Click here to see the December calendar.Click here to see the Worship Teams Schedule.
SEASON OF ADVENTThis Sunday (November 27) is the 1st Sunday of Advent. Advent is the beginning of the year for the Christian church. It is a time of waiting, hoping, and preparing ourselves for the mystery of Christmas.The Christian tradition has always claimed that Christmas is such a profound event that you must prepare yourself in order to experience it. If you get to Christmas unprepared, you’ll likely miss it altogether. So we spend the season of Advent remembering who we are and where we’ve been, remembering what God has done in ages past and hoping God will do it again, all the while being honest about the gap between our hopes and our reality. Advent can be a difficult time. The rest of the world wants to rush on ahead to the manger. But we know, if we are to truly receive the gift we find there, we’ve got to be prepared. This Advent season we will be celebrating Holy Communion on each Sunday. Like the whole season of Advent, Holy Communion looks backward and forward at the same time. It looks backward to the kingdom of God as it became manifest in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And it looks forward to the time when all people gather together and feast together in the kingdom of God. By looking backward and forward, by remembering and hoping, we find comfort and courage for today. I hope weekly participation in the sacrament of Holy Communion will help to deepen our experience of the season of Advent and better prepare us for the mystery of Christmas. ~ Richard GROWING TOGETHER STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN UPDATEAs the theme for this year's stewardship drive put it, we are, indeed, "Growing Together!" The stewardship committee is pleased to report that, to date, we have received 132 pledges amounting to a total of more than $296,000. Thanks to the generosity of the families of RCLCP, we will be able to give flesh to the Good News of the Gospel by carrying forward the mission of our church both locally and afar.Members and friends who made a pledge can expect to receive a letter thanking them and confirming the receipt of their pledge. Please look it over to make sure that your pledge has been accurately recorded. Those who may have missed the opportunity to make a pledge can, of course, still do so. Please call the church office if you need a pledge card. A member of the stewardship committee would be happy to talk to you if you have any questions about this year's campaign. -Fred Neuschel, on behalf of the Stewardship Committee (Laura Bauman, Karl Dencker, Steve Middaugh, Tricia Schieler, Bill Weller, Ken Zoerner) !! WANTED: COUNTERS !!The counting team needs a few folks to assist in the counting of the church’s weekly offerings. If you can organize your check book or accounts you can be a counter and serve the church in a vital role. To find out more about the counter responsibilities contact Lee Ekstrom.WHERE HAVE ALL THE NAPKINS GONE?Remember that old Peter, Paul, and Mary hit “Where have all the Flowers Gone”. Well, we are asking the same thing of our communion napkins. Over the last year, we have misplaced white, burgundy, purple, and green communion napkins. If you might know where our napkins are, please call Dale Prindiville.FIGHT THOSE "WINTER BLUES"!Attention all parents of children 0-5! In the months of February and March, RCLPC will have Friday morning playdates to help us fight those "winter blues". We'll meet in places where we can let the kids get some of their energy out. For example: Springhill Mall Playplace, Fellowship Hall, Dinorex, etc. So, reserve Friday mornings in February and March to meet, play, and fight those "winter blues".PLAY SET FOR CHURCH GROUNDSDo you or someone you know have a back yard play set which no longer gets used? The church is examining the possibility of installing a play set for use by our young members and the community. We are looking for a sturdy and safe wooden structure with a slide and a few swings. If you have equipment which you would consider donating, please contact Sue Hayden or Emily Floyd.NEW BABY MEALSAnother way our Nursery Committee is expanding to touch the lives of 0-5 year olds and their parents will be "New Baby Meals". A sign up sheet is posted in the Connecting Link to help ease the meal planning for our growing families. Sign up to bring a meal (home cooked or purchased at a restaurant) to the home of the new baby.PARENT’S MORNINGS OUTOn December 2nd and