January 2024 Connections

Nº 65

CONNECTIONS JA N UA RY 2 024

NEW LIFE, NEW BEGINNINGS We are celebrating the new year with a new look.

Look inside to discover new perspectives from the people and ministries of College Church.

JANUARY 2024 CONNECTIONS

INSIDE

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DIVINE INTERVENTION

PERSPECTIVES ON THE NEW YEAR: IS IT WELL WITH YOUR SOUL?

Susan Perlman

This missionary’s journey of faith is surprising and inspiring.

06 FOUR SEASONS, ONE SUN Alex Lee

What better time than the first month of the year to reflect on God and the seasons he makes new every year.

Josh Kannard

A sermon preached in Italy by a son of the church in which he gave it and a member of College Church.

12 DRIVING BLIND ON LOWER WACKER DRIVE John Maust

Modern life collides with eternal truth in the Loop.

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NO OTHER BOOK

WHY DON’T YOU LISTEN TO WHAT YOU’RE TOLD?

Wallace Alcorn

Who is in control: you or the Word of God?

Jon Smalley

Part three in this series considers failures in the Bible and in our lives.

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24 A HEART FOR LITTLE CHILDREN Alison Taylor

When serving others teaches more to the teacher than the people being taught.

FEATURES From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Opportunities for Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ArtSpace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Our Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 January Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Under the Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Looking Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

27 PRISON PARTNERSHIP Dave Sohmer

A new College Church ministry work is growing behind bars at Stateville.

28 A NURSES PERSPECTIVE AND RETROSPECTIVE ON LIFE Susan Callaway

Insights from the labor and delivery room.

At the Bookstall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 2023 Movement in Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Stewards of God’s Varied Grace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Sanctity of Human Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Giving Joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Our Pastors, Directors and Residents: Josue Alvarado, pastoral resident | Matt Anthony, pastoral resident | 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 | 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 | Richard Moomjian, pastoral resident Ben Panner, college pastor | Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries John Seward, executive pastor | Nancy Singer, director of administration and finance | Wil Triggs, director of communications Our Council of Elders: David Bea | Mark Berg | Mark Bradley | Howard Costley, chair | Steve Ivester | Glenn Kosirog | Josh Moody, senior pastor | Jeff Oslund Roger Sandberg | David Setran | Jeremy Taylor, secretary | Chad Thorson | Brian Wildman, vice-chair Connections is a monthly newsletter published for and about the people of College Church. Send news items and suggestions to: connections@collegechurch.org. Keep Connections in mind to promote a community event to the College Church family. Send event information by the following dates: For the February issue: January 9 | For the March issue: February 9 | For the April issue: March 9

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

JANUARY 2024 CONNECTIONS

CONTRIBUTORS WALLACE ALCORN

SUSAN PERLMAN

SUSAN CALLAWAY

DAVE SOHMER

A regular contributor to Connections, Wallace, while a high school student, taught scouting recruits as a senior patrol leader in his church’s troop and Sunday school. In the army, he was an instructior at the Adjutant General’s School, US Army Chaplain School, Command & General Staff College.

Susan served in Kids’ Harbor while her kids were growing up and is involved with the Sanctity of Human Life Task Force. A lactation consultant, she works from home as a member of the clinical team for Baby-Friendly USA. Susan enjoys travels with her husband, Paul, especially to see their sons’ families, and trips to the Chicago to hang out with their daughter. A few of her favorite things are babies, nature, bike riding, swimming and reading.

JOSH KANNARD

Josh Kannard is a missionary kid from Rome, Italy and a sophomore studying philosophy, Bible and theology, and classical languages. Josh has been a member of College Church since spring 2023.

ALEX LEE

Alex and his wife, Virginia, are thankful for their daughter, son and our grandchildren. Alex works as a letter-carrier, and enjoys reading, writing, watching movies and going to flea markets— in season.

JOHN MAUST

John serves as an usher and recently enjoyed a sixweek stint teaching 1 John in the Forum 15 Adult Community. He and his wife, Elsa, are long-time College Church missionaries, with John serving as President of Media Associates International. John enjoys running and a good cup of coffee with a cinnamon roll.

A first-generation Jewish believer from Brooklyn, New York, Susan has served with Jews for Jesus since 1973. A College Church missionary, Susan’s greatest passion is sharing the gospel. We’re please to share Susan’s story faith in Connections.

Dave Sohmer has been a member of College Church since March 2000. He currently serves on the Evangelism and Culture Impact Committee, where he has helped to spearhead the new prison outreach he writes about in this issue. He has also served in many other ministries including Kids’ Harbor, board of deacons and men’s ministry.

He and his wife, Julie, have nine children and two grandchildren.

JON SMALLEY

Jon has served on the Board of Deacons, where he served a secretary. He ushers at the 8 a.m. service and is involved in the Veritas Adult Community.

And once winter is over, Jon helps his wife, Kristie, look after a corner of the church’s landscape.

ALISON TAYLOR

Alison Taylor grew up at College Church and is now studying writing at Wheaton College. She serves on various worship teams and in HYACKs. Her favorite activities are playing piano, eating ice cream and going on adventures.

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F ROM THE EDITOR WIL TRIGGS

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s we begin 2024, we have a new design for Connections. This is made possible with the latest equipment upgrade at the church and the design of Kathryn McBride who works faithfully and creatively here at College Church. Thanks to Nancy Singer and Tim Hollinger for making this new equipment a reality.

We are planning a new year of articles and images that will encourage and inspire the people of College Church. As you may have noticed, this issue is number 65.

This means we are almost halfway into our sixth year of publication in this longer magazine format, that has allowed us more words and space to tell the stories of God’s work in both church life and our lives.

Every issue of Connections is only possible because of the people within the church who are willing to contribute. This month, there’s a theme to many of our articles of new life and new beginnings. It’s an intentional focus on newness and growth as we begin 2024.

I never heard Susan Perlman’s journey of faith. After her December’s contribution, I discovered her testimony on the Jews for Jesus website, asked Susan for permission to reprint it—and now bring it to you here. Enjoy!

Alex Lee’s “Four Seasons, One Sun” gives creative expression to the seasons and Jesus as we begin a new year. Josh Kannard, a student at Wheaton College, went home to Italy and preached a sermon there. We get to read that message here as well. The living Word that enlightens all our days shines forth in the contributions from Wallace Alcorn and John Maust.

I relate with much joy to Allison Taylor’s story of serving and teaching little children.

This month, we also have the completion of Jon Smalley’s three-part article series, this one with a new year spin. Susan Callaway gives us a nurse’s perspective on life and Dave Sohmer introduces us to a new ministry in Statesville prison that he is helping to get started.

As we begin 2024, we also include an updated vision column with an introductory paragraph from Pastor Josh Moody.

New ministries on the horizon, the Word of God at work in us and through us, we trust the Lord to use College Church in fresh, new ways to point to Jesus and live for him. Happy reading.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. — 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17-19

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I BELIEVE

Divine Intervention Susan Perlman

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grew up in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, where I assumed that everyone else was Jewish like me. Schools were closed on the Jewish holidays. We never saw Christmas decorations or Easter bunnies other than on television.

I was aware that non-Jews existed. I even had a Gentile friend who didn’t live in the neighborhood but who attended my school. One day, she approached me at the school playground with the accusation: “I learned that you killed Jesus!” She was very upset and so was I. I went home and told my mother. She comforted me and let me know that “they” (meaning the Christian world) believe that we killed “their God.” I remember thinking what a crazy religion Christians must have if they taught lies about little Jewish girls killing “their God.” I knew that being Jewish was a good thing, yet I didn’t think much about God. LOSING MY FATHER Then when I was twelve, my father died suddenly of a heart attack. Our family was in shock. Most young children don’t have to come to grips with the weighty issues of life and death, but I did—and so did my two younger sisters.

After the funeral, our family spent a week sitting shiva. The rabbi visited, and I had a pressing question for him: “Rabbi, is

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my daddy in heaven?” I asked. He paused, but his deep voice seemed reassuring. “Susan, your father’s memory will live on in the life you lead. You can be his legacy.” It was a nice thought, but it didn’t satisfy me. “Rabbi,” I went on, “you didn’t answer my question. Is my daddy in heaven now?” He was a little more serious and said, “I wish I could give you a definite answer, Susan, but I can’t. We don’t know for sure what is beyond the grave. We can only hope.” I was bewildered.

How could a great, all-powerful God allow this to happen?

Couldn’t God see that we needed my dad? I was angry with God, yet paradoxically, I questioned whether or not he was even real.

My positive feelings about my Jewishness remained strong. I felt Judaism taught people to take responsibility for their actions.

I worked hard at doing things “right”—at least according to my own perception of “rightness.”

I was an above-average student and graduated from high school in the January term and had a one-week “break” before entering college less than a month after my 16th birthday. At Hunter College in Manhattan, I majored in communications and then landed a good job writing advertising copy at the corporate offices of J. C. Penney.

I was pleased at the direction my life was taking. I had purpose and great potential.

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THE “JESUS PEOPLE” One day as I was walking in midtown Manhattan on my lunch hour, I noticed a man with extremely blond, long hair. Being naturally inquisitive, I stopped him with the first thing that came to mind: “Excuse me, is your hair really that color, or do you dye it?” He smiled and assured me that his hair was not dyed. Meanwhile, I read the words printed on a sticker on his shirt: “Smile. God loves you.”

