Downers Grove Community Church 
e-News
Worship Times
9:30 am
Worship

*Children's
Sunday School
(Ages 4-5th Grade)

**Communion

10:30 am
Fellowship

10:45 am
*Sunday School
(Ages Junior High - Adult)

*September-May
**First Sunday of the month, unless otherwise noted.
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Clergy, Staff & Consistory

PASTOR
Rev. Howard Hoekstra

PASTOR OF OUTREACH
Rev. Marge
Vander Wagen

CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR
Karen Tucker

DIRECTOR OF 
MUSIC
Jon Wenzel

DIRECTOR OF 
YOUTH MINISTRIES
Austin Bilotto

FACILITY DIRECTOR
Louis Campbell

ELDERS
Lou Bury
Donna Koenes
Shawna Reidy
Suzanne Smith

DEACONS
Jeff Arnold
Gary Bakker
Lou Campbell
Dan Draayers

The Week of December 21, 2014
~This Week's Message~
"Why Is Christmas?"
-1 Timothy 1:15-

 

Christmas is about Jesus!  We will look at the truth that Jesus Christ came into this world to save people who need to be saved - which includes every single human being!  As a result of this, we have the honor and privilege of reaching into our world with God's amazing grace and love.

 

~This Week/
Next Sunday Calendar~

Tuesday, December 23 

Coffee Break Leaders Meeting, Room 10, 9:00 am

 

Wednesday, December 24

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 4:00 pm

Caring Community Kitchen, 5:30 pm

 

Thursday, December 25

Bulletin Deadline, 9:00 am

 

Sunday, December 28

Pre-Worship Prayer, Middle School Room, 9:00 am

Worship, 9:30 am

Fellowship, 10:30 am

Youth & Adult Sunday School, 10:45 am

 

~Celebration Time!~
 
Birthday
Anniversary
Brandon Elza (12/22)
Christy Meier (12/26)
Jim & Pat Even (12/26)

~Sunday School~

 

There will be no Sunday School on December 28 and no Junior High and Adult Sunday School on January 4.  However, there will be Children's Sunday School on January 4.

 

~Adult Sunday School~

 

We are studying Ray Vander Laan's video series, "Promised Land." In each lesson of this study, Vander Laan illuminates the historical, geographical and cultural context of the Bible.  Just as the time and place of our birth and life shapes our journey, so the land and culture of the Hebrew people shaped their story. In this first volume of Faith Lessons, filmed on location in the Middle East, you will discover how God guided his people to a specific place -the Promise Land- to impact the world both in ancient times and today.

 

~Prayer Group~

 

This group is an extension of the Prayer Concerns posted in the weekly bulletin, where the needs of the church and community are lifted up in prayer.  We will meet again on Sunday, December 28 at 9:00 am just before Sunday service in the classroom near the front entrance of the church. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

  

~Evening Bible Study News~

 

The Men's and Women's Evening Bible Study groups will not meet on December 23 and will resume on January 13. The men will be starting a new study entitled "Paul: To Live Is Christ." If you are not currently attending, but would like to begin with us, you can get a copy of the study from Pastor Howard. We welcome any new men who would like to be blessed and be a blessing! 

 

~Coffee Break~

 

There will be no Coffee Break meetings on December 24 or 31 and will resume on January 7. 


 

~Caring Community Kitchen~
 

Help CCK get needed kitchen equipment. Save your Jewel Cuisinart stamps and put them in the envelope on the back of the cupboard door near the cups in the kitchen. We also save box top education coupons on many soups, baking mixes and General Mills products. Place them in the box located in the fellowship hall. Thank you for helping us cook.  Marge Vander Wagen.

 

~Angel Tree~

DGCC will be partnering with Angel Tree prison ministry to adopt a child whose parent is incarcerated and present that child with a Christmas gift. Gifts for the children will be due this Sunday, December 21.  For more information, please contact Jim Even.

 

~Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service~

We will be gathering on Christmas Eve for our annual Candlelight Service at 4:00 pm.  The special offering that evening will be given to Care Net of DuPage County, an organization that assists ladies facing a "crisis pregnancy." There will also be a free holiday meal served at 5:30 pm, if you would like to stay.  For more information about the meal, please contact Marge Vander Wagen.

 

~Membership Discovery Class~

Pastor Howard will be leading a Membership Discovery Class on Saturday, January 17, from 9 am- 12 pm.  The class will meet in the Office Building.  This is an opportunity to learn about the Downers Grove Community Church. There is no "obligation" to the class. If you would like to attend, please let Pastor Howard know.

 
~Compassionate, Caring Christ~
 

Jesus absolutely loved and cared for people. I would like to begin the New Year by sharing 3 sermons with you about the "compassionate, caring Christ."  We will look at two stories and one parable where we see the heart and love of Jesus.  Don't miss these 3 sermons, as we will be challenged to be like Jesus, and be "compassionate, caring people."

~Pastor Howard~

 

~Volunteer Schedule~
 

~Greeters~

Dan & Cathy Draayers

Steve & Bev Dorko

 

Next Week

Alyson Dalfino & Karen Dalfino

Rick DiCharia & Cindie Collum

 

~Nursery~

Bev Dorko

 

Next Week 

Bev Dorko & Beth Bakker

 

~Coffee Clean Up~

Lou & Penny Campbell

 

Next Week

Lou & Judy Bury

 

~Sound Board~

Tim Hillegonds & Mark Stears

 

Next Week

Dan Draayers & Tom Reidy

 

~Bowling League~
 

The Holy Rollers Bowling League will take place on the following Sundays, 5:30 pm. at Willowbrook Lanes:  

                                2015                               

January 4

February 15

March 1

March 29

May 3

 

For more information, please see Marge Vander Wagen.

 

~Thank You~
 

Thank you to all the carolers and trumpet players, Dan and Lou, for appearing at York Town on Friday.  We had about 32 people which included members of St. Luke's Presbyterian Church choir. We also passed out invitations to our Christmas Eve service.  Please plan on attending next year's Christmas caroling event and invite others to come and join the excitement.  Marge Vander Wagen.