Connections April 2017

Connections April 2017 Spring is in the air today!!! Right now outside my window, the sun is shining and the weatherwoman promises that the temperature is going to get into the 70 s today!!! Now that March is quickly coming to a close, we know that spring has finally sprung! To me, spring is more than just warm, sunny weather, longer daylight, and a chance to get outside: spring is a new beginning; spring is new life full of new possibilities. We do spring cleaning around the house: wash the windows, clean out the garage and the closets. We sweep out the darkness of winter and breathe deeply the newness of making space for new possibilities of the light of spring! We do spring cleaning of our hearts during the season of Lent as well (the 40 days before Easter, not including Sundays). We examine the dark corners and closets of our lives to see where we have turned away from God. Perhaps we blame God for God not living up to our expectations. Perhaps we d rather be the judge. Perhaps we make choices out of fear. When we spring clean our lives, we see more clearly our brokenness, confess our brokenness to God, and repent (turn around toward God). Then, we experience the grace and light of God s forgiveness through Jesus Christ. New life full of new possibilities burst open within us! Often, we see this story of our salvation through Jesus Christ as a personal story. But Jesus came to save not just each of us as individuals, but to save the world. All one has to do to see the darkness of this world in need of salvation is to turn on the news or open Facebook. Children are still starving to death and refugees are still seeking safety to save their lives. Bombings still happen that take human lives. People still suffer from inadequate access to health and education, loneliness and addiction, exploitation and abuse. And, yet, this is the world that Jesus was born into. This is the world that Jesus lived, preached, prayed, taught, healed, and LOVED! This is the world that Jesus chose to give his life to on Good Friday the darkest day of all. And this is the world that Jesus gave us the gift of new life on Easter the lightest, brightest day of all. This means that no matter what happens in the darkness, the light of Christ has the power to overcome. This means that no matter how dark our world is, the light of Christ has the power to shine. This means that in the light of Jesus Christ there is always hope, new life, and new possibilities. Just as we can always count on the sun coming up each day (we might have to be above the clouds to see it) and spring coming each year (we might have to wait for it), we can count on the new life that God has promised in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of God s Son, Jesus Christ. When the resurrected Jesus met the disciples in Galilee, Jesus said to them, I ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age. (Mt. 28:18-20) This Easter, let s shine the light of Jesus Christ into our world so a new life full of new possibilities burst open within our world! Shalom, 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, Education Assistant - 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 Andy Lindstrom, Missions Chair - andrewlindstrom@yahoo.com Bill Beucler, Staff Parish Chair - wbeucler@comcast.net Alan Rohde, Trustees Chair alanrohde59@gmail.com Robin Luzin, UMW Chair rluzin@sbcglobal.net Jack Kellenberger, UMM Chair - kasrust@aol.com Movie Night UMW is having a movie night! Please join us Thursday, April 27th at 6:30pm for a showing of "Bruce Almighty". We will be meeting in an upper level room so come in the entrance by the church office. Bring your own snack/drink to enjoy during the movie. All are welcome to attend; hope to see you there!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chairpersons Needed UMW needs your help! We are looking for 2-3 individuals (women OR men) who would like to step up and coordinate one of the following two events: Salad Luncheon and/or Gingerbread Bazaar. These two events are UMW's major fundraisers each year and the majority of the proceeds go toward supporting local missions such as PADS, Crisis Center, Salvation Army and Food for Greater Elgin. These events have been traditions at Epworth Church for many years and we hope that they can continue but we need individuals to coordinate them. If interested please contact Robin Luzin at (847) 652-5834 or rluzin@sbcglobal.net. APRIL MISSION OF THE MONTH HEIFER INT L HPI is a worldwide self-help organization that provides livestock, such as