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The Messiah Messenger>
The November Messenger Issue #485
October 29, 2008
THE Messiah
MESSENGER
From the pastor
Psalm 107:1 "Give thanks to the Lord,
for the Lord is good!"
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
What a beautiful fall we are experiencing. The trees and
bushes around my home are beginning to change and show
their splendor! With so many trees still full of their
leaves, it’s hard to believe that it is already November!
When I think November, I think "thanksgiving." And while I
do think about the day of turkey and eating and family and
eating and parades and eating and football and eating (you
get my drift), I think more of the attitude of
"thanks-giving."
We begin November with the Festival of All Saints, the day
we remember all those who have gone before us, particularly
those who have met Jesus face to face since last All Saints
Day. We give thanks to God for their lives, their faith
that sustained them and for Jesus who bought their
salvation. But we also thank God that through our baptism,
we are named and claimed, made living saints, through Jesus
Christ our Lord!
For Messiah, November also focuses on how we order our
lives, as the living saints, through our stewardship. How
do we demonstrate our thanks to God for our life, our
homes, our family, our gifts and talents, all that we are
and all that we have? How do we decide how we spend our
time and our money? Each decision we make is a way of
recognizing that all we are and all we have is truly from
God and therefore belongs to God. What we do with what we
have is an expression of our attitude of “thanks-giving.”
On Christ the King Sunday, we focus on the Lordship and
Kingship of Jesus–that he truly is Lord of lords and King
of kings! We give thanks that he died on our behalf, and
that nothing in life, nor nothing in death, can separate us
from him! Again, we examine how our lives reflect our
thanks to God for what Jesus has done for us, as we offer
to our Lord our commitments of time, talent, and treasure.
And yes, we do take pause on Thanksgiving Day to worship
our Lord and give thanks with the rest of our nation for
the many blessings God has bestowed upon us. We will take a
special offering of non-perishable foods that will be given
to Maine Township Food Pantry to help those who need
assistance. Another opportunity to give thanks to our Lord
and God.
Yes, it is a beautiful time of year! Let us give thanks to
our Lord and God.
Pastor Munker
Noteworthy News
ANOTHER NEW BABY! LACEY HAMDEN
Laurie (Melendez) Hamden and Samed Hamden welcomed baby
Lacey on Saturday, October 18th – big sisters Emily and
Kaitlyn are very excited! The baby girl is 19 inches long,
and weighed 7.25 pounds. Congratulations, Hamden family!
C.R.O.P WALK REPORT FROM SANDY BOWEN
Thanks to all of you for a successful walk! Ken and the
members of St. Luke's welcomed us so graciously. Here are
some very preliminary numbers for you:
We registered 175 walkers; we handed out 4 bandanas to dogs
so I am creating a new category of "DOGS." Bishop Miller
was counted with the St. Luke's team and we had two other
dignitaries who walked......so as of now I'm saying we had
181 walkers. I deposited $15,318 with Church World Service
today. On-line donations as of 10/16/08 were $4300.00.
I expect to donate at least $1300.00 from the "Friends
account" (business donations for the shirts). That puts us
at $20,918 and I am expecting more donations from St.
Luke's walkers, St. Mary's, PR Community, Our Lady of
Ransom, Messiah Lutheran and First United Methodist. If I
were to guess right now I'd predict about $26,000.
Congratulations to ALL who participated!
WELCA INGATHERING REPORT
We packed for In Gathering:
20 Quilts
31 Layettes
49 Health Kits
A BIG THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED. I am not going to name
names as I might leave someone out. Also thanks for your
generous donations of money and items, some new.
God Bless you all,
Eva Thoren, Chair
Upcoming Events
(Always check with church office before you schedule an
event – there is a room assignment calendar maintained by
the Office Administrator.)
YOUTH SPAGHETTI DINNER
Saturday, November 1st, serving from 4:30 to 7:00 PM
It's that time again! On November 1st, the Youth will be be
hosting the Annual Spaghetti Dinner in the Fellowship Hall
at Messiah. Spaghetti will be served beginning at 4:30pm
and we will finish serving at 7:30pm. Bring your appetite,
bring your family, and bring a friend to this wonderful
event and support our Youth Group at Messiah. Dinner is
only $8 for adults and $3 for children under age 10.
Tickets can be purchased at the door. We sure hope you can
join us for what has become a Messiah tradition!
3RD ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL
Saturday, November 15th 9-3 PM
Do you have a hidden talent that your friends at Messiah
don't know about? The Harvest Festival may be your chance
to showcase it! If there is any kind of craft that you make
and would like to try to sell - join us at the Harvest
Festival on November 15th! We will have a "Messiah
Boutique" where we can compile our collective talents to
sell.
