News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

Kingswood Connected

November 10, 2011

Greetings!

Thoughts from the Pastor

The Talent of Love

The scripture this week is the story of the talents ... the landowner who summons his servants and entrusts them with his property/resources/talents while he goes on a journey. He distributes them, "each according to his ability." They invest or save them and when he returns he asks for an accounting. (Matthew 25:14-30)

We are each given various talents .... not just physical resources but also gifts that benefit ourselves, our community and world. One of these is the talent of love. How do you use the love with which you've been entrusted? Do you worry over it ... afraid you'll lose it? Or do you share it?

Reba McEntire sings a great song that expands on the message of the gospel.

Smile's not a smile until it wrinkles your face

Bell's not a bell without ringing

A home's not a home when there's nobody there

A song's not a song without singing.

Love isn't love till you give it a way

Love isn't love till it's free

The love in your heart

Wasn't put there to stay

Oh love isn't love till you give it away.

This week on Sunday we will "share the love"

by bringing in food for the Ingathering to support our Emergency Food Pantry,
by taking the names of children who need gifts as our "Gifts for All God's Children" program begins,
by supporting our youth to go our and do roadside cleanup during the first service,
and by welcoming with open hearts the Rev. Min Woo as our preacher. Rev. Woo is the pastor of Yang Moon UMC which has recently joined us here at 401 W. Dundee to serve the people in this community and beyond. He will bring the message and share in leading our worship.

Even though I know that many of you will be recovering from the "social event of the season" .... another fun night of love and laughter .... I look forward to this busy and "loving" day and hope to see you there.

Blessings,

Rev. Margaret Gramley

Your reflections on these topics ... or any another ... would be happily received at margramley@sbcglobal.net or just "reply" to this email.

This Saturday - The Social Event of the Season

The KIngswood Auction!!!!

Don't miss it, Social Event of the Season!

Saturday, November 12th

Silent Auction - 6:00 PM

Live Auction - 7:30 PM

$6.00 Admission for Food Pantry

Child Care Available (Please sign up in advance)

It's Ingathering Sunday on November 13

Reminder: Don't forget to fill the bags that were handed out after the services with food for the food pantry and bring them to worship on Sunday!

Upcoming Youth Happenings!

Highway Clean Up & Ingathering Service-Sunday November 13th Confirmation Youth and High School students are invited to help out with Highway Clean Up beginning at 9am. We will then help with moving donated food for the Ingathering Service from the church to Manna House. This will replace normal Sunday school for confirmation & high school students that day.

Indoor Volleyball & Dodgeball Night-November 13th from 6-8pm Senior High youth will gather for a night of fun, faith, and fellowship including volleyball and dodgeball! You are welcome to bring a friend!

For more info contact Luke Pepper at lpepper@kingswoodumc.com

"Gifts for All God's Children"

"All God's Children" family information sheets will be available in the fireside room following both services Sunday November 13. Please stop by to select a family.

Rev. Dr. James Will Recognized

The Rev. Dr. James Will, friend, teacher, preacher and active participant at Kingswood, will be recognized as a distinguished alum tomorrow night at the 150th Anniversary celebration at North Central College in Naperville IL. Click on this link to learn more

Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration

The Annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration of the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council will be held on Sunday, November 20,2011, 7:00 P.M. at Saint Mary Parish 10 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089. The Interfaith Service is an annual gathering of Christians and Jews from many congregations in the Buffalo Grove/Wheeling/Long Grove area giving thanks and celebrating together. The event is open to all residents of local communities whether or not they are members of a participating congregation. A fellowship hour will follow the service.

This year's event will include contemporary bands, bell choirs and choirs from Beth Am, Temple Chai, Beth Judea, Saint Mary Parish and Kingswood United Methodist Church. Clergy speakers are Rabbi Stephen Hart from Temple Chai and Pastor Michael McPherson of Hope Lutheran Church.

New this year to the Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration, members of the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band directed by Howard Green will provide instrumental accompaniment to the combined choirs.

This free family event will include performances by combined youth choir, combined children's choir and a puppet performance by the Glory Fingers Creative Ministry Team from Kingswood.

A donation of non-perishable food or paper goods will be taken at the door. All items will be distributed to area food pantries

Website Improvements

Over the next couple weeks our website will be changing. The "old" website will be replaced by a temporary site while our new site is under construction. John Gates is heading the team of Debbi Dickinson, Margaret Gramley, Elizabeth Hicks, Jay Jayapalan and Charlene Vanderhulst to make the improvements. Please contact the church, visit our Facebook page, or use email if you need information. Thank you for your patience during construction!

