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The Messiah Messenger >
The November Messenger Issue #581
The November Messenger Issue #581
Oct 31, 2016
The Messiah MESSENGER
FROM THE PASTOR SPIRITUAL GIFTS As I watch the wet leaves fall onto the slowly browning grass, another season ends so that a new can begin. Like the meteorological seasons, so it is in the church. We begin this month remembering the Saints who have gone before us, review the end of the church year on Christ the King Sunday and end the month in preparation with Advent. This is also the time that we prepare for the coming year in the business of the church with budget preparation, leadership and ministry planning. Budget planning sheets are gathered from ministry leaders, the Prayerful Process will begin, ministries will be reviewed for 2017 and this year, we will also be commencing a search for a new Office Administrator as Jennifer will be leaving the end of December. A lot will occur in the “in-between” time and much of it will focus on prayer, spiritual gifts and the future of Messiah Lutheran Church and Child Care Center. Soon, you will receive a “Time, Talent and Treasure” mailing that includes a form similar to an annual checkup you may have with your physician. Perhaps in the past you’ve quickly checked off a few things that “sounded” like you in order to turn it in on Celebration Sunday. Or maybe you have prayerfully poured over the questions and placed it in the basket on Celebration Sunday. Either way, you may wonder “what is the point of this annual checkup?” The apostle Paul writes in his first letter to the Christian community of Corinth: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.” Spiritual Gifts (or talents) are God given for two purposes: The first is to give glory to God and the second is to build up the members of the body of Christ. We are each blessed with spiritual gifts – everyone has at least one! As we have learned, sometimes the spiritual gift is hidden and the identification of it opens up new opportunities for serving God. When assessing our Treasures, we know that all that we have begins with and belongs to God. The contributions you make have a direct impact and effect on the ministries of Messiah. From the physical facility that houses the ministries, to compensating the staff, for worship and learning supplies and serving others through the ChildCare Center, Quilts ‘N Kits, and the Assistance Ministry. When you receive the “Time, Talent and Treasure” mailing, take some time to go through it prayerfully considering the questions and choices. You may find a new, yet undiscovered opportunity for you to be part of God’s mission through ministries of Messiah Lutheran Church and Child Care Center. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it… But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” NOTEWORTHY NEWS
STEWARDSHIP/CELEBRATION OF GIFTS Spiritual Gifts forms will be emailed and mailed out the first week of November. We are keeping the same format that we used last year, so it should look familiar! Plenty of extra hardcopies will available in the Welcome Center if you prefer to simply pick up a form at church. Our Celebration of Gifts will be accepted three Sundays, November 6, 13, and 20 – bring your completed form to church to be celebrated during the offertory. Also, please note that EVERY confirmed member in each household should fill out this form. We encourage all individuals, especially recently confirmed youth, to take time and consider how their gifts can support and grow the ministry of this church. This is much more than just a financial pledge. This is how we apply ourselves to becoming good stewards of our faith, our finances, and our church family.
PRAYERFUL PROCESS Prayerful Process will begin in November. This the time for members of the Messiah faith community to meet for the upcoming “prayerful process” sessions. In these gatherings, we join in prayerful discernment for the future leadership of Messiah. In these next few months, our prayerful discernment will lead us to new leaders for Messiah. Those new leaders will be asked to prayerfully consider taking new roles in our church. And then we will pray for these new leaders. This year instead of adding extra stand-alone meetings to the calendar, we would like to be efficient and respectful of everyone’s busy schedules to incorporate PP into existing regularly scheduled activities such as Chat Room, Choir, Brotherhood, Quilting, CCC and Assistance Ministry. The dates for PP are: Chat Room November 6 9-10am in Friendship Place; Brotherhood November 12 9am at Just Like Home; Choir Tuesday November 15 at 6:30 in MPR; Quilting November 27 following worship in Friendship Place; CCC and Assistance Ministry Monday November 14 at 1:15pm in Friendship Place.
