Contemplate this. HOPE HERITAGE Meeting SUNDAY APRIL 13

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1 Contemplate this By Mark Geiger When you go to a party, do you ever talk about GOD or HOPE UCC? Do you thank him? When you strike up a conversation is GOD ever involved? Maybe Thank GOD I made it to the party on time or Thank GOD they didn t serve fish. I m ashamed to say that God hardly comes up in my conversations when I m talking about the latest Hollywood gossip or what is going on in a friend s life or what new movies are out. But, recently, at the Academy Awards when Matthew McConaughey won for best actor for the Dallas Buyer s Club, he thanked GOD for his talents. I think he was the only one. Does this tell you something about this world? If I say anything about GOD or Jesus, will I be looked at as a Jesus freak? Facebook and Twitter are definitely the social medias where GOD and Jesus are making a new appearance. Good or bad, it s how you interpret. Do you say grace when you are out to a restaurant? A fancy restaurant or a stop at McDonald s? I don t. I think the only time is when we have Men s Fellowship gathering. I should be thanking GOD every day that I wake up and am still breathing It may be with some aches and pains, but I am still getting out of bed and greeting the new day. It s not like those TV commercials where everything is wonderful and the actors are springing out of bed whistling and smiling and the cartoon sun shows up with a big smile on its face. Right. Unfortunately that s not reality. I turn on the Channel 9 news in the morning to catch up on the weather, since this affects my day at work. A lot of things going on in the city, the suburbs and the world. Murders, beatings, robberies, so much upheaval, enough already. Then when you ve had enough and are ready to turn the TV off, they change gears and talk about the successful Polar Plunge event for Special Olympics participants (The mayor even got Jimmy Fallon to take the plunge into the icy water of Lake Michigan!) It brings a tear to your eye hearing the many stories of all that has affected these families and friends. It just goes to show you, thank GOD there are still good people in this world who want to make a difference and don t wait to see if someone else will go first. 03/19/14 HOPE HERITAGE Meeting SUNDAY APRIL 13 Please put this one on your calendar! April 13 following worship we ve scheduled an ALL HOPE gathering to get rolling with our first official Interim Developmental Task. We are calling this HOPE HERITAGE DAY to share and explore important personal memories connected with our church. We ll look at and celebrate core foundations for our future mission and ministry. Please do everything you can to be able to join with your HOPE friends for a simple potluck lunch and two hours of good conversation! Pray for a GREAT turnout of HOPErs! THANKS!

2 NEWS AND NOTES ON TASK!! YOUR HOPE UCC TRANSITIONAL MINISTRY TEAM Your HOPE Transitional Ministry Team (TMT) has been selected, affirmed by Ministry Council and is already on task! Members of the TMT are Kathy Carter, Nick Dempsey, Mark Geiger, Marie Higgins, Shannon Lane, Mike Manderino and Jeanne Smith. These folks were among many suggested as your most trusted leaders, by HOPE Partners and friends (based on your write ins on 3x5 cards and s a few weeks ago). Together they offer broad representation to lead the congregation, with our Interim Pastor, through this transitional time (before we form our Pastoral Search Committee some months down the road). Please do THANK each of them for agreeing to this important and time intensive work on behalf of us all! TMT has already begun working in earnest to plan HOPE HERITAGE DAY for April 13 (see red box on front page). This will be the Kick Off activity to launch our congregation s five Developmental Tasks of the Interim process. It will be about remembering and celebrating the joys and challenges of HOPE UCC s 17-plus years of mission and ministry. In telling our story together we will clarify those elements in our history that provide a strong foundation for a dynamic future. Overall, TMT will work with the Interim Pastor to plan and guide the transitional assessment process, keeping the Council and congregation involved in and informed of its progress. The TMT serves as eyes and ears during this time, to hear and help discern our dreams, concerns, and passions. All these elements will then come together as the basis for shaping our vision for the first five years of ministry after our new settled pastor arrives. As HOPE Partners and friends, we are asked to do all we can to support and encourage our Transitional Ministry Team. Your talents, gifts and commitment as participants will be needed in this multi-faceted journey. Together, we can each contribute immeasurably to our sense of energy and mutual accomplishment, as God leads HOPE UCC into a new future! Jesus Has Left the Building On Sunday, March 30 we will be visiting Mutual Ground for our next Jesus Has Left the Building and We re Following Him event. Mutual Ground in Aurora serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families. HOPE s Jesus Has Left the Building is a program where on 5 th Sundays (which happen about four times a year) instead of a morning service, HOPE UCC goes out into the community to serve others. Mutual Ground is currently in need of cleaning supplies and new towel sets (wash cloth, hand towel & bath towel). Please consider donating some of these items when you come on the 30 th. At Mutual Ground we will be painting & sprucing up a bathroom, making up towel packets for new residents and organizing their basement area by putting toys on the shelves by "toy-type", organizing personal care items, and office supplies. We will end with a group lunch at Portillo s on 59 & Jefferson. This JHLB replaces the regular Sunday morning worship service. Sign-ups are now in the church lobby. Questions?? See Jill or her at jillhruska@comcast.net. Can You Solve the Murder-Mystery? Saturday, April 12, doors open at 6:30 p.m., Mystery begins at 7 p.m. What's better than a good old fashioned "Who-done-it" with friends? Join us Saturday, April 12, for the Grand Reopening of the Anonville Manor, an interactive murder-mystery. What is it? You will be assigned a "character" to play; you will have a full script provided and suggestions for costume. Saturday night you will arrive at HOPE UCC already in character to figure out who the murderer is. This is a fun, no pressure activity that you and your friends can all be a part of. We will provide food, you are invited to BYOB, and invite friends! There will be a $5 charge per guest, and sign up ends April 6. It is essential to the success of the evening that you sign up if you are going to attend and that you show up, in character, if you sign up. Please see Mark or Kathy to sign up or with questions.

