Salem United Church of Christ Oak Lawn, Illinois

Transcription

1 Salem United Church of Christ Oak Lawn, Illinois N E W S a n d N O T E S May 2018; Issue 470 From the Pastor... When I was young I loved playing the board game Stratego. My mom tells the story of how we would often play this together until she once captured my flag with a number nine soldier. Now a number nine soldier is the lowest ranking player on the board and can be killed by any other piece. I got so mad I refused to ever play her again. Honestly, to this day I have never played that game with her again. Some things you just can t get over. (I m actually still mad about the Russians/Soviets stealing the gold medal from our 1976 Olympic basketball team too.) How we handle loss will say a lot about how we live into the future. Recently I lost a friend suddenly and tragically. In the midst of grief I found myself thankful for the spiritual practices I ve learned and embraced. I was thankful for a spiritual spouse that I could share, pray and meditate with. I was thankful for a church that I could worship in, experience God in and be encouraged by the caring words and actions of others. I was even thankful for the opportunities to give and serve that Salem affords me because each action reminds me that it s not just about me. Even as I needed to be ministered to, the needs of others continue and the two are not mutually exclusive. In fact the actions of giving and caring in the midst of grief actually accelerate the healing. We live in an outward focused culture. True joy and peace though is found only on the inward journey. I encourage you to make practice the spiritual disciplines of prayer, meditation, worship, serving and giving as if your future joy depended on it, because it does. Peace, Pastor Steve

2 May Scripture Readings The Revised Common Lectionary is used in a broad array of churches and offers passages for each Sunday. Usually they are Old Testament with a related Psalm, Gospel and Epistle Readings (with some seasonal variations). Although it is not the practice in our church to read all the passages each Sunday, you may wish to do that as preparation for weekly worship. Here are the passages for the upcoming weeks: May 6, 2018 May 13, 2018 Acts 10:44-48 Psalm 98 1 John 5:1-6 John 15:9-17 Acts 1:15-17, Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 May 20, 2018 May 27, 2018 Acts 2:1-21 Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Romans 8:22-27 Acts 2:1-21 John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 Isaiah 6:1-8 Psalm 29 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17 On Sunday, May 20th, we will celebrate Pentecost New Orleans Style with special music, decorations, treats and surprises. The birth of the church should be a festive occasion! Matt Gatton will also be confirmed that day which is another reason to celebrate! See you at 10am on the 20 th. It is time to mark the arrival of spring with the celebration of Pentecost. As we have for the past couple of years, we will be purchasing red geraniums to decorate the church. These plants are intended for planting in your garden, and have been very nice in past years. The cost will be the same as last year: 4 1/2" wrapped pots $4.60 8" wrapped pot for the altar $ Orders will be taken in Zion Hall following church May 6 and May 13. Hoping for lots of pretty red flowers to beautify the church. Thank you, Your Worship Committee

3 Casino Trip Our next Casino trip is right around the corner. May 20th will be here before you know it. Money is due to Marianne Cox by May 7th. Join the group for a fun afternoon with your church family! Woman s Guild Just a friendly reminder that our Woman's Guild Luncheon is on May 8th. This will be our Mother's Day luncheon and birthday celebration for Blanche. If you have not signed up already please do so that Marianne will know how much food to order. Remember, both men & women are welcome to attend! The more the merrier! Strengthen the Church Strengthen the Church is the next part of our 5 for 5 mission. This special mission offering is used to support youth ministries, full time ministers for new churches and awaken new ideas in existing churches. Please help support this important mission of our church on May 27th. ~The Missions Committee Congratulations to the Easter Coloring Contest Winners! Youth Category: Mackenzie Gatton Teen Category: Ashlee Griffith Adult Category: Joni Hoerger Most Creative Category: Beth Romanzow Jazz Night Thanks again to all who attended Jazz Night. The event raised $1,387! Greeters for May May 6th May 13th May 20th May 27th Chuck and Nancy Sieben The Children of the Church Koronkiewicz Family and Joanne Steffens Norm and Aline Wiedow

