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The Messiah Messenger>
The February Messenger Issue #476
February 1, 2008
THE Messiah
MESSENGER
From the Pastor
CHRIST COMMUNITY
The word community has many connotations, some positive,
some negative. Community can make us think of a safe
togetherness, shared meals, common goals, and joyful
celebrations. It also can call forth images of sectarian
exclusivity, in-group language, self-satisfied isolation,
and romantic naivete. However, community is first of all a
quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge
that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another.
Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the
interests of others more important than our own. The
question, therefore, is not "How can we make community?"
but "How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?"
I ran across this excerpt in my daily emails from the
Nouwen website. I have touted this resource before and urge
you to get on the daily email list by logging on to
www.Nouwen.org. It’s free.
This thought about community is worth exploring. Community
is a condition of the heart.
I have been privileged to reside within several unique
communities over the course of the last four months – the
communities of nurses and health care providers. These
communities so aptly fit this description by Nouwen. Yes,
they eat together, take care of one another, most of the
time, forgive one another. But, they do this secondarily to
caring for those in their deepest hour of need. How many
times did someone tell me that their heart drove them to
this line of work? This should be the community of the
church as well. I experienced many sacred moments during my
hospitalization and rehabilitation provided to me through
the hearts of men and women who cared for me.
Phillip Yancey states in his book, “What’s So Amazing About
Grace?” that the one thing the church has to offer is
grace. Unconditional forgiveness and love from
compassionate and giving hearts.
As we grow as a true “community” let us never forget that
there are other people who need to be with us in communion
each Sunday, who need to hear God’s good news of
forgiveness and God’s news of unrequited love. Lent is on
the horizon. Let us keep in mind the sacrifice by which
this forgiveness was purchased.
“4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to
the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you that
was in Christ Jesus.”
~Philippians 2:4-5
Linda, the boys and I can’t wait to rejoin you. May God’s
amazing grace fill your days.
Noteworthy News
CONGRATULATIONS, MISS KIM!
Kim (Melendez) Bujalka gave birth on Monday, January 28th
at 5:55 PM to Michael Joseph Bujalka. Our own Miss Kim
(nursery attendant and Child Care teacher for many years)
is the proud mamma of a 9 pound, 21 inch long son!
The whole family was on hand at Lutheran General Hospital,
including Laurie (Melendez) Hamden with Sam, Katelyn, and
Emily. MANY of the Child Care kids are looking forward to
meeting Miss Kim’s baby. Congratulations to Kim and happy
husband and daddy,oMichael Sr.!
IN MEMORIUM – BETTY ORTAGGIO
Betty Ortaggio, long-time member of Messiah, passed away
suddenly on Saturday, January 25, 2008. A funeral service
was held here at Messiah on Tuesday, January 29th. Rev.
Mark Wiberg presided over the service, ministering to a
full house. Betty is remembered as a kind, faithful woman
who gave great big bear hugs. Please pray for Betty’s
family in the days ahead.
NEED A LIFT?
Messiah’s Angels are here to help! Over the last several
weeks we have collected names of people who are able and
willing to give rides to members that cannot drive
themselves to church. If you would like to “hook up” with
someone to come to church, please call David Swanson at
(847) 299-4562, and he can make arrangements. Don’t be
shy…this is something that many members are excited about,
a tangible way to share their abundance with other members
of the congregation. Let these “angels” give you a lift!
Upcoming Events
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
Sunday, February 3rd following the worship service
Our youth will hold soup pots at church doors on Souper
Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2008. Join over 14,500 groups who
are participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring, and
generating over $8 million for those in need in our
community.
VALENTINE LUNCHEON
Sunday, February 10th @ 11:30 AM
Come join us for fellowship and food after the Worship
Service. We will be having a Valentine's Day Potluck
Luncheon. It will be a fun way to ring in the Chinese New
Year and celebrate God's love! Sign-up sheets will be
posted in the narthex and Child Care Center, so that we'll
have an idea of the types of dishes and desserts. Please
remain NUT-FREE in all food items. Plan on joining us for
some fun crafting projects after the meal.
REMINDERS!
Naomi Circle Thursday, February 14th at 9:30 AM at Carol
Smith’s house.
Men’s Breakfast Saturday, February 9th at 9:00 AM at
Jimmy’s Restaurant,1440 Rand Road in Des Plaines. Join us
for fellowship and food!
Friendship Day Friendship Day will be February 28 starting
at 9 A.M. If you plan to have lunch, bring your sandwich or
whatever you like, goodies will be provided. Please feel
free to come for an hour if that is all the time you can
spare. We need more help to continue this very important
work. You will feel rewarded for your effort. You may also
work at home making quilt tops, baby sweaters, and
receiving blankets. Quote from Christ in Our Home, Tues.
