“A Community of Faith, Family and Friends”
Pastor: Rev.
Christopher Druce Jones
What Are
You Looking Forward To?
Ever since I could remember, I looked forward to going to Sunday school and church. Even though as a child my mother and grandmother made us go to church, I still looked forward to it. Even though church was certainly a grownup thing, even though we didn’t have a nursery; even though we didn’t have a children’s church or children’s sermon; even though the sermons were long and we were supposed to stay quiet and still the whole time; even though the worship service was one hour and forty-five minutes; even though we had no money sometimes to put in the offering plate when it passed us; even though we had to sing in the children’s choir on fourth Sundays, I still looked forward to going to church.
I looked forward to going to church because I wanted to see my friends who were also in the same predicament as I. We had no choice in the matter of attending church. Yet, something unusual happened, almost spiritually you could say. As I grew older, going to church became my choice and I looked forward to being quiet in church to hear the music and sermons; I looked forward to hearing those long sermons; I looked forward to being in church for one hour and forty-five minutes; I looked forward to having the offering plate pass in front of me because I made the choice to have money; I looked forward to singing in the youth choir and now playing piano for the children’s choir. Going to church took on a new meaning for me.
Now as a pastor, I look forward to going to church because I
experience the presence and love of God. I look forward to going to church to
be a part of the special community. I look forward to going to church to share
the Word of God and lead others in an experiential worship of God. I look
forward to Sunday mornings beginning at
What do you look forward to on Sundays? Do you look forward to going to church? Do you look forward to hearing the Word of God? Do you look forward to being a part of the special community of faith? Do you look forward to having your children in Sunday school? Do you look forward to serving as a liturgist, usher, greeter, or communion server in worship? Do you look forward to experiencing the presence and love of God in worship? Do you look forward receiving and passing the collection plate? Do you look forward to sharing your celebrations and concerns during prayer time?
What do you look forward to on Sundays? I would suspect the answers to this question would vary across the congregation. Yet, at a fundamental level, the answers should be one in the same. We should look forward to Sundays because it is our time as a community of faith to worship and praise God. It is the time where we gather together to hear the preached Word of God. It is the time where we give back to God a portion of what God has given to us during the time of offering ourselves and our gifts. It is the time where we share in each others’ lives; the celebrations and concerns. It is the time where we share in those sacred celebrations of Baptism and Holy Communion.
There is something special, sacred and holy about Sunday mornings that compels me to want to be with the people of God for worship. And when I am not, I feel that something is missing; I am left with a hunger and thirst for the community. What are you hungry for? What are you thirsty for? Can you find it in the community of faith? I hope so because our purpose as a community of faith is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to connect our Savior and our church with others. Our vision is to build and grow a community of faith, families, and friends.
I pray that you look forward to Sunday mornings to come to worship together with the community of faith. I am reminded of the scripture in Hebrews 10:22-25, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our lives washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are In the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday mornings,
Pastor Chris
November 5 “Surrounded by Memories” Hebrews 12:
1-4 November 12 “Reminders of God’s Power”
Joshua 4: 1-9 November 19 “Surrounded by the
Awesomeness of God” Isaiah 6: 1-8 November 26 “Surrounded by God’s
Promises”
Jeremiah 1: 4-10
MINISTRY REMINDERS
We are in need of Sunday Helpers for the months of ______________
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Church Information:
We wish to acknowledge
that Harris Bank was an additional “bacon” sponsor for our Pig Roast.
Thank you!
We are in need of
volunteer Greeters and Ushers for our Sunday worship. If you can help with our Worship Service,
please sign the list in the narthex of the church. Thank you.
Currently we have some openings for ushers in
November and only one Sunday has been taken in December.
As for our Greeters, we only have one
Sunday assigned in November and in December.
Please take the time and search your hearts to see where you can serve. Thank you.
The Mission Committee would like to remind
you of the following
Coin
Buckets - will remain in back of the
Sanctuary through
November. We are still quite away from our goal
of $100.00 for each
bucket; therefore, buckets will
accept bills and
checks.
“Shop
and Share” Coupons - November 13,
14,15
(Please use the enclosed coupons on the above dates at your local
Jewel/Osco Food Store.) Proceeds will
go to missionaries,
Larry and Jane Kleis. Thank you.
“Pasta
for PADS” - (November Project)
If you can provide a pan of lasagna or a dessert for our November PADS
dinner, please bring it to church on Sunday, November 19th, and put
in the upstairs refrigerator. Also, if
you would like to contribute a monetary gift, please mark an envelope
“PADS” Thank you.
Coming Up - - “Angel Tree” - Marcy Newberry Children
Rich
Rubietta - our final band for Rainbow Covenant
for
2006. Rich is our district “musicianary”
and has
been
a friend of our congregation for many years.
Please mark envelopes “Rich Rubietta” if you wish
to
make a donation. Thank you all for your
support !!
PRAYER LIST
(At Home)
For All Our Service
Men and Women
Pastor Chris’s grandmother
Marilyn Dugger – Wauconda Health Care Center Lafayette Withrow’s son
(daughter of Lois Stachel ) Carol Whitney’s husband
Patty Reinarts’ father
Gerry Gonsowski’s aunt
Arlene
Loncsar’s great niece
Best Wishes are sent
to all who will be celebrating
a Birthday or
Anniversary in the month of November
Happy Birthday to:
Kolec, Robin 11/1 Tasker,
Amy 11/1
Thomas, David 11/1 Charlene Klein 11/4
Morton, Michael 11/4 Wold, Sarah 11/6
Jilly, Margaret 11/7 Keeney,
Mark 11/8
Oelkers, Allen 11/9 Druce
Jones JanLynn 11/10
Crivello, Jody 11/11 Fox, Phillip 11/14
Hanson, Keith 11/14 Koman, Al 11/15
Bennecke, Andrew 11/16 Sjostrom, John Jr. 11/16
Spratt, Linda. 11/16 Druce
Jones, KayLynne 11/18
Dubiel, Jade 11/18 Hodina,
Kari 11/20
Sherwood, Laura 11/21 Fess,
Avery 11/23
Andrews, Timothy 11/25 Hucker, Lauren 11/26
Lyons, Jessie 11/26 Laudano, MacKenzie 11/28
Happy Anniversary to:
David & Yvonna Mills 11/2 Allen & Linda Oelkers 11/4
Ron & Sue Hanson 11/19 James
7 Jennifer Evans 11/20
Harry & Charlotte Weber 11/21 Don
& Doris Nichols 11/27