Lonesome Theologians Return

Transcription

1 Lonesome Theologians Return INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Worship in the Garden 1 Pastors Message 2 Mission News 3 Book Club/Misc. 4 Music Notes/Women s Circle/Misc. 5 Join us on July 31 in the garden 10:00 am Tidbits 6 Calendar 7 The Lonesome Theologians will lead in worship and song Dedication of Bill Springborn garden Potluck luncheon to follow

2 Our dear sisters and brothers, Page 2 Life is to be celebrated: at birth, in times of significance and import, and when the eternal meets the present. Life in Christ is always to be celebrated; as He is present in each and every moment and as we acknowledge our walk with Him. We have much to celebrate in our church life together as we dedicate a garden in honor of Bill Springborn whose 100 th birthday we marked last March. We will gather on July 31 st at 10:00 AM in our beautiful garden worship center and enjoy the music ministry of the Lonesome Theologians, a Christian bluegrass group. Then we will move to the garden beds that are at the foot of the sanctuary steps to dedicate that space. A remarkable garden committee, chaired by Julie Archibald and Elaine Matsushige, worked to honor Bill s Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer and the Springborn service to our church. Both Bill and his wife, Fran, are charter members of Morton Grove Community Church, a church they helped plant some 65 years ago, and Bill has devoted countless hours to working on the church grounds. In every sense, Bill has been grounded in the Spirit, serving God and His Church in countless ways for many of his hundred years. As this new garden is born we celebrate the life Bill lives in loving service to God. As it grows and flourishes, we will celebrate weekly worship as we walk the steps to our lovely sanctuary. And as we move on our pilgrim way, we will move ever closer to the life that is to come, remembering that this world s life began in a garden named Eden and began anew in one called Gethsemane. Our creating, redeeming and sustaining God has been present from the beginning, creating us and walking beside us. He will be with us to and into the new beginning, leading us home. Just as He promised. Please plan to join in this day of celebration on July 31 st as we honor our God Whose prophet Isaiah tells us: The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones. And you will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. 58:11 With our love, Lolly and Bunny

3 Mission Outreach Report We thank everyone who took some time out of their busy day to help tie lap blankets for Phil's Friends. A total of forty nine blankets were completed in two tying sessions. The blankets will be delivered to Phil's Friends on Wednesday, July 6. Along with the blankets, we will also deliver 46 baseball hats and 86 crocheted hats. The Mission Committee has received two thank you letters from Peace Corp and a personal letter from Adrienne thanking our congregation for our generous donation of $1, for the Library in Tong, Ghana. All the letters and pictures will be on display on the bulletin board in July. On Father's Day, June 19, we collected 46 hats for Phil's Friends. We expect the total number of hats to increase due to late arrivals. Again we thank everyone who participated in this activity. Phil's Friends is a faith-based charity that supports and offers hope and comfort to cancer patients throughout the United States. Sunday, September 25th will be Soles For Souls Day. Our participation in this program started in To date we have donated 1,191 pairs of shoes. More information on this special day will be available in August and September. The baseball season for our team called the Pythons has ended. Their record indicates they won 50% of their games.. Good luck next year. One financial transaction was completed. A motion was passed to send a check in the amount of $1, to SHORE, Shore Community Services, for their building campaign. LIVING FAITH MISSION GROUP of MGCC SERVING OPPORTUNITY FEED MY SHEEP (SOUP KITCHEN) Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 1177 Howard Ave. Des Plaines Wednesday 7/6/16 4:15-6:45pm* (First Wednesday of Every Month) Come join us as we serve dinner to those in need in our neighboring community. Soup Kitchen time frame includes set-up(4:15-5:00), serve(5:00-6:00) & cleanup(6:00-6:45). However, if you're not available for the whole time you may volunteer for a portion of the time as your schedule allows...any help is appreciated! Page 3

