Willow Creek Presbyterian Church of Argyle 7300 Belvidere Road Caledonia, Illinois

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1 Willow Creek Presbyterian Church of Argyle 7300 Belvidere Road Caledonia, Illinois A Faith Community, Growing Together, Sharing the love of Christ After Christmas when the long-hoped-for gifts have been unwrapped, it will be time to return our lives to their normal states. But Immanuel, the God-with-us revealed to us at Christmas, cannot be packed into the box with the ornaments or left out at the curb with the tree. God's presence continues to dwell with us. One of the most terrifying moments in my young life was singing the page s part in the carol Good King Wenceslas. My dad and I performed it at a local music center during a Christmas program. My father was the King. In years past, my brother had sung the part at least twice; my sister, once. It was now my turn. I was about ten. Off I went to hold up my end of this family responsibility, all dressed up in a sports coat and a tie. I wish I could say that I prayed for strength and courage to get me through the moment. Frankly, I was too petrified. I wish I could say that it was enjoyable or that it turned out just fine; it wasn t and it didn t. Even as my father s voice regally rang out, my voice shriveled up into a squeak and then into a whisper. In other words, I bombed out big time. It was a mortifying moment. Oh, I had a decent voice when not in the spotlight; I just did not know how to get out of the way and let that music flow out. I was too self-conscious. However, that is not the end of the story. For Good King Wenceslas has become one of my favorite carols. For me, it gets at the essence of Christmas, of Christ being born poor and among the poor. As the carol tells it, this king spies a poor person right after the great festival of Christmas. With page in hand, King Wenceslas gathers food and fuel, braves a bitter cold and snowy night and feasts with the identified but unsuspecting human. Thus, the joy of Christmas is extended for at least one more meal. The carol ends with this phrase Therefore Christian (folk) be sure, rank or wealth possessing; ye who now would bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing. I guess that King in providing this sumptuous meal found that he himself was fed beyond his wildest dreams. That, for me, is the message of Christmas, the unexpected twist. We who feel so blessed with all the wrapped gifts which come and go so quickly are longing for something different. We are longing to find the blessing of the Holy One in our lives, in our world. And we unpredictably find that blessing time and time again, as the carol so clearly states, when we ourselves bless others. Where have you been able to do that this past year? Where have you sought out despite the chilled and stormy conditions those who are in need of the basic necessities of life? For in our giving, we receive; in our pardoning we are pardoned; in our dying to ourselves and to the false gods of our making (power, prestige and privilege), we are born to eternal life. Immanuel, the God-with-us revealed to us at Christmas, cannot be packed into the box with the ornaments or left out at the curb with the tree. God's presence continues to dwell with us. May we be a blessing to others this Christmastide and beyond.

2 What s ahead for us here at Willow Creek Presbyterian Church? But I have got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward- to Jesus. I am off and running, and I am not turning back. So let s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. Philippians 3:13-16 The Message Prayer is at the very heart of every successful transition in a church s life. As a congregation and as individuals, we are called to deepen our relationship with Jesus the Christ. We are called to let go of what does not bring us life, discern where God is calling us and begin to move together in that direction. Cherishing our past and exploring new directions. Being grounded in the love that formed us and agile enough to move with the Spirit s promptings into the future that God has for us. This is a moment when we, as a congregation, get to ask and answer three basic questions: Who are we? What has God called us to be or do? Who is our neighbor? In order to get the ball rolling, the newly elected WCPC Nominating Committee (WCPC Nom Com) will be activated to come up with members willing to serve on the Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC). The very first formal step will be for WCPC Session to direct the Clerk of Session to request permission from COM to form a PNC and undergo a Mission Study. When the slate for the PNC is completed, Session will call a Congregational Meeting at which time the slate of the PNC will be presented to the congregation, discussed and voted upon. The PNC will be responsible to 1. Oversee the Mission Study process. 2. Write a draft of the Mission Information Form (MIF) based off of the completed and COM approved Mission Study. 3. Get the draft of the MIF revised and approved by Session and COM. 4. Activate our CLC presence and begin to sort through possible candidates. 5. Discover and call a new Pastor to help join this church in its forward movement. In order to have current information on which to base our MIF, the Session will direct the WCPC Nom Com to come up with a slate of folks willing to serve on the Mission Study Committee (MSC). They will charge the MSC to complete a Mission Study- both surveying the Congregation and larger community in which we are located as well as receive verbal feedback from the WCPC membership by hosting several Cottage Meetings where members enter into healthy dialogue. Sounds so simple doesn t it? It will require a lot of effort and patience on all of our parts to allow this process to proceed in a decent and orderly way. Some of our members will be front and center- giving generously of their time and talents. All of the rest of us will be behind the scenes empowering the PNC with our prayers and gratitude. Communication will be essential. But PRAYER is crucial. This process of discovering and calling a new minister is not quick. So hang in, focus your energy to participate when asked and pray always for whoever is next to fill this pulpit. God is not done with any of us yet.

