PASTOR’S LETTER

Pastor Crum’s Letter

Luke 2:1-7 The Birth of Jesus In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the lineage of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Jesus Christ the Son of God came as a child. God, of course, knew that the season of hope would have to

begin with a child. Our children call us into the joys of life. So naturally God goes right to the human heart with

the gift of a holy child. We want to give something of ourselves to lay at the feet of a child…and yes this child.

Baby showers and birthday parties with balloons, cake, candles and gifts, are all so natural to us in response to the

presence of a child. No wonder the scriptures sing out for joy; “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son given…”

In our own time Isaiah’s proclamation inspired the song When A Child Is Born, English language lyrics by

Friedrich Alex Jacobson, the first verse is as follows:

A ray of hope flitters across the sky

A shiny star lights up way up high

All across the land dawns a brand new morn

This comes to pass when a child is born

All across the land dawns a brand new morn

This comes to pass when a child is born

May your hearts

and homes be

filled with

welcoming warmth

for the birth of

Jesus Christ, this

Holy Child.

Pastor Roger Crum

Facebook.com/gracelutheranwestchester

Pastor: Rev. Roger S. Crum Director of Music: Robert Voves Church Secretary: Debbie Drnek Custodian: Wayne Miller Council President: Ralph Holmes Vice President: Tom Daniels Financial Secretary: Tom Signore Treasurer: David Goetz Parish Education: Mark Dugo Worship: Dianne Brooks Youth: Joy Wieska Council Secretary: Jan Palucci

Sunday Service: 10:00 a.m. Office Hours: M-W & Fri.: 9:30-1:00

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Worship Services

Sunday, December 24th

10:00 a.m. – Brief Service in the Sanctuary, (4th Sunday of Advent)

4:00 p.m. – Family Christmas Eve Worship Service with communion, in the Sanctuary

11:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Worship with communion, in the Chapel

10:00 a.m. – Christmas Day, Worship with communion, in the Chapel

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The Christmas program is on Sunday, December 17th during the 10:00 am worship service. This year’s Christmas story will be told in a program entitled “Little One, We Knew You Would Come,”, inspired by a book with the same title by Sally

Lloyd-Jones, and beautifully adapted by Joy Wieska.

There will be only one rehearsal scheduled for Saturday, December 16th at 10:00 am at Grace. The rehearsal will take place first, with lunch being provided afterwards.

There is a sign-up sheet posted on the kiosk in the Narthex for any child or children that would like to be included in this beautiful portrayal of the baby Jesus’ birth. You may also let Joy Wieska know in person or call the church office and the secretary will be sure to include your child’s name on the list.

CHRISTMAS POTLUCK

Following tradition, the Christmas Pot- luck will be held downstairs in the Fellowship Hall and will immediately follow the children’s Christmas program. We welcome everyone to attend! We will plan on serving at 11:30 a.m. Broasted chicken and ham will be served. Everything else will be filled in with whatever dish you would like to share. If you would also like to bring any homemade or store-bought cookies, candies or desserts of any kind, that would be appreciated as well! Beverages will include punch, coffee and milk.

Luckily, even though Santa has a very tight schedule as it nears closer and closer to Christmas, he will be passing out gifts to the boys and girls at Grace. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the kiosk in the Narthex for anyone interested in attending. Signing up with the number of adults and children attending the pot-luck helps Santa to know how many children

he will have the pleasure of visiting with that day and makes sure everyone goes home with a full tummy! Ho! Ho! Ho! If you are not able to sign up in person, you may call the church office and let the secretary know how many in your family would like to come.

Please plan on attending this beautiful portrayal of the day our Savoir was born and staying afterwards for fun and fellowship with Santa and extended family and friends of Grace.

