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Our surprising gifts...
Each year, the United Church of Christ (UCC) provides a theme for the annual stewardship campaign. This year, the message is
Surprising Gifts, as inspired by the following verses from 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17. Paul writes:
"May God...who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you..."
How often are you surprised these days? Have you ever had a surprise party, or received a delivery of flowers, or an unexpected letter in the mail? Have you ever been surprised by someone's kind words or actions? Have you surprised anyone else lately?
For me, I am always surprised by how much I can get done, when my To Do list seems impossibly long. This past summer was a prime example of surprising gifts: how my family was able to sell a house, move into temporary housing, and then move again into a new place, followed by moving my child to college. All this within 67 days! How do we get through these hectic, fast-paced periods of life?
It is clear to me that God definitely blessed me with unending help and confidence. God blessed me with church friends who helped me pack, who fed my family and who helped me transition Leigh to college. I'll admit that I was surprised to get all that done in 67 days.
But the biggest blessing has been the fresh heart God gave me about this move. After 17 years in my beautiful Wayne home, I downsized to a townhouse. I had lived on four acres in the woods with plenty of privacy and a varied splattering of wildlife. It was an architecturally interesting house that always filled me with peace. How could anything compare to it?
The surprising gift I received was a new house that offers a woods view in back, but with a streetscape filled with neighbors walking their dogs. After 17 years on a private road, I thoroughly enjoy seeing people out and about. God has blessed my heart with a fresh look on life, a new type of living experience that reminds me of growing up in Brooklyn, where you knew your neighbors, their smiles and waves, and you watched out for one another.
What surprising gifts have you received? Has God put a fresh heart in you? Think about your life. What are the ways that God has helped you and given you confidence?
May God put a fresh heart in you, as you begin to think about stewardship. Our church focuses on God's unending help and confidence. It is now up to each of us to reflect on God's surprising gifts and to commit to share our blessings with our church through our time, talents and treasures.
Please read the stewardship bulletin inserts from the UCC. May they inspire your thoughts and actions, as you prayerfully consider making your pledge to Little Home Church this month.
I invite you to be generous as you complete your stewardship pledge. May God...put a fresh heart in you...! Amen
In peace,
Ann McLaughlin
Stewardship Ministry Chair
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Pastor's message...
Some people are like the story of Supreme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes, who once found himself on a train, but couldn't locate his ticket. While the conductor watched, smiling, the eighty year old Justice Holmes searched through all his pockets without success. Of course, the conductor recognized the distinguished man so he said, "Mr. Holmes, don't worry. You don't need your ticket. You'll probably find it when you get off the train and I'm sure the Pennsylvania Railroad will trust you to mail it back later. Holmes looked up with some irritation and said, "My dear man, that is not the problem at all. The problem is, where am I going?
In the Church year November brings us to the end, to the Kingdom of God. we come to a time when we stand in right relationship to God and give thanks for the "living of these days."
As we journey through life our lives are punctuated by events, feelings and people. Our lives are punctuated by our awareness of God. The UCC has had a theme to it's ministry that reads: "...never put a period where a comma will do." This came from Gracie Allen of all places. It is used here to acknowledge that "God Is Still Speaking." But often there is the response of a question mark(?).
In Job it reads: "Then answered the Lord...out of the whirlwind." (Job 40:6). We Christians, if we're honest, share with the atheist our moments of dread, our fear of non-being. That's part of being in the family of the human race. Even Jesus understood that when he uttered, "My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?" It's verses like these that show us that God can be addressed in the void, in the whirlwind. The poet knew that when he wrote...
It is utter
Terror and loneliness
That drive a man to address the
Void as "Thou"
Ebiling knew that when he wrote, "God is experienced in the question...God encounters me as the questionableness of that encountering..." In Waiting for Godot Beckett notices the presence of God through his absence. So much of our literature of today recognizes the Ultimate as much by its Absence as by its Presence. In this way it is a most religious literature, indeed. I'm thinking of the literature of despair, of the theatre of the Absurd, of the existential literature of Kafka, Camus, Joyce, Nabokov, Chekov, and Dostoevsky. This is literature reaching for the void, for the whirlwind. The whirlwind is a symbol for confusion, a symbol for the question mark of life. Which leads to the upshot of this whole matter.
The whole human race can be sure of one thing: the Lord will speak to (and in) those situations. God will speak out of the whirlwind. We have God's promise, having determined their appointed times...that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for God and find God..." (Acts 17:26-27) That's a promise to the whole human race. It is the promise of the Kingdom for each of us in Jesus Christ, that life is worth living and we have eternal value. "Be still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)
So give thanks that God is Good.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Announcing...
