August 2022 Connections

AUGUST 2022

CONNECTIONS L O C A L & G L O BA L S TO R I E S, N E W S A N D E V E N T S O F C O L L E G E C H U RC H

“As I entered college as a freshman, I was advised that philosophy — the ‘love of wisdom’— was the standard pre-seminary sequence.”

Read Maybe My Philosophy Major Was a Mistake by Wallace Alcorn on page 15

FACE TO FACE

GLOBAL VOICES

LOCALLY SOURCED

Pieces of Photography

Turnkey Ready

Portrait of an Art Studio

K ATHERINE BAYLIS | 8

LORRAINE TRIGGS | 12

AUTUMN SIMPSON| 16

TABLE OF CONTENTS PA GE 02

PAGE 15

August Highlights

MaybeMyPhilosophyMajorWasaMistake WALLACE ALCORN

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PAGE 16

From the Editor WIL TRIGGS

Portrait of an Art Studio

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AUTUMN SIMPSON

A Word from Pastor Eric Channing

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Welcome New Members

Update from Christ Church, Atlanta LOIS KROGH

PAGE 20 A Wholistic View of Pro- Life

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ALISON TEWS

Pieces of Photographs KATHERINE BAYLIS

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Back to Church Sunday

Prayer Gatherings

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At the Bookstall

Artist Spotlight—Kevin Van Norman

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Milestones

Turnkey Ready LORRAINE TRIGGS

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PAGE 27 Looking Ahead

The Gospel in Me

PAGE 28

MATT ANTHONY

Campus Maps

Our Pastors, Directors and Residents: Josue Alvarado, pastoral resident | Matt Anthony, pastoral resident | Cheryce Berg, director of children’s ministries | Julie Clemens, director of disability ministries | Erik Dewar, pastor of worship and music Baxter Helm, high school pastor | Dan Hiben, middle school pastor | Tim Hollinger, technology director | Howard Kern, facilities director Bruce Main, interim pastor of visitation and care | Josh Maurer, pastor of discipleship | Curt Miller, missions pastor | Josh Moody, senior pastor Richard Moomjian, pastoral resident | Ben Panner, college pastor | Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries | John Seward, executive pastor | Nancy Singer, director of administration and 4nance | Wil Triggs, director of communications Our Council of Elders: David Bea | Mark Berg | Howard Costley, chair | Dave Gieser, vice chair | Randy Jahns | Heinrich Johnsen Josh Moody, senior pastor | Je Oslund | Roger Sandberg | David Setran | Jeremy Taylor, secretary | Chad Thorson | Brian Wildman

332 E. Seminary, Wheaton, IL 60187 (630) 668-0878 | www.college-church.org

Connections is a monthly newsletter published for and about the people of College Church. Send news items and suggestions to: connections@college-church.org.

Keep Connections in mind to promote a community event to the College Church family. Send event information by the following dates: For the September issue: August 9 For the October issue: September 9| For the November issue: October 9

CONTRIBUTORS WALLACE ALCORN

AUTUMN SIMPSON

has taught, at least as a substitute or adjunct, on every level from kindergarten through doctoral students—but principally Bible college and seminary. For the past eight years, he has been a guest teacher four times each semester at Wheaton Academy.

has been with STARS Family Services (SFS) since August 2021 working as a Life Skills Coach and recently transitioned to a more focused role with SFS as a communications intern.

She has shared her creative spirit and love of music with SFS residents.

Autumn is from South Carolina and is junior at Wheaton College pursuing a BA in psychology.

MATT ANTHONY begins his pastoral residency with College Church on August 1. You can read more about Matt in his “I Believe” story on page 14. He and his wife, Ashley, have four children Elliotte (Elly), Levi, Evelyn and Oliver.

KATHERINE BAYLIS is a semi-regular contributor to Connections, is a tea enthusiast who loves rare books. She works in Bible manufacturing at Tyndale and is also a grad student at Wheaton College studying church history.

LOIS KROGH has been in mentoring and discipleship ministries for almost four decades as a homeschooling mother of six, grandmother and wife of a pastor. She and her husband, Steve, are College Church missionaries as well as founding members of our newest church plant, Christ Church of South Metro Atlanta.

ALISON TEWS works as a case manager for a local nonpro4t organization, is working on her graduate degree in social work, and enjoys advocating for the unique needs of vulnerable families. She also enjoys serving in Kids’ Harbor, teaching preschoolers about the truth of the Bible and how mighty our God is.

LORRAINE TRIGGS has gone to public libraries at least once a week for all her life. When she’s not checking out books, she enjoys discussing the 4ner points of grammar with her husband, Wil, as they bake together.

KEVIN VAN NORMAN serves with his wife, Gale, as third grade Sunday school teachers in Kids Harbor. He loves seeing the Lord at work in the midst of Bibles, crayons and markers. Kevin grew up in Wheaton and has been attending College Church since 1987. He’s currently pursuing a career as a children’s book author/illustrator.

COVER IMAGE: What if you succeed beyond your wildest dreams? byKevinVanNorman

AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES

NEW EVENING SERIES: The Church of the Gospel

Everyone welcome Join us at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and beginning August 21, at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Livestream broadcast is at 9:30 with a rebroadcast at 11. You can watch it at college-church.org/ livestream AUGUST 7: Pastor Josh Maurer preaching Take Heart, John 16:33 AUGUST 14: Pastor Dan Hiben preaching The Body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

NEW SERMON SERIES: The Gospel of Jesus

AUGUST 21: Pastor Josh Moody preaching 1 Timothy 1:1-11 AUGUST 28: Pastor Dan Hiben preaching 1 Timothy 1:12-20

SUMMER FORUM in Commons Hall at 9:30 a.m.

FAITHSHARE: Ten Weeks to Grow Your Gospel Readiness AUGUST 21: The Beginning, Mark 1:1-20, Pastor Josh Moody preaching AUGUST 28: Priority, Mark 2:1-3:6, Pastor Josh Moody preaching

SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICES Everyone welcome.

In Commons Hall at 5 p.m.

Walk in Christ Series, Colossians AUGUST 7: Pastoral Resident Josue Alvarado preaching Colossians 4:2-6 AUGUST 14: Pastoral Resident Richard Moomjian preaching Colossians 4:7-18

AUGUST 7: Isn’t Christianity responsible for so much injustice in the world?

AUGUST 14: Hope: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

ADULT COMMUNITIES

(resumes August 21)

ALL NATIONS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C101 Dr. Jim Tebbe: The Mission of God in Scripture COLLEGE GROUP Sundays 11 a.m. in Commons Hall Pastor Ben Panner FORUM 15 Sundays 9:30 a.m. in CL01 Bruce Main: Life of Christ GREEK CLASS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in the Board Room Knowledge of Greek is not required for this class.

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LIFE TOGETHER COMUNITY Sundays 9:30 a.m. in Commons Gym Teaching Team: Authentic biblical community for adults ages 25-40 LIVING WORD Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104A & C Dr. Doug Moo, Pastor Josh Maurer, Felipe Chamy: 1 & 2 Thessalonians LOGOS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104E Dan Haase: The Gospel of John NEW: THRIVE Sundays 9:30 a.m. in Crossings For adults in their 4 0 s- 5 0 s to live out Gods Word in community.

VERITAS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104B & D Dr. Neil Wright:Book of Revelation Young parents are welcome.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (KIDS’ HARBOR)

SUNDAY MORNING AUGUST 7: KMs Summer Sundays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. | KMs room WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17: School Year Kick Off, 6:45-8:15 p.m.—details to come SUNDAY, AUGUST 21: Sunday Foundations begins at 9:30 a.m.

HIGH SCHOOL (HYACKS) SUNDAYS AUGUST 7: No meeting this Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

AUGUST 14: Fall Kickoff from 2 to 7 p.m. (HYACKs will not meet at the 9:30 a.m. hour).

AUGUST 21: 9:30 a.m. in the Crossings AUGUST 28: 9:30 a.m. in the Crossings

WEDNESDAYS from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

AUGUST 3: no meeting AUGUST 10: no meeting AUGUST 17: in the Crossings AUGUST 24: in the Crossings AUGUST 31: in the Crossings

SUNDAYS—August 7 9:30 a.m. Nursery, preschool and elementary

COLLEGE GROUP

11 a.m. Nursery and preschool (only for children of firsttime visitors and those teaching in Kids’ Harbor)

COLLEGE GROUP BIBLE STUDY

on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at 322 E. Union Ave. Volunteer training for Sunday Bible school, WOW and Ends August 9. children’s church is August 14 from 8:15 to 10:45 a.m.

