January 2018 NEW BEGINNINGS We re at the place in the annual calendar again January 1st that reminds us we are all becoming a year older and hopefully a year wiser. No doubt, this will be a time for self-assessment for many and a time for new resolve to change some behaviors that are not life-giving but life-sapping or even lifedestructive, and this effort is worthwhile. These first two months of the year will also be a time of new beginnings for WPC as well. In mid-february (February 14 th to be exact), Paul Gilmore will come to be your new pastor. These times of transitions and new beginnings are ripe with possibilities including seeing the church with new eyes and boldly attempting new things. God is in these new beginnings. Your transition of pastors will also be a new beginning for me. I would also appreciate your prayers as I begin networking to see what new beginning God has for me. Whatever it is, I, like you, feel there will be good things in this next adventure for me as well. So as you begin 2018, I challenge you to embrace this new opportunity to experience God s provision in fresh ways. Embrace this new beginning with God s blessing! Pastor David JANUARY 2018 Communion Sunday January 14 @ 9:45 am Bonus Hours January 14, 21, 28 @ 11:15 am Youth Group Mission Event at The Boulevard January 28 @ 2:30 pm FEBRUARY 2018 Annual February 4 @ 11:00 am Rev. Paul Gilmore Begins February 14 Dinner for 80 February 24
WPC Bonus Hour Winnetka Presbyterian Church 1255 Willow Road Winnetka, IL 60093 847.446.7777main 847.446.7790 fax David Boumgarden ext 20 Interim Senior Pastor davidb@winnpres.org Geoff Duffy 24 Director of Music Associate Director of Worship geoff@winnpres.org Nancy Holly 21 Director of Children s Ministry nancy@winnpres.org Rev. Diann Santschi 25 Parish Associate of Pastoral Care & Counseling diann@winnpres.org Rev. Kathy Dale McNair Specialized Minister Mental Health Ministry kdmcnair@comcast.net Dina Price Administrator office@winnpres.org Michael Jin Accountant mikejin85@gmail.com Chris Kenneally Custodian chris@winnpres.org www.winnpres.org facebook.com WinnetkaPrestwitter.com/ 22 Taking off the Yoke of Darkness: Imagining a World Without Nuclear Weapons. SUNDAY, January 14th @ 11:15 am, Under the Balcony, Ward Wilson is almost finished with his second book, The Realist Case for Eliminating Nuclear Weapons, and he would like to share some of the pragmatic arguments Ward Wilson, author of Five Myths About from the book, get your feedback, and engage Nuclear Weapons in discussion. Ward is a prize-winning writer presents his book at the who has spent thirty years studying and writing United Nations about nuclear weapons issues. He has spoken at parliaments, foreign ministries, and universities as well as bars, churches and peoples homes in 23 countries on six continents. Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, said about Ward s first book, Five Myths About Nuclear Weapons, Whenever I talk about nuclear weapons now, I use the arguments from Ward Wilson s book. Because they are right. B.B. Bell, a retired four star army general, said, No matter what your background or expertise, before you say or do anything else regarding nukes, I d strongly recommend you read and give serious consideration to the arguments in this terrific work. Living Compass Heart, Soul, Strength, Mind Sundays, Jan. 21 and 28th at 11:15 am, Under the Balcony. Christians are called to seek wholeness, wellness, and holiness in the totality of our lives heart, soul, strength and mind. We do this by intentionally seeking God in our daily lives and by allowing God and our faith to be our compass in all dimensions of that life. When our Christian communities focus on wellness and healing, and when people within those communities speak honestly and support one another, we all have a better chance of being whom God dreams us to be. Come explore what your compass looks like and how you can grow into greater wellness and wholeness. Led by Rev. Kathy Dale McNair, Kathy@winnpres.org. 2