Jan 15.Prayer concern: Lutheran World Relief Projects. Call
Eva Thoren at home 847-823-2594 for more info. THANKS AND
GOD BLESS.
WELCA Board February 6th @ 9:00 AM
Executive Committee February 12th @ 7:00 PM
Child Care Board February 20th @ 7:30 PM
COMING IN MARCH…
Holy Week and Easter Worship Services & Community-wide
Easter Egg Hunt
This Month in Worship
WORSHIP SCHEDULE AND READINGS
All Worship Services are at 10:15 AM unless otherwise
noted.
February 3 – The Transfiguration of Our Lord
Exodus 24:12–18; Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1:16–21; Matthew 17:1–9
February 10 – First Sunday in Lent
Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew
4:1–11
February 17 – Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 12:1–4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John
3:1–17
February 24 – Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 17:1–7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1–11; John 4:5–42
LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Ash Wednesday Services – This year’s Ash Wednesday services
will be held on February 6th at 2pm and 7:30pm. This
service includes communion and imposition of ashes. All are
welcome to attend.
Feed Your Body/Feed Your Soul – Beginning February 13th,
Wednesdays in Lent will be a new experience. From 6-7pm we
will come together to have a light supper for the whole
family, then follow that up from 7-8pm with programs for
all ages! A Bible Study or Video session will be available
for the adults, and many of our children will be taking
classes for first communion. The confirmation class will be
available for child care for the younger kids, too, so this
is an event for the whole family. We will see you there!
ADULT FORUM SCHEDULE
February 3 – Video and discussion on the Gospel of Matthew.
February 10 – Continued study of the Gospel of Matthew.
February 17 – John Fox’s presentation on his trip to
Africa.
February 24 – Sharon F. Banks, Lutheran attorney,
speaking on estate planning.
WORSHIP HELPERS
Feb 3 Feb 6 Feb 6 Feb 10 Feb 17 Feb 24
10:15am 2pm 7:30pm 10:15am 10:15am 10:15am
Acolytes Holly N Jenni H Tait J Kevin K Jenni H
Communion Assistants Cindy N Vikki H Julie J Pat K Vikki H
Readers Anne W Carol S David S Connie K Larry R Cindy N
Worship Assistants Char L Carol S David S Vikki H Pat
K Carol S
Projection Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H
Ushers Chuck S,
Jackie S,
Neil H.
Dave H * Chuck S,
Jackie S,
Chuck S,
Jackie S,
Neil H.
Dave H Chuck S,
Jackie S,
Neil H.
Dave H Chuck S,
Jackie S,
Neil H.
Dave H
Greeters Jean R Jean R Jean R Jean R
Counters David H,
Jim H David H,
Jim H David H,
Jim H David H,
Jim H
FLOWERS AND BULLETINS
The sign-ups for flowers and bulletins are in the narthex
by the hall to the Educational Wing. Flowers are $30, and
the Bulletins are $10. Envelopes are provided next to the
sign-up calendar, or you may simply write “Flowers” or
“Bulletin” on your regular envelope in the Other box.
PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO PAY FOR YOUR FLOWERS OR BULLETINS!
Note to all those purchasing flowers: Your flowers are
yours to take home!
If you wish to donate them to one of our shut-ins, please
be sure to
let the Altar Guild know. Thanks!
February 3 – Flowers are given in loving memory of Betty
Ortaggio.
February 10 – Flowers are given by the Hauser family in
memory of Grandmothers Viola and Evelyn.
February 17 – Flowers are given for Jackson Lobitz’s 3rd
birthday.
February 24 – Flowers are given in honor of Rich Levy’s
one year anniversary. Bulletins are given by David Hanson.
Messages
Dear Jen,
Just an e-mail to thank you and the members of Messiah for
all the preparations that were done to make our stay in
Chicago a pleasant one. Anna and I were so grateful to see
the Chicago Stolzes, especially at this particular time and
to worship at Messiah last Sunday.
Again our appreciation and thanks.
Bob & Anna Stolz
Women and Spirituality Conference
March 8, 9am to 4pm at the
North Shore Senior Center
in Northfield
Eight different workshops offering different ways of
connectin with spirit will be given by experienced and
dynamic presenters. The schedule allows for one 90 minutes
worshop in the morning and one in the afternoon. A
delicious lundch is included. Call 847-784-6030 for
registration information, and reference class #N5891A.
Dear Messiah Lutheran,
I am the new volunteer coordinator for Advocate Hospice in
Park Ridge and I'm currently seeking volunteers to help
with our amazing program. Messiah Lutheran seems to be made
up of some of the best individuals that Park Ridge has to
offer and I'm wondering if you might be able to extend your
support to our program.
