Messenger April, 2014

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1 Northbrook United Methodist Church Messenger April, 2014 Breath-Taking: The Gift of Sabbath Rest Pastor Melissa Earley Worship in April Lenten Focus on Sabbath Continues April 6 is the story of Jesus having dinner with Martha and Mary in Luke 10: In that passage Jesus rebukes Martha for being distracted by many things. Can we create Sabbath practices for ourselves that free us from distractions one day a week? How might we fully enjoy one another s company? Easter April 20 Easter is April 20. We will begin the day with a potluck brunch and Easter egg hunt at 9:00 AM. We will then continue with a celebrative worship service as we rejoice in the resurrection. Sabbath keeping is a lot of work! was my observation to a friend recently about our Lenten worship series, Breath-Taking: The Gift of Sabbath Rest. I ve been trying to take my Sabbath time more seriously but it s more complicated than I anticipated. After all, I m not hauling kids from place to place or juggling my schedule with a family. I happen to work someplace that recognizes the importance of Sabbath time and where my schedule is fairly flexible. But still, taking a whole day in which I do no work and find ways to rest, reflect, rejuvenate, and reconnect with God, has been a challenge. I ve realized that my typical day off, Friday, isn t a full Sabbath. Though I avoid church work, Friday is often full of grocery shopping, house cleaning, and errand running. Sundays, the traditional Sabbath, is an official work day for me. I do worship on Sunday and reconnect to God through the music, the scripture passage and the time in prayer. The Sunday evening Bible study feeds me even while it makes demands on my time. What I do know, is that experiencing Sabbath doesn t happen by accident. When I experience Sabbath rest it s because I ve made decisions the rest of the week that make that Sunday afternoon nap or Friday free day possible. Sabbath happens when I ve decided that it s important enough to make time for it. Even though it feels optional, I can tell in my spirit that the time to rest and reconnect to God are vital to my wellbeing. I hope you will start (or continue) to enjoy the gift of Sabbath. Holy Week Holy Week is the week before Easter. It will start with Palm Sunday, April 13 which will include an observance of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his last week of life. The choir will lead our worship service of Palms and Passion. Maundy Thursday, April 17 is the day in which we remember Jesus Last Supper with his disciples. The word Maundy comes from the word command reminding us of his command to us to remember him when we eat together and to serve one another in love. This year, we will invite congregation members to participate in pot luck meals in one another s home. The meals will include brief scripture readings and simple prayers so that all might experience Jesus Last Supper with his disciples. Hosts will be Chris Greulich, Janelle Wood, Sharon Noha, Colleen Yudell and Nancy Nimz. In addition there will be a potluck at the church for choir members. Please sign up on the church bulletin board to attend one of their homes for this worship and fellowship opportunity. More hosts are needed! If you would like to open your home to a small gathering on April 17 please contact Pastor Melissa. Good Friday, April 18 is the observance of Jesus death on the cross. The youth will lead us in this worship service.

2 Northfield Food Pantry April donation is pasta sauce All donations are appreciated and are now being collected in the South wing of the church. Single and Single Again Going Bowling! Melissa Earley If you are single or single again, join us for an evening of games and food on Thursday, April 3 at 7:00 PM, at Pinstripes at 1150 Willow Road in Northbrook. Bowling and Bocce are $5/game. Sandwiches are $12-$14 and entrees are $13- $27. Please RSVP to Pastor Melissa at melissa@northbrookumc.org and vote on whether you d prefer bocce or bowling! Job Openings Bruce Woolman Nursery Attendant We are looking for someone to work in the nursery every Sunday from 9:30 to 11:30 AM to care for infants and toddlers. If you or someone you know is interested in this paid position and is at least 18 years of age, please send an . The ideal candidate will have some background or education in child care. Church Secretary This position is 25 hours per week. The candidate should have a background in administrative work. The church Secretary or office manager is organizing hub of the congregation and the minister of first impressions. The church secretary job description can be found here. Resume and cover letter should be ed. Communications Coordinator - A new Communications Coordinator (10 hours/week) will work to create, implement and oversee the strategy for all communications, marketing, and public relations initiatives for the church internally and externally. This person will ensure consistent and cohesive articulation of the church s identity and core values. Full job description can be found here. Resume and cover letter should be ed. Anyone interested in any of these positions should contact Bruce Woolman or Pastor Melissa Earley. Lenten Fair For All Chris Greulich If you want to learn more about the Sabbath or to do daily devotions during Lent, we have a list of books and digital resources for your use. Find our table in Penberthy Hall. There you will also find samples of books as well as personal instruction on how to access websites and apps for your own electronic device. During Lent, if you want to read daily meditations by contemporary thinkers like Parker Palmer and Maya Angelou, we can show you how. If you like to read the Bible, there are daily scripture selections and commentary from the Upper Room and other sites. If you re intrigued by the book Melissa has quoted in sermons, Sabbath in the Suburbs, we have a sample for you to see. Come check out our table in Penberthy Hall our Lenten Fair of Resources for Lent and beyond. NUMC s Adult Spiritual Formation Team Witness to the Resurrection There are many stories in scripture of experiences of the Risen Christ. During the season of Easter we will explore these different stories in worship. April 27 we will spend time with the story of Doubting Thomas in John 20: May 4 we will remember Jesus appearance to the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus and how the Risen Christ was made known to them in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:13-35). We will also celebrate Holy Communion and celebrate with those who are graduating from high school. May 11, Mother s Day, we will focus on the appearance of Jesus to the disciples after they had returned to their livelihood as fishermen. May 18 we will explore the story of Jesus forgiving Peter for denying him. We will also celebrate Confirmation and Baptism.

