T H E S T A R Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 2018 T H E S T A R Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES 4:00 p.m. Children and Family Worship with Candelighting (A minute service designed especially for little ones and their short attention spans!) 8:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion PLEASE NOTE WORSHIP TIMES Worship times for the weekends preceding and following Christmas Eve will remain as usual. Worship services for Saturday, December 22, 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 23, 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. will be Lessons and Carols services. There will be no Sunday School on December 22, 29, and January 6.

2 Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve 2 A Few Words From Pastor Feltman Greetings, fellow Epiphaneans! As I write this, I m looking out my office window at this winter s first dump of snow. It reminds us that, whether we look forward to it or not, the seasons change, and life moves on. It feels to me that the seasons are changing in our ministry at Epiphany, too. Let me give you an update on what s going on. Intentional Impact Maybe you have heard some of us talking about Intentional Impact. That is a consulting firm that has been helping the Council focus our programs and ministries around a common vision. The Council has met several times with our consultants, and we are now meeting in smaller working groups to strategize about five priorities we have identified. There is no secret about what the Council is doing. If you d like a preview, just ask one of the Council members. We will complete the first phase of our work with Intentional Impact soon, and we look forward to sharing with the whole congregation what we have come up with. Capital Campaign Many of you know that a couple of groups have been working to assess the needs for renovation of our rapidly-aging building. One group has been working on determining priorities; another has been working on figuring out how we re going to raise the money for the renovation. The fund-raising group recommended to Council, and Council agreed, to hire Walsh & Associates to help us with our funding needs. The first step is to conduct a feasibility study. Approximately 30 individuals or families will be interviewed by our Walsh consultant to gauge the interest in a renovation project and to give us an idea about how much we might be able to raise for the project. The interviews will be conducted in January, and Walsh will present a report to Council at its January meeting. Once the report is received, Council will make a recommendation to the congregation about the scope and timing of a capital campaign. If the Council recommends a capital campaign, a congregational meeting would be planned for congregational approval. What is both exciting and scary to me about these projects is that it has been a long time since Epiphany has done such deep work around our vision and challenged ourselves to raise a large amount of money. From my perspective, we are beginning to move from ministry in crisis and transition to ministry that is settled and well-planned. Again, that is both exciting and scary. I invite each of you to pray hard about your investment in what God is doing at Epiphany. To accomplish the goals of these big projects will take commitment from us all unlike we have seen in a long time. I know many of you have big dreams about what we can do in Christ s name in our community. I do, too, and I pray that we will be faithful to the task. I ll see you in church on Sunday! Pastor Ron Feltman

3 Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve 3 Baptisms Are you interested in having your child baptized at Epiphany? The sacrament of baptism is the first step of a life-long journey of faith, where we become part of the body of Christ. The Lutheran tradition teaches that in baptism, we die to our old, sinful selves and are raised from the water into a new life in Christ, just as Christ once rose from the grave. As parents, we promise during our child s baptism to teach them about the faith and to care for our child s spiritual life until they are ready to take on their baptismal promises for themselves. If you are interested in having your child baptized at Epiphany, we ask that you come to a baptism class in the chapel to learn more about this sacrament, and to schedule your child s baptism. Our schedule of baptism classes for the year is as follows: Sunday, January 13 at 10:45am Sunday, March 10 at 10:45am Sunday, May 19 at 10:45am If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jennifer at (630) or JenniferMoser@EpiphanyElmhurst.org. We hope to see you there! New Member Orientation and Reception Those who wish to become members of Epiphany are asked to attend an orientation session prior to joining. The orientation sessions are typically held the week prior to the reception of new members and are at 10:45 a.m. in the Chapel. New members are received during the 9:30 a.m. worship service. If you would like to become a member of Epiphany, please contact Pastor Ron Feltman at (630) or Ron.Feltman@EpiphanyElmhurst.org. Orientation sessions and new member receptions are scheduled on the following dates: December 9 Orientation December 16 New Members Received 2018 Financial Commitments Reminder As we close out the year and celebrate the birth of Christ during the Advent season, we ask that you review your year-to-date offerings compared to your 2018 commitments. Please note that all gifts and offerings are greatly appreciated. Confirmation Classes Confirmation Classes During the month of December, we will meet on Wednesdays, December 5, 12 and 19, 6:30 pm 7:45 pm. There is no Confirmation on Wednesday, December 26, or January 2. Confirmation will resume on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