ALTAR FLOWERS

12/10 – In Honor of Garrison Blomberg’s 4th Birthday By Greg & Doris Bl0mberg 12/24 – Merry Christmas By the Signore Family 12/31 – In Honor of Nikki Vaillancourt’s Birthday By Larry Vaillancourt

DECEMBER LECTORS 12/3 – Andrew Signore 12/10 – Andrew Signore 12/17 – Christmas Program 12/24 – 10:00 pm – Larry Vaillancourt 4:00 pm – Andrew Signore 11:00 pm – Lector needed Reader needed (11:00pm) Readers are needed for January and the winter months. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the kiosk in the Narthex. Please check your mailbox or the church office for a copy of the reading. Thank you for volunteering.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

You may order a poinsettia to decorate our church for the holiday. The poinsettias will be

used to adorn our sanctuary for the services held on December 24th and may be taken home after the 4:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service. You may order these plants either for yourself or for a shut-in member of Grace. The cost is $14.95 per plant. A sign-up sheet is available for anyone interested in ordering one or more. Orders must be in by Sunday, December 17th. Checks may be made out to GLCW (Grace Lutheran Church Women) and may be given to Ruth Dugo.

IN OUR PRAYERS

Please notify the Church Office of Updates

For Grace Members: Ruth Dugo, Joan Goodman, Peggy and Tom Janka, Virginia Justus, Janice Lord,

Beverly Rimpila, Bill Reynertson, Rudy and Ingrid Wesa, Joy Wieska, Elaine Zapfel, Ruth Lorenzen, Dorothy Smith, Jim and Carol Flannigan, Lynn Peters, Kathy Hennessy, Diane Lesak, Lois Dama, Marilyn Jones, and Roseline Savarirayan.

For Family and Friends: Robert Dahlen, (brother of Beverly Rimpila), Kathleen Dama, (daughter-in-law of Lois Dama), Michael Dragoon, (grandson of Ingrid Wesa), Charlotte Rzeminski, (former member), Claire Smunt, (daughter-in-law of Vivian Smunt), Elizabeth Jahaski (daughter of Dianne Brooks), Karen Hord (daughter of Lois Dama), Heather Hord (granddaughter of Lois Dama), Carol Kudelka (sister of Jan Palucci), Rory McDerman (brother of Janice Lord), Ali Fagan (friend of the Holmes and Brothertons), Randi Luoma (granddaughter of Ben Peters), Irene Szopinski, Jessie Brock, Dan Kornaus (son-in-law of Bob Domrese), Mary Peterson and Janet Fisher (friends of Chris and Ralph Holmes), Louise Walski (mother of Julie Follett), and Laurie McAndrews (friend of Dave Goetz).

For Those In the Military: Shawn Saviola, (member of the Wisconsin National Guard), Sean Szatkowski, (in the Marines – home), Adam Goetz (Army—stationed in Kuwait), and Jason Rose (friend of Mark Holmes).

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES If you have a wedding anniversary during the fall months, please let the Church Office know so that we can add that information to our future Towers. DECEMBER Todd and Tanya Svoboda JANUARY Larry & Nikki Vaillancourt

BIRTHDAYS – DECEMBER 1 - Bill Creed 4 - Bill Reynertson 7 - Dorothy Smith 9 - Carol Flannigan 10 -Joy Wieska 11 – Kenneth Daniels 12 -Kathleen Hennessy 13 -Katherine Palucci 14 - Amy Burokas &Steven Gorr 16 - Kristopher Otto 18 - Elizabeth Wiersema 28 - Andrea Janka & Nikki Vaillancourt 31 - Priya Roberts, Jeff Janka, Ryan Kohs, Laila Levy, Vince Palucci, Aiden Kryczka BIRTHDAYS - JANUARY 2 – Christine Holmes 5 – Rachael Palucci 9 – Diane Lesak 14 – Melodee McCormick & Theresa Kohs 15 – Rachel Gorr 18 – Joan Larson & Maryssa Drnek 21 – Jeffrey Tollefsen 23 – Sandy Voyda 26 – Janice Lord 27 – Priscilla Schmidt 31 – Ingrid Wesa

OUR SYMPATHY

The members of our church extend our sincerest condolences to members and friends of Grace.