QUILTS ‘N KITS By now we’ve got our final count for this year – we sent 132 Personal Care Kits, 105 School Kits and 52 Quilts!! And guess what? Trudi and Carol are doing their annual clean-up of our storage closet and we found 7 more quilts that didn’t get sent! We’ll use those as “starters” for this year – so we’re off to a good start! And now we have a new way to store completed quilts so we won’t miss any next year. Thanks to everyone who has helped in some way with time, effort, donations!! It was a team effort for sure! Also – thanks to those who bought raffle tickets. The money from the raffle helps to cover costs of the kit items and quilt supplies. The winners of the raffle were Kaelyn Yager (table runner) and Diane Wilson (quilt)! EC CORNER Highlights from the October 17 meeting include: • Changes to the insurance provider, the cleaning service provider, and A/C project were finalized • Status of the financial audit & performance reviews were discussed • Upcoming Fall Fest and EC retreat were reviewed • Process for recruiting new church administrator was outlined • New approach for Prayerful Process was proposed
September Attendance Wk1=36, Wk2=42, Wk3=41, Wk4=58 *79 unique individuals attended worship between 1 and 4 times in September.
September Giving (Gen. Fund) Wk1=$2055, Wk2=$3817, Wk3=$883, Wk4=$754
PUMPKIN PATCH/HARVEST FEST Thanks to all our customers and helpers! We had a fun day painting pumpkins on Harvest Fest day. Great view of patch as it continued all this week.
UPCOMING EVENTS PLEASE check with church office before you schedule an event – there is a room assignment calendar maintained by the Office Administrator
CHRISTMAS CHARITIES Nov. 27 -Dec. 12 For The Night Ministry serving the homeless of Chicagoland, we bring in hats, gloves, and scarves. We are looking for mostly adult items, and asking that they be STURDY, WINTER ITEMS, rather than “magic gloves” which are very thin. SOCKS are also much needed. Deadline for donations is December 12 – the Night Bus will be delivering the items to people on December 22-24, so we need to pack up and ship ahead of time. 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 Sunday, December 12th to be sent to LSSI in time for their Christmas Party. Thanks again to Moni Ryczek, who will coordinate the gift tags. Contact her with questions at 847-692-6972.
EC RETREAT Sunday November 13 2-6pm At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Shermer and Central in Glenview, our Executive Committee will get together to do some planning and connecting with each other.
MESSIAH BOOK CLUB Thursday, Nov 17 at 7pm in the Friendship Place We will discuss the book “The Buried Giant” by Kazuo Ishigiro. Book Club is open to anyone who enjoys reading. All are welcome.
REMINDERS FOR NOVEMBER Brotherhood Breakfast – Saturday, November 12 at 9am. All men at Messiah are invited! We meet at Just Like Home, 8501 W Dempster Street in Niles. Good conversation and food. Quits ‘n’ Kits In November we’ll give thanks by assembling quilts on Sunday, November 20th in the Friendship Place following worship service. We’ll have snacks (bring one to share!) – and good fellowship! Please consider joining us – no sewing experience necessary! For additional information, contact Carol Hrodey or Trudi Handzel
COMING IN NEXT MONTH Cross+Gen Advent Event, TBD Christmas Eve Family and Candlelight Service, 12/24
THIS MONTH IN WORSHIP
Nov 6 25th Sunday after Pentecost 1st Lesson: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 Psalm: Psalm 149 2nd Lesson: Ephesians 1:11-23 Gospel: Luke 6:20-31 CHAT: Prayerful Process with Pastor Lynne CONF: The 10 Comm’ts #3 Respect for Life (Tess L Teach)
Nov 13 26th Sunday after Pentecost 1st Lesson: Malachi 4:1-2a Psalm: Psalm 98 2nd Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Gospel: Luke 21:5-19 CHAT: One Hope: Remembering the Body of Christ CONF: The 10 Comm’ts #4 Respect for Community (Tess L Teach)
Nov 20 Christ the King Special Lessons and Responses: Isaiah 40:1-5, Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:1-2, 8-11, John 19:16b-19, 28-30, Mark 16:1-7, Acts 2:1-4, 14, 16-21, Matthew 28:16-20 CHAT: TBD CONF: Video Review and Discussion (Pastor Lynne)
Nov 27 First Sunday of Advent 1st Lesson: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm: Psalm 122 2nd Lesson: Romans 13:11-14 Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44 CHAT: TBD CONF: No Class (Thanksgiving Week)
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY AND NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCES When you come to church on Nov. 6, be sure to stop and write the names of loved ones who have passed on into the Remembrance Book that will be in the Welcome Center as you enter. This book will be available every Sunday throughout November, and we will read the names each week during the Prayers of the People of those who have been added to the book.