SUNDAYS—Fall Programs Begin August 21

NEW STUDENT WELCOME

August 21, 10:45 a.m. in the Commons

Nursery (0-2) at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

COLLEGE GROUP

Bible School (preschool-fifth grade) at 9:30 a.m.

August 28, 10:45 a.m. in the Commons

Wonders of Worship WOW( ( K- third grade) during second half of 11 a.m. service

HOME GROUPS

Children’s Church (preschool) at 11 a.m.

Preschool at 5 p.m.

Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m. in homes (Starting September 5-8)

20s GROUP

Note: Wednesday programs for fall begin September 1 4 .

MIDDLE SCHOOL (KMS) MONDAY AUGUST 1: Boys & Girls Bible Studies 10:30 a.m. to noon | North Lot Tent (boys), Commons (girls) WEDNESDAY NIGHT AUGUST 3: Commons Patio ( rain call: Commons Hall West) , 6 : 4 5 - 8 : 1 5 p. m.

A landing place for you to grow in Christian community and launching pad to send you out in the ministry and mission of the church.

Weekly gatherings and events. For more information, contact Kaitie Girgis at kgirgis@college-church.org.

THURSDAY AUGUST 4: Sports Hangout, 10:30 a.m. to noon in the North Lot Tent No programming the week of August 5-16

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STARS SUNDAYS INCLUSION CLASSES at 9:30 a.m.

TEEN STARS at 9:30 a.m.

YOUNG ADULT/ADULT/MULTI-GENERATIONAL at 9:30 a.m.

Note: no 11 a.m. classes during the summer FRIDAY, AUGUST 5: Schaumburg Boomers baseball game outing at 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19: Rescheduled STARS Talent Show

apart for his specific purposes. Well look at this Old Testament book through a New Testament lens, seeking to better understand God’s revelation of himself and what this means for us today.

Next spring, we look forward to diving into Luke’s gospel and seeing the compassion of Christ revealed. We anticipate a joyful and fruitful journey together this year.

We hope youll join us! To register, visit our website.

MORNING: 9:30-11 a.m.

EVENING: 6:45-8:15 p.m.

in the Commons, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

VISITORS LUNCH Are you new to College Church? f so, youre invited to our Visitors Lunch on Sunday, August 7, at noon in the lobby outside the Sanctuary. Come and meet pastors and sta , learn about College Church and 4nd out how you can get involved. Lunch is on us!

COLLEGE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP MEALS

TUESDAYS TOGETHER Fun for all ages, food, music, plus time and space to chill together. Every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. through August 9.

SUMMER BOOK GROUP Wisdom from the Ancients: 30 Forgotten Lessons from the Early Church by Bryan M. Litfin Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. in the Fireside Area through August 17

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES WOMEN’S MINISTRY SUMMER BOOK CLUB on the Commons Patio, (rain location Commons Hall), 7-8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9: Worthy by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Eric Schumacher

MOM2MOM Summer Park Playdates, 9:30-11 a.m.

AUGUST 8: Babcock Grove Park, Glen Ellyn AUGUST 22: Rathje Park, Wheaton

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY starting September 14 This fall, we’ll study the Book of Deuteronomy. Through this last book of the Pentateuch, we see the unfolding story of redemption as God chooses a people to set

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FRIDAY NIGHT SUPPER on August 26 or SATURDAY MORNING BRUNCH on August 27 As we gather as a church and a community, we are excited to continue our Fellowship Meals.

These meals are friendly and informal ways to meet one another. Come and enjoy a delicious potluck meal and a sweet time of fellowship together. This isn’t a gourmet supper club, but an opportunity to meet new people or deepen existing relationships in the College Church family. All welcome. We need both hosts and guests—especially hosts—willing to open their homes (or backyards, patios, nearby parks).

Choose a Friday evening supper (for adults only) or a family brunch on Saturday (for families/all ages). These gatherings are for good food, good conversation and ideal opportunities to meet more people in our church family.

If you have questions, please contact Daniel Conroy at (630) 200-8378 or conroypdaniel@ gmail.com Sign up by August 10 to be part of these church potluck meals.

VISIT: college-church.formstack. com/forms/fellowship_meal_ signup or use this QR code.

FROM THE EDITOR MORE THAN WE B ARGA NE D F OR I love the cover art from Kevin in this month’s Connections.

That big 4sh you can see where Kevin was going with the caption for the image (see contributors page). But to me it seems in many ways to be like God himself in relation to many of us unsuspecting followers. We think were catching a little 4sh, but theyre all scattering, and theres someth much bigger than we realize submerged beneath the depths.

Eric Channing thought he’d likely be at College Church for the rest of his ministry life. Then the call to pastor at Hope Fellowship swallowed him up and he and his family are on their way to something big and new.

Lois Krogh 4nds herself in Georgia in a cross- cultural experience not unlike moving to another country altogether. Welcome to ChristChurch.

Katherine Baylis looks back at summers past and sees beyond nostalgic photos to the friendship that last.

Lorraine Triggs tells the story of two missionaries who come home from the mission field in the 1930s, and the choices they made then are still at work today in the lives of missionaries seeking respite and refreshment.

Matt Anthony, our newest pastoral resident, recalls his appetite for sin and his hunger to know discover whether or not his faith in Jesus is the real thing.

Wallace Alcorn declared a major on college and looks back decades later at the choice he made.

Autumn Simpson tells the story of the SFS Art Studio and how art is helping people discover gifts and ways of expression they never knew they had.

Alison Tews considers the many di erent callings in a post- Roe/ Wade world.

God is working in ways we cant fully imagine. How could we? We arent God. But so often we think we know because we know him. We study the Bible. We pray. We do the good things we know good people should do.

Just because he’s working through us, well, that doesn’t mean that we understand a lot of how and why he’s doing what he’s doing. Think about that as you read this issue. So often we are in our little boats hoping to catch a small perch or trout, when God has something gigantic in mind that goes way beyond what we can even imagine.

God gives us more than we bargained for. This is a good thing. These are good stories. Be encouraged.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the powe work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forev ever. Amen.

WI L T RI GGS

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A Word from Pastor Eric Channing Dear College Church family, I want to express my deep love for you, the people of this church. Ten years ago, Sara and I arrived at College Church for the pastoral residency program, with three young children. We were planning to spend two or three years in Wheaton, and then a lifetime in Africa as missionaries. Little did we know that God had other plans. When he unexpectedly changed our family’s plans for missionary service, I was thrilled to remain on the pastoral staff as college pastor for two years, and then as the pastor of congregational care and family ministries for five and a half years. Over the past decade, I was ordained, our family has been blessed with three additional children, and by God’s grace, I have grown in my ability to preach, lead and care for his people. I am profoundly grateful to have served our Lord and Savior in this place.

I truly believe that the people of College Church are pure gold. God has given extraordinary resources to College Church, but the greatest of these resources is the people. I have been privileged to walk with so many of you through situations of life, difficulty and death, and our family has made lifelong friendships here. We will miss you deeply.

There was a time not too long ago when I believed that I would be ministering at College Church for the rest of my life. I never viewed my position at College Church as a stepping-stone, but rather as a destination. But God, in his providence, has shown me that he has other plans for us. Earlier this year an elder from one of our church plants Hope Fellowship in Lombard unexpectedly reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in becoming their next lead pastor. Initially I told him, “I don’t know,” but I would pray about it. As I prayed about it that evening, immediately God gave me a strong desire for this ministry. Over the past many months Sara and I have continued to pray and seek counsel about this opportunity. It has become very clear to us, and to Hope Fellowship, that God has prepared us for this new role. By faith we are following the leading of our Savior into this next chapter of ministry.

Our hearts are torn. We eagerly anticipate what God has in store, yet at the same time we are deeply saddened to be leaving a church family we love. Thankfully, we will still be living in Wheaton, and we are grateful to remain part of the “extended family” of College Church. I am hopeful that College Church and Hope Fellowship can find new ways to partner in gospel ministry in the years ahead.

