THE KEYS ST. PETER S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST GRANT PARK, IL

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1 THE KEYS ST. PETER S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST GRANT PARK, IL November

2 SO, WE'RE GETTING A NEW PASTOR...NOW WHAT? I understand that churches all around the world seem to get new pastors quite frequently; however, for some people, adapting to a new pastor can be a difficult challenge. As I've been praying about this future calling at St. Peter's, I thought I'd share a few personal suggestions or ideas for what you can do as a church family as my family and I prepare for this exciting calling in Grant Park. PRAY - First, nothing of spiritual significance can be done without prayer. As I commit myself to pray for each of you along your journeys of faith, I ask that you'd pray for my family and I. What specific things can you pray for? Pray that we adapt to a new environment away from our comfort zones of family relationships and current and past friendships. Next, pray for our faith. The apostle Paul wrote, "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel. That is my desire, that I can lead St. Peter's closer to God and grow together in unity and faith with one another. SHOW UP - Our society and culture has many things battling for our attention and time, but we should never compromise our time together as the Body of Christ. The more we are together whether it s in church, Sunday School, social events, etc. the better we'll know each other and the better we can be at encouraging one another as we'll learn to laugh together and cry together. I was amazed at the attendance during our trial sermon weekend, and I pray, that that is just the beginning of what the church can do. BE YOU - As I have grown in ministry I have found it very important to be me and to be real. I won't hide the fact that I'm not a perfect person. I won't hide the fact that I make mistakes. I certainly won't hide the fact that I don't have all the answers. I'll be real with you. In return, be real with my family and I. I don't expect anyone to be anyone or anything different than who you are 2

3 and who God created you to be. I want to get to know each of you on a personal level and trust me, I'll accept you just the way you are. Please accept me just the way I am (even if I'm an Indians' fan - smile). APPROACH US - I don't know why it is, but over the years I've had people in church and in the community who shy away from us because we are the Pastor's family. You don't need to be that way with us. We'd love your company, your friendship, and your encouragement. Don't hesitate to call, , text, stop by, approach us in the community, etc. The best way we can feel welcomed is to spend time with people. In fact, after we get established, we'd love to have time on a regular basis with people playing games, cards, cookouts, etc. Stay tuned for those events. SHARE WITH US - Finally, I'd ask that you would share with us what's going on. If you have a prayer request or a joy, let us know. If you know of an event that maybe would be fun for our family to attend in the area, please let us know as we don't know a whole lot about the area. If you are a student or a parent of a student, please let us know if you are in a play, a sporting event, a concert, or something else and we'll do our best to attend. We look extremely forward to being with you in just a few weeks. Our target date is to arrive around November 28th or 29th and be in church on December 2nd. May God bless you all this Thanksgiving! Pastor Kyle, Jackie, Nick, Rebecca, and Anna. 3

4 Pack your travel bags! Pastor Kyle is planning on leading a trip to Israel in the Fall of 2019 (most likely November) and would like you to come along! See and experience the Holy Land and allow the Bible to come alive. Pastor Kyle has visited Israel in the past and is looking forward to leading his first trip. Anyone is welcome to travel with us (friends and family from out of state, etc.) but to get a better idea of who all is interested and to provide more information about the possible trip we will have a meeting sometime in early January at the church. Please stay tuned for more announcements as to the introductory meeting and any other pertinent information. A REMINDER Sunday, Nov 4 th Daylight Saving Time ends. Turn your clocks Back - (Fall Back) one hour Fusion Youth Group Come one, come all!! Fusion will be having a fall bonfire on November 4 th from 3-5 pm. There will be fun fall themed games, snacks, and hot chocolate provided. Please bring a friend with you, the more the merrier!! If you have any questions or would like to come, please contact Jessica Frahm. 4

5 HANGING OF THE GREENS We will have the Hanging of the Greens (the decorating of the church building and sanctuary for Christmas) during worship December 2nd. Members of the Worship Committee will have the decorations ready so the decorations simply have to be put up. YOUNG AT HEART The Grant Park Seniors will be meeting on Monday, November 12 th from 1:00 3:00 pm. Desserts will be served at the Community Center, Dixie Highway in Grant Park. YOU RE INVITED FOR COFFEE BEFORE WORSHIP! Don t forget the coffee bar in the Sunday school entrance area each Sunday morning from 9:00 am 10:15 am. You re invited to have a cup of coffee before worship. Proceeds will go to the Board of Christian Education. In Our Thoughts and Prayers: Stanley Schneider prayers for comfort, Devyn (Dawn Schroeder s Niece) prayers for healing, Luke Hamann prayers for healing, Peggy Heusing prayers for healing, Peggy Weybright prayers for healing, Ken Erickson prayers for healing, Chlora Hyrup (Kim Sherwood s Grandmother) prayers for healing and all of God s children seeking comfort, peace, and love. Concerns The family and friends of Vic Frahm who passed away on September 10,