To:

Kathy Hennessy in the passing of her sister Cindy Hauck, Lois Dama in the passing of her son Keith Dama, the Mestek family in the passing of Lorraine Mestek and Don Neely in the passing of his wife, Alvirda.

We pray that God’s grace and love will fill the emptiness in their hearts and the precious memories of their loved ones will bring them comfort and help to sustain them through this very difficult time.

Thank you for all the

cards and prayers for

me and my family

when my son Keith

passed. Also for your

continuing prayers for

my daughter Karen.

May God Bless You All

– Lois Dama

TERRI LYNN PRODUCTS

Thank you to members and friends of Grace who ordered nuts and candy from Terri Lynn. We have “extras” of certain products. They are available on the table located outside of the Activity Room. Checks may be made out to Grace Lutheran Church and may be given to Joy Wieska, Debbie Drnek or left on the secretary’s desk in the office. Thanks for supporting this fundraiser. Enjoy!

PANCAKE DAY FUNDRAISER November 11th was a great day for the Pancake Breakfast, silent auction and bake sale! We served 215 people. Ticket sales and ads amounted to $2,340.00, Auction - $1,182.00 and Bake Sale - $344.00 for a grand total of $3,866.00. Many, many thanks go out to the congregation of Grace for all of their efforts and contributions to making our 60th Pancake Day and Bake Sale Fundraiser a successful endeavor. We are grateful and appreciative of everything you do; supporting us financially with buying tickets, supporting the raffle and silent auction, providing baked goods for the bake sale and working like a “well-oiled machine” to host yet another successful fundraiser. Thank you to our members and friends of Grace!

SMILE WHEN USING AMAZON For upcoming holiday purchases, please consider shopping smile.amazon.com and choosing Grace Lutheran as your charity of choice . By using our charity link (smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2360017) to purchase items from AmazonSmile, we can earn additional funds for our church simply by shopping! How easy is that! Once you establish the designated link to Grace Lutheran with AmazonSmile, each time a purchase is made, a certain percentage comes back to our church. With holiday shopping, this could add up to a significant amount of money designated to Grace. Please tell your friends and relatives as they may be more than happy to use Grace Lutheran as their favorite charity of choice! THE MARINES ARE COMING

Once again this year we are teaming up with glow Pre-School to do TOYS FOR TOTS. We will be collecting new unwrapped toys for children from the ages of

0 to 13 years old. The Marines will pick up the toys from us along with other sites around the area to bring happiness to children with very little to look forward to at Christmas. Our collection will run from now until Dec. 20th, with a kick off for the Glow School on the 8th of December. Any questions about this program, please feel free to contact Lynn Peters at any time. Thanks for your support.

From Pastor Crum: I make an annual trip to Wisconsin before Thanksgiving to spend time with family. While visiting my sister, I was presented with a letter from me to my father that had been in my father's keeping. When my father died in 1986, my sister and her husband were the primary family members to sort through his things before the sale of the house. My sister, found the letter in a stack of papers she had long ago meant to sort, but had set aside. The letter is dated 1985, the year before his death, when my father's health was failing. He had just sold his car knowing that he would not be able to drive any longer. My note attempts to acknowledge this loss. In addition the note says, "Dad, enclosed is an essay I have written for patients to read.....I thought you might enjoy reading something I wrote. Love Roger."

