November 2009

Rev. Lori Keller Schroeder

You might remember a popular book called Tuesdays with Morrie, a non-fiction accounting of Mitch Albom’s relationship with his former professor who learned to live by dying of cancer.  Mitch Albom now has written a new book – Have a Little Faith – about preparing to deliver a eulogy for his rabbi, Albert Lewis.  I won’t spoil the book; I highly recommend reading it.  However, one of the more thought-provoking excerpts is a sermon illustration offered by the good Rabbi in 1973:

“A man seeks employment on a farm.  He hands his letter of recommendation in his new employer.  It reads simply, ‘He sleeps in a storm.’

The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man.

Several weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley.

Awakened by the swirling rain and howling wind, the owner leaps out of bed.  He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly.

So the owner dashes off to the barn.  He sees, to his amazement, that the animals are secure with plenty of feed.

He runs out to the field.  He sees the bales of wheat have been bound and are wrapped in tarpaulins.

He races to the silo.  The doors are latched, and the grain is dry.

And then he understands.  ‘He sleeps in a storm.’

My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfilled business.  Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight.  We will never wallow in the agony of ‘I could have, I should have.’  We can sleep in a storm.”

God has promised to provide for us … and provide he does.  When all of our resources are seemingly spent, there is an unexpected abundance.  When all of our energy and spirit are used up and we are tired and unmotivated, new inspiration is readily available to renew our energy and inspire us to move forward.  When we aren’t sure from where our help will come, God sends angels with willing hands.  When we are quite certain that doom is in our future, God finds a new opening, binds up our woundedness and gives us hope.  

Forces will try their best to squelch our faith.  Satan will test our fortitude by calling us a failure and predicting our demise.  People will walk by and not speak, ignore us and ridicule us and plant weeds of doubt in our minds and hearts.  The bitterness of the world will rain down upon us, trying to drown our voices, and the cold wind of pressure will howl, trying to break us by force.  But the God we serve is bigger, stronger, faster, than all the forces of destruction placed side by side … and with God on our side, who is worthy to shake our confidence?

With God in Jesus Christ, we sleep soundly and securely in the storms.  Thanks be to God.

Blessings, Pastor Lori

CORRECTION!! CORRECTION!! At the October Session meeting, Debbie Cotton announced that she WILL be playing for MOST of the services between November 15 and April 17! HOWEVER, there will be a few services she will miss and we will need VOLUNTEER CHURCH MUSICIANS (any instrument) for those services! On most Sundays, these volunteers will be responsible for six pieces - three of your choice and three hymns chosen between Pastor Lori and the volunteer. We need a Volunteer Church Musician (any instrument) for Sunday, November 22, and  November 29th. If you are interested and available, please call the church office as soon as possible!

NOVEMBER

USHER: Jim Miller

FLOWERS

1          Bob & Barb Sprimont

8          Jim & Donna Kliros

8          Marjorie Nystrom

15        Albert & Mary Pelehowski

22        Romein family

29        Al & Karen Klepk

BIRTHDAYS

 1         Al Klepk 

 2         Lola Peterson

 4         Jared Pomaranski

4          Logan Tolly

 5         Alice Slingerland

 5         Michelle DeMik

 5         Jim Miller

 6         Dakota Styck

11        Dennis Meier

11        Josh Hamrick

13        Mike Johnson

13        Marvin Styck

15        Gerald Martin

16        Norman Styck

16        Virgil Foster

17        Andrew Grubbs

18        Glen Houk

18        Jennifer Kershaw

18        Chris Griffin

18        Matt Griffin

20        Lori Keller Schroeder

20        Debbie DuVall

22        Lyndsay Thomas

30        Kenneth Kane

ANNIVERSARIES

 1         Kevin & Lorrie Winter

 2         Brian & Diane Yeoman

 7         Carol & Duane Meier

13        Todd & Michelle Sirois

17        Jim & Yvonne Miller

19        Norman & Mari Koster

21        Shane & Carla Duby

22        Albert & Mary Pelehowski

23        Steve & Betsy Statler

24        Robert & Barbara Sprimont

LITURGISTS

We need volunteers

During worship in October, members of our fellowship presented their thoughts about stewardship – what it is and what it means to them.  We ask that you then prayerfully consider what stewardship means to you and send or turn in your pledge card by November 1^st . If you have not received your pledge card, Please let Pastor Lori or Vicki know. On Sunday, November 8^th, we will celebrate Stewardship Sunday with a blessing of all these commitments.

Special thank you to Bob Miller and Jim Miller for scraping and painting the outside  church trim and doors. And to Jim for hauling out the trash for pick up day and for putting up the storm windows. To Noah McFatridge and the volunteers who re-hung the Cross in the Sanctuary.  And also to Nick Barthel for keeping the lawn beautiful all summer!  Thanks Guys!

Prayer Concerns during October:  

John Emerson (Pastor Lori’s brother fell and hurt his shoulder).  Gertrude Schoen (Evelyn Spilsbury's sister) double eye surgery.   Joyce Theesfeld (pneumonia).  Anita Duby (Breast cancer surgery).  Steve Craft (Health issues) Kaylee Bennett (Heart Murmur). Janet Blanchette (health issues).  Al Pelehowski ( tests came back good). Congratulations to Rebecca Blomer on passing her Bar Exams.  Mandy Forestier Thomas  (Motor Cycle accident - broke knee cap in 5 places). Eunice Kroll (Debbie Blomer’s mom, is doing better). Carole Miller (recuperating from back surgery). Lu Weigel (Skin Cancer). Helen Craft’s Father in-law.   Charlie Cyr (recuperating from  surgery).    Thelma Vogel (Pastor Lori’s aunt is now in hospice).     Mark Griffith (home recovering).   Our Elderly (who are struggling to pay for medication, utilities and food)   The Unemployed with families to support.  Joyce Theesfeld (Villa).  Charlotte Sirois. (home).  Ambrose & Cleva Dyon (Miller and Westwood Oaks).  Ron  & Yvonne Meier (Home).  Margaret Ann Davis (Villa). Lola Peterson (Merkle & Knipprath, Clifton).   Jackie Holtzman (Our Lady of Victory). Don Bonvallet (anticipating move to Westwood Oaks).  Amanda Pierce, who moved to Virginia.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Jennifer Wilkinson and Scott Damon, who were married Thursday, October 8 in Las Vegas.

