Ash Wednesday potluck & worship...
Join us as we begin the Lenten season with our annual
Potluck Dinner and Worship on Wednesday, February 13.
Dinner starts at 6 pm in the Parish Hall, followed by our worship service at 7:15 pm. Please bring a dish to share. Call the Church office 630.584.4013 with any questions.
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Pastor's message... 
The Lenten season is upon us already. We will soon take the spiritual journey of faith with Jesus, a journey that will challenge us in many ways. With Christ it will take courage to travel in his footsteps in our time of despair and questioning. Courage is not the absence of despair but keeping on when in despair. Paul Tillich was right in this respect: courage is ontological (The Courage to Be). We tend to think that since Faith consists of faith, hope, and charity, Christians are not to have their moments of despair. How wrong can we get! The Lord did not deliver us from moments of despair; he delivered us from despair as a way of life. That's much better.
Moments, even periods, of despair are inevitable to a sensitive soul in tune with the times. In fact, to show despair may be one way of showing concern, even Godly concern. It might be that more of us Christians ought to despair more often. (What better way to manifest who are the courageous since courage is manifested in despair.) And, besides - a good dose of periodic despair will save us Christians from our archenemy fanaticism and reward us with the fruit of the Spirit - courage, which is, as I said, moving forward in spite of despair. Perhaps because of despair. "Being strong and of a good courage," said our Lord to Joshua when he was lonely and about to despair. Moses had just died and the mantle had fallen on Joshua to lead God's people. Loneliness too, as well as despair, will drive a person to courage. God uses both much like a prodding stick. God will see to it that if you're to be one of his great saints (and we should all want to be) you will face loneliness. All the great saints faced their God and themselves alone. "And Jacob was left alone." It's just as important that we face our self alone as it is for us to face God alone. Our generation is so afraid to be left alone. We don't like sitting in a room by ourselves, spending all day in the house alone.
God may speak, for God is yet speaking to us in our day, in our time, to issues we find challenging. We are so group-oriented. Maybe that's why God doesn't speak to some of us. Maybe that's why we don't as a generation, understand (and appreciate) war heroes, saints, prophets of justice, those willing to speak out against prejudice and bigotry wherever it may raise its head. We are called to take the challenge, find the courage to act, and walk steadfastly where Christ has walked. That this world may be found to be a place where all people are at home with each other and at one with God.
May this Lenten journey be an inspiration to you. May God Bless.
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Worship Schedule...
The Lenten Season begins Ash Wednesday, February 13th
The theme for Lent will be based on the 14 Stations of the Cross, which although a teaching experience in the Catholic tradition, can also inform our faith understanding and challenge us all.
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Ministry news...
Congregational Life 
Red hot news! The Parish Hall was packed with chili aficionados on Saturday, January 12th for the 8th Annual LHC Chili Cook-Off. Over $800 was raised for our Outreach Ministry as seven chefs competed for the coveted first-place prize, including a couple of first-timers. The rivalry was intense, but Kathryn Karwowski burned up the competition to take first prize and proudly wore the fiery red toque to church the next morning. She was also a big hit on our Church Facebook Page!
Thank you to one and all for another fun and successful event. Start fine-tuning those recipes for next year!
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Activities...
A Book & A Prayer Book Club
4th Monday of every month
7 pm in the Parish Hall
Next Book:
Washington's Lady
by Nancy Moser
Next Meeting:
Monday, February 25, 7 pm, Parish Hall
Contact: Kathy Haben, 630.876.0620, khaben@att.net
By the time this issue of BTW is published, the LHC A Book & A Prayer group will have celebrated its one year anniversary! We have been blessed to discuss 12 books as we all continue our own spiritual journeys and learn more about each other. Last month we discussed Same Kind of Different As Me. A godly woman invites her husband to join her work at a homeless shelter, where they meet a 'modern day slave.' It is a story about how hate and prejudice can be overcome by love and grace. Same Kind of Different as Me is the emotional tale of pain and laughter, doubt and tears, dug out between the bondages of this earth and the free possibility of Heaven.
