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Poppourri January-February 2019

PREACHING AT A GLANCE

JANUARY, 2019

Sunday, January 6 - 9:30am - Epiphany of the Lord (Holy Communion) Procession of the Three Kings Pastor Hannah Wehmeyer Preaching Sermon Title: “New Year, New Perspective Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Sunday, January 13 – 9:30am – 1st Sunday after the Epiphany (Access Awareness Sunday) Rev. Dr. Bonnie Beckonchrist Preaching Sermon Title: “God’s Full House” Texts: Zephaniah 3:16-20, Luke 14:15-23

Sunday, January 20 – 9:30am – 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany (Human Relations Day) Recognition of the church’s outgoing 2018 leaders and installation of the 2019 leaders. Presentation by Shelley Welch, Senior Manager of Annual Fund Giving, Wings Program, Inc., with a special offering taken. Sermon Title: “We Are Called” Text: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Synopsis: We all have a calling, but not all of us have the same calling from God. Some are called to be a pastor, teacher, musician, lawyer, caregiver, chef, doctor, firefighter, police officer, model, businessman or businesswoman, actor, or something else altogether. Whatever your call to a vocation or career, always remember that you are called by God to make a difference in the world, that the Spirit of God calls us to change the world to make it a better place.

10:45am Adult Study based on Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott. This is Session 1 of 4. Please see page 2 of this newsletter for more information on the adult study.

Sunday, January 27 – 9:30am – 3rd Sunday after the Feast of Epiphany Sermon Title: “Working Together” Text: I Corinthians 12:12-31a Synopsis: There are all kinds of people in our congregation and yet we are called to love, forgive, inspire and serve God together. Differences should not divide; instead they should become an avenue to unite people to do God’s work. Strength comes from diversity and from a welcoming spirit that empowers diverse people and various gifts. God is not limited working through a particular group of people. The church needs all people to be an “inclusive body of Christ” for the world. If all of us attending the church today use our diverse gifts, we can move the church and change the world. All gifts are significant to God. Doing the work of Jesus Christ together is the better way.

10:45am Adult Study based on Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott.

Prince of Peace UMC

Mission: Serve God and Transform Lives

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PREACHING AT A GLANCE

FEBRUARY, 2019

Sunday, February 3 – 9:30am – 4th Sunday after the Epiphany (Holy Communion) Musical Sunday—Featuring Rev. Huntley Brown, the world renowned Christian pianist.

10:45am Adult Study based on Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott. Please see below for more information. Sunday, February 10 – 9:30am – 5th Sunday after the Feast of Epiphany Pastor Cheri Hartsfield Preaching.

10:45am Adult Study based on Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott. Sunday, February 17 – 9:30am – 6th Sunday after the Feast of Epiphany (UMC Scouting Sunday) Rev. Dr. Cecelia Harris, lead pastor of Firsts United Methodist Church in Waukegan, is preaching. daughter Angela Harris will provide special music.

Sunday, February 24 – 7th Sunday After the Epiphany Sermon Title: “Forgiveness and Reconciliation” Text: Genesis 45:1-15 Synopsis: To Joseph’s brothers he was their “savior” from starvation. But for Joseph himself it was more than that. He was trying to show them that their true salvation is God, and they were being saved as a result of God’s grace. Joseph was implying to his brothers that all the played-out circumstances were not a result of their evil plot to kill him or his later success, but that the forgiveness and reconciliation came to them through the grace of God. It is true for us, too, that God’s grace is available to anyone who repents from his or her sins. Even before we know Christ in a personal way, God’s grace is available for us. The grace of God is part of being human, and we humans are capable of loving and serving God in unimaginable ways with amazing results! Even as Joseph’s forgiving actions toward his brothers brought healing and reconciliation and transformation for the whole family, we, too, can be agents of transformation for others.

ADULT STUDY ON THREE ESSENTIAL PRAYERS

Pastor Hannah Wehmeyer will be leading a bible study based on Anne Lamott's book Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers.

This exciting study group will meet after the worship service on four Sundays: January 20 and 27 and February 3 and 10. Books are free (or by donation) and will be available for pickup in the church office on Thursday and Friday, January 17th & 18th, between 9:00am and noon or at the first session. Join us as we delve deeply into prayer. All are welcome!