And even if you don't have a craft to sell - we need your
help! We can use people to help greet the vendors & public,
help with kid's activities, sell raffle tickets & Manna
cards, sell food - and of course - we need everyone to
attend the festival and purchase your Christmas presents!!
We have some different crafters - including several jewelry
exhibitors, as well as vendors like Tastefully Simple,
Party Lites and Tupperware - even a book seller! Please be
sure to come out - November 15th - 9:00-3:00! Please let
Carol Hrodey know if you can help for set-up Friday night
or during the day on Saturday!
WELCA POTLUCK “WELCOME LUNCHEON”
Sunday, November 16th 11:30 AM
We’d like to invite all women of Messiah to a potluck
luncheon. We will view a DVD about the Women of the ELCA,
how they make quilts and health kits for LWR, how they
support Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolate, how they gather
for Bible study, and how they help each other. Please bring
a dish to share and join us as we see how the Women of the
ELCA continue to grow; lets see how we can grow here at
Messiah. Join us for food and fellowship. Beverages will be
provided.
CHRISTMAS CHARITIES ARE HERE!
Collecting from Nov. 30-Dec.14
Once again we will be collecting goods to help out those
less fortunate than ourselves. For The Night Ministry,
serving the homeless of Chicagoland, we put hats, gloves,
and scarves on our Giving Tree in the narthex. We are
looking for mostly adult items, and asking that they be
STURDY, WINTER ITEMS, rather than “magic gloves” which are
very thin. The Child Care Center is also collecting gloves
for this ministry…THANKS! Deadline for donations is
December 14th – the Night Bus will be delivering the items
to people in need on December 19-20, so they need to pack
everything up before that.
Also, we are doing LSSI’s Gifts for Kids again this year.
Gift tags will be available in the narthex. Pick a tag,
purchase a present, and bring it wrapped to church by
December 14th to be sent to LSSI in time for their
Christmas Party. Gift cards are also welcome…remember, you
can use our Manna program, deadline November 30th, delivery
of cards on Dec. 4th!
REMINDERS!
Friendship Day The third Thursday of November, the 20th,
due to Thanksgiving. We will meet at 9 AM, and hope to see
lots of you there. Come when you can, and leave when you
have to.
Men’s Breakfast Saturday, November 8th at 9 AM at Jimmy’s
Restaurant in Des Plaines. Join the Men’s Brotherhood for
breakfast and fellowship.
WELCA Board November 5th at 9:00 AM
Executive Committee November 9th at 11:30 AM
Visioning Meeting Correction It was announced at the
congregational meeting that there would be a leadership
visioning meeting in November. It will actually be held in
January on the 11th after service. The leadership team will
review where we've been and look at where we're heading at
Messiah. Anyone who is interested in participating in this
meeting is welcome to attend - please let Carol Hrodey know
if you wish to come.
COMING IN DECEMBER…
Room at the Inn Christmas Services Youth Christmas
Program
This Month in Worship
WORSHIP SCHEDULE AND READINGS
All Worship Services are at 10:15 AM unless otherwise
noted.
November 2 – All Saints Sunday (*see below)
Revelation 7:9–17; Psalm 34:1–10, 22; 1 John 3:1–3; Matthew
5:1–12
November 9 – 26th Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 5:18–24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Matthew
25:1–13
November 16 – 27th Sunday after Pentecost
Zephaniah 1:7, 12–18; Psalm 90:1-12; 1 Thessalonians
5:1–11; Matthew 25:14–30
November 23 – Christ the King
Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24 Psalm 95:1–7a; Ephesians 1:15–23;
Matthew 25:31–46
November 27 – Thanksgiving Day
Deuteronomy 8:7–18; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 9:6–15; Luke
17:11–19
November 30 – First Sunday in Advent
Isaiah 64:1–9; Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19; 1 Corinthians 1:3–9;
Mark 13:24–37
*MESSIAH’S SAINTS
We give thanks to God for the faithful saints who have gone
before us this year:
Betty Ortaggio
Charles Johnson
Rosemary Thurow
Paul Stolz
Marge Merriman
Roy Sues
Edith Bunt
Ruth Corkill
Jenny Stabb
Chuck Boomer
Doris Preinitz
We thank God for their lives and service, for their witness
of faith.