4 Ethel Burkhardt: A Legacy of Devotion to Her Lord and Church It is with deep gratitude that the Session announces receipt of a generous bequest from the estate of long-time member Ethel Burkhardt. Remembering the importance to Ethel of being nourished at the Lord s Table, and her faithful presence in worship on communion Sundays in her later years, a new chalice and paten will be purchased for the sanctuary in her memory. The communion set will be dedicated to the Lord in Ethel s honor during a future worship service. We will remember our sister with love each time we celebrate the sacrament afterward, knowing that as we do so we are joined with the great feast in heaven in which Ethel joyfully participates. Session has approved the following expenditures to support the ministries of our church, using Ethel s loving and generous gift: 15% of the bequest is allocated to mission, and will be dispersed by our Mission-Outreach Team Air-conditioning units similar to those in our sanctuary have been installed in Jubilee Hall and the Parlor Some funds will be added to the donations received to renovate the plant beds by the sanctuary steps in honor of Bill Springborn and his 100 th birthday The asphalt of the angled and handicapped parking spots, parking lot, and back driveway will be sealed The remaining funds will be added to our Capital Maintenance account JULY AND AUGUST SELECTIONS FOR THE BOOK CLUB Our July 11 th selection will be THE FAITH CLUB: A MUSLIM, A CHRISTIAN, A JEW THREE WOMEN SEARCH FOR UN- DERSTANDING. The club was started by Ranya Idiby, an American Muslim, who recruited Suzanne Oliver, a Christian, and Priscilla Warner, a Jew. Their original idea was to write a book for children but it soon became apparent they had too many issues to discuss amongst themselves. The book is a result of their many heartfelt discussions and their strong desire to share what they learned with the rest of the world. Our August 8 th selection will be OUR SOULS AT NIGHT by Kent Haruf. The setting of the novel is the small town of Holt, Colorado. We will meet two people who have lost their spouses Addie Moore and Louis Waters. Holt is a small town and they know each other. Their children do not live close by. They have been alone for many years. The nights can be terribly lonely. Addie decides to pay an unexpected visit to Louis. Read on for the rest of the story! We always meet on the second Monday of the month in the Fellowship Room at 7:30pm. All are welcome. Please call Joyce Sienkowski or Mary Jo Tranter with any questions or in need of a ride. Page 4

5 This July is looking to be a hot one here at Morton Grove Community Church, but our worship will continue to be vibrant! We have the Lonesome Theologians coming this month as well as music from our own congregation in voice, instruments, and song. This summer is a time to reflect on the power of light and hope in the face of winter, so I hope you all are safe and lively in this time of brightness. Best wishes and blessings, - Jason Nelson, Minister of Music Jackie Johnson 3 Tim Honaker 10 Brian Honaker 11 Jean Hoffman 14 Bob Tranter 21 Mary Jo Tranter 22 Rev. Bunny Hughes 30 Joanne Stucka 31 A reminder: Women s Circle will not be meeting in July or August. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 13. We will be starting a new study: Who Is Jesus? What a Difference a Lens Makes. If you would like a copy, please let Judy Lucas know. It is with sorrow that we announce the death of Adele Hurtowy, longtime member of Morton Grove Community Church. Adele entered life eternal on June 28. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to her sons, Walter and Victor, at 8412 Mason Avenue, Morton Grove, IL Page 5

6 TIDBITS Page 6 Bible Quiz Who said to the prophet Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD? A. Reuben, for selling Joseph into slavery B. Jacob, for deceiving Isaac and stealing his brother s birthright C. Rahab, a prostitute D. David, considered Israel s greatest king (answer: see back page) Be a Lifesaver About 200 people including 100 lifeguards attended a pool party in New Orleans in 1985 to celebrate the first summer in memory that no one had drowned at a city pool. At the end of the festivities, the four on-duty lifeguards began clearing the area and found a fully dressed man in the deep end. Despite efforts to revive him, he died. Just as swimming with a bunch of lifeguards doesn t guarantee safety, swimming with a sea of churchgoers doesn t guarantee peace. People in the pews next to you might be struggling to stay above water physically, emotionally, financially or spiritually. Be alert to ways you can serve as a lifeguard. Extend a helping hand, a listening ear and an encouraging reminder of Jesus ultimate rescue (see Romans 7:24-25). From the cowardice that dare not face new truth From the laziness that is contented with half truth From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, Good Lord, deliver me. Kenyan Prayer

7 JULY Page 7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :30 PM Inquirer's Class :15 PM Living Faith Mission Group Serving Opportunity Office Closed 1:00 PM Memorial Service for Adele Hurtowy 10 i Team Meeting 7:30 PM Book Club :30 AM Hospitality Team Meeting 10:30 AM Communication Team Meeting 7:30 PM Church Health Team Newsletter Deadline 7:30 PM Finance Team Meeting 25 7:00 PM Session Meeting :30 PM Church Health Team :30 AM Men's Breakfast :15 PM Living Faith Mission Group Serving Opportunity :00 AM Dedication of the Bill Springborn Garden in the Garden-- Lonesome Theologians

8 We are on the Web! Morton Grove Community Church 8944 N. Austin Avenue Morton Grove, IL Please join us for Sunday Worship Services at 10:00 am followed by a time of fellowship. COMMUNITYNEWS is published monthly by the Morton Grove Community Church 8944 Austin Avenue, Morton Grove, IL Website: mgcc@mgccpresbyterian.org Rev. Lolly Dominski and Rev. Bunny Hughes, Co Pastors Jason Nelson, Minister of Music Pat Cobb, Administrative Assistant John Frake, Custodian Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9 am-2 pm Rev. Lolly Dominski s Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tuesday 8:30 am-12:30 pm Afternoon-offsite Rev. Bunny Hughes Hours Jason Nelson s Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 8:30 am-12:30 pm Afternoon-offsite 9 am-noon Evening-Choir Practices Newsletter Deadline for Aug. issue: Jul. 18, 2016 Answer : D (See 2 Samuel:12:13)