Summer concert...
The Ballerup Concert Band will perform at Little Home Church on Sunday, July 7, 3 pm. This group of students is visiting from Ballerup, Denmark and they are here as part of the Blue Lake International Exchange Program. Tickets are $5 each and the proceeds will benefit Little Home Church. Thank you to all who have volunteered to open their home and host these students during their stay. Dianna Griffin is still in need of volunteers to help her set up the Parish Hall for the concert, and donate finger food for the reception after the concert. She can be reached at 646-262-9222.
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Pastor's message...
A couple weeks ago Frank Muno was pulpit associate, reading the scripture of the day. He read a portion of Psalm 78. But before we entered church he ask me if he had to read the line: A Mas'kil A saph. I said, no, that is simply a musical notation of the Psalm to be sung or accompanied. We are not always sure what these notations mean except there are times for songs of the soul and from the soul, always musical, and notated as such. In July we'll use Psalm 9, which begins, "according to the Gittith" meaning "upon the harp of Gath" or "according to the woman of Gath." Often we miss the music of the Bible,--it's words, language and history, carrying the antiphonal sound of singing. The Hebrews were a singing nation: Miriam at sea, David with choruses, Jesus with disciples. "And when they had sung...they went out..." Our faith is a singing faith, the reason being the soul sings, and the song is its own reason. To be filled with the Spirit is to sing. "Making melody in the heart. (Ephesians 19) Why do people sing? They feel like it. Must the soul tell us everything, or why? Richard Wurmbrand, the Romanian minister, tells of the president of Boer Republic going hunting, leaving his sick child and his sick wife behind. Having returned, he heard his wife singing, a thing she never did. Entering the house he found her in bed, the dead child in her arms. Very shortly afterwards, she too died. The president left everything and began rambling, stumbling, through the forests trying to make sense of life. His friends, after days of searching, finally ran onto him--singing with a deep peace in his heart. He had not found the meaning, but he had found the peace. Can we not sing even when the meaning is not clear? Especially when it is not clear?
The Bible has words, the meaning which is unsure, but seem to be there for their sound, such as Selah. The Bible can be seen as a symphony of sound, perhaps to move the soul. In Acts 4:32 it reads, "of one heart and of one soul." In Greek that reads: Kardia Kai Pshche Mia. May your soul be moved this summer by the sound of music ringing in your heart. May the words and letters you hear be as in the Bible, sounds for the sheer pleasure of sound.
Our souls of love and acceptance may just be the sounds music, we need to hear. May you have a soulful summer.
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Council news...
By Moderator, Kathy Haben
Thought I'd share with all the BTW readers, what I shared with the LHC members that were present at the 2013 Junual meeting this past month:
Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
I pray that I keep these commandments and use them as guideposts as I lead and serve The Little Home Church as Moderator for the 2013-2014 year. What a joy this journey will be!
Would you consider being Moderator Elect? (Which really means will you be Moderator?)
Every year when it came time for LHC to choose a new Moderator Elect I prayed that I would not be asked. Every year that I wasn't asked I wondered 'why not me?' There is just no pleasing some people, and I must be one of those fickle souls! I had dodged the bullet for 19 years, but last year I was not so lucky. When Wally approached me and asked if I would consider being Moderator Elect, I had to stop myself from laughing out loud. I think what came out was more of a snicker. But I did have the decency to say "Let me pray about it and get back to you."
After a full week of praying the voice in my head was still saying "Nope. Don't want to do it. It's okay to say no." But then, I thought about the last 19 years, and the times I had thought about leaving LHC for various reasons, and I wondered why I had stayed. And the answer I got was---maybe this is God's plan for me. This is part of my journey. So I called Wally, whom I think was holding his breath, and I told him...yes!
The past year has been busy here at LHC and I have personally tried to grow and expand my knowledge of the UCC. I do hope to be a good leader. But as Hillary Clinton said "It takes a village" I think in our case it's going to take a congregation. A lot of what LHC does is tradition. It's one of the things I love about LHC. But I think it's time to think, not just out of the box, but outside of our four walls to bring the Good News and promise of hope to others. So, as John F. Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." I'll suggest maybe we should ask ourselves not what God can do for us, but what can we do for God? I look forward to the coming year of challenges, changes and the promise of hope. I pray you'll journey with me into a successful 2014.
And the people said...AMEN!
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 Activities...
A Book & A Prayer Book Club
4th Monday of every month
7 pm in the Parish Hall
Next Book:
For One More Day, by Mitch Albom
Next Meeting:
Monday, July 22, 7 pm, Parish Hall
Contact: Kathy Haben, 630.876.0620, khaben@att.net
This magical story is about a son who is granted one more day with his mother. It's a story about a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. At times it is poetic and at times, sentimental. This philosophical novel is sure to touch your heart and it will remind you to give thanks for all the blessings and people in your life.
Please join us in the Parish Hall for food, fellowship and discussion...and bring a friend!
Please note: Our June meeting is rescheduled to Monday, July 1, 7 pm. We will be discussing The Screwtape Letters by C.S.Lewis and Lord Foulgrin's Letter by Randy Alcorn. Pastor Ron will join us to share his insights into C.S Lewis and his writings.