ADULT FORUM SCHEDULE
Nov. 2 - Lutheran Handbook Study
Nov. 9 - Parable of the Good Samaritan preview
Nov. 16 - Parable of the Good Samaritan w/ Sunday school
Nov. 23 - Celebration Sunday/Pancake Breakfast
Nov. 30 - Lutheran Handbook Study
THANKSGIVING WORSHIP SERVICE
Thursday, November 27th at 10:15 AM
This will be a wonderful chance to reflect on the abundant
love God has given to each of us and thank him for those
blessings. At the Thanksgiving Service we will take a
special offering of food items to be donated to the Maine
Township Food Pantry. Please join us at this special
service and bring with you one (or multiple) non-perishable
food items to donate and help others at the beginning of
this holiday season.
WORSHIP HELPERS
November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30
10:15am 10:15am 10:15am 10:15am 10:15am
Acolytes Tommy H Kevin K Melissa H Andrew F Tait J
Communion Assistants Kim H Pat K Julie H John F Julie J
Readers Rich L Kristin Y Teresa L Laura H Dottie B
Worship Assistants Vikki H Pat K David S Diane B John F
Projection Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H
Ushers Dave H,
Rich L,
Joe L,
Bob B Dave H,
Rich L,
Joe L,
Bob B Dave H,
Rich L,
Joe L,
Worknesh D Dave H,
Rich L,
Joe L,
Dave K Dave H,
Rich L,
Joe L,
Dave K
Greeters Dorothy N Dorothy N Dorothy N Dorothy N Dorothy N
Counters Dave H,
Jim H Dave H,
Jim H Dave H,
Jim H Dave H,
Jim H Dave H,
Jim H
Thanksgiving Service To Be Determined
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!
Nov 2 – Flowers and bulletins are given in honor of John
and Sue Fox’s 29th wedding anniversary.
Nov 9 – Flowers are given by Russ and Linda Raymond in
memory of Linda’s mother Harriet Goldstein. Bulletins are
given in honor of Jarrett Lobitz’s 6th birthday.
Nov 16 – Flowers are given in honor of Brad and Pat
Kovach’s wedding anniversary.
Nov 23 – none
Nov 27 - Flowers are given by John and Sue Fox in honor of
Andrew’s 12th birthday.
Nov 30 – Flowers are given by Donna Hanson in memory or
Rev. and Mrs. Harold E. Larsen.
Calendar
Messages
To the congregation –
Thank you for allowing my daughter to be with me during my
illness. I know it was a sacrifice on your part but I
appreciate it very much. She was most helpful while she was
here. I thank you for all your prayers also. Please
continue to keep me in your prayers so I can continue to
recover fully. I have days that are very boring and I get
jittery. Please help me to get over this with your prayers.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Lois L. Oset
(Pastor Munker’s Mom)
Dear Floyd –
Thank you so much of inviting me to share with the Adult Ed
and Confirmation Class yesterday at Messiah Lutheran. The
conversation was wonderful with some great questions and
compassionate insights. Thank you also for all the cookies!
They will be enjoyed this week. We look forward to
continuing this partnership.
Peace, Julie Delezenne
The Night Ministry, Chicago
Dear Julie and Messiah Lutheran –
Thank you so much for the art carts! They have already been
greatly used!
The Child Life Team
Lutheran General Hospital
Thank you to "Anonymous" who has refurbished the downstairs
bathrooms with fresh paint and border trim! We are so very
grateful for your work. The bathrooms are beautiful!
DOUBLE Manna Dates
As usual, we will have 2 dates in November to help support
the Christmas Charities. Sunday, November 9th will be the
regular November order, and then we will place another
order on November 30th, perfect timing for gift cards for
the LSSI kids.
Splinter Anyone?
Has anyone attended a potluck lately and received a
splinter from one of the tables? Or has anyone tried to
move one of those big old heavy tables up the stairs
lately? Our old tables in the basement are beginning to
fall apart - some are even giving us splinters! Awhile back
we bought a couple of new 8 ft tables from Sam's Club to
try them out and see if they might work for us. They seem
to work pretty well and we'd like to replace our old tables
with these lighter weight, very durable tables. The cost is
approximately $80.00 each and we'd like to have about 12-16
tables. If you would be willing to donate money to "buy a
table" - please put it the offering and designate it for
the table fund! Thanks!
Messiah Ministries
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The words of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 40) both challenge
and comfort us, calling us to prepare the way of the Lord
who comes paradoxically with mighty power and gentleness.
The prophet shares a vision of lofty mountains being
leveled and deep valleys being lifted up, of an end to
warfare, hunger, fear and strife. It is a message we need
to hear again this Advent as we are reminded that the
ground is not level in the world we live in.