THANKSGIVING WORSHIP AT MARY SEAT OF WISDOM Tuesday, November 22 at 7pm Please see Pastor Lynne if you are interested in participating in the PRMA Community Thanksgiving Service. Messiah will not have a worship service or dinner here again this year.
THIS MONH IN WORSHIP
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
Nov 6 Nov 13 Nov 20 Nov 27 10:15am 10:15am 10:15am 10:15am Acolytes Ralphie L Samantha F Evelyn A Caitlin L Communion Assistants Tess L Julia F Aly A Rich L Readers Pat K Dina S Debbie D, Trygve J, Larry R, Lynne M Rich L Worship Assistants Trygve J Diane B Cindy N Andy T Projection Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H Ushers 12th Man 12th Man 12th Man 12th Man Altar Guild Sue K * Sue K Sue K Counter Paul H Paul H Paul H Paul H
* Thanks to God for those who have stepped up as ushers! The 12th person to come in the church each Sunday will be tapped to be the usher for that day! That person will find a partner to hand out bulletins, put the pew pads out, collect the offering, and pick up pew pads and return to the workroom. We ARE LOOKING for someone to take over coordinating ushers on a regular basis.
FLOWERS AND BULLETINS Sunday Flowers are given … Bulletins are given … The sign-ups for flowers and bulletins are in the narthex by the hall to the Educational Wing. Flowers are $40, 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. Nov 6 In honor of Tessa Taylor’s first birthday by her grandparents Sue and Ed Kopij. In honor of John and Sue Fox’s 37th wedding anniversary. Nov 13 Available Available Nov 20 Brad and Pat Kovach’s Wedding anniversary. Available. Nov 27 By Donna Hanson in memory of parents Rev. & Mrs. Harold E. Larsen. By John and Sue Fox in honor of Andrew’s birthday.
FLOWER AND BULLETIN CALENDARS ARE IN THE HALLWAY.
CALENDAR: November 2016 http://73983233.view-events.com
MESSAGES
The Center of Concern Auxiliary is hosting two Bunko Parties on November 11th Bunko is a fun dice game that anyone can play –no experience necessary! Two Bunko parties will be held to benefit The Center of Concern, a social service agency helping our neighbors in need. The events will be held on Friday, Nov. 11th at the Park Ridge Country Club, 636 N. Prospect. The first event, “Bunko and Lunch” for men and women will be held from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. Later, “Ladies’ Night” will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The $25.00 ticket includes Bunko games and prizes, a buffet with chicken strips, quiches, mini sliders, pinwheel sandwiches, rolls, dessert, coffee and tea. Cash bar. Contact Christine at (847) 823-8755 to make your reservations or purchase tickets online at http://centerofconcern.org/bunko Ticket price increases to $30.00 after Nov. 4th
Spotlight Youth Theater proudly presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” at Prairie Lakes Theater in Des Plaines! From the musical genius of Andrew Lloyd Webber comes the Old Testament tale of Joseph and his 11 brothers. Full of color, energy and incorporating dozens of musical styles, Joseph is sure to dazzle audiences young and old. Tickets are on sale now at www.Spotlight.org. For pictures, videos, and updates on upcoming shows, be sure to like SpotlightNorthwestCook on Facebook (the one that lists 515 Thacker as the theater address is the correct page.) Polling Place November 8th Please remember that Messiah’s Friendship Place is a polling place for the election. Time Change – November 5th Don’t forget to “FALL BACK” on Saturday night, or you will be an hour early for church on Nov 6th! ADVENT COLLECTION OF BABY GOODS Keep your eyes and ears open for the schedule of collecting baby items for our Advent project.
MESSIAH MINISTRIES CROP WALK THANKS We had a great day for Crop Walk on Sunday October 16th!Special thanks to all our walkers, volunteers, and sponsors for their dedication to this very special cause, and many thanks to everyone who supported the Walk, either by walking, praying or pledging. Our Messiah team raised over $3000 to offset hunger in our community … well done! Walkers: Larry Ryczek, Debbie Dietrich, Mary Jo Marchetta,Trudi Handzel, Dave Hanson, David Swanson. Photo bombers: Julia and Sam Fogel
MUSIC NOTES November 20 is Christ the King Sunday, and we will use a Service of Lessons and Songs to celebrate Christ’s life and to acknowledge our response to that life. As a “year in review”, we will travel thru the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Trinity, all in one service! In 1925, hoping to combat the growing influence of dictators, Pope Pius XI created “Christ the King Sunday” as a reminder that there is no true ruler but Christ. It is always the final Sunday of the church year: the Sunday before Advent. Michael Milton, a Presbyterian minister, recently wrote: “Advent is preceded by the Reign of Christ so that we remember what kind of King you are, O Lord.” By raising our voices in joy and song, we praise and glorify the just, loving, and merciful Christ the King!