In honor of Washington's Birthday and President's Day we'll be discussing Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser. This historical Christian fiction book gives us a glimpse into the intimate life of Martha Washington. Please join us in the Parish Hall for food, fellowship and discussion! Bring a friend!
Scheduled future reads:
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Some good reasons to join the choir...
Singing in the choir is one of the most common member ministries in parish worship life. Among many competing arenas for the Christian's ministry, here are some inspiring reasons to serve the Lord and his church by singing in the choir. Worship can be more than sermons, congregational hymns and prayers. The choir can do so much to enrich the singing of psalms, hymns, refrains, anthems and responses.
Singing in the Choir by Carl & Miriam Satorius, Los Angeles, CA
God invites good Christian stewards to use their time and talents for his kingdom. As members of the Lord's church, it is a privilege to share our thoughts on the joys of singing in a choir. We weren't always members of the choir, but many years ago we were persuaded just to try it. Amazingly, it was kind of fun. Fears about "not reading music" and "no voice" were quickly dispelled. Sitting close to a singer with a good voice helped when we were uncertain singers. Patient rehearsals taught our parts well, and a good director pulled it all together.
Choir is part of worship. It's one way to express our faith. Music is a universal method of communication in any language or culture. Choirs proclaim God's Word. Music expresses many emotions: repentance, love, joy, and thankfulness for our Savior. Many times we found it difficult to sing due to these emotions. We can still recall our church dedication in Citrus Heights, California. The choir sang "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place." After many hours of preparation, every note was sung perfectly and harmony reigned supreme. When the song ended, we noticed many tear-filled eyes among the congregation and the choir. Worshipers said it sounded like angels were singing. The choir brings moving prayer and praise to our Lord.
We have many memories from past years, singing with other parishes in mass festival choirs. What a joy to participate with fellow believers in praise to our God. When our children were in grade school, we had the pleasure of singing along with their junior choir. Then we were also filled with joy and pride when our children's hours of practice on musical instruments allowed them to enhance the choir's singing. The choir helps nurture the young and unite a broad range of worshipers.
Choir practice was often hard work as we aimed for excellence, but we also had fun. We recall a single man and woman conveniently placed near each other at choir practices. We tried to promote a friendship, or more, between them. It worked! They got married and are now the parents of twin boys. And yes, the choir sang at their wedding. The choir is social glue and helps member assimilation. Being a part of the choir provided many fellowship opportunities such as picnics and outings. Caroling at Christmas was always special. We went by choral caravan to the shut-ins. We always gathered a crowd at nursing homes, and many residents came to listen with tears in their eyes. What a privilege to serve our God in this fashion. Yes, the choir is also ministry to seniors.
A few years ago at Christmas, we visited our son and his family in Puerto Rico. On Christmas Eve adult and children's choirs sang in Spanish. We didn't understand all the words, but we knew the melodies. The service was held in a missionary's carport. During the singing, nonmember neighbors gathered around the house and stood in awe of the sounds coming from within. The choir is a powerful evangelism tool.
Long ago we were invited to participate in the member ministry of singing in the choir. As you can probably tell, we joined and loved it. Now we are members of a small congregation without a choir, a parish where the computer often plays the organ. As we discussed thoughts for this article, we decided to try to organize a new choir. We look to the future with memories and joys of the past that will never fade. We look forward to that time when, as God promises, we will be members of the heavenly choir, singing praises to our God for eternity.
Larry Dieffenbach, Director of Music, Organist
lsdieffenbach@sbcglobal.net
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Education...
Quiet Time Bags
Canvas bags with crayons, storybooks and activity books for children during worship are available in a basket at the rear of the church. Please return them to the basket after worship.
Morning Bible Study
Presented by Rev. Ron Purser on Wednesday mornings at 10 am in his office. All are welcome. No preparation is required.
Presented by Rev. Nancy Schatzeder on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 7-8:30 pm in the Parish Hall.
Next session: Thursday, February 21
Children's Sunday School
Held during the Sunday service. Come have fun learning and playing at Little Home Church! For more information, please contact Lori Haseltine at 630.587.1906 or lori-h@comcast.net.
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Share the word...
Our church has a nice house for sale next door!