College Church, echoing the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians, I give thanks to God always for all of you (1 Thess. 1:2). Please pray for me and my family as we transition to Hope Fellowship, and that “words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.” (Eph. 6:19) With deep love and affection in Christ, Eric Channing

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SI DE BY S I D E

Update from Christ Church, South Metro Atlanta Lois Krogh

There were some adjustments to be made when we my mantel is the phrase, “All of Life in Light of the Gospel.” moved to be a part of College Church’s church plant here We constantly ask ourselves what it looks like to believe in South Metro Atlanta. Of course, we expected it to be gospel and to have the truths of the gospel inRuence ever hot. And it is. When wrote this update, the temperature area of our lives. Knowing that Christians are counted as hit 1 0 degrees, and officially was still spring. We also righteous had before God should lead to a decreasing fear of heard about the bugs, but not about the bugs that are so man’s opinion of us. For me, this has pushed me outside small they are called No See Ums. You may not see them, mycomfortzonetojoinourneighborhoodwomenssupper but you cannot ignore their bites. club without worrying about what they might think of me.

Thankfully, there was no adjustment to finding a church The Lord has brought many young people to our church. since we brought the church with us. We dont have One the young woman asked if she could get together with me building College Church has or the outstanding music or this summer because she was taken with my con4dence. crowds of people, but we do have the core. We are almost all laughedoutloud.havealwaysidenti4edwithMuch about the gospel.

Afraid in the Pilgrim’s Progress. Maybe after all these years, the truth of the gospel is changing my timid disposition.

A while back, was in Wheaton for the weekend. n those few brief days, I made it to My Half of the Sky, Mai Thai Cafe I heard from several folks about the wonderful Thursday and Gia Mia’s. The best part was the joy of worshiping again communion service this past Easter season. It was good to at 332 E. Seminary Ave. As I walked around the corner from hear of the sweet fellowship around the table of the King. where I had parked, I saw again the brass plaque on the Our church held a Good Friday service - a very uncommon tower reminding me that this church is “Proclaiming the experience for southerners. Because we only have access Gospel.( What a simple message with serious rami4cations. to a building on Sundays, we held it outside along a lake.

The more complex our world gets, the more divided and We brought over the cross we usually put up on Sundays confused, the more a clear gospel call is welcomed. and I draped it in black cloth. It was delightfully warm. The plan was to end the Good Friday service in silence, but it Does the expression, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the quickly became apparent that people wanted to linger there tree,” apply to church plants? If it means that the church contemplating the message of Christ’s death on our behalf. plant in Atlanta has the same gospel DNA as College Again, the gospel was proclaimed, and lives were changed.

Church, the answer is yes. We are all about the gospel.

If any sweet Georgia peaches make it up to Chicago this And that has created another adjustment to being in the summer, may they remind you to pray for us and God’s gospel south—proclaiming the gospel so that it is truly heard. In work in our lives and the lives of the folks he sends our way. case you didn’t know, everyone in the south is a Christian.

A handyman we hired to install our appliances told us proudly that he had his “gospel ticket” to get into heaven.

He wondered why his sister was so averse to getting one.

“It doesn’t hurt to have a little insurance.”

I have made friends with a woman who can’t make it through a conversation without adding swear words for emphasis.

Yet she told me she sends her children to a Christian school, so they can get the Bible stu .( We do a lot of talkin about the gospel down here, but not a lot of living it.

So, when Zach and the leadership team were working on a tag line for our church, they knew it needed to be both gospel-centered and life-focused. Now, happily framed on

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KATHERINE BAYLIS

Pieces of Photographs

F A CE T O FACE

I’ve always thought of summer as more of a concept than an actual season.

If I were to acknowledge the weather of June through August as the sole definition of “summer,” then I would have to say I very much dislike it. But I always enjoyed summer growing up, mainly because of what it represented: no school and more time with family.

The highlight of every summer was always the week or two that I would see my cousins. Some years it was the only time I’d see them, so we tried to make the most of every minute.

There’s a line in Tennessee William’s play The Glass Menagerie that goes, “In memory, everything seems to happen to music.” I carry a similarly romanticized notion of my childhood summers that expands in and out of focus depending on the year. My memories of summer are akin to an eclectic pile of photos,

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conversations, locations, sounds and faces. Most of them converge at my grandparents’ lake house on Lake Winnipesaukee (NH) strung together by stories of my cousins and our adventures. As a life-long scrapbooker, I love collecting fragments and mementos and then finding a way to tell a story with them. Thus, the most fitting tool for navigating through my summers seems to be through describing a handful of memorable photographs.

Every year, when my grandma wants to tell us a story about how cute my cousins Will and Lizzie and I were when we were little, she pulls out a particular photo. We are each sitting in one of those tiny folding chairs made for toddlers and eating Goldfish crackers.

Every year my grandma asks if I still like Goldfish (my grandpa liked to call them “fishy cookies”) and the answer is

always a resounding yes. In the photo, I have on bright red rain boots while my cousin Will dons a denim bucket hat. The real reason this photo gets dragged out of a shoebox every year is our facial expressions. Somehow, a serene moment was captured as we stared inquiringly at each other. My grandpa referred to the picture as “the summit,” as though we were world leaders engaged in serious discussion.

I do not recall much from that early an age, but I highly doubt we were serene much of the time. I would not be surprised if one of us threw the Goldfish crackers at the other moments after this photo was taken. Will is three years younger than me for most of the year, but for a brief period between May and September, we are two years apart in age. Lizzie, his sister who is five years younger than me, wasn’t born yet when this photo was taken. Our yearly family vacations were a testament to our mothers’ close friendship and sisterhood. to say “pardon” instead of “what” if someone said My earliest memories of summers with Will ( becauseand even something I didn’t hear. My grandpa liked to tease my after Lizzie was born, she was still a baby and didnt do grandma when she’d fuss about things at dinner or forget much) were mainly testing each other’s boundaries and some detail in a story she was telling and then he’d look patience. I think we played nice most of the time, but even then, he liked to be right, and I didn’t like to be told what across the table at me with this knowing smirk like it was to do. The one argument I can recall most vividly was our little inside joke. I remember when I would come when he was perhaps four and I was six, and we couldn’t downstairs on an early summer morning when no one agree on what to name our inflatable hippo water toy. The else was awake yet, he’d put down his book and coffee to hippo was blue with purple polka dots and huge cartoon get me a glass of orange juice, let me sit with him in his eyes. I’m not sure what I had initially named him—I think chair and try to teach me to play Sudoku.

maybe it was Henry but Will decided his name was Hippy Most of my impressions and memories of my cousins and the Hippo. I was not happy. I remember my mom telling me as kids were from around this time. We chased the me I could call the hippo whatever I wanted when they ice cream truck barefoot down the street in dripping-wet weren’t there since we lived closer and were at the lake swimsuits. Our favorite trips into town were to a bakery house more frequently, but that holding my ground on called The Yum Yum Shop that smelled of gingerbread this wasn’t going to accomplish anything. and fresh apple turnovers. Will liked trains and boa

There is another photo taken next to our grandparents’ and fishing. He’d chase me around the yard with one of thevery live worms that he’d bought at the tackle shop with lakehousethesummerwevisitedMt.Washington. ts similar to another photo taken at the top of the mountain our grandpa at 6 a.m. that morning, and I’d shriek at the featuring the three cousins with big, cheesy smiles. For icky, squirming thing. He’d usually offer to help put the whatever reason, there’s a certain age where kids don’t worm on the hook for me once he was done terrorizing quite grasp the concept of a smile yet and instead just me with it. I remember our parents usually let us sort out bare their teeth to the camera with a wild, giddy look and arguments on our own—my mom liked that I got exposure this photo is a prime example. By contrast, I seem to be to what it was like to have siblings. When Lizzie was litt unintentionally mirroring my grandpa’s smile, which is she usually followed me around and copied everything did, much to my annoyance. Will and Lizzie fought a closed and a little reserved. In the photo, my grandpa has lot, and I often played mediator, though I tended to take his arm around me, and my grandmas holding Will close Lizzies side if things got physical, although now suspect to her with Lizzie squished in the middle. she was often the instigator.