Our next training seminar is the weekend of February 16 so
I'm actively recruiting volunteers as we speak.
Our volunteers work in a wide variety of ways. Aside from
general volunteer care we also look for groups and
individuals to work on creative projects such as baking
cookies for our patients and their families or making No
Sew Fleece blankets. We, of course, are always seeking
individuals to provide respite care to our families as
well.
We currently have several patients whose spouses are alone
at home caring for them. They could really use the help of
a volunteer who could come in while they step out to the
grocery store or to spend time with grandchildren. And so
many of our patients enjoy someone new to talk to during
these long days at home.
Volunteering with hospice can be an incredibly healing and
rewarding experience. If there is any way that your
organization can extend support to ours, we would be
greatly appreciative.
Best,
Claire Smith
Bereavement & Volunteer Coordinator Advocate Hospice, (224)
330-5463
Messiah Ministries
Children's Community Services
Intact Family Services & Recovery Programs
6321 N. Avondale Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60631
773.763.4720
773.763.4755 Fax
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
January 16, 2008
Jennifer Schneider
Messiah Lutheran Church
160.5 Vernon Ave.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Dear Jennifer,
All of us at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Intact
Family Services, would like to thank you for your kindness
and generosity.
It is not possible to convey in writing the expressions on
the faces of the children who received the gifts provided
by your generous church members. These children and their
families were so grateful!!! Christmas for them was
enriched, not only by the material gifts, but also by the
warmth and joy of knowing that you cared so much. From
newborns to young teens, the three hundred plus children in
our program received clothing or toys. The need is indeed
great and we thank you for all your concern and help.
Thank you again for all the effort you put both in helping
us provide our families with a special Christmas. We truly
appreciate the time and consideration it takes in
organizing this with us and your congregation.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Zaw
Intact Family Services
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois is an agency of the
Illinois Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America.
Youth Corner
CONFIRMATION CLASS UPDATE
Our confirmation class has a lot of ground to cover in
order to be ready for Pentecost/Confirmation Sunday, which
is EARLY this year, May 11th! Floyd and the kids will be
meeting every Sunday morning at 9am except Easter and every
other Sunday from 6-8 pm.
The children will be learning from a curriculum called "To
Know, To Live, To Grow." They will concentrate on the small
catechism of Martin Luther. The kids will learn the Lord's
Prayer, Ten Commandments, and the Apostle's Creed before
the date of confirmation. And more importantly than just
knowing the words, they will spend a fair amount of time
making sure they know what the words mean.
The first 6 lessons will cover basics of "What is a
Lutheran?” Then they will spend time on a section each of
the Lord’s Prayer, Commandments, Creed and Sacraments, and
finally a section on Christ.
There will be some fun, some learning, and we will work
with the kids to deepen their relationship with Jesus. Some
field trips are being planned and they will do some
in-church service (like helping with childcare Wednesdays
during Lent) and try to find an "out of Church"
service/outreach.
Finally, we want to also spend time with them on what they
would like to do with a High School group to keep them
involved when confirmation is over and try to bring some of
the recent confirmands back. Our children are the future of
our church, and we want to get them as involved as possible
in all aspects of it. Please support our youth and
confirmands however you can!
Financial corner
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PLEDGE CONTRIBUTIONS
Financial Giving Statements for 2007 are available in the
narthex at Messiah. If you pledged this year, there is a
confirmation letter in with your statement…please look both
of them over to make sure we haven’t made any errors. For
corrections to your statement, contact Dave Hanson
(Financial Secretary). If you haven’t pledged, there is
still time, feel free to do so.
Statements not picked up by February 17th will be
mailed…please try to save us the postage!
Milestones
BIRTHDAYS
Thomas V, 2/1
Jean R, 2/3
Linda L, 2/4
Melanie M, 2/4
Jane M, 2/6
Kendra C, 2/7
Claude M,’ 2/7
Maureen D, 2/8
Alfred P, 2/8
William N, 2/9
Russell S, 2/10
Pamela H, 2/11
Kristin R, 2/11
Julia V, 2/13
Paolo V, 2/13
Bob H, 2/16
Linka J, 2/17
Joseph R, 2/17
Lisa S, 2/18
Timothy S, 2/18
Nikolas R, 2/19
Margaret M, 2/23
Sarah N, 2/24
Rosemary P, 2/26
Audrey K, 2/27
ANNIVERSARIES
David and Connie Kaufman – 2/28/1976, 32 years
Messiah Leadership for 2008
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Carol Hrodey (262) 652-3187
Vice President: Vikki Hanson (847) 823-2117
Secretary: Nancy Boomer (847) 678-3048
Treasurer: Brad Kovach (847) 297-4883
Financial Sec.: David Hanson (847) 296-6796
EXTENDED LEADERSHIP TEAM
Stewardship: Floyd Yager
Evangelism: David Swanson
CCC Director: Karen Black
CCC Board: Donna Berzins
Maintenance: Vic Berzins
Capital Campaign: Dave Kaufman
Property Committee: Various Members
WELCA: Eva Thoren
Brotherhood: Rich Seggeling
Christian Education: Kristin Yager
Confirmation/HS: Floyd Yager
Adult Forum: John Fox
Choir: Pat Daniels
Music: Tom Daniels, Sue Fox
Memorial Report
This report is as of January 29, 2008.