5n440 School St., Wayne, IL 60184
2-story, single-family house  3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2-car garage 1,051 sq. ft., built in 1929
$199,900
Contact Karen Ashe
Ashe Real Estate
630.377.9300 
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Council news...
Healthy congregations & LHC's mission
Pastor Ron has reported for several years running, that LHC is a Healthy Congregation! And I, with much anticipation of my upcoming term as moderator, attended a seminar on Healthy Congregations. St. John's UCC and St. Paul UCC co-sponsored this workshop that helps leaders become more effective stewards of their congregations. There were approximately 30 attendees - both pastors and lay people. Bottom line on the workshop, in my opinion, was that a healthy congregation is one that stays focused on its unique mission and purpose.
Our vision is 'Celebrating and Sharing God's Love in Christ.' And our mission statement calls us to:
- Glorify and praise God
- Be servants like Christ
- Participate in and express the Spirit in us and among us
- Teach and learn the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ
- Create a nurturing community
Our vision and mission statements are printed weekly in the Sunday bulletin. Don't just read it - let your light shine and live it! I pray that each and every one of us can take the LHC mission out into the community and live our lives as Jesus did and make our vision a reality.
In Him,
Kathy Haben, Moderator-Elect.
Upcoming UCC events for the
Fox Valley Association & the Illinois Conference:
Fox Valley Spring Meeting, April 27, 2013, First Congregational United Church of Christ in Downer's Grove
Illinois Conference Annual Celebration, June 14 & 15, Oak Brook
More information on these events can be found on the Fox Valley Association web site. Check it out at www.foxvalley.ilucc.org
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| Our love & prayers...
Recently hospitalized or ill:
Elaine Williford; Corky Hamill; Steve MacCarthy; and Wanda Hochstetter
Our Congratulations... Corky Hamill celebrated his 99th birthday last month! Greg Schramuk obtained his commercial pilots license. Thank you to our service men & women... 
SPC Samantha Prang meets Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta in January while stationed in Afghanistan.
SGT Greg Haben
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Open and Affirming...
A Thought on ONA by Suzanne Setlock
Are there different understandings of biblical authority or simply different people finding different meanings in the texts? We need to take each other's beliefs seriously. We need to respectfully listen to and make an effort to understanding though not necessarily agree with one another. If we do, perhaps we can find common ground (areas where we are all in agreement) in relation to biblical interpretation.
Perhaps rather than an eventual vote for or against becoming ONA we should focus on making a statement we can all agree on. It seems there is an overall agreement of our belief in the following four statements:
1. We are all Children of God
2. That God loves each one of us
3. That we are to love one another
4. And that ALL are welcome in our church
Can we make a public statement to this effect rather than a statement that says we are an ONA church? It says what we all agree on, but that does not get us an asterisk after our name on the UCC web site. Is that enough?
ONA Sunday Bible Sessions
In response to various requests, Pastor Ron will be conducting a Sunday morning study on the Moral Teachings of the Apostle Paul as it relates to the ONA process. The sessions will take place after worship at 11 am.
Sun. Feb. 3 - Paul on Sexuality and Marriage
Sun. Feb. 10 or 17 - Marriage and Divorce (depending on outside speaker availability)
Sun. Feb. 24 - Women in the Church
Sun. Mar. 3 - Christian Moral Responses to Political Concerns
Next ONA Congregational discussion:
Sunday, February 10, 11 am
ONA Update: Fourth Congregational Discussion
January 13, 2013, by Anne Bouchard
About 25 people attended the fourth ONA congregational discussion in mid-January, which was an open forum. Committee members explained that they were working on bringing in representatives from local churches which had not become ONA, in order to present an alternative point of view. Twenty-four churches have been contacted. Some of these churches have not considered ONA, some have decided not to address ONA, and some have considered ONA but have tabled their discussion for the time being. So far, we have not discovered a church that considered ONA and voted not to become ONA. Due to availability of speakers, it was announced that a future meeting might be held on a Sunday afternoon.
A lively discussion covered several additional topics including Congregationalist history on social justice issues, UCC leadership position on ONA, ONA impact on LHC, looking at ONA as part of spiritual journey, personal experiences, and different perspectives on what ONA means. For more details (and as a space-saving measure for BTW), take a look at my meeting notes on the ONA bulletin board.
