I often hear comments from our guests in worship about our stained glass window. They all marvel at its stunning beauty, as we do every time we enter the sanctuary. The artwork of vibrant colors, biblical images, and characters not only decorate our place of worship, but invoke within us a sense of awe, and reminds us of the connection between beauty and God. For me, it is a reminder of the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” Truly, visual arts in worship bring the gospel to life through our creative imagination.

For the past couple of years, we have actively incorporated art in our worship life through the participation of our congregation. Together, we have created several murals for different worship series. Last Advent, we created a “12 Days of Christmas Tree” decorated with the Christmas ornaments made by different church groups. I am very grateful to Thom Frerk, our resident artist, who always seeks to find various ways to engage our church family in art.

This month our worship series, “Drawing Closer to God”, features different artists and their artwork. Along with the worship series, several special activities will be offered throughout the month of February.

Picturing Jesus Art Activity - February 5Renaissance Artists Picturing Jesus - February 5, 19, and 26 Art Institute Visit - February 12Art of the Heart: Creativity and Spirituality - February 13, 20, 27, and March 6

We are also hosting a Winter Farmers Market in partnership with Faith in Place, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower Illinois people of all faiths to be leaders in caring for the Earth. The Winter Farmers Market takes place on February 26, while our worship service features Vincent van Gogh’s Wheat Fields. I invite you to consider participating in some of these offerings and have fun.

FEBRUARY 2017

Worship Schedule, 9:30am

February 5: “Different Faces of Jesus in Art” Mark 8:27-30

February 12: “Henry Ossawa Tanner’s Nicodemus Visiting Jesus” John 3:1-10

February 19: “Rembrandt van Rijn’s The Prodigal Son” Luke 15:1-32

February 26: “Vincent van Gogh’s Wheat Fields” Matthew 13:3-10

New Sermon Series, “Drawing Closer to God”

In Joy of the Lord’s Service,

Pastor Ouk-Yean

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Mission Trip to Midwest Mission Distribution CenterMidwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC), located in Chatham, Illinois, assembles and distributes disaster relief, humanitarian aid, medical, and educational goods to people in need all over the world. In 2015, over 50,000 kits were assembled and shipped to various locations worldwide. MMDC depends on volunteers like us for their operations. Last year, FUMCAH sent a team of 14 people. We are looking for volunteers for our 2017 mission trip taking place April 19 thought April 21. Volunteers pack kits, sort items, sew school bags, hospital gowns, and blankets, and box goods for shipment. There are a wide variety of tasks including tasks that do not require standing. If you have a special talent or interest, we will ask MMDC if they can find a special project for you. Children 11 years or over are welcome.Volunteers will leave FUMCAH early the morning of Wednesday, April 19. We will work at the Center that afternoon, Thursday all day, and Friday morning. We will return to FUMCAH in the afternoon on Friday, April 21. The cost to participate is $50 per person. This donation to MMDC will buy material and supplies, as well as cover costs for transportation, lodging, and meals. We encourage our participants to car pool and will assist you in finding a ride (500 miles round trip). We will stay in a local, inexpensive hotel (about $60 per night per room) and enjoy fellowship by going out as a group in the evening to local restaurants ($25 per meal). Please contact Naoki Nakamura for more information (847-650-3608, naokin33@gmail.com).

February Mission: Faith Community HomesThis month we celebrate our partnership with Faith Community Homes by designating our missions gifts to this important organization that works with local families in Arlington Heights and Palatine, who are experiencing financial hardships. Each family has a different story, but most are single parents who are without resources.  They often are overwhelmed and need help managing their lives. Faith Community Homes’ volunteer mentors and case managers  meet with each family weekly. They develop goals and budget strategies, and in most cases, adults are encouraged to get training or more education, leading to better-paying jobs.  Faith Community Homes also connects families with many community resources,

other agencies, food pantries, schools and churches, including those that enrich the lives of the children. Currently there are 32 children in the program. One way FUMCAH has supported this program has been to provide school supplies for all the Faith Community Homes children for several years.There are always more families asking to be helped, so we ask that you make a generous missions offering this month.Visit fchomes.org to learn more about this organization.

