Epworth Church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world Connections September 2016 Greetings! As United Methodists, one of our favorite hymns is, I Love to Tell the Story. I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love. I love to tell the story, because I know tis true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do This is exactly what we are doing in Sunday School (and in worship) this year. The stories in the Bible that we love so much that teach us of a God who loves us so much. From the first verse of the first chapter in Genesis to the last verse of the last chapter in Revelation we hear the story of God s love for us through the voices of the matriarchs and patriarchs, the voices of the prophets, the voice of Jesus, the voice of the Holy Spirit, and the voice of the Church. But best of all, WE are part of God s story because God s story continues in us and through us today! More than anything, God wants a relationship with each one of us! We are God s people. God names us and claims us. Our identity as a beloved child of God is secure. Our identity as a beloved community is secure. God is calling us to not only remember the story, but to intentionally choose to be a part of the story! And then, of course, to TELL THE STORY so others can know it and choose it, too! I love how John Dally, in his book Choosing the Kingdom: Missional Preaching for the Household of God, outlines the Biblical story of salvation as ongoing (meaning, it does not end with the last verse of the last chapter of Revelation it continues in us and through us): God sends the Spirit to create the world. The human race chooses away from God. God sends Abraham and Sarah to create Israel and offer the choice again. God sends the prophets when Israel chooses to imitate other patterns of power, namely salvation through a king. God sends Jesus to proclaim the direct reign of God when the hope of salvation through a human king is exhausted. God sends the Spirit to confirm Jesus proclamation of the reign of God and stir up the power of God s reign in the gathered assembly. God sends the church to bear witness to the power of God s reign on earth and heal. Mission ongoing. As we retell these stories this year, ask yourself What is God doing in this story? What character do you most identify with? What do you hear God saying to you in your life in this story? What do you hear God saying to us as a beloved community? How is Epworth UMC telling the story to others so they, too, can know they are beloved children of God? I encourage you to read the stories before Sunday. Read the story out loud; pray the story; retell the story to yourself; tell the story to someone else; and give thanks that God s faithful love lasts forever! September: Joseph s Journey September 11 (Rally Day!!!!) Genesis 37-40 Joseph & His Brothers; Joseph in Egypt September 18 Genesis 41 Joseph Saves the Day September 25 Genesis 42-46 Joseph & His Brothers Reunited Sunday, September 4 we will have a Hymn Sing we ll sing as many of our favorite hymns as we can! Sunday, September 11 is the first day of Sunday School and Bible Sunday! Blessings, Deb
PASTOR Deb Percell, Cell - 815.541.8101 deb.percell@yahoo.com STAFF Robyn Rafalzik, Office Manager - office@eumcelgin.org Chris Cherry, Choir Director - chrisccherry@gmail.com Jan Paskiewicz, Organist - janpaskiewicz@att.net Ginny Jensen, Wedding Coordinator - ginnynil@gmail.com Ray Eggert, Custodian - 847.931.5400 MINISTRY TEAMS Carole Burris, Church Council Chair - carolejb0677@gmail.com Sandy Kaptain, Care Team Chair - sakaptain@gmail.com Laura Mellinger, Education Coordinator bucket181@yahoo.com Amy Zweig, Children s Ministry Coordinator - zweig.a@comcast.net Jim Eby, Endowment Team Chair ebys2@wowway.com Steve Mink, Finance/Stewardship Chair startmink@hotmail.com Mary VanSlyck, Hillcrest Project Co-Chair - maryavs@akemann.net (OPEN), Hillcrest Project Co-Chair - Janina Hoffman, Missions Chair - mshoff888@yahoo.com Bill Beucler, Staff Parish Chair - wbeucler@comcast.net (OPEN), Trustees Chair Robin Luzin, UMW Chair rluzin@sbcglobal.net Jack Kellenberger, UMM Chair - kasrust@aol.com Epworth s Earth Sustainability Team (the official name of Epworth s Green Team ) met recently and decided to work on the following 4 goals: energy efficiency, greening the kitchen (no disposable products), evaluating a carbon footprint for the church, and working on landscaping that includes less mowing and more safe mowing of the steep ditch areas. Anyone wanting to join us is very welcome! Next meeting is September 1 in U-1 at 7:00pm. Hope to see you then. If you have ideas, etc. feel free to call Sandy Kaptain at 847-741-7375. We want to be disciples of Christ by caring for the earth and the people on it! Thank you to ALL who have participated in the Table Conversations this summer! Your input is very helpful in planning and growing! In July our conversations focused on how persons have grown in their faith. Most folks focused around group study/discussions and prayer for the largest growth felt. In looking to the future, the views expressed the doors are open for focus on the following: Developing prayer life, Offering assorted types of grief recovery, Community information around health and safety, Development of outreach groups, and Short/long Bible study. August Conversations were focused on "Go and Serve". Why do this? When we serve others, we serve Christ! God calls us to be His hands and feet and going and serving is fulfilling this call. Collectively, a long list was assembled of the various ways we serve beyond our walls. The suggestion was made to assemble this into a booklet with ways people can engage with these various ministries. There were new ideas of service, many involving eating. Boy, are we a food loving congregation! All the ideas will be shared with