~ Sue Fox
YOUTH PAGE
ULTIMATE LOCK IN Join us for this annual event for high school and middle school youth of the Metro Chicago Synod! From 9:00 pm-12:00 am youth and adult leaders meet at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wheaton to Learn and Serve. Brian Wallace is the author of the “Salem Trilogy”, an epic medieval adventure that reveals the heart of Christ. Brian is passionate about declaring the unbreakable truths of God’s Word that revolve around the perfect justice and boundless mercy of God’s Love.The cross isn’t just about mercy. It’s about just mercy. Because GOD is GOOD! Meet Brian, hear him speak, and join him for a writing workshop if you choose. • make cards for a nursing home • assemble friendship bracelet kits for a children’s hospital • make dog toys for an animal shelter (bring a T-shirt or two to donate for this project) • make plarn (plastic yarn) to be used for sleeping mats (bring plastic grocery bags for this project)
Then, from 12:00am until 5:00am, participants will travel to Enchanted Castle in Lombard for • arcade games • bowling • bumper cars • go-karts • laser tag • pizza • fellowship • fun Registration now open through your church group! $20 per person Find more info at www.mcselca.org Contact Katie Wilcoxon with questions kwilcoxon@oursaviours.org
SAVE THE DATE! Mark your calendars for the Metro-Chicago Youth Retreat at Lutherdale scheduled for Feb. 3-5, 2017. Registration happens directly with Lutherdale (www.lutherdale.org).
MILESTONES Lynne Morrow, 11/7 Lisa Paulus, 11/7 Alexis Chervinko, 11/11 Mary Jo Marchetta, 11/17 Carolyn Clauser, 11/19 Kirsten Boyce, 11/23 Dorothy Burger, 11/23 Arden Sasak, 11/25 Donna Hanson, 11/25 Betty Stinnett, 11/25 Andrew Fox, 11/27
ANNIVERSARIES John and Sue Fox, 11/3/79 - 36 years Scott and Alyson Allemeier, 11/7/03 - 12 years Brad and Pat Kovach, 11/24/80 – 24 years
If you do not see your birthday or anniversary here, that means the church office does not have it in the system. Please let us know if we don’t have your “celebration information!” CHURCH LEADERSHIP STAFF Pastor: Rev. Lynne Morrow Coordinator/Music Ministry: Sue Fox Child Care Center Director: Karen Black Office Admin: Jennifer Schneider Bookkeeper: Daniel Kovach Property Coordinator: David Hanson
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President: Rich Levy Vice President: Trygve Jensen Secretary: Debbie Sasak Treasurer: Larry Ryczek Financial Sec.: Paul Holzer
CCC BOARD Chair: Mark Dupke Secretary: Cindy Norberg Treasurer: Erik Grove Members: Tim Saul, Pat Kovach EXTENDED LEADERSHIP TEAM Assistance Ministry: Connie Kaufman Altar Guild: Sue Kopij, Cindy Norberg Brotherhood: Rich Seggeling CHAT Room: David Swanson, Steve Yager Cross+Gen: Julie Luck Jensen Confirmation/Youth: Floyd & Kristin Yager, Debbie Sasak Memorials: Carol Hrodey Women’s Service Group: Trudi Handzel, Carol Hrodey Spiritual Gifts Coordinator: Steve Yager Worship Assistants: David Swanson Worship Readers: Rich Levy Ushers: ** John 17 Fellowship: Anne & Mark Wiberg Prayer Cards: Jackie Steigerwald Sign Ministry: Anne & Mark Wiberg, John Wiberg CONGREGATIONAL DEACONS Floyd Yager and Jennie Read Robles
MEMORIAL REPORT as of October 28, 2016 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 Messiah Accessibility Project (MAP). 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 Carol Hrodey at cjhrodey@sbcglobal.net
