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May 27, 2009

RETHINK CHURCH: What if church wasn't just a place we go, but something we do?

This Sunday we will have a brief service (10 – 10:30 a.m.). Then all who are ready and willing to Rethink Church will gather to take our worship into the community to do God’s service. We have several projects that need to be done to help others in our neighborhoods. After completing the service projects, we will gather again back in the church fellowship hall for lunch and sharing. Join with us to make this day of blessing a reality in our community.

Calendar for the Day
Worship 10:00 am • Community Activities 10:30-12:30pm • Regroup at Church for lunch & sharing 12:30pm
· Bring a white/light colored t-shirt to worship
· Be prepared to write on it with colored markers
· We will put on the shirts then go out into the community to serve

#1: Irving Park YMCA
Digging holes in their new garden and rake woodchips under playground area (bring rakes and shovels)

#2: Jefferson Park Community Garden at Ainslie & Laramie
Weeding the garden, cutting back grasses, cleaning up the area…good activity for a family
(Bring rakes or small garden tools)

#3: Make Lunches for Day Laborers – Make 50-60 lunches & deliver them

#4: Clean Up Old Irving Park Neighborhood
Beginning in the Disney II Park, pick up trash around the neighborhood
(gloves and bags provided)

To understand more about this national movement check out: www.10thousanddoors.org
www.umcom.org/site/c.mrLZJ9PFKmG/b.4696269/k.18F8/Rethink_Church __What_if_Church_was_a_Verb.htm

VBS: Lift Off – Soaring to New Heights with God - June 22-25 – Sign up by May 31 (this Sunday)
If you have children between 4 years and 5th grade please sign them up by May 31. We still have several spots available for volunteers. Consider being present for our young people this week. For more information please contact Pastor Adam. adam.thompson@garrett.edu

Prayer Network: We have 12, faithful, praying persons involved in this group. Prayer requests continue to be shared through email and direct contact. “Prayers for our Nation” continue, as we pray for a different state each week. Ellen Star, lay leader, continues to make and distribute prayer beads and bracelets to anyone who wishes to receive them. Prayer boxes are placed around the church and are checked weekly. If you are interested in being part of this group or would like to have them pray for a special person or cause, contact Tina or Wally Felckowski: bwf79@sbcglobal.net

Work begins in June on repairs needed to our church. Over the past six months extensive evaluations have been completed with regard to the exterior and interior structures as well as other areas of the church. The Trustees are working with outside contractors. A committee is being formed to help with communication about the upcoming work. If this is something you are interested in being involved in, please contact Kent Keutzer, head of trustees: coachk1620@yahoo.com

Fun events for junior and senior high youth.
June 11 – Hip Hop Concert at Edison Park UMC, 6 p.m. Free.
July 4 – 26 – Bang Bang You’re Dead, the play! July 4 – 26, details on www.edisonparkumc.com. Admission Free.
August 10 – 13 - Junior High Summer Missions Experience for 6th – 9th graders, Cedar Creek Retreat Center, Marseilles, Illinois. The deadline for signing up for this Mission trip has been extended. Contact Carol Hill: www.chicagonwdistrictyouth.com

Going Green! Lindsey Elton from our congregation is leading our “Stewards of Creation” small group. She is working to help us become more green minded and active in doing what’s right for the planet. Here are a few of the upcoming opportunities to get involved. Contact: lindseyelton@hotmail.com
June - 22-25th: Green activities for the kids attending VBS, from Mon-Wed.
July - 18th (Sat): Volunteer either at Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse or the Lutheran Church community garden.
August - 22nd (Sat): Movie with local/organic potluck. Showing Happy Feet, Earth, March of the Penguins, etc.

Upcoming meetings, events, opportunities

Wednesday, June 3, 7 p.m. - Trustee Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, June 7th – 9th - Northern Illinois UMC 170th Annual Conference at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Ill.
This year’s theme is “Living the United Methodist Way.” Our lay delegates are: Kathy Verschoor and Ellen Star. Pastoral delegates are Vickie Hadaway and Cecilia Obret. The conference meets annually to make decisions on ministry and mission, conducts church business and unites for worship, bible study, prayers and fellowship.

Tuesday, June 9
Finance Committee meets at 7 p.m.
WorkNiters meet 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Wednesday, June 10 – Formerly known as Bad Girls of the Bible, the renamed “Deborah’s Circle” will meet from 7-9 p.m. at the Veranda Inn, 5700, West Irving Park Rd. 773-283-8800. If you are interested in joining this women’s small group, see Pastor Vickie. She has copies of the book we are starting in June: “Inheriting our Mother’s Gardens.”

Sunday, June 14 – Celebration Sunday – we will take time to celebrate all that we have accomplished over the past year and to recognize the Passionate Spirituality award we received from the district. Come see the slide show! Hear the results of our Natural Church Development survey!

June – August – Polish American Alliance will once again use our Fellowship Hall and grounds for a summer camp for youth. This group was here last year and has asked to return. They will be here on weekdays. This building use was approved at the May Church Council meeting.

June 14 – 18 - Bear Lake Michigan Youth Group staying at our church and working on projects that benefit our church and the community.