our Mission Team to decide where we move forward. Our broader community sees God through us and it's up to us to Shine His Love brightly! We will have one more Table Conversation on Sunday, Sept. 11th at 10:15am to talk about Who are we? Where do our congregation's passions lay and where do we go from here! SEPTEMBER MISSION OF THE MONTH - Grace Hospital Grace Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince provides care for children and families with tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections, and those impacted by the earthquake. In this area where many live on less than a $1 a day, the hospital provides much needed immediate care and follow up clinical care for children and families. This spring the Epworth Blankenship Endowment Fund awarded 4 qualifying students in our congregation scholarships towards their 2016/17 education. We didn't have the amount at that time so would like to inform you that each student; Val Brown, Zac Lindstrorm, MacKenzie Luzin, and Michael Weas received $2900. Thank you, George Blankenship, for your wonderful gift to Epworth! May these students, along with all of our youth, have a successful year!
This annual Epworth mission event will unite us in a day of fellowship and service. Please join us on Saturday, September 10 th and bring a friend! The following activities are planned: Habitat for Humanity Build Day Volunteers will work from 8:30am-4:00pm on various stages of construction, rehab or repair of a home in Elgin. No experience is necessary, just a willing heart. Project Directors will lead you every step of the way. Workers must be 16 yrs. or older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Feed My Starving Children Team up to hand pack meals for malnourished children in 70 countries around the world. Arrive at 8:30am for a 9:00-11:00am shift. Ages 5 yrs. and older can volunteer. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Site is located at 1072 National Pkwy. in Schaumburg. We ask everyone who plans to serve at the above service projects to please sign up either on the Mission Board in the Community Room, complete the below form and place it in the offering basket or contact Janina Hoffman. This will allow us to have an accurate count of servants as well as help plan carpooling needs. Spirit Lake Christmas Shoeboxes Many elves are needed at church to wrap and fill the boxes that will go to the kids at Spirit Lake Mission in North Dakota. Friday, 9/9 @ 6:30-8:30pm: Preparing the Community Room for Super Service Saturday Saturday, 9/10 @ 9:00am 3:00pm: We will be wrapping and packing shoe boxes. Lunch will be provided. From 3:00 to 4:00pm we will transfer items back to the balcony. We will continue to wrap and pack shoeboxes every Sunday through October 9 th. Additionally, we will host a mini packing day on Saturday, 10/8, from 10am-3pm; volunteers from Target may join us this day! Calling All Cooks Starting at 1:30pm, we ll be putting our new kitchen to good use by preparing a meal to be served at PADS later in the week. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I would love to serve on Super Service Saturday! Please complete and place in the offering basket. Name No. of People Serving: Habitat for Humanity Build Day @ 8:30am-4:00pm Feed My Starving Children @ 9:00-11:00am (please arrive by 8:30am) Spirit Lake Christmas Shoeboxes Fri., 9/9 @ 6:30-8:30pm Sat, 9/10, anytime between 9am-4pm PADS Meal
Current & Upcoming Events Food Pantry Sunday is next Sunday, September 4 th. Please bring your donations of juice, coffee and/or tea or bring any non-perishable food items of your choice! Donations can be placed in the Food Pantry basket outside the sanctuary. Christmas Shoe Boxes for Spirit Lake - In order to help send enough boxes to Spirit Lake in October, we are collecting items throughout the year. In September we will be collecting school supply items (Please Note: We have plenty of glue and pencils.). Donations can be placed on the collection shelves in the Community Room. Don t want to shop? Purchase a Target gift card and let us do the shopping for you! And if you purchase the gift cards through MANNA, Epworth will get a little something too! Men s Friday Breakfast - Come and enjoy a delicious breakfast, fellowship and discussion on topics of the day. We meet in M5 every Friday @ 7:00am. All are welcome to attend; this is a casual group and regular attendance is not required. Questions? See Pete Floyd. Sprouts Parents and caregivers are welcome to join us for this wonderful program designed especially for children 0-36 months old praise God in a very baby way. We spend 15 minutes of structured praise followed by 15-30 minutes of play time. This fall we will be offering classes on both Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11:00am in the nursery. Our first class will be on Wednesday, September 7 th. Questions? Please see Penny Ball or contact the Church Office. Friendship Luncheon - Over 55? Join us for our next Friendship Club Luncheon at 12:30pm on Wednesday, September 14 th @ Burnt Toast located at 2492 N Randall Rd in Elgin. A sign-up sheet is on the Epworth bulletin board in the Community Room. You don t have to be a member of the church to come. Questions, call the church office at 847-931-5400. RALLY DAY IS COMING!! September is nearly here and with that comes our Fall session of Sunday School for ALL! Haven't participated for a while? Now is the time! Classes begin on September 11 th! Youth Classes: 5 Year and under meet in the Nursery, M1 & M2 Elementary thru 5th Grade children will be in L3 6th-8th Grades Youth meet in U5 9th - 12th Grades Youth meet in U6 Adult Classes: Women's Study in L2 Men's Study will be in U1 Current Events Class will be in M5. More information will be coming. Remember Group Study helps us understand God in new ways every day!
