Lake Villa United Methodist Church

“A Community of Faith, Family and Friends”

Pastor: Rev. Christopher Druce Jones

Members and friends,

I take this opportunity to thank you for such an awesome appreciation dinner held on May 5th. It was the grandest time to spend with you that evening. I am grateful to God for you in how you expressed your appreciation for me through food, gifts, pictures, notes, hugs, conversation, hospitality and money. As I mentioned that night, there were many surprises that touched my heart and soul. As a result of your outpouring love, words were hard to come by. Yet, I can agree with the words of the CLC group, “My goodness, how time flies.”

Can you believe it has been four years since we first began our journey together? Many will say that’s not a long time, yet so much has happened in that time together. We have seen the fruit of our labor of partnership. We have seen the church grow spiritually and numerically. We have seen people’s lives transformed. We have seen and experienced a renewal of energy and excitement for being the church. We have seen physical changes in the church building and grounds. We have journeyed through grief together. We have celebrated many things. In essence, we have been the people and family of God. And I, Christopher T. Druce Jones, have been blessed by simply being a part of it. Thank you for welcoming and accepting me and my family. Thank you for allowing me to be who I am to help lead you toward God’s vision for the church. Thank you for teaching me how to love, live, accept, welcome, and embrace all that God has destined for us. Thank you for supporting me in times of struggle; for encouraging me in times of uncertainty; for lifting me up in times of discouragement; for being a source of strength in times of sadness. Yes, you have been all of that for me even when you weren’t aware of it.

I have seen how God has worked in, with, and through you and it is a beautiful experience. My heart and soul rejoices when I think of you and the ministry we have shared these four years. And it shall continue to rejoice whenever I think of you. There’s no profound statement or thought I can say as your pastor at this point other than to say Lake Villa United Methodist Church is a community of faith, families, and friends. And I thank God for having been a part of this place. My life has been transformed by having passed through this community. Thank you for touching my life. I shall continue to hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

And because I am still your pastor today, I cannot leave without sharing the Word of God from a few sources. I pray these may strengthen and encourage you in the faith…

“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don’t burn out’ keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Don’t hit back, discover the beauty in everyone.” Romans 12: 9-18 (The Message)

“God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So always do these things: show mercy to others, be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Get along with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Do all these things, but most important, love each other. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3: 12-14 ( NRSV )

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4: 4-9 (NRSV)

And lasty, remember that whatever each day brings or holds for you, “THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!” And I pray that you will always find a way to rejoice and be glad in it.

Thank you once again for welcoming and accepting me and allowing me to be your pastor. It has been a wonderful journey I will never forget….

So long and God bless,

Pastor Chris

A Brief Sketch of Rev. Robert & Teresa Sathuri

Rev. Robert N. Sathuri was born on November 28, 1962 in Hyderabad, a mid southern city in India, a second child to his parents Solomon and Gnanamma Sathuri. He has an older brother Ben. His grandparents were first generation Christians. His father is a retired railroad engineer, and mother was a Nurse. Presently his Dad lives in India and his mother passed away in 1988. His older brother Ben and his family live in Auckland, New Zealand. Growing up in India, Robert had the wonderful opportunity to live, experience and associate with friends of different faiths and religious backgrounds. As a teenager he gave his heart to Jesus Christ in 1979. Being raised in a multi-cultural and pluralistic society brought many challenges and opportunities to share his faith and beliefs with both Christian and Non- Christian friends. He was raised in the Methodist Church in India and has a strong faith foundation rooted in John Wesley and Methodism.

Robert graduated from High School, and Osmania University, Hyderabad obtaining a Bachelors degree in Commerce and Banking In 1983. He has a Masters of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Hyderabad in 1986. He heard the “call” of God to full-time ministry in 1984, and preparing for it, went on to obtain a Master of Philosophy degree in Comparative Religion and Analytical Philosophy in 1991. He has written a thesis titled “Meaning of Religious Statements.”

He worked from 1984-1991 as a freelance media person in sports broadcasting, on Indian National Television “Doordarshan” and All India Radio, Hyderabad, India.

In 1994 God brought Robert to the USA and in the fall of 1995 he enrolled at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois and graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1999. Currently he is serving at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Polo, Illinois. Robert loves to preach, teach, and play his guitar. He loves to garden and play basketball and swim. He enjoys meeting new people and share Christ’ love and passionate about serving the least and lost.

