FAITH EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OCTOBER 2018

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1 Creating Connections Through Extending Christ s Love FAITH EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OCTOBER 2018 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6 Friends, I greet you in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Can you believe it s October already? I am thankful to God because God has been good to us until now. As we begin a busy fall season, I want to remind you that we are still in the process. This month of October is a busy one. In addition to the many opportunities of small groups/bible studies, we are having a special Bible study session accompanying our new worship series. In the Bible study, we will be using the book Making Sense of the Bible written by Rev. Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor and founder of the Church of the Resurrection UMC in Leawood, Kansas. Rev. Hamilton invites us to read, understand and wrestle with the Bible and topics in the Bible from a different perspective. We are going to be looking at the nature of the Holy Scriptures, the function of the Bible as the Word of God and how the Bible came to be. Adam Hamilton s book gives us tools and an easy reading to study the Bible critically and from a scholarly perspective. I invite you to take the time and join us as we study and journey through the Bible. It has been proven time and time again that a church with a strong and clear vision and mission is a church that has many more opportunities for sustainability, vitality and growth. A strong, defined and concise vision is important for the wellbeing of a church because a vision gives a church direction, purpose and goals. A mission sets the process of how to get closer to that vision. The Pastor-Staff/Parish Relations Committee and I have agreed to begin a process of visioning and clarifying our identity and mission as a church. In addition to know you better, it is my hope that by end of 2019, next year, we will have a clearer understanding of where we are and where we are going, what is our vision and our mission as a church. However, we still have a few things to get done before we become more intentional in this process. One of those things is to find a common ground and platform to start working and networking together. We are going to achieve a lot of the work we have ahead by first building trust between Pastor/Congregation. I can affirm you that as we learn from each other and trust each other more the process will be easier, understandable and flexible. The worship series and church programs that we are experiencing and will continue experiencing all through the end of the year have the purpose of getting to know you and you getting to know me better culturally, theologically, socially and spiritually. As in every new appointment, the congregation and pastor are from different backgrounds. It takes time to get adjusted. Nonetheless, I want to assure you that it is not my intention to do something that will discourage you from participating and/or stop being part of our church. Sometimes I will invite you to be part of programs, worship series and opportunities of ministry that might be different or challenge you; but none are done with bad intention. Please respond with a humble heart and open mind knowing that I am praying and thinking seriously about what we do in worship, discipleship and service. Thus, I pray and hope that you will be patient, loving and of good character with me and our leadership as we go through this time of finding common ground, learning from each other, trusting each other and experiencing new things together. Sincerely, Pastor Uziel Hernandez

2 Committee News The Finance Committee is requesting that all committee chairpersons submit their requests for their 2019 budgets on or before October 14. The Finance Committee will be meeting on Monday, October 29, at 7 p.m. to discuss the 2019 budget. If you have any questions, please contact Rich Shafer at or richardshafer331@gmail.com Annual Church Conference on Sunday, November 25, following our worship service Save the date! On Sunday, November 25, District Superintendent Darneather Murph-Heath will be our guest preacher during our 10 a.m. worship service. Immediately following the service we will have our annual Church Conference. - October is Church Library Month In October, I will be attending the Evangelical Church Library Association (ECLA) conference at College Church in Wheaton. One of the benefits of going to the ECLA conference beside the workshops, speakers and networking with other church librarians is the free books everyone takes home. The majority of these books I receive end up in our church library. Look for some new fiction and nonfiction books in the coming month. Be sure to check out the new additions on the table in the Fellowship Hall. October is Church Library month so check out a book to celebrate! Happy Reading! Jane Ahrens The Adult Sunday School Class will be discussing When God s Spirit Moves by Jim Cymbala. What will happen when the Holy Spirit infuses fresh power into your church? Transformation! There will be a DVD to go along with the study. Individual participant s guides are available for $8.00. Please come and join the group Sundays at 9:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Any questions, ask Cindy Wagle at cmwagle@gmail.com - Women s Make Your Own Pizza & Game Night Friday, October 6 p.m. Come and make your own pizza and enjoy a night of food, fellowship and games. Look for a sign up sheet in the Fellowship Hall to sign up and bring a pizza ingredient. For more information, please contact Hannah Leonor at hannahwagle@gmail.com Our sympathy is extended to the family of Dorothy Capen who was a member of Faith Church many years ago. Dorothy passed away on September 15, in Dousman, Wisconsin at the age of 92. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time. Page 2