3 Manna Moment! Sometimes the hardest part of any journey is getting out of the starting gate. Buy that first card. Take the plunge. You ll see it gets easier and easier as time passes. To help, Jeanne & I have purchased a number of extra cards and whenever we re at church, we ll have them with us for you to purchase ON THE SPOT. We have Jewel, Speedway, Meijer (in $25 increments) and a few other miscellaneous cards. Please see us after service. Thank you, Trott Keep In Touch KITS The college students have been working hard. We want to wish them well and give them some goodies to get them through their fall semester this year. They would love to get a Keep In Touch Kit filled with goodies and a reminder that we have them in our thoughts and prayers. PLEASE either Marie Higgins at tmschiggins@sbcglobal.net or Linda James at ldj7900@sbcglobal.net, if you have a college student. We would like to give a KIT to him/her and also send notes of encouragement throughout the school year. Let Marie or Linda know your student s current address and future graduation date. We currently give to approximately students. Donations of items that go over well (or cash gifts for the purchase of items) would be greatly appreciated: Miniature Candy Bars Pop Corn Breakfast Bars 100 Calorie Snack Packs Cookies Paperclips Macaroni & Cheese Note Pads Pencils Toothpaste & Toothbrush Pens Breath Mints Chewing Gum Coffee Gift Cards Fast Food Gift Cards We plan on giving the packages out soon, so the last Sunday to collect will be April 6. Thank you for all your support in letting our college students know that we are thinking of them. Card Ministry For years, HOPE has sent out cards to folks who are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and good news, as well as to those who are in need of a little support or prayer as they heal or grieve. This card ministry also wants to touch base with those who visit or haven't been in church for a while. If you know someone who could use a little note in the mail from HOPE UCC, please contact Becky McCabe at rebeccamccabe08@comcast.net or Gail in the office with name, address and a tidbit for the reason for the card. We want to stay connected!!! Thanks so much!! Forth from the Communion Table As we celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of each month, HOPE UCC expands the sharing of the Communion Table by participating in an offering for the benefit of a local community agency. As not everyone is able to attend on any particular Sunday, we receive the offering through the second Sunday of the month. In order to allow you time to prepare and broaden your giving by grabbing bargain sales, the Communion community offerings for the next months are: April: Companions Journeying Together, Inc. Aunt Mary's Storybook Project: Incarcerated mothers record themselves reading a book to their children; the book and recording is given to the children. Fathers Read Project: Incarcerated fathers gather once a month to read to their children. Items: Brand-new children's books Please contact me in person or by (kcvangelder@gmail.com) if you have suggestions or any questions.