I had recently read a cover article in Time Magazine about the California “Jesus People,” so I asked him, “Are you one of the ‘Jesus People’?” His name was Larry, and he told me that he was one of them and then told me in more detail what believing in Jesus meant to him. He said that Jesus was the Messiah, that he came to die for the sins of humanity, that he conquered death, and that by accepting his sacrifice I could have my sins forgiven and live for eternity with my Creator.

Well, I let Larry know I was Jewish, and that Jews don’t believe in Jesus. But he continued to talk as if Jesus was still relevant to the discussion. Then he invited me to a concert at a church in

New Jersey. Later I learned that he was Larry Norman and was a well-known Christian folk-rock singer. I went to his concert and was impressed by what I saw and heard. My friendship with Larry, my curiosity, and my avid interest in reading were enough to convince me to look into the Bible. Now to me, “the Bible” meant “the Jewish Bible.” So, I began in Genesis.

READING THE BIBLE Once I opened up the Scriptures, I was faced with the fact that a holy and just God created me and had certain expectations of how I should behave and relate to him. I realized that I barely knew God, and all the good and right things I could do seemed inadequate to bridge the divide between this holy God and myself.

I continued to read the Bible and to discuss these things with the new acquaintances I’d met through Larry. I couldn’t help but wonder if Jesus might be who they claimed he was—my Messiah. After all, I could see that I was incapable of getting any closer to God on my own. Could Jesus be the bridge, the way into God’s presence?

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Within days, I went back to the church where Larry had sung.

As I sat in the service, I knew I didn’t belong—not because I was Jewish, but because these people had a relationship with God and I didn’t. I knew that Jesus just might be the promised Messiah, and I was frightened.

Toward the end of the service, I slipped out and sat on the front lawn. I knew I had a choice to make, and I told God that I wanted to have a relationship with him. I found myself tearfully confessing to him that I believed Jesus was the Messiah and that he had taken the punishment for my sin, just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned each one to his own way and the Lord has laid upon him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

One of the hardest things I had to do was tell my family. I had a future and a hope beyond this world, but I knew my family didn’t share that hope. While I tried to assure them that I would be okay no matter what the outcome, they took little solace. My mother said to me, “Why you, Susan?” I remember replying, “Why not me? Would it be better if it were someone else’s daughter? It’s just the way life is.” She found that hard to accept, yet I believe that my faith made the difference, and I hoped that they could see that.

Unlike the rabbi who eight years earlier had told me that “we can only hope” that there is something beyond this present life, I now had a strong basis for my hope. It was rooted in my Messiah.

FINDING JEWS FOR JESUS I didn’t expect my family to be overjoyed with my decision, but I wasn’t quite prepared for my mother’s reaction. “Susan,” she said, “it would have been better if you had come to tell me you were on drugs or pregnant.” Other family members expressed the gamut of responses: shame, embarrassment, anger, pity, and disappointment.

Three months after I had made my decision to believe in Jesus, a Christian couple casually mentioned something about the other Jewish believers they knew. “Others?!” I said. “You mean there are actually other Jewish people who believe the way I do?”

I won’t say that the next couple of years were easy. Yet it was a time in my life when my relationship with God profoundly deepened, and I learned how to appreciate each day as a special gift.

I soon began to meet these other Jewish believers, and my understanding of Jesus (Yeshua) as the Jewish Messiah deepened. I studied the promises God made to our people, and I began to see how being Jewish gave me even more reason to trust Jesus.

I can honestly say I experienced the joy of having Yeshua as my personal physician, therapist and friend. His presence can enable us to really transcend our physical circumstances. It did and still does for me. We all experience trials at various points on our journey. I had a 20-year-cancer-free party. What a joyful event!

Then the opportunity came to move to Northern California to be part of a community of Jews who believed in Jesus, and I took the plunge, becoming one of the founders of the Jews for Jesus organization.

Those early days of Jews for Jesus were very exciting. It felt like we were doing something totally new, and we were just figuring it out as we went along. We were trying to find any way we could to share the message of Messiah with other Jewish people, and I was able to put my communications background to good use. Although we met plenty of resistance, we also saw a lot of positive fruit from our efforts, and the movement grew rapidly.

Yet several months later, I felt a lump in my other breast. A new primary tumor was found, and surgery and a more rigorous chemotherapy regimen followed. Did it shake my faith? No. I still would answer, “Would it be better if it were someone else?” We live in a world where disease and suffering are indiscriminately meted out. We don’t choose or desire it. But it’s how we respond to life’s blows that counts, and I still acknowledge each day as a special gift from God, and now I’ve been cancer free for an additional 15 years and going strong!

CANCER FREE AND SERVING GOD

One of Yeshua’s followers quoted him as saying, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Then at age 34, I received a breast cancer diagnosis. The oncologist explained that the tumor was an aggressive one.

“So how long do I have?” I asked. She said we can’t know such things, but an aggressive treatment was my best shot at survival.

I can’t imagine what living for an eternity will be like. But I do know that it will be rich, full, and without the injustices, sorrows, and randomness of this world. All because Yeshua has made the difference.

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GOD CENTERED LIFE WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER

God Centered Life (GCL) is delighted to announce that College Church member Tony DiLeonardi has joined the ministry as its executive director. Tony will lead and serve the organization as it continues to seek its vision of seeing that all generations are living for God.

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

Tony comes to GCL with more than 30 years of corporate experience in sales and service managerial leadership roles in the wealth management and private family office industries. His corporate passions center around effective organizational design and creating a healthy and growing culture while seeing individuals develop both professionally and personally.

MIDWEEK PRAYER MEETING: Wednesdays at 7 p.m. via Zoom

Moreover, Tony has a heart for the authority of the Bible, the purposeful, intentional and excellent teaching of it, and a love for the local church. Additionally, Tony serves on the board of directors for STARS Family Services, a non-profit ministry that provides independent living, jobs, church and community for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Tony and Diane, his wife of 34 years, are long-time members of College Church, have four adult children, and are deeply involved in the ministries of the church. Please welcome Tony, and please continue to pray for GCL as it seeks to proclaim the gospel to the entire world.

MONDAY MORNING PRAYER: 6:15-7:15 a.m. in the Board Room

JANUARY 3: Stan & Faith De La Cour, retired missionaries with SIM JANUARY 10: Chris & Dana, Church Planting/Evangelism with Salt Ventures in Asia JANUARY 17: Jeff and Irene, translation and discipleship with TEAM in Asia JANUARY 24: Anita Deyneka, Missions Associate, operational leadership with AFFEO and Mission Eurasia JANUARY 31: Joan Cole, Bible teaching and evangelism with Faith and Learning in Indonesia PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: 12-1 p.m. in the Board Room.

God Centered Life the teaching ministry of Pastor Josh Moody, features Bible teaching, both online and on the radio. This exciting ministry with a global reach continues to grow in impact. Here in the U.S., the program is heard on the radio in about 70 locations. Globally, the ministry also has a mission impact. The teaching is heard online through the OnePlace and TWR360 platforms, which have extensive listenership outside North America.

Imagine! More than 35,000 people have been touched with some form of gospel content through this outreach, either an online audio message, a spiritually encouraging article, or a devotional reading. You can listen locally on Moody Radio (WMBI) at 10 p.m. M-F and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and can have daily devotionals delivered right to your inbox.

AARON-HUR PRAYER FELLOWSHIP: will meet on Thursday, January 11, at 7 p.m. at the home of Eric and Marilyn Enstrom, 1460 Stoddard Avenue in Wheaton (630) 682-8341. Our guests will be John and Esther Waldrop, soon to begin a new ministry serving in the Philippines.

Your prayers and partnership with this ministry are greatly appreciated.

godcenteredlife.org

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FACE TO FACE

Four Seasons, One Sun ALEX LEE

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies…are new every morning.”

LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23

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year measures the passage of time. Because time is not visible, we superimpose it against something empirical, namely the earth’s orbit around the sun. We pick out two astrophysical points in that orbit, out of the blue as it were, and designate them as the first and last days of a year. Then, satisfied with our cleverness, we call that our “calendar year,” and base our plans and actions on it.

Today we are on the first page of that calendar, and it may be profitable to remind ourselves of what, in the course of our activities, we have forgotten, or have taken for granted—the elemental gifts of God which, when enumerated, should fill our year with joy, but which, pushed into the back by our complacency and the “tyranny of the urgent,” become like so much recyclable material, used yet not discarded, and thoroughly unappreciated.

Let us look forward to the coming months with a deeper awareness of their poetic significance.

We, in the winter, may find the season dreary and inhospitable and inconvenient. Yet it is in winter that the snowpack forms and hardens in the mountains, later to fill the rivers and water the land in the coming months. In the man’s field, the soil rests, and the tulip bulbs sleep.

Below the crust of ice in the lake nearby, the little fish grow. Without winter, spring would not be possible.

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A man looks out his cabin in the winter. The cabin sits by a stand of leafless trees, in open country covered with snow, under a clear blue sky. The man sees in this vista the allencompassing breadth of God’s creation—vast,

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white in its original purity, and in its blueness a hint of heavenliness. Gray smoke curls out of the cabin’s stone chimney. There is well-tended warmth within the cabin, where the man’s wife is cooking. Smoke represents our earthly existence—ephemeral, diffused, and somewhat polluted. But this smoke, though blown here and there, always floats in the direction of heaven, for it is in our nature to seek the ineffable and the numinous, even when we are uninformed of its identity. God made us, and as St. Augustine said, “our hearts are restless” until they find their rest in God.