Worship and Music The Choir Needs Your Voice Thursdays @ 7:30pm If you are looking for a friendly group of people who love making music together, look no further. The choir is open to all singers, regardless of skill level. Our beautiful Christmas tree decorated by the Children. Joy to the World! Joy to the World, our annual Christmas concert held on December 10th, was a celebration of Christmas music from all around the world. The concert was made even more joyful this year by the addition of 25 of our youngest voices from the. They began the concert by singing While We Are Waiting and then re-joined the Chancel to end the concert with Joy to the Whole World! If you missed the concert, we hope you were able to enjoy their singing at the Epiphany pageant on Sunday, January 7th. Our free-will offering was collected for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Thanks to everyone s generosity, we were able to send over $1,300 to the relief efforts going on in Puerto Rico! Help Beautify the Sanctuary and Spread Some Joy! Did you know that each week a group of deacons lovingly distributes the altar flowers to our members who are homebound or ill? You can help them in this ministry by signing up to donate flowers for the sanctuary. The cost of the arrangement is $65. You can sign-up on the board outside the church office. 3
Children s Ministry February Worship & Music Fellowship At the beginning of our Sunday school year in September the children learned about many of God s promises in the Bible. Anyone interested in helping coordinate our 2nd annual Hot Cocoa Social in February please contact Nancy Holly, Nancy@winnpres.org. Like last year we will enjoy crafts, games, making valentines and of course wonderful fellowship with our Sunday school friends over hot cocoa! God promised Noah that he would never flood the earth again. God promised Abraham that his family would be a great nation. God promised Jacob that he would be with him wherever he went. The children made booklets to take home to remind them of these promises. The months that followed they listened to the Bible stories where these promises were revealed. This not only reinforced the stories but they also learned the timeline in which these stories took place. The last promise we studied was from the book of Isaiah where God promised that he would send his son into the world. During December, we focused our lessons on Advent and the birth of Jesus. We now turn our attention to the Bible stories in the New Testament and will continue to reinforce more of God s promises revealed to us. Cradles to Crayons MLK Collection Drive WPC is partnering with Cradles to Crayons in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day to collect new and gently-used children s essential items. You can bring your donations to the wooden boxes located in the atrium. We are collecting donations through Sunday, January 14th. Cradles to Crayons is a nonprofit that provides children living in lowincome and homeless situations with the essential items they need to thrive - at home, at school, and at play. They provide these items free of charge by connecting and engaging with the Chicagoland community. To learn more about Cradle to Crayons, visit www.cradlestocrayons.org/chicago. Mission Children will have an opportunity to help support our junior and senior high youth this month as they prepare for a service event at the Boulevard. During Sunday school the children will make placemats and caring cards that our youth will take with them when they serve a meal to the residents on Sunday, January 28th. Children s items should be new or like-new. Most needed items: winter coats and boots, hats, gloves and scarves, clothes and shoes, toys and books, nursery and baby gear. If you have any questions or would be interested in helping us deliver the donated items to the collection site on MLK day, January 15th please let Nancy Holly know: Nancy@winnpres.org, 773-960-8377. 4
Epiphany Pageant Special thanks to Jill Vint for once again writing and directing our pageant making it meaningful and fun for the children and congregation. We would also like to thank the parents for their help and support at the rehearsal and the day of the pageant. We couldn t do it without you! 5
