THE KEYS ST. PETER S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST GRANT PARK, IL August 2018 1
NEW PASTOR Dear Members of St. Peter s UCC, You have entrusted us, the Pastoral Search Committee, with the responsibility of selecting a new minister for our church. There were many potential candidates from numerous states who read our profile. After many meetings, prayer, and through mutual consent, we are pleased to introduce Pastor Kyle Timmons as our candidate for the position of Pastor, as supported by the Church Council. Pastor Timmons and his family currently live in Northwest Ohio just south of Toledo. Pastor Kyle has served in the United Church of Christ for over ten years and has been the Associate Pastor at St. Paul UCC in Oak Harbor, Ohio, and the Senior Pastor at Trinity UCC in Elliston, Ohio. Before joining the UCC, Pastor Kyle served for five years as a Children s and Youth Pastor. Kyle and Jackie both grew up in Northwest Ohio. Kyle served four years in the U.S. Navy, married Jackie in the middle of his service, and they have three children. Nicholas "Nick" who will be a sophomore in high school is involved in cross country, basketball, and baseball. Rebecca will be entering fourth grade, and enjoys using her musical gift of singing, and plans on being a runner when she gets to middle school and high school. Anna will be entering third grade this fall and recently began playing the xylophone and volleyball. Both Rebecca and Anna enjoy playing softball. The task of finding our new pastor has been a long, but exciting adventure. The continued support, patience, and prayers of the congregation have been much appreciated by the committee. Now we would like to invite you to meet Pastor Kyle and his family during a reception to be held Saturday, August 18, in the Lange Fellowship Hall from 3:00-5:00 pm. And on Sunday August 19th, Pastor Kyle will be leading the worship service. Immediately following the service, there will be a special Congregational meeting for the purpose of voting on a new pastor. We urge you to 2
attend both of these events and to share in this very important decision. Yours in Christ, The Pastoral Search Committee Pastor Kyle Timmons and his wife, Jacquelyn "Jackie" Timmons, Nicholas "Nick", Rebecca (left), Anna (right) THE YOUNG AT HEART The Young at Heart group will not meet in August. COLLEGE STUDENT ADDRESSES College student addresses (email and regular mail) are needed so we can keep in contact with them by sending our newsletter, The Keys, and other information about events at the church. NEW and OLD addresses are needed to update our records. Please call the church office. Leave a message if you are calling after hours. Thank you. 3
Want to be more involved at St. Peter s? Check out the calendar of events and find something you could help with! -Sunday School will need teachers come September! -Confirmation Classes will be starting up -Turkey Supper can always use help! Talk to Shirley K. and Karen E. -Worship each week is at 9:30am this month and beginning September 16, will be at 10:30am -August 12 is Elvis Sunday -August 26 th is Farmer Sunday: special service, tractor rides, country style potluck (Church Life provides the meat) Please note that the church insurance will not cover in case of injury or other problems. The difference would be if you pull a wagon and have people riding on the wagon our insurance may provide coverage in that instance. -Communion is the first Sunday of every month. -Church Life is sponsoring a Church Yard Sale during Fall Festival. The church parking lot will be used and folks can purchase a parking space for $10 to sell their wares. OR if you prefer, donate unused clothing and other items for the Church Life table all items will be sent to St. Vincent DePaul at 3pm that day. Sale hours: 7am-3pm and $1 bags at 2pm -Church Life Bunco Night Friday, October 12 th - gather a table of 4 for $20 and join in the fun! Eastern Association Meeting is September 15 th at St. John s in Kankakee. The regular workshops are from 2pm 4pm. Join us for dinner at 5pm and Concert by Carrie Newcomer and pianist Gary Walters at 6pm. Carrie and Gary will provide leadership for the workshops as well. If anyone would like to go with Rev. Jan to take Communion to shut-ins during the week of August 5, please let her know. 4