heifers, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, bees, chickens, water buffalo and other animals, as well as agricultural services to more than 84 countries. Each recipient of an animal agrees to give the first female offspring to someone else in need, thus expanding the project. It s easy to participate in Epworth s Mission of the Month! All you have to do is purchase a container of M&M s next Sunday morning in the Community Room and enjoy your treat. Fill the empty container up with quarters and return it when you are done. You are welcome to contribute by writing a check marked Mission of the Month. Special Lenten Worship Service Line Up Palm Sunday, April 9 th @ 9:00am Maundy Thursday, April 13 th @ 6:30pm Good Friday, April 14 th @ 7:00pm Easter Sunday, April 16 th @ 9:00am

Current & Upcoming Events FOOD PANTRY SUNDAY is next Sunday, April 2 nd. Please bring canned fish and meat or any nonperishable food items of your choice! Donations can be placed in the Food Pantry basket outside the sanctuary. FRIENDSHIP LUNCHEON - Over 55? Join us for our next Friendship Club Luncheon at 12:30pm on Wednesday, April 12 th @ Silver Lake Chinese Restaurant (881 S. Randall Road 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. SPROUTS Join us every Wednesday and/or Thursday mornings @ 11am! Babies and toddlers spend about 35 minutes of social time where they can play and learn followed by 15-20 minutes of singing, movement activities as well as story time. It s a great time for both child and parent and the perfect time to spend an hour with your little ones. You don t have to be an Epworth member to come, so invite friends, neighbors, and relatives the more the merrier! MEN S FRIDAY BREAKFAST - Come and enjoy a delicious breakfast, fellowship and discussion on topics of the day. We meet in M5 the 1 st and 3 rd Fridays of each month @ 7:00am. All are welcome to attend; this is a casual group and regular attendance is not required. KMOTION We have partnered with Highland Elementary School for this mission and our first KMOTION event is scheduled for Saturday, April 8 th, from 11am to 1pm. The event will be baseball themed and will include a meal. The Mission Team needs your help to get this new mission off the ground! A sign up board has been posted in the Community Room; please take a look and see where you can serve with your time and talents! POTLUCK & TRIVIA NIGHT Join us on Sunday, April 23 rd, @ 5:00pm for a fun evening of breaking bread and a friendly battle of wits. Each table will be a team and play 3 rounds of 10 questions each. We will also pass a hat to collect funds for the Spirit Lake Mission Trip. Bring a dish to pass and your thinking caps! We hope to see you for what is sure to be a great time. SOFTBALL SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER Softball season begins on May 6 th. We play at Riverbend Community Park in Saint Charles on Saturdays between 9am and 2pm beginning in May and ending with a tournament the last week in July. The cost is $25 for the season. We are a competitive, fun team. You don t have to be a member of Epworth to join so be sure to invite your friends as well. Come join in the fellowship and exercise. See Andy Lindstrom at andrewlindstrom@yahoo.com for more details. THE EPWORTH GARAGE SALE is scheduled for May 19-20! Please think of Epworth during your spring cleaning. We are always looking for nice items to resell. Books, videos, music, furniture, household appliances and other items, jewelry, crafts, office supplies, toys and more! (No clothing or out-of-date electronics, please.) We will begin taking items at the beginning of May, so in the meantime, box them up at your house for us! Volunteers are needed during the week before and days of the sale. Please give a few hours or days, whatever you can. Many hands make lighter the work! A sign-up sheet will be placed on the bulletin board as the sale draws near. Thank you in advance for your consideration! MANNA ORDERS! Are you on our e-mail list? Please contact the Church Office to make sure we have your correct e-mail address or to have your name added. Manna orders will be taken on April 2 nd & 16 th. Order forms can be found in the attendance folder as well as on the west wall in the Community Room. Purchase gift cards to fill your Easter baskets or purchase them to use for your everyday shopping at the grocery store and/or gas station! It s an easy way to earn extra money for our church! Depending on the cards you purchase Epworth receives 2 20% of the price you pay. Give it a try this month! For questions, see Carole Burris or contact the church office @ 847-931-5400.