Youth Ministry Junior and Senior High Youth Group Junior and senior high youth group resumed after the holidays on Sunday, January 7th. Part of their time together was spent putting together a gingerbread house which was appropriately named The Epiphany Gingerbread House. We will continue to meet on the first and third Sunday of the month from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm in the youth lounge at WPC unless otherwise noted. Come join your youth group friends for fun and fellowship! Mission On Sunday, January 28th, our junior and senior high youth will serve a meal to the residents of The Boulevard (formerly the Interfaith House). The Boulevard is a residence that provides housing and medical care to homeless people who have been discharged from a hospital but are not well enough to go back to a shelter. The Boulevard s mission statement: The Boulevard: The Road to Health and Home provides a healing environment and resources to help ill and injured homeless adults restore their health, rebuild their lives and regain selfsufficiency. We need our youth and adult volunteers to meet in the WPC kitchen on Saturday, January 27th at 9:30 am to prepare the meal. Then, on Sunday, January 28th we will meet at WPC at 2:30 pm to caravan to the Boulevard and deliver and serve the meal to the residents. If you are interested and available please let Nancy Holly know, Nancy@winnpres.org. Please join us in providing a nourishing meal to these residents who are in need. Youth Ministry Committee We'd like to introduce you to members of our Youth Ministries Committee. They are here to support WPC's ministry to youth, part of which is generating ideas for youth spiritual enrichment. Feel free to reach out to any one of them with questions, ideas, or concerns. Michael Huff, mkhuff26@gmail.com Virginia Trux, virginia@virginiatrux.com Stacey Baker, rileybaker@rileybaker.com Emily Marshall, emilydmarshall@sbcglobal.net Kim Kay, kimwie34@gmail.com Jim Thompson, jim@ffeinstall.com Nancy Holly, Staff Liaison, Nancy@winnpres.org Youth Ministry January - April 2018 Calendar DATE EVENT / TIME / LOCATION Sun., 1/7 Sun., 1/21 Sun, 1/27 Sun., 1/28 Sun., 2/11 Sun., 2/25 Sun., 3/4 Sun., 3/11 Sun., 3/18 Sun., 4/1 Sun., 4/8 Sun., 4/22 JR./ SR. High Dinner PREP FOR THE BOULEVARD 9:30AM 12:00 WPC Large Kitchen JR./SR. High Serve Meal at THE BOULEVARD 2:30PM Depart form WPC 7:00PM Return Escape Room Location/Time TBD PANCAKE BREAKFAST/ MISSION FUNDRAISING EVENT Two Shifts CLC 7:45AM 9:45 AM; 10:45AM 12:45 PM EASTER SUNDAY Laser Tag Location/Time TBD 6
Christmas Season Advent Festival Good News Partners Christmas Store Christmas Concert Christmas Morning at the Jonquil Hotel A Big Thank You from Pam Verdin, resident at the Jonquil Hotel. Two small words that convey the infinite feeling in my heart. A note to say thank you for coming to the Jonquil and serving the tenants here. Blessing to you all this new year and always. Please remember the Jonquil tenants in prayer at the throne of grace. There are so many precious souls that need to believe that they are valuable and valued by Jesus Christ. Humbly and Respectfully in Christ, Pam Verdin, Jonquil Hotel, Rm. # 311 7
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Happy New Year 2 3 Sanctuary 4 5 6 7 4:00pm Jr. & Sr. High Bible & Dinner 8 12:00pm Men s Luncheon 9 11:30am Senior CLub 7:00pm Stephen Ministry 10 Sanctuary 11 12 13 14Communion 8:45 Choir 11:15am Bonus Hour 15 7:00pm Mission Team 4:30pm A Just Harvest Soup Kitchen, East Rogers Park 16 7pm Faith, Hope & Recovery 17 7pm Deacon 18 19 Deadline for Annual Report Submission 20 21 8:45 Choir 11:15am Bonus Hour 4:00pm Jr. & Sr. High Bible & Dinner 6:00pm PTI 22 23 7:00pm Stephen Ministry 24 7pm Session 25 26 27 9:30am Youth prepare meals for The Boulevard 28 8:45 Choir 11:15am Bonus Hour 2:30pm Youth Group Service Event - The Boulevard 29 30 31 Sanctuary 1 February 2 3 4 Annual 8:45 Choir 11:15am Annual Mtg 4:00pm High Bible & Dinner 5 12:00pm Men s Luncheon 6 7 Sanctuary 8 9 7:30m AA 10 Dinner for 80 Saturday, February 24th The annual Dinner for 80 church extravaganza will be on Saturday, February 24th this year. Sign-up sheets are available in the Atrium. All adults at WPC are encouraged to join in this potluck dinner. It s a great way to mix, mingle and get to know a few more members of our church family. We will meet together at the church at 6pm for beverages and appetizers, and then adjourn at 7pm to host houses for dinner in groups of eight. The hosts will provide the main dish. The guests will be assigned to bring bread and wine, a salad or dessert. You will not know where you will be dining until that evening. So please do plan to join us. For questions or to sign up, please contact Debbie Sanders, debcull01@yahoo.com or Barbara Scott at wds@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 8