Sunday Funday! Sunday, September 16 th 9:00 am Everyone is Welcome Please Join Us! Plans are being made. MONTHLY CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS * Committee Members are eagerly working on extra fellowship events. * Council received 3 quotes for new windows. * A Knox box will be installed for First responders to access the Church in the event of an emergency. *Honoring our farmers on Sunday 8/26 - Tractor rides, Drive them if you have them, and stay after worship for a Farm Picnic Lunch. Please note that the church insurance will not cover in case of injury or other problems. The difference would be if you pull a wagon and have people riding on the wagon, our insurance may provide coverage in that instance. *Updated Church Directory is here!. 5
Pastor s Article for August Newsletter What is the most valuable gift you can give? We all might answer that question in a different way. Some would answer money; some, a piece of fine art; some, a child s drawing of sunshine; some, a new dress or new shoes; some, a diamond ring or expensive piece of jewelry; some, love. I m going to suggest something different. I believe that the most valuable gift we can give or receive is none of the above although they are nice gifts, generous even. And as much as it pains me to say, not even the Love of God is the most valuable gift you can give. Although of faith, hope, and love, the greatest of THESE is Love. I m thinking about time. It may be that time is the most valuable gift we have been given and that we can give. You might say that that s not much of a gift, but I differ. Time heals wounds. Time heals broken hearts. Time with family draws each member of that family together. Time is the one thing we can never retrieve once it has passed! If you had known that a loved one would pass from this world too early, what would you have done differently? Would you not have wanted to spend more time together laughing, crying, playing, holding hands, just being together? If you have adult children or grandchildren, haven t they grown up too fast? Did you get to spend as much time as you wanted with them? Be honest! The moments we use to do things that do not matter to God or to our hearts or to those we love the most in this life, are moments we can never get back. So, work if you must but recognize the cost of your labor. Shop as you like, but realize what else you could be doing that would be more satisfying. Clean your house until the floors shine, but know that your efforts will probably not be recognized by the ones you love the most. We all have the same number of seconds, minutes, and hours in a day. Use those seconds, minutes, and hours, wisely because once they are gone, they are gone forever. There was an article in Guideposts sometime in 1971-72 that was about a junior in high school. Her English teacher assigned her class a paper to write on the topic: If I had a week to live. She 6
laid out exactly what she would do with the minutes and hours of that last week of her life spend time in worship (good thing!)..spend time with grandparents..spend time with her at home family..spend a day with her friends spend a day visiting a national monument she had never seen spend time giving away her most prized possessions. And a week later, after handing in her paper to her teacher, she was killed in a car accident. None of us ever knows the hour or the day we will be called by God from this life into eternal life. My hope and prayer is that each one of us will make each moment count because each moment we have been given is a gift from God, a precious gift to be used wisely. As summer begins to turn to autumn and schools start preparing for the coming year, make each moment count! Blessings of Time, Jan JOYS Jessica Frahm s safe return from the Dominican Republic on her Mission Trip. The birth of Piper Pauline Pickens born on July 3 rd to Jeremy and Christine Pickens. The baptism of Jack Bradley Heldt, son of Jared and Jessica Heldt. Jack was baptized on July 29 th his sponsors were Katie Bundgaard and Kyle Heldt. Jack s grandparents are Rich and Sandi Heldt and Bard and Jo Mattison. 7