Financial Presentation - Sunday, Nov. 10, after service
The LHC Endowment Fund Trustees are delighted to again host Ray Dalton, Estate Planning Attorney, to discuss wills, trusts, etc. with a question/answer period to ask questions such as:
- How to get your beloved grandma's heirlooms of sentimental and maybe $$ value to the person you really want to have it?
- What kinds of resources for your spouse/children are available if you die before age 66?
- Who needs a trust?
- What happens if I die without a will or trust?
After the first seminar Ray gave, the Trustees received many favorable comments such as, "I have a trust but I still learned something new" and "I found it very interesting." Hopefully you have a will or trust. Unfortunately many do not. And if you do have one, the estate laws change from time to time and it helps to have the most current information. Please feel free to invite any relatives/friends to attend. The presentation will take place after the worship service.
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 Activities...
A Book & A Prayer Book Club
4th Monday of every month
7 pm in the Parish Hall
Next Book:
The Gift of the Christ Child
by George MacDonald
Next Meeting:
Monday, November 25, 7 pm, Parish Hall
Contact: Kathy Haben
630.876.0620, khaben@att.net
Please join us for our November read, a short story by George MacDonald, The Gift of the Christ Child, as we prepare for our Christmas season. MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet, a Christian minister and a prolific novelist. He is now known particularly for his poignant fairy tales and fantasy works, and their influence of later authors, such as C.S. Lewis.
You can read this short story on line at:
http://www.online-literature.com/donne/3641/
Come join in our pre-Thanksgiving and Christmas fellowship book discussion. Take the time to catch your breath, get grounded, give thanks and be joyful with one another as we move into our holiday season.
Please note that we will NOT be meeting in December, but we are looking forward to starting our 3rd year of A Book and A Prayer discussions in January 2014!
Choir
Adult Choir
It's good to be back! Rehearsals are going well and we have added Choral Call to Worship and Benedictions. Thanks to everyone for the solos during the offertory spots. We will be joined by the Northside Brass Ensemble for our Christmas Music celebration on December 22nd. Mark your calendars - you don't want to miss it. We are in need of a new filing cabinet for our anthems and CD's. Please see Greg Abell or Larry Dieffenbach if you can help.
Children's Bell Choir and Sunday School Music
The bells are set up on the stage and we can practice every week. We also do some singing.
Adult Bell Choir will rehearse every other Wednesday night from 8:15 -9 pm. November rehearsals are the 13th and 30th.
Larry Dieffenbach, Director of Music, Organist
lsdieffenbach@sbcglobal.net
 College Care Boxes Drop off items by Sunday, December 1 Thank you to everyone who donated something to include in the Halloween themed 'care' packages for our college students/military members. They received their boxes just in time for Halloween. Our next box is scheduled to go out in early December, so if you would like to drop something off be sure to get it to church by Sunday, December 1. We anticipate having 12 boxes to send. Shipping is funded by the Brent Alex Memorial Fund. If you have any questions, contact Lori in the church office at 630.584.4013, lori@littlehomechurch.org or Anne Bouchard at 630.545.9645, anne.bouchard1@gmail.com. Blood Drive Monday, Nov. 18, 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm Mark  your calendars...we once again will be holding our Fall Blood Drive in the Parish Hall. Each year 4.5 million Americans would die each year without life saving blood transfusions. Please consider giving the gift of life. Donors should be in good health, at least 17 years old (16 with a parents signed permission), weigh more than 110 pounds and have a photo ID. Ann McLaughlin will begin taking appointments in the next few weeks.
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Ministry news...
Evangelism
by Carol Berger
As Chairperson of the Evangelism Committee, I consider the entire congregation as members of this Committee. We have a lot to offer, and I am encouraged with the increase of interest in the Little Home Church. This past month, we have had many visitors, which is exciting.
Please go out of your way each Sunday to introduce yourself to a new face at Fellowship. Don't we want to share our excitement and love for the LHC? I always send a personal note to each visitor encouraging them to worship with us again. If you know of someone who might be considering LHC, please notify me or Ron. Perhaps you have a friend or acquaintance who is looking for a spiritual home to worship. I am always happy to follow up on any leads.
I plan to reconnect with all our October visitors in November and drop off cookies (or whatever my kitchen feels like baking) and a list of our holiday activities with the hope that we can encourage them to worship with us again. Again, I don't want to miss anyone, so I encourage you to pass along names with the hope that our church can bless their lives as it continues to do for us.