Sponsor-a Book!

The Sponsor-a-Book cart is rolling its way into the Fireside Room on Sunday, November 13 during coffee fellowship.

There are adult and childrens books plus childrens DVD's which would like a new home in our Kingswood Library.

Children's Guidelines

Are you ready for the Challenge! Sunday, November 20 (third Sunday for November) at 9 and 10:30am children age 4 through 5th grade will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of Bible skills. guidleine listeners will be available during Sunday School. Questions contact Kelly O'Neil at 847-368-0648.

Annual Christmas Gift to Parents of Young Children

Mark this date on your calendar , Friday, December 9 from 6:00-9:30pm. Sign-up sheets are available during coffee fellowship starting Sunday, November 13 through Sunday, December 4. This is for children age 2 through 6th grade, at no charge. Children will have dinner and a fun night of games, crafts, and a movie plus a whole lot more.

Christmas Program and Spaghetti Dinner

Sunday December 18

Sign-up sheet are available today in the Fireside Room during coffee fellowship. Sign-up sheets for the spaghetti dinner along with the children to participate in the re-enactment of the live nativity, plus adult volunteers to help with the children at the craft tables and with costume changing are needed. Questions contact Barb Symonds @ 847-666-4091.

UBY's November Activity

Let's have a post Thanksgiving celebration with a fellowship luncheon on Tuesday, November 29. We will meet at the Old Country Buffet at 1 p.m. and share a meal together. (You can be good and only have salads and soup, or go ahead and enjoy the entire buffet). It will be nice to share a meal together as we enjoy the friendship of members and friends of Kingswood. No sign-up is necessary, just go to the restaurant on Rand Road in the Southpoint Shopping Center. Questions: call Connie @847-537-9114.

Advent season is about to Advent!?

Adult Education Options During Advent

9am Adult Sunday School: There will be a 9am adult Sunday school offering during Advent led by Joe Cannella. Come ready to learn, share, and discern where God is leading you during this advent season. The study will be held on 3 Sundays during December: 12/4, 12/11, and 12/18. All adults are welcome to attend!

Thursday Morning Bible Study @ 10am: Beginning December 1st the bible study class on Thursday morning will focus on the theme of Advent. The short series will run from 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, and 12/22. A short reading packet will likely be available starting Sunday November 27th. For more information or to express interest in attending email Luke Pepper, Minister of Adult and Youth Formation at lpepper@kingswoodumc.com.

Interfaith Discussion

On Sunday Nov 20th at 9 AM in Room 122 all adults are invited to attend a group discussion led by Jay Jayapalan, President, Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council, on the importance of Interfaith Dialog in our community and opportunities for doing so.

Save the date!!!!!

Rev. Gramley and Rabbi Lisa Bellows are planning to lead an Interfaith trip to Israel in June, 2012. This journey will continue the relationship the two congregations - Beth Am and Kingswood - have been building over the past several years. This 12 day trip will leave on our about June 10.

Care for Caregivers

Sunday November 6 & 13 at 9:00 am

Is someone in your family struggling to provide care for another family member or friend? It can be exhausting and confusing when you try to figure it all out on your own. Help is here. Join us at Kingswood on Sundays November 6 & 13 at 9 am, as we welcome the staff of Wisdom Flame who will work with you to indentify the needs of your family and ways to build a "care team." There is no charge. The class will meet in room 122.

In This Issue

Auction Spotlight

Ingathering Sunday

Youth Happenings

Gifts for All God's Children

Dr. Will Recognized

Interfaith Celebration

Website Improvements

Sponsor-a-Book Cart

Children's Guidelines

Christmas Gift to Parents

Christmas Program

UBY's November Activity

Adult Classes in Advent

Interfaith Discussion

This Sunday in Worship

22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture:

Matthew 25:14-30

Message:

Talent of Love

Ministry of Music:

Chancel Choir (10:30)

Children's Choir

Prayers, Joys & Concerns

Ruth Lance has been at the Claremont doing rehab for a week or so. She hopes to return home soon.

Louise Bates (Kathy DeRosa's mother) has gone into hospice care. She is staying with Kathy.

Rita Chandler (Bill's Grandmother) is in the hospital after a fall.

John Huffaker, son of Paula and Greg Huffaker (Paula was formerly director of Children's Choirs and Bell Choir at Kingswood), is now at the Rehab Institute. He is walking and making other kinds of progress. Many prayers have been answered.
Cards for Greg & Paula Huffaker & John and Kira Huffaker
can be sent to:
7524 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60656

Ministry Quick Links