From the Cokesbury website: “Readers of all ages have followed and cherished Anne Lamott's funny and perceptive writing about her own faith through decades of trial and error. And in her new book “Help, Thanks, Wow,” she has coalesced everything she knows about prayer to these fundamentals. It is these three prayers - asking for assistance from a higher power, appreciating what we have that is good, and feeling awe at the world around us - that can get us through the day and can show us the way forward”

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WORDS OF GRATITUDE FROM PASTOR CERNA

Lay leaders are the backbone of the church. Without the lay people’s faithful ministry the church would not function well at all. Lay persons live out the example of Christ in their lives by providing support, inspiration, and encouragement to the congregation and to the pastor. Lay people and the pastor work hand-in-hand to fulfill the church’s mission in the world. Prince of Peace United Methodist Church has been blessed with many many dedicated lay persons who have given their gifts (monetarily), prayers, time, service, and witness to make Christ known. I celebrate the lay people’s ministry and generosity, and I give thanks to God for each of them. I won’t have enough space to name all those who are doing all kinds of wonderful works at the church, but God knows you by name. I want to thank all the lay leaders whose term ended in 2018. Either they served as the chair or co-chair of a committee or a member of a committee. I particularly want to thank the following individuals who have served the church faithfully in the past: Betsy Boswell – Church Council Chairperson for 9 years; Charlie Waite – Church Council Secretary for 9 years; Matthew McGregor – Board of Trustees Co-chair for a year; Everyone who served on one or more committee(s) in 2018.

May God bless each of them as they move onto new paths of service and ministry at Prince of Peace and in the community. Following Betsy Boswell as the chair of our Church Council is Mark Demzien. Let us welcome Mark as he leads the church in its task this year. Following Charlie Waite as our Church Council Secretary is Myrtle Klauer. May your works together glorify God as we fulfill the denomination’s mission of “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Thanks again Betsy, Charlie, and Matt for a job well done. May God’s bountiful blessings be upon us this 2019! Peace and Joy,

Cerna Castro Rand

Betsy Boswell Charlie Waite

Outgoing Church Council Chair & Secretary

Mark Demzien Myrtle Klauer

Incoming Church Council Chair & Secretary

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Confirmation Class Dates & Activities

Jan 23 - FMSC 6-7:30pm

Feb 6 - Confirmation class - make decorations

Feb 8 - Dinner setup 6:00-7:00

Feb 9 - Dinner setup, dinner, and cleanup -

12:30pm-10:00pm

Feb 20 - Confirmation class/lesson

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) 1072 National Parkway, Schaumburg Wednesday, January 23 6:00-7:30

FMSC provides nutritious meals to children worldwide, and we will be busy packing the meals this evening. We have a total of 20 spots reserved. If you are interested in participating and sharing this time with our youth, please contact Mike Wysocki at 847-899-2069 or aidio11@hotmail.com to reserve your spot on our team!

A Wonderful Youth Fundraiser Disney Dinner Is Coming Faster than Tinkerbell Can Fly!

Come out and enjoy a night of Disney entertainment and a tasty meal! All proceeds benefit the 2019 youth summer mission trip to Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky.

Youth Fundraiser Disney Dinner

Performers Wanted

Must enjoy Disney tunes. No auditions. No one turned away! Instrumental or voice welcome!

Contact Mike Wysocki (847-899-2069) or Judy Gulbransen (jgmf@sbcglobal.net.)

Disney Decorations & Crock Pots to Borrow

Offer your loans to Connie Wysocki (aidio11@hotmail.com.)

Tickets are available now. Adults - $25 Children 5-12 - $10 Children under 5 free

Contact Mike (847-899-2069) or Connie Wysocki (aidio11@hotmail.com) to purchase your tickets.

You’ll be glad you did!

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Update from Your POP Social ACT!ON Committee

Helping to make the world a better place

The Social Action Committee is pleased to announce that Melody Canak will be co-chair with Marci Evans in 2019. We are looking forward to her wisdom, passion, and creativity.

Four models of suggesting how The United Methodist Church can move forward have been proposed to the delegates who will participate as voting members of the Special General Conference, which will be held February 23-27, 2019, in St. Louis. These 864 delegates will decide on the future organization of the UMC. The proposed four models are:

1. The One Church Plan is the model which received the majority vote of the Way Forward Commission and the Council of Bishops. It removes language from the U.S. Book of Discipline that restricts pastors and churches from conducting same-sex marriages and disallows the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexual persons. It adds language that protects religious freedom of pastors who choose not perform same-sex weddings.

2. The Simple Plan is similar to the One Church Plan, except that no language is added that says pastors may choose not to perform same-sex marriages. It simply removes the prohibitive language. Pastors would continue to be able to discern whom they will marry.

3. In the Traditional Model, the current prohibitive language remains, stating that conducting same sex marriage is a chargeable offense, and the plan increases the efforts to hold accountable those who would disobey the current rules.

4. The Connectional Conference Model establishes three branches of the U.S. UMC: a traditional, a progressive, and a centrist or uniting conference. Annual conferences and local churches can choose which branch, since there no longer would be geographic regions.

Amendments may be added, so the adopted model may emerge differently than it looks now. If you were a delegate, what Plan would you support, or what modifications would you make? These are difficult decisions for our delegates that affect the future unity or splintering of the United Methodist Church.

In and Around Elk Grove Village

As always, we appreciate your donations of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, empty pill bottles for Matthew 25 Ministries, and hotel and sample size personal care items for PADS.