Spring betokens life. Existence alone, as a rock or a cloud, would be, well, existentially meaningless. But God gave us breath and force, and with them the promise of fecundity. With Continued on page 8

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our consciousness and aptitude, we invent tools and build communities, make music, write literature, and construct edifices. Then we wage war, to tear down each other’s cities. Metaphysically, we may have been better off just being rocks and clouds, God ceasing his labor on the fifth day in Genesis, before Adam was created. But that was not in God’s plan. Our multiplying race is now nine billion members strong, wars and disease notwithstanding. Death entered Eden, but not before God mandated procreation, with which ability mankind has subdued the earth. Despite sin and evil, we continue to long for beauty and to seek truth.

Spring is optimism. It is a season to cherish, with its first buds and greening pastures and loamy smell. We perceive in spring the innocence of our children, and the vitality of young people. More importantly, spring is a season when we may look forward to a maturer time, when the promise of bud and blade and stalk is fulfilled, transformed into crop and lush foliage.

In the cabin by the trees, there is an air of expectancy. The breeze through the open window tingles aromatically. The woman is pregnant.

Spring is hope.

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“Then, in the fullness of time, God sent forth his Son.” Galatians 4:4 is a statement without fanfare; it is as simple as a robin’s peep.

But just as the robin’s song carries within it the entire symphony of spring, so this one verse contains the glory of the gospel. It is in the luxuriant summer of God’s revealed Word that our faith basks and thrives.

What, in the absence of divine revelation, has man imagined to be the source of happiness and the answer to his ills? To desire nothing, on the way to becoming nothing, as Buddhism teaches? To combine piety and militancy, good works

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and coercion, in pursuit of paradise or perfection, as many other religions prescribe? To suggest that truth is a mere social construct—as atheists propose— and that heaven is a chimera, and life itself a failed experiment best abandoned?

Religious ideas are varied, but Scripture, sharper than a two-edged sword, divides spirit and soul, marrow from joints, and “judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The Christian, having once been cleaved by this sword, is made whole again as he discovers, inscribed upon that same sword, and broad in their effect, the attributes and benevolences of God— mercy and justice and holiness. In God’s Son alone can salvation be found. One sun rules the sky, whatever the season and weather on earth.

The Bible describes the human condition, lays bare our depravity and need, and offers a way out. The offer, presented in no uncertain terms, is historically corroborated, touches one’s conscience, and remains valid until the final beat of one’s heart. This offer of salvation, like summer’s sun, glares at every person. It radiates heat and light, though at intervals our faith, as on a summer day, may be overwhelmed by a cloudburst of sorrows, or may wilt in travail. Whatever the trial, the outcome of our faithfulness is assured, for though “grass withers and flowers fade, the word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

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In the cabin where many years ago the woman gave birth, she and her husband sit at the window, watching their son now work in the brown field—their son, part of the harvest of their years. It is autumn, one of many autumns in their lives; the leaves of the proud trees beside their home, having turned color, are dry and wrinkled now, like the couple’s faces. Despite their old age, or because of it, the man and woman smile wanly, as we, in our place, may also smile.

Remembrances of friends and family

stir and sustain our spirit. Late fall is a season of poignancy, when gratification and regret mingle in memory, somehow blending nicely, like a rich, flavorful stew cooked patiently over a fire.

The couple’s fire is dying out. But elsewhere in their crowded cabin, new life has been kindled: grandchildren run about, attended by a doting mother, their son’s wife. The children’s voices expel any dread of death from the couple’s hearts. The company of one’s posterity subdues any grave premonition.

Premonition of what? Their own demise?

This couple will not, for their part, “rage, rage against the dying of the light,” as the poet Dylan Thomas counsels. No, they have seen the light of creation reflected in the primordial purity of winter, the ground beneath the snow heaving in anticipation of planted seeds.

They felt the breath of spring and heard the sap flowing in the wood. They know of summer’s quietude, and of its peals of thunder: the wisdom and judgment of God emanating from his Word. They rest in autumn’s dim and chilly days, when the sun, constant source of their farm’s provision, hangs low as though to embrace them.

When the Son—Christ Jesus—has been your comfort and companion in all seasons, you needn’t fear death. Death “is not the last sleep,” as Sir Walter Scott wrote—death, conquered by Christ, “is the final awakening.”

Happy new year—forever and ever.

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FACE TO FACE

No Other Book Wallace Alcorn

many languages. Yet it suffers neither internal weakness nor external obsolescence. The Bible enjoys smooth continuity, logical progression and conceptual consistency.

The Bible stands free of error in what it intends to say and infallible in how it intends to be used. This can be asserted of no other book.

No book has been as negatively criticized and hostilely attacked by so many who have never read it and only suppose they know something about it. No other book has been banned and burned in as many countries and eras and for as many reasons. No other book has been as read and even studied for the expressed purpose of destroying its influence. And, yet, this one book has withstood it all, stands above them all, and not only survives but thrives not despite the criticism but because of it.

The Bible is the most banned book in history—and the most read.

A few books have been the entire content of academic courses.

But no other book has been the subject of entire college departments or, indeed, of a whole college. Millions of people have read only one book in their lives. For these, the Bible is that one book more than any other.

So, why does not everyone believe the Bible?

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t times, I wonder why anyone believes the Bible. At other times, I wonder why doesn’t everyone believe the Bible. When I consider the universal dismissal of and attacks upon the Bible, I wonder why anyone could still believe it. Then I consider how the Bible has transformed lives for millennia and wonder why everyone does not by now believe the Bible.

No other book has been rejected and accursed for so long in so many places and by so many people. On the other hand, no book has been embraced and admired for so long in so many places and by so many people.

The critical question is not why so many people refuse to believe the Bible but how they can do so against the accumulation of impressive evidence of the durability and downright resilience of the Bible. There has to be something there that is true of no other book.

No other book has more influence on languages, other literatures, thinking, cultures, arts, behavior and even jokes and comics.

No other book has been the source of names parents have given to their children. No other book has been the source of as many titles and epigrams of other books. Nor has the stories of any other book been as retold imaginatively, fictionally, poetically, and dramatically. Painters, sculptors, sketchers and engravers have found more subjects in the Bible than in any other book.

No other book is at once as richly rewarding and as profoundly threatening or is loved by more and hated by more. It is a book that is both immediately appealing and infinitely engaging, at once easily understood by the most simple-minded and inexhaustible by the most competent scholars.

No other book has had as many books written about it —both for and against—or from it or because of it and are still being written. Not only has it out-sold every other book, but more copies have been given. It was written and circulated earlier than the others and is outlasting them all.

The Bible is both like other literatures and unlike any other literature. It is at once the Word of God communicated to men and the words of men expressing the Word of God. It is the written expression of the Living Word.

Beginning readers are happy when they find a book that is easy to read. The become pleased when they find a book they can understand. Coming to read literature perceptively, they delight when an exceptional book now and then speaks to them. One would think this is quite enough to expect of any one book.

There is yet more of and from the Bible.

No other book has been written so incrementally over as long a period of time, from within so many cultures, in so many languages, by so many authors, and been translated into as

What is finally convincing about the Bible is not just that it is a book that can be understood but that this is the book that understands me.

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Josh preached this sermon at his home church, Chiesa Evangelica Breccia di Roma in the heart of Rome, Italy, on New Year’s Eve.

LIFE LESSONS

Perspectives on the New Year: Is It Well with Your Soul?

Josh Kannard

JANUARY 2024 CONNECTIONS

W

ith the holiday season—and its accompanying emotions—over, some of us are filled with great joy and anticipation for what the future holds, others of us are filled with anxiety and dread before the incumbent new year. As Christians, how should we interact with the new year? How can we seek to glorify God amidst our fear, our excitement?

New Year’s celebrations should be times of remembrance. In Leviticus 23, God commands his people to come together and celebrate his works through numerous festivals. Throughout the Law, God commands his people to remember his works.

And when Israel failed to do so, it is written that “there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals.

And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger.” (Judges 2:10-12) My greatest fear is that I would forget God’s work in my life. That I would blind myself to the riches of his merciful providence.

That it would be said of me that I abandoned the Lord because I did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for me.

God’s work—especially his work of salvation is undeniably evident—yet Satan works hard at turning us away from the clearest realities, making us blind to what shines before our faces.

In my desire to remember the Lord’s work, I can think of two instances in which it is easy to forget.

The first is when we encounter great afflictions. Are you entering this new year under affliction? With grief? With anxiety? When faced with the afflictions of this life, the Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, “Out of the most poisonous drugs God extracts our salvation. Afflictions are as needful as ordinances (1 Peter 1:6). No vessel can be made of gold without fire; so it is impossible that we should be made vessels of honour, unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction.” (A Divine Cordial; or All Things for Good by Thomas Watson, p. 22) Here is what the Apostle Peter wrote, for “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7) Though now… for a little while… if necessary. These words ought to give us pause to reflect. If there is suffering, there is a purpose: to turn us into gold, and compared to the eternal weight of glory, suffering is but a vapor. Easy to say in the abstract, but do we believe this in reality? When faced with our own suffering,

the suffering of a loved one or the suffering of a child, are we able to look to the Lord and say that we indeed do “know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”? (Romans 8:28) I struggle with this. Yet is this not the life of faith? We hold fast to God’s promises, and our faith is strengthened by the memory of what God has done throughout the story of Scripture and the stories of our lives.