Recently I visited the Kingdom of Swaziland, a small and
hilly land-locked country of 1 million people caught
between Mozambique and the Republic of South Africa. I was
invited by the Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Southern Africa to attend a meeting of mission
partners in the capital Mbabane and the 20th anniversary
celebration of the diocese. The Eastern Diocese has
companionship relationships with the ELCA Caribbean Synod
and also with Lutherans in Germany, Sweden and Finland.
As ELCA Global Mission regional program assistant in
Southern Africa I was interested in visiting several of the
projects of the diocese that are being supported in part by
the ELCA. I was taken by Mr. Mafika Shabalala, the Diocesan
HIV & AIDS Program Coordinator, to visit the Mpuncu Water
and Garden Project near Manzini. The Sigwaca Lesihle
Support Group consists of men and women who are infected
and affected by HIV & AIDS. According to Mr. Shabalala the
group has not only taken bold steps to be open about their
HIV status but has also taken it upon themselves to be
champions of development in the area. For the last two
months the group has been working hard setting up
reservoirs and digging trenches for pipes to bring water
closer from hillside springs for drinking and garden
irrigation purposes. In 2007 the government declared a
national state of disaster due to severe drought and bush
fires. Maize production was down 60% from the previous year
and prices rose 132%. The Lutheran Development Service of
Swaziland has been active along with other relief
organizations in distributing emergency food relief and
supporting local food production initiatives. Everyone
hopes that spring and summer rains will come soon.
During this Advent and Christmas season I would like to
encourage your ongoing support for the ELCA World Hunger
Appeal and the ELCA Stand with Africa Campaign in our
efforts to banish hunger, overcome HIV&AIDS and build
peace. Learn more at www.elca.org/goodgifts. Advocacy in
the USA and Southern Africa around the Millennium
Development Goals through support for the ONE campaign is
still critically important in order to create an effective
global partnership for sustainable and just development.
Thank you for your prayers and participation in God’s
Mission locally and globally.
Yours faithfully, Philip Knutson
ELCA Global Mission, Cape Town, October 2008
Youth Corner
Check out all the fun stuff coming up for our Youth!!
Saturday November 1st from 4:30pm until 7:30pm – The Annual
Messiah Youth Spaghetti Dinner We will need help to set-up,
cook, serve, clean up, etc. This event will take help form
ALL of the youth, so I hope you can spend a couple of hours
with us. The funds we raise go to the Youth Group. There is
a national youth gathering in New Orleans next July.....We
would love to be able to get a group of our Messiah Youth.
To do that we need to make this fund raiser a success! Ask
your family and friends to attend - the more people the
more fun!
November 15, 2008 – Messiah Harvest Festival – The annual
Harvest Festival is scheduled for this Saturday. We are
always in need of volunteers to set up, host, sell
refreshments, and clean up and other activities.
December, 2008 – To be Announced – Christmas Youth Event –
We will look for a volunteer service project we can do in
early December with the Youth Group to make the Christmas
season a little special for those not as fortunate as we
are. Perhaps it will be an afternoon of volunteering at
Lutheran General on the Pediatrics Unit, deliver gifts to
children, or some other project. Look for more information!
ELCA Youth Event Summer, 2009 -We are looking for Messiah
Youth who have serious interest in attending the ELCA Youth
Gathering in the summer of 2009. The gathering in July
22-26, 2009 in New Orleans. We need to know by the end of
November who has serious interest in attending. The
gathering is about $300 per person just to register. That
does not include travel, lodging, and meals. If we have a
few youth who are serious about going, we would consider
bringing you all down to the event. But it needs to be a
pretty firm commitment on your part as to whether you want
to go, so we can raise funds in the Church, make plans, and
so forth.
The event is designed for youth who are members of ELCA
congregations and non-ELCA youth are welcome when they
register, prepare, covenant and come with ELCA
congregations. Young people entering High School by
September 2009 and those already in high school and will
graduate in 2009 are eligible.
If you have interest, we would recommend talking with your
parents and determining whether this is something that they
would want you to do. Then talk to Floyd by the end of
November so we can figure out if we can get a group of our
Messiah Youth to the event.