4 Salem BEDS Plus Report Written by: Michael Barker I want to thank all the members and friends of Salem who have supported our BEDS Plus Temporary Overnight Shelter program this season (October, 2017 April, 2018). I apologize for not submitting a monthly report for our prestigious, well-read Salem newsletter and assembled and arranged by our extremely talented, loving editor, Jacqueline Canty. Many of you know that I pray every day that our BEDS program will continue to be an exemplary force to be reckon with while persistently helping people in need in our communities. BEDS Plus may not be taken seriously by some in our surrounding Oak Lawn communities, however, I know that the work and service this organization provides is outstanding. For the last 30 years BEDS PLUS has provided the homeless not only a safe place to sleep for the night, & hot homecooked meals, but also professional counseling, case management, health, vocational services with permanent supportive housing opportunities all leading to self-sufficiency. BEDS Plus was founded in 1988, partnering with 20 west suburban greater LaGrange area churches. One of the major highlights of successes of BEDS Plus, Inc. Just occurred this year. BEDS Plus completed the building of a $6.2 million facility at 9601 W. Ogden Ave., LaGrange, IL. which was financed by a mixture of public & private sources. The Grand Opening of this new permanent housing facility for the homeless took place on February 28, 2018, less than a year after breaking ground in April 21, 2017 and completing the project. Several tenants will begin moving in May 1, The new building has three floors. The first floor will include BEDS Plus s administrative offices. & day center operations that will be moved from some of the churches. Day center operations support & help people with things such as job referrals & setting people up with benefits that they may be unaware they have. The second & third floors include 20 studio apartment rooms, which means BEDS will house 20 people in this building. The Ogden Avenue Supportive Housing Applications began on January 9 th, The building is similar to a normal apartment. It is a permanent living space where the people have to follow the set rules. It also offers a communal laundry unit & someone who works at the front desk. It is a permanent living space where the people have to follow the set rules. Because living in the apartment is a lifetime benefit, prospective tenants are thoroughly vetted before moving in, with background checks for criminal behavior & verification of income & assets. I think this building will serve as a beacon of hope & will demonstrate our community s resolve to address the problem of homelessness, Board of Directors Treasurer Richard Hillsman said after being involved with BEDS Plus for about 20 years. He said that he has seen many people that have been helped by the organization. Yes, despite the on-going battle to fight homelessness & the prejudices that continue to exist with some people in the communities we live in, our focus must remain clear. The good fight for justice, freedom & hope must remain strong & resilient, especially in helping people in desperate life circumstances often due to situations beyond their control. I continue to strongly believe this as I am reminded of a portion of our current version of the United Church of Christ Statement of Faith which continues to challenge me & keep my heart, mind & life focused on living the Gospel love & truth of Jesus Christ, our Lord & Savior, especially towards our neighbors-in-need.... God calls us into the church to accept the cost & joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world & resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism & eat at his table, to join him in his passion & victory. God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins & fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice & peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial & rejoicing, & eternal life in that kingdom which has no end. Blessing & honor, glory & power be unto God. Amen.

5 Graduates As the end of the school year approaches, we have Salem members graduating as well as family members of our Salem family. Please join the congregation in congratulating the following graduates: Alexis Koronkiewicz, will be going to UIC College Prep Allison Hefner, will be graduating from Lincoln Way East H.S. going to University of Illinois Amanda Pohrte, will be graduating from Lincoln Way East H.S. and will be going to Millikin University. Ashlee Griffith, will be graduation from Oak Lawn H.S. and will be going to the University of New England Michael Lonigro will be graduating from Case Western Reserve University. Ryan Limanni, will be graduating from Chicago Academy, his parents are members of the church and his grandmother is Barb Kunst. Justin Halpin who is the grandson of Don and Judy Michaels will graduate from Pulaski Academy in Arkansas. D.J. Dvornk, who is the grandson of Don and Darlene Dvornik will be attending Oak Lawn H.S. Matthew Gatton, who will be graduating from George Washington Elementary. He will be attending De La Salle Institute for high school, where he was accepted into the honors program. Bingo night was a success! The event raised over $770 dollars! Thank you to all who attended. We hope you had a great time! As with all events, there are many people who are to thank for the success of bingo night. Thank you to the youth group for helping Thank you to Emily & Ashlee Griffith for cleaning up in the kitchen. Thanks to Steve Pohrte for assisting when needed that night! Thanks to Lynda Ganzer & Erik Griffith for calling/helping with calling of bingo. Thanks to Matt & Jen Gilles for assisting with the organization of the event, helping out at the event & accounting assistance. Thanks to Bob & Bobbi Evtuch for allowing the church to use their popcorn machine! Thanks to Rachel Circle for sponsoring the Bingo night. What a GREAT event!