Congratulations to Robert & Audra Wilkinson on the birth of their daughter, Danika Claire, born at 5:55 .m. on October 20, 2009.  Danika weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces and was 19 ½ inches long.

Youth News

The Next Youth Group planning meeting will be held November 1 at 2 pm.   All sixth – twelfth graders are welcome to gather in Pastor Lori’s office for some social time and planning.

From the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts:  As of this writing, BOTH fundraisers – Cub Scout Popcorn and Girl Scout Nuts and Candy – are over and November is the month for deliveries! 

            Cub Scout Popcorn will be arriving at the church on November 6^th.  Please come to pick up your orders at 7:30 pm and deliver them as soon as possible.  The prizes are arriving separately!!!

            Girl Scout Nuts and Candy will be arriving at the Village Hall on November 14^th.  The exact time will be announced as soon as possible! 

            The Cub Scouts would like to thank our Legion and Legion Auxiliary members for coming to help us learn about the US Flag on Tuesday, October 8 and for joining us for a special ceremony held in their honor on Tuesday, October 27.  We salute your service to our country!

It’s time to SCORE again!  Help us help the St. Anne Grade School by bringing in your clean, recyclable aluminum cans.  You can place them on Pastor Lori’s back porch and they will be taken to Belsen’s Recycling.  The money we earn will go into our Youth Group Mission Fund, but the credit will go to St. Anne Grade School toward their effort in the SCORE competition!  Winning means recognition and prizes for our school – so donate often!!!

Sunday School News

Children’s Church will be held on Sunday, November 1. 

            November’s theme is: “Share Love with your offering.”

November’s verse is: “Learn to do good ;seek justice, rescue the oppressed. Defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

November’s stewardship project:   

Come to the Thanksgiving Eve Service (7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 25) and bring canned / boxed goods for the St. Anne Food Pantry.

News for the Women of the Church

Church Women United will meet on Friday, November 6 at 10 am at Caldwell Chapel in Kankakee for World Community Day.  If you would like to carpool, please see Pastor Lori.

Upcoming Events and Information You Won’t Want To Miss!!!

Just a note … ♬   

                        from the UnCoffee House …

Join us on the first and third Thursday as well as the first Sunday after worship, preparing for our second Sunday anthems and special music for holidays.  No “professional” talent needed – we welcome all who have the desire to make a joyful noise! 

On November 1^st, we will celebrate All Saints Day by remembering those who have passed away in the last 5 years.  Please plan to be at this special service of worship. The service will feature a video presentation from "ILDIVO" a classically trained tenor quartet.

November 8 is a VERY special Sunday!!!  Not only is it Stewardship Sunday, filled with hymns and lessons reflecting our Stewardship theme, “New Love, New Mercy” … but it is also the day that we are celebrating the gifts of two very important servants of the church.  Our sincerest gratitude and blessings go to Karen Klepk and Sharon Styck for sharing their gifts for years in our church as Treasurer and Organist, Sunday School Superintendent and Clothing Closet Organizer, as well as Elder.  Thank you, Karen and Sharon, for all that you have done and all that you continue to do!  The celebration begins during worship and continues after worship in the parlor as cake and punch will be served in the parlor.  Then the celebration continues with our monthly potluck down in the Fellowship Hall.  Our parish nurses will also be on hand to take blood pressures!

Pastor Lori will be at a Continuing Education Retreat from November 9 – 11.  During that time, Rev. Dr. Tom Zimmerman will be on-call for all pastoral care needs and emergencies.  You may reach Dr. Zimmerman at his office 815-933-8178 or on his cell phone 815-573-1443.  Please remember that NONE of our on-call pastoral assistants have access to our information at the hospitals; if you need a visit or a call, you MUST contact them directly.

Our church is hosting the Community Thanksgiving Worship Service to be held at 7 pm on Wednesday, November 25.  Please plan to attend this special worship service to give thanks for all the blessings God has given our Community this year.  After the worship service, we will be hosting a cookie and coffee reception – so we are looking for LOTS of cookies!!!  Please let Pastor Lori know by Sunday, November 21, how many dozen cookies you are willing to bring!  All participants are asked to bring canned and boxed goods for the St, Anne Food Pantry. The evening offering will also go to the St. Anne Food Pantry.

Advent begins on Sunday, November 29.  And that means we need to “DECK THE HALLS!”  Join us for some decorating on Saturday, November 28 at 1 pm and then again (if needed) on Sunday, November 29 at 1 pm.  Many hands make light and quick work!

Looking Ahead … to December

-          Church Women United Annual “Baby Shower for Mary” on December 4

-          Christmas Play Practices beginning at 9 am on December 5, 12 & 19

-          Christmas Monthly Potluck on December 14

-          Annual Christmas Open House at the Manse on December 18

                  -          Children’s Christmas Play on December 20