FaithLink: Where Faith and Headlines MeetIn February, FaithLink will continue to focus on the intersection of current events and our lives as faithful Christians. This Sunday morning adult class is designed for discussion of very recent developments. Meetings take place in Room 31 on the second and fourth Sundays after worship. All are welcome. Nursery care and Celebration Station are available for children at this time.

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KaleidoscopeRenaissance Artists Picturing Jesus

Meeting on Sunday mornings from September through May, the only constant in this adult education class is that it is constantly changing. Join us on February 5, 19, and 26, for a three part course,“Renaissance Artists Picturing Jesus”. The Renaissance era brought a new perspective on Christian subjects. Italians like Michelangelo, Ghiberti, Masaccio, and Leonardo took inspiration from Classical art and emphasized naturalism. Northern Europeans like van Eyck, Campin, and van der Weyden used iconography and emotion to inspire devotion. In this course, art historian Jeff Mishur will discuss a variety of 15th and 16th century religious artworks within their historic context. Mishur is the owner of Art Excursions, a business that provides private guiding, small group tours, lectures and travel consulting.Please join us in the Wesley Room after morning worship. Each class “stands alone;” come whenever you can. During Lent, we will welcome back another Kaleidoscope favorite, Paul Palmer.

Art Institute TripKaleidoscope is going “on the road” in February. Join friends from church as we wander off to the Art Institute of Chicago on Sunday, February 12. Thom Frerk will guide us through some of the outstanding religious art that is part of the Art Institute’s permanent collection. We will leave church at 11:00 am, travel by car pool to the museum, grab a quick lunch in the museum cafeteria, and return to FUMCAH by 4:00 pm. The plan is to car pool and entrance fees covered by church members who are also AIC members (they will bring guests on their membership passes). Register online (www.fumcah.com/whats-new), contact the church office, or email Pastor Lynn (l.mikels@fumcah.com). Let us know if you are willing to drive and whether you are a member of the Art Institute.

Art of the Heart: Creativity and SpiritualityJoin Thom Frerk, our FUMCAH Artist in Residence, and Pastor Lynn, for four separate workshops combining scripture and creative art projects that embrace spirituality, prayer, and meditation. Workshops will take place on Monday evenings, February 13, 20, 27, and March 6 from 7:15-8:30 pm. Scripture will be related to our four easy and fun projects: prayer labyrinths, mandalas, prayer boxes, and meditation stones. The cost for one workshop is $7.00, or experience all four for $20.00. All materials are included. Register online (fumcah.com/whats-new), contact the church office, or email Pastor Lynn (l.mikels@fumcah.com).

Art Activity: Picturing JesusDuring our February worship series, we will discover how some of the world’s artists have pictured Jesus. How do you picture Jesus? We’re calling on church members to interpret what Jesus means to them or what a contemporary Jesus might look like by creating their own pictures of Jesus. What clothing might he wear? What would he carry in his hands? What color is his hair? Guidelines will be available online (www.fumcah.com/whats-new), in the church office, or you can pick them up on February 5 during coffee hour. Please turn in your artwork by noon on Saturday, February 11. Then come and see the results outside the parlor on February 12.

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Face-to-Face at FUMCAH: Growing in Faith during LentYou’ve heard it said before, from Barack Obama to your favorite third grade teacher, nothing quite compares with face-to-face communication. If we want to build relationships with God and one another, we need to meet with one another. To encourage this, the Adult Faith Formation Committee and FUMCAH staff are coordinating a program of small groups during Lent. If you already participate in a small group – great! If not, rather than “giving something up” this year, we are encouraging you to add something positive – participation in a small group! More information will be available throughout February. Be supported! Be challenged! Be part of a Lenten small group!

Faith and Politics Supportive Small Group

“What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you would like to make.” -Jane Goodall

This small group, taking place during Lent, is specifically designed for those who want to reflect on American politics and to be supported in finding ways to participate politically and work to bring about positive change. Several of our FUMCAH family members have expressed interest in such a group. If this appeals to you, please contact Pastor Lynn (l.mikels@fumcah.com) for more information and to share possible meeting days and times fit your schedule.