Even though we may be a small church, our congregation has always accomplished big things. Let us all go out into the community and spread the news!
On Sunday, October 27th we welcomed new members to our Little Home Church family. Please introduce yourselves next time you're at church!
Colleen & Mike Odegaard with sons Trevor & Chase. |
Lynn Tuttle
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Outreach
Thank you to all those who participated in the CROP Walk, both walkers and sponsors. We are still tallying results.
Once again Little Home Church will be working with the Neighborhood Food Pantries at Resurrection Church to provide Thanksgiving food baskets to those less fortunate. Little Home Church has committed to providing 45 baskets. Sign up sheets will be at church on Sundays, along with the shopping list of what is needed for each basket. The baskets are due Saturday, Nov. 23 between 8 - 9 am. The drop-off at Resurrection Church is very easy. You don't even have to get out of your car. Please consider signing up and helping those who are experiencing difficult times.
Worship & Spiritual Growth
Hanging of the Greens & Potluck Lunch - Dec. 1
Each year, on the first day of Advent, we gather to prepare our church for the Advent season leading up to the up to the  celebration of the birth of Christ - Christmas! We will start immediately after church. We will need all hands, young and old, as we 'Deck the Halls." Come dressed to help hang wreaths and roping, decorate trees, chandeliers and windows. Afterward we will enjoy a 'church-style' potluck lunch. Please bring either a main dish, side dish, appetizer or dessert. Beverages will be provided. Come and share in the spirit of this LHC tradition!
Christian Education
It's still a few months away, but please mark Saturday, Feb. 1 on your calendar and plan to join us for a tour of Fermilab. The tour will be from 10 am - Noon. The tour is open for ages 10 and older, however the Lederman Science Center will be open for children to play with hands-on exhibits.
We are also planning a camping trip for the children around Easter.
Watch for more details on both events. Contact Lori Haseltine for more information.
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 Nov. 3 All Saints Sunday Holy Communion Sermon: "Jesus-Eternal Presence" Scripture: Revelations 3:20; 22-26 Theme: Divine & Human Model "Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace." (St. Francis of Assisi) Nov. 10 Guest Stewardship Speaker: Rev. Jeanne Hanson of Barrington, Executive Director of Samaritan Counseling Center. Nov. 17 Stewardship Sunday Guest Stewardship Speaker: Rev. Dr. Don Heinrich Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Sunday Sermon: "Jesus - Alive for Evermore, Christ for the Whole World"
Scripture: Revelations 22:20; Matthew 28:20
Theme: A Beauty, Ever Ancient, Ever New! (St. Augustine)
Nov. 27
Thanksgiving Eve 7 pm
Cooperative Service with Immanuel UCC of Bartlett
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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. The group continues to study:
The Letter to the Romans, The Gospel According to Paul.
The letter falls into five parts, just right for reading:
1. Paul and His Readers ( 1:1-16)
2. The Gospel According to Paul (1:17-8:39)
3. The Purpose of God in History ( Ch. 9 - 11)
4. The Christian Ethic (12:1-15:13)
5. Plans and Greetings (15:14-16:27)
No preparation is necessary. We hope you can join us.
Children's Sunday School
Held during the Sunday service. Come have fun learning and playing at Little Home Church! All children are welcome to join us for a Bible Story, crafts and music. Parents, if you'd like to see what we're doing you're welcome to sit in. For more information, please contact Lori Haseltine at 630.587.1906 or lori-h@comcast.net.
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LHC is an Open and Affirming congregation...
by Anne Bouchard
October marked the culmination of 18 months of committee and congregational discernment regarding what it means to be an Open and Affirming congregation. As part of a "Meeting by Mail," the ONA Statement was incorporated into a ballot, and mailed to all congregation members on September 9, with self-addressed, stamped envelopes, and a cover letter with instructions. A deadline of September 30 was set for postmark or return. Returned ballots were counted at the October 8 church council meeting.
246 ballots were mailed and 4 were returned by the post office as undeliverable. Of the remaining 242, 160 ballots were returned, 2 of which were rejected because they were returned beyond the due date. The statement was adopted by receiving a majority of the votes cast: 128 voted to adopt the statement and 30 voted not to adopt the statement. Percentagewise, the valid ballots represented nearly 65% of our members. Of those valid ballots, 81% voted to adopt the ONA statement.
This is our Statement:
"The Little Home Church by the Wayside, UCC, is an Open and Affirming congregation. We accept, embrace and affirm the dignity and worth of every person, as we are all created in God's image. Persons of every race, ethnic background, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, size and weight, socio-economic background, marital status and faith background are welcome to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, and blessings of participation in our congregation.