To an outside observer, I think we might look a bit stiff from the way we’re standing, but all I see is contentment, pride When look at another photo, all can see is change. Will in my grandparents’ expressions. My grandma babysat finally grew taller than me. Lizzie has braces. My hair me frequently as a child and taught me to say things like, continued on next page “I don’t care for that” when she made food I didn’t like

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is much longer, and I had just started to wear makeup. Unlike Perhaps one of my favorite photos of my cousins and me the earlier photo, this was not a spur of the moment grab- was taken on Easter morning on the steps of my cousins’ the-kids-and-pull-them-together type of photo. This new house in Kansas during my freshman year of college. was planned for hours, perhaps even a day or two before- I have a copy of it framed on my bureau. My aunt, knowing hand. I know this because my grandpa is in his electric how expensive flights home to New England would be, wheelchair. Unlike all the summers before this one where had offered to fly me down the short trip from Chicago my grandparents would bustle about the lake house, my to Kansas for the long weekend. We had tried to recreate grandma in the kitchen and my grandpa mowing the lawn one of my grandma’s favorite photos of us from one of or grilling burgers and hot dogs, this summer was heavier. Will and Lizzies childhood swim meets. Will and , being We got brief, scheduled visits with my grandparents the when tallest, had carried Lizzie between us with her ar my grandpa felt well enough to come see us. He had been around our necks. It was quite difficult to accomplish the diagnosed with ALS two years prior. Were all laughing same inresult with all of us pushing 5’10 and much less this photo. I think my grandpa had said something snarky willing to get our nice clothes dirty. Will and had a hard and been chided by my grandma moments before the time coordinating how to pick Lizzie up ( he still likes to photo was taken because he’s holding in a schemer’s laugh right, and I still don’t like to be told what to do) and in the and looks very proud of himself. moment that was captured, were all laughing, Lizzie most of all, though that’s probably due in part to us dropping This was the summer I was obsessed with photography her. We did a similar recreation when visited them for and dragged my cousins into my ventures to take the Easter the year after, though I can’t tell from the cropping perfect photo, much to their annoyance. I loved trying if we cheated and had Lizzie stand on something instead. to photograph rain most of all and one evening as a beautiful storm was sweeping across the lake, Will Once stood Will and were both in college and Lizzie had started in a torrential downpour with me holding a towel over high school sports, our summer vacations overlapped less my head so I could capture the perfect shot. This was the and less. We pivoted to seeing each other at Thanksgivin summer Lizzie and decided we wanted to get goodor atChristmas rather than trying to find the magic onedoing cartwheels. We never did. week window that worked for all our shifting summer schedules. Lizzie and texted frequently during the Our summer priorities and activities shuffled a bit throughschool year, and we’d catch each other up when I saw out high school. I started bringing a full keyboard up to her in person. I remember sitting on our twin beds in the lake with me every time I visited so that I could keep our shared room at the lake house one summer, which up my practicing. Will found a local swim team to practice seemed smaller every year, and telling her about a hard with when he was at the lake, so that he wouldn’t get out semester I’d had at college. She looked at me and said of shape. Lizzies schedule didnt really start getting really with unflinching certainty that she was on my side. My first busy until she was in high school, but she still had soccer summer out of college remember talking to Will on the camps to schedule around. The summer before my senior phone a lot during his frequent drives from his internship year, remember trying to memorize piano pieces to in Cleveland to his parents’ house in Kansas. He’d tell me use as audition material for college music programs. My about his work in automotive engineering, and I’d tell him teacher had me learn a Brahms ntermezzo to offset the about my new job in publishing and neither of us fully two heavier ones, and I fell in love with it. understood the other’s job, but we each made an effort to forget why, but Will stole my phone and snapped about learn and be supportive. a dozen selfies of the three of us squished in the backseat It’s strange to think that I haven’t spent a summer with of our grandma’s Ford Explorer. In the photo we’re all my cousins in a couple years, though COV D is largely to smiling, but Will looks rather pleased with himself, Lizzie blame for that. But unlike when we were kids, I no longer looks confused and vaguely annoyed, and I look very worry about what I’m missing out on. If I decide to call caught off guard. I have piano sheet music on my lap— one of them randomly on a walk or a long drive, they’ll Brahms ntermezzo Op. 1 8 No. 2 . We had just been at usually pick up. We still plan and scheme together before the church practicing so I could play it in our grandpa’s family get-togethers and once we’re all together, we’ll memorial service. pile in Wills car to run random errands, and itll feel li This was the first summer without my grandpa. My uncle nothing’s changed. Summer is no longer a certainty, but cooked on the grill and my mom helped us buy bait at our friendship is. the tackle shop early in the morning. When my grandma told an endless, fragmented story, no one teasingly interrupted or corrected.

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PRAYER GATHERINGS ONLINE & IN PERSON Call the church office or email info@college-church.org for details on these prayer meetings.

HANNAH PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

Sunday Morning Prayer 8:15-8:40 a.m. in C101

DORCAS PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

Monday Morning Prayer 6:15-7:15 a.m. Board Room Wednesday Night Prayer (Zoom only) 7-8 p.m.

AUGUST 3: Scott & Jenny Hawkins AUGUST 10: Jeff & Jane Pelz AUGUST 17: Sara Klopfenstein

No meeting in August.

Will meet Wednesday, August 1 7 , at 1 : 3 0 p. m. in The Upper Deck at Covenant Living at Windsor Park. Men and women are welcome to visit or become members of this prayer group for some of the global workers College Church helps to support.

AARON-HUR PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

AUGUST 24: TBD

Will meet on Thursday, August 2 5 , at 7 p. m. at the home of Marr and Mary Miller, 1607 Stoddard Avenue Friday Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Board Room) in Wheaton, ( 6 3 0 ) 6 8 - 8 2 8 . Our guests will be Dan and p.

1-2 m.LedbyWilandLorraineTriggs.Theweeklyprayer Michelle T., serving in Asia. guideis also available at our website: https:/ bit.ly/3vzdcAz AUGUST 31: Joshua Dunckel

Our Prayer Pulse email goes out every Monday. You can get prayer updates via that email. Sign up by clicking “Enews signup” on our website. If you already receive other emails from College Church, click “manage my preferences” at the bottom of any email and select Prayer Pulse to add yourself.

ILLUSTRATOR

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

KEV N VAN NORMAN

WHAT F YOU NV TE SOMEONE OVER TO YOUR HOUSE FOR LUNCH?

WHAT F RELE A S NG A JAR OF F REFL ES IS THE END OF A GOOD DAY?

WHAT F YOU RE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS LUNCH?

I grew up in a Christian home where creativity was daily on display. My grandfather told stories, my mom painted, my sister crafted, and my father made things out of wood that showed his whimsy and attention to detail. Each one reflected a little bit of the creativity and delight of the Heavenly Father. From an early age I wanted to draw and tell stories that showed humor and heart.

After many years, I am now pursuing a career to craft stories that engage, encourage and inspire the next generation of storytellers. My prayer is that this work would reflect my Creator to a world that needs him so badly.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

www.kevinvannorman.net

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GLO B AL VO ICES

Turnkey Ready Lorraine Triggs On paper, Missionary Furlough Homes (MFH) was incorporated in 1962, but its roots go further back—back to 1940 when Dave Gieser’s parents, Dr. Ken and Kay Gieser, medical missionaries to China, left the country they loved and served since 1934.

“My father contracted malaria, and nearly died,” relates Dave.

“His recovery was slow, and my two older brothers were ages two and four.” The war between Japan and China was raging, and the young family’s safety was at risk.

“They had built a rudimentary bomb shelter and placed sandbags under a stairwell where my mother would quickly scurry with my brothers to protect themselves from shooting in the streets,’” Dave describes those harrowing times. “My parents realized the time to depart their beloved China had come, and their escape from the hostilities was fraught with danger.

“Mom and Dad arrived in Whe aton physically and emotional ly drained, penniless.” And as on a previous furlough home back to the States, the family had a difficult time finding a place to stay.

“Eventually, they found a twobedroom unfurnished apart ment in a house on Scott

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Street,” Dave continues. “They were so broke, they initially had to rent one of the two bedrooms to make ends the States and had great difficulty find

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Dave knew that these memories lodged in their minds for years to come, and they determined someday they would seek to alleviate the frustration that they experienced when they returned to the States from missionary service.

assignment, they submit an application. Then, in late January, the board meets to review applications and prayerfully consider the residents for the year, which is a summer-to-summer arrangement.

“That day came in 1962 when the Missionary Furlough Homes Foundation was formed,” Dave said. “They recruited their closest friends to serve on the board and purchased a large, 18th century home on South President Street, which was owned by the Dresser family, a longtime College Church family.

