2. Study God's Word by attending one of our Bible Study groups, where we will also be studying the parables. We have a group Wednesday morning at 10 am, Sunday morning at 11 am (beginning Feb 8), and if there is an interest we will start a third Bible study! You can also practice the Lenten discipline of study by praying and reading with the daily devotional guide we will provide each family beginning Ash Wednesday Feb 18. Finally there's a third way of studying and that is to attend a wonderful and powerful Lenten retreat on March 21 on the topic of forgiveness.

 

A Book & A Prayer Book Club

4th Monday of every month

6 pm in the Parish Hall*

(*note change in time this month!)

For February our monthly book club, A Book & A Prayer, will be reading Hot Dogs and Hamburgers: Unlocking Life's Potential by Inspiring Literacy at Any Age by Rob Shindler, a native Chicagoan. Rob was inspired as he chronicled his journey to help his son overcome a major reading deficiency through volunteering at Literacy Chicago. Here Rob learned the common misconceptions that come hand in hand with adult illiteracy and developed unconventional teaching methods to help his classes learn to read.

 

Did you know there are 32 million adults in the United States - that's 14% of the population - who cannot read according to the U.S. Department of Education? Adult literacy is not only an educational issue; it's a social issue that affects people of all races, cultures and walks of life across the country. 

 

Rob Shindler believes in second chances. The Chicago-based author and attorney hopes that his book raises awareness around adult illiteracy and inspires readers to become part of the solution by helping others learn to read. Now a literacy advocate, Shindler and the United Church of Christ are partnering for Reading Changes Lives, the UCC's church-wide initiative to raise awareness about how illiteracy directly impacts a range of social justice issues. 

 

Our meeting will be Feb 23 at 6 pm. We are thrilled to have the author join us this month and will start earlier with a potluck supper. Please consider bringing a dish to pass. All are welcome. Please bring a friend. If you need a ride, please contact me.

 

Kathy Haben

630.816.7723, khaben@att.net 

 

 

Christ Has No Body

Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

Compassion on this world,

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,

Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, 

Yours are the feet,

Yours are the eyes, 

You are his body.

 

Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

 

 

A Prayer for Lent

"May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where 

you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, 

and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.

It is there for each and everyone of you."

 

Teresa of Ávila

 

I wanted to share these two poems and prayers of the Spanish mystic, Teresa of Ávila, as we approach the upcoming season of Lent in our Little Home Church. I encourage you to invite friends and come worship with the choir in anthems, hymns, and spiritual songs throughout Lent and "allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love."

 

Bell choir rehearsals will be on February 4 and 11, at 8:15 pm in the Parish Hall.