None MESSIAH MOVIES MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN (NOW SHOWING) When Jacob discovers clues to a mystery that stretches across time, he finds Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. But the danger deepens after he gets to know the residents and learns about their special powers. I hate to say it, but this was another film this summer that I did not like, and I cannot recommend it. Jess and I were excited to see this film, and in fact almost missed it … it is possible it will no longer be in the theater by the time this review comes out. That is likely because it just wasn’t a very good movie, and highly disappointed both of us. All the ingredients were there for a fun, and maybe a little bit creepy film about “extraordinary children.” Wonderful production design, some top-notch A-list actors (Asa Butterfield is getting a LOT of work right now), and Tim Burton at the helm should have spelled success. But the story is SO bad, and so convoluted, it completely takes over the good elements and ruins them, leaving us scratching our heads and bemoaning the loss of $20. I am more than willing to suspend disbelief, especially when it comes to the intricacies of time travel (or in this case, “time loops) because I love movies, and I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt if the payoff is worth it. But the whole structure we are asked to swallow for this film was just … well, just dumb. And I couldn’t follow the logic, which made me annoyed during the film, and, well … I think you get the point. Add on top of that a wealth of scenes that just didn’t make any sense, and overly creepy elements like eating eyeballs, and the “ick” and “duh” factors just couldn’t be overcome. There were a few bright spots – some of the CGI/cinematography was gorgeous, like the big epic battle sequence at the end; the underwater sequences were stunning and very well done; I enjoyed Eva Green as Miss Peregrine very much. But mostly, I was ready for it to be over by the time it was done, because I was tired of slapping my forehead in exasperation. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Please include the following individuals and families in your prayers this month: Debbie P., Helmke Fields, The Hauser Family, Worknesh Deressa, Donna Hanson, Joann Wood, Brad Kovach, Penumaka Family, Paula DiVita, JJ, Rev. Mark Wiberg, Linda Ostrand, Carol Hrodey, The Szul Family, Mikey Hanson, Pastor Lynne and family, Dottie Burger, Lytle Thompson, Jeanne Dumerer, Laura Soto, Ruth Perzentka, Tom Jason, Irene Luck, Fred D, Bob and Justine Bisgard, Lippert Family, Joanne Trestrail, Barb Loverme, Jeane Reeve, Eva Thoren, Victoria Candiotti, Richard Levy, Mark Higgins, Cindy Norberg, Maria Raica, Arlene Baranowski, George and Audrey Krell, those living with cancer, those living with mental illness.*
JOYFUL THANKSGIVING (SEPT) Julia and Samantha Fogel’s cousin Ryan and wife Jenna welcomed baby Jax Fogel on Tuesday August 30. We gave thanks for the celebration of the Lipperts 19th wedding anniversary on August 31! We also celebrated our international impact as we not only blessed and enjoyed the beautiful quilts and helpful kits that we made for LWR, but ALSO we celebrated Flat Jesus, who traveled all summer to places in the US and abroad! * We understand that some prayer requests are short term for specific events, while others find ongoing prayers to be powerful.
We want to remember in our prayers military and first responder personnel (those known to us and those serving who are not known to us): Brandon Ajyek, Tim David, Tyler Daye, Bobby Hanson, Tom Hanson, Andreas Johnsen, Jason Koesler, Sam Krawitz, Joey Rosequist, Matt McGannon.
We also want to remember in prayer our college students: Art DeSchepper, Andrew Fox, Peter Fox, Tommy Hanson, Melissa Holzer, Kevin Kovach, Paul Song, Brynn Wildenauer.
DIRECTORY CHANGES
Please let the office know if you are moving! Thanks!
Tom Jason Arden Courts 3240 Milwaukee Ave Northbrook, IL 60062 (847) 795-9000 office
The Messiah MESSENGER 1605 Vernon Avenue Park Ridge, Illinois 60068 Phone: (847) 823-6984 Fax: (847) 823-6996 E-mail: PastorLynne@messiahparkridge.org Office@messiahparkridge.org Homepage: www.messiahparkridge.org Child Care Center Phone: (847) 825-3767 Child Care Email: MessiahChildCareCenter@gmail.com Child Care Homepage: www.messiahchildcare.com
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