The next congregational discussion will be on February 10.
Ron is planning a bible study revolving around ONA topics. Dates and study materials will be noted in the Sunday bulletins.
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Upcoming Dates
ONA Discussion Sun. Feb. 10, 11 am
Church Council Meeting Tue. Feb. 12, 7 pm
Ash Wednesday
Potluck Dinner & Worship Service
Wed. Feb. 13, 6 pm 'By the Way' Deadline Fri. Feb. 15 Adult Evening Bible Study Thu. Feb. 21, 7 pm
'A Book & A Prayer'
Book Club
Mon. Feb. 25, 7 pm
Morning Bible StudyWednesdays, 10 am
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Church Leadership
Pastor Reverend Ron W. Purser
Pastor Emeritus Reverend Dr. Don Heinrich Director of Music Organist Larry Dieffenbach
Office Manager
Lori Prang
Church Council: Moderator Wally Setlock Moderator-elect Kathy Haben Stewardship Ministry Ann McLaughlin Evangelism Ministry Bob Kaska Outreach Ministry Marilyn Poole Congregational Life Anne Bouchard Jane Shelton Christian Education Lori Haseltine Worship & Spiritual Growth Nancy Schatzeder Facilities Peter Gatsch Members at Large Carol Berger Karen Hansen Gianna Marchese Financial Art Zwemke
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Flowers
& Fellowship
Provide flowers to decorate our altar table or host a fellowship hour after worship as a wonderful way to recognize a special occasion or to remember someone special.
Email the office or use the sign-up sheets posted in the Parish Hall if you would like to participate. A reminder call will come from the Church Office so you can note what should be listed in the Sunday Bulletin.
(Open dates are noted below.)
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Altar Flowers
February 3 Baldwin
February 10
Hulls February 17 (open) February 24 (open) |
Fellowship Hour
February 3 (open) February 10 Muno February 17 (open) February 24 (open) |
 Happy Birthday!
Feb. 3
Bruce Weigel Mary Sterner
Feb. 6
Dessa Quinn
Feb. 13
Carol Berger
Feb. 14
Leigh Bechet
Lori Prang
Feb. 20
Victoria Stout
Feb. 22
Andrea Ferguson
Feb. 23
Joshua Winquist
Feb. 24
Larry Dieffenbach
Audrey Gatsch
Feb. 25
Tim Boles
Feb. 26
Frank Muno
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Click this icon to visit
Little Home Church
Facebook Page
Give us a "Like"
...we now have 46!
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we
noticed!
Thank you to our digital knight in shining armor, Wally Setlock, who once again was able to ride to the rescue and help figure out the wi-fi access here at LHC.
More thanks to Gary Estes for fixing the panic bar on the door to the Guild House. It had been stuck thereby leaving the door unlocked. Gary has it all nice and locked up now!.
Much thanks goes to Kristen Thornton for giving up a good part of her MLK holiday and teaching the "digital divas" all the ins and outs of our church web site.
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tip...
Drop off your unwanted, unrepairable electronics
(and keep them out of the landfill) at
Habitat ReStore
800 N. State St., Elgin 847-742-9905
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thank you!
Notes from some of our college students who were sent gift cards & care boxes from LHC:
Thank you so much for the wonderful gift. It means a lot to know I have such a good support system. Throughout the years you all have brought up my confidence and I don't know if I would be where I am today without all of your support. Thank you again for everything.
Kate Lesswing
Thank you so much for the holiday surprise! I will definitely use it to spread some holiday cheer and pass on some of the kindness extended to me.
Thomas Davison
All of the wonderful gift/treat baskets have been quite a delight for me and my college friends! Having little candies to take to class in a rush is always a help. And the tissues on the go is great for cold nights at the library. Lastly, the $25 gift card was a SUPER treat which was spent on Christmas shopping for the family! Thanks again!
Olivia Bouchard
Gift cards & shipping costs were made possible by the generosity of the Alex Family & R. Brent Alex Memorial Fund.
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