The second instance is when we are puffed up by great expectations. Are you entering this new year with great plans and abundant resolutions? Praise God! But we need to make sure that these are the fruit of much prayer and discernment.

Remember that God has commanded “You shall be careful to do what has passed from your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.” (Deut. 23:23) We ought to be careful what we resolve in our hearts and proclaim with our lips. If we are to undertake anything, may it be with much prayer, and if the Lord confirms it, it will come to pass. To all the planners out there, and all of us who want to make sure everything goes according to our plans, James reminds us, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance.

All such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13-16) In our consumerist, self-centered age, it’s easy to be consumed by our desires. We look into our futures, and it is so easy for God to be eclipsed by our egos and desires. Even the greatest desires can become sinful. Instead, let us wholeheartedly bow before the Lord and say “Lord, if you will, I will live and do this or that,” praying that our wills would be aligned with his own.

As followers of Christ, let us not be consumed by what the future holds, but store our hope in our inheritance that is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:4-5) Time turns, years come and go, and our hope is steadfast, stored beyond time in the eternal, and guarded by the God of heaven and earth. What temporal worries and aspirations can prevail against him?

Let us remember the good work of our Lord and find hope and joy under his hand in this new year.

Happy New Year, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

I can’t wait for another year in your company, and an eternity beyond it!

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With that in mind, I recently sat down and started making a list of specific times in my life when God used a particular Scripture to give me his guidance or answer at the precise moment when it was needed most.

LIFE LESSONS

Driving Blind

on Lower Wacker Drive John Maust

M

aybe you’ve had this experience: You are driving into downtown Chicago and find yourself on Lower Wacker Drive, when suddenly you lose cell-phone reception and your maps program goes silent.

Moments earlier, you’d been cruising confidently toward your desired destination. Now you’re barreling forward on this dimly lit section of underground highway with absolutely no idea where you’re going or where you’ll wind up.

You’d like to pull over and figure things out, but that’s not an option with a tailgater inches from your rear bumper.

Oh, to hear that AI voice one more time—indicating where to proceed next.

Finally, you and your car emerge from the grimy underbelly of the city.

But by now you are blocks away from your intended designation, and it’s little comfort when the perky AI voice returns after abandoning you in your hour of need.

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Sometimes life can seem a bit like driving blind on Lower Wacker Drive. Every day we face decisions and situations, big and small. But sometimes we go “offline.”

We try to work things out through our own efforts and human wisdom instead of depending on our spiritual maps program, God’s Word, the Bible.

There’s really no substitute for personal study of Scripture in terms of knowing the Lord and seeking his will in our daily lives and decisions.

And yet, while we know that Scripture is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, we often get impatient and try to chart a path on our own. Sometimes not until a situation gets desperate or we’ve messed things up do we slow down long enough to seek God through his Word in utter dependence on him for his leading and intervention.

REMEMBERING LIFE-CHANGING MOMENTS IN THE WORD So, maybe we need some reminding of the power of God’s Word to direct our lives and to help us walk in fruitful obedience to him.

I remembered turning points in relation to my conversion, career choice, job searches, missionary service, marriage, family relationships, and health care when God used a particular Scripture to give clarity on the course of action or direction to be taken in obedience to him. What began as a fairly short list of life-changing moments in God’s Word kept getting longer and longer.

What an encouragement to recall God’s faithfulness and love in speaking to me through his Word. Also, what a reminder of the importance of daily reading of Scripture in our walk with the Lord. I encourage you to make such a list of Scripture turning points yourself.

FRESH COMMITMENT TO BIBLE READING IN 2024 What I have just shared about Bible reading is really “Christianity 101.” But it’s my hope that reflecting on these things will prompt all of us to recommit ourselves to disciplined reading and meditation on God’s Word in 2024.

What decisions are you are facing in this new year? What specific guidance are you seeking from the Lord in your work, relationships, family?

Don’t expect an instant, almost magical response from Scripture. Instead, make meditative study of Scripture your daily practice and pray for the Holy Spirit to help you understand and apply it each day.

Over time you will see God begin to shape your will to his own. Consequently, you will face fewer ‘Lower Wacker Drive” crisis moments of crying out to God for direction because you have already been leaning on him for direction in the smaller decisions on a daily basis.

JANUARY 2024 CONNECTIONS

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LIFE LESSONS

“Why don’t you listen to what you’re told?”

PART THREE JON SMALLEY

A

n irony of life is that the most searching questions are simply stated and yet profoundly difficult to answer such as, “Why don’t you listen to what you’re told?”

Rarely is this question heard without the inference that something has gone wrong; an intended outcome has not been reached; a desired effect has not been achieved—all with negative connotations. I must admit that my recollection of these words is dominated by various misdemeanors and relatively minor infractions, at least, that is my claim. However, attempts at funny aside, there is a serious side to this question which goes beyond casual replies.

The clear inference behind this question is the hearer was to respond in a prescribed manner. Whatever the words, they were specific to a circumstance or situation for the express purpose of achieving a predetermined result. But in posing the question, details shared or spoken failed to register or achieve the purpose intended for them.

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In much the same way that seeing doesn’t equate to looking, there is a world of difference between hearing and listening.

For those blessed to be parents, telltale symptoms of hearing divorced from listening include diverting the gaze, twiddling the fingers, doing the shuffle, walking away . . . you get the picture. But let’s not pillory the young or inexperienced because in some ways the problem gets worse and less excusable, the older we become. For we who use in-car navigation and those gently voiced instructions, who has not heard the understated words of correction: “Recalculating new route.” Our ability to avoid listening while hearing is not limited to the relatively inconsequential. There is the possibility, perhaps even tendency, to “unlisten” even when hearing important and valuable instruction.

In fairness, we live in an age of aural overload. We are constantly bombarded with sounds which, all too easily, become blurred, indistinct noise. For whatever reason, we do not do well with noise, so the tendency is to indiscriminately tune out and push back and away from whatever sounds fill our surroundings.

Perhaps we need to ask ourselves whether it really matters how well we listen or whether we can simply bumble our way through life, hoping things will work out just fine. After all, the so-called gifted seem to make it with almost a casual indifference to any instruction or wisdom, or maybe we even are aware of some who outright reject helpful words of advice and warning.

I suspect that many of us bear actual scars on our bodies as clear and ever-present proof that we would have been better off to have listened. My own body bears witness to this truism having my mouth washed with soap (my mother considered soap a suitable antidote to eating poisonous “cuckoo pint” or Arum Maculatum); my stomach pumped to expel an inordinate dose of aspirin; an elbow permanently impacted by ignoring a warning not to go outside (i.e., leave the house). The day I bought my first brand new motorbike, I could not be dissuaded from trying to ride despite being told that the combination of total inexperience, rain and darkness was sufficient reason to wait until a more suitable opportunity. Consequently, I parted company with both machine and road scarcely avoiding an untimely meeting with a considerably more substantial country dry stone wall.

So much for life in general and confession of personal failure.

How about the Christian life in particular?

As it turns out, we don’t even have to leave the Garden of Eden: “Did God actually say...?” Why should such a simple question be so difficult to answer correctly? To our minds, there is no confusion. If anybody knows how to communicate without obscuring the message, surely it is our Creator. How do we know that God’s words were heard but not listened to? Adam and Eve acted in a way that was contrary to God’s desire for them to experience the best and the outcome was that they suffered the worst—banishment.

Fast on the heels of Adam and Eve come others who demonstrated the same defective characteristic of hearing God’s word but not listening to their own detriment.

Surely Noah must have repeatedly told the jeering onlookers that the floodwater would be coming just as God had said, but to no avail: ‘And all flesh died...and all mankind...only Noah was left and those who were with him in the ark.’

Pharoah serves as a stark example of hearing but refusing to listen resulting in misery for hundreds of thousands then and death thereafter.

What a sad day for Lot. God wonderfully provided rescue from Sodom by angelic means. The angel instructed Lot, his wife and daughters with the clearest warning: “Escape for your life. Do not look back.” But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back and she became a pillar of salt.’” I wonder how the conversation went between Lot and his daughters as they looked at his wife immortalized in salt.

I can imagine Lot choking a little as he uttered these words: “Why didn’t you listen to what you were told?”

Samson struggled with his listening when his parents spoke to him about not taking a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines.

Alas, Samson saw one of the daughters of the Philistines and ignored the warning telling his father that “she is right in my eyes.” What troubles ensued from that failure to listen to godly parental advice.

We could easily consider ourselves immune to the consequences of not listening, but as God’s people today we are no less at risk when we do not listen to what we are told—after all, this is a sinful human trait we inherited from our first parents.

Arguably, Jonah serves as a poster child for somebody who should have known better: “Arise, go to Nineveh...but Jonah found a ship going to Tarshish.” The Sunday School caricatures of being hurled into storm-tossed waters only to be swallowed whole by an enormous fish are bad enough, but then to spend three days and nights in the belly of the fish before being vomited out must have been the anti-icing on the cake.

We could continue the litany of those who heard but did not listen leading to failure, loss and even death for themselves and, in many instances, impacting those around them. But, what of those who heard God’s word and listened?

