December 2015
An Open and Affirming Congregation
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE OF SCRIPTURE AND CAROLS THURSDAY DECEMBER 24 5 PM
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, December 6 following morning worship Join us to discuss and vote on our 2016 annual budget for the church’s ministry. Please make every effort to attend.
PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD Advent Reflection booklets are available in the Narthex Unto us a Child is Born, by Henri J.M. Nouwen and Lift Up Yo ur Head s, by Martin E. Marty. Feel free to pick one up today.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS For FACC families Due by Monday, December 14 The list of Christmas gift needs is on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Please take a name and make someone's Christmas a little more joyous by giving them a gift they would otherwise not receive. All gifts must be wrapped and labeled with the name and number of the individual and delivered to the church office by December 14th. Thank you! Received Sunday, December 20 “It wasn’t easy picking up the telephone to share with you my present situation. In fact it was one of the most humiliating experiences of my life although it reminded me that grace still happens. Thank you!”
These eloquent words are from a pastor who is the recipient of the caring and concern of those who contribute to the Christmas Fund Offering. Your gift to the Christmas Fund not only assists pastors like the one above, but also provides for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Health Premiums, Emergency Grants and Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks next December to low-income retirees. Your gifts are needed more than ever to help the growing number of retirees whose low-income annuities make it difficult to meet increasing living costs. This is your opportunity to participate in God's promise of renewal by enabling this ministry of compassion and care. Thank you for your generous gifts to this fund! 1
WINTER WORSHIP TIME December through March ● 10 am CHRISTMAS BASKETS GIFTS for FACC FAMILIES Collected December 1—14
NATIONAL YOUTH EVENT July 26-30, 2016
December 1 through December 14 we will be collecting Pasta for Christmas Baskets to be distributed by Freeport Area Church Cooperative . 250—2 lb. boxes of spaghetti are needed. The pasta is put in Christmas Boxes and distributed to 250 households in the Freeport area. Please drop of your gift of spaghetti in the cart in the church entryway. Thank you! WINTER CLOSET
We continue to collect mittens, hats, and gloves (no scarves please) but sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweaters, winter coats and boots are appreciated. We have yarn in the office for anyone to use for homemade items. Your donations will help keep the children of Freeport warm!
CORONADO SPRINGS RESORT HOTEL LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL All youth are invited. If you’d like to participate please contact Kevin Eckert.
Please drop off your gift in the boxes around the Christmas Tree in the Narthex. Thank you!
SPIRITUAL RETREAT January 22-23, 2016 ● Sinsinawa Camp This is a beautiful place for rest and spiritual rejuvenation, an opportunity to get away to retreat, find solitude and community, to be nurtured in mind, body and spirit. Rooms at Sinsinawa Mound Center are reserved for Friday evening, January 22 through Saturday afternoon January 23. Please speak with Deb Rockey or Hugh Knapp if you have questions about or interest in the retreat. A sign-up sheet will be on the bulletin board in the Narthex soon. 2
HELIX YOUTH MINISTRY FALL SCHEDULE SR. HIGH SUNDAYS 6-8PM 5TH & 6TH GRADE TUESDAYS 3-5PM 7TH & 8TH GRADE THURSDAYS 3-5PM
C.A.T.S—CAREGIVERS AND TODDLERS Tuesdays, 10-11am Please join us for our play group geared for toddlers and the adults that care for them. We get together in St. John’s nursery Tuesday mornings from 10 am—11 am. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CATSPlayGroup?fref=ts
MUSIC MINISTRY S.O.S. BELL CHOIR & CHANCEL CHOIR Rehearsal is on Thursday nights for S.O.S., Sound of Spirit, Bell Choir & Chancel Choir. S.O.S. rehearsal is at 5:30 pm, Bell Choir at 6:30 pm and Chancel Choir at 7:15 pm. If you enjoy singing and would like to participate please contact Gina Bertram, Choir Director.