6 MONTHLY CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS Phone Lift..Use the phone in the lift to call 911 for help if you get stranded in lift and no one is around to help you. Organ...Maintenance is scheduled every 2 years, starting in Judy Schneider will keep the schedule. Christian Ed will discuss curtains for the downstairs windows. Todd Sherwood will be moving Pastor Kyle and his family's personal property on and Duct Cleaning and cleaning of the parsonage has been completed except the kitchen and bathrooms which we are asking our members to help with this job. Painting will be done the week of Oct. 28th. We will keep you posted of continued work to be done at the Parsonage and Church and the expenses incurred. We thank everyone for your generous donations for the Parsonage Expenses. We ask that you still continue to donate. NOVEMBER MISSION GIVING Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM) Also known as Basic Support, our contributions support God s mission in the Illinois Conference, nationally, and globally. 71% of our contribution stays in Illinois to carry out the mission of the Illinois Conference. Part of that mission is the support of local church pastors and the local churches, helping local churches during the search and call process, and providing intervention teams to help local churches work through times of challenge. Neighbors in Need (NIN) The total offering received for NIN was $ Thank you for your generous offering OTHER OFFERINGS Proceeds from the Bunco Fest were $ This amount will be sent to the Angola Hymnal Project. 6

7 NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2 8:00 am Turkey Supper Work Day 3 4:00-8:00 ST. PETER S TURKEY SUPPER 4 9:00 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Service Totenfest/ Communion 6 7:00 pm Christian Education Meeting 7 7:00 pm Adult Choir practice Dart Peotone at GP 11 9:00 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Service 12 1:00-3:00 Young at Heart desserts served 14 7:00 pm Adult Choir practice Dart GP at Peotone 18 9:00 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Service 1:30 pm Mid-season dart tournament at Peotone atrium 21 7:00 pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship/Communion 22 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! 25 9:00 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Service 27 7:00 pm Church Council Meeting 28 7:00 pm Adult Choir practice Dart Matteson at Grant Park CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND CHURCH ON A REGULAR BASIS Mrs. Mabel Phebus Mrs. Louise Sievers Mrs. Doris Laking State Line Rd 891 Exeter Turn, Unit C Humme Home for the Lowell, IN Bourbonnais, IL Aging 604 S Webb Wittenberg, WI Minnie Pfingsten Bonnie Hamann Pauline Mitchell 703 N East St 9811 N 8000E Rd Bickford Sr. Living Hudson, IL Grant Park, IL Jones Drive Room 227 Bourbonnais, IL

8 NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY LIST These birthdays are compiled from church membership records. Please call to our attention any omissions or corrections Ashlee Ekhoff 1 Gary Ekhoff 16 Kathy Sievers 2 Tanner Barrera 16 Norma Lehnert 3 Jayne Frahm 17 Karri Barrera 3 Jim Hamann 17 Jennie Hamann 3 Molly Markland 17 Greg Engleking 4 Al Stanbro 18 Bruce Heldt 5 Emily Marek 18 Jeff Hamann 5 Dan Schneider 20 Kim Couwenhoven 5 Hadleigh Loitz 20 Kyle Timmons 8 Hank Isbell 20 Kole Stadt 9 Seth Hamann 23 Gordon Schneider 9 Brian Morris 24 Roger Sturm 10 Jill Shafer 24 Christian Benson 11 Kennedy Marcotte 25 Tyler Claussen 12 Andy Dillman 27 Kathy Ekhoff 14 Gigi Schneider 28 Elaine Frahm 15 Nick Hamann 28 Hayden Lehnert 16 Joshua Lorenz 29 Marion Duensing 16 Chris Claussen 29 FOOD PANTRY The food pantry at St. Luke s UCC in Beecher is currently providing food for families on average. If you are looking for suggestions canned fruit, sugar free items, canned pasta, paper products, and personal products like toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo are always needed. The pantry will be open on from 9:00-11:00, on the second Saturday of each month. Your donations are always appreciated! Thank You! 8

9 Please Join us for St. Peter s UCC Annual TURKEY SUPPER SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 TH 4:00 8:00 PM ADULTS - $12.00 KIDS 6-12 YEARS - $6.00 UNDER 5 YEARS - FREE ALL CARRYOUTS - $10.00 * Join us for our all-you-can- eat supper of Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Rolls, Cranberries, and Fruit Salad and desserts Many themed baskets to be raffled!!!! 9

10 ST. PETER S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 310 N. MEADOW ST. P.O. BOX 220 GRANT PARK, IL Church Office / Parsonage (815) Church Addresses: stpetersgp@sbcglobal.net Church Website: Facebook: St. Peters UCC Grant Park Church Office Hours: Tuesday Friday; 9:00 AM 1:00 PM STAFF Marcia Langlois, Office Administrator Beverly Junker, Financial Secretary Ann Smith, Senior Choir Director Kathy Ekhoff, Junior Choir Director Judy Schneider and Shari Ohm, Organists Peg McCraw, Custodian Jessica Frahm & Kole Stadt - Youth Advisors CHURCH COUNCIL Evelyn Bond, President Garry Junker, Vice President Kelly Schneider, Secretary Susan Williamson, Treasurer, Ron Hamann, Assistant Treasurer Sandy Erickson, Kaleb Frahm, Vicki Gawlinski, Russell Koehn No Matter Who You Are or Where you Are on Life s Journey, You Are Welcome Here 10