Our spiritual father Abraham springs to mind: ‘By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out...and he went out, not knowing where he was going.’ ‘By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.’ What rewards Abraham enjoyed as he walked in obedience to what he had heard from God. Abraham was a listener.

Samuel, young Samuel, learned an invaluable lesson in the temple. Despite his youth—many assume he was twelve years of age when God spoke to him, he heard and listened. “The Lord Continued on next page

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said to Samuel, ‘Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle...

And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.’” (1 Samuel 3:11) Samuel was a listener.

Mary who, hearing the amazingly wonderful report from the shepherds, was singularly distinct from the other hearers: “They [shepherds] made known the saying that had been told them concerning the child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19, 20) Mary was a listener.

So, what is the secret to not simply hearing but listening? To hear God’s Word is not necessarily to listen. I would not like to count the number of hours I have spent hearing God’s Word without listening for one moment. Defective hearing results in a lack of appropriate response and, often, no response at all.

I confess to accumulating too many hours of distraction sitting within sound of invaluable life and death exhortation and instruction—that’s right, in church. My instinct is to blame external things—lights, sounds, other people, the drive to church. To listen will always evidence its presence by a response of fruitful obedience. Without faith, the Word will be ignored, dismissed or rejected, so to listen is a spiritual response: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”.

Although I tend to think of the parable Jesus told of the sower in the context of the receptiveness of our hearts, in Luke’s narrative, it is equally applicable to our ears as the conduits to our hearts. In the parable, Luke repeats the words heard, hear and hearing, and we need to be wise to the reality that we have an enemy, Satan, who is determined that we either simply hear or mishear God’s Word and fail to respond appropriately.

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Active hearing requires focus and the engagement of our minds so that the Word does not go in one ear and straight out the other. Effective listening occurs when we shut out the distractions and noise that allure our attention away. To be successful in listening requires resolve to appreciate the value of God’s Word over and above anything else that might attract us.

Listening to God’s Word also requires humility. An honest and good heart acknowledges that God is, and we are not. If God is, then his Word is not to be ignored or minimized but taken to heart with seriousness such that we will inevitably ask what it is that should constitute our response.

Perhaps not finally but certainly most importantly, we must put it to use—whatever it is that God’s Word is calling us to.

Shortly after explaining the meaning of the parable of the sower to his disciples, Jesus’ mother and brothers were trying to reach him but could not because of the crowds. They told Jesus they were desiring to see him, but unexpectedly Jesus responds by identifying his family, his people in the way in which they hear: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:21) Do our lives testify that we have truly listened and not simply heard? As we work on our ears, we no longer need to avoid the question, “Why don’t you listen to what you’re told?” because, by God’s grace, we are listening to his instructions.

Just one more thing. God’s Word takes us into the fourth dimension that is, time. I went through almost forty years of avoiding and ignoring the Lord, years without darkening church doors, before God’s Word brought life to my heart. The potential of God’s Word to accomplish the purpose for which it is sent is not bound by time or limited by usage. It’s a good thing to remember as 2023 moves into 2024. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8), so let’s keep listening to it.

JANUARY 2024 CONNECTIONS

GALLERY WINTERTALES CELEBRATING ADVENT, CHRISTMAS & WINTER THROUGH ART Runs through January 13 The wonder of Advent, the joy of Christmas, the beauty of winter. Come see our winter gallery.

Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri 12-2 p.m., other times available upon request.

In the Crossings Building, 303 E. Front Street, Wheaton.

GATHERINGS A monthly coming together, where we discuss our personal projects and the many facets of creativity and God. TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, AT 7 P.M. IN CROSSINGS January creativity word for the month: Gentle This month we look back at 2023 and invite everyone to bring something they created last year to share with each other.

Look forward to seeing you there!

WORKSHOPS WRITING YOUR FAITH JOURNEY January 27 | 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. | FREE

and how he has continued to work in your life? More specifically, have you written this down as a record of God’s faithfulness and as an encouragement to others?

In this workshop, you will receive guidance on how to write your faith story, be it the account of your conversion to Christ or the story of a different, specific experience when God intervened or moved in your life in a powerful way. You’ll also learn how to make your writing clear and compelling so that readers will stay with you to the end of the story. We’ll include time for some in-class writing, so that you’ll come away from the workshop with a good head start on writing your faith journey.

John Maust is president of Media Associates International, a training ministry that equips Christian publishers and writers in the Majority World. His journey into writing and publishing began as a small-town weekly newspaper editor in Indiana, followed by several years as a news reporter for Christianity Today magazine and then extended service as a missionary journalist in Latin America.

For more information or to sign up for a gallery or workshop, visit our webpage: collegechurch.org/artspace.

In the Crossings conference room Register at college-church.org/artspace Jesus told the man liberated from demons, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Your journey to faith may not seem as spectacular as this man’s but it is a story worth telling, nonetheless.

Have you shared with your family and friends how the Lord drew you to him,

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OUR VISION COLLEGE CHURCH VISION AND INITIATIVES 2024 Our Vision is Proclaiming the Gospel. That means that the heart of the reason WHY we do everything is for the Glory of God by the progress of his gospel. This vision elevates ALL we do. We don’t just “attend” church like you might attend your great uncle’s birthday party. We, who are members, are invested in the church for the sake of the progress of the gospel locally and globally. And we who come to church to find out more about Jesus— who are not yet members of the church—have an opportunity every Sunday to Discover Jesus. Then we Grow in our faith. And then Impact the World.

But while Proclaiming the Gospel is our VISION, it does not by itself describe all the different things that we do in a more down-to-earth or boots-on-the-ground sense. For that, we have our INITIATIVES. These Initiatives have been discussed and approved by the Council of Elders and the Pastors & Directors several years ago. And each year they are adapted and developed with particular reference to the goals that are in each of those initiatives. This year we have adjusted and clarified various parts of each of these Initiatives for 2024. You will find these Initiatives listed below. Much of it is self-explanatory, or if not feel free to ask. But you might notice the difference in language of the Initiative related to our church planting commitment which is now called “Partnerships.” This is in no way indicates a pullback from that commitment to planting. But to do the kind of planting we want to do the point people for that Initiative are recommending that we include not only direct planting but also strengthening and revitalizing, and that we do so in Partnership with other church planting and church organizations. We’ve already done this, of course, with our Atlanta church plant, and with other churches that we are partnering with, including in London and Austria. So it represents more closely the real as well as the visionary. Otherwise, the Initiatives all together represent a lot of work among the leadership teams, and have lots of ways for us all to get involve with Discovering Jesus, Growing in our Faith, and Impacting the World—or (the VISION) Proclaiming the Gospel.

Josh Moody Senior Pastor

2024 INITIATIVES Vision: “Proclaiming the Gospel” INITIATIVES:

PATHWAY. We will develop a simple invitational pathway for our gospel ministries: Discover Jesus, Grow in Your Faith and Impact the World. In 18

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.

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.

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.

JANUARY 2024 CONNECTIONS

MILESTONES BIRTHS

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 a capital campaign launched in 2024, 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.

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.

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.

Josephine Mercy was born on November 15 to David and Allison Kelley.

Her paternal grandparents are Ken and Linda Kelley.

Franklin James was born to Tommie and Jessica Miller on November 14.

MARRIAGES Mia Rynbrandt married Ransom Wisely on November 25 at College Church.

Mia is the daughter of Chad and Mindy Rynbrandt, and Mindy is our director of women’s ministries.

Leah Lomasney married Daniel Carrino on April 29. Leah is the daughter of Donald and Heidi Lomasney.

honor Ed’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton on Monday, January 22, at 1 p.m.

Pray for Pray for Tom (Cindy) Powell and family as they grieve the loss of Tom’s sister, Katherine Suhr, resident in Belmont Village, who passed into the presence of her Savior on November 30.

Pray for Joe (Janet) Maurer and family as they grieve the loss of Joe’s mother, Sharon Jean Maurer, on November 25. Sharon is Pastor Josh Maurer’s grandmother.

Pray for Barb (Jon) DeLew and family as they grieve the loss of Barb’s sister, Suzanne Carver, who passed away on November 6 in Phoenix, Arizona.

DEATHS Pray for Elizabeth Diffin and her family as they grieve the loss of Elizabeth’s father, Edward Diffin Jr., who passed away on December 8 in Philadelphia, PA. Pray for Nathan (Jennifer) Hutchins and family as they grieve the loss of Nathan’s father, Richard, who passed away on December 5.

Pray for Bob and Jan Bastian as they grieve the recent loss of parents. Bob’s mother, Kathleen Bastian, passed away on November 26 in Toronto, Canada.

Jan’s father, Karry Revell, passed away on December 5 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Pray for Evelyn Reeve and family as they grieve the loss of her husband, Virgil, who passed away on December 2.

Pray for Joanne Hollatz and family as they grieve the loss of her husband, Dr. Edwin Hollatz, who passed away on December 2. A memorial service to

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CALENDAR SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES Everyone welcome.

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 JANUARY 7: How Jesus is the Solution to the Problems in Your World, Revelation 5:9-10, Senior Pastor Josh Moody preaching

MORNING SERMON SERIES: STARTS JANUARY 14

Your Mission, Should You Choose To Accept It

Senior Pastor Josh Moody preaching JANUARY 14: Will You Follow?, Luke 9:57-62 JANUARY 21: Will You Go?, Luke 10:1 JANUARY 28: Will You Pray?, Luke 10:2

SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICES Everyone welcome. in Crossings at 5 p.m.