Choir
Music Sunday
Thank you to everyone who participated in Music Sunday! First, thanks to our wonderful choir. I am so thankful for these talented and faithful musicians who practice every Wednesday night and sing on Sunday mornings. Second, thank you to: all of our guest musicians; Greg Abell, Megan Bell and Matt Jones, soloists; Doyle Armbrust and the other string players; Robert Vanderschaaf on organ; and Merritt Poole on flute. Finally, the congregation! How wonderful to see so many people there and to see the sanctuary filled with members and guests! Thanks to everyone who prepared the fellowship hour as well...It was delicious!
BELLS! BELLS! BELLS!
This summer, on Wednesday evenings, we will have a children's bell choir practice for 45 minutes from 5:45 to 6:30 pm follow ed by an adult bell choir practice for 45 minutes from 7 to 7:45 pm. We will remove the choir pews for the summer and set the bell tables up in the choir loft and then have bell music all summer!
Summer Soloists!
If you would like to sing or play an instrument for special music this summer, please give me a call (630) 208-9761 or send me an email!
Larry Dieffenbach, Director of Music, Organist
lsdieffenbach@sbcglobal.net
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Announcing...
LHC Endowment Fund Financial Presentation
Sunday, July 14, 10:45 am
Parish Hall
Please join us after worship for a short presentation:
"Financial Security: The Basics of Wills, Living Trusts, 401K and Insurance Beneficiaries," to be presented by Raymond F. Dalton Jr., Attorney at Law.
Note: Endowment Fund Survey recently sent to church members can be reviewed and printed from the LHC web site. Surveys are requested to be returned to the church office by July 1.
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Ministry news... 
Work Day this Sunday!
Sunday, June 30
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Wear your comfy clothes to worship and spend a couple of hours afterwards helping with some overdue spring/summer cleaning and more. Potluck lunch is at 12:30 pm. Bring a dish to share. Beverages will be provided. RSVP to Lori in the church office. We hope to see you there! All are welcome!
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Worship schedule... 
July 7
Holy Communion
Sermon: "Thou Hast Made for Thyself O God, and Our Hearts Are Restless Until They Rest in Thee" (St. Augustine)
Scripture: Psalm 8; Romans 8:22-30
Theme: Nature of God and the Problem of Evil
July 14
Rev. Nancy Schatzeder preaching
July 21
Sermon: "Thy Word Was Made Flesh and Built Among Us"
Scripture: June 1:4; II Corinthians 4:6
Theme: The Incarnation
July 28
Rev. Nancy Schatzeder preaching
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More Dunham Castle thank you's...
We apologize for not including the following on our huge 'thank you' list from last month:
Janice, Spencer and Jon Michael Christiansen, of Flag Source who donated two great banners to help promote the event.
We could not have had such a successful event without the generosity of all those who helped!
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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. They are currently studying the Book of Acts. No preparation is necessary.
The Evening Bible Study group presented by Rev. Nancy Schatzeder will be taking a summer hiatus and will pick back up again in September. Please email Nancy for more information: nschatzeder@gmail.com
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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Our love & prayers... Recently hospitalized or ill:
Betty Dean, Dave Hochstetter, Bill Ferguson, Theo Moore Our condolences to: Christopher Thornton and family on the death of his mother Sybil. She was 84 years old. Our Congratulations to: Polly & Don Heinrich on the birth of a great grandson. Henry Allan Leesman was born on June 13. Proud parents are Alyssa Groves and Logan Leesman. Thank you to our service men & women...
SGT Samantha Prang
SGT Greg Haben
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Upcoming Dates
'A Book & A Prayer'
Book Club
(rescheduled from June)
Mon. July 1, 7 pm
Church Concert Sun. July 7, 3pm Church Council Meeting Tue. July 9, 7 pm LHC Endowment Fund
Financial Presentation Sun. July 14, 10:45 am 'By the Way' Deadline
Mon. July 22
'A Book & A Prayer'
Book Club
Mon. July 22, 7 pm
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Church Leadership
Pastor
Pastor Emeritus
Reverend Dr. Don Heinrich
Director of Music Organist
Larry Dieffenbach
Office Manager
Lori Prang
Moderator
Kathy Haben
Moderator-elect
(open)
Stewardship Ministry
Ann McLaughlin
Evangelism Ministry
(open)
Outreach Ministry
Valeri Baldwin
Congregational Life
Susannah Lesswing
Jane Shelton
Christian Education
Lori Haseltine
Worship & Spiritual Growth
(open)
Facilities
(open)
Members at Large
Karen Hansen
Louise Keen
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
July 7
Aughnay
July 14
(open)
July 21
(open)
July 28
(open)
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Fellowship Hour
July 7
(open)
July 14
(open)
July 21
Brynelsen & Bartel
July 28
(open)
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Happy Birthday!
July 10
July 12
Kay Clancy
July 14
Ken Thorne
July 16
Polly Heinrich
July 17
Nancy Doerr
July 18
Meg Withall
July 20
Art Zwemke
July 21
Leslie Stout
July 22
Cindy Thorne
Kim Kentfield
July 25
Mary Roach
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we
noticed!
The Gardening Angels are back! Thank you to Anne Bouchard, Karen Hansen, Kathleen Kaska, Jan Marchese, and Jane Shelton for tidying up the garden just in time for Music Sunday.
It looked fabulous.
A thousand thanks to Lori and Jen Haseltine for coordinating and running Vacation Bible School this year. The kids were small in number, but mighty in enthusiasm. |
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etc...!
Belated congratulations to
Matthew Biondo,
who graduated in just 3 years from West Chicago High School. He will be going to Germany for a one-year exchange program through Rotary Club.
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