The duplexes are spacious and designed for families, and when our missionary couple and their four children move in, they find community. The missionary families are great at initiating community, and MFH volunteer “house parents” host a picnic for everyone in August to help families connect. December brings a Christmas party held at College Church, and in the spring, the missionary families host the board members for a supper, featuring food from a variety of countries. The families also find community in taking care of their lawns and snow shoveling.

“T h e y we re so br o k e, t hey i ni t i a l l y ha d t o ren t o n e of t h e t wo bedr o o ms t o m a k e ends meet. ”

Soon after the purchase, the old home was repaired, refurbished and fully furnished, ready for the first family to move in. It was soon apparent that the house was not in suitable condition for the long-term, so the first duplex was constructed in the backyard, and when completed, the old house was torn down and replaced with additional duplexes.

Kay Gieser had made good on her promise that if she and Ken ever had the resources, they would make sure that any missionary family who was coming home could immediately move into a house with sheets and blankets on the beds, towels on the racks and a fully stocked kitchen.

College Church and Missionary Furlough Homes make for natural partners. Three years ago, the Board of Missions (BOM) chose to sponsor one of the units, which involves, well, just about everything with the unit. The Board of Missions oversees the missionaries who stay there, offering housing from five days to three months, as well as other details of their stay. This unit is offered to College Church missionaries, consortium missionaries and missionaries from our consortium churches when the unit is available.

As MFH was focused on updating the homes’ older kitchens and baths (think 1980s style), the Lord surprised them with the opportunity to acquire a four-unit apartment building close to the current homes. The board is excited to see n 1 9 7 , the board purchased a large Victorian home on how God will use these four, two bedroom/two bath units Michigan Street that sat on a large piece of property, for empty-nest and retiring missionaries. An open house which included a tennis court. Missionary Furlough Homes is being planned sometime in August. converted the house to two three-bedroom apartments.

Four more duplexes were added, and in 1984, one last College Church has been hosting a church shower for unit was built, bringing the total to 18 units. this unit, with MFH’s original goal in mind: to provide a fully furnished home from sheets on the beds, towels Today, the furlough homes continue to offer missionaries in every bathroom and a fully stocked kitchen, so all the who arrive in Wheaton, tired and drained, a home with missionaries need to do is to unpack their clothes and everything they need from dish towels to the internet, and settle in. For more information on how to participate in all they had to bring were their suitcases full of clothes. the MFH shower, contact the Missions Office.

Let’s say a missionary couple has a home assignment planned for next year, and they do a quick internet search Here’s how you can pray for MFH throughout the year. for Missionary Furlough Homes Wheaton. Nothing would • In October, pray for God’s provision and show up in the search. Missionary Furlough Homes is protection of the families purposely not on the web, preferring word-of-mouth • In January, pray for the board to have wisdom referrals, and after sixty years, there is a lot of common in filling the units knowledge about the homes.

Okay, our missionary couple hears about MFH from another family who stayed in one of the units while on home assignment. How can our couple secure their place in a duplex? In the fall prior to our missionaries’ home

• In April, pray for the families who are departing the homes

• In July, pray for the families who are arriving.

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I BELIEVE

The Gospel in Me Matt Anthony, pastoral resident We are pleased to welcome Matt, his wife, Ashley, and their four children to College Church as Matt begins his pastoral residency. Matt describes how God has been at work in his life, including his journey here.

These formative moments in my story of faith lead to a couple ways that Christ makes a daily dier enceinmylifepresently.The4rstisthatGodsgracethrough God’s gospel call came after me when I was all of six years Christ is radically more than anyone can ever imagine old, sitting in children’s church on a Sunday morning.

(Romans 5:20). That we can never sin ourselves out of I don’t remember the flannelgraph story my teacher Tina his grace is something beyond my comprehension, but it worked through that morning, but my young ears heard a liberates me from the crushing weight of the accumulation of gospel invitation that took root in my heart, and I wanted sin day after day. Even as I close every day as an imperfect, Christ to save me from my sin. So, I trusted in him for repenting sinner, God’s grace meets me again every morning salvation, and joined the ranks of those who say that they with the ever-present reminder that there is no condemnacannot remember a day without Christ. tion against those in Christ (Romans 8:1). The second is that As grewupinEzngham, llinois, genuinelyenjoyedbeing Christ is always at work (Philippians 2:13). This truth keeps kind to others (like holding doors open for people), but I was me grounded by way of eternal perspective—whether I am also distracted by my friends and what I wanted to do and experiencing great blessing or struggling through someneglected serious investment in pursuing Christ with my thing—because behind each experience is Christ at work, life. The Lord put a stop to that when my family and I moved and he is seeking to cultivate and increase my love for him, away from everyone and everything I knew when I was 15. for my family and for my neighbor.

Without those normal distractions, one thing began stir Now, ato little bit of how God brought us to College Church. in my heart, and it was this: Is this faith thing real? If it was, Five years ago, we left the Saint Louis area as a family I wanted to devote my life to it. If it wasn’t, then I would be of three to Philadelphia for me to purse a Master of done living on the fence. I had nothing to do that summer Divinity degree at Westminster Theological Seminar because I didn’t know anyone, so I spent a serious amount I had been serving in pastoral ministry and felt called to of time reading and studying the Bible. I am still reaping enter seminary for more theological education. During the the spiritual fruit from those three summer months first couple years there, I took a few classes from Dr. Kent because it was one of the most formative and joyful times Hughes, and he often shared about his time at College of my life. God let me catch a glimpse of his glory, which Church. It was a joy to hear of the ministry at this church captivated my heart and mind as well as ruined my taste in Wheaton. As graduation approached, my wife and for worldly things. He made it known to me that there is I were prayerfully seeking what God would have next for only one thing that can satisfy my soul, and it is him. us (now a family of six), and in our search, we found out My taste for worldly pursuits may have been ruined, but I still needed God’s mercy to majorly disrupt my appetite for sin. When was around 18 or 19 years old, the Lord helped me understand what it looked and felt like to hate my sin.

I knew sinlessness was impossible, but I often used this as an excuse to sin. I needed the gospel’s logic stated in Romans 6 to understand the relationship of grace and sin. God helped me learn that loving him also means setting myself in opposition to any and all sin that seeks a home in my life.

There is no darkness in him (1 John 1:5), and he continues to helpmeturnhislightintotheshadowsofmyheart.

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about the pastoral residency program. It was a wonderful thought that God could be leading us to come and train within the ministry that I had the pleasure of hearing so much about from Dr. Hughes. So, I applied.

By God’s grace and timing, we are now happily invested in being with you all and joining the College Church in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. pray that you were encouraged to hear of how God has personally worked in my life, and I look forward to being encouraged by hearing how he has worked in your life as well. My family and I are so excited to be with you all.

L I FE L E S S ON S

Maybe My Philosophy Major Was a Mistake Wallace Alcorn In undergraduate studies, I wish now that I had majored in, say, literature, although philosophy might well have been my minor. My lab science might have been biology rather than geology. I should have taken more courses in Bible in preparation for the full load of theology in seminary.

I needed more psychology, sociology and history than preoccupation with what my chosen major allowed.

As I entered college as a freshman, I was advised that philosophy—the “love of wisdom”—was the standard preseminary sequence. (I’ve forgotten who so advised, but I suspect sophomores.) It isn’t that I had too much philosophy but that it allowed too little of other disciplines. I took every course in the catalog. I didn’t merely major: I was obsessed.

And it isn’t that philosophy is necessarily seductive. The first class session in Phil 101 began with: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Col 2:8) Despite present considerations and insights, I cannot consider my adolescent choices to have been mistakes, and I have no regrets. My studies served me better than I have used them. They have been the foundation of what I have since learned and am now learning. I have learned to learn and to love learning. Perhaps that’s enough to expect from the four years right out of high school.

explication of facts. With a narrow focus on philosophy, I slipped into perceiving the discipline more as an entity or substance than a tool of intellectual inquiry and a logical way of processing information into idea.

Yes, geology was helpful in apologetic defense of theology while in doctoral studies in the university. But, at least as a pastor, I encountered intellectual skeptics less frequently than confused ordinary people whom I needed to understand not so much in their thinking as in their feelings.