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR A LIST OF SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
SEPTEMBER GIVING / SERVING OPPORTUNITIES PADS - Servants are needed to cook meals at home to be taken to PADS for about 30 people. Volunteers can also come to PADS to check in guests, serve food or sit down and provide companionship to PADs guests. When: Sunday, September 4 th & Wednesday, September 14 th 6:30-9:00pm. Contact J Fazel at 847-888-0270 to serve. MANNA ORDERS! Manna orders will be taken on Sunday, September 4 th and 18 th! Order forms can be found in the attendance folder as well as on the west wall in the Community Room. Purchase a gift card to give as a gift or purchase them to use for your everyday shopping at the grocery store and/or gas station! Epworth receives 2 20% of the price you pay. Give it a try! For questions, see Carole Burris or contact the church office @ 847-931-5400. ~~~~~~~~~~ SOUP KETTLE - Provides hot meals and warm smiles to 60-100 people in need every day. Epworth Church staffs the Soup Kettle at Zion Lutheran Church the 3 rd Tuesday of each month. When: September 20 th at 4:30-6:45pm. Those wishing to serve, please contact Mary Rees Freeman at mrf647@hotmail.com. ~~~~~~~~~~ FOOD FOR GREATER ELGIN - Provides food assistance to 1200 low income families (approx. 5500 individuals, 1/2 of which are children) in the Elgin and South Elgin areas each month. The following times are available to serve at Food for Greater Elgin: When: Saturday, September 17 th @ 8:30-11:30am and Monday, September 19 th @ 5:30-8:30pm. Please click on Food for Greater Elgin under the Serve tab on our website for more information on how to serve. ~~~~~~~~~~ CRISIS CENTER MEALS - Epworth Mission Team provides meals for the Crisis Center on the 4 th Sunday of every month. We are in need of volunteers to make a main dish to pass, a vegetable or dessert. When: Sunday, September 25 th @ 5:00pm. Please contact Mary Rees Freeman at mrf647@hotmail.com. Dear Epworth Family ~ Thank you so much for your continued well-wishes, cards, phone calls and prayers. Your thoughtfulness means so much to me and my family and helps during my ongoing treatment. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful church family! Love, Vickie Akemann Bible Studies provide an excellent opportunity to continue to learn more about His Word throughout the week and are available to everyone! MONDAYS - Walk the Talk Bible Study - Join us at 6:30am as we hit the walking trail beginning at the parsonage. Continue your day & week connecting and growing through scriptures, empowering you to share God s love and Word & we learn about being Christ s hands & feet. We will walk for about an hour. Monday Night Bible Study We will restart our Monday Night Bible Study on September 12 th @ 7:00pm in U1. We will resume our Invitation to Psalms study we began back in May. This is an ongoing Bible Study and everyone is welcome to join at any time. WEDNESDAYS At Panera Bread in South Elgin at 6am. Share in the word, break bread, sip a beverage as we connect over the scriptures, grow in our understanding and prepare ourselves and others to go out and serve. THURSDAYS It was suggested during the Table Conversations this summer that we have a daytime Bible Study. We heard you! Come join us! Beginning Thursday, September 15 at 1:00 pm - the group will decide what to study. We hope to see you there!