We Can Do It, We Can Do It, We Can Do It if We Try!

Transcription

1 5 04/27/2016 We Can Do It, We Can Do It, We Can Do It if We Try! This is such an exciting time at HOPE. So much is going on. The future looks bright. The atmosphere is one of excitement and HOPE. Last week Pastor Lucas shared all the successes HOPE has had in these past 4 ½ months Successes of our PADS program under the direction of Nick and Jane Dempsey; Our Ministry Council Retreat and the Plan under the direction of Pastor Lucas and Jeanne Smith; Game Show Palooza with profits way above the estimate under the direction of Jane Trotta and Jeanne Smith and all the HOPErs that worked not only to put it together but those that worked the event; Our Islamic Center of Naperville Gathering at HOPE and HOPE s presence at their Open House as well as our ongoing friendship; Our JHLTB under the direction of Jill Hruska so much done and so many HOPE families involved; SOUPerbowl Sunday celebration with so many of our HOPE families; Our Children and Youth involvement in our Sunday services, in particular on Communion Sundays; Pastor Lucas Installation with so many of our HOPE Families near and far in attendance as well as all the Clergy in attendance. HOPE has so many blessing from God. We need to just follow God s lead as we move forward. We need to share our ideas, talents, and energy as much as we can even if it can only be on Sundays. We have our Ministry Chair people taking the lead with the many committees, but we need everyone young and old, new to HOPE and those who have seen us transition, to invest in our future so that we meet or even surpass our goals. No idea is silly or not worth mentioning; No dollar amount is too small to give; No amount of time working on a committee, working on a project, or involvement in our Sunday service is inconsequential or unappreciated. So much we can Do, so much we can Be if we all just invest in HOPE. I am so excited to be a part of HOPE with all of you my HOPE family as we all move forward. Our future is at our fingertips. Together we can make all the hopes and dreams for our future come to fruition. Anna Ahonen Your VERY EXCITED Worship Ministry Chair We can do it if we try! Together! Family!

2 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas! Have you kept the movement going? Bring someone a coffee, just how they like it. Give away clothing you don t need. Participate in a charity walk/run. Buy someone a lottery scratch ticket. Send a card or handwritten note to a friend. Donate to a table outside of a store. Spend a morning at an animal shelter. Give an afternoon to a soup kitchen. Donate needed items to a shelter. Leave quarters in gum ball machine. Bring in a neighbor s trash bins. Leave a nice comment on a blog. Pay someone a compliment. Spend quality time with a family member. Put change in a vending machine. Drop off a toy or game at a homeless shelter. Send someone a small gift anonymously. Bring flowers to your friend or a neighbor. Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru. Write encouraging post-its for strangers to find. Text a friend to say you re thinking of them. Bring a treat to share with your coworkers. Let someone merge into your lane in traffic. Let someone cut in front of you in line. Stop at a child s lemonade stand. Return a shopping cart to its proper place. Tell someone how they have impacted your life. Donate $1 to the next tip jar you see. Take care of the chores your partner hates. Leave a used book in a cafe. Tip your restaurant server generously. Tell someone you love them. Pick up the tab. Freely offer your skills. Give someone you love an unexpected hug. Make a donation to a cause you believe in. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Show support to an artist. Smile at strangers. Make cards & mail them to a senior center. Rake your neighbor s leaves. Donate old electronics.

3 News & Notes PADS - Feed the Homeless!! HOPE S ANNUAL STEAK FRY - PLEASE HELP!!! On Wednesday, May 11, HOPE UCC will be holding its annual Steak Fry for our May PADS dinner for the 10 th year in a row!! Originally organized by Barb and Bill Zigterman, the PADS Steak Fry has become a much anticipated event for our homeless guests. To make it special, we will be grilling Ribeye steaks, marinated chicken breasts, Portabella mushrooms (for vegetarians), and hotdogs for children. Baked potatoes, corn, sautéed mushrooms, salad and dessert will complete the meal. We need your help to make it happen!! If you are able to assist, we will need: 2 Volunteers to purchase and sauté two pounds of sliced mushrooms 3 Volunteers to purchase and bake 15 medium-sized potatoes 4 Volunteers to Adopt a Dessert (Dessert kits will be available at HOPE this Sunday) 1 Volunteer to purchase 10 two-liter bottles of caffeine-free soda or fruit juice Many large and small donations to help defray the cost of the meal!! TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE /CALL Nick Dempsey (pndempsey@aol.com or ) or SIGN UP AT HOPE this Sunday. Note: Those volunteers preparing the sautéed mushrooms, baked potatoes and desserts may either deliver your food to HOPE during the day on Wednesday, March 11th by 2:00 p.m. or to First Congregational Church, 25 E. Benton, in downtown Naperville by 6:30 p.m. that evening. Please let me know if you have any questions. THANK YOU!!! Nick Dempsey Jesus Has Left the Building and We re Following Him HOPE UCC s next Jesus Has Left the Building and We re Following Him event is Sunday morning, May 29. We will have two projects: 1. At HOPE, we will continue to work on fleece blankets for the children s Care Bags Foundation & adult cancer patients thru Phil s Friends 2. An outside lawn clean-up project that s waiting confirmation After our event the two groups will meet up for a fast-food lunch & fellowship. Sign-ups will be in the church lobby beginning next Sunday. HOPE UCC s JHLB&WFH program is when on 5 th Sundays (which happen about four times a year) instead of a morning service, HOPE UCC participates in community service events. For questions & suggestions, contact Jill at jillhruska@comcast.net

4 At last Sunday s Quarterly Congregational Meeting Pastor Lucas brought up these 10 things we already have to celebrate so far in There is so much to be excited about!