All gifts to the Memorial Fund are automatically
acknowledged to the giver by a personal note, which
includes a confirmation of the amount. Unless otherwise
designated, all gifts go into the Property Reserve Fund.
Addresses and envelope numbers on memorial cards or checks
are much appreciated. The purpose of this report is to
confirm that gifts are received and properly allocated. If
you don’t see your gift listed here after 2 months, please
contact Karen Black.
No memorials were given in January.
Messiah Movies
Looking for a movie that the whole family can enjoy? Want
something that supports our Christian values, but is good
entertainment, too? This new section of the Messiah
Messenger will feature movies from both the theater and
available for rent that are great in both areas. Check here
every month for “Messiah Movies,” reviewed by Jennifer, our
own in-house movie buff.
The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything
(A Veggie-Tales Movie) Now showing in theaters.
The Veggie-Tales characters are popular among the children
for their silly antics and great songs and stories. The
great thing about the Veggie-Tales stories is that all
their stuff has a Christian message included. In this
movie, three lazy misfits - very timid Elliot (Larry the
Cucumber), lazy Sedgewick (Mr. Lunt) and no self-confidence
George (Pa Grape) - dream of the day when they can put on a
show about pirates. They soon find themselves traveling
back in time into the 17th century to begin a quest to
rescue a royal family from an evil tyrant, and learn about
being heroes. The basic theme of the movie is to believe in
yourself, and have faith that with help you can accomplish
anything. The movie was fun, silly, and great for kids as
young as 3. I was disappointed, however, because the
Christian theme was sidestepped in the movie – there were
many references to “my Father will save me” and “you never
know when my Father will come” but we did not get the
direct reference to God that always accompanies a
Veggie-Tales program.
“Pirates” is definitely worth seeing, because it is fun,
and because Big Idea (the company that makes Veggie-Tales)
deserves the financial support for spreading God’s word. I
just wish they had found a way to show God’s message more
directly in this movie.
PS – Be sure to stick around for the “Rock Monster” music
video during the credits!
Prayer Requests
Please include the following individuals and families in
your prayers this month:
Elvira Beyer
Chuck Boomer
Joe & Evelyn Burval
Lee Cercone
Ruth Corkill
Mr. Dennis
Ardene Ejnik
Chris Jacobsen
Kennet
Richard Levy
Char Lobitz
Nancy Maher
Joey Olson
Charlotte Pearson
Aidan Ray
Mary Reter
Gloria Solum
Pastor Paul Stolz
Pastor Sally Terrell
Linda (Rodin) Ufkes
John Wiberg
We also want to remember in our prayers our military
personnel:
Jason Koesler, Tim David, Lars Johnsen, Kevin Ward, and
Patrick and Claudine Ward.
We got an email from Kevin and Patrick Ward’s mom, Kathy.
Kevin is back in the US after serving in Afghanistan for
more than a year. He is also getting married the end of
May, so we are all very happy that he is back.
Thank you everyone for your prayers. It is because of your
prayers, that Kevin has come home safely.
Directory Changes
Please let the office know if you are moving! Thanks!
No one moved this month.
The
Messiah
Messenger
In this issue…
From the Pastor
Congratulations Miss Kim!
Need a Lift?
Valentine Potluck Luncheon
Readings and Worship Schedule
Adult Forum Schedule
Lenten Worship Schedule
Thanks from Robert Stolz
Financial Statements Available
LSSI Thanks
NEW FEATURE! – Messiah Movies
MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH
1605 Vernon Avenue
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Church Staff
Rev. Paul Stolz, Pastor
Jennifer Schneider, Office Administrator
Karen Black, Child Care Center Director
Vic Berzins, Director of Property Maintenance
John Handzel, Property Maintenance
Worknesh Deressa, Custodian
Tom Daniels, Director of Music
Sue Fox, Organist
Angela Berger, Bookkeeper
Messiah Lutheran Church 1605 Vernon Avenue Park Ridge, IL 60068
p 847.823.6984 f 847.823.6996
Office@messiahparkridge.org
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