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May 14, 2009
Relinquish: Letting Go of False Idols
Thanks was extended to all of our Mothers last week. Pastor Vickie continued her series on how to "Stay in Love with God.” She is using a model that has broken the Spiritual practices into 7 categories. 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
This week is: S – Share: Moving beyond a personal faith
May 24: 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
This Sunday we celebrate the confirmation of Kyle Mitchell and Cole Keutzer. The two young men have completed their confirmation class and are looking forward to joining the church.
Sunday evening, our church will receive the Passionate Spirituality Award for 2009 at the Aldersgate Celebration to be held at Bethany Retirement Home on Ashland Avenue. This is when the district celebrates healthy, growing churches and leaders in our district who are making a positive, transformative difference in the world for Jesus Christ.
May Mission: Hygiene Kits – all supplies due no later than this Sunday - Our Sprouts Sunday school kids and Pastor Cecelia’s after school class will put the kits together. The kits will be taken to our Annual Conference on June 7 and then shipped to those in need. Thanks to all who have contributed to this mission project.
Church Retreat Registrations needed!
June 19-21 at Wesley Woods
Details are available through the church office ... or anyone who attended last year’s retreat. But, we need reservations now to make sure we have enough space held for our group! We’ve heard a lot of people are thinking about joining us, but we need the registrations completed and deposits turned in asap to secure the best lodging locations.
RETHINK CHURCH
On May 31, we are setting aside a day to worship God in a new way. We’ll gather for a brief worship time and then go out into the community to do two-hour service projects. More information will be available in church and we’ll have the projects and needed talents and tools listed on the website by May 17th! We’re thinking “outside the church” so come and be a part of this great day.
Special prayers for Kelly (Keutzer) who was hospitalized this week. 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: Vacation Bible School is coming to Irving Park UMC 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. An informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. All are invited (moved from May 4). We still have several spots available for volunteers: Craft Leader, Story Leader, Recreation Leader, Missions Leader, Lunch Helper, Class Leader, Teacher Assistant. Hope you’ll consider being present for our young people this week. For more information please contact Pastor Adam. adam.thompson@garrett.edu
May Birthdays/Anniversaries
2 Vicci Rodgers Keutzer
4 Rev. James Preston
Lindsey Elton
5 Gloria Flores
10 Anniversary – Burt and Virginia Tappert, 1947
14 Brent Prather
18 Matt Weis
19 Joyce Mylander
19 Corazon (Cora) Managuelod
26 Anniversary – Mark and Kari Wisinski
31 Rev. Vickie Hadaway
Other upcoming events/small groups
Monday, May 18
Finance Committee meeting 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 20
7 p.m. Church Council meets in Fellowship Hall
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.
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.
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
Thursdays, Bible 101, 7:00 p.m., led by Lowell Allen. Join in and become more familiar with your Bible. lowelldallen@att.net
Adult Choir Rehearsal – Sundays, 9:00, in Bacmeister room with Mary Martell.
Spanish Worship Service, Sunday at noon.
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Planning Ahead!
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
Small Groups
In addition to our bible study and prayer groups listed under “Weekly” ...
Bad Girls of the Bible – contact Pastor Vickie for more information about this small group for women.
United Methodist Women – Please contact Joyce Mylander for more information. irvingparkumc@sbcglobal.net
WorkNiters – Join this group of men who do odd jobs around the church and gather for fellowship. Regular meetings are the second Tuesday night monthly, 6 – 9, and the 4th Saturday monthly 12-3 p.m. For more information contact Kent Keutzer, coachK1620@yahoo.com or 773-316-9755.
“Stewards of Creation” - contact Lindsey Elton for more information on this group dedicated to doing what’s right for our planet. lindseyelton@hotmail.com
Ministries of the Church - contact Pastor Vickie. hadvl@comcast.net
Gardening Group – contact Janet Spencer. jan_spencer@yahoo.com
Prayer Network - To become part of our praying group contact Tina & Wally Felckowski, bwf79@sbcglobal.net
Service & Outreach Opportunities
Mission Work. We are a Rainbow Covenant congregation. For more information about how you can be a part of this exciting work, check with Joyce in the church office or contact Lowell Allen: lowelldallen@att.net or Gerry Sikora at: gesikora@sbcglobal.net.
The Irving Park Community Food Pantry. This pantry operates out of the basement of our church where it was founded by one of our members over 25 years ago. Regular distribution is Wednesday morning, 9 – 12:30. The web site provides contact information if you have questions or want to volunteer. www.irvingparkfoodpantry.com
SPSARV, Substance Abuse And Related Violence. We are calling our team the “Transitions Team” and we are looking at a 12-Step Resident home in the area to focus our work. If you are interested in knowing more about this opportunity to becoming trained to help those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse contact Gerry Sikora at: gesikora@sbcglobal.net
Reconciling Ministries Network – this group has its national offices here in our church. For information on how you can help, contact Audrey 773-736-5526.
Posted by vickie at May 14, 2009 11:02 PM
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