will be held at Kingswood in conjunction with the church's celebration of Scout Sunday. 8 a.m. to Noon $12 per family $5 per person / $3 Child (3-8 years)
Includes: Pancakes, Sausage, Coffee, Juice, Milk Door Prizes, Silent Auction, Children's Games, Bake Sale
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2011 Youth Work Camp Meeting Monday January 31, 2011 at 7pm,
room 135
All youth entering high school in August 2011 and those currently in high school are encouraged to attend with at least one parent. We will be discussing and evaluating trip options for July 23-30 and July 30 - August 6, 2011. Please determine your availability for those two weeks prior to the meeting and bring your calendar. Questions email Sheri at sheribrubeck@comcast.net
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Sweetpea Beauty Event - VeggieTales
A girl after God's own heart.
Moms and daughters a princess party is being planned for Friday, February 4 from 7:00-9:00pm.
The premiere showing of the new Veggie Tale "Sweetpea Beauty" will be shown. The evening is planned for a "girl themed" night. Sign-up for this girly night out during coffee fellowship.
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 KUMC Youth Ski Trip
Even if you can't ski, you'll find something fun to do! Date: Friday, February 10 to Sunday, February 13 Leave: Friday at 6:00 pm from Kingswood UMC Return: Sunday, February 13 @ approximately noon Cost: $145 per skier, $86 per non skier includes transportation, lodging and 4 meals Reserve your spot by: e-mailing Rev. Han at crosshsh55@yahoo.com or call Rev. Han 847-398-0770 or 773-319-8005. All money must be in the office no later than February 1 (make check payable to Kingwood UMC) |
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This Sunday in Worship
Scripture:
Micah 6:6-8
Matthew 5:1-12
Message:
What Kind of Tent Do You Live In?
Music:
Adult Bell Choir
Celebration Ringers
Chancel Choir
(10:30am)
Sunday School
Regular Class Schedule
NO Senior High Sunday School for the next two Sundays - January 30 and February 6.
Next scheduled class will be Sunday, February 13 at 10:30am. This is due to the Puppet team's schedule.
Reminder: Please pick up your angels from the display in the office foyer this Sunday.
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Prayers, Joys & Concerns
Janet Kyte who had knee replacement surgery on Tuesday and will be moved to rehab tomorrow.
Norma Smith who has been released from the hospital and at home with hospice care.
Don Myers (Rev. Gramley's father) who has been at Good Samaritan Hospital this week with an infection in his lung. And MaryJean (her mother) who is struggling to adjust to having a full time caregiver.
The family of Tom Gorman, Nancy Robey's brother-in-law, who passed away of Lou Gerhigs on the January 16 in Gainesville FL. He was 60 years old.
The family of Steven Taylor who died unexpected a couple of weeks ago. Steven is survived by his parents, Alison & Paul, his twin brother, Peter, older brother, Simon, and sister, Lucy.
Bob Kohm, who had knee replacement surgery a couple of weeks ago and is at home.
Charlotte Cassel (Ruth Hoffman's mother) had a bad fall and is in great pain facing weeks of therapy.
Mike Barber's mother, who had a stroke.
Congratulations to Ruth and David Anderson on the birth of another grandson ... Trenton Daniel Anderson ... on December 23, 2010. He is welcomed home by mom and dad, Treva and Ryan, and big brothers Gavin, 6, and Holden, 3.
JoAnn Tompkins who is undergoing chemotherapy.
Betty Anderson (mother of Mary Beth Johnson and wife of retired pastor Rev. Thoburn Anderson) has been placed in hospice care as she continues to struggle with Alzheimers.
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Meals on Wheels
Sign up for Meals on Wheels this Sunday.
Please sign up to deliver a meal to the homebound clients of the Wheeling Township Meals on Wheels program during the month of February. PIck up is scheduled for 11am at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights. For more information contact Wendy Avner at 847-537-2978.
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UMW Meeting
Kingswood UMW members will gather for a brief meeting following the second service on Sunday, February 13 at 11:30am in room 122.
Task, the disbursement of our mission funds. Financial information about what monies we have to "spend" will be available during the week before, to keep the meeting short.
Questions and suggested areas of donation can be directed to Beth Jayapalan, President or Lori Gach, our new Treasurer at
847-808-1786
or
lorigach@comcast.net
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| Upcoming Events |
Friday, January 28- Winterfest 6:15pm
Saturday, January 29- Family Bowling 2-4pm KAAN Movie Night "The African Queen" 7pm Monday, January 31- Youth Work Camp Meeting 7pm room 135- All youth entering high school in August 2011 and those currently in high school are encouraged to attend with at least one parent. Wednesday, February 2 - Winter Interfaith Conversations with Beth Am Congregation. Facilitated by Rev. Gramley and Rabbi Bellows, the group will discuss Reluctant Pilgrim by Enuma Okoro at Kingswood. Sunday, February 6- Kingswood Cares Packages- Please fill out a form if your young adult or active duty military personnel did not receive a November 2010 care package. |
| Contact Information | |
Rev. Margaret Gramley
Senior Pastor, Kingswood UMC
847-398-0770
Click on this link to forward to a friend not the one below:
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