December 9th, parents will have an opportunity to have a morning to do whatever they please…child-free! Simply sign-up to participate (enrollment is limited due to space in the nursery). Drop off your children at 9 am and pick them up at 11:30 am. Church volunteers will provide childcare in the nursery. Make sure you sign-up in the connecting link, so you can have a chance to do a little Christmas shopping or spend a morning at Borders with coffee and a book.!! HELP !!The Nursery Committee needs you. We are looking for 2 people to work in the nursery for the 7:30PM service on Christmas Eve and 2 people to work at the 10 AM service on Christmas Day. If available please call Raechel Sowa.NEW OFFICE HOURSOffice hours will be 9 – 3:30 on Monday through Thursdays. The office will be closed on Fridays.PRAYERS and PINCUSHIONSwill not be meeting again until after the holidays. Their next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 12th from 10 to noon.CARING CRAFTERSwill meet once again before the holidays on December 1st from 10 to noon. They will not meet again until after the holidays.NURSERY CARE WILL BE AVAILABLEon Christmas Eve at the 3:30, 5:00 and 7:30 pm services only.CHILDREN'S CHOIR PARENTS TAKE NOTEEvery week Emily has a parent memo full of important information for children's choir parents. Did you know that it is also posted on the church website? If you don't want to worry about saving emails or saving those papers, simply visit the church website and click on "choirs". You'll always find updated information regarding children's choirs on our website.THE GIVING TREE“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40When you have completed your commitment please come and place a Chrismon ornament on the tree. Chrismon symbols represent a wide variety of well-known biblical and theological concepts. If you are feeling creative, there are patterns and materials for making a Chrismon or feel free to hang a premade ornament on the tree. If you have any question, please feel free to contact Sheila Mohler. PRAYER LABYRINTHThe Senior High Youth group will be traveling to St Charles on Sunday, Dec 4 to walk a prayer labyrinth at the St Charles Episcopal Church. We will leave the church at 1:30 and return at 5:30. If you have any questions, contact Jeff Mohler.SENIOR HIGH MISSION TRIP 2006 - EgyptThe decision has been made! We are going to El Saray, our sister church, in Alexandria, Egypt for this year's mission trip. We are still in the process of making plans but so far we plan to worship with the El Saray congregation, visit some of their ministries, do some work at Fairhaven School and of course see the pyramids. Dates aren't set yet but we are looking at traveling in early to mid June 2006. There is still plenty of room for youth to participate. If you would like more information feel free to contact Laura Kay, Kayla and Kim Stewart, or Jeff and Sheila Mohler.This is an exciting opportunity for all involved to make connections with Christians across the world and to see God at work in and through their lives. We will need lots of support so please keep us in your prayers and watch for all our fundraisers. VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDVolunteers are needed for the Christmas Eve services which will be held at 3:30, 5:00, 7:30 (NewWay), 9:00 and 10:30 pm on Saturday, December 24th.A sign up sheet will be in the Connecting Link for Ushers, Greeters, Communion Preparers, and Communion Servers. Also needed are volunteers willing to set out and light the luminaries after the 3:30 service. (The luminaries are being put together by Joyce and Pierre Berube.) This would be a great time to start a family tradition! TAIZE' WORSHIP TIME CHANGEBeginning in December, our Taize' worship service time will change to 7:30pm. This will allow for commuters to attend with a little less strain. If you haven't tried Taize' worship yet, please come and check it out. If you yearn for a little time for yourself, come. If you yearn for a time of quiet in your life, come. If you are looking for a new way to pray, come.TAIZE' - WHAT IS IT?Many people at RCLPC have been asking .... What do you really do at a Taize' service? Here is exactly what a Taize' worship service entails:2 songs ... reading ... song ... reading ... song ... silence - 10 minutes (meditate in whatever way works for you) ... song ... prayer ... 