-- SPIRIT LAKE INFORMATION -- PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER Thank you to all who supported the pancake fundraiser for Spirit Lake Mission Trip. We raised $700 due to the UMM donating all the food items for this breakfast. (Thanks men!!) I would like to thank the Mission Team for their hard work in pulling it off without any problems as well as Steve Mink, Stetson & Jayden Meyer, Jenny & JJ Lindstrom and Carole Burris for pitching in to help. 2017 SPIRIT LAKE MISSION TRIP There are still openings for our 2017 mission trip to Spirit Lake this year. The mission trip will be from June 25 th 30 th. The trip costs $300.00 per person, but a $50.00 deposit will reserve your spot. Contact Andy Lindstrom if you have any questions regarding the trip or an interest in going at andrewlindstrom@yahoo.com. CHRISTMAS SHOEBOXES FOR SPIRIT LAKE We are off to a slow start getting items for the shoeboxes this year. Let s get going before it gets too late. In April we will be collecting things for BOYS (action figures, balls, matchbox cars, etc. ) as well as shoeboxes, wrapping paper, tape, etc Don t feel like shopping? Purchase a Target gift card from MANNA and let us do the shopping for you! THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS YEAR S GEORGE BLANKENSHIP ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IS QUICKLY APPROACHING! Applications are open to individuals who: Are a member or have been active in Epworth UMC for at least 6 months prior to the March 31 st deadline. Will be attending an accredited 4 year college or university, seeking a Bachelor level degree. Demonstrate financial need (as calculated using the Federal Application for Student Aid). Have established a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applications can be downloaded from our website under the Announcements or picked up in the office. Applications and references MUST be submitted by this Friday March 31 st. Scholarships will be awarded by June 1 st. Please contact the church office with questions. - CARE MINISTRY TEAM - Do you know someone from our congregation who is homebound, in the hospital, nursing home or a rehab facility? Please make sure our Care Team is aware of these members. We will make sure those members receive a call or visit and/or send cards to keep in touch with them. No one likes to be alone when they are sick, recovering from surgery or going through rehab. We are always looking for members to join our team! If you are interested in making visits / phone calls or sending letters to our members in need of some extra TLC, please contact Sandy Kaptain at sakaptain@gmail.com. Do you shop on Amazon? Did you know they will donate a portion of your sales to Epworth? It s a simple and super easy way for Epworth to earn a little extra money. Simply log into Amazon Smile (www.smile.amazon.com) using your same Amazon user name and password, select Epworth United Methodist Church (make sure to select our church in Elgin, IL) as the organization you want to support and place your orders. It s THAT easy! Questions? Contact the church office to help walk you through it.

APRIL GIVING / SERVING OPPORTUNITIES PADS - PADS of Elgin provides overnight shelter and coordinates support services for the homeless in Elgin and surrounding areas. The shelter is open 7 days a week to all individuals who have a non-felony record and can pass a breathalyzer test. For two hours one evening our servants help serve food to the residents of PADS. When: Sunday, April 2 nd @ 6:30-9:00pm Where: 1730 Berkley Street in Elgin Please contact Andy Lindstrom at andrewlindstrom@yahoo.com for more information. ~~~~~~~~~~ FOOD FOR GREATER ELGIN - Provides food assistance to 1200 low income families (approx. 5500 individuals, 1/2 of which are children) in the Elgin, South Elgin and East Dundee areas each month. The following times are available to serve at Food for Greater Elgin: When: Saturday, April 15 th @ 8:30-11:30am and Monday, April 17 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. ~~~~~~~~~~ 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: Tuesday, April 18 th @ 4:30-6:45pm. Those wishing to serve, please see Janina Hoffman for more information. ~~~~~~~~~~ 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, April 23 rd @ 5:00pm. Please contact Mary Rees Freeman at mrf647@hotmail.com. Food for Greater Elgin is in need of volunteers! The following serving opportunities are available to those who are interested: FOOD DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANCE: Tuesdays from 8:30am to 11:30am Wednesdays from 10:30am to 1:30pm SORTING ASSISTANCE: Tuesdays: Volunteers are needed to help sort various products received from Amazon and US Food Service. Available serving times are from 11:00am - 1:00pm or 12:00pm - 2:00pm Thursdays: We are also looking for 3 volunteers to come to help go thru the U.S. Food products. Available serving times are from 11:00am - 1:00pm or 12:00pm - 2:00pm FRESH TO YOU MOBILE MARKET: The 3rd and 4th Friday of every month Food for Greater Elgin brings their client choice to seniors! This has been an amazing experience and has made such a difference in the lives of many seniors at Central Park Towers and Gardiner Place. To serve, please contact Claudia Van Delinder, Director of Community Outreach for Food for Greater Elgin, at 847.931.9330 x314 or cvandelinder@foodforgreaterelgin.org. 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 track at the Centre downtown Elgin. 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. AND / OR 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.