I didn’t need Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek to understand the Bible adequately in English translation if I had only learned English grammar earlier. So, I should have taken more Bible content courses on the undergraduate level and then come to understand it yet better by what I would learn in the originals in graduate work.

Getting my theology straight (at least in terms of theologies and theologians) risks predetermining what recognize in the Bible when theology should help me understand and express what I find in the Bible objective to what theology suggests I ought to find, and denominational politics requires.

Just as some physicians know more about science than people and some lawyers more about law, some pastors know more about theology and even Bible than we understand people.

I know a lot. (After three masters and a Ph.D. in the history and philosophy of education, I had better.) But I know a lot At the recent seventieth reunion of my class’s graduation, a more than I understand. My present task is to understand classmate asked, “So, what have you done with philosophy?” what I have but known. Moreover, what I know and even answeredwithbothcomfortandcon4dence:live.stillsee understand does not matter until I have used this so that issues as metaphysics, epistemology or axiology (aesthetics the persons for whom I am responsible know what they and ethics). But there is more to life than philosophy, and life must and understand as they should. must be lived and lived wisely. It’s wise to love life.

I am still about this, and whenever I reach it, my life will be Sunday school stories did not help me understand the not merely completed but accomplished.

Bible as story, literature that represents truth beyond

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LO CALLY SOURCED

Portrait of an Art Studio Autumn Simpson My mission in all of this is to show people how capable, talented, and smart the STARS are.

People saw the artwork on exhibition and were amazed. And all I can say is, ‘They’ve always been capable of this. It just takes a few people to help unearth that. —Rachael Corey, Art Studio Coordinator, STARS Family Services

“I’ve lived here in Wheaton for most of my life,” she says, “I studied art at a college in Michigan and then came back. I’ve known for a long time that I have a passion for working with adults with disabilities. My end goal is to do something involving therapeutic arts.”

Rachael smiles when she recalls how Rachael and I sit in the basement of the she became involved with STARS Family Jean Hooten Home, a spacious room that houses a washer, dryer, TV area and through a family friend who had worked the Art studio. It’s a wondrous space; a at Washington House. “It was insane to long table sits laden with paper, paint

people with disabilities who were so integrated into their community; into the workplace, and that’s a very special thing.

I can’t believe it was sitting under my nose for so long.

‘I was drawn in by SFS’s mission to provide their residents with a high as possible quality of life; to provide community, to provide friendships, familybuilding—that was everything I was looking for. And it totally exceeded every expectation I had. The more I’m involved with SFS, the prouder I am to work here.”

and every art supply imaginable. Art andRachael has served in many different supplies also cover every shelf and wall, roles throughout her time at SFS. a testament to the creative hours spentBeginning the summer of 2016, she here, and it’s breathtaking. worked Sundays at the Jean Hooten Rachael is wearing her painting clothes.Home, shifted into mornings, and now The fabric is dotted with bright splashesserves as the art studio coordinator. of color and radiates creativity. I ask“I was always doing art,” Rachael exclaims, her about where she grew up, what she describing her quiet Sunday afternoons studied, her interests. at the Jean Hooten Home in the room that would later become the art studio.

Rachael grows more serious as she talks

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about the impact of COV D- 1 9 had on the SFS houses.

The residents couldn’t go to work or do their regular activities. The studio was initially created as a temporary program and began with just a few residents, but Rachael recalls that “every parent reached out to me and said, ‘my resident has really enjoyed this; we’re seeing a lot of positive change.” It became clear that the art studio should continue, even as the normal activities began again. Angela Killian, executive director of SFS, helped the studio become a regular program.

Currently, the participants at the studio are the residents in the SFS homes, but the goal is to expand this program to other STARS in the community. “I’m excited to see how it grows.” she says. Great care goes into tailoring the class rosters as Rachael explains, “It’s important to us to put people together who will thrive together. We through conflict, but my main goal is to create a seamless environment where they are free to really be themselves and create without any barriers.”

When it comes to creating art projects, Rachael says, One of the things I do is I simply ask the STARS what they’re interested in, and they’re full of ideas. I facilitate the idea, I add my own little art lessons into those and we go from there. We also get inspiration from other art. For example saying, ‘This painting is cool. That causes us to think of this other project we could possibly do, based off this idea, and go from there.”

Currently, the art studios major project is the Woods Art Show on August 1 9 and 2 0 at College Church.

“It’s a huge installation piece that involves two seasons, winter and summer. This idea was entirely crafted by our residents. We have animals, plants, flowers- all thes things were their ideas.”

Pieces for the show hang around the room, full of color will work and life. “The thing I like most about art studio and the shows is how proud our STARS are of the things that they create,” Rachael says, smiling, clearly also proud.

For Rachael, it’s touching to see the residents grow in selfA day at the art studio begins with music and a creative confidence. She tells the story of a resident who would exercise, which is “a warm-up that allows you to get into become stressed out when told he was doing a good job, the groove of creating without any stress of how it will and repeat ‘I can’t do it, I can’t do it.’ But now he responds turn out. We do all sorts of things. ( Rachael grows more to the praise with, ‘I know.” animated as she continues, “The other day I found one that everybody really enjoyed. Everybody drew, painted The art studio itself has had a positive impact. Rachael and cut out their own ice cream cones, and we made a says, “Negative behaviors completely cease when they’re collage involving different mediums.” That’s just the in this space. Instead, it is an outlet for negative feelings beginning. It takes anywhere from ten to forty minutes at and frustrations. And that gives them peace. It’s cool to see how their emotions are displayed in different projects. the start of the two-hour class.

Sometimes you can tell exactly what they were feeling by “Most of our time is spent working on the main project looking at what they made that day.” for that day or week, ( explains Rachael. We rotate projects based on what we think will keep the residents Being the art studio coordinator is a long-time dream come true for Rachael. She also exhibits her own work regularly engaged and interested. We use a variety of mediums paint, charcoal, chalk, cut paper, collages, markers, pencil, and learns from STARS and is inspired by them every single day. The art studio’s comforting and creative space has colored pencil, anything like that. Were even branching also benefited her. She says, “It’s not always easy to find out into sculpture. a space where you feel completely comfortable and loved “On Thursdays, and sometimes Tuesdays, we do a twentyand cared for and safe. The residents make that for me minute art history lesson. Each week we learn about an too. There’s so much we can learn from them. Sometimes artist, who goes along with coordinated with the project we can have a limited view of what they’re capable of and we’re doing. This past week we did Berthe Morisot, a even who they are. In the art studio, we’re able to see that French mpressionist artist. Weve looked at all sorts of and it has changed my life to experience it.” different people, and we go through visual analysis. We walk through a whole of range of questions, looking at the This is just the beginning of art studio; there is so much possibility for growth and beauty. It has already made such work and asking, What colors do you see, what emotions, what do you think these brush strokes meant?’” Rachael an impact. I get out of my chair, gather my equipment, says she’s proud of how the residents have built up their computer and notebook from among the scattered art supplies and head up the stairs. I hit the light switch by art knowledge and observing skills. the door, and with a small click, the room descends in Planning takes the bulk of Rachael’s time. “My goal is to create darkness. I stand for a moment, and hope that the beauty plans that allow our residents to be able to thrive in doing all of the residents at the SFS homes and their creations this work with their own hands on their own accord and with continues to be brought into the light. theirownstyle.Wewanttoplayintotheirstrengths.(

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NE W M E M BER S

Welcome!

CLAIRE COOK

SHIRLEY HUSTED

PLACES LIVED: Claire grew up in Saudi Arabia and Dubai because of her dad’s job in safety construction.

She attended boarding school for high school in New York.

PLACES LIVED: Shirley grew up in Carey, Ohio, and lived most of her married life in Columbus. She moved to Carol Stream in the last couple of years to be close to her son and his family.

FAMILY: Claire’s sister is Lisa Bastian, and her parents are Greg and Vera Cook.

9 TO 5: Claire is the creative manager at Crossway Publishing.

PASTTIMES: Enjoys reading, taking walks, spending time with family (especially her nieces and nephew), time with friends, and her dog and coffee CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Life Together Adult Community, Kids’ Harbor

DIEGO HINOJOSA FAMILY: Lives with his sister Frieda and his parents PASTTIMES: Enjoys studying maps and drawing

FRIEDA HINOJOSA FAMILY: Frieda is a single mom to two little ones.

