In This Issue
Budget Info Meeting
Congregational Meeting
Vision Advance 2.0
Volunteer Opportunity
Journey Through the Bible
Feed My Starving Children
Update on Hesed House
Rejoice Revue
Become a Prayer Minister
Silent Auction Items Needed
Parking at Rejoice
Weather Cancellations
Literacy Volunteers Needed
Children's Ministry
MATRIX (Middle School)
SUMMIT (High School)
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Grace and Peace to you!  Read on to find out what's happening at Rejoice this weekend and what God is doing in and through our church community.
Scripture Text  
For Sunday, January 19th

 

1 Peter 5: 1-4; John 10: 11-18 

 

"Names Matter"

 

What's in a name ...or nickname?  Did you have a cool nickname back in the day?  It turns out that Jesus had a lot of names and nicknames that speak volumes about him!  We will begin a series this Sunday looking at some of these names and see what they tell us about Jesus.  These names are windows into the heart of God's ultimate disclosure to us.  Prepare to see Jesus with many different colored spotlights! 

 

Sunday's nickname: Good Shepherd 


Budget Info Meeting         
This Sunday, January 19 

 

Do you have questions regarding our 2014 budget or would like to hear additional details?  Join us this Sunday between services at 10AM for our budget informational meeting in advance of next week's congregation meeting.

Congregational Meeting        
Sunday, January 26 

 

Our annual congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, January 26th from 10:00am to 10:30am (between the two services). All voting members are encouraged to attend. The annual meeting agenda will include (as applicable): 

  • Review of 2013 Financials
  • Election of new council members
  • Adoption of 2014 Budget
 

 
Vision Advance 2.0      
ALL invited & encouraged to join us Jan 24-25
 

Next week is an important and exciting time in the life of Rejoice Lutheran Church!  On Friday and Saturday we have the opportunity to gather together for Vision Advance 2.0

- a collective way to celebrate who we are and what we are called to be in this world.  Our first Vision Advance was in 2005 and from that we came up with a vision statement that helped define for us what faithfulness looked like. This has served us well, and after 9 years it is now time to revisit and recast our vision for the next several years.  

 

Since there are many who were not around during the time of our first Vision Advance, you may have some questions about this event.  Click here for additional details on Vision Advance 2.0 and consider how YOU can be a part of a weekend event that will be vital to the life and energy of Rejoice, then sign up on the sheet in the narthex or RSVP to the church office so we can plan accordingly for food.


   

 

Important Volunteer Opportunity at Rejoice        
Blood Drive Coordinator Needed 

 

Are you looking for a significant way to serve Rejoice and our community... without a big time commitment? 

We are seeking an organized & energized person to lead our Blood Drive Ministry.  Twice a year (April & October) Rejoice hosts blood drives through Heartland Blood Center.  The Blood Drive Coordinator is the point-person who will work with Heartland to organize the drive, gather drive day volunteers and help get the word out to donors!  The amount of time needed to coordinate this ministry is minimal... but the impact is maximum as our blood donors 
drive helps make surgery and treatments possible in our neighborhood.

If you are interested in becoming part of this lifesaving community service, please contact the Rejoice office! 

 

Journey Through the Bible with Pastor Lou       
5 Wednesdays beginning January 29th 

 

Here is your chance to feel the vibe, the pulse and the essence of the Bible's message!  Pastor Lou will teach a class on the core messages of the Old and New Testaments for 5 Wednesday nights starting on Jan 29 from 7-8pm.  This will be a riveting and provocative overview on the history, theology and story of the documents of our faith.  If you ever wanted a brief survey of the Bible... this is your class!  Expect to learn, grow in your faith and have fun - join us!


Feed My Starving Children       
Saturday, Feb 15

 

Rejoice returns to Feed My Starving Children for an evening of serving on Saturday, February 15th from 7-9 pm.  If you weren't able to join us during Advent... or if you were and had so much fun you want to go back... then join us!  We have 70 spots available, so feel free to invite your friends and family.  Sign up in the narthex. 

Questions?  contact Amy Frazer.

 

Hesed House Update        
Thanks to those who served last weekend! 

 

Last weekend we had a very successful mission event at Hesed House!  Rejoice Lutheran Church and St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, served more than 150 homeless individuals for dinner on Saturday evening and breakfast on Sunday morning, and packed 100 bag lunches for Sunday.  Rejoice provided 23 serving volunteers and St. Marks provided an additional 4 volunteers.  Also, 26 families from Rejoice provided food and supplies to serve at the three meals.  The clients and staff of Hesed House have expressed their gratitude for the meals (we had many complements on the Cranberry Chicken) and for the fellowship.  Annmarie and Kaley Martens and Lucy and Bill Gain wish to express our thanks to our volunteers for making this ministry a continued success.  Our next weekend that we will be serving Hesed House will be March 8th and 9th. 

 

Save the Date!        
Rejoice Revue is Feb 23rd 

 

Mark your calendars for a great evening of food, fun & feats at our annual Rejoice Revue... aka: the No Talent Talent Show!  Plan to join us on Sunday, February 23rd.  Do you have an act?  We want to see it!  Don't have an act?  Then come and cheer for your fellow Rejoicers and support our high school missionaries who will travel to the Jersey Shore this summer to take part in Hurricane Sandy relief.