4 Sharing Joys & Concerns Please keep these people & events in your prayers: My friend, Roxanne, as she begins chemotherapy for lung cancer. Time for my yearly PET scan on Wednesday, March 19. Please pray for good results. (Linda James) The Skiba family for the loss of Greg s father-in-law, John Schneck. Prayers for God s comfort and presence with the Schneck/Skiba family. The passengers and crew of Flight 370. (Mary Lee Swickert) The family of my friend, Steven. They have arrived from Korea to be with him in his final days. (Zach Jarabeck) My transfer to international flying! Not sure where it will take me, but I m ready for the journey. (Terry Foster-Hulbert) Julie Alessandri, who had been hospitalized and had surgery. She is now at home and resting. Prayers for patience and healing. Michael Foster-Hulbert and those impacted by unemployment. Guide them from depression to success! (Terry Foster-Hulbert) Michael Gembara (Mike & Teri Manderino s uncle), who has been diagnosed with stage I lymphoma. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Prayers for Zach J. as he is going through some hard times now. Keep him strong as life is throwing some really bad curve balls and he has to say goodbye to his friend, Steven. Also prayers of thanksgiving that Mindy is much better. (Mark Geiger) Prayers for the Dvorak family as they mourn the death of Bob s dad, Bill, and celebrate the life they shared with him. (HOPE family) Prayer Squares Just a reminder that they are always available. The prayers and love of the people of HOPE go to anyone who needs them. The prayer squares are our gift of love to anyone in need.

5 Celebrating Birthdays 03/20 Linda Ley 03/21 Josh Beckman 03/22 Dee Zillmer 03/22 Janelle Manderino 03/25 Tracy Urben 04/03 Sean Higgins 04/09 Matt Tucker 04/10 Les Pierce 04/12 Lisa DeVette If we ve missed your birthday, please HOPE s Office Manager at HOPE@shareHOPE.org. QUEST MINISTRIES ~ 9:00 a.m. ADULT QUEST A continuing series of exploration of who we are and what we believe. Adult Quest will begin a series on the SOUL. How has the soul been viewed in history and religious traditions? What do you think the soul is? How do we feed the soul on a regular basis? Where does the soul go after death? Bring your questions and opinions and we will see where this goes; it is a personal journey of exploration. Facilitated by Les Pierce, with a cast of other inquiring minds. Deadline for additions or corrections to the next issue of HOPE Happenings is March 25, 2 p.m. Thanks! Announcements for Sunday due by Wednesday of each week. HOPE S Leadership Moderator: Marie Higgins Des. Moderator: Jeanne Smith Past Moderator: Roberta James Treasurer: Dave Zillmer Des. Treasurer: THIS COULD BE YOU! Secretary: Becky McCabe Registrar: Ellen Brady Social: Mark Geiger Education: Tracy Urben Mission: Lisa DeVette Pastor-Parish: Jay Hruska/Tim Higgins Outreach: Zach Jarabeck Resource: Linda James Worship: Anna Ahonen Photo Archive: Webmaster: Anna Ahonen Jenn Revoldt HOPE LIBRARY You may reserve items (books, videos or tapes) by calling HOPE s Office Manager ( ) during office hours (10 a.m.-2 p.m.); by checking them out at HOPE UCC any time it is open; or by calling Martha Selby, HOPE Librarian, at (630) OR Karen Garland, Assistant HOPE UCC Librarian at (630) HOPE United Church of Christ 1701 Quincy Avenue, Suite 27 Naperville, IL Interim Pastor Interim@sharehope.org Office Phone Office hope@sharehope.org Website Office Hours: Monday - Friday - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

6 UPCOMING HOPE UCC March 20, Thursday March 26, Wednesday March 30, Sunday Women Out to Lunch (Noon) Join the women of HOPE on the third Thursday of each month. Lively conversation, great food & warm fellowship are 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 & We re Following Him (Please read article for details.) April 2, Wednesday April 8, Tuesday Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville. All Ministries Night (7 p.m.) April 9, Wednesday April 12, Saturday April 13, Sunday Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville. Murder-Mystery Night (6:30 p.m.) (Please see article for details.) HOPE Heritage Meeting (Follows Worship) (Please read article on Page 1. All are encouraged to attend.)