3 Educational and Service Opportunities Book Discussion Group Monday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors Join us on Monday, October 15. at 7:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall of Faith Church, as we meet to discuss the book, Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors. This book shares the work of the author in Uganda. All are welcome to come and join the group and invite a friend! For more information, contact Hannah Leonor at hannahwagle@gmail.com Group Meeting 11 a.m. The Women s daytime Bible Group will be studying the book of Ephesians at 11 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. Don t miss out on an opportunity to meet with other women, to join in this exciting study, and to learn and grow together in Christ. For more information, please contact Jane Ahrens at or janelaine3@comcast.net. Hosts are needed to serve on the October 28 Coffee Fellowship time following the worship service. If you can help on this day, please sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. Chrysalis (Middle School and High School Youth) All students in 6th-12th grade are welcome to come join us Wednesday evenings in the Fellowship Hall from 7-8:30 pm for Bible, games, worship, and prayer. This Fall we are studying the parables and stories of Jesus! For more information please contact Joanna Leonor at (630) (call/text)/dandilyons@gmail.com or Mae Kingzette at (708) the Bible Book the Bible by Adam Hamilton Book will begin on Tuesday, October 7 p.m. and will be meeting every Tuesday in the month of October. The group will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall and will be led by Pastor Uziel. Page 3

4 Mission and Outreach News Hat and Mitten Tree There will be a Christmas tree in the Fellowship Hall in November and December to collect mittens, scarves and hats. We will be delivering them to the Clothing Center at First United Methodist Church here in Elmhurst. Gently used coats will also be collected. There is always a great need for winter outwear as the weather gets colder. Help us support the work of our fellow United Methodists here in Elmhurst! October Focus on Justice for our Neighbors The ministry of Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON), initiated by the General Board of Global Ministries in 1999, has served thousands of immigrants across the United States. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) sponsors this program, working in 27 clinics in several regions of the United States. JFON was created to respond to complicated immigration regulations arising from the Immigration Reform Act of The events of September 11, 2001 and the Patriot Act have worsened the situation, causing many delays in existing and new applications and increasing the number of deportation orders. The JFON network effectively provides services to the community and a strong forum for advocacy. We are exploring ways to be involved in this ministry. Presently there are two clinics held each month in the Elgin District alternating between Kingswood UMC in Buffalo Grove and First UMC in Crystal Lake. Join the Happy Heart Warmers as they meet on Wednesday, October 17, at 1:15 p.m., at the home of Jane Ahrens, 393 North Kenilworth, Elmhurst. This group knits and crochets afghans, hats and prayer shawls and donates them to various local and national missions and ministries. This is also a group that meets for fellowship and spiritual encouragement. Invite your friends and neighbors to come and share in the time of fellowship and creativity! For more information, contact Cindy Bennish at or swcks6@yahoo.com On Sunday, September 30, we took a Fifth Sunday offering for the Elmhurst Walk In Assistance Network. We received $380 which we will pass along to them to assist families in need in our community. Thanks for your generosity! Recently a questionnaire was distributed to find out what missions and ministries the congregation is interested in supporting and being involved in. If you have not received one, questionnaires are available on the table next to the Church Office. You may return the completed forms to Hannah Leonor or Jane Ahrens. Thanks for your input! Page 4