The following essay entitled Healing Stories of the Present: A Christian Perspective was written in 1985 when I was Behavioral Health Chaplain at Christ Hospital (Advocate Health Care) in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

The Christian relies on the Bible to inform him or her on how faith works in daily living. Yet it is a nearly 2000-year gap that needs to be jumped in applying faith principles in 1985. Perhaps the most difficult jump in application of faith is in the area of health. Today health and health care represent the most technological and the most personal experiences of the modern man or woman. The Biblical stories of healing seem remote and even unrelated to the modern practice of medicine. And yet, the patient, and even the physician who is confronted with chronic or severe illnesses are soon to be caught up in faith questions and needs. There is clarity by both the patient and the health care team that for healing to occur all must have faith, yet in a curious way, when healing does occur there is a shared reluctance to credit the Great Physician for the specifics of physical/emotional and spiritual change (healing).

When St. Mark wrote about the healing of a blind man on the road to Jericho (Mark 10:46-52) it was recorded that a lone blind man called out to Jesus, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." We are told that the blind man, Bartimaeus, immediately received his sight. The same story is re-told at a later date by St. Matthew. The same place is recorded by St. Matthew, the road to Jericho, the same dialogue is recorded between Jesus and the one seeking healing, but St. Matthew has two blind men in his retelling of the story instead of one. There are other differences but St. Matthew is telling the whole story so that the men and women of his day know that there were witnesses to the miracle. In other words by retelling the story in the way and style he has retold it, St. Matthew brings this account of Jesus' healing the blind into the present. The proclamation is that Jesus Christ is the Great Physician, today and always.

.....There are healing stories of the present being told all over the world. ...Many times the stories begin with the comment "I can't prove this, but I believe that by the grace of God... And a new reality has come over these lives. ....Sickness is all around us. It is in our institutions, our helping professions, our loved ones and ourselves. ...we have alarming rates of mental illness, addiction and violence. We do know that whole nations can be sick. Think of the German nation during the 1930's and 40's. We know that institutions can be sick as in the current problem with judges in the Cook County Justice System. The health status of the health care system in the United States is currently being assessed. The shift from a ministry of health and healing to a "health care industry" may be a symptom of a disease rooted in economics (greed). (However) healing stories of the present are being told (in our nation by individuals and professionals that acknowledge faith in the Great Physician. When Jesus healed the paralytic man (Matthew 9) we are told that he first forgives his sins and relieves this inner turmoil and then restores his health. Jesus says, "Your faith has made you well." St. Paul's analysis of faith is that faith is not a belief in assertions for which there is no evidence (magic). Rather, it is surrender to a very real power that is far greater than individuals, nations or institutions. Paul Tillich, Lutheran Theologian, writes that faith means being grasped by a power that shakes us and turns us, transforms and heals in such a way that a whole new state of being is now experienced.

Healing stories of the present day give witness to this truth. Faith in the Great Physician heals at every phase of life. We, after all, are his beloved creation.

DECEMBER GRACE GATHERING The Westchester Inn, 3069 Wolf Road will be the location of our next gathering. The date is Tuesday, December 12th, time 5:30 p.m. A sign-up sheet is available for

anyone interested in attending or call the office and let the secretary know that you are interested in attending. Let Lynn Peters or the office know if you are in need of transportation.

CHURCH ENVELOPES The 2018 church envelopes will soon be available. You may pick them up from the table located in the Narthex

BACH CANTATA VESPERS

Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., in River Forest will be presenting the Bach Cantata Vespers on Sunday, December 10th at 4:00 p.m. There is no admission fee, but a free-will offering will be taken. The church is handicapped accessible. Pastor Crum is planning on attending. Anyone interested in attending and needing transportation, please let the office or Pastor Crum know and arrangements will be made. Thank you. JAZZ NATIVITY

On Saturday, December 9th at 4:00 p.m., there will be a Jazz Nativity performed at Saint Luke Church, 1500 W. Belmont in Chicago. It is a benefit for the Anti-Cruelty Society and will be

comprised of a jazz setting of Christmas carols telling the Christmas story with angels, shepherds and kings, choir, soloists, dancers and an 8-piece jazz band…a concert for all ages. Admission is free, free parking, wheelchair accessibility. A freewill offering benefits the Anti-Cruelty Society. Pets are welcome!