Thursday, June 18, Ashley Barlow, the fiancé of our own Adam Thompson, student pastor, will bring a youth group from the church in Barrington where she is student pastor. They will be working with the Food Pantry volunteers to clean out the garage storage area. Help is welcome!

July 30 – August 8th - Nevada Iowa United Methodist Church Youth Group returns to our church to help with projects we need done and with work in the community. This is the third time over the past six years that youth and adults from this church have come to help us. In the past they have built fences, done gardening, cleaned, painted, repaired walls and doors and done much more. If you are interested in being involved in planning and hosting this group, please contact Vicci or Kent Keutzer.

Weekly
Sunday morning bible study, Book of Matthew, 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. All are welcome. We meet in the third floor chapel, up the stairs inside the Grace Street entrance. Contact David Foster for more information: david.foster2@att.net.

Tuesday - An Hour of Prayer with Pastor Vickie
Tuesday’s at noon join Pastor for a time of prayer in the Bacmeister Room. Stay for the entire hour or a portion of the hour. If you’re not in the area, pray from wherever you are at Noon on Tuesdays. For more information, contact Pastor Vickie.

Adult Choir Rehearsal – Sundays, 9:00, in Bacmeister room with Mary Martell.

Spanish Worship Service, Sunday at noon.

Posted by vickie at 11:56 PM

Happy Memorial Day - Listen for a word from God

As you prepare for your Memorial Day celebrations, travels and activities, try to listen for a word from God. Pastor Vickie will talk more about this during her sermon this Sunday. Be safe, happy and filled with the joy of the holy spirit this weekend.

On Sunday, Pastor Vickie continues her sermon series on how to "Stay in Love with God.” The Acronym for the seven weeks is WORSHIP: Staying in Love with God takes Practice.

Week One was “W is Wow!”
Week Two was O – Openness: Making Space for God
Week Three was R – Relinquish: Letting Go of False Idols
Last week was S – Share: Moving beyond a personal faith

This week, she will talk about: H – Hear: Listening for a Word from God

May 31: I – Incarnate: Imitating Jesus' Love for the World (our Rethinking Church Event)

June 7: P – Pray: Communicating with God

Last Sunday evening, our church received the Passionate Spirituality Award for 2009 at the Aldersgate Celebration held at Bethany Retirement Home on Ashland Avenue. The district uses this annual event to celebrate healthy, growing churches and leaders in our district who are making a positive, transformative difference in the world for Jesus Christ.

Last Sunday we also celebrated the confirmation of Kyle Mitchell and Cole Keutzer. These two young men shared their statements of faith with the congregation as they showed they were prepared to become full members of our church. Thanks to all who helped guide these young men on their journey through confirmation, especially Adam Thompson, student pastor.

What If Church Wasn't Just A Place We Go, But Something We Do?
RETHINK CHURCH – Sunday May 31
Next Sunday, May 31, we will gather as community for a brief worship service at our normal time, 10:00 am. Then we will disperse to designated service projects throughout our community. Some of these service projects are listed on the next page. There is a clip board in the foyer by the Rethink Church display and one in the Bacmeister Room. Sign up today and make the commitment to serve our neighbors.

To understand more about this national movement check out:
www.10thousanddoors.org
www.umcom.org/site/c.mrLZJ9PFKmG/b.4696269/k.18F8/Rethink_Church __What_if_Church_was_a_Verb.htm

Prayers for all of our church's extended faith family who struggle - with illnesses of many kinds - with job losses and financial difficulties in these tough times - who mourn losses of loved ones. Prayers of Thanksgiving for God's love and grace - at all times in our lives.

VBS: Lift Off – Soaring to New Heights with God - June 22-25 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. If you have children between 4 years and 5th grade please sign them up by May 31. We still have several spots available for volunteers. Consider being present for our young people this week. For more information please contact Pastor Adam. adam.thompson@garrett.edu

May Birthdays/Anniversaries
26 Anniversary – Mark and Kari Wisinski
31 Rev. Vickie Hadaway

Upcoming events

Monday, May 25
Memorial Day – church offices closed

Saturday, May 30
1 p.m. United Methodist Women will meet at the church in the Bacmeister room.

Sunday, May 31 - Special community outreach “Rethinking Church” Sunday.

June 14 – 18
Bear Lake Michigan Youth Group staying at our church and working on projects that benefit our church and the community.

Annual Church Retreat on June 19-21 at Wesley Woods in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. REGISTER NOW PLEASE.

Vacation Bible School June 22-25
“Lift Off! Soaring to New Heights with God.” Volunteers will be needed before, during and after VBS, in a variety of ways. Your help, for as little or as much time as you have to give, will be greatly appreciated. An information letter is available by contacting the church office. Please talk with Pastor Vickie and/or Pastor Adam as soon as possible. Together we can all make this summer outreach a success!

Summer Camps: Registrations are being taken for summer camps. For more information about Outdoor Retreat Ministries within the Northern Illinois Conference, check out: www.niccamp.org

Wednesday – After school program with Pastor Cecilia, 4 – 6 p.m. for school-aged children. Volunteers are needed and appreciated. Contact Pastor Cecilia for more information: ceciobret@yahoo.com

Adult Choir Rehearsal – Sundays, 9:00, in Bacmeister room with Mary Martell.

Spanish Worship Service, Sunday at noon.

Posted by vickie at 11:54 PM