OPEN AND AFFIRMING MINISTRY PRISM LIGHTHOUSE 3rd Monday of the Month 6:30pm The LGBTQ support group will gather next on Monday, December 21. This is a group for teens and adults that are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered or those Questioning their sexual identity. This is also a safe group for allies, friends, and family of the LGBTQ community. Childcare is provided.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT LOF CLASS
Sundays 11:15am — 12:15pm LOF Class will be gathering on Sunday mornings after Worship to study What We Talk abo ut When We Talk about God by Rob Bell.
BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays, 9am Chapel Hearth Room We will be discussing; If Yo u Want To Walk On Water You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat by John Ortberg All are welcome to join us!
Please consider joining us for some thought-provoking discussions. All are welcome! 3
MEN’S GROUP 1st Saturday of the Month ● 8 am
Happy Birthday Happy Anniversary
We gather on the first Saturday of the month for about an hour and half. It’s coffee, donuts and an early jump on the day. We have freewheeling conversations from what’s in the news to what’s new at church. We have some serious discussions and much of it is peppered with laughter.
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 12/12 Robert & Mary Miller 12/23 Marvin & Sandra Deboer 11/29 Jeff & Sally Wagner
Our next meeting is December 5th. If you would like to know more about the group, talk to Hugh Knapp, Jim Drew, Jack Fox or Stan Smith.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
CARD CLUB 1st Monday of the month • 1pm We meet in Chapel Hearth Room. Our next gathering is scheduled on Monday, December 7.
12/01 12/02 12/03 12/05 12/06 12/07 12/08 12/09 12/10 12/11 12/12 12/13 12/16 12/17
PING PONG Tuesdays, 9am • Fellowship Hall We meet every Tuesday at 9am in Fellowship Hall. We would love to have more men & women join in on the fun! RESOURCE GROUP Thursdays, 9am Join us on Thursdays at 9am for coffee, treats, friendship and volunteer work! We will assemble the January Tidings on December 17.
12/18 12/19 12/20 12/23
RED CAN SUNDAY December 1 We will be receiving monetary gifts on the first Sunday of the month, for the FACC, Freeport Area Church Cooperative emergency fund.
12/24 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/29 12/31
$155.00 was collected in November. THANK YOU for your generosity!
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Andrew Beach Amy Beach Raymond Nieman, Debbie Kreeger Mike Mckenna, Ted Wootan Margaret Richardson Kim Sheppard Bernice Vogel Kelsey Vick Norma Mclenahan, Terrill Armagost Sandra Benkert, Patrick Busker Jack Criddle, Colin Ebbers Della Kirkpatrick Thompson Brandt Carolyn Moyer, Jeff Dutcher, Olivia Verick Nina Kutz Anna Folgate Holly Edler, Scott Griswold, Adam Orde Debra Nesemeyer, Jeanne Cross, Laura Swanlund Ruth Olson Steve Heitz Lucille Lee Dorothy Ness, Kyle Vick Lauren Evans, Jonathon Tessmann Karl Trester
SERVING IN
12/06 12/13 12/20 12/24 12/27
DECEMBER
USHERS Tim Ebbers, Jim Drew, Dennis Manus, Shan MacAdam John & Paula Rawleigh, Phil & Barb Copus Tom & Melinda Ferguson, Jeanne Koch, Shirley Ifert, Carla Meyer Phil & Barb Copus, John & Paula Rawleigh Lyle & Jane Krug, Keith & Kathy Moffatt
12/06 12/13 12/20 12/24 12/27
GREETERS Lyle & Jane Krug Tim & Lisa Ebbers Arnold & Mary Eder The Priewe Family Tim & Tom Campbell-Outcault
12/06 12/13 12/24 12/27
WELCOMERS Sybil Scovill & Betty Carpenter Roger & Deb Swanlund Jack & Diana Fox Sharon Simler & Rachel Bicksler