EVENING SERMON SERIES: STARTS JANUARY 14

Strength in Weakness

Evening sermons from 2 Corinthians JANUARY 7: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Pastor Baxter Helm preaching JANUARY 14: 2 Corinthians 5:1-11, Pastor Ben Panner preaching

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JANUARY 21: 2 Corinthians 5:12-21, Pastor Josh Maurer preaching JANUARY 28: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Pastor Dan Hiben preaching

ADULT COMMUNITIES ALL NATIONS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104F • Teacher: Jim Tebbe • Study: God’s Mission as seen in Scripture: The Life of Abraham • Description: Besides studying Scripture, we will have testimonies as well as information about and prayer for the church in countries around the world as a regular feature of the class.

FORUM 15 Sundays 8 a.m. in C104F • Teachers: Dick Albright & Bruce Main • Study: “Biblical Terms: Who We Are and How We Live” • Description: prayer time, singing and study with class interaction.

GREEK EXEGESIS CLASS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in the Board Room • Teacher: Jon Laansma • Study: 1 John • Description: Reading and discussion of the Greek New Testament. Knowledge of Greek is not required for this class.

• Description: Fellowship and exposition of James, with application to life today LOGOS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104E • Teacher: Teaching team led by James Seward • Study: Psalms THRIVE Sundays 9:30 a.m. in CrossingsClapham Main Area • Teachers: Joe Becker, Dan Haase, Dan Lindquist, Mark Odell, Dave Setran, John Yoder • Study: Gospel of John • Description: Fellowship, teaching and prayer with an emphasis on applying God’s truth to our lives.

VERITAS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104B & D • Teacher: Neil Wright • Study: The Nature of God: God Is Better than You Think • Description: Teaching and discussion about the nature and attributes of God. All Ages Welcome.

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES MOM2MOM JANUARY 15: Mom’s Night Out at Shelly Wildman’s home, 7:30-9 p.m.

Email women@college-church.org for location info.

LIFE TOGETHER COMMUNITY Sundays 9:30 a.m. in Commons Gym • Teacher: Teaching Team • Description: Short teaching with small group discussion. Authentic, biblical community for adults ages 25–40

JANUARY 22: Large Group Gathering in Commons Hall, 9:30-11 a.m.

LIVING WORD Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104A & C104C • Teachers: Felipe Chamy, Grant Flynn and Josh Maurer • Study: The Letter of James

We’re excited to be diving into the Book of Acts for the year. We hope you’ll join us! To register, visit our website.

JANUARY 29: Gym Playdate in Commons Gym, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY STARTS JANUARY 10

MORNING: 9:30-11 a.m.

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

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WOMEN’S GATHERING JANUARY 13: 9-10:30 a.m. in Commons

MEN’S MINISTRIES MEN’S BIBLE STUDY STARTS JANUARY 10 Studying the Book of Acts, in Commons 6:45-8:15 p.m.

We are studying the Book of Acts and are encouraging men to register if you are joining us in January. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/4vc8smjv

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (KIDS’ HARBOR) SUNDAY MORNING Nursery (0–2) at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

time at home to go through the curriculum.

Times: Sundays, 9:30-10:30 am; Jan. 21 (parents only); Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11 (parents, boys, and girls meet separately) Cost: $35 for curriculum (3 books: The Talk Series by Luke and Trisha Gilkerson) Registration: closes January 7. The class is limited to 12 girls and 12 boys.

FCA BASKETBALL starts practice on January 11 and has practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Fridays and games from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. College Church. Other practices and game times will be at Wheaton Academy, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday starting on January 11 from 4 to 8 p.m.

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

MIDDLE SCHOOL (KINGS MESSENGERS)

Wonders of Worship “WOW” (K–third grade) during second half of 11 a.m. service returning January 7.

Returning Wednesday, January 10, in the Crossings 6:45-8:15 p.m.

Returning Sunday, January 14, in Commons Lower Level 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Children’s Church (older preschool) during second half of 11 a.m. service Children’s Church (younger preschool) at 11 a.m.

ALL KIDS’ HARBOR SUNDAY P.M. PROGRAMS STARTS JANUARY 14 God’s Children Sing, Children’s Choirs, Preschool and Nursery

KIDS’ HARBOR WEDNESDAY MINISTRIES

HIGH SCHOOL Returning Wednesday, January 10, in Crossings or small groups in homes at 7-8:30 p.m.

JANUARY 10: Crossings JANUARY 17: Homes/Small Groups JANUARY 24: Crossings JANUARY 31: Homes/Small Groups

STARTS JANUARY 10

COLLEGE GROUP

Kids Korner 9:30-11 a.m.

SUNDAYS: College Group at 10:45 a.m. in the Crossings starting January 14

Evening Programs 6:45-8:15 p.m.

GOD’S GOOD DESIGN Fourth- and fifth-graders and their parents are invited to learn about biblical sexuality. Commit to attending four weeks of class at 9:30 and making

TUESDAYS: The Table (dinner and Bible Study) 6:30 p.m. in Crossings, Tuesdays starting January 16

STARS DISABILITY Adult and Multi-Generational classes meet at 9:30 and attend church together at 11 a.m.

Child/Teen class Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

STARS Choir begins on January 14 STARS Moms Bible Study begins January 14 STARS Praise in Action: returning January 10 STARS Choir returns January 14 STARS Family Night: Family Feud on January 5 (open to all STARS Families) Friday Night Fun and Friday Friends returns on January 19

ARTSPACE Details on page 17.

GRACE GROUPS Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety and other problems with mood stability are real and need compassionate support. Living Grace and Family Grace are support groups that will meet about twice a month on Monday nights, running through February 26. Living Grace is meant for the person who is living with the pain of difficult mental and emotional issues; Family Grace is for the person who has a loved one who struggles with these issues.

ABOUT US LUNCHEON Would you like to learn more about College Church? We want to get to know you better too! You’re invited to a special lunch on Sunday, January 21, at noon in the lobby outside the Sanctuary. Come and meet pastors and Continued on next page

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staff, learn about College Church and find out the many ways you can get involved.

Lunch is on us! RSVP to help us plan.

BECOMING ONE We believe in the importance of setting a biblical foundation for marriage. Becoming One is a class for engaged, soon-to-be-engaged and newly married couples. Topics included are 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 also includes two personal sessions with a mentor couple at another time.

Cost: $40 per couple covers materials and online inventory When: Friday dinner, January 26, 6 p.m. and Saturday, January 27, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (includes lunch)

KEENAGERS Keenagers start the new year together on Friday, January 19. Leslie Goddard, who is no stranger to us, returns to present the back story of the making of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” from the casting and the script to the technical challenges of producing this classic movie.

The evening begins with a reception at 5:30, dinner at 6, and the program at 7 p.m. Reservations are required

by January 16 by emailing keenagers@ college-church.org.

Cost: $10 per person, payable that evening.

MEMBERSHIP Ready to participate fully in the life and ministries of College Church? Come find out about College Church’s history, core beliefs, ministries and what it means for you to be a member. This

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one-day only membership opportunity will be Saturday, February 3, from 8 a.m. to noon; registration is requested. For more info, contact Christy at membership@collegechurch.org, or call (630) 6680878, ext. 175.

Looking Ahead MEN’S GATHERING February 3, 7:30 a.m.

COMMUNION AT COLLEGE CHURCH February 4, March 3

GRACE MARRIAGE

For those who signed up in the fall, the next Grace Marriage session is Saturday, February 10, from 8 a.m. to noon. If you’re interested in the next Grace Marriage Conference, email Pastor Josh Maurer—jmaurer@college-church.org

WOMEN’S MONTHLY GATHERING

We will welcome you on Saturday, February 10, 9-10:30 a.m. as we create a space where women can get to know each other and have meaningful and relevant conversations.

ONE-DAY WOMEN’S CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 24 Our 2024 one-day women’s conference features author and speaker, Dr. Juli Slattery. We’re excited to welcome Juli to share with us from her 25 years of counseling, discipling and teaching experience as we spend the morning talking about sexuality and our loving God. Registration is open.

GENEROSITY SUNDAY February 4

Under the Radar OPERA MAINSTAGE: OTTO NICOLAI’S OPERA “THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR” Wednesday-Saturday, January 10-13, 7:30-9 p.m.

Location: Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall For ticket information, visit tickets. wheaton.edu.

2024 COCOA & COFFEE CRAWL Downtown Wheaton Saturday, January 13, 12-3 p.m.

Cost: $18 general admission $64 family 4-pack Enjoy a fun-filled winter day sampling unique hot cocoas and artisan coffees at downtown Wheaton shops and restaurants RESTAURANT WEEK DOWNTOWN WHEATON Thursday, January 18-Sunday, January 28 Enjoy the culinary experience of Wheaton’s restaurants.

SNOW TUBING through February 23, hours vary Blackwell Forest Preserve When there’s plenty of snow on the hill, take a fun 800-foot ride down Mount Hoy

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at the

BOOKSTALL BIBLE READING

CHRISTIAN LIVING READING BETWEEN THE LINES, VOLUMES 1 & 2

by Glen Scrivener

I’ve used these devotionals for my own ‘quiet time’ a couple of times now.