4 Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve 4 LYO LYO stands for Lutheran Youth Organization and is for all youth in grades We meet once a week in the Loft up the stairs from the Epiphany Center to do weekly check-ins and engage in an activity such as conversation on a topic related to our Christian faith or a Bible study. We also get together about once a month for a service project and/or a social event. Please let Pastor Anna know (Anna.Ernst@EpiphanyElmhurst.org) if you are not receiving the weekly LYO Mailchimp newsletter and would like to. Our plans do sometimes change or get adjusted, and the e-newsletter is the best way to stay aware of these changes. LYO Christmas Cookie Bake-In Group Work Camp Update Sunday, December 2 LYO, 9:30 am Sunday, December 9 LYO TBA Sunday, December 16 LYO TBA This year, we are going to work camp in Savannah, GA. The theme of programming for this week is Relentless. The dates for our trip to work camp are Friday, July 19 Sunday, July 28, The total cost of work camp is $625; the remaining payments will be collected in winter and spring Please continue to inform Pastor Anna if you would like to go to Group Work Camp this year. Scholarships and fundraising opportunities are available. Saturday, December 22 - Cookie Bake-In (see below) Sunday, December 23 and 30 NO LYO On Saturday, December 22 at 6:30 p.m., LYO will gather for a Christmas cookie bakein to bake Christmas cookies for Christmas Eve. Just like last year, donations of the following key cookie-baking ingredients would be greatly appreciated, and will be accepted up until Saturday, December 22. Please place in clearly marked box by the couch at the base of the stairs to the Loft: white sugar, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, Pam/cooking spray, vanilla extract, icing, Christmas/winter-themed cookie cutters and decorations (sprinkles, red/green candies, etc), extra baking sheets and platters. Please mark for "LYO Cookie Bake-in" and put in EITHER upstairs or downstairs fridge: pre-made sugar cookie dough, unsalted butter, eggs. DUE TO PEANUT/TREE NUT ALLERGIES IN LYO, PLEASE DO NOT DONATE PEANUT BUTTER. THANK YOU. Christmas cookies will be shared with the Epiphany congregation between Christmas Eve services. A free-will offering will be accepted at that time with all proceeds to benefit the 2019 trip to Group Work Camp in Savannah, GA. LYO THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

5 Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve 5 5 Epiphany Worship Workshops Worship is the renewing heartbeat of our life together as a faith community. At Epiphany, as in congregations everywhere, congregation members serve as leaders in a variety of ways during worship as a part of their greater participation in the life of the community. On Monday, December 3, 7:00-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, December 8, 10:30 am - 12:00 noon, Pastor Anna will be hosting "Epiphany Worship Workshops: Continuing Education, Training/Re-Training, and Renewal for Epiphany Worship Leaders" in the Sanctuary. These will be identical workshops held on two separate days - participants may choose the date and time that works best for them. These worship workshops will be open to all current and first-time interested assisting ministers, readers, communion assistants, altar guild members, and ushers. The purposes of the workshops are: to learn about why worship is foundational to our life together, and why we have non-ordained worship leaders in the church to come together and discuss the specific roles that worship leaders play at Epiphany, including an in-person review of roles, and to train any new interested worship leaders in the above categories The workshop will consist of 1) a Powerpoint presentation and discussion in the sanctuary and 2) break-out time to discuss and practice within the categories of worship leaders above. Worship workshop attendance will NOT be required in order to continue serving in the worship leader role that one currently serves in, but will be strongly recommended because it will almost certainly be helpful and hopefully be fun! This workshop is open to all ages, including confirmation and LYO youth. We will begin and conclude promptly and on-time. Please sign up in the Epiphany Center or by contacting Pastor Anna by calling the office at (630) , or ing anna.ernst@epiphanyelmhurst.org. Please contact Pastor Anna if you have any questions or would like to hear more!