 

Use Your Gifts at Rejoice         
Become a Prayer Minister 

 

Has the Lord been nudging you about becoming a Prayer Minister at Rejoice?  Prayer Ministers are available each service during Communion to pray with anyone who has a special need for themselves or others. You would serve approximately once every two months.

If you would be interested in this opportunity to be blessed by interceding in prayer on behalf of others or if you have any questions about this ministry, please contact Helen Shullaw.
Looking for Silent Auction/Raffle Items          
To Raise Funds for High School Mission Trip 

 

We are also looking for items for the Rejoice Revue Silent Auction!  We have had some awesome items in the past which have included Bears and Cubs tickets, weekend getaways, spa packages... If you own your own business, it is a great opportunity to highlight your products or services!   

 

If you are able to donate to our Silent Auction, please contact Jake.  All proceeds from the Silent Auction sale will benefit our high schoolers who will travel to the Jersey Shore for Hurricane Sandy relief this June. 

 

Parking Reminder         
Don't block sidewalk cutouts! 

 

Just a reminder when parking around the building - especially in the back - to not block the sidewalk cutouts, those areas where the curb is flat to the road allowing easy access to the sidewalk.  We have a number of members recovering from foot surgery who rely on this to safely navigate their walkers & crutches, especially entering the back of the building so they can use the elevator.  Thank you for your help keeping those areas clear!  

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful...  
Weather Cancellation Policy

During the winter months when weather can be a bit questionable, our ministries will be depending on the National Weather Service as the driving force for our weather cancellation policy. We will be paying particular attention to the weather statements issued in Kane County. However, if there is a storm watch in effect for Kane County at 1pm and the radar shows a massive storm barreling toward Geneva expected to hit later that afternoon, that will be a factor for cancellation as well.

Cancellations of programs and events will happen if the National Weather Service issues:

-a travel advisory/ hazardous conditions
-a winter storm warning
-severe weather warning
-weather bulletins wherein travel is not recommended

Programs will proceed as scheduled if:

- there is a wind chill advisory (if programs are held indoors)
- there is a winter storm watch
- there is a severe weather watch

Literacy Volunteers Needed   
Tutor Training begins January 20th

Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley needs volunteers to teach English to adults. A four-session tutor training workshop will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays, January 20, 22, 27, and 29 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at the St. Charles Public Library. The workshop will teach all you need to know to tutor adults in English and, in the process, dramatically change the person's life.

To sign up for the workshop or for more information visit www.lvfv.org or call 630-584-4428.
Children's Ministry
Preschool - 5th Grade 

 

"ACTS OF LOVE" February 18th - Our last visit to Greenfield's Residential Community in Mill Creek was such a blast, the kids asked to do it again!  So we are going back for another visit on Tuesday, February 18th to host "Acts of Love," a variety show to entertain our new friends at Greenfield's and show them God's love in action!

We need your help!  We are looking for children in grades 2nd-5th to show off their talents. Depending on how many participants sign-up, each child will have approximately 3-5 minutes for their act. Ideas for acts include: magic tricks, telling jokes, singing, dancing etc. If you are interested, contact Angel Slawinski by January 28th and GET PRACTICING!

MATRIX - Middle School Ministry
6th-8th Grade

  

Matrix WinterXtreme - We depart for Timberlee this Friday!  Click here for links to download the packing list/schedule, as well as the medical release form. 

 

Update Newsletter Preference - Are you the parent of a new middle school student and would like to receive the eMatrix emailed newsletter?  Click here to update your preferences! 

SUMMIT - High School Ministry
9th-12th Grade

  

Summit this week - Study Break!  Have finals got you down? Is your brain hurting from cramming it with dates, formulas, definitions and solutions?  Well, head on over to Summit tonight from 7-8pm for a study break. We'll have some snacks and treats, some drinks, some tunes and we will kick back and take it easy for a bit. Bring your books if you need to, but don't miss the study break.  


Register now for Summit WINTERXTREME - We return to Timber-lee January 31- Feb 2nd, 2014!  Registration form & non-refundable deposit of $75 are due now if you are interested in going.  Registration deadline extended.

theLOVEproject 2014: Jersey Shore - Registration is now open! There are only 25 spots available and will be given on a first come, first served basis.  A complete registration includes these two items: a completed form and a security deposit.  Both must be turned in to officially be registered.  Click here to download the registration packet.

 

Update Newsletter Preference - Are you the parent of a new high school student and would like to receive the eSummit emailed newsletter?  Click here to update your preferences and choose which newsletters you would like to receive! 

For more information...

If you would like more information on any of the articles above, or if you would like pastoral care, please call the church office at 630.262.0596.

Our office hours are:
  • Tuesday -- 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
  • Wednesday -- 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
  • Thursday -- 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
  • Friday -- 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
We pray God's peace, joy and hope for you this week!
 
Rejoice Lutheran Church
0N377 North Mill Creek Drive
Geneva, Illinois 60134