GRACE LUTHERAN LIBRARY The library at Grace has received new donations of books and literature in the past year. If you have not visited our library recently, you should make it a point of doing so. Nikki Vaillancourt does an excellent job of keeping everything “in order” and would also be helpful in answering any questions you may have about the library and its contents. Thanks to Nikki for all of her hard work.

Luke 2:8-14Revised Standard Version (RSV) 8 And in that region there

were shepherds out in

the field, keeping watch

over their flock by

night. 9 And an angel of

the Lord appeared to

them, and the glory of

the Lord shone around them, and they were filled

with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Be not

afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great

joy which will come to all the people; 11 for to you is

born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is

Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you

will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and

lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with

the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising

God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the

highest,

and on earth peace

among men with whom

he is pleased!”

◄ Nov 2017 December 2017 Jan 2018 ►

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 DECORATE CHURCH

8:00 PM – AA Meeting

3 DECORATE CHURCH

9:00 – 9:45 am – Adult

Bible Study

10:00 am Worship Svc.

Sunday School

10:15 – 10:50 am

4

5

6 9:30 am – Noon –

Quilters

7 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Choir

Practice

8

9 8:00 PM – AA Meeting

10 9:00 – 9:45 am – Adult

Bible Study

10:00 am Worship Svc.

Sunday School

10:15 – 10:50 am

11

12

13

9:30 am – Noon –

Quilters

7:00 pm – Council mtg.

14 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Choir

Practice

15

16 8:00 PM – AA Meeting

17 9:00 – 9:45 am – Adult

Bible Study

10:00 am - Christmas

Program w/Potluck to

follow

18

19

20 9:30 am – Noon –

Quilters

End of Toys for Tots

Campaign

21 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Choir

Practice

22

23 8:00 PM – AA Meeting

24 9:00 – 9:45 am - Adult Bible Study 10:00 am – Brief Worship for Sunday and Advent 4:00 pm – Family Christmas Eve Family Worship w/Comm. 11:00 pm – Worship in Chapel

25

26

27 9:30 am – Noon –

Quilters

28 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Choir

Practice

29

30 8:00 PM – AA Meeting

31 9:00 – 9:45 am – Adult

Bible Study

10:00 am Worship Svc.

Sunday School

10:15 – 10:50 am

No New Year’s Day

Service

Rental of the Chapel and Activity Room takes place every Sunday from 12:45 pm thru 3:45 pm and from 6:00 pm thru

9:00 pm.

◄ Dez 2017 January 2018 Feb 2018 ►

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 9:30 AM – Noon - Quilters

4 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir

Practice

5

6 8:00 PM – AA Meeting

7 9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible

Study

10:00 AM – Worship Service

10:15 – 10:50 AM – Sunday

School

8

9

10 9:30 AM – Noon - Quilters

11 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir

Practice

12

13 8:00 PM – AA Meeting

14 9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible

Study

10:00 AM – Worship Service

10:15 – 10:50 AM – Sunday

School

15

16

17 9:30 AM – Noon - Quilters

18 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir

Practice

19

20 8:00 PM – AA Meeting

21 9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible

Study

10:00 AM – Worship Service

10:15 – 10:50 AM – Sunday

School

22

23

24 9:30 AM – Noon - Quilters

25 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir

Practice

26

27 8:00 PM – AA Meeting

28 9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible

Study

10:00 AM – Worship Service

10:15 – 10:50 AM – Sunday

School

ANNUAL MEETING – After

Service

29

30

31 9:30 AM – Noon - Quilters

Rental of the Chapel and Activity Room takes place every Sunday

from 12:45 pm thru 3:45 pm and 6:00 pm thru 9:00 pm.

Grace Lutheran Church

1101 Manchester Avenue

Westchester, IL 60154

(708) 345-1375

Postage

THE GRACE TOWER – WINTER 2017