6 Maundy Thursday Thank you to: Marilyn Dabisch for once again doing a great job in putting our Seder dinner together & to all those who helped in the kitchen & setting up/cleaning up-don & Judy Michaels, Norm & Aline Wiedow, Terry Ganzer, Georgiann Burke, Kevin & Pam McWilliams, and Michelle Gatton. Jake McWilliams, thanks for helping clean up people s left overs. Matt Gatton, thanks for getting guests wine/juice. Thank you to all our readers who read during the meal-reverend Bill Hoerger, Ashlee Griffith, Martha Sydanmaa, Beth Romanzow, Margie Hill, Jacqueline Canty, Michelle Gatton, Eric Griffith, Matt Gatton, Zach McWilliams, Lael Hoerger, and Stan Hill. To everyone who volunteered to donate food for the meal. Special thanks to Linda Jennings who once again was kind enough to purchase the lamb and then cook it. It was absolutely delicious as always. To Reverend Bill Hoerger for assisting Pastor Steve in the services. It is always nice to see him taking part in our service when he is visiting. To Joni, Kevin, Marsha, Debra for the beautiful music during the short service before the supper. Good Friday Thank you to: To the McWilliams family for their full family participation helping with the service! Thank you to Deb Bartosik for singing the solo with Kevin & to Marsha Sumner for her beautiful piano playing. To Joni, our wonderful choir director and keyboard virtuoso, the music for the evening was very nice. You always seem to pick the right songs for the different services. To our choir, you may be small but your voices sound like there is a lot more of you then there really is. You always do a wonderful job no matter what you may be singing. Easter Sunday Thank you to: The youth group for fixing that wonderful Easter breakfast again this year & for setting Zion Hall back up. To the youth leaders, Emily Griffith and Steve Pohrte, for all their hard work with our youth. Also, to Sue Pohrte for all of her assistance in the kitchen. To the celebration choir and band for another outstanding job with the music. Special thanks to Jake, Allison and Aidan who sang in the celebration choir. Also, thanks to Joni for her wonderful work with both the choir and the band. Thank you to Marsha Sumner for her wonderful music on the piano. Cooper Lake for carrying in the Holy Spirit. Amanda Pohrte and Mackenzie Gatton for putting all the flowers in the living cross The Confirmands and Maggie Lake for taking part in the opening processional. Pastor Steve for all the hard work and dedication that you put into Holy week AND always. We thank you very much. Sunday, April 8th A special thank you to Reverend Marsha Sumner for stepping in while Pastor Steve was away. Also, to Stan Hill & Marjorie for their musical contributions!

7 May Birthdays May 2: Barb Kunst & Joan Anton May 5: Steve Pohrte May 9: Zach McWilliams May 12: Blanche Sapato May 21: Roberta Hardy May 25: Tom Heuss May 26: Lynda Ganzer May 31: Gwen Butler May 19: Jack Van Zee June Birthdays June 1: Debra Allison June 4: Becky Sumner June 6: Linda Jennings & Bill Westphal June 7: Marge Holoubek June 8: Kevin McWilliams June 9: Josephine McCarthy June 11: Eric Griffith June 12: Brittany Jennings June 13: Stan Hill June 14: Aline Wiedow June 16: Cindy Cruz June 18: Don Michaels June 21: Dorothy Kopeck June 24: Emily Griffith June 26: Jen Gilles June 28: Aidan Hefner June 29: Matt Hefner Prayer List: Traci Hefner Loretta Ballard Ruth Streitberger Shut-In List: Audrey Weir Claude Wolcott Carol Miller Jan Tolchin Dorothy Kopeck Tom and Sue Heuss

8 May Liturgists May 6th: Beth Romanzow May 13th: Michelle Gatton May 20th: Jacqueline Canty May 27th: Linda Jennings May Acolytes May 6th: Zack McWilliams May 13th: Matt Gatton May 20th: Mackenzie Gatton May 27th: Eric Griffith Deadline for the June issue of News & Notes is Friday, May 18th!

9 Mark your calendars for another amazing month at Salem! Sundays, 10am Church Service May 6, 13, 20, 27 Mondays, 10am-11am Blanket Making May 7, 14, 21 Tuesdays, 9am Bazaar Crafters May 8, 15, 22, 29 NOTE: Beverly Theater Guild rehearses at Salem on Sundays. Also, the Men s Group meets every Tuesday. For more information on the Men s Group, please Don Michaels at dgmich9007@sbcglobal.net. Alcoholics Anonymous meets at Salem on Tuesdays at 7pm. Overeaters Anonymous meets at Salem on Fridays at 7pm. Al-Anon meets at Salem on Wednesdays at 7pm. Whenever you do not understand what s happening in your life, just close your eyes take a deep breath and say God, I know it s your plan, just help me through it. March income = $12, March expenses=$11, Difference = $1, Birthday tax collected in March = $99

10 May 2018 Salem United Church of Christ 9717 South Kostner Avenue Oak Lawn, Illinois Salem Newsletter May 2018 Issue No. 470 Pastor: Rev. Steve Hoerger Church Secretary: Newsletter Editor: Newsletter Distributor: Typographical Editor: Jean Beauvais Jacqueline A. Canty Aline Wiedow Virginia Johnson