AUGUST MISSION GIVING Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM) Also known as Basic Support, our contributions support God s mission in the Illinois Conference, nationally, and globally. 71% of our contribution stays in Illinois to carry out the mission of the Illinois Conference. Part of that mission is the support of local church pastors and the local churches, helping local churches during the search and call process, and providing intervention teams to help local churches work through times of challenge. STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH The Strengthen the Church Offering supports the expansion of ministry and growth of UCC local congregations. Your support of this offering will help the UCC fulfill on its commitment to creating a just world for all by investing in new ministries and practices that meet the emerging needs of local communities. FOOD PANTRY The food pantry at St. Luke s UCC in Beecher is currently providing food for 20-25 families on average. If you are looking for suggestions canned fruit, sugar free items, canned pasta, paper products, and personal products like toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo are always needed. The pantry will be open on from 9:00-11:00, on the second Saturday of each month. Your donations are always appreciated! Thank You! CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND CHURCH ON A REGULAR BASIS Mrs. Pat Hamann Mr. Vic Frahm Mr. Stanley Schneider 8692 N 11000E Rd 307 S Maple 13 Hilgret Court Grant Park, IL 60940 Grant Park, IL 60940 Grant Park, IL 60940 8
In Our Thoughts and Prayers: We encourage you to keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers: Stanley Schneider prayers for healing, Jennie Hamann prayers for healing, Devyn (Dawn Schroeder s Niece) prayers for healing, Vic Frahm, prayers for comfort, Jason - please pray for peace for Jason as he moves to Hospice care, Brandy Fulton, (Evelyn Bond s Niece) prayers for healing, Paul Hamann, (Carl & Eddie Hamann s son) prayers for healing, Wess Wooding in need of transplant, and all of God s children seeking comfort, peace, and love. AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS 5 9:30 am Worship Service/Communion Blood Pressure screening with the Fire Department in choir room. FAMILY VBS FOLLOWING WORSHIP SAME FORMAT AS JULY 8 TH SMALL CHILDREN AND BABIES 6 6:00-9:00 Calling and Caring 7 7:00 pm Christian Ed Meeting 12 9:30 am Worship Service/ Elvis Sunday 15 10:00 am Music Committee Meeting 18 3:00-5:00 pm Reception for Pastor Kyle Timmons & Family 19 9:30 am Trial Sermon for Pastor Kyle Timmons 21 7:00 pm Church Council Meeting 26 9:30 am Worship 9
AUGUST BIRTHDAY LIST Birthdays are compiled from church membership records. Please inform us of any omissions or corrections. Shirley Riley 4 Eric Frahm 19 Jessica Frahm 4 Matt Hamann 19 Eric Couwenhoven 7 Richard Boicken 19 Jared Heldt 7 Gavin Reynolds 22 Bob Hoevet 8 Harold Voigt 22 Larry Ohm 8 Dorothy Kutemeier 23 Dennis Granger 9 Nancy Lewke 25 Karen Spangler 11 Russ Koehn 26 Allen Schroeder 11 Brett Buttle 26 Jan Voigt 11 Tyler Williamson 26 Kim Cousin 11 Leisa Rundquist 28 Susan Williamson 15 Paige Sherwood 29 For Adults with younger kids and babies! Donation for clean water missions Sanctuary at 11am (story time) Lunch following Water fun after that! Until 2:30-ish Bring: Sun block, swim suit for kids, towels, extra diapers. 10
ST. PETER S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 310 N. MEADOW ST. P.O. BOX 220 GRANT PARK, IL 60940 Church Office / Parsonage (815) 465-6191 Church Email Addresses: stpetersgp@sbcglobal.net Church Website: www.stpetersgp.org Facebook: St. Peters UCC Grant Park Church Office Hours: Tuesday Friday; 9:00 AM 1:00 PM STAFF Rev. Jan Johnson, Interim Pastor Marcia Langlois, Office Administrator Beverly Junker, Financial Secretary Ann Smith, Senior Choir Director Kathy Ekhoff, Junior Choir Director Judy Schneider and Shari Ohm, Organists Peg McCraw, Custodian Jessica Frahm & Kole Stadt - Youth Advisors CHURCH COUNCIL Evelyn Bond, President Garry Junker, Vice President Kelly Schneider, Secretary Susan Williamson, Treasurer, Ron Hamann, Assistant Treasurer Sandy Erickson, Kaleb Frahm, Vicki Gawlinski, Russell Koehn No Matter Who You Are or Where you Are on Life s Journey, You Are Welcome Here 11