Bible Study on Wednesdays Covenant Bible Study, 9:30-11:30 amSisters Bible Study, 7:15-8:30 pm

Soothing Stitches Since Soothing Stitches began, we have sent “caps to the capitol” (and eventually to Malawi and Bangladesh), to help save the lives of newborns. We’ve sent over 20 long, warm scarves to college campuses so that former foster children will receive a Valentine gift. We’ve delivered several shawls to members and friends of FUMCAH so that they might receive a tangible expression of God’s care and know the support of their church family. Little hats have been given to new babies in our weekday preschool and to FUMCAH newborns, as an expression of care from the FUMCAH family of faith. Annually we have shared prayer shawls with the families we serve in Appalachia during ASP mission trips. Whew!

Through it all, we’ve also shared great conversation and improved our knitting and crochet skills. If you would like to join the efforts of the Soothing Stitchers, learn a new needlework skill, or have some time to work on your own projects, please come to the parlor on the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9:00 pm, or contribute to our ministry by working on projects at home. We have several knitters and crocheters who work on their own and send in their finished projects. So, while we knit and crochet to bring comfort to others, we have also enjoyed the camaraderie, relaxation, inspiration, and fun of each gathering. Stitching really does soothe one’s soul.

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Letter From Student Ministry

First world problems alert! I had to get out of bed because I forgot to return a movie to Family Video. Fortunately, as I was driving, I ended up having a conversation with God about the student ministry here at FUMCAH. As we were chatting, I started reflecting on the things that would turn this church into the kind of place where people are proud to have their teenagers and children participate. What is it that makes ministry so effective? One of the major factors is the adults that are a part of their life, especially in student ministry. Caring, genuine, people who are concerned about the care of young people are a vital part of any flourishing student ministry. I say this because I think this church has the potential to grow through our student ministry, but we need your help. There are only so many students that can properly be cared for by one person. As a matter of fact, research (and my experience) shows that number is three. So for every three students that are involved in the student ministry, my hope is that there would be one adult. I know that’s a tight ratio; but it’s the one at which growing student ministries find themselves. Does everyone have to be involved on a weekly basis and as program facilitators? Absolutely not. There are a slew of roles from mentors to activity coordinators; innovation coaches to discussion leaders. If you think you’d be able to fill one of these roles, please come and talk to me. I’d love to see FUMCAH on the forefront of student ministry, and I hope you would, too! Anthony Livoti,Director of Student Ministry

CrossroadsGame Night is back! The Suttons have invited all the Crossroads kids to their home on Friday, February 24, from 6:00-8:00 pm, for pizza making (and eating!) and games. Save the date now and watch for more information in our Crossroads emails. Crossroads is our FUMCAH fellowship group for all 4th, 5th, and 6th graders and their friends.

Register Now for ASP 2017

This year FUMCAH students will travel to Kentucky on June 10 and return on June 18. While there, they will provide home repair for families in need, engage in evening gatherings that connect our service to our faith, and learn a bit about life in the Appalachian mountains. The deadline to sign up is February 1. The cost to participate this year is $315. Please visit our website (www.fumcah.com/whats-new) or stop by the church office for a registration form. Please contact Anthony with any questions (a.livoti@fumcah.com).

Volunteers Needed for Funeral ReceptionsUnited Methodist Women offer to host a reception immediately following funeral and memorial services held at FUMCAH. Families are always so appreciative during this difficult time. We are asking for men, women, and teens to help in areas of set-up, serving/clean-up (both similar to Sunday morning coffee hour) and baking cookies. If you are able to help us or just have questions, please contact Barb Donahue (847-392-1471, jbd77@comcast.net).