12/06 12/13 12/20 12/27
NURSERY CHILDCARE Olivia Shaffer Carla Meyer Marla Kreeger Dale & Jacob Priewe
DECEMBER COFFEE HOUR On Sunday mornings, before and after worship, we gather for coffee and treats in the Narthex area and Fellowship Hall, to socialize. If you would like to find a place to sit and talk, there is plenty of room in the Chapel Hearth. Please, if your name is on the list (dates are assigned alphabetically by the directory) for this month, bring in a treat to share. Some ideas are... cookies, bars, mini muffins, bagels, etc. or please consider bringing fruit to share. If you do not wish to be on the list for treats, please contact the office and we will remove your name. Church Council will set up and clean up in December. 12/06 – Kenneth & LaVonne Wagenknecht, Jeff & Sally Wagner, Roger Watson, Jerald & Jacqueline Watson, Mark & Beth Winter, Lynn & Deb Zimmerman 12/13 – Carol Ahrens, Terry & Deleana Atz, Wayne Bahn, Alex & Nicole Bertram, Galen & Carole Bertram, Gina Bertram 12/20 – Greg & Anita Bicksler, Joyce Bloyer, Larry & Marsha Boll, Stan & Sylvia Bomgarden, Thompson Brandt, Patrick & Christine Busker 12/27– Tim & Tom Campbell-Outcault, Betty Carpenter, Anna Carroll, Mavis Clark, Bill Condie, Phil & Barb Copus
Gratitude paints little smiley faces on everything it touches. — Richelle E. Goodrich
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CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS November 2015 Members Present: Sarah Knapp, Shirley Ifert, Deb Scott, Roger Swanlund, Judy Garkey, Kirsten Eckert, Tim Ebbers, pastor Nayiri Karjian. . Checking In: How is your week going? Pastor Nayiri described her CREDO Conference in Florida. This was a UCC pilot program. She noted that is was a wonderful, worthwhile experience concentrating on wellness and support in the areas of vocational, spiritual, and physical health for clergy ages 35-55. She set several personal goals to work on over the next year. Administration and Resources will be working on preparing the 2016 budget and staff reviews Worship and Education meet Nov. 16th Community and Care met and has a full agenda taking them through the holiday season. It was noted that they wished to discontinue cookies and treats during fellowship time after service in the month of December due to the worship time change and the change in committee structure no one was slated for set up and clean up. Council discussion took place and it was decided by consensus that we would include the cookie and treats with coffee after service. The Council felt that it is consistent with our calling statement to provide this form of hospitality to our guests and members. Council members will be in charge of Set up and Clean up. Tim Ebbers will communicate this change to the members of Care and Community. An outside group, PEO, requested use of the Fellowship Hall and asked permission to serve a glass of wine. Council approved this request unanimously. Pastor Nayiri reported that the new copier is up and running and a wonderful addition to the office. Also, the new cleaning company is doing a fantastic job. Our current financial picture puts us about $8,000 in the red going into the advent and Christmas season when giving is typically the highest. This being said we should end the year in good shape. Paula Rawleigh has made a wonderful spreadsheet organizing our financial reports in a very understandable way. A big thank you from the Council! Budgets for 2016 will remain the same as 2015 for the Ministries line items and a $5000 increase will be made to the Staff Secretary line item from 2015 due to hiring Jessica Downs. Council discussed the Staff salaries and agreed by consensus on a 4% raise for all staff except Jessica Downs who was just hired in and Pastor Nayiri who has chosen to forgo an increase in order to ease the budget expense of other staff raises. Submitted by, Kirsten Eckert 6