6 Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve 6 Seasoned Citizens - A New Event Featuring Education, Food, Fellowship Seniors, please join us on Wednesday, December 19 at 11:00 a.m. in Epiphany Center for food, fellowship, and a program. Music, lunch, and holiday celebrations will be the order of the day. If you consider yourself a senior (we ll be carding at the door!), please join us for the third of this recurring program once a month on Wednesdays. Tree of Love and Caring Thanks You! The Outreach Committee thanks all who donated gifts for this year s Tree of Love and Caring benefitting children and families who are a part of foster care and case management programs run by Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI). Thank you for showing Christ s love during this Advent season! ELCA World Hunger Advent Calendars Advent 2018 calendars are available on the Tree of Love and Caring table. Each day contains a different hymn verse, scripture reading, thought for the day, or idea for supporting the work of ELCA World Hunger. Please feel free to take one to add to your devotional life this Advent. Check It Out! "We've almost memorized the Bible story, we've sung the carols, we've hung the holly, and we've baked the turkey. When it comes to Christmas, we've done it all." Then Max Lucado, Jack Hayford, David Jeremiah, John Maxwell, Bill Hybels, and Rick Warren rise to the challenge of showing new insights into the traditional holiday. "At the very first Christmas, many people missed it because they were too busy looking for other things." Herod and the innkeeper overlooked God's workings. "The wise men would probably have preferred a more personalized kind of guidance, but the point is they were responsive to the guidance God provided." The Heart Of Christmas, a tiny book of essays, is excellent for a jaded celebrant. Many novels featuring Christmas can also be checked out for FREE! --Assistant Librarian Teri

7 Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve 7 Men In Mission Annual Christmas Dinner and Fundraiser Join the fun at Men in Mission s Annual Christmas Dinner and Fundraiser! When: 6:27 p.m. Tuesday, December 11 Where: Epiphany Center Why: This is our main fundraiser of the year, with emphasis on helping needy families at Christmas, especially Epiphany members. Through this event we provide families in need with food, clothing, and gifts for children. About 30 people received help from Men in Mission last year at Christmas through the generosity of Epiphany and the Elmhurst business community. Throughout the year we also provide funds for medical, utility, and housing expenses, and help Epiphany organizations that assist the needy. How you can help Buy a ticket - $15.00 per person (adults only). Tickets will be on sale December 1-2 and December 8-9. Donate items to be used as prizes at the event. Items should be new, in excellent condition, and in original packaging, if possible. Members have also contributed handmade items. Donate money - We gratefully accept donations if you are unable to attend, either cash or checks made out to Men In Mission. We honor requests for anonymity, if desired. If you have any questions, please contact the co-chairmen of Men In Mission: Bill Friberg at (630) or Tom Connolly at (630) or speak to any of the Men In Mission board members: Brendan Connor, Phil Darling, Kurt Fowich, Greg Lippert, Steve Martich, David Norquist, Wes Odean, Gary Sanders, Roy Schroeder Sr., Roy Schroeder Jr., Bob Sutherland, Scott Sutherland, John Swasko. Lutheran Men In Mission Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church 314 W. Vallette Elmhurst, IL (630) Thank You Thank you to my Epiphany family. Your prayers, cards, altar flowers and good wishes were very much appreciated, during my recent hospital stay. Please continue the prayers as I continue my recovery at home. Roy Schroder, Sr.

8 Epiphany Around The World 8 We are starting a new section of the Star called "Epiphany Around The World! Have you, members of your family, or other Epiphany friends participated in something noteworthy in Elmhurst, Chicagoland, or elsewhere? Received an award? Marked a significant milestone or accomplishment? Let us know! Please Teri Kleck at kleck27knows@yahoo.com, with relevant details and pictures, links to websites or newsletter articles, etc. Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world..." - Teresa of Ávila Epiphany Scout News The Cub Scouts of Pack 23 (and families) enjoyed a five-mile hike during their October 27th campout at Greene Valley Forest Preserve. Pack 23 is mostly boys from Lincoln School and is sponsored by Epiphany. Holding the flag front and center are Epiphany's Cole Wilson (Bear Den) and Landon Beerhalter (Weebelos II Den)." This clipping of our Scouts in a nearby park was submitted anonymously. If part of your Advent or Christmas celebration is an act of service, consider taking a photo this year to share with the church. Please submit a copy of the photo, the names of the Epiphany members pictured, the name of the person who took the photo, and the name of the organization or project. As always, when taking pictures, please be aware of your physical surroundings and be considerate of others.