Glen gives us a Bible overview using phrases from the Bible as our “markers”.

Phrases like, ‘Let their be light’ or ’stiff necked people’… Each day I found him so insightful, with a turn-of-phrase that helped well known truths feel fresh and enlightening. If you’re looking to get started (or kickstart) with your Bible readings— this would be a great choice.

THE LORD OF PSALM 23

by David Gibson Psalm 23—you’ll know it well I’m sure.

Perhaps you think you won’t need a book to teach you anything new about this Psalm. That’s certainly how I felt before I opened up David Gibson’s little gem. Seriously, you won’t regret reading this. It’s like drinking a cold soda on a hot day! Drink this deeply and it’ll nourish you wonderfully.

Bookstall Price: $15

Bookstall Price: $15 each

KIDS

BIOGRAPHY WE DIED BEFORE WE CAME HERE

THE FORGOTTEN KING

by Kenneth Padgett & Shey Gregorie This is a beautifully written rhyming picture book that helps kids discover the story of the True King and His kingdom. While it’s a mythical story, it points to the truth of the gospel.

It’s a book that kids of 7-11 could read themselves, or enjoy having it read to them. For families looking to expose their kids to the gospel, this book is highly recommended.

Bookstall Price: $15

by Emily Foreman This is one of my favorite biographies.

It’s the story of a family (with a slightly messy Christian background), that God calls to North Africa to reach Muslims. The book opens with the dramatic murder of the father, who is killed by Al-Qaeda. The question the family is faced with is: do they stay and reach those who have murdered their husband/father, or return back to America ...

What God does in and through them is quite remarkable.

Bookstall Price: $10

Each of these reviews is from Jonathan Carswell, from 10ofthose.com.

They support College Church by providing the Bookstall by the fireside.

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SIDE BY SIDE

A Heart for Little Children ALISON TAYLOR

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wasn’t a very good babysitter in high school. I found Candy Land and dolls boring, so I would suggest more interesting activities: multi-story Nerf gun wars, wrestling matches on the floor or jumping off the couch into a pile of blankets and cushions. Most of these games ended either when a child said, “our parents would never let us do this!” or when an injury prompted tears. Older kids could be fun, I thought, but anyone younger than seven or so was boring and usually whiny.

When I signed up to help with children’s ministries at church, I requested multiple times to work with older kids. But each time I volunteered the greatest need was in preschool. The doors God opened for me were with kids between the ages of two and four. So, for the past few years, I’ve been working with what I thought was my least favorite age range. “Why?” I asked God, and I quickly started to uncover his answers.

Though the teacher, the kids in my classes had much to teach me about the gospel. They demonstrated on a regular basis the sinfulness of humans. They fought over stickers, markers, dolls, cars, anything—sometimes to the point of tears or physical violence.

Once I watched a boy run across the room, shove a girl onto the floor, unprovoked, then scamper away to continue playing while she started crying. Another time, a group of three girls building a castle told a fourth that she couldn’t play with them “because it’s only for friends, and she’s not my friend.” Even the most innocent, adorable child is a sinner in need of God’s grace.

Conversely, spending time with children offered glimpses of gospel love. One week, a child received a minor injury and had to be taken out of the room while she was

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attended to, another girl who witnessed it stopped playing and looked at the door with concern until we assured her that the child was okay. Once, a boy who was new to the class came into gym time crying. I encouraged a girl who already knew him to welcome him. This was a girl who almost never participated in the gym time games, but at my suggestion, she walked right over to her friend, grabbed his hand, and invited him to play. He stopped crying almost immediately, and she never left his side. It was a beautiful picture of our need for friendship.

Most importantly, teaching the Bible to little children taught me that anyone can understand and respond to the gospel. When you’re in a class of kids who can hardly sit still for ten minutes while you tell the story, it’s hard to imagine they’re even listening— much less understanding. But even a three-year-old can understand and respond to God’s Word. One day, as I was explaining that Jesus saves us from our sins, a girl raised her hand and asked, “How?” I did my best to explain the gospel as simply as possible.

Another week, the story was the Ten Commandments. When the teacher got to “Do not steal” and explained that it’s wrong to take something that doesn’t belong to you, a three-year-old suddenly took off her shoes. I watched in amazement as she dumped out a small fortune in plastic coins she’d stolen from the rice bin during play time that morning. She handed them to me without saying anything. The teaching of God’s Word had convicted her heart, and she had responded with immediate repentance. What a great example of the Christian life!

Working in the same class of children for a whole year gave me the opportunity to watch them grow. For the first couple weeks of every new class, some of the children come in crying. One child cried every week for the first few months, hardly nibbled on her snack, and refused to speak. But by the end of that year, she walked into the room confidently and cheerfully, asked for seconds of Goldfish crackers, and did all the hand motions during song time. Song time changed too—for most of the year, we could get less than half of the kids to participate for a maximum of three songs before we lost their attention. The last week, however, every single child was singing and doing the motions, and they kept making requests, for a total of seven songs. The change was gradual, and some weeks were worse than the one before, but over time the growth was visible and undeniable—the same way the Holy Spirit often works in the lives of believers.

I grew, too. At first, my least favorite part of teaching was free play at the beginning and end of class. I would always busy myself with checking kids in and out, cleaning up the toys that would be on the floor again in less than two minutes, or preparing the story or craft. If I played with the kids, they had only half of my attention and none of my enthusiasm. But by the end of last year, I couldn’t run the check-in station because I was too busy creating an Arctic world with Play-Doh or running away from kids chasing me with butterflies on sticks. When a three-year-old girl told me about her upcoming birthday party and said, “you can come if you want,” I was shocked by how happy I felt. Regardless of whether I could go to a four-year-old’s birthday party, her invitation meant that she considered me her friend. And I was even more amazed to realize that at some point I’d started considering her my friend, too. She wasn’t just a kid in my class, but a person whose company I looked forward to and whose presence I treasured.

I hadn’t wanted to teach little children, and I did not consider myself good with kids.

But God invited me to serve him in that way, and I am so thankful that I said yes. I still prefer nerf gun battles to Candy Land, but I’ve come to realize that a three-year-old can be much more funny, fascinating and loving than I expected. And when I teach the gospel to children and watch as seeds of truth take root in their hearts, I’m seeing the kind of faith that we are all called to have, for as Jesus said, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

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2023 MOVEMENT IN MISSIONS The following have transitioned from College Church mid-term status to career missionary status: Caleb and Marisa Duttweiler returned to South Africa and their work of discipleship with East Mountain.

J & C returned to a country in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region to continue their work in church planting, evangelism, and discipleship.

The following have transitioned out of College Church career missionary status: Philip Baarendse resigned from service with TeachBeyond in Asia and transitioned back to the States after serving for 17 years in South and Southeast Asia.

Vance and Andrea Frusher transitioned back to the States after 6.5 years and will continue working with Teach Beyond on the advancement team.

Daniel and Heather Owens returned Stateside after serving for 20 years in Southeast Asia, most recently in Vietnam, where Daniel was teaching at Hanoi Bible College (HBC). Daniel now serves as pastor of discipleship at New Covenant Church in Naperville. He will continue to partner with Training Leaders International to maintain ongoing projects in Vietnam, traveling occasionally to teach and participate in important events at HBC.

Tim Sattler transitioned from Word Partners to Fellowship of the Word/ Faith & Learning as he continues to equip pastors to preach God’s Word.

Phil Smith transitioned from serving on Accessible Hope International’s staff as Director of Global Partnership to serve First Love International as president/CEO.

Dan and Michelle Tebbe, who have been serving with One Challenge International as teachers in an international school in Southeast Asia, have transitioned back to the States after nearly 20 years of overseas ministry. They will continue to partner with One Challenge on specific projects.

STEWARDS OF GOD’S VARIED GRACE First Peter 4:10 reminds us that, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” As we head into the new year, I wonder if we all embrace this job description: we are “stewards of God’s varied grace.”

All those in Christ have received God’s grace, not only for salvation but also in the unique gifts of the Spirit that empower us to serve the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:7, in fact, indicates that “to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” This means that when we use these gifts to build up the body, we are faithfully stewarding the wonderfully diverse gifts of God’s grace that he gives to each of his children.

By God’s design, the Church is an interdependent body, with all members contributing their gifts and receiving other’s gifts for the building up of the whole. There is no “Lone Ranger” Christianity. We really do need each other!

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The following have transitioned to new organizations:

A NOTE FROM ELDER DAVID SETRAN AS WE HEAD INTO NOMINATING SEASON.

As we head into nominating season, therefore, be on the lookout for those in our congregation who are gifted to serve in particular roles within our church. And prayerfully consider the places in which you might use your own gifts to joyfully serve this local body. God has gifted each of us in unique ways so that the body of Christ can flourish and grow. How exciting that we are given both the privilege and the responsibility to serve as “stewards of God’s varied grace” this coming year!

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the prisoners, ex-cons and their families. We’re now moving into a more hands-on prison ministry as we partner with KHNM and the Mills in this endeavor.

LOCALLY SOURCED

PRISON PARTNERSHIP Dave Sohmer

The Evangelism and Culture Impact Committee formed a prison task force, with the mission to equip and mobilize the people of College Church to bring gospel-driven hope and transformation to those in prison and jail by proclaiming freedom to those bound by sin and healing for the brokenhearted. (See Isaiah 61:1.) The task force is working toward a set of objectives that include: • Partner with and encourage College Church evangelist Manny Mill and his wife, Barbara, and Koinonia House National Ministries.