DECEMBER SCRIPTURE READINGS 01
Philippians 1.1-30
17
Malachi 1.1-14
02
Philippians 2.1-30
18
Malachi 2.1-17
03
Philippians 3.1-21
19
Malachi 3.1-18
04
Philippians 4.1-23
20
Isaiah 40.1-31
21
Luke 1.1-25
06
Isaiah 41.1-29
22
Luke 1.26-56
07
Isaiah 42.1-25
23
Luke 1.57-80
08
Isaiah 43.1-28
24
The following is a list of our friends who cannot leave their residence and may love a visit or a card from those thinking of them. Oakley Courts: Deloris Burkhalter & John Heiden
Malachi 4.1-6
05
OUR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
Parkview: Claire Biesemeier, Ardath Lei, Dorothy Miller & Laura Uthlaut Stephenson Nursing Center: June Nagel & Lois Walz
Luke 2.1-20
Presence-St. Joseph: Kathryn Cramer & Herbert Divan Kewanee Provena: Evelyn Dworak
09
Isaiah 44.1-28
25
John 1.1-18
10
Isaiah 45.1-25
26
John 1.19-34
11
Isaiah 48.1-22
27
Luke 2.21-52
12
Isaiah 49.1-26
28
Luke 3.1-22
13
Jeremiah 23.1-8
29
Titus 1.1-16
14
Jeremiah 31.1-22
30
Titus 2.1-15
15
Jeremiah 31.23-40
31
Titus 3.1-15
16
Jeremiah 33.1-26
In their homes: Shirley Durrstein, Karen Salter, Vivian Pals & Harold Reints Please pray for: Khamsin Giedd, Sally, Dorothy Miller & Zael Klapp
The Christmas spirit Is that hope which tenaciously clings to the hearts of the faithful and announces in the face of any Herod the world can produce and all the inn doors slammed in our faces and all the dark nights of our souls that with God all things are possible, that even now unto us a Child is born! —Ann Weems
The deadline for submitting articles for the January Tidings is December 8.
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The Many Disguises of Emmanuel
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON
-Joyce Rupp-
December 24 –26 Office will be closed
Emmanuel, God-with-us, long waited, eagerly anticipated,
December 31 Office will close at noon
delicious dreams of royal robes, a messiah enthroned with elegance.
January 1 Office will be closed
False notions and easily accepted illusions. A few open ones, full of surprise, heard the fresh, full cry of life echoed in the uninhabited haven,
Gratitude, like faith, is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows. To be grateful is to find blessings in everything. This is the most powerful attitude to adopt. —A. Cohen
the only place ready for a birth that was ripe. Shepherds, sages, and scribes, drawn by angels and stars, discovered this divine simplicity, then hurried from the hillside with news that amazed them all. But many years later the cry goes unheard, stifled in the roar of unyielding opinions,
submerged in the noise of hasty judgments,
A big thank you to the Peanut Brittle Crew, whom included, Edie Rosenstiel, Carolyn Moyer, Betty Pruitt, Donna Klapp, Vicki MacAdam, Marilyn Underwood, Marilyn Ruthe, Sharon Simler, Shirley Ifert, Deb Rockey, Cindy Price, Carla Meyer, Diane Peterson, Sarah Knapp, Jane Krug, and Tim Campbell Outcault. They are a terrific crew who set records again this year! I am grateful for your service.
masked in the false folds of cultural glitter. The Surprising One continues to come, entering the world in endless disguise, concealed in those we have never forgiven, secreted in the hearts of people we despise, found in the rejected and unacceptable, hidden in the ones we ignore and criticize.