2 songs The sanctuary is dark and there are many, many candles. Before or during the service you may silently light a candle for yourself, for a loved one, as a prayer. Everyone leaves in silence. At Sunday School on November 13th, Richard discussed silence as an important vehicle in spirituality. Taize' is a perfect way to add silence into your spiritual growth. If you haven't tried this new and unique service, please come on December 1st at 7:30 pm. It may take awhile to be comfortable with the silence, but all who attend leave the service feeling connected to themselves, to God, and at peace. SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MUSIC - A VOICE RECITALSaturday, Dec. 10th at 3 pm Come hear Italian art songs, Twentieth Century art songs, and Christmas favorites. A voice recital presented by students of Emily Floyd will be held in the Sanctuary with a reception to follow in the Gathering Place. All are welcome to attend. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO OUR SOLDIERSPlease come to Fellowship Hall on Sunday, November 27, 2005, to write Christmas greetings to Katie Pelz, Andrew Pohl, and Matthew Trummel. I will post a wish list in the Connecting Link for items to include in a Christmas package to each of them.~ Mary Moltmann OPERATION PRAYERS AND COOKIE LIFTThanks to all of you who signed the greetings that went in the care packages to Katie Pelz and Andrew Pohl. Thanks also to Judy and George Garrety for the grooming supplies, Kathy and Lou Rabe for the popcorn and socks, Julie and Rob Baser for the Ice Pops and baby wipes, Ann Legg for the snacks, Val and Ed Kruckiewicz for the soup and cookies, Colin Kruckiewicz for donating his school party candy, Mil and Marv Moltmann for the CDs, Ed Bennett for candy and magazines, and my neighbor Linda Ramsey for paying for the postage. Please keep all of our soldiers in your prayers. If you have a loved one serving in the military in the Middle East, please contact me.~ Mary Moltmann THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED TO MAKE “MOSES AND THE FREEDOM FANATICS” A SUCCESS.Behind the scenes of “Moses …Many were generous in donating greenery and sheets; Nancy Blakely, Sherri Dees, and Cheryl Lilly provided lunch for the cast; Paula Ekstrom did an excellent job on pharaoh’s costume; Barb Turley made the outstanding bug antennae and slave shirts; Karla Koenig made the fabric headbands; Laura Middaugh crafted the frog eyes; Rick Thompson did video and recording work; Sally and Claire Weller made the great posters; Sherri Dees and Sheila Mohler gave endless support musically, technically, and emotionally; thanks to Lawson Dees for playing drums. What a great day for our congregation. VBS PLANNING MEETINGSaturday, Jan. 14th, 9 - 10:30 amIt's hard to think about the summer when winter is looming, however, it's time to start planning VBS 2006. Anyone who is interested in being involved may join our planning meeting. We'll choose a curriculum and set a date for VBS 2006. We need your help to build upon the success of last year. Come out and support a wonderful activity for the children. Questions? Contact Emily Floyd. MEN'S BREAKFASTJoin together with other men in the church and enjoy a breakfast together while you study the following Sunday's scripture. We will meet in Fellowship Hall on Saturday December 3rd at 9 a.m. Questions? contact Karl Dencker.NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTIONIn addition to the Native American museums and galleries listed in the last Spirit here is one more place you will find interesting:Mitchell Museum of the American Indian 2600 Central Park Avenue (Central Street & Central Park) Evanston, Illinois 60201 We hope you have stopped by Fellowship Hall to look at the Turning Point exhibit concerning Domestic Violence. It will be up until the end of November. Since October was Domestic Violence month, we thought it appropriate to mention such violence on Reservations as excerpted from the Lakota Journal newspaper as follows: The director of Sacred Circle National Resource Center to End Violence Against Native Women, Karen Attichoker says, "Six out of eight or 75% of Native women are battered. This is much higher than the figure for the overall U.S. population, which at the most is estimated to be one in three women. In addition to this, one in three Native women are raped." Artichoker continues, "Between 49 and 51 percent of her Cangleska, Inc. shelter population in South Dakota are Native women, averaging 1,000 battered women and their children per year. The sad irony lies at the roots of this situation. Traditionally, Native American people did not believe in or tolerate