5 October 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 6:30 pm Board of Trustees the Bible 3 Chrysalis :30 am ONE Prayer 7 9am Adult 10 am Worship 8 9 the Bible 10 Chrysalis am Adult 10 am Worship 2:15pm Extended Care Worship 21 9am Adult 10 am Worship 15 7:30 pm Book Discussion Group 16 the Bible the Bible 17 1 pm HHW Chrysalis 24 Chrysalis Women s Pizza & Game Night 20 8:30 am ONE Prayer Young Adult Small Group am Adult 10 am Worship 11:15 am Coffee Fellowship 1 pm Bridal Shower 29 Finance Committee 30 the Bible 31 Chrysalis Page 5

6 FINANCIAL UPDATE 2018 Giving Statistics Income Exceeded Expenses By $1,446 Through August Date Weekly Income Income to Date Budget to Date 26-Aug Sep Sep Sep Sep Income to Date $72, Expenses to Date $70, Net Income $1, Harvest Home Dinner and Worship Service Friday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. Mark your calendars now for our annual Harvest Home Dinner and Worship Service on Friday, November 2. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. followed with our worship service. Look for a sign up sheet to help out with bringing food for the dinner and helping out in the kitchen. Traditionally, part of the service includes a thank offering to cover the cost of heating, restoration, maintenance and improvements for God s temple. Read about the Joash chest in II Kings 12:1-18. This year s thank offering will be used to make repairs to the bell tower to weatherize it and eliminate further water damage. With your prayers, gifts and God s guidance, we can make this happen! In addition to your offering, we are asking for people to bring non perishable food or paper products for the Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry. Our mission emphasis in November will be the Food Pantry. Thanks for your help! All young adults, singles and families are invited to go to the Konow s Corn Maze in Homer Glen on Saturday, October 20th. The group will meet at the church at 3 p.m. and go to the Corn Maze and then return to the church at 6 p.m. for Bible and dinner. For more information, please contact Joanna Leonor at dandilyons@gmail.com or Hannah Leonor at hannahwagle@gmail.com Page 6

7 FAITH FAMILY NEWS BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES 2 SHARON ARTRIP 5 RICH & LAURA SHAFER 3 LAURA SHAFER, KEVIN LEONOR 8 LINDA GALARZA 9 PASTOR UZIEL HERNANDEZ 11 CHRISTINA CECCHIN 20 MIKE CHICZEWSKI 21 NANCY SCHIELKE 27 MASON ARNOLD 28 BARBARA CACCIATORE GEORGIA OPSAHL 30 JEAN DEE Jane Ahrens will be on vacation and out of the Church Office from October 3 through October 13. Church Office hours will resume on Tuesday, October 16, at 9 a.m. Thanks to all who helped out with serving, clean up and provided food for the Launch Sunday luncheon. Special thanks to Lucy and Chuck Schweitzer who brought Italian beef, mostaccioli and a delicious cake celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary on September 14. Rick & Rosie Ruelo, 2400 Via Mariposa W. 1F, Laguna Woods, CA Walt & Donna Larson, Beacon Hill, Apt 271, 2400 S. Finley Road, Lombard, IL Jonathan & Joanna Leonor, 624 S. Beverly, Addison, IL There will be a Bridal Shower for Alex Robbins on Sunday, October 1 p.m. in the lower level of the church. Alex will be marrying Kyle Artrip here at Faith Church on November 17. They are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond; Target and Crate and Barrel. For more information, please see Hannah Leonor. Congratulations to our own Donna Larson who recently competed in the Senior Olympics in Springfield, Illinois. Donna received two silver medals and one gold medal for her three events: running long jump, standing long jump and race walking. Page 7

8 Come Worship with Us WORSHIP IN OCTOBER October 7 the Bible Series The New Testament October 14 the Bible Series The Nature of Scripture Sundays At 10 a.m. October 21 October 28 the Bible Series Bible and Science the Bible Series Troubling Issues Page 8 Faith Evangelical United Methodist Church Creating Connections Through Extending Christ s Love 111 W. North Avenue Elmhurst, IL faithelm@gmail.com Rev. Uziel Hernandez, Pastor Jane Ahrens, Church Office Manager Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Office Hours 9 AM - Noon Tuesday through Thursday OCTOBER 2018