9 OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve 22 9 Sunday School Christmas Program Sunday, December 16, 9:30 a.m. Sunday, January 6, 2019 LYO, LYO Alumni and Families SPECIAL PRESENTATION/ANNOUNCEMENT FELLOWSHIP HALL 10:45 am Saturday, Jan 20 - Sunday, Jan 21, 2019 LYO Guys (led by Jake/Andrew) & LYO Ladies (led by P. Anna/Katie) Overnight Retreats more details TBA soon

10 OUR OUR CHURCH CHURCH COMMUNJITY COMMUNITY 10 Did You Know? Festival of Lessons and Carols Friday, November 30 First performance 4:00-5:30 p.m.; second performance 7:00-8:30 p.m, Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, Elmhurst College, 190 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst The Festival of Lessons and Carols is an Elmhurst College tradition that bridges the season of Advent and Christmastide. Held since 1961, the Festival consists of nine Scriptural readings that tell the story of the birth of the Messiah, interspersed with choral music. The Elmhurst College Concert Choir will perform timehonored songs to accompany each reading and set the holiday mood. FREE. events Wilder Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show Saturday, December 1, 2018 Sunday, January 6, 2019 Month of December: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Month of January: 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 pm; Wilder Park Conservatory, 225 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst Escape the cold and get in the holiday spirit at Wilder Park Conservatory s stunning holiday floral display. FREE. Christmas in Elmhurst Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16 Saturday 7:00 p.m., Sunday 6:00 p.m.; York High School Performing Arts Auditorium, 355 W. St. Charles, Elmhurst Elmhurst Community Choir and Orchestra, under the baton of Dennis Criser. FREE - All Welcome - Our gift to our community! Morton Arboretum Free Day Tuesday, December 25 7:00 a.m. sunset 4100 IL-53, Lisle Buildings, Children s Garden, and Illumination closed. Enjoy free admission on Christmas Day at The Morton Arboretum! Come hike, bike, or drive our grounds. If there's more than 4 inches of snow, you can bring your snowshoes or cross country skis! There will be restroom access in the West Pavilion of the Visitor Center and the Thornhill Shelter.

11 OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY December Birthdays 1 Brian Schleich 2 Katie Strauch 3 Scott Bonthron, Leon Casey-Bell, Charlie Sutton 4 Kim Mehring, Nilsen Hurst, Adam Haukland 5 Josie Heard, Talyor Allen 6 Gracie Durham, Tony Hall, Debbie Persenico 7 Madyson Hudson 8 George Redfearn, Madden Michalski 9 Caroline Dierksheide, Peter Connor, Dan Wachholz 10 Fred Antlsperger 12 Melinda Hudson, Anna Thiel, Phyllis Field, Rachael Gould 13 Stephen Callahan, Blaire Porter, Barbara Nelson, Rebecca Hartley, Matthew Moser, Kaylee Ewald 14 Graham Biery, Madeline Schleich 15 Kris Johnson, Julia Neri, Marilyn DeVries, Erin Lewis, Jacob Lupa 16 Scott Bublitz 17 Erin Ewald, Kristi Gibbs 18 Phil Darling, Wendy Russo 21 Erik Berg 22 Andrew Langer 23 Victoria Biery 24 Mary K. Hanson, Jennifer Reichert, Travis Allen 25 Lori Lewis 26 Melanie Bublitz 27 Arlene Taylor, Owen Stufflbeam 28 David Wentzel, Sheila Durbin, Kim Kortes 29 Owen Hurst, Madelyn Honsey, Kelli Marti, Jessica Sutherland 30 Nancy Langer 31 Camden Hildy December Anniversaries 8 Robert and Judith Scheuerman 16 David and Joyce McGowan 20 Colleen and Michal Korzen 22 Gwen and Richard Becker 28 Chistian and Edward Ewald 30 Tracy and Cathy Hunt Memorials A memorial was received in memory of Jerrie Salchow given by Judy Samuelian.