3 Beautiful Ruins Discussion April 23 All are welcome to discuss Beautiful Ruins (2013) by Jess Walter. This discussion is being hosted on Wednesday, April 23rd, 7:00 to 8:30, at the home of Liz Renold. The story starts out when a beautiful young American starlet arrives in 1962 to a remote fishing village in Italy and Pasquale Tursi is smitten at first sight. The starlet, Chris Greulich Dee Moray, is an actress in the movie Cleopatra and she s been whisked away to the village to rest on a mistaken diagnosis of a fatal illness. Things take a surprising turn, other characters enter the story. Dee ends up leaving Italy, but she does meet Tursi again, 50 years later and in America. Beautiful Ruins is really a series of vignettes which come together and make sense as a whole. What a treat--this is a vividly written novel by a sharply observant writer. Beautiful Ruins is a spectacular story of love, frustration, selfish intent, and the patience of the human heart. One reviewer wrote: this novel has a quality of spectacle, the epic journey of people who enthrall us with personalities that are bigger than reality.yet the story is set upon hard reality, uncomfortable truths about the frail, often narcissistic nature of identity. Why do we care? We care because we cheer for the book s memorable characters in their earnest search for enduring happiness. Everyone is welcome to the discussion! Please RSVP to Liz Renold. Wrestling With the Resurrection How do we make sense of the Resurrection in the 21st century? The central affirmation of our faith sounds unbelievable to 21st century ears. Join Pastor Melissa for a conversation about the resurrection on Sundays, April 21 and May 4 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Reconciling Ministries Alice Lonoff Do you have a gay friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker? (Hint: the answer is yes). Learn how you can better support this person by attending the showing at NUMC of the 60 minute award-winning film Fish out of Water. The film examines the Bible verses that are used to stigmatize gays, and explains what those verses are really about. After the film there will be a brief Q&A session. Date: Friday, May 2nd Time: 7:00 8:30pm plus the chance to stay longer, have refreshments, and mingle. Place: NUMC Members of PFLAG, LINKS, Northbrook Cares, and other community organizations will be here so you can learn about resources available. You can be out of here by 8:30 unless you want to stay and talk with others. The film is appropriate for 9th graders and up. Questions? Cont a c t A l i c e L o n o f f a t : alonoff@sprynet.com, or call her during business hours at

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6 NORTHBROOK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1190 Western Avenue Northbrook, IL Phone: Fax: Mailing Label Green Movie Night The Promised Land Hosted by Go Green Northbrook A People s History of Christianity How did the church get to be the church? Was the church always institutional and hierarchical? In her book A People's History of Christianity, Diana Butler Bass "reveals an alternate history that includes a deep social ethic and far-reaching inclusivity." Join others from our church for a discussion on "A People's History of Christianity" on May 21. We will also gather a group to go to Annual Conference and hear Diana Butler Bass in person. Go Green Northbrook, a local environmental organization dedicated to promoting sound environmental practices and policies in the village, will host its first Green Movie Night at the church on Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m. The feature presentation will be The Promised Land starring Matt Damon, John Krasinski, and Rosemarie DeWitt. The movie explores what happens to a small farming community that must decide whether or not they should lease their land to a gas company that wants to conduct tracking explorations. The movie is free, refreshments will be served. The audience will be invited to stay for a discussion period that will follow the movie. The NUMC Green Team is the church sponsor of the event.