9 TO 5: A mom first, Frieda also cares for her father, who has a serious illness.

PASTTIMES: She enjoys reading, writing and learning, eating sushi and trying new skills and crafts.

She also enjoys nature and taking walks.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Life Together Adult Community, Women s Bible Study, Mom2 Mom

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FAMILY: Shirley has an adult son and was widowed last year.

9 TO 5: She is a retired medical technologist and worked for more than 60 years in hospital and medical office laboratories and as a paramedical insurance examiner.

PASTTIMES: She is very involved in her granddaughter’s life, helping with transportation to/from her events. Shirley does water aerobics several times a week and enjoys other groups that do various arts and crafts.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Adult Choir and Women s Bible Study

JOHN & ROSEMARY LUTHER FAMILY: The Luthers have been married since 1974 and have an adult son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren.

9 TO 5: John is retired from 35 years as an industrial food salesman, and 21 years as a Naval Reserve officer.

He was mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In addition to being a full-time mom when their son was younger, Rosemary worked for United Airlines as a computer analyst and other assorted jobs such as bookkeeping or customer cash application.

PASTTIMES: Rosemary enjoys time in her garden, walking, biking, reading, staying active; and they both enjoy traveling and time with their family.

DAVID & MILLE MACKINNON

LIZ WALTER PLACES LIVED: Liz was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She met her husband, Douglas, at the University of Hawaii. Douglas entered the Air Force in 1973, and they have lived and served all over the world.

FAMILY: The Mackinnons have been married since 1978 and have four adult children and eight grandchildren, including their daughter Ashley Glaze and her husband, Paul, who are College Church members, and their five children.

FAMILY:Lizandherhusbandmoved to his area to be near their son and his family,Doug(Jr)andCarolynWalter.

9 TO 5: David retired in 2020 after CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Womens Bible Study 25 years in private practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist and executive coach. Prior to returning to school for degrees in that field, he worked for the Bank of America domestically and internationally. Millie is also retired.

PASTTIMES: Now retired, David is enjoying all the projects that were neglected in his working years—as well as enjoying reading, bicycling, cooking and camping. Millie is enjoying time with family, friends, reading and gardening.

JACK MCHENNEY PLACES LIVED: Jack was born and raised in Wheaton and attended College Church all his life until he left for college, and then in Phoenix, Arizona post college. He moved back to this area last year.

9 TO 5: Jack works as a financial planner at Fidelity nvestments.

PASTTIMES: He loves staying active, playing pretty much any game with a ball! He and his brother also enjoyboardgames,andlately,Jackislearningtoworkoncars.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Jack wants to become the face of College Church 20s Ministry.

COMMUNION AT COLLEGE CHURCH AUGUST 7

MISSING SOMETHING? V isit one of our Lost and Found bins located in the Sanctuary building and also the Commons.

(See our Campus Maps on pages 24-25 for locations).

God Centered Life the media ministry of College Church, features the Bible teaching of pastor Josh, both online and on the radio. This exciting ministry with a global reach continues to grow in impact. Here in the US, the program is heard on the radio in about 70 locations.

Globally, the ministry also has a mission impact. The teaching is heard online through the OnePlace and TWR360 platforms, which have extensive listenership outside North America. Imagine! More than 35,000 people have been touched with some form of gospel content through this outreach of our church, either an online audio message, a spiritually encouraging article, or a devotional reading.

You can listen locally on Moody Radio (WMBI) at 10 p.m. M-F and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and can have daily devotionals delivered right to your inbox.

Your prayers and partnership with this ministry are greatly appreciated.

godcenteredlife.org

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LOCA L L Y SOURCED

A Wholistic View of Pro-Life Alison Tews

I praised God when I heard the news that the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24.

Finally, after almost 50 years, the action of taking the life of an unborn baby is not considered a constitutional right.

I pray more states, including Illinois, will make elective abortions illegal. It will also be important to consider this issue in the upcoming state elections. But in the meantime, Christian churches have to be ready to go above and beyond to serve mothers and families who are processing the reality of having an unexpected baby.

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This is when America will watch closely to see if Christian churches are truly pro-life, beyond being anti-abortion.

Currently, I work in DuPage County as a social worker for Intact Family Services, which is the family preservation service offered to families who are the subject of abuse or neglect investigations by the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS). When the DCFS investigators determine there are risks within the home, but the children are safe, the family is offered intact family services.

I work with families who are dealing

with substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health crises and generational cycles of poverty and trauma.

Many of these families will be hardest hit by anti-abortion legislation in conservative states, so I want to share some stories (with details changed for confidentiality) to provide insight into the challenges these families face and how churches can step in.

Low-income families need formula and diapers, but they also need more affordable daycare and housing. Adoption may be an option in some circumstances, but it is not the primary answer. These struggling families love their children, but they simply do not have the time, resources or community support to safely care for another child.

Unfortunately, this may lead to an increase in foster care

A young couple has four children under three. Both parents have mental health challenges largely due to abuse they experienced in their families of origin. Only one parent works because they can’t afford childcare.

After giving birth to the youngest, they were evicted from their apartment and are homeless. They have no transportation, so the mom spends most of her income on Ubers to get to and from work. The rest of her income goes towards diapers, and she can’t afford to take time off work to get herself to the doctor. four children under four would be hard for parents with support, but for this family, it would cost them their jobs and any hope of saving enough money for an apartment. The stress could lead to increased domestic violence and poverty or mental health crises possibly to the point of the children being taken into foster care.

Whatwouldhappenifthechurchcamealongsidethefamily now to teach the mom how to drive, to help them buy a used car, let them borrow a computer to apply for low- in those states where abortion is now inaccessible. Only income daycare assistance or to search for apartments, time will tell. So. what can we, in Illinois, do right now? or provide support and friendship so they feel less alone?

We can demonstrate to our community that we are here, Another family consists of a single mom and her six and already support families. Here are just some examples children. The mother had a hard childhood, and as an of ways to show that support: adult, has struggled on and off with substance abuse and • Mentor a young mom, give diapers/wipes and gas/Lyft seeking affection from men who would become controlling cards for Intact Families, or inquire about adoption and abusive. After the most recent man hurt one of her services at Evangelical Child and Family Agency www. teenage daughters, this mom made sure to kick him out evancfa.org, Child and Family Agency www.evancfa.org. and obtain an order of protection against him.

• Tutor kids, give needed items for transitional housing Then mom 4nds out she is pregnant with his child. The services or financially support counseling services momspregnancycausesfearandRashbacksfortheteenage offered at Outreach Community Ministries www. daughter, and because of past pregnancy complications, outreachcommunityministries.org. mom is now unable to work. She had daycare for the two youngest children, but she wont be able to a ord •even Become involved in local homeless shelters and food subsidized daycare for another baby and have enough pantries www.dupagepads.org. money left over for gas, diapers or toilet paper.

• Be a host family or family friend through Safe Families What would happen if a small group from a local church www.safe-families.org. essentially adopted this family, bringing dinner once a • Throw a baby shower for a new mom, or volunteer at the week, mentoring and tutoring the teenagers, and providing front desk of a crisis pregnancy center through Caring new shoes, school supplies and household products for Network www.caringnetwork.com. the whole family?

• Consider getting involved as a foster parent or providing These are just two families who are hurting in our respite care for foster families through the Youth Service local community. If the church wants to make abortion Bureau www.ysbiv.org or Illinois’ DCFS. unthinkable, we need to step into many gaps. continued on next page

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Many of these families are searching for hope, but due parents to walk alongside families who have been divided to fear of rejection or past misconceptions about God, but are working towards reunification? they are not ready to step through the doors of the About 115,000 children in foster care are already eligible church. However, seeing the love of Jesus over time for adoption. Will you consider adopting an older child ( or through practical support and friendship from community sibling group) in the U.S. who is currently in foster care neighbors could help break down these barriers. Will and waiting for a family to which he or she can belong? you consider sharing your contact information with an apartment complex in your community, letting them know This is the time for the Christian community to step that you are a safe person to contact if they need support, up and show that pro-life is a wholistic opportunity to unconditionally love others as Christ has loved us. resources or encouragement?

This is a beautiful opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I would encourage each of us at College Church to pray and consider how we can go above and beyond to participate in radical hospitality.

If you have questions or are wondering how to implement other ideas, I would be happy to talk with you more and connect you with additional organizations. Email me at alison.tews@gmail.com

Around 420,000 children are currently in foster care in the United States. Will your family consider becoming foster

sanctity of human life

From Mary, a prayer volunteer at the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil site

Mary spoke to two women that were riding in the same car as they were leaving Planned Parenthood. They that they were both at Planned Parenthood for an abortion today and both decided to choose life fo One woman had tears coming down her cheeks as she had just spoken with her grandmother who said she would support her and help her raise her child. She indicated that her whole family had been praying for her throughout this experience.

The other young woman simply said, cannot abort my baby. We need to get out of here! (

Mary gave both of them information about Waterleaf pregnancy resource center and they said they would reaching out to Waterleaf for help if they needed it. We thank God for these mothers hearts that were cha

Join the Sanctity of Human Life Task Force in prayer across from Planned Parenthood. We pray in partnersh 4 0 Days for Lifes year- round peaceful prayer vigil for the vulnerable, abortion industry workers and our cult Saturday, August 13, 1:00-2:00 pm.

Park at Marianos or behind AutoZone and meet on Waterleaf Pregnancy Resource Centers property acro Planned Parenthood Auroras driveway.

Sign up at https: / college- church. org/ impact/ sohl/ to receive SOHL monthly e- news to receive events sche life-related news.

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Back to Church Sunday SEPTEMBER 11, 2022 AT 8, 9:30 AND 11 AM Maybe you’ve been away for the summer. And now you’ve packed up a summers worth of your belongings, stashed them in the car, checked them for your return flight or stowed your backpack on the train—headed for home.

So now, as summer ends and fall starts up, it’s time to come home—your church home. College Church.

Maybe you’ve been mostly at home, watching church from a distance that you’ve become accustomed to. Weve all gone through the masks and distancing, and youve made adjustments that now might seem a little too normal.

To everyone who calls this church home, let’s start this new season together.

Were calling September 1 our Back to Church Sunday. On that day, were calling everyone to come to church that Sunday morning. This is a covenant moment. Lets begin this new season together.

24 Hours of Prayer As we open Crossings and begin a new season of ministry at College Church, we invite our church community to a full day of prayer. This focus will be on evangelism and outreach. Let’s join together in praying to our God who delights in answering our prayers. Find out more and sign up to pray by using the UPC code or visiting this link: https://bit.ly/3viiBwB

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at the Bookstall Here are titles from the FAITHSHARE Summer Forum on evangelism.

Many are available at the bookstall.

Before You Share Your Faith

Evidence Unseen

by Matt Smethurst

by Darlene Deibler Rose

Can We Trust the Gospels?

Gentle and Lowly

by Peter Williams

by Dane Ortlund

Christianity Considered

God is the Gospel

by John Frame

by John Piper

Confronting Christianity

Gospel People

by Rebecca McCoughlin

by Michael Reeves

Defending Your Faith

How Long, O Lord?

by R.C. Sproul

by Don Carson

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

Is God Anti-Gay?

by Sam Allberry

by John Piper

Let the Nations Be Glad Evangelism as Exiles

by Elliot Clark

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by John Piper

A Peculiar Glory

The Whole Christ

by John Piper

by Sinclair Ferguson

The Gospel

What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality

by Ray Ortlund

by Kevin DeYoung

The Journey from Texts to Translations

What is the Gospel?

by Paul D. Wegner

by Greg Gilbert

The Reason for God

Why Trust the Bible?

by Timothy Keller

by Greg Gilbert

C AMER ATA CHIC AGO CH AMBER ORCHE S TR A

Haydn Cello Concerto

with master cellist Leonardo Altino 3 p.m. Saturday October 1, 2022 College Church, Wheaton Fabulous master cellist and Wheaton College lecturer Leonardo Altino performs the Haydn Cello Concerto in C Major with the Camerata Chicago Chamber Orchestra. Conducted by Maestro Drostan Hall, the orchestra will also play the Souvenir de Florence by Tchaikovsky and String Symphony No. 10 in B Minor

by Mendelssohn.

TICKETS After Discount: Adult $37.50; Senior: $30; Students: $8; Children $1.50.

Use coupon code CCCC for a 25% DISCOUNT This event is not sponsored by or a function of College Church.

Discount coupon available online only and not at the door.

cameratachicago.org

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M I L E S T ONES CONGRATULATIONS!

BIRTHS

Congratulations to our STARS ministry for winning the best use of parade theme—”Celebration”—at this years July 4 parade in downtown Wheaton.

Kendrick Christopher Paul was born to Mathieson and Sasha Sutton on June 13 in New Zealand. “Kenny” joins his big sister Kylie. His maternal grandparents are College Church missionaries Jeff and Jane Pelz.

MARRIAGES Logan Brown and Katie Mann were married on July 23 at College Church. Katie is the daughter of College Church members Jeff and Patty Mann.

College Church members David Kelley and Allison Sipek were married at College Church on July 9.

David’s parents are Ken and Linda Kelley.

DEATHS Pray for the family and friends of Leora “Lee” Atterberry, including her sister, Lois Erickson, as they grieve Lee’s passing on June 25 at the age of 91.

Pray for the family and friends of longtime associate member Robert “Bob” Nelson, who passed away on College Church members Karl Stough and Megan June 25 in Carol Stream.

Bielawa were married at Weko Beach, Bridgeton, M , Pray for the family of Dr. Paul Pearson as they grieve on July 8. Former College Church pastor Josh Stringer the sudden loss of Paul’s son Jonas, who passed away officiated at the wedding. Karl’s grandparents are Phil on June 25. and Carla Stough.

Pray for the family and friends of longtime member Martha Reapsome, who passed away on June 22.

Pray for Bob Olberg and family as they grieve the loss of Bob’s wife, Gwendolyn, who passed away on June 20.

ART SHOW

Wild Woods 19

7-9PM

20

10AM3PM

AUGUST AUGUST 26

presented by STARS FAMILY SERVICES A DISABILITY MINISTRY

COLLEGE CHURCH COMMONS

LOOKING AHEAD

COMING THIS FALL SEPTEMBER 9

STARS Kickoff STARTS SEPTEMBER 14

God Centered Life, the Bible teaching ministry of Dr. Josh Moody, is sponsoring The Word Conference on Monday, September 26, at College Church. The conference is on “Expository Preaching and Teaching in an Age of Tweets, Memes, and Sound Bites. (

Men’s Bible Study Women’s Bible Study Boys Brigade

Dr. K. Edward Copeland, lead pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Rockford (IL) and Dr. Josh Moody, senior pastor of College Church, will lead the morning of fellowship, which begins at 9 a. m.

Pioneer Girls

The Word Conference is designed for ministers of the gospel to grow in fellowship together around the Word. Do invite friends and ministry partners who would enjoy this conference. We look forward to seeing many of you there. The cost of the morning conference is $15 and you may register here: www. godcenteredlife.org/events/the-word-conference/

SEPTEMBER 16

Keenagers OCTOBER 1

Women’s Gathering

MISSIONS & COMMUNITY OUTREACH the grace centered mission OCTOBER 16 LOCAL | OCTOBER 23 GLOBAL

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COMMONS COMMONS SECOND FLOOR

MAIN LEVEL C101 LOST & FOUND

OFFICES

OFFICES

C103

BOARD ROOM

OFFICES

C104A

C104B

C104C

C104D

C104E

C104F

LOWER LEVEL 2

CL01 COMMONS KITCHEN

LOWER LEVEL 1

CL02B

TUNNEL

CL03

CL02A

N KEY

C001

Adults

C002A

STARS

C003

CL07 GYM C002B

Students Children Bathroom Elevator

C005

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Stairs

SANCTUARY SANCTUARY MAIN LEVEL

SECOND LEVEL 205

101

201 202 204 210B 210A

SANCTUARY

SANCTUARY BALCONY

LIBRARY

FIRESIDE ROOM

LOST & FOUND

211

BOOK STALL

LOWER LEVEL

014

301 GYM

020

021

022

305

302

304

019

012

WELSH HALL

017

HUB

KIDS HARBOR

OFFICES

023

001

011A 013 011B 015

005

KITCHEN

THIRD LEVEL

KEY

Adults STARS

N

CROSSINGS

CLAPHAM SCHOOL

STARS RESALE SHOP

Students Children

Bathroom Elevator Stairs

OPENING FALL 2022

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