• Provide opportunities for the men and women of College Church to be involved in prayer support, worship services, one on one prayer, Bible study and discipleship with inmates, ex-cons and their families.

• Develop ideas and plans toward the goal of connecting the “inside” church (current inmates who are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ) with the “outside” church (as in College Church).

• Develop ideas and plans to be considered toward the goal of providing a safe and welcoming place to former inmates in the local church body.

Currently, there are two ministry opportunities in which you can get involved.

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bout a year ago, I read Matthew 25: 35-40 and these verses spoke to me like they never had before: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord when did we see you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (NIV) I had been looking for a way to serve, to minister, to get involved in evangelism, and I wanted to do this where the fruit would be abundant, and that’s when Manny and Barbara Mill came to mind.

College Church has supported Manny and Barbara and their prison ministry through Koinonia House National Ministries (KHMM) and Radical Time Out as the Mills ministered to

First, participate with College Church people and KHNM who lead a worship service at Stateville Minimum Security Unit prison near Joliet every other Saturday morning. The service runs from 10 a.m. to noon and consists of music/ singing, prayer, Bible reading, testimonies and a sermon preached by Manny Mill. We are home around 1 p.m. This ministry started in September, and before we started the worship service, the men had not had a Christian service for many years. However, a local Muslim Imam would come weekly for anyone who was interested.

Second, get involved in hands-on ways. For example, College Church women planned a Christmas bag outreach to women in Cook County Jail. These women from church created, assembled, and helped deliver the bags. This was a great way to provide for the tangible needs of the women in jail and build bridges to the Cook County Woman Chaplain’s office, and interact with Koinonia House Ministries’ Sarah Gonzales, the director of Cook County Jail Ministries and Women’s Chaplain.

We long for the College Church family to participate in this ministry, and speaking from experience, I believe a rich blessing awaits those who join us. If one of these opportunities is something you are interested in, email me at david@sohmer. net. I’d love to tell you more.

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A Nurse’s Perspective and Retrospective on Life Susan Callaway

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s a new graduate nurse, working in an inner-city children’s hospital operating room (OR) was challenging.

Seeing babies and small children with trauma and disease was hard and often heartbreaking.

As a young Christian in a stressful work environment, I leaned on my faith, trusting the Lord that these children were in his caring hands, no matter what happened. As the surgeons made their precise incisions, it was evident to see the amazing design of our Creator. Surgery on these little people deeply impacted my perspective.

The surgeries truly opened my eyes to these precious verses, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.” (Psalm 139: 14, 15) After moving to the Chicago suburbs and marrying my husband, Paul, I continued working in the OR in a community hospital in 1990. At that time, the OR team would be called in if there was a need for a surgical cesarean delivery. However, the excruciating wait for the team to quickly arrive when an

unexpected surgical delivery was needed to safely deliver a baby, was in the process of a needed change.

Not too long after this, our first son was born.

This amazing life event once again changed my perspective. God led me to make a professional change to pursue Labor and Delivery nursing. His timing and plans are perfect.

At the time, the OR staff was training the maternity staff nurses to learn their role in the OR for cesarean deliveries. I had a lot to learn, but quickly put my OR skills to work.

Nursing in Labor and Delivery had its moments of joy. Caring for patients in the intimate birth experience was often filled with wonder and happy tears. Some people might think that working as a nurse in this hospital unit is always a happy place. This is not always the case. More often than I was previously aware, it can also be a place of loss and grief.

One’s perspective is changed when caring for a mother in the difficult journey of losing a baby, no matter how far along in a pregnancy. Carefully held tiny babies in their mothers’ hands, or arms heavy with grief holding a silent baby. These little ones revealed their perfection at all stages of development. “For you formed my inward parts: you knitted me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) I no longer work in Labor and Delivery. In retrospect, I’m not able to completely express how the many beautiful, and sometimes painful experiences impacted my life and career as an RN. My view of life as being precious, loved and miraculous, was deepened and strengthened by my nursing care for these patients.

It was a time of experiencing and understanding the sanctity of human life. I am grateful to God for his mercy and love.

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SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE Take a Step Forward for Life During Sanctity of Human Life Month.

Here are ways to be informed, pray, advocate in the public square, and provide for those who chose life despite hard circumstances.

BE INFORMED Image of God: A Stand for Life Curriculum Study and Discussion Group Sundays at 2:30 p.m., February 4–March 10 in Commons Hall Presented by Benjamin Watson, former NFL player and co-founder of One More Foundation, the Image of God is a six-week curriculum that helps groups discern how to live a holistic life-affirming vision and mission.

We will watch videoes by Benjamin Watson (amazing speaker from 2022 Caring Network banquet) followed by discussion. Attend all six sessions or come when you can.

ALL CHURCH PRAYER MEETING FOR LIFE Sunday, January 28, 1:30-2:30 p.m., in Commons Hall Join in pray together for preborn life to be respected, and for the church and prolife organizations to minister well to those experiencing the effects of unplanned pregnancy and abortion, and abortion industry workers to turn and follow Christ. Friends from other churches are welcome to attend.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE PRAYER Saturday, January 6, 1-2 p.m. Join Sanctity of Human Life Task Force at 40 Days for Life’s year-round peaceful prayer vigil. Meet on Waterleaf pregnancy center’s property across from Planned Parenthood Aurora’s driveway.

BE A SUPPORT Partner with Caring Network as they equip women for physical and spiritual life by matching them with both small groups and individual mentors for friendship, discipleship and practical support via the Connections and Journey programs.

Charlotte was one such client who found life change through connecting.

Charlotte came to Caring Network for information and support but left with much more. She was surprised by her pregnancy and had no family nearby to help her. Despite those challenges, she wanted to become a mom. During her appointment, Charlotte revealed that she grew up with a spiritual background, and she and her pregnancy consultant discussed God’s plan and forgiveness.

After experiencing a personal loss later in her pregnancy, Charlotte came back to Caring Network where she was served by our Connections ministry.

Charlotte became very curious about matters of faith while in Connections, and her group leader invited Charlotte to her church. Charlotte started regularly attending this church on her own, rededicated her life to Christ, and was baptized. Thanks to our pregnancy consultant and the Connections team for sharing the gospel with Charlotte so that she could experience the true hope, freedom and transformation that comes from the Lord.

Sunday, January 7, outside the Sanctuary For the rest of January, donation crib will be near the Commons reception desk.

Scan the QR Code for Amazon ordering. Select “Church of the Resurrection’s Gift Registry Address” for where to ship.

SOHL SURVEY Please scan the QR code to fill out the Sanctity of Human Life survey! Help us plan prolife learning, training, prayer, and volunteering opportunities.

Sign up for our SOHL monthly e-news to receive events schedule, resources and inspiration, and life-related news. https://college-church.org/impact/ sohl/

BABY BANK SUPPLIES Donating supplies teaches children about the value of life in the womb and helps Caring Network pregnancy center clients who have chosen life despite hard situations.

Diapers (all sizes- opened packages accepted), wipes, baby lotion, shampoo, and wash, diaper cream, and formula

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Growing IN Giving Over Time

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hy do I give money to the church? I’ve often asked myself this question when I write the check, especially when I have to write such big checks for my mortgage, house insurance, car insurance, real estate taxes, my kids’ school tuition, not to mention groceries and other life necessities. I failed to get in on the last round of really low interest rates on a mortgage refinance, so I’m stuck with a 3.9% mortgage. I realize that sounds low in today’s market, but not as low as both my next-door neighbors who didn’t procrastinate and are paying 2.9%.

But I digress. My folks didn’t give to charitable organizations and certainly not to their church. They were not strong believers and didn’t often go to church because they felt the church was only interested in them for the money they could donate. They each came by this attitude naturally, because both sets of my grandparents grew up during the Depression, and there was no way they were going to part with even a small amount of money when there was so little. The apple didn’t fall far from my grandparents’ trees to my parents. My parents raised me to think the same way—after all, what your parents model for you is generally what you start doing, and unless there is a strong influence to change, you will model that same behavior to your children. My wife grew up in a household with much of the same influence so we thought we were on the same page regarding how to handle money.

We’ve been coming to College Church for a few years now, but during our pre-marital class we heard a presentation from the finance director about various ideas to help us manage our finances after we were married. Spiritual, yet very practical. We had a chance to ask questions, and we took advantage, even spending some time one-on-one with her later. A booklet that she wrote was freely distributed to the class, and we read it cover to cover and particularly appreciated all the Scripture included. We learned that Jesus spoke frequently about money, possessions and idols and how he created everything, giving us the responsibility of managing what we provides us, and how we are to consider such “riches.”

After much prayer and discussion with each other, we decided that we would start giving to the church—just a small amount at first, and interestingly, we were still able to spread the rest of our money over our bills. We walked into church with a new appreciation of what we read in the booklet that giving money away brings joy into our hearts. At least once a year, we increase our giving a little bit, and those same two things happen again. Our bills continue to get paid and the joy increases. We have an appreciation for Dr. Moody’s preaching on what the Scriptures say about worldly goods and heavenly treasures. We know that when we give to the church, God’s kingdom is advanced here and around the world.

We are teaching our children what it means to give generously, with a grateful heart for God’s indescribable gift of Jesus Christ.

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