The Vision for the Little Home Church is, "Celebrating and Sharing God's Love in Christ." In our individual faith journeys and in our congregational efforts to live out our Vision, we strive for justice and equality for all of God's children. Wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."
We submitted the voting information and a copy of our statement to the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns, which manages the ONA list. The Little Home Church by the Wayside is now listed as ONA church number 1136.
At our final committee meeting, the ONA Exploratory Committee discussed how to articulate our ONA status on our sign, website, bulletins, and in By the Way. Pastor Ron suggested that our street sign and our website provide outreach while our bulletins and the BTW are for people who have already come through the door. I will present the committee's recommendations at the November council meeting.
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Our love & prayers... Recently hospitalized or ill:
Karen Hansen, Chris Thornton, Mark Lesswing, Jim Winquist,
Kilyn Winquist, Brandi Winquist Moore. Our congratulations to: Kim (Kentfield) & Blair Flicker on the birth of their first child, Dorothy Johanna. "Dottie" was born September 27 in Dallas, TX. Proud grandparents are Christa and Alex Kentfield Our condolences to: Family & friends John Kauffman. John was a former member of Little Home Church. He passed away Oct. 3 at the age of 73. Thank you to our service men & women:
SGT Samantha Prang
SGT Greg Haben
Some of you may remember Pastor Patty Jenkins. Please keep her in your prayers as she begins a nine month deployment in Afghanistan as an Army Chaplain. If you would like to send her a card her address is:
CH (CPT) PATRICIA JENKINS
489TH EN BN, HHC
Kandahar
APO AE 09355
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Upcoming Dates
All Saints Sunday
Sun. Nov. 3, 9:30 am
Financial Presentation
Sun. Nov. 10, 10:45 am
Church Council Meeting Tue. Nov. 12, 7 pm Stewardship Sunday Sun. Nov.17, 9:30 am Blood Drive
Mon. Nov. 18
'By the Way' Deadline
Mon. Nov. 18
'A Book & A Prayer'
Book Club
Mon. Oct. 25, 7 pm
Thanksgiving Eve
Worship Service
Wed. Nov. 27, 7 pm Hanging of the Greens
Sun. Dec 1
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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
Susi Winquist
Stewardship Ministry
Ann McLaughlin
Evangelism Ministry
Carol Berger
Outreach Ministry
Valeri Baldwin
Congregational Life
Susannah Lesswing
Jane Shelton
Christian Education
Lori Haseltine
Worship & Spiritual Growth
Sandy Antonelli
Facilities
Anne Bouchard
Dan Roach
Members at Large
Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
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. Check the church web site for updates.
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Altar Flowers
Nov. 3
(open)
Nov. 10
Heinrich
Nov. 17
(open)
Nov. 24
Haben
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Fellowship Hour
Nov. 3
Baldwin
Nov. 10
(open)
Nov. 17
(open)
Nov. 24
(open)
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Lookin' for Like!
Facebook Page
Give us a "Like"
...we now have 64!
Send any info, photos or notes to be posted on the Page to the Church office.
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Nov. 4
Nov. 7
Ro Montgomery
Nov. 8
Liz Haben
Nov. 11
Dave Hochstetter
Jared Winquist
Nov. 12
Ardis Redmond
Anne Haben
Nov. 15
Steve Maril
Steve Prang
Nov. 20
Susi Winquist
Nov. 21
Abrielle Kapoor
Nov. 24
Kathy Haben
Nov. 27
Sullivan Kaska
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rummage
recap!
This year's rummage sale was a terrific success!
We're pleased to announce unprecedented sales totals...$4,700!
Cathy and Kathryn would like to thank the tireless efforts from all who contributed, both their time and treasures. It wouldn't be possible without the volunteers that dutifully show up every year and make this thing happen.
Thank you to all!
If you haven't paid for your rummage yet, please get a check to Ann McLaughlin asap.
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we
noticed!
Thank you to our newest Gardening Angel, Doreen DiFillipis who spent hours here trimming back the garden.
Thanks are in order to
Mark & Susannah Lesswing for graciously opening their home to us for our Congregational Fall Kick-Off potluck .
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etc...
Polly & Don have moved!
Their new address is:
Polly & Don Heinrich
Greenfields of Geneva
Apt. 1015
0N801 Friendship Way
Geneva, IL 60134
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Please let us know
if you would like to add
an email address
to our list.
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