12 Rooted in Christ Growing in Faith Reaching to Invite and Serve 12 In Our Prayers Our members: Dolores Barney, Richard Becker, Wayne Bell, Larry Bircher, Sienna Dudley, Bill Friberg, Babette Halen, Kristin Hall, Elsa Heinemann, Joyce Hill, Bruce Josephs, Beverly Keller, Mary Kies, Catherine Knapp, Marlene Tegmeyer, Maria Terracciano Our friends: Eli James Becker (grandson of Gwen and Richard Becker), Greg Bukowski (friend of Sandra Vaughn), Laverne Budris (Lisa Budris mother), Donna and Gary Diven (sister and brother-in-law of Gary Sanders, Sr.), Don Feld (Lisa Budris uncle), Ray Feld (Lisa Budris cousin), Dave Frederiksen (Steve Hier s brother-in -law), Gwen Gorman (daughter of Glen and Elsa Heinemann), Sylvia Graham (friend of Sandra Vaughn), Keith Groenwald (former member), Andy Hamblin (Jan Davis son), Lorna Hansen (Amy Rimington s mother), Jan Harms (Jen Mann s mother), Hannah Hodgson (daughter-in-law of Ty and Lois Hodgson), Christa Johnson (friend of the Hedricks), John Johnson (Janet Rudhman s brother), Robert Kampf (friend of Daryl Bartelson), Kevorak Kahvedsian (friend of the Haidles), Jan Kopas (nephew of Mary Langer), Neil Kleinborg (friend of Shirley Swanson), Bob Krzyzewski (Lila Peters brother-in-law), Cindy Krzyzewski (Lila Peters niece), Nicolina Lancia (Nancy Castora s mother), Lindsay Larson (Andrea Redfearn's niece), Marlene Lundgren (Lila Peters sister-in -law), Levi Marquardt (grandson of Rich and Jenny Reichert), Karen McCaa (sister of Amy Pilny),Betsy McKeever (Kristin Hall s aunt), Tim McMahon (friend of Dawn and Gary Sanders, Sr., and Mary Langer), Evan Thomas Mevis (Ruth Blair s grandson), Michael (friend of the Jones family), Parker Morrow (friend of many Epiphany members), Gail Nerison, Nancy O Leary and Family (Sue Mooshool s sister), Joseph Paumier (father of Ben Paumier), Betty Patch (Lori Trimble s mom), Andrew Peters (grandson of Lila Peters), Joe Pilny (David Pilny s father), Carol Raimondi (friend of Kerrie Samuelian), Amber and James Randall (friends of Gwen Becker), Nick Ross (Roy and Joan Schroeder s grandson), John Rossi, Paula Serfling-Nugent (Marlene Tegmeyer s daughter), Brandon Shores (Kim Ptak s cousin), Pat Swanson (Shirley Swanson s sister-in-law), Joan Sturino (sister of Dawn Sanders), Irma Tena (friend of the Johnson family), Matt Toole (friend of Phyllis Field), Tom Tyderek (friend of Joe Schram), John VanFleet (friend of the Tengroths), Jeff Vidt (Sue Kostecki s brother), David Wells (son-in-law of Elsa and Glen Heinemann), Pete Yarema (friend of Joe Schram), Kathleen Zayad (Lynn Howell s sister), Betty Zelent (Cindy O Malley s mother) STAFF DIRECTORY Ronald W. Feltman Pastor Ron.Feltman@EpiphanyElmhurst.org Jennifer S. Moser Pastor Jennifer.Moser@EpiphanyElmhurst.org Anna Ernst Pastor Anna.Ernst@EpiphanyElmhurst.org Jack Graham Office Administrator Jack.Graham@EpiphanyElmhurst.org Ollie Townsend Interim Music Director Ollie.Townsend@EpihanyElmhurst.org Scott Miller Faith Formation Assistant Scott.Miller@EpiphanyElmhurst.org Maria Terracciano Custodian Maria.Terracciano@EpiphanyElmhurst.org Thank you to everyone who submits articles to The Star. Articles submitted are subject to review by the editor. Any significant revisions will be discussed with the author of the article. You may contributions to: info@epiphanyelmhurst.org Deadline for submissions for the January edition is Friday, December 14.

13 Rooted Rooted in Christ Christ Growing Growing Faith in Faith Reaching to to Invite Invite and Serve and Serve 16 Poinsettia Plants Only Two Sundays to Order! You can help beautify the chancel area for Christmas by purchasing a poinsettia plant. To place your order, please complete the form below and mail it to Dawn Sanders, 572 Saylor, Elmhurst, IL or put it in the Altar Guild mailbox in the church office. Please include payment of $15.00 per plant with your order. Checks should be made payable to Epiphany Lutheran Church. You may pick up your plant after the 8:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve services, or you may leave it for delivery to our sick or shut-in members. Please indicate your preference on the form and be sure your order is placed by Sunday, December 9. If you have any questions, please call Dawn Sanders at (630) Thank you! CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA PLANTS ORDERS ARE DUE DECEMBER 9. Number of plants ($15.00 each please include payment making checks payable to Epiphany Lutheran Church) Name: Address: Phone: Please designate: We will pick up the plant(s) after the 8:00 or 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Please deliver the plant(s) to a sick or shut-in person.