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Solar Panel UpdateThe Village of Arlington Heights has granted us a permit for the solar panel installation. Thank God that we can finally move forward with the long-awaited project! Solar Service Inc will soon place the

equipment order. Usually, it takes about three weeks for all the materials to arrive, and once they are all in, the dates of the installation will be scheduled. The company installs solar panels all winter. We might be able to see the panels up on our roof in March, possibly earlier, depending on the weather. How exciting! Again, we are grateful to you for your generosity and patience!

Just a ReminderThere are many reports of lights left on in rooms and hallways, and even windows left open. We are reminding all groups to please check all windows and lights before leaving the room(s) you have occupied. And, if you’re the last to leave the building, turn off all hallway lights. Contact Melinda in the church office if you have any questions or concerns.

Winter Farmers MarketThis February, FUMCAH will host a Winter Farmers Market in partnership with Faith in Place, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower Illinois people

of all faiths to be leaders in caring for the Earth. Join us on Sunday, February 26, from 8:30 am-1:00 pm in Fellowship Hall for this community event. Invite your friends and family to come and purchase soups, jams, baked goods, salsas, meats, honey, winter-available produce, and more. This a wonderful opportunity to support your local farmers! Volunteers Needed: If you’d like to help promote our market event or assist with set-up or clean-up, contact Allison Anderson on our Faith in Action Team by email, phone, or text (allison.anderson.1804@gmail.com, 847-525-7518).

Get into the act this year with ACT 2! Our first event for 2017 is an evening at Pinstripes in South Barrington. Join us Saturday, February 11, for dinner at 6:30 pm and bocce ball at 8:00 pm. You pay for your own dinner and bocce ball is $10 per person per hour. (Estimate $20 per person for 2 hours.) Can’t make both? Come just for dinner or just bocce. Space is limited so please call Laura Hynes (312-835-3291) if you are interested in participating.

Next Chapter Gathering and White Elephant ExchangeIt’s time to get together, celebrate friendship, get rid of those unwanted gifts from Christmas or birthdays past. Next Chapter is hosting a gathering on Saturday, March 11, at 6:30 pm, in Fellowship Hall. Please bring a casserole, salad, or dessert, and a beverage of your choice. Plates, cutlery, napkins and cups will be provided. Also, for each person attending, bring a wrapped white elephant gift, the funnier the better. That means if a couple comes, they should bring two gifts. Please RSVP, if you can make it, to Mary Ann Laforet (847-870-8344 or boesels4@me.com).

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Financial Report through December 2016 (estimated)

Financial Report through December 2016 (estimated)December Revenue: $108,030 Year-to-date Revenue: $799,926December Expense: $101,626 Year-to-date Expense: $792,238

We are happy to report that we have paid 100% of our $85,920 apportionment for 2016.Consider Electronic Funds Transfer – no need to worry that you don’t have your checkbook or cash with you! And, please let me know if you’d like any help looking at your pledges and contributions on our church database, Access ACS. It’s very easy to sign up!2016 contribution statements were sent on January 25. Contact Melinda in the church office with any financial questions or concerns. Thank you very much for your good stewardship in 2016 and continuing into 2017!

Congregation News

BaptismsDylan Michael Lee- January 22Son of Jillian and Patrick Lee

Molly Bell Worthington- January 29Daughter of Megan and Darrin Worthington, sister of Grace and Claire

DeathsMildred Culbertson - January 6, funeral service was held on January 12 Gerry Will - January 15, memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 18

DBSA Accepts National Service AwardDBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) Arlington Heights, FUMCAH’s mental health outreach ministry, received the 2015 National Service Award at the DBSA Leadership Conference in Akron, Ohio, in November. Matt Rosenberg, one of the facilitators, accepted the award and gave the following acceptance speech.

A few thank-you’s are in order to the people who made this possible.

• To the First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, IL for making a public stance to battle stigma for mental health conditions eleven years ago by opening the doors to the church to over 2,000 persons living with mental health conditions in the intervening years.

• To Melinda Kirby, our church business manager, who always seems to find a room for us when we need it. To our facilitators who listen carefully, lovingly, and tirelessly.

• To DBSA national, for getting us off to a great start and helping us along the way.

• To all of our support group participants, for trusting us and making the support groups safe places to share.

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or current resident

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