Ruth Olson Dear Members of Freeport United Church of Christ, What an incredible blessing you are to us and our ministry here at St. John UCC in Chicago with your most generous donation. It is because of your generosity that we are able to continue our vital mission work here. We are still in the process of negotiating with our buyer so we can begin building our new church. Know that you are appreciated more than we can easily express in this letter. You truly are a blessing to us. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Rev. Charlotte Nold and the congregation of St. John Church of Chicago 8
St. John UCC Sunday
December 2015
Monday
Tuesday
1 CareerTEC
Wednesday
2 CareerTEC
9:00 am 10:00 am 11:30 am 3:00 pm
6
2nd Sunday of Advent
7 CareerTEC
FACC Red Can Sunday 1:00 pm 6:30 pm 10:00 am Worship & Communion 10:20 am Kids Worship 11:00 am Congregational Meeting 6:00 pm Sr. High HELIX
13 3rd Sunday of Advent
1:00 pm Staff meeting 10:00 am Worship 6:30 pm Council MTG 10:20 am Kids Worship 6:00 pm Sr. High HELIX
3 CareerTEC
Ping Pong 9:00 am Bible Study CATS 9:00 am TOPS Yoga Helix (5th6th) 6:00 pm Audubon 6:00 pm CSA #839
9:00 am 3:00 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm
8 CareerTEC
10 CareerTEC
9 CareerTEC
Staff meeting Tidings Deadline 9:00 am Bible Study Administration 9:00 am TOPS & Resources 9:00 am Ping Pong 6:00 pm Boy Scout Leadership 10:00 am CATS Leader Meeting 11:30 am Yoga 3:00 pm Helix (5th6th) 6:00 pm CSA #839 6:30 pm Camera Club
14 CareerTEC
Thursday
15 CareerTEC
16 CareerTEC
9:00 am 10:00 am 11:30 am 3:00 pm
Ping Pong 9:00 am Bible Study CATS 9:00 am TOPS Yoga Helix (5th6th) 6:00 pm CSA #839 6:00 pm Dinner FACC Homeless Shelter 6:30 pm CSA Leader meeting
9:00 am 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm
20
4th Sunday 21 CareerTEC 22 CareerTEC 23 24 5:00 pm of Advent 1:00 pm Staff meeting 9:00 am Ping Pong 9:00 am Bible Study Christmas Fund 6:00 pm Worship & 10:00 am CATS 9:00 am TOPS Offering Education Leadership 10:00 am Worship Meeting 10:20 am Kids Worship 6:00 pm Sr. High HELIX 6:30 pm LGBTQ Support
11:30 am Yoga 3:00 pm Helix (5th6th) 6:00 pm CSA #839
27
29
Birthday Bank
28
1:00 pm 6:00 pm 10:00 am Worship 10:20 am Kids Worship 6:00 pm Sr. High HELIX
Staff meeting Missions & Outreach Leadership Meeting
11 CareerTEC 12
18 CareerTEC 19
Resource Group HELIX (7th-8th) SOS Bells BSA #4
Office Closed Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
9:00 am Ping Pong 9:00 am Bible Study Office Closed at noon 10:00 am CATS 9:00 am TOPS 3:00 pm Helix (5th6th) 6:00 pm CSA #839
9
8:00 am Men's Group 9:30 am Freeport Garden Club
Resource Group SOS Bells BSA #4
31
30
Saturday
4 CareerTEC 5
Resource Group HELIX (7th-8th) SOS Bells BSA #4
17 CareerTEC 9:00 am 3:00 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm
Friday
25 Office Closed
26
OUR CALLING STATEMENT
CHURCH STAFF Ministers: Members of the church Interim pastor: Nayiri Karjian pastor-interim@comcast.net In case of emergencies Pastor Nayiri’s phone is: 203.722.9174 Director of Children and Youth Ministry, and Technologies: Kevin Eckert kevin.eckert@comcast.net Youth Ministry Assistants: Jasmine Coleman, Christine Busker, Madison Riddell Ministry of Church Life and Membership: Pam Wessel pamstjohn@comcast.net Administrative Secretary: Jessica Downs stjohn@comcast.net Choir Director: Gina Bertram Organist: Carole Bertram
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Be a Sacred Place to Inspire Faith and Nurture Compassion OFFICE HOURS Monday– Friday 9:00am—2:00pm Church office (815) 235-2824 E-Mail: stjohn@comcast.net www.stjohnuccfreeport.org www.facebook.com/stjohnuccfreeport AN OPEN AND AFFIRMING CONGREGATION