violence against women and children. The band or tribe would protect women and children from this kind of behavior by banishing a man from the tribe if he committed such violent acts. Unfortunately, the colonization of native lands along with the reservation system included the forced adoption of the Euro-American system under which women and their children were the property of the husband, with no rights. It was expected that the man would beat his wife and children when he deemed it necessary to keep them in line". This along with the poverty on most reservations is a major player in these high rates of violence. " Watch the next Spirit for goals to end domestic violence. Contributed by Joy Martin, Alice Haznedl, Ann Legg, Janet Pierce, Ginger Robinson, Rod Russell, MJ Towne, Gloria Thorson. IN and AROUND RCLPC with BARBWhat a change we have had in our weather! I’m sure some of you enjoy the cold, but ..NOT ME!Once again, I am writing this article with sadness in my heart. We lost another of our RCLPC family - CLYDE HUTCHINGS (husband of KAREN, father of BONNIE SHEEHAN and JIM HUTCHINGS). We send you our love and want you and your families to know you are in our prayers. May God’s blessings be with you and give you peace. * I’m not sure where you were for Thanksgiving, but I spent the holiday with my daughter Leanne in Bloomington, IL. It was very hectic, but also very fulfilling. Leanne is the manager of a Walgreens Pharmacy, and she feels it is very important that any of her working staff be able to get a Thanksgiving meal. So, she invites them to have lunch - dinner with us. Some come before we are to sit down, and we fix them a plate. About six will sit down to the meal with us, and another five or six will come at separate times and we fix them warm-ups. When she was just out of college she worked for Walgreens and was always working and was never able to have a Thanksgiving meal. Thus, we feed them. I think this is very special! * Pastor RICHARD and his family EMILY, ANNA and ELLA spent their holiday in Paducah, Kentucky with Emily’s parents John and Leslie Current. Her brother Guy, wife Caitlin, and son Jonathan were also there. I know they were looking for a wonderful Thanksgiving, but also enjoyed their few days of vacation. * Speaking of EMILY FLOYD, we want to congratulate her on becoming a conductor of the Northwest Community Youth Choir. This is for children seven years old through High School and is a very prestigious group - they must audition….EEK! She will be joining Ann Tucker. I have had the privelege of hearing this group sing and they are awesome! We are proud of you Emily. * Following The Caring Crafters last week I had a great surprise - I went to a High Tea (without white gloves and a hat.) CYNTHIA MARON and The Shepherd’s Fold just finished studying about England and concluded the unit by preparing a High Tea. I was served a cucumber sandwich, blackcherry pastry, and chocolate chip scone that had been prepared by OLIVIA BERG (daughter of SHELLY and RUSSELL and sister of COLLIN and EVAN) and KATIE SOWA (daughter of RACHEL and MARK sister of ALEXANDRA, and DANIEL.) They were sooo DELICIOUS! Thank you girls. You can cook for me any day! * My last item is regarding an “unsung hero”. “ RCLPC has many of these, but today I am going to name our hardworking librarian - JOYCE BERUBE ( wife of PIERRE). Joyce has done fantastic things to enhance our library and bring the latest Christian literature to the shelves for our enjoyment. The next time you see Joyce give her a hug and say, “thank you”. Better still, check out a book, read it and write a short summary she can use to put in The Spirit to spur on others.” This item came from one who knows - MARGE HANSEN - past librarian. Our thanks to you both for the work that was done and for work that is continuing. Again, thank you for spending time with me. I am: Barb Turley. Come One Come all to …A Holiday Cookie Decorating PartyWhen: Friday, Dec. 2nd Time: 7:00 pm Where: RCLPC Fellowship Hall Please bring two dozen cookies and we will have all the supplies to give those cookies a festive look. Don’t have time to decorate … no problem! Drop those cookies off here and we will do the decorating for you! And yes, children are invited too! All of these wonderful cookies will be donated to the Cookie Walk fundraiser. If interested, please sign up in the Connecting Link. Thank you! RCLPC’s 15th Annual Christmas Cookie WalkIt’s just around the corner,Saturday, December 10th 9 am – Noon In Fellowship Hall |