Thanks to your donations of ink and toner cartridges, $580 was collected in 2018 for POP!

For Scarce, we continue to accept books, National Geographic magazines, buttons, crayons, pens, pencils, Altoid tins and more.

For Terracyle, please bring your empty oral care and personal care containers, as well as pump and trigger sprays and #6 plastic cups. Note: Terracycle does not accept any other items.

With all you recycle, you are helping people while caring for the environment! Good job!

ECO-TIP of the Month

Brought to you by the POP Social ACT!ON Committee

TURN OFF THE TAP!

You can save up to 10 gallons of water every morning by simply turning off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.

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Email or bring to the office your articles and photos for the

March, 2019 newsletter by 11:00am, Friday, February 22nd.

Both office@popumc.com and communications@popumc.com should receive

your newsletter contributions.

Blessings to You in 2019

Yesterday I received a Blessing. It had been a dark, dreary and dismal day. How dark was it? It was so dark that, even with lots of lights on in the house, I couldn’t find the right color thread to match a pair of pants I was going to hem. But later that afternoon, as I was driving west along Higgins Road through the Busse Woods, one gray cloud broke and the most beautiful sunset shown through that tiny patch of clearing sky. The sun was so intensely orange. It filled that small break in the clouds and made my heart overjoyed with happiness.

Being open to the many Blessings in our lives is, I think, important. Often times we let ourselves sink into a quagmire of dark thoughts, especially as winter drags on. I belong to a women’s club that ends its meeting by passing the Blessing Bag. Each person who wants to share something wonderful that has happened to them or in their family drops one dollar in the bag and tells us all about their “blessing.” Sometimes the blessing is related to a grandchild who has received an honor or about recovery from illness or about a safe return from a wonderful trip. Not everyone has a blessing each month.

Recently I read an article about a person who sends a thank you card each day to someone who has done something nice for her. The reason for the card might be as simple as receiving a phone call or a pleasant conversation with store clerk. Just the act of sending the thank you card has changed this person’s attitude toward life. How wonderful it is to tell someone that they are a “blessing” to you.

Another family has a jar for dropping spare change into each time they have experienced a Blessing, similar to the practice we follow here at Prince of Peace with our No Small Change Ministry. As the jar fills it become a visual reminder that God provides us with so many Blessings.

Now, as the New Year begins, let us be open to how we will give and receive Blessings in the next 12 months. Let us focus each day on the many Blessings we have experienced. Let us look forward to receiving new Blessings. Let us be a Blessing to those around us. Be an active giver and receiver of Blessings! My Blessings to you in 2019, Karen Briskey Aka, “Stew,” Your Stewardship Chair

KNIT, CROCHET, SEW to give God's love

If you have a hand-working skill and would like to share God's love with others who need it, join our new group—an inspiring name will be be determined. Our intention is to create shawls, blankets, scarves, hats, tokens . . . anything made with and through the love of God to be donated to those facing challenges or hardships.

An organizational meeting will be held on Thursday, January 24 at 2:00pm in the POP lounge. We will discuss future meeting times, frequency, goals, and other housekeeping details.

Names of some interested makers have been collected by Marlea Smith. If you want to participate, even if you can't make all, or any, meetings, please contact her at 630-285-0845 or catch her after worship service one Sunday—she’s the flute player.

And if you don't know how to knit, crochet, sew, bead, or create any kind of loving craft, we will happily and kindly teach you. May your hands be a blessing to others.

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P.S. If you would like to volunteer in the Nursery but are able to do so only occasionally rather than on a regular basis, we would be happy to explore options with you. Please sign up in the Lobby or call the church office Tuesday through Friday mornings, 9:00am to 12:00pm to let us know of your interest. Thank you!

No Small Change Donation to CCC

On November 30th, Kathy Pratt, our Champions for Children Co-Chair, presented a check for $200.00 to Melissa Tejeda of the Community Cares Closet (CCC) in Elk Grove Village. This donation was made possible through our church family’s No Small Change contributions in September and October. The check was received on behalf of CCC by Ashley Robertson, Melissa Tejeda, and Marlyn Orozco.

Melissa, who was very touched by your ongoing generosity, shared that “We can’t thank you enough. Thank you AGAIN for your generosity and partnership!”

Ashley Robertson, Melissa Tejeda, Kathy Pratt, Marlyn Orozco

Dear Friends. May the love Jesus brings fill your Christmas with lasting joy and peace. Love and peace to all, Eileen Lund and Julie Willagman

“Let the peace of God rule in your Hearts.” Colossians 3:15

Peace in our hearts, joy in our homes,

this is the hope of Christmas!

May your heart and home

be filled with peace.

Pastor Megan and the Good Shepherd UMC

In Bartlett, Illinois

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PRINCE OF PEACE RECEIVES ROTARY GRANT

The Prince of Peace Missions and Outreach “Food for Kids” food backpack program began at Byrd Elementary School in September, 2017. The program continues through the current school year