3 Dear Willow Creek Church, We can not thank you enough for the very generous Wal-mart gift card and for waiving preschool tuition for December. We are very touched that you did that for our family! Mira is doing well. She is responding to the medication and the Doctors are pleased with her progress. Thank you for all the good thoughts and prayers for her. As Mira and her brother, Jonah, would say, Thank you infinity times! Sherri, Ben, Jonah and Mira Nix This a preschool family who was recently supported by the Willow Creek Families in Need Fund. Dear Friends: Thank you for your generous contribution to help strengthen community s worldwide. Through your support of Church World Service, you are helping to fight the connected challenges of hunger, lack of access to safe water and improved sanitation and extreme poverty. The men, women and children with whom CWS works are both strong and determined. They are building the futures they deserve and we are proud to help them as they do. I am so moved by the determination of generous people like you, who are standing in solidarity with families in need in the United States and around the world. May God bless you for your support, Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO Church World Service A donation of $90 was sent for the processing and shipping of the Service Kits collected at WCPC

4 Thank you all for the wonderful cards and gifts - they truly are appreciated. Thanks, Tom Andrew Dear Willow Creek Congregation, Thank you for all the Christmas cards, kind words, and monetary gifts. I am truly touched, and want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Stephanie Konen Thank you for the thoughtful and generous Christmas gifts. I am lucky to work for so many kind people. May you all have a wonderful Christmas. Diane VanVleet Thank you for your warm sentiments and generous gifts. May your Christmas holiday be filled with cheer, warm memories, and happiness. Carol Nevicosi

5 On Palm Sunday April 14 th 2019, near the end of the service, I would like to present a dramatized reading of the Passion. So I am looking for a few good readers for parts large and small that would like to undertake this project with me. I will be looking for a good mix of ages. We will not memorize our parts. However, what is required is a desire to allow scripture to find its way into our lives. There will be other such opportunities to present scripture in this way throughout the year. Let me know of your interest by ing me or calling me. Thanks. Pastor Glen Each Wednesday at 12 noon, I am inviting all members of Willow Creek Presbyterian Church (WCPC) to come join me in praying for the needs of the church. If you are not able to get to church due to work or family obligations, I ask you to stop at some point during your day (close your door if you are able) and offer up a simple prayer for the needs of the church as in Loving God, I join with others in praying for WCPC. Ask God to reveal God s holy intentions for this expression of Christ s body. If you decide to join me in Fellowship Hall, each Wednesday, we will meet promptly at 12 noon. In a three ring binder, we will write down each prayer request that comes in ( , text or call) and spend some time praying together for each large and small request. It is my experience that in order to continue to grow deeper as a c community and move forward together as a church, we need to be centered in Jesus and grounded in prayer- praying for each other, for our church and for this violent, divisive world in which we live. Praying together is a way to be a blessing in this world of ours. In whatever way you are able, I hope you find time to join me in this simple but so necessary exertion. Prayer is work as one of my Spiritual Directors has said. Let us join together in this work. Pastor Glen Fellowship is an important part of our gathering. Sign-up is available in the Kitchen Window. Help us welcome newcomers with light refreshments and warm hearts. If you need any assistance setting up or serving for Fellowship, please call Sandy Bell cell #

6 Greeting Cards of all Kinds When you are cleaning out a drawer and find those Christmas cards and the cards people sent for your birthday or when you were recovering from whatever, they can be used by Walter Lawson Home in their activity center. You can bring them to church just as they are. The youth will cut the front of the card off to prepare them for Walter Lawson. A box will be in Fellowship Hall for the card deposit. Thank you for recycling your cards in a way to help others. The cards will be delivered by the Deacons when we have some to give them. Do you like to sing or play an instrument? We are looking for people to share their gifts of music as anthems and offertories during worship. Please let the Worship & Music Committee know if you (or someone you know) is interested. Choir Practice First Sunday of the 8:45 am Choir will then sing for Worship the first Sunday of the Month Church Office Closed December 24, 25, 26 and December 31 and January 1 for the holiday Season Thank you for the many helping hands and willing contributors who made the Christmas Extravaganza a SUCCESS! 2019 Contribution Envelopes 2019 Contribution Envelopes are available for pick-up in the Fellowship Hall.