Milestones
BIRTHDAYS
Viviann Markech, 11/1
Grace Palos, 11/1
Valeria Bowman, 11/3
Char Baumgartner, 11/5
Lisa Paulus, 11/7
Robert Reter, 11/7
Katelyn Hamden, 11/8
Alexis Chervinko, 11/11
Laurance Johnson, 11/12
Richard Reeve, 11/15
Mary Jo Jones, 11/17
Shannon Hall, 11/18
Carolyn Kopij, 11/19
James Rosequist, 11/19
Joseph Milios, 11/20
Terri Hogan, 11/22
Dorothy Burger, 11/23
Kirsten Kaufman, 11/23
Carmen Loverme, 11/24
Donna Hanson, 11/25
Betty Stinnett, 11/25
Reena Wagner, 11/25
Brian Bittner, 11/26
Mark Wilson, 11/26
Andrew Fox, 11/27
Alex Wagner, 11/27
ANNIVERSARIES
John and Sue Fox – 11/3/1979, 29 years
Scott and Allison Allemeier – 11/7/2003, 5 years
Richard and Edith Reeve – 11/24/1984, 24 years
Messiah Leadership IN 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
CCC Director: Karen Black
CCC Board: Donna Berzins
Stewardship: Floyd Yager
Evangelism: David Swanson
WELCA: Eva Thoren
Brotherhood: Rich Seggeling
Christian Education: Kristin Yager
Confirmation/HS: Floyd Yager
Adult Forum: Rich Levy, David Swanson
Choir: Pat Daniels
Music: Tom Daniels, Sue Fox
Memorial Report as of October 28, 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.
IN MEMORY OF PASTOR PAUL STOLZ
Given by: Larry, Monica, Eric and Nikolaus Ryczek for
Pastor Paul’s Family Fund
IN MEMORY OF RUTH CORKILL
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Anderson for Property Reserve
Fund
IN THANKSGIVING FOR EMMA MARVEL PENUMAKA
Given by: Ravi and Neena Penumaka for Property Reserve Fund
IN THANKSGIVING FOR PET BLESSING OF CALLIE AND BAILEY
Given by: Lois and Sandy Anderson for Property Reserve Fund
Messiah Movies
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS: 1, 2 & 3!
On on DVD and in theaters
I know we have all heard about the phenomenon that is
HSM:1, 2, & 3. I have not yet seen the third installment in
this mega-hit franchise by Disney, but have (repeatedly)
viewed the other two, and feel compelled to review these
movies all together.
Super-cute high school juniors Troy (Zac Efron) and
Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) meet at a karaoke party and
discover something new about themselves – they can sing
together! Now the “jock” and the “brain” decide to go out
for the Spring Musicale at school, and discover that it
isn’t that easy to do what people don’t expect of you. The
three movies follow this group of kids as they deal with
peer pressure, parental expectation, fears of the future
and adulthood, establishing personal identity, and any
other “teen angst” issue you can think of. And they do it
with SONG … really good songs! (and great dance numbers!)
I think the reason I enjoy the first 2 movies so much, and
cannot wait to see the third, is the positive message that
Disney is broadcasting. Work together, be yourself, and
respect others all come out in songs like “We’re All in
This Together” and “All for One.” The best lyrics might be
“there’s not a star in Heaven that we can’t reach … when
we’re tryin’ we’re breakin’ free!” The best news? All
movies are rated G, and are great for kids 3 and up. Trust
me, there is NOTHING offensive in any of these movies –
great for families! Enjoy!
Prayer Requests
Please include the following individuals and families in
your prayers this month:
Joe & Evelyn Burval
Mr. Dennis
Ardene Ejnik
Pearl Fox
Chris Jacobsen
Kennet
Richard Levy
Nancy Maher
Lois Oset
Dana Powell
Aidan Ray
Mary Reter
Gloria Solum
Linda (Rodin) Ufkes
Frank & Jane Whitecotton
Anne Wiberg
We also want to remember in our prayers our military
personnel:
Jason Hood, Jason Koesler, Tim David, Lars Johnsen, Kevin
Ward, and Patrick and Claudine Ward.
Directory Changes
Please let the office know if you are moving! Thanks!
None
Since everyone just got NEW DIRECTORIES in the mail, take a
moment to make this change either directly to the name, or
in the Notes pages provided in the back of the directory.
The
Messiah
Messenger
In this issue…
“Cluster Meetings”
Another New Baby!
CROP Walk Report
LWR Trailer Report
Spaghetti Dinner
Harvest Festival
WELCA Luncheon
Christmas Charities Coming Soon
Letter from Rev. Phil Knutson
Messiah Movies: HSM 1,2,3
Prayer Requests
MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH
1605 Vernon Avenue
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Church Staff
Pastor Cynthia Munker, Interim Pastor
Jennifer Schneider, Office Administrator
Karen Black, Child Care Center Director
John Handzel, Property Maintenance
Worknesh Deressa, Custodian
Tom Daniels, Director of Music
Sue Fox, Organist
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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