Lent is an invitation for all of us to take a fresh look at Jesus, listen to him with fresh ears and be prepared to see ourselves and our world differently.
The Lenten season begins on Wednesday, February 18 when Youth Director Rev. Howie Snyder, members of the Connection Choir and Onward Bound students will be leading a creative Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is an inspiring story about the courage of two Sudanese children, Salva and Nya, and their struggles to get one of their most basic needs - water - in a country that has been ravaged by war and beset by drought. In 2008, our church provided funds to build a school in Jombu, South Sudan and we are now in the middle of the Imagine No Malaria campaign. This book continues this connection to Africa and gives us a moving insight into the challenges the Sudanese face every day.
Books speak to all of us in different ways. When we share our thoughts we discover even more about a book. You are invited to participate in a book discussion about A Long Walk to Water. There are many opportunities, led by different discussion leaders, to talk about this great book. Books will be sold in the parlor on Sunday morning.
Please register for the group you plan to attend by clicking on "Read more" and filling out the form.
Bring your study guides, questions, notes, and insights to one of the following discussion groups:
Date - Time - Discussion Leader - Location
Tuesday, Feb. 10 - 7:00-8:00 PM - Jim McDonald - Church Parlor
Thursday, Feb. 12 - 10:00-11:00 AM - Mary Babler - Church Parlor
Thursday, Feb. 12 - 7:00-8:00 PM - Sue Thornquist - Church Parlor
Saturday, Feb. 14 - 10:00-11:00 AM and 1:00-2:00 PM - John Smoke - Church Parlor
Sunday, Feb. 15 - 9:30-10:30 AM - Ray Krusinski - Room 202
Tuesday, Feb. 17 - 1:00-2:00 PM - Greta McDonald - Church Parlor
Sunday, Mar. 8 - Youth Group - Howie Snyder - Open Door
The Children’s Choirs have begun working on their upcoming Children’s Cantata, The Sailor’s Bible by Allen Pote, presented at both the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services on Sunday, May 3.
Show support for both your favorite Super Bowl team and the People's Resource Center by donating to our annual Souper Bowl collection following worship service this Sunday morning. We will happily accept coins, paper money or a can of food.
Thank you!
The 44th Annual Chapel Choir Tour will take place March 28-April 4, DESTINATION - PENSACOLA. You can help choir members cover some tour expenses by Sponsoring a Bus Seat for $25. The cost of transportation is one of the largest line items in the tour budget, so offsetting some of the cost through seat sponsorships helps reduce the individual tour fee for choir members.
It's late-January, and a handful of purple and gold potatoes still remains from my great produce adventure of 2014. Last year for the first time my husband David and I signed up for a Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, subscription. Over the past seven months, we’ve cooked and eaten better—and more deliciously—than ever before!
CSA’s allow people to receive a regular supply of produce from a farm near where they live. It’s a direct line to locally grown food. For the duration of the growing and harvest season, you receive a weekly or biweekly box of whatever veggies happen to be ready for picking. You pay for the full season’s produce up-front, essentially becoming an investor in the success of that particular farm. In exchange, you get to know exactly where your food is coming from, and since it was usually picked the day before, you can be sure you’re getting the freshest vegetables available.
Ever think about taking a mission trip somewhere? Giving your time and energy to others in a new meaningful way? The Missions, Justice and Community Work Area is offering its Third Annual Adult Mission Scholarship, matching up to $1,000 in mission-related expenses, to a member of our church who wants to embark on a Christian mission trip in the coming year. Guidelines are specified on the application form below.
Join us Sunday, January 25, 2015 for a special service where the 9:30 and 11:00 services will be combined into ONE service at 10:00 a.m. This is a great time to make new friends, re-connect with old friends and bring guests to visit our church.
Stop by the gym before or after the 10:00 service to continue in fellowship and enjoy a Pancake Breakfast served by the youth.
Please note the 8:15 a.m. service will still be held in the Chapel.
The church office will be closed Friday, February 13. If you need assistance during this time, please contact Pastor Jim at 630.788.3310.
Due to the frigid weather, Chancel Choir practice is cancelled for Thursday, January 8. The church office will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
What are you doing and why is it important?
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
On Sunday, January 18, beginning at 5:00 p.m., St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Chicago will host a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration with featured speaker Rev. Willis Johnson of Wellspring UMC Church in Ferguson, MO. Rev. Johnson has been working as a peacemaker in the Ferguson Community and St. Louis area following the shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer.