December 2024

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CONNECTIONS D EC EM BE R 2 024

G OD WITH US Jesus came down at Christmas.

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

INSIDE

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ADVENT ADVENTURE: HISTORY CHANGED, LIVES MADE NEW

A HARD LOOK AT CHRISTMAS

Thomas L. Martin

Alex Lee

Christmas, when the world changed forever.

Getting real about the Incarnation.

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BUT MARY . . .

MOVING TOWARDS HOPE

Wallace Alcorn

Alison Tews

Perhaps Mary did know after all.

From one outcast to another.

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CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Pat Cirrincione

Judy Sattler

Christmas cards—more than a Hallmark moment.

A gift connection.

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

FEATURES From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Gallery SPOTLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

19 CHRISTMAS POETRY

ArtSpace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Our Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 CHURCH LIFE: December Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Looking Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Under the Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Facilities Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Opportunities for Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Poems to ponder.

Salts of the Earth: Wil Triggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Prelude to Joy, Joy, Joy: Lorraine Triggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 SOHL Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

20 HAVE YOU HEARD? Michelle Kelley

Women’s Retreat is in the works.

26 NIGHT FOR LIFE: CARING NETWORK ANNUAL GATHERING Sarah Lindquist

GOSPEL NOW: Crossings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 At the Bookstall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 GIVING JOY: Ways to Give to College Church . . . . . . . . . 31 Our Pastors, Directors and Residents: Our Pastors, Directors and Residents: Cheryce Berg, director of children’s ministries | Roger Burgess, pastor of visitation | Felipe Chamy, pastoral resident | Julie Clemens, director of disability ministries | Erik Dewar, pastor of worship and music | Tate Fritz, pastoral resident | Matt Heaton, pastoral resident | Baxter Helm, high school pastor | Dan Hiben, middle school pastor | Tim Hollinger, technology director Jim Johanik, pastor of evangelism | Ann Karow, human resources director Howard Kern, facilities director | Bruce Main, pastor of visitation | Josh Maurer, pastor of discipleship | Curt Miller, missions pastor | Josh Moody, senior pastor Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries | John Seward, executive pastor | Nancy Singer, director of administration and finance | Wil Triggs, director of communications Our Council of Elders: Mark Berg | Mark Bradley, vice-chair | Jay Cunningham Steve Ivester | Randy Jahns | Glenn Kosirog | Josh Moody, senior pastor | Jeff Oslund | Roger Sandberg | David Setran, secretary | Dave Tweeten | Chad Thorson | Brian Wildman, chair

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 January issue: December 9 | For the February issue: January 9 | For the March issue: February 9

A work of love and compassion.

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

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

CONTRIBUTORS WALLACE ALCORN

presents us with a Christmas thought, “But Mary…,” for this issue. This is but slightly revised from his newspaper column of some years ago published in the Austin (MN) Daily Herald. This daily newspaper published 1,034 of his between March 1977 and June 2013, when he and wife, Ann, moved back to Wheaton. (During the most recent 20 years, he wrote a column every week.)

Being a town of 32,000, the publishers and editors allowed him more freedom to write his moral opinions than did the Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press, which also published him during this same period. At Christmases, he risked becoming yet more “religious.”

PAT CIRRINCIONE

When not baking for Christmas or reading or attending musicals, Pat can be found praying for her grandchildren and writing. Her greatest joys are God and her family, and time with both makes for much joy and laughter.

MICHELLE KELLEY

has been on staff at College Church for five years. She started with college group, migrated to missions and is currently joyfully serving in women’s ministries. Michelle looks forward to this season’s Christmas concerts and watching snow fall (preferably while drinking hot cocoa with lots of mini marshmallows).

ALEX LEE

was a letter-carrier for 35 years, and is counting down the days when he can hang up his satchel in retirement and take up his pen more frequently. He and his wife, Virginia, are blessed with a daughter and a son, and five grandchildren.

SARAH LINDQUIST

serves with the Sanctity of Human Life Task Force and the Evangelism and Cultural Impact Committee. A homeschool mom, Sarah also teaches Suzuki violin and viola at the Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College.

THOMAS L. MARTIN

is Clyde S. Kilby Professor of English at Wheaton College, and author of Christ the Life: A Gospel Psalm.

JUDY SATTLER

has been collecting words and stories since before she could tie her shoes. She and her husband, Tim, serve as College Church missionaries. Along with reading and writing, Judy enjoys experiencing the wonders of God’s creation. She is also involved in the ArtSpace community.

ALISON TEWS

has a master’s in social work and works at Evangelical Child and Family Agency, supporting vulnerable families experiencing abuse and neglect. Alison enjoys participating in a College Church small group and attends Life Together.

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

I NC A R NAT I ONA L WON DE R WIL TRIGGS | EDITOR

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t seems as if the Christmas decorations have been up in Costco since August, and I’ll bet by the time the holiday actually arrives, retail will have moved on to January storage, organization and clean up inside and out.

That’s the cyclical nature of retail. Two steps ahead by the time of an event sometimes means people miss the event itself because they’ve already moved on.

But for us Christians, this season stands apart. May this be true even and especially in our hearts and not just our church calendars. This is a time to linger. Let me encourage you to stop and smell the hot spiced cider.

Advent and Christmas are treasures in the calendar year. We treasure them in our hearts, like Mary, and the series of articles and poems in this issue of Connections, look at these treasures from a variety of angles and perspectives. Wallace Alcorn and Thomas Martin explore the familiar gospel story elements with fresh sensibilities. Pat Cirrincione considers anew the conventional Christmas cards. Alex Lee considers Christmas through the eyes of ants and neurosurgeons. Alison Tews brings Christmas close to home with her article on when DCFS comes knocking in DuPage County. The Christmas poems by Thomasa Gaenzle and Bert Bunn give cause to reflect on this wondrous time of year.

Read all these throughout the Christmas season. Keep this issue near your tree or by your nightstand and revisit those stories. Thinking of the Christmas season, Charles Dickens said, “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.”

The Kindergarten Bible School class reinforces this for me, as I work to think like the kids to communicate Bible truths to them. This year as I dress up like Moses or the shepherds or the magi, it’s to help tell the ultimate and best story to the children. But I’m also hoping to bring the childlike wonder of Jesus’ wild love into conversations with people I know and don’t know.

Christmas gifts, these physical presents we give to each other, are nothing compared to Christmas presence—the presence of Christ and the presence of the church family drawing near to one another, singing and lighting the Christmas Eve candles, one by one, radiant beams from the holy face, not of the baby, but the redeeming Shepherd risen in love’s pure light.

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Advent Adventure: History Changed, Lives Made New Thomas L. Martin

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his time of year, we turn to one of our most sacred and cherished holidays. It is far more than our commercialized treatments of snowy scenes with sweatered families knee-deep in presents and sipping eggnog gathered around glistening Christmas trees.

Where does such overflow of optimism and joy come from?

Christmas is the time of Immanuel, “God with us.” Christmas is the time God changed the world forever. Can Christians imagine a world without Christ? What if he had never come?

Look to those who lack him today. Look to cultures who still reject him. Look to those who once espoused him but now deny him. Do you know any of these folks? Open your heart to them. Share the joy. Or maybe you are one yourself? Open your ears to the good news. Christmas opens a new way of life to humanity and offers hope everlasting.

Lest we forget, let us think about life B.C.: Before Christ. What was civilization like before the Consolation of the Ages came in a scene far different from the one with which we began this reflection? Instead of colorful packages wrapped in golden bows and stockings hung from the fireplace with silver bells, we behold a lowly manger scene. The Bible tells us there was no room in the City of Bethlehem for the birth of the Savior of the world.

“My wife is deep in labor pangs.”

Customers take their bags as they turn heel toward their own rooms for the night.

“Please, sir, how about a place for us?”

The proprietor bites one coin and returns it to the pile, delivering his night’s wages into his cash box with a ring.

The young father-to-be pleads, “She could give birth any time now.”

The proprietor thinks about sighs and screams in the night and sees himself retrieving those coins and refunding his guests.

“No, we’re all filled up,” he says firmly. “You will have to go elsewhere.”

“Where?” the young man implores him one last time and adds, “The baby will not wait.”

“Anywhere but here,” returns the surly innkeeper. “Why don’t you go out back with the animals?”

No welcome. No hospitality here. No place for God to be born in the City of David.

“My wife and I need a room for the night.”

We know the familiar story that follows. In a humble stable, where the cows and sheep bed for the night, the Savior of the world is born. Can we, better than the pragmatic proprietor of the inn, calculate the worth of that event?

Money changes hands all around as other travelers accept their accommodations.

The world at this time knows not what momentous event is upon it. Though prophets foretold, “Behold, the virgin shall

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conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Though angels spoke to shepherds watching their flocks that the Good Shepherd had come to satisfy all human desires. Though stars spelled out in the sky above that God had come to enter human history as a tiny babe. Though all these portents resounded in the ripples of time—speaking that some new visitation upon the human race—the habitude of daily custom dimmed sight and hardened hearts to the Advent miracle that changed history forever. What is that state of soul so bound up with its own issues and problems that it neglects these greater matters? So focused inward that it ceases to look outward? George MacDonald describes this state strikingly in his Princess and Curdie: it “comes at length to believe in nothing but his dinner: to be sure of a thing with him is to have it between his teeth.”

called euphemistically by historians a Roman “client” state, the transactional overtones of that label only begin to hint at the oppressive nature of that regime over the lives of its citizens. But at the same time Herod’s meaty fist pounds on a brass table with his command to slaughter all young boys in Judea, a tiny hand in that stable behind the inn reaches up to its mother and father to signal something else. That small hand will change the balance of power in the world. It will grow up “with the government upon his shoulder” but live a life that will hereafter make all earthly power absurd. It will indeed change history and usher in an everlasting kingdom. It will take the earthly symbols of power in Rome’s cruel dominion and turn them into a message of hope and everlasting life for all nations. Thus, under the sign of the cross, the world will cry out to this Redeemer “Domine,” ‘Lord,’ and “Christos Kurios,” ‘Christ is Lord.’ World without end. Amen.

Yet even the enemies of God knew what was upon them. They knew the signs and what they meant. Herod hears and sends emissaries to find this portentous birth and stop what is coming while he can. He would let the murderous thugs who rule the world remain in power. He is one of them. Let them plunder their people, rule by cruel fiat, and tax them in perpetual servitude. Herod will make sure tyrants have a future, but not his people. Or so he thinks.

This is the story of the Prince of Peace who comes at Christmas.

We to whom much has been given this season, let us lift our hearts with gratitude to our mighty God who has wrought so great a salvation by our Redeemer-King. Let us recall at what cost come our joys. God has given us his only Son our Savior to “save us from our sins,” to “save us to the uttermost,” and to “never leave us or forsake us.” Can we take in the magnitude of what is upon us this season? What people have been loved by God like this? The gift of new life and everlasting joy is ours in Christ Jesus. And that loving gift he extends to the whole world.

Herod gives us a glimpse into the world Before Christ.

A world of power unremitting. A world of conquest and slavery. A world where might truly makes right. When Israel is

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

Do we not see the miracle that is upon us? Even the unbelieving H. G. Wells was beguiled by the changes wrought by this Jesus: “I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history.” That Jesus Christ changed the world is indisputable. One cannot run one’s mind across the course of history without seeing it. If you’ve lost sight of that truth, read historian Tom Holland’s Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World and see the new path on which Christ set civilization. Everything good we enjoy in our lives today derives from Jesus’s coming. Recall what the world was like without hope of the Savior. Rejoice at the blessings that have abounded to countless lives from Christ our Lord.

But think too of those today who reject Immanuel, God with us. Think of contemporary culture that turns from the joy and hope that he and he alone offers. Think of the shallow self-justifications the world gives and with them the promise of public acceptance and even fame. Think of the hedonistic bliss they will celebrate on “holiday” occasions like this over an ever-receding horizon of diminished returns. Think of the wars and rumors of wars they secretly fear yet endlessly beget as they adjudicate the conflicts of the last generation and instigate the conflicts of the next. Think of the culture as it denies all religion yet spawns new ones out of its conceits and passions.

Think of it as it denies all gods yet calls back pagan deities from their banished places and the cruel rites by which dark spirits must be placated. Look at the emptiness in the lives at the end of all this culture’s Christless searches. Look at the desperation.

Think of Christ at Christmas. Think of the Christ that changed the world. Think of what he might yet do to all hearts who surrender and follow him.

The Bible says “Behold.” The good news of the gospel says again “Come and see.” What Christ accomplished in this world was “before the eyes of all nations” (Isaiah 52:10). Let us realize afresh its truth. Let us continue the Advent adventure. It extends into our time and runs toward an exciting future. Let us share with all the glorious story of him whom eyewitness Peter called “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst” (Acts 2:22). Those miracles, that history, and all nature herself testify together. Hear the poet Richard Wilbur capture the crescendo of that united chorus as those voices testify to that moment God visits this world. Wilbur addresses us as if we were wise men trekking across the desert, searching for meaning, following a heavenly text in the stars above: … Turn, O turn From the fine sleights of the sand …

Back to the trees arrayed In bursts of glare, to the halo-dialing run Of the country creeks, and the hills’ bracken tiaras made Gold in the sunken sun, 4

Wisely watch for the sight Of the supernova burgeoning over the barn, Lampshine blurred in the steam of beasts, the spirit’s right Oasis, light incarnate.

— “A World without Objects Is a Sensible Emptiness” Wilbur’s travelers “wisely watch” for where the starlight points.

Such wise men, the poet calls them earlier “connoisseurs of thirst” in their desert journey, are those who have prepared their hearts for Immanuel. They have turned from the allurements of this world and opened room in their souls for God who comes to them. They have followed the desert trail to this scene where indeed the “supernova burgeon[s] over the barn.” They have seen the Light of God shine in this place. They know that he will provide the fire and the sacrifice, even as nature’s “bracken tiaras” finally will be glorified to “Gold in the sunken sun.” To that end, the wise men have brought gifts betokening at once royalty, deity and death. They look on in wonder, and they fall on their knees in worship.

For those who take him as their King, Christ is indeed God with us. He is the Prince of Peace and the only hope of the ages.

Have you thought this season about what a miracle Christmas really is? Prophets, kings and wise men searched the Holy Scriptures, surveyed history, and scanned the night sky looking for signs whether that “Consolation of the Ages” might come in their time. At the brink of a new year that seemed like it would never come, God answered the longing of those contrite human hearts in Christ Jesus. His is the story of Christmas. He makes that story ours. Somewhere beyond the trappings and the sentimental associations we experience as we gather with family and friends, let us see the reality of Christ at the center of our Christmas holidays. Let us celebrate this greatest gift of God’s love and share it joyfully with all.

But Mary...

Wallace Alcorn

The findings of Luke’s historical research yield a factual narrative: Caesar Augustus decreed a census.

All went to be registered.

Joseph also went up from Galilee.

They traveled to Bethlehem.

Mary was delivered of the child.

Shepherds watched over their flocks.

The angel announced the birth of the Savior.

The host said, Glory to God in the highest.

The shepherds said, Let us go.

They found Mary and Joseph and the baby.

They made known abroad the saying concerning this child.

All who heard it wondered.

The shepherds glorified and praised God.

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follow this. I even get this virgin birth, revealed as it is the Creator’s working his own creation to accomplish his purpose the way and for the reason he chose.

What arrests my attention and excites my imagination is the quiet, non-demonstrative attitude and behavior of this most blessed of women: But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

(Luke 2:18, KJV) This is how it went: Clueless Caesar occasioned the situation.

The dispatched angels heralded the good news.

The awestruck shepherds told it like it was.

Those who heard them understandably wondered.

But Mary… What of her? Not a word from her—not then, not ever. The early church fathers implied with discreet silence. The last we heard of her she was in Ephesus not far from the beloved disciple into whose care her Son had commended his mother.

But from her came no confession, testimony or manifesto. What more was there to say? He was yet to say, “It is finished.” There came no celebration, commemoration or demonstration. What was there yet to do? He is both risen and returning.

It wasn’t that this was a total surprise to Mary. After all, she learned this by a special delivery message. Moreover, God brought Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth in on this sensitive family matter.

If not surprised, when the time arrived, she was at least puzzled as to the fuller significance. So, Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart.

How did Luke know this much? Did he inquire of her, and this is all she told him? (Perhaps other mothers can sense what was in her mind even though Luke seems not to have, and I certainly do not.) I picture her answering with a sweet smile.

And just what were “all these things”? Luke’s word is at places rendered “thing” but at others as “word.” It has the sense of an expression of reality. The words for “kept” and “pondered” share a sense of bringing things together. With the first, it is to preserve all that is. The second is a word only Luke uses (here and in The Acts). It has the sense of bringing factors together to learn yet beyond them.

Mary would not let any of this escape because they have profound meaning, and she must work them through. I wonder if she ever reached a satisfying conclusion. (Theologians have been at it for centuries.)

I wonder, too, what she was thinking when not many years hence she stood at the foot of the cross and saw her Son dying.

The army sent me to not a few families to deliver official announcement that their sons had been killed-in-action. Most of these gold-star mothers seemed to feel it important to tell me stories of a son’s birth and when he was a little boy as a means of making some sense of his death.

But Mary… I think she knew.

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Christmas Greetings PAT CI R R I N CI O N E

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

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enjoy the tradition of sending Christmas cards, and then I began thinking about why I send them, which made me wonder how this annual tradition began. So, I decided to ask Google about this and here is what I discovered: “In the ‘History of Christmas Cards,’ the first recorded use of ‘Merry Christmas’ was in a Christian letter sent in 1534! And the first known item that looked a bit like a Christmas card was given to King James I of England.”

Google went on to say “the custom of sending Christmas cards, as we know them today, was started in the UK in 1842 by Sir Henry Cole. Sir Henry had the idea of Christmas cards with his friend John Horsley, who was an artist. They designed the first card and sold them for 1 shilling each (about 8 cents today)!”

And there’s more Google had to say: “The modern Christmas card industry arguably began in 1915, when a Kansas City-based fledgling postcard printing company started by J.C. Hall, later to be joined by his brothers Rollie and William, published its first holiday card. The Hall brothers, a decade later, changed its name to Hallmark. Cards also became a convenient way to speak to one’s family and friends without drafting long personal responses.”

Well, who knew? Because of Sir Henry Cole and the Hall brothers’ ingenuity this yearly routine of sending Christmas cards continues, allowing us to stay in touch, at least once a year, with family and friends near and far. Our cards get mailed from sea to shining sea and are often accompanied by a letter with news of how we’ve grown from a family of two to eleven. This newsie letter talks about our children and grandchildren, and the various stages they are in their lives from year to year. Sometimes our card is a family photo, other times its purchased from Costco, Hallmark

or the Dollar Tree. Our cards have to depict the birth of Jesus, or characters from the Charlie Brown family.

For me, this familiar routine began when I helped my mom with my childhood family cards—sealing the envelopes and placing the stamps on them. I also remember the joy on my parents’ faces with every Christmas card they received, particularly when accompanied with a note or letter. So, when Sal and I got married it was a tradition we continued, this time Sal sealed the envelopes shut and put the stamps on them.

The number of cards we sent out each year grew slowly—with less than a box full of cards sent the first few years, until it began to grow and grow and grow! At last count we mail out a little over two hundred cards each year.

With the price of postage going up it’s been a challenge to keep it going, but somehow, with God’s help, we have managed to keep the tradition alive for most of our married life.

Because of the number of cards we send, I began a new tradition of mailing our cards out in August. As you can imagine, at first this brought some disparaging remarks from family and friends until the year I didn’t send them that early. That year, we received phone calls and letters asking us if we were okay. It was then that we discovered that our early bird Christmas cards had become a focal point of laughter, love, and memories of Christmases spent together with friends we no longer saw on a regular basis. And some of these friends actually displayed our cards on their fireplace mantles from August to December. Who knew?

Then there was the year our nephew and his family came in from North Carolina for the holidays and saw all our Christmas cards from family and friends. It wasn’t because they rummaged through a card basket, but

because of my tendency to incorporate them into our Christmas decorations.

The cards get taped on the inside of our front door, along the entry way, on the basement door in the kitchen, on the pantry doors and along the hallway. Photo cards have their own special spot. Needless to say, my nephew could not believe we knew so many people and thought I had put up fake Christmas cards. I didn’t try to dissuade him, instead I just smiled and served dinner.

This year will mark the 51st year of our family Christmas card tradition. God has blessed us through its continuance, and the joy that it brings to us each year. Something else changed with this yearly routine a few years ago.

A close friend told me that she and her husband keep the Christmas cards they receive, and each day pray over one card and the family or friend whose name is on it. They do this all year until the next round of cards begin to arrive. We now enjoy doing this too as a way of lifting each one up to our Lord and Savior who was born into this world so that we may have eternal life. That is the real Christmas card with its real message that came to shepherds out in the fields that “unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) The shepherds hurried off to see this newborn king, and then went back to their routines and the usual stuff of life, now filled with the hope of glory to come.

Merry Christmas, and as we remember why Jesus came—to love and forgive us, let’s also remember his gentle command to love one another as he has loved us. Do not let the routine things of this world become more important than the wonder of why God sent his only Son, to be born in a manger, on a cold and starry night.

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

Gallery SPOTLIGHT THE GROWING CHURCH We are pleased to include these selected works from:

THE GROWING CHURCH: Every Tribe, Tongue and Nation Through December 6 Inspired by both our missions festival and the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, this gallery shines a spotlight on Christians from around the world in a variety of cultures. Even where opposition is great, the church of Christ lives!

GALLERY HOURS: Sun., Mon., Wed. and Fri. from 12 to 2 p.m.

For other opening times, contact the church office at (630) 668-0878 or email artspace@college-church.org

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

GALLERY

GATHERING

THE GROWING CHURCH: EVERY TRIBE, TONGUE AND NATION

A monthly coming together, where we discuss our personal projects and the many facets of creativity and God.

MUST CLOSE DECEMBER 6 in Crossings This gallery celebrates the faces, cultures and practices of the church in every corner of the world.

We are delighted to have images from this gallery featured in this issue of Connections.

GALLERY HOURS: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 to 2 p.m.

NOTE: For other opening times, contact the church office at (630) 668-0878 or email artspace@college-church.org

WINTER DREAMS All Church Community Gallery Show DECEMBER 15-JANUARY 24 in Crossings

Helen Read will be sharing her painting process with us.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 at 7 p.m. in Crossings Dec. word of the month: REFUGE Future Meetings: We are working on Allison Regnier visiting us from her ministry in France and giving us an update, along with a calligraphy hands-on experience on January 14 at 7 p.m. in Crossings.

WORKSHOP WINTER DREAMS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 10 a.m. in Crossings COST: FREE

See college-church.org/artspace for details and submission form.

Come to the Crossings and create your own canvas and be a part of our next ArtSpace Gallery. The theme of the pieces should reflect winter. We will provide materials: canvases, acrylic paints, decoupage, brushes, and a variety of beads and stones for mosaic elements. If you’d like to incorporate other materials, feel free to bring them. Our goal is to have at least 100 individual canvases on display at the gallery, showcasing the talents and creativity of our entire community.

Open to all ages.

For more information or to sign up for a workshop, visit our webpage: college-church.org/artspace.

The workshop is free, but donations to help cover costs are welcome.

Contact Wil Triggs at wtriggs@ college-church.org to donate.

Opening Reception: December 15 from 12 to 2 p.m.

Experience the seasonal artistry of our church community SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN: The theme for this art piece is Winter. Your image can use any materials that you can dream up.

We will provide the canvases as we would like them all to be consistent.

IMPORTANT: Use a horizontal orientation for your canvas.

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A Hard Look at Christmas ALEX LEE

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hrist was incarnated as a human being—was poured out from heaven to earth, rather than, as in the Ascension, lifted from earth to heaven. His birth was an act of humility, quivering with the promise and tension of what was yet to come, whereas when Christ departed earth, it was in resplendent fashion, glowing with the bravura of a mission accomplished. We identify with the latter, being pleased to exchange our mortal shell for an incorruptible body.

But of the former—of Christ’s becoming one of us—we are generally not as moved. We are rightly touched by the wonder of it, placing around the nativity scene tokens of sentimentality: farm animals, glitzy angels, kingly gifts. But regrettably, the extraneous characters which have attached themselves to Christmas, eclectic hangers-on like Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, an anonymous drummer boy, the cast from A Charlie Brown Christmas, all marching to the tune of advertising jingles, lessen our appreciation of the metaphysical weight of the Incarnation.

As pastor and Bible teacher Colin Smith points out, there is in fact a “severity” to Christmas, on account of the “judgment” it foreshadows.

Mere days before the yuletide season revs up in earnest, we ought to pause and think hard upon Christ’s fateful decision to don the garb of humanity.

Suppose, while hiking, you come upon an ant hill, and you notice the ants are not filing in and out of their colony, but instead are crawling helter-skelter, running atop each other—indeed, are attacking one another. You bend down to inspect this unusual behavior. The 10

ants belong to the same species, so you scratch your head. But you happen to be an entomologist, and furthermore, your specialty is ants, and you know nearly everything there is to know about ants.

You deduce the ants’ production of formic acid has gone haywire, causing them to act bizarrely—almost like humans, you might conjecture.

Let us say the only way to save the ant colony is for you somehow to convey personally to its denizens the nature of their problem, and to extend to them the remedy for it. In this prescription lies the little creatures’ only hope of survival. But how to accomplish this?

You are a six-foot-tall mammal with a doctoral degree, whereas the ants are uncomprehending, booger-size, nervous automatons, driven solely by an urge to keep their queen nice and warm and fed so she can lay eggs prodigiously.

There is no rapport or possible link of communication between you and your ant clients.

Let’s say somehow, through force of will and altruism, you turn yourself, poof!— clothing, DNA and all—into a common black garden ant. Now you are in the midst of the chaotic colony, and you must begin your ministry of salvation.

This is an absurd picture.

Yet, in principle, that is what the second person of the Trinity did for the human race. In metaphysical terms, Christ’s incarnation was an infinitely greater sacrifice than that of our hypothetical entomologist. After all, ants and scientists alike are organisms—both, though differing in complexity, are equal in their status as created beings.

Christ, being the Word (John 1:1), upon whose utterance everything came into existence, and for whose glory everything is dedicated, is the Creator. He is categorically different from us; not just far above us in degree, but existing uniquely, answerable to nothing except his own nature. Yet when Christ came into his own in Judea and Galilee, “his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11).

The absurdity, in the case of our entomologist, reaches a disastrous end. He, now an ant among ants, offers the colony the antidote to its malady—a chemical, say, which would put aright the ants’ glands, and restore the peace and organization of their home. The ants are oblivious to his offer, and at last tear him to pieces, never to be reconstituted. In the end, one creature’s empathy cannot transcend that creature’s nature, which is, before anything else, that of being a creature.

Not so with the real story, the gospel—for our Savior, though he became one of us, and suffered for our sake, is yet greater in essence than we are. The I AM—infinite and sovereign—was gracious enough, in the basest way, to “get real.” Christ took on flesh—knew hunger and temptation, perspired, wiped his mouth, grew weary, bled and died, and in the process removed, for those who accept him, the penalty of sin, which is the cause of our grief and madness.

The sheer atrocity of it! God condescending to walk among, and to heal, two-legged ants berserk with their own pride—Jews, Romans, Greeks, everyone in Rome’s empire and beyond—and then to be tortured and murdered for his trouble. To die on a cross is excruciating, but multitudes of men in Rome’s empire

suffered such a fate. Setting aside one’s divinity, however, is an act only Christ has discharged, a loss only he has felt.

While he lived on earth, the ineffable was reduced to walking in sandals, became a target of calumny, became a repository of sorrows, all as a consequence of a terrestrial birth one starry night in Bethlehem.

We must regard this first ontological transformation of God as soberly as we view the later one thirty-three years later. The Incarnation was a gritty project, a mission of mercy, a dirty job, notwithstanding the baubles of the yuletide season.

I read a book some time ago, entitled Proof of Heaven. It is supposedly an agnostic neurosurgeon’s firsthand account of his near-death experience. In the book, the author describes heaven, where he apparently found himself floating, as a “brilliant, vibrant…stunning” place. The neurosurgeon’s soul, or consciousness, flies over enhanced representations of trees and streams and dancing folk, a vision of unending happiness.

I find the author’s report theologically suspect, but I agree with him that doubtless heaven is an excellent setting to spend eternity. Without exception, all of us are enamored of heaven—the idea, as well as the prospect of it.

What boggles my mind, and grips my heart, is the knowledge that God, for whom heaven is but a tidy flower garden—that God would be so enamored of earth, our broken planet, that he would volunteer to visit it, and get himself killed, in order that we may share in his everlasting life.

This Christmas, before coming to worship service, we ought to find a barnyard or alley somewhere, and in our Sunday clothes hop into a puddle of muck. As we ponder the physical consequence of that action, may we raise our eyes heavenward, and with conviction and new understanding say, “Really, Lord?”— for that is what he did for us.

Just a thought.

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Moving Towards Hope AL ISON TE WS

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

T

here was a knock on the door, once, twice, a third time. Julie’s mind was racing. At seven years old she was home alone, watching her younger sisters who were three and two years old. Her mom had been gone for hours, and Julie didn’t know if she would come back tonight or tomorrow.

And worse, she didn’t know how her mom would act when she came home or if she would bring anyone with her.

Whenever her mom would leave, she would tell Julie not to ever answer the door or tell her teachers what happened at home, or else Julie might get “taken away.” So, Julie didn’t tell. While watching her sisters was exhausting, she didn’t really mind, she loved them so much. Over the next six months, however, her neighbors started noticing, police came a few times, and Julie and her sisters were taken into foster care. Her little sisters were placed with a relative, hours away, and Julie rarely saw them more than once a year—in an instant Julie had lost everything.

Generational cycles of addiction and trauma proved to be too much for Julie’s mom who wasn’t able to stabilize enough to bring her daughters home.

Julie’s younger sisters were adopted by a relative, but Julie bounced between foster homes during her teenage years.

The grief Julie felt over the sudden separation from her little sisters haunted her, and moving between foster families only made it more challenging for Julie to trust other people. By the time Julie was sixteen she was pregnant and had moved in with her boyfriend to escape the foster care system. Julie had a baby girl and vowed to protect this baby from the loss she experienced.

Years went on and Julie discovered how deeply difficult it was to make ends meet on her own and take care of her daughter. Julie struggled with relationships, especially with men. She learned if she ended a relationship, she

and her baby would have nowhere to live, but when men would turn violent Julie would escape with her daughter and go to a shelter until she found a new stable relationship, or so she thought. This cycle continued until Julie had three children, all under the age of seven. Julie loved her children, but everything was difficult. Shelters would try to help her apply for childcare assistance, but she didn’t have a driver’s license because she dropped out of high school when she was pregnant, and never took drivers education classes.

She struggled to get a job because she hadn’t graduated high school and didn’t have reliable transportation. Julie had birth certificates and Medicaid and food stamps for her children, but because she had “ran away” from foster care and had no contact with her mother Julie couldn’t find her own birth certificate and didn’t even know what state she had been born in. Julie was overwhelmed and felt hopeless, she struggled to keep up with appointments and getting her oldest to the bus stop on time. It became easier to keep her children home from school or skip appointments—and she knew they were safe and loved right where they were.

There was a knock on the door once, twice, a third time. Now living at the shelter, Julie was required to open the door. It was an investigator from DCFS. Julie panicked and started to cry. The room was a mess, and her oldest daughter wasn’t at school that day. She had worked so hard for seven years to prevent this from happening.

Julie explained how much she loved her children, but also how alone she felt, how the obstacles were too big to overcome. The investigator thankfully seemed to listen to her and offered a program called Intact Family Services that provided a caseworker who would visit weekly and help Julie receive counseling and meet some of these practical needs. Julie was fearful of having a caseworker come every week

but chose to say yes, to accept help, to move towards hope.

Julie’s story is not uncommon. Children who experience trauma become parents themselves, often without stability or support. Too often, this results in cycles of trauma repeating itself, generation after generation. These are vulnerable families who need to hear the story of another vulnerable family who sought refuge in a stable. They need to hear about the poor outcast shepherds who became the first people to meet this baby Jesus who would change the world. Christ’s church knows the promise of a Messiah who can redeem any broken story, and the local church is the best place to build trust and relationships with these families and share about the perfect Savior Jesus.

Think again through Julie’s story.

How can the local church community make a difference in the life of Julie’s family? Julie could use encouragement and support from other moms, but she needs help with transportation in order to participate in Mom2Mom or Women’s Bible Study. Her family could benefit from a freshly cooked meal and fellowship with another family once a week. Julie could use help learning how to drive and apply for her license.

While there are many practical steps that caseworkers can help Julie with, what Julie needs most is a friend, an encourager, a cheerleader, a prayer warrior, so Julie and her family can keep moving towards hope and learn to believe that they are not alone.

This Christmas season please be praying for vulnerable families right around us in DuPage County. Pray that they will stay safe, be encouraged, and be open to hearing about the gospel. For more practical ways to get involved, contact familyadvocacy@ college-church.org.

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Making Connections JUDY SATTLER

I

have attended multiple churches over the past 69 years, but College Church is by far the largest. My husband and I joined the congregation 19 years ago. Being a part of a large body of believers has many advantages, but I quickly realized that the greatest challenge was in making connections. Building relationships is an organic process that cannot be either programmed or rushed; it takes the effort and commitment of individuals to make it happen. Even then, with a church the size of ours, it is more than likely that there are brothers and sisters here that I will never meet.

That is one of the reasons I value the College Church magazine Connections. Being a writer myself, I enjoy reading what others have written. I feel like I am getting to know people that I have yet to meet. I am getting to know what they think and feel, what they are learning, what they have experienced in life, what they are passionate about. While I appreciate the journey of discovery with a new acquaintance, the way in which I am introduced to others through Connections gives me immediate glimpses into the hearts and minds of people that could otherwise have taken months, even years to discover.

Last April I found myself weeping over a short article that Esther Waldrop wrote about the Easter she gave her life to Jesus, and knew I had to meet her. I did meet her a couple of weeks later, shortly before she left to minister with her husband in the Philippines. It was only a brief encounter, but I will be praying for her in a way I didn’t know how to before. I have known Keith Bodger for many years, but I didn’t know he could write. He creates these memorable word pictures that resonate with me as I wrestle with my own flesh and spirit.

That’s iron sharpening iron. I recognize Susan Zimmerman’s photo, I’ve seen her around, but after reading her article “The Classroom of Grace” in which she compares honing her craft in writing with making progress toward Christian maturity, I feel like I have had a substantive conversation with her; much more than the requisite small talk when meeting someone for 14

the first time. There are others whose writing, testimonies, or stories have inspired me in my Christian walk, and even if our paths never cross, I have made a connection with them, and they have ministered to me.

I feel indebted to the folks who are involved in making Connections; it’s a unique ministry that allows me to use a gift that God has given in ways previously limited or unavailable to me.

I appreciate the way in which they are using their own gifts, and the encouragement they have given me and many others in the body to use our talents for strengthening the church and for the glory of our Lord.

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

OUR VISION 2024 INITIATIVES Vision: “Proclaiming the Gospel”

PATHWAY. We will develop a simple invitational pathway for our gospel ministries: Discover Jesus, Grow in Your Faith and Impact the World. In 2024, we will continue developing that pathway by emphasizing and enhancing the “on ramps” to College Church in the following ways: 1) promoting Kids’ Harbor as one of the first impressions of College Church, 2) augmenting and strengthening our Front Door ministries, and 3) establishing a culture where our congregants willingly and effectively share our faith.

Rationale: After consultation with a Christian communications company, and surveying the neighborhood, we have discovered that we need to present the distinctive gospel ministry opportunity of College Church more clearly and invitationally to the surrounding community.

COMMUNITY. We will cultivate care, encouragement, and connection in 2024 by: 1) calling a pastor focused in these areas (title to be determined), 2) establishing a permanent CARE team to support congregational care, 3) expanding elder prayer for each member of the church by name, and 4) identifying and training Small Group Coordinators to support all of our Small Group Leaders.

DISCIPLESHIP. We will elevate biblically rigorous and practical discipleship by, in 2024: 1) emphasizing and encouraging a renewed focus on discipleship in the context of church family life, 2) providing additional resources for personal disciple making as well as improving awareness and accessibility to them, and 3) offering two churchwide seminars on matters of current importance for being faithful disciples in today’s world.

Rationale: After a churchwide discipleship survey, we have ascertained a growing need for more rigorous and practical discipleship that is coherently coordinated across both small and large groups.

CAMPUS. We will increasingly activate our campus by utilizing the Crossings as a crossover space to reach the community and for student, worship and family space, funded through Gospel Now, prioritizing safety and accessibility upgrades to our parking and other key areas, and studying the highest and best missional use for our portfolio of rental properties.

PARTNERSHIPS. We will leverage the church’s history of church planting, training programs, and connections across the country and world by: 1) expanding the scope of our church planting efforts to include planting, strengthening and revitalizing, 2) hosting a prayer gathering for College Church members interested in this work, 3) exploring partnership with one new organizational partner, and 4) seeking to develop one new church partner in each category (planting, strengthening, revitalizing) by December 2024.

Rationale: By partnering with likeminded churches and organizations, and by broadening our scope to include planting, strengthening, and revitalization, we can increase our gospel impact through gospel-centered, Bible-preaching churches.

Rationale: After the Site and Facilities committee’s extensive work surveying the ministry pinch points, it is apparent that we need to develop our ministry space, and we will target the Crossings space.

Rationale: After conversations with key ministry leaders, it is apparent we need to increase connectivity between members and attenders of the church through mutually loving and caring hospitality.

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

CHURCH LIFE DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES

DECEMBER 22: No evening service

LOGOS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104E

The Joy of Jesus

• Teacher: James Seward

Everyone welcome.

DECEMBER 24: Christmas Eve services in the Sanctuary

• Study: The Book of Hebrews

Join us at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Livestream broadcast is at 9:30 a.m. You can watch it at college-church.org/ livestream.

MORNING SERMON SERIES:

The Gospel of Matthew

Experiencing the Father’s Joy Luke 15:11–32 4 PM: Children’s Candlelight service 7 & 9 PM: Candlelight services

Senior Pastor Josh Moody preaching

ADULT COMMUNITIES

DECEMBER 1: Healing Social Relationships Matthew 5:33–48

Adult Communities will not meet on December 29 and January 5.

DECEMBER 8: A Generosity That God Rewards Matthew 6:1–4

ALL NATIONS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104F • Teacher: Curt Miller, Matt Heaton • Study: Word Based Equipping for Gospel Impact FORUM 15 Sundays 8 a.m. in C104F • Teacher: Bruce Main

• Description: A caring community centered around interactive Bible teaching and prayer, spanning a range of ages and family situations.

THRIVE Sundays 9:30 a.m. in Crossings-Clapham Main Area • Teachers: Teaching Team • Study: Gospel of John VERITAS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104B & D • Teacher: Dr. Gregg Quiggle • Study: Christian History since the Reformation

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

• Study: Jonah/Nahum

MOM2MOM

Senior Pastor Josh Moody preaching

GREEK EXEGESIS CLASS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in the Board Room

DECEMBER 15: Experiencing Heaven’s Joy Luke 15:1–7

• Teacher: Jon Laansma

DECEMBER 2: 9:30-11 a.m., Large Group Gathering: Birthday Party for Jesus in Commons Hall

MORNING SERMON SERIES:

The Joy of Jesus

DECEMBER 22: Experiencing the Angels’ Joy Luke 15:8–10 DECEMBER 29: How Not to Experience Jesus’ Joy Luke 16:1–16

SUNDAY EVENING CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS Everyone welcome.

DECEMBER 1: No evening service DECEMBER 8: On This Day: Celebrating the Coming of Jesus, Combined adult, student and children’s choirs in the Sanctuary at 4:15 and 6 p.m.

DECEMBER 15: Investigation: Christmas, STARS Christmas Program in the Sanctuary at 5 p.m.

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• Study: 1 John • Description: Knowledge of Greek is not required for this class.

LIFE TOGETHER Sundays 9:30 a.m. in Commons Gym • Teacher: Teaching Team • Description: Various Topics with small group discussion.

Authentic, biblical community for adults ages 25–40 LIVING WORD Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104A & C104C • Teachers: Felipe Chamy, Jacob Samuel Raju • Study: Gospel of John

DECEMBER 9: 9:30-11:30 a.m., Gym Playdate in Commons Gym WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays, through December 4.

We look forward to picking back up January 15 in 1 & 2 Chronicles and we’d love to have you join!

Register on our website.

MORNING: 9:30-11 a.m.

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

WOMEN’S MONTHLY GATHERING One Saturday a month, December 7, 9-10:30 a.m. in Commons Hall We’ll spend the morning diving into Jesus’ statement in John 8: “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

of life.” Whether you’ve joined us before, or this would be your first time, we hope to see you there!

MEN’S MINISTRIES MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays, 6:45-8:15 p.m. in Commons West We continue in the Philippians study: One Mind in Christ. The session combines teaching, table discussion and fellowship. Light refreshments are provided.

MEN’S BREAKFAST SERIES Saturday, December 7, 7:308:30 a.m. in Commons Hall

SUNDAY EVENING God’s Children Sing will not meet in December; GCS will resume on January 12th.

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS Children’s Choir rehearsals in December are: DECEMBER 1: from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary DECEMBER 7: Saturday, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. (Dress Rehearsal) DECEMBER 8: 3 p.m. arrival and two concerts at 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

DECEMBER 15 & 22: No rehearsals

Join us for our Men’s Breakfast series: Leadership Essentials. Along with breakfast and fellowship, we will discover together the biblical principles and tools for godly leadership. We meet at 7:30 a.m. in Commons Hall. No registration is required. Invite a friend!

DECEMBER 24: Christmas Eve, the Children’s Choirs sing in the Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m. (arrive at 3:15 pm)

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (KIDS’ HARBOR)

KIDS KORNER: 9:30-11 a.m., last week is December 4, and Kids Korner will resume January 15

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

Evening Programs: 6:45-8:15 p.m., last week is December 4, and clubs will resume January 15.

Bible school (preschool-third grade) at 9:30 a.m.

At the 9:30 hour, fourth and fifth graders begin with their families in the service (or an Adult Community) until dismissed for Bible school.

Wonders of Worship “WOW” (K-third grade) dismissed during second half of 11 a.m. service Children’s church (older preschool) during second half of 11 a.m. service Children’s church (younger preschool) at 11 a.m.

Choirs resume January12 KIDS’ HARBOR FALL WEDNESDAY MINISTRIES

MIDDLE SCHOOL (KINGS MESSENGERS) SUNDAY MORNINGS: 9:30-10:30 a.m., in the KMs room DECEMBER 1: Fellowship Sunday DECEMBER 8: The Coming King, 2 Samuel 19:41-20:26 DECEMBER 15: The Coming King, 2 Samuel 24

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS: 6:45-8:15 p.m. in the Crossings.

DECEMBER 4: Ephesians 6:10-24 DECEMBER 11: Christmas Party DECEMBER 18: No KMs DECEMBER 25: No KMs, Christmas Day

HIGH SCHOOL (HYACKS) SUNDAY MORNINGS at 9:30 a.m. in the Crossings. Enter through the door across the street from the Chase ATM. Baxter will be teaching on the Book of Exodus.

Afterwards, you are welcome to walk over to the Sanctuary with us for the 11 a.m. church service and sit together.

WEDNESDAY MORNING: 6:30-7:30 a.m. Men and Women of Courage groups meet every other week (Nov.13). Women meet in Welsh Hall and men meet in the Crossings conference room. A time of Bible reading, prayer, worship and Scripture memorization.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: 7-8:30 p.m. Large group gathering (in Crossings) and small group gatherings (location varies per group) alternates weekly.

DECEMBER 11: Christmas Coffeehouse DECEMBER 18: no meetings Christmas Break

COLLEGE GROUP AFTER HOURS: Sunday evenings, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Crossings DECEMBER 1: No After Hours

DECEMBER 22: No KMs DECEMBER 29: No KMs

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

DECEMBER 8: Spiritual Formation and the College Years with Dr. Dave Setran Last after hours for 2024; will resume on January 19, 2025.

STARS DISABILITY SUNDAY Children/Adult/Multi-Generational Sunday classes meet at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

BECOMING ONE is a class for engaged, soon-tobe-engaged and newly married couples. Topics covered include a gospel-centered marriage, roles in marriage, communication and conflict, intimacy, and a panel discussion with Q&A (including topics of finances, relationships, expectations and more). Becoming One consists of one day-long class with other couples, an online assessment, and two personal sessions with a mentor couple. Meets Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and includes lunch. $50 fee per couple covers online assessment, lunch and materials (only one registration needed per couple).

ARTSPACE Details on page 9.

Looking Ahead KEENAGERS

followed by an exciting concert performed by the DuPage Symphony Trombone Quartet.

The evening begins with a time of fellowship at 5:30, dinner at 6, and the program at 7 p.m. Reservations are required by Tuesday, January 14, by emailing keenagers@ college-church.org, or register using the QR code.

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ABOUT US LUNCH Are you new to College Church or would you like to learn more about us? If so, you’re invited to a special lunch on Sunday, January 19, at noon in the lobby outside the Sanctuary.

Come and meet pastors and staff, learn about College Church, and find out how you can get involved. Lunch is on us!

RSVP to help us plan.

12-4 p.m. at the Danada Equestrian Center. All ages. Free.

KLINE CREEK FARM Among the Leaves So Green at Kline Creek Farm. Step back into the winter holiday traditions of the 1890s as you tour the farmhouse all decked out for Christmas.

Admission $5 per person. Saturday, December 7, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm.

Under the Radar

Facilities

CHRISTMAS THEATER

Did you know. . .

Overland Theater in Medinah presents The Christmas Carol, November 29-December 21. The theater is devoted to presenting family entertainment are reasonable prices. Visit www.overshadowed. org/shows-events for tickets.

what it takes to decorate the church for Christmas? It takes dozens of volunteers along with staff involvement, scores of poinsettias, 15 trees, over 40 wreaths, 20 hurricanes and candles, thousands of lights and a coordination of schedules and departments. This year marks the third year of our annual Christmas set-up party, where volunteers high school age and older came to decorate the church for the Advent season. Thank you, volunteers and staff.

TREE WALK Beginning December 1, Christmas Tree Walk in downtown Wheaton.

Stroll around town and enjoy this display of 50 4-foot Christmas trees decorated by downtown Wheaton shops and restaurants. Cast your vote for your favorite decorated tree and see who wins!

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Wheaton college Christmas Festival: “Draw Near,” Friday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 7, at 4 p.m. in Edman Chapel. For tickets, go to https://www.wheaton.edu/calendarof-events

DANADA Horsin’ Around Days at Danada.

See the horses in their winter coats and learn about the chores of a winter barn. Saturday, December 7,

FACTS

MISSING SOMETHING? Check the various LOST AND FOUND bins throughout the church for missing Bibles, notebooks, coats, travel mugs and more.

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

POETRY Christmas List THOMAS GAENZLE

What I want for this Christmas My list prayer-mailed not to North Pole My soul not lukewarm nor country listless Repent-list of each wicked role Revival, fervent faith to ply Skyward, homeward, countrywide Humble thankfulness for grace His vote in vexing voters’ race A heart to package all my love In wrappings modeled from His gift Selflessly, examples of His blood-red purchase past all thrift I’ll list each under the Christmas tree The unsaved souls I know, because They need a wish-list just like me For Emmanuel, not Santa Claus

Yet Him Who Holds THOMAS GAENZLE

The sea—it whispers to the shore Suggesting secrets of My days It speaks of Me, how I restore It tries to count My endless ways My parchment of the ages scrolls My mountains wear down to the sea I made your flesh and spoke your souls And each one always speaks of Me

Habakkuk

ADVENT DECEMBER 19, 2023 BERT BUNN To you O Lord I cry out, on me does contention arise; You are Your work in my day, I need first Your help in my eyes.

Ever fortress, king, every ruler; having laughter from judgment ingrained.

Their critic reproof is settled, it has come from you Lord, ordained.

Suffering as fish gathered in nets, is the ease if we don’t obey, Lead me to the tower of watch post, I’ll hear what God shares to me; Fortune limits those who bring suffering, their wealth and dominion will flee.

God brings me to read on high places; He drowns evil with rivers and seas.

The earth is or’whelmed by water, so man knows God’s glory and sees; Our lord in His holy temple, men silenced a’fore Him on knees.

God’s splendor covers the heavens, the earth is full of His praise; He’s brought us salvation and joy on this day, His holy name we raise.

You call My Name in your distress I echo better in your cheer I write in rhythms of your flesh To live without Me you should fear You feel Me always in your bones You’re fashioned from forever molds You should know My love atones Me name is Love—Yet Him Who Holds

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Have You Heard?

Michelle Kelley talks to some of the women on the Women’s Retreat committee: Amy Jones, Suzanne Shirley, Lizzie Jeffers, Marilyn Enstrom, Amy Sherrard and Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries, about all things retreat.

If you haven’t heard yet, there is a Women’s Retreat coming up: February 21-23 at the Hyatt Regency Deerfield (IL). Our committee has been hard at work planning and dreaming and praying for the many women who will join us, and we wanted to give the committee a chance to say why you should come.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WOMEN’S RETREAT? “What’s not to love about Women’s Retreat? I have attended every retreat for the last 22 years, minus one or two! The retreat allows me to step away from my daily responsibilities and focus on growing deeper in my faith without all the other distractions. I love worshiping and studying God’s Word in a room full of women of all ages and walks of life.

I love the spiritual conversations I have had around the lunch or dinner table. I love meeting new women or connecting more deeply with women I already know. And who doesn’t love having all your meals provided for an entire weekend?”

—Amy Jones, retreat chair What I love about Women’s Retreat is getting away with friends for some good conversation, that someone else does the cooking, and we’re centered around learning from God’s Word.

I also enjoy getting to connect with women I don’t know well and having the chance to get to know them a little better in a relaxed, unhurried setting. There’s usually lots of laughter, late nights and chocolate!”

—Suzanne Shirley WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE EXCITED FOR ABOUT WOMEN’S RETREAT? “I am really looking forward to doing some fun things with a great group of women that like to have fun, too! Playing games 20

together is always a highlight of the retreat for me.”

—Marilyn Enstrom “When I think about the retreat, I can’t help but smile! We’re planning a memorable weekend where there will be something for everyone (introverts and extroverts, active, creative, etc.).

I’m most excited about finally experiencing it all together in just a few months!”

—Lizzy Jeffers TALK TO ME ABOUT THE THEME OF ISAIAH 43.

“One key theme in this passage is the promise of our personal God, who knows us and calls us by name, to walk with us no matter the circumstances. Our confidence lies not in his ability to fix our circumstances (which he can), but in him—the God of the universe, who pursues relationship with us. These themes are repeated from several different angles all pointing to God’s character as the source of our confidence and calling us to trust in him to be present with us as we walk through each day.”

—Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries IT CAN BE EXHAUSTING TO COORDINATE EVERYTHING TO BE GONE FOR A WEEKEND, ARE YOU SURE IT’S WORTH IT? “Yes, absolutely worth it! It’ll be a time to gather with friends, make new friends, listen to amazing teachers, dig into Isaiah 43 together, play some fun games, and you don’t have to prepare a single meal all weekend long! Come for a time to rest, recharge and grow in the Word together.”

—Amy Sherrard THAT ALL SOUNDS REALLY NICE, YOU MIGHT SAY, BUT I THINK I’LL PASS, I’M NOT REALLY A WOMEN’S RETREAT KIND OF PERSON… We seek to make the Women’s Retreat a place where all people feel comfortable, whether you are new to the church or an introvert or not sure whether your family will survive without you

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

for a weekend. (We may not like to admit it, but cold pizza for breakfast is still sustenance.) Our goal is to provide a spiritually refreshing weekend, which we try to do through an intentionally paced retreat. We’ll have main sessions and some optional events, but there’s also built-in time and space for you to take a nap on Saturday afternoon if that is what will recharge your batteries (and you won’t be the only one!).

HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS? Reach out to our committee at women@college-church.org or connect with retreat chair Amy Jones at ccwomensretreat2025@ gmail.com.

Hope to see you there!

—The Women’s Retreat Team WANT TO JOIN BUT NOT SURE IT MAKES SENSE FINANCIALLY AT THIS TIME? We have a Women’s Retreat scholarship fund that we would love to make use of. It’s completely confidential and if it would open a door to allow you to attend, we would love to talk with you about it. Email us at women@college-church.org or call the church office at (630) 668-0878.

Can’t make it this year, but want to help open the door for others to do so? You may donate to the Women’s Retreat Scholarship fund on the College Church giving page.

Thank you so much!

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

MILESTONES BIRTHS Alethea (Thea) Elizabeth was born to Caleb and Gabriela Aulie on November 1. Her paternal grandparents are Bruce and Laurel Aulie.

Pray for Alma (Vijai) John Kuruppacherry and family as they grieve the loss of her father, who passed away in India and November 4.

Everett Amos was born to Trent and Bridget Tovsen on October 8, joining his big brothers Oliver and Calvin.

Everett’s maternal grandparents are Jeff and Alison Oslund.

Pray for the family of Hans-Peter Ritter including his wife, Emmi, and their sons Kris (Amy) and Neal. Peter passed away on November 4.

MARRIAGES Paul Lyzenga and Elizabeth Diffin were married on October 18, in Wyoming, Michigan. Elizabeth is a former member of College Church and the daughter of member Ruth Diffin.

DEATHS Pray for the family and friends of John Green, including his stepson Rob (Rebecca) Wolgemuth, who passed away on November 16.

Children’s Choirs “SINGING DOES AT LEAST AS MUCH AS PREACHING TO IMPRESS THE WORD OF GOD ON PEOPLES’ MINDS.” —D.L. Moody Singing not only involves text, pitches and rhythm, but also helps to create a bridge into the mind and heart of those participating. Music is a unique avenue that helps us hide God’s Word in our hearts, guiding and shaping us to become more like Jesus.

Children’s choirs runs through May on Sundays, 5-6:15 p.m. Registration is open.

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Pray for the family of Dorothy Anderson, including her husband, Bill, son Mark (Brenda) Bodett and family.

Dorothy passed away on November 10 in Carol Stream, IL.

Pray for College Church missionary Lois (Steve) Dresselhaus and family as they grieve the loss of Lois’ mother, Ann Fara Springer, who passed away on October 29.

Pray for College Church missionary Jeff (Tamara) Hershberger and family as they grieve the loss of Jeff ’s father, Dwight, who passed away on October 19 in Eureka, IL. Pray for College Church missionaries Kathy (Rod) Duttweiler and Caleb (Marisa) Duttweiler as they grieve the loss of Kathy’s father and Caleb’s grandfather, Stan Smith, who passed away on October 13 in Memphis, TN.

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER Call the church office or email info@college-church.org for details on these prayer meetings.

Check out the online resource to learn about and to share Pastor Dewar’s worship songs. https://www.gloryandgladnessmusic.com

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER: 8:15-8:40 a.m., meets in the Commons board room SIGNS OF LOVE DEAF MINISTRY POTLUCK & PRAYER: 12:30-2 p.m., in Crossings. Meets every other Sunday. December dates are December 1 and 15.

MIDWEEK PRAYER MEETING: Wednesdays now at noon via Zoom DECEMBER 4: Emmanuel & Adugna Tahear, SIM Culture ConneXions, evangelism and church planting, in the U.S. DECEMBER 11: Steve & Mirian Cox, Word of Life, seminary teaching and discipleship in Brazil

God Centered Life is an independent, listener-supported ministry that brings the preaching and teaching of Pastor Moody to all corners of the globe. Listeners from more than 200 countries visit the GCL website for resources.

A broadcast listener shared this: “I live and work in Japan. My wife is Japanese and not a believer. We have two daughters. There has been a lot of pressures, suffering and difficulties. But I am hopeful, holding on to God’s wonderful promises. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. God bless God Centered Life…”

This global ministry is here for you, College Church. Use it to augment your daily devotions and re-listen to pastor Moody’s sermons throughout the week. Or get it in your email daily.

Download the God Centered Life app and listen to the daily podcast, wherever you get your podcasts.

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ENGAGE TODAY AT:

DECEMBER 18: Jeff & Jane Pelz, InterVarsity, evangelism/ discipleship in the U.S. DECEMBER 25: Not meeting DECEMBER 31: Not meeting PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: Fridays, 12-1 p.m. in the Board Room.

AARON-HUR PRAYER FELLOWSHIP will not meet in December.

BARNABAS PRAYER FELLOWSHIP welcomes Jeff Hershberger to its meeting on Wednesday, December 18, at 1:30 p.m. to tell us about the work he and Tamara have been doing in Japan with SEND and the expected changes in it. Men and women are welcome to join the group in the Creative Arts Room at Covenant Living at Windsor Park.

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Salts of the Earth WIL TRIGGS

The Lord Jesus said it. We are the salt of the earth.

A tuna fish.

nd then he warned that we do not lose our saltiness and become good for nothing—left to be thrown out with the bread that’s gone moldy or the empty cans of diced tomatoes, dog food and

Salt of the earth serves as a preservative, to help stave off rot and keep the world from going bad, to help us keep the world if not fresh, at least unspoiled for a while. Maybe we are even called to be a sort of irritant, astringent, to be the salt that stings a wound but helps it heal. Ouch. That hurt, but it’s going to be good for me in the long run. These Christians can annoy but they help balance out the rest of heathen humanity and slow our slide toward hell on earth, not to mention the more eternal version.

Like the varied types, colors and grains of salt, so are the people of God. So indulge me and let’s go some different directions.

Table salt is the salt we’ve all grown up with—the one in the round blue box and the umbrella holding girl. It’s always there in the cupboard, waiting to be noticed.

One man I know feels most comfortable with the down and out, with the mentally ill. He has the ability to understand and care for them. He relates to them without discomfort or alarm after many years of being with them. He points them to Jesus when he can. He sees God’s Creator hand on them. Salt goes to the common places.

Kosher salt is what I use when I want to turn cucumbers into pickles.

Another man I know is starting to visit men in jails and hopes to tell them about Jesus and how he can turn shattered hearts into new creations.

Pink Himalayan salt is pink. It is saltier than regular table salt.

We have a lamp made from it. I think you can pay money to sit in a room where the walls are lined with it, not sure what that’s supposed to do but this kind of salt is a thing.

Another friend had hip replacement surgery. The day afterwards, she climbed up the stairs of her home. She did not pass out. That 24

was all she could do that day. The next day, she brought art to show in our upcoming art gallery. I won’t name her, but if you come to the new show, she’s the one with the photograph of all the deer in the snow and no, it’s not Photoshopped.

Grey salt, or celtic sea salt is thought to help with blood pressure.

I’m not sure if I believe it.

One of our STARS writes out a book of the Bible by hand. A whole book. If he makes a mistake, he stars over from the beginning of the book. Imagine the sense of accomplishment when he reaches the end. What a refreshing interaction with God’s Word.

Flake salt is big and crunchy, an especially welcome addition to a salad or a sweet where a pinch of salt and texture might add another element.

One missionary friend of mine wrote this week to say that some of his colleagues are fleeing or trapped in areas with active airstrikes from fighter jets and regular artillery shelling. One city is seeing particularly heavy fighting, but the situation around the country is changing daily. Northern Shan State, where this recent wave of battles began, has also seen widespread fighting. There seems to be a higher level of active fighting in all of the ethnic minority areas.

I don’t know what to say about fleur de sel (flower of the salt).

It is somehow harvested from the ocean. It might be called the ultimate flake salt. For most of us, salt is salt, but this one is a finishing salt. When sprinkled on a cookie or a cooked egg, it brings its own flavor to the food. At least that’s what I’ve heard.

I’ve never tried it. Too expensive and hard to find, I’ve never experienced this one.

So many salts, such a big world. May God bless us and use us today.

Present at creation, Jesus knows his salt. He’s made every kind of salt there is, from the common to the expensive. As his salt of the earth, he wants to shake us out to flavor the world with grace and truth.

Prelude to Joy, Joy, Joy LORRAINE TRIGGS

M

y beloved alma mater, Moody Bible Institute, introduced me to Flannery O’Connor (I remain forever indebted to Dr. Rosalie de Rosset for the introduction), but it didn’t offer college-level courses on William Shakespeare. I had to wait till I transferred to Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) for that.

Though hardly a Shakesperean scholar, I did wow the professor with my grasp of the playwright’s English, no matter how archaic it was to the other students. After one class, my professor, who knew I was a transfer student, asked if I had studied the Bard at my other school.

Me: No. Professor: Then why do you understand so much of his language?

Me: Uh, I read the Bible?

The version of the Bible I read at the time was the Kings James Version with its beautiful archaic language that expanded my vocabulary as it taught me the truths of Scripture, even with its thee-thou-thine language and canst and mayest.

With Advent beginning, I canst overlook the begats of Matthew 1.

I used to wonder why Matthew used up seventeen verses with begats, and just didn’t start his gospel with the birth of Jesus. Patrick Schreiner posted on The Gospel Coalition site a few years back five reasons why Matthew begins with a genealogy: it summarizes the story of the Bible; it reminds us that this is a true story; it highlights Jesus’ inclusive

family; it shows us God is faithful; and it displays Jesus as our only hope.

I would like to add a sixth reason to Schreiner’s list. These seventeen verses are a prelude to the angel’s “glad tidings of great joy” (per the KJV version of Luke’s gospel). The genealogy clearly aligns Jesus precisely where he should be, but it also reminds everyone of generation after generation of faithful lives that fall short, people who are less than Messianic. In Matthew’s prelude, Christmas joy has notes of severe testing, of fear and loneliness, of abuse and pain, and grief and loss . . . foreshadowing crucifixion and sealed tombs.

In his letter to scattered, homeless believers, James pushes all of us forward to glad tidings of great joy when he writes to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

He surely also speaks to the people today who are in flight from birth country to another place of refuge or to people in lands of grief and sorrow looking for the strength to keep going. The darkness and silence between the testaments, yearning and groaning, the pain of childbirth in the place where animals find shelter and rest. Our brothers and sisters around the world facing terrible evils, yet Jesus is present in every sorrow, all hardships, Incarnation’s understanding and presence, the Spirit bringing hope where humanly there may not be any.

Joy and trials. Steadfastness and suffering, a mind-boggling prelude to the second Advent that will come as sure as the first one did with pure joy, joy, joy.

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Night for Life: Caring Network Annual Gathering SARAH LINDQUIST This was my second year attending the Caring Network banquet. I was greatly encouraged to hear how God has been at work in their mission to bring the love and compassion of Jesus to abortion-minded women and equip them to choose life. Last year, 476 babies were saved, and the gospel was shared 148 times. Kurt Wiggins, president of Caring Network, reported that on the day the new Aurora clinic opened, the first woman who walked in chose life for her baby, and the second found eternal life! Stories like this show that nothing is impossible with God, and that he empowers weak vessels like us to bring hope and healing to a world in need, said College Church member Holly Burke about the banquet.

L

ike Holly, I was energized to hear of God’s work of transformation at Caring Network pregnancy center’s “Night for Life” held in October.

Stories were told of lives that some considered unworthy or rejected. A child conceived from a brief encounter with a sailor going off to sea. Alcohol addiction and domestic violence. A grandfather rejecting his own grandchild and forcing a devoted grandmother to choose between her marriage or her grandchild. A mother callously abandoning her little boy. Years of anguish about the abortion of a man’s first child. But God redeemed, transformed and saved—from ashes to beauty.

Caring Network client Brianna narrated her story of an unexpected pregnancy which occurred after she left her jobs to care for her sister who was suffering from 26

cancer. Caring Network empowered Brianna to choose life by overcoming obstacles through offering holistic, responsive care so she could make the best decisions for herself. A Caring Network Connections group from a local church stepped in the gap to be an emotional support and provided a baby shower for Brianna. As she and her pregnancy consultant carried her twins on stage, tears of joy were shed. The Lord had saved those precious babies.

Scott, a committed financial partner, shared his testimony and passion for vulnerable children. His journey was marked with tragedy but culminated in unwavering passion for life as he is raising a family committed to Christ and service. He was an unwanted child who suffered trauma and loss. As a panicked teen dad, he was “shamefully relieved” about his girlfriend’s secretive abortion.

Fifteen years later, the crushing weight of abortion regret hit him when his wife was expecting. Now, years later after pursuing healing, his family fosters children and offers unwavering support of Caring Network’s mission to protect children.

Keynote speaker Pastor Greg Laurie spoke of God’s love and how he creates his children for his amazing purposes.

Even when considered by others as a child unwanted like Greg was, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Ps. 139:16). Greg’s mother was a “raging” alcoholic who married seven times. In God’s providence, Greg came to faith through the Jesus movement in his teens out of the darkness of self-destructive behaviors and suffering as a child.

Greg shared examples of how his words from the pulpit had caused a listener to give life to her child instead of aborting and a surgical abortion assistant repent and eventually work in the prolife movement. The Holy Spirit is responsible for hearts turning in repentance, but Hhe allows us to participate when we share verbally. “I love how the Lord can redeem a mess, make a message out of a mess,” Greg encouraged us.

A full ballroom eagerly listened as Caring Network President Kirt Wiggins and VP Denise Winkelmann shared ministry impact and vision for future expansion. Caring Network provides free pregnancy services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, consultations, resources and referrals, gospel witness, as well as support and counseling for post-abortive women and men. Clients become equipped to choose life, overcoming their barriers with their pregnancy consultants’ help. Most women who come to Caring Network do not have a social safety net to rely upon, so the pregnancy consultant connects clients to housing, employment, food pantry, medical care, and a network of emotional and spiritual support through local churches and individuals.

Caring Network has a proven track record of significantly reducing abortion numbers in DuPage County which resulted in several local abortion businesses closing. However, abortions in Illinois overall have increased dramatically from 42,080 in 2020 to 91,000 in 2023. Caring Network plans to open new pregnancy centers where need is greatest and abortion numbers are

DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

highest—in Chicago. Caring Network will begin serving the Calumet Heights, Chicago Lawn, Rogers Park, Lawndale, and Austin neighborhoods in Chicago once site build out and inspections are complete. When the five new Caring Network centers open, there will be eight pregnancy resource centers in Chicago to help combat the influence of 16 abortion businesses.

gically in Chicago neighborhoods where the abortion numbers are among the highest in our state. New centers will also need a Chicago Baby Bank as the suburban Baby Bank locations are too far for Chicago clients. Consider if you have connections to congregants, churches, or businesses in Chicago who might partner to provide baby supplies for financially needy Chicago clients.

The largest challenge is that more donors are needed to fund expansion. Caring Network relies on donations alone. Provide financial support so Caring Network can open and staff centers strate-

Contact Sarah Lindquist, College Church Caring Network liaison, at sohl@ college-church.org with questions about connecting with Caring Network to support clients in need.

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT GROUP Become involved in a support group for a mother who has chosen life or become a Journey one-on-one mentor to a mother. Work at Caring Network as a career, volunteer at their office, support the Restore after abortion clients, or study the Bible with a client who is interested in exploring faith. Visit the links below.

CARING NETWORK WHEATON BABY BANK COLLECTION Did you know the number of financially needy families referred to the Caring Network Baby Bank in Wheaton has doubled? Bring diapers, wipes, baby lotion, shampoo, and wash, diaper cream, and formula to the crib (outside the Sanctuary the first Sunday of every month and in the Commons the rest of the month) or order from the Amazon wish list QR code below to deliver directly.

PRO-LIFE ACTION LEAGUE CAROLING ACROSS FROM PLANNED PARENTHOOD SOHL will again participate with ProLife Action League’s “Peace in the Womb” Caroling Day, bringing the Christmas message of peace and joy to the darkness of the abortion clinic.

Join as we sing our favorite carols reminding abortion-bound mothers that the salvation of the world came through an unplanned pregnancy! Join SOHL in Aurora or join other prolifers in Downers Grove.

Planned Parenthood, 3051 E. New York Street, Aurora Saturday, December 14 at 9 a.m.

Access Health Center, 1700 75th Street, Downers Grove Saturday, December 14 at 10:15 a.m. https://prolifeaction.org/event/dupagecaroling2024/ 27

Pray. Give. Act. Gospel Now will be empowered by prayer and fueled by generosity. With this in mind, we are asking everyone at College Church to take three action steps.

Pray.

First, we invite you to pray. This new church-wide prayer focus, based on Scripture and focused on our community. God has brought the nations to our doorstep! How will we respond? Our monthly bookmarks focus us on Bible memory with prayer as the focus. As we come to the end of 2024 and begin 2025, let’s bathe our church and the Gospel Now plans in prayer.

Give.

Ask yourself afresh, “What does faithful stewardship look like for me?” For some, this may mean giving to College Church for the very first time. For others, it may mean making a significant and sacrificial gift to the Gospel Now project. Whatever generosity looks like for you and your family, we invite you to get involved in some way. Yes, it’s about financial gifts, but it’s more than just that.

Act. What is your next step in your own journey of obedience to Christ. Maybe it’s inviting a neighbor to a church event, giving, serving the church or serving your neighbor . . . how will you follow God’s call? There’s no better time than year end to reassess and consider what changes for the better we can make in 2025.

GOSPEL NOW is not just a call to temporary action; it’s an invitation to a transformative spiritual journey. Will you join us by seeking the Lord’s guidance for your next step?

Pray. Give. Act. Together, let’s seek, listen and obey as we bear witness to Jesus through the transforming message of the Gospel, Now—at the end of 2024, in the new year 2025 and in the years beyond. Let this moment be a change for the better for each one of us.

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

at the

BOOKSTALL THE BIG BIG BIG CHRISTMAS (THAT WAS ALSO VERY SMALL)

SPECIAL DELIVERY

by Colin Webster Each year there are usually several gifts wrapped under a tree. But are there any that will last forever? We know that Jesus was the perfect gift given unto us that will never fade or spoil or be destroyed. This book is meant to be an evangelistic book to give away to unsaved neighbors and loved ones.

by Mei Shan Dibble, Emma Randall A fun children’s book that keeps comparing sizes. It keeps getting bigger and bigger until the God of the universe comes to our world as a baby.

Bookstall Price: $5

Bookstall Price: $3

THE HIDING PLACE GRAPHIC NOVEL

by Elizabeth Sherrill, John Sherrill, Corrie Ten Boom This wonderful hardcover graphic novel takes the original biography of Corrie Ten Boom and makes it into a wonderful setting that tweens and teen will love.

Bookstall Price: $19

Pastor Josh Moody’s book makes a great gift for the season: THE JOY OF JESUS by Josh Moody “With theological richness and devotional warmth, Josh Moody guides us through Advent as he walks us through the Gospel accounts of the greatest story ever told. Your heart will be stirred and your mind enriched as your eyes are pointed to the child of the manger and the Lord of salvation. Here believers will be drawn afresh into the wonder and joy of the Saviour’s arrival— and those just exploring the faith will find a gentle and winsome invitation to experience that same wonder and to discover that unmatched joy.”

Jonathan Griffiths, Lead Pastor, The Metropolitan Bible Church, Ottawa, Canada Bookstall Price: $9 Purchase early and give away for Advent readings throughout the season.

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DECEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

WAYS T O G I V E T O C O L L E G E C H U RC H Giving of our tithes and offerings is an integral part of our corporate worship because it is a unique expression of gratitude to God. When we give, we celebrate all that God has given for us, especially his incredible grace in our lives through the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross to reconcile us to Himself. God owns everything and when we give, we are simply giving back a portion of what He has entrusted to our managing. Giving to College Church also makes possible all our church does here at home, our care for others throughout the community, and our missions outreach around the world.

GIFTS OF STOCKS OR MUTUAL FUNDS You may donate stocks or mutual funds directly to College Church by transferring them from your broker to the church’s broker. Although you should consult your tax advisor, giving in this way may provide a tax advantage. There may also be small numbers of shares you own that you would rather move out of your portfolio but would prefer not to handle all of the paperwork involved. College Church is pleased to be able to expedite those transactions for you. Please contact Nancy Singer or Dan Bauer 630-668-0878 for specific instructions.

After you have determined what you will give, we have several methods which you may use to support the ministries and missions efforts of College Church:

BITCOIN OR CRYPTOCURRENCY College Church has a relationship with a non-profit organization in Illinois that can be used by a donor to deposit cryptocurrency, which is then sold and donated to the church with only a 1% fee.

Contact Nancy Singer, at nsinger@college-church.org for details.

GIFTS OF CHECKS OR CASH You may use pre-numbered envelopes for your cash or checks payable to College Church in Wheaton. If you don’t have prenumbered envelopes, you may request them from the Accounting Office by e-mailing Cindy Schuerman at cschuerman@collegechurch.org. Or you may use one of the blank envelopes in the Sanctuary pew racks. Checks may also be dropped in the offering plates at the back of the church when you leave after a service.

ONLINE Nearly two-thirds of our congregants are choosing the electronic method of making contributions on-line just like they are paying many of their bills that way. With the security of your information of highest importance, you can rely upon our on-line giving site to set up a one-time, or recurring gift of whatever amount you choose, and however often you choose. And it is easy to change the amount or frequency whenever you wish. Visit collegechurch.org/giving to get started.

DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS If you have established a donor-advised fund through any number of different qualified organizations, gifts to College Church may be made by authorizing the organization to send funds at the time and frequency of your choosing.

GIFTS THROUGH YOUR WILL College Church would count it a privilege for you to remember us as one of the beneficiaries of your estate. Because College Church is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, monies directed to be given to the church may save estate and inheritance taxes , but again, you should consult with your tax advisor.

MEMORIAL GIFTS You may ask your loved ones to request that gifts in your memory be made to College Church. Likewise, you may give to College Church gifts in honor of a loved one who has passed away, whether they attended the church or not. It is just one more way of making your gifts count toward Kingdom Work.

REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS If you are at the age when you are required to withdraw a portion of your IRA as a RMD (Required Minimum Distribution), you can direct your IRA custodian to make a direct transfer to College Church as a 501(c)(3) non-profit as a qualified charitable donation (QCD). Again, consult your tax advisor, but the amount withdrawn may provide tax advantages.

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