Teresa P. Sathuri was, born and raised in Hyderabad, India as well. She is the oldest child, born on February 10, 1967 to her parents Isaac and Rani, and has a younger sister Bridget Prathima and brother Prakash Savio. Her father works in the Health Care System in Hyderabad and mother is a Music Teacher in the Hyderabad School System. Her sister is married and is a Vice Principal at a Christian High School; her brother is married and is an Events Manager. All of them presently make their home in Hyderabad, India. Teresa was raised in the Catholic Church. She graduated from High School and went to College in 1985 to obtain a Diploma in Montessori education. She worked as a teacher for 12 years at St. Andrews High School in Hyderabad, India.

As a teenager, Teresa had the wonderful privilege and honor to work with “Mother Teresa” the Albanian Nun Sister, who came to establish the first mission station of the Missionaries of Charity in Hyderabad.

Teresa and Robert met while singing in a Christian classical musical group in 1986. Both of them prayed for 5 years for God’s will to be fulfilled in their lives, due to familial and societal pressures of being raised in different church backgrounds. In 1991 God brought their families together and they were married.

In 1996 God miraculously brought Teresa to the USA to join Robert. Since then, she has been a strong support in their ministry together. She is currently enrolled as a student in the Nursing Program at Rock Valley College, Rockford, Illinois. Teresa loves to meet new people, work with children, youth, and families, and assist the elderly. Her hobbies include singing, listening to music, and gardening.

Since 1999 Rev. Robert and Teresa have been serving Jesus Christ and His Church at Emmanuel UMC in Polo, IL. Both of them believe that: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto Salvation and leading souls into the kingdom of Heaven. As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord.

Sermons for the Soul

June 3 “A Passion for the Possible”

Mark 11:1-11

June 10 Youth Leading Worship

Pastor Chris at Annual Conference

June 17 “A New Testament Church in 2007”

Father’s Day Acts 2: 42-47

(Pastor Chris’ last Sunday)

Summer Worship Schedule Begins

Sunday – June 3 [ with the schedule as follows ]

Nursery: 8:45 a.m.

Worship: 9:00 a.m.

Fellowship: 10:30 a.m.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Christian Druce Jones - Palombi School

KayLynne Druce Jones - Palombi School

Ryan Gaylord - Antioch Upper Grade School

(Grandson to Don and Barbara Gaylord, Sr.)

HIGH SCHOOL

Zachery Aiken - Grayslake High School

Julie Churchill - Lakes Community H.S.

Jacob Cobb - Grant High School

Cecelia Koman - Lakes Community H.S.

Matthew Styx - Lakes Community H.S.

Timothy Vancrey - Lakes Community H.S.

COLLEGE

Donald Roath - Truman State University

PRAYER LIST (At Home)

For All Our Service Men and Women Lafayette Withrow’s son

Marilyn Dugger – Wauconda Health Care Center Carol Whitney’s husband

(daughter of Lois Stachel ) Patty Reinarts’ father

Gerry Gonsowski’s aunt

Arlene’s daughter, Cindy

(3 months chemo treatments after surgery)

Birth Announcement: Welcome to the newest member of the Page Family

~ ~ Evan Daniel, who was born on Friday, May 11, 2007. Congratulations to the proud parents, Dan and Sandie Page!!

Best Wishes are sent to all who will be celebrating a Birthday or Anniversary in the month of JUNE

Happy Birthday to:

Fess, Michael 6/1 Miller, Kimberly 6/1

Lemke, Julie 6/2 Miller, Orpha 6/2

Tednes, Jr., Michael 6/3 Tednes, Katie 6/3

Wilson, Terry Ann 6/4 Robinson, Anne 6/6

Dinardi, Derek 6/10 Druce Jones , Nasha 6/10

Fox, Anthony 6/12 Ouper, J. Andrew 6/12

Vancrey, Peggy 6/12 Nicholson, Debra 6/13

Jilly, June 6/16 Gram, Thomas 6/18

Spratt, Paul 6/20 Heneberry, Cara 6/22

Reinarts, Joshua 6/22 Bocox, Bradley 6/24

Druce Jones, Dillon 6/24 Murphy, Catherine 6/25

Audrain, Casey 6/26 Weber, Irene 6/26

Crivello, Steve 6/27 Lemke, Melissa 6/27

Styx, Ed 6/27 Vancrey, Jason 6/27

Helland, Gunnar 6/28 Yukna, Stacey 6/29

Happy Anniversary to:

Dan & Pat Hunsberger 6/3 Larry & Sallly Stowell 6/3

Jim & Elaine Gruber 6/4 Rey & Rachel Dodson 6/ 8

Jacob & Stacey Yukna 6/9 Mike & Connie Morton 6/14

Jim & Peggy Jilly 6/15 Carl & Julie Lemke 6/16

Roy & Lois Hartman 6/17 Erik & Michele Helland 6/25

Terry & Janet Dewar 6/30