7 Undecorating Party On Sunday, January 6 we will combine the Birthday Party for Jesus and the tasks of undecorating the church. There will be games for children immediately following the church service while we start undecorating the church. A crockpot potluck will follow and end with a birthday cake for Jesus. Please come join us! Bring your favorite crock pot recipe. Rolls, crackers, drinks and table settings will be provided. Thank you! The Music and Worship Committee As gifts for Jesus at our Birthday Party, we will be collecting items for the Baby Angel closet. Items that are most needed include: diapers (newborn through 5), diaper cream, onesies or other clothes (sizes newborn through 24 months), and books (can be new or gently used). Any donations can be placed on the gift table in Fellowship Hall on January 6. Willow Creek Mariners Tuesday, January 8 11:30 am in the Willow Creek Fellowship Hall We will have lunch and play some games. Please park in back of church. (Preschool in Session) Faith Explorers Tuesday, January 22 9:30 am in the Church Library Christmas Card Tree on Sanctuary Landing If you did not receive a Christmas Card from the following people, check the Christmas Card Tree. They made a contribution to WCPC as part of the Kemmerer Village Project instead of mailing a card. Carol Norem Jim & Delores Hall Steve & Dayle Paulson JoAnne & Wilbur Reid Les & Donna Hamilton Janet & David Ensminger John & Kim Reid Annie Picken Gene & Carolyn Wheeler April, Ed & Sara Rottman and Meagan & Jake Walker

8 Children s Sunday School 10:30 (after the Children s Message) 1/6 Birthday Party for Jesus during Fellowship Jan 13, Jan 20 Feb 3, Feb 10, Feb 17 Mar 3, Mar 10, Mar 17 Apr 7, Apr 14 5/4, other May dates TBD Adult Sunday School 9:00 am Sundays Youth Group (11:30 am 1:30 pm) Jan. 6 Birthday Party for Jesus during Fellowship Jan. 13 Lesson and Games Jan Family Games WCPC Operating Statistics Our worst month for November in over 10 years increased our deficit to greater than $2, for the current year. I would be hard pressed to put a reason as to why, as I am sure most would feel the same. Pray for a rebound in December. Thank you again for your support. WCPC Operating Statistics November 2018 Year-to-Date Income 9, , Expenses 10, , Excess/(Deficit) (1,094.35) (2,509.70)

9 December Activities (Photos courtesy of Glen Reichelderfer & Annie Picken)

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11 Tue 1/1 Wed 1/2 Thur 1/3 Sun 1/6 Tue 1/8 Wed 1/9 Thur 1/10 Sun 1/13 Tue 1/15 Wed 1/16 Thur 1/17 Sun 1/20 Mon 1/21 Tue 1/22 Wed 1/23 Thur 1/24 Sun 1/27 Tue 1/29 Wed 1/30 Thur 1/31 January 2019 All Church Calendar --- Church Office Closed Tue 1/1 Fri 1/4 No Preschool Noon Prayer in Fellowship Hall 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm Women s Studies in the Argyle Room (Jodi Henderson) 8:45 am Choir Practice 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Fellowship with Crockpot Potluck & Birthday Party for Jesus 5:00-6:00 pm AA Meeting in Argyle Room (Sold on Sobriety) 11:30 am Church Fellowship Hall for lunch & games 7:00-9:00 pm Session Meeting in Fellowship Hall 7:00-8:00 pm OA in Library Noon Prayer in Fellowship Hall 9:00 am Deacon Meeting in Library 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm Women s Studies in the Argyle Room (Jodi Henderson) 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 10:30 am Children s Sunday School 11:00 am Fellowship 11:30 am-1:30 pm Youth Group 5:00-6:00 pm AA Meeting in Argyle Room (Sold on Sobriety) 8:00 am Buildings & Grounds Meeting 6:00 pm Music & Worship Meeting 7:00-8:00 pm OA in Library Noon Prayer in Fellowship Hall 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm Women s Studies in the Argyle Room (Jodi Henderson) --- Committee Annual Reports due to the office 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 10:30 am Children s Sunday School 11:00 am Fellowship 11:30 am 1:30 pm Youth Group Family Games 5:00-6:00 pm AA Meeting in Argyle Room (Sold on Sobriety) Mon 1/21-Tue 1/22 No Preschool Martin Luther King Holiday --- February Streamer & Calendar Articles due to the office 9:30 am Faith Church Library 7:00-8:00 pm OA in Library Noon Prayer in Fellowship Hall 12:15 pm Preschool Board Meeting 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm Women s Studies in the Argyle Room (Jodi Henderson) 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Fellowship 5:00-6:00 pm AA Meeting in Argyle Room(Sold on Sobriety) 7:00-8:00 pm OA in Library Noon Prayer in Fellowship Hall 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm Women s Studies in the Argyle Room (Jodi Henderson)

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