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6 Sharing Joys & Concerns Please keep these people & events in your prayers: Please heal Dad s right foot, so he may fully enjoy the rest of his trip! (Ravinia & Dee Zillmer) Wendy Zach, who was hospitalized but, she is home now. Keep her and Lori in your prayers. (Mark Geiger & Ellen Brady) Rudy dealing with artery, heart, and back issues, and experiencing a lot of pain. His conditions have complicated treatment plans. May doctors find solutions. Also pray for Jackie, his worried wife and caregiver. (The Zillmer Family) Jackie Pierce, who is dealing with an overwhelming number of difficult situations while Les is out of town. (Jane & Nick Dempsey) Linda Ley, who underwent successful eye surgery last week. (Jane & Nick Dempsey) Valerie & George Ries, my sister and brother-in-law. They are having a hard time adjusting to assisted living. (Mary Alessandri) The people in Houston who are dealing with the flood damage from last week. (E. Cooley) Nathan s cousin, Rusty, whose wife died very unexpectedly. Her name was Whitney Souder, and they have two sons, Justin and Blake. Pray for peace. (E. Cooley) Congratulations to Wendy and Lori Zach, who celebrated their first wedding anniversary on April 11. (Ellen & Mark) Thanks to all who helped me get moved into my new condo, especially Mark, Ellen, Laurie, Shannon, Nicole, Zach, and Melody. I never could have done it without you. (Sally Bice) Joy! Grateful for good friends, and good weather during my spring break from teaching. (Bea)

7 Celebrating Birthdays 04/27 Linda Smith 04/27 Shannon Lane 04/30 Mary Kroening 05/02 Michael Manderino 05/17 Ava Manderino If we ve missed your birthday, please HOPE s Office Manager at HOPE@shareHOPE.org. HOPE LIBRARY You may reserve items (books, videos or tapes) by calling HOPE s Office Manager at ( ) during office hours; by checking them out at HOPE UCC any time it is open; or by calling Les & Jackie Pierce, HOPE Librarians, at (630) ADULT QUEST Every 9 a.m. PLEASE NOTE: Adult Quest will be postponed until Sunday, May 8, due to the Camino walk. We will resume with Science and Religion on May 8 at 9 a.m. Thank you. We will continue with the " "Living the Questions" series. Our new topic is - "Painting the Stars-Science, Religion and Evolving Faith." The Question being asked is - Does "change" affect how we view our belief system? What is real and what is important!? Join us as we take a journey exploring the issues of science and religion and where they agree and disagree. HOPE S Leadership Pastor Lucas Grobe Moderator Jeanne Smith Des. Moderator Becky McCabe Past Moderator Marie Higgins Treasurer Laurie Hogrewe Secretary Julie Hapke Registrar Ellen Brady Community Life Mark Geiger Education Tracy Urben Pastor-Parish Tim Higgins/Jay Hruska Marketing & Communications Zach Jarabeck Resource & Operations Les Pierce Worship Anna Ahonen Librarians Les & Jackie Pierce Photo Archive Anna Ahonen Webmaster Jenn Revoldt KID S QUEST Following our Children s Time Service April Theme Earth Day HOPE United Church of Christ 1701 Quincy Avenue, Suite 27 Naperville, IL The Reverend Lucas Grobe Pastor Lucas Cell Pastor Lucas pastor@sharehope.org Office Phone Office hope@sharehope.org Website Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Deadline for additions or corrections to the next issue of HOPE Happenings is May 3, by 2 p.m. Announcements for Sunday due by Wednesday of each week. Thanks!

8 UPCOMING HOPE UCC May 4, Wednesday May 11, Wednesday May 11, Wednesday May 18, Wednesday May 19, Thursday May 25, Wednesday May 29, Sunday Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville. Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville. PADS Last Dinner of the Season Details outlined in the article in this issue. Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville. Women Out to Lunch (Noon) Join the women of HOPE on the third Thursday of each month. Lively conversation, great food & warm fellowship is waiting for you at Giordano s Restaurant at 119 S. Main Street, in downtown Naperville. Parking is available in the lot across from the restaurant or the Van Buren Parking Building. Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville. Jesus Has Left the Building and We re Following Him Details to be announced.

9 PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM HOPErs Opportunities to Support Worthwhile Causes and share HOPE! Ravinia Zillmer is currently involved in two "drives" supporting RMHC, Lions Club, and all the folks they serve! If you have the following items laying around your home, please consider bringing them to church this Sunday, May 1, to be added to the collection! First Project: Ravinia is learning more about Ronald McDonald House Charities and their guest houses for a school homework assignment. Part of her project involves collecting pop-tops for the charity's fundraising efforts. Her goal is to enter her school into the "Thanks-A-Million" club. Any aluminum pop tabs count (soda, soup, veggies, even pet food). Whatever you can bring this Sunday would be appreciated! Second Project: Ravinia's Girl Scout Troop is collecting eyewear / glasses in support of a program through the Lions Club. If you might have any old eye glasses around the house (due to old prescriptions, outdated style, etc.), please consider bringing them to church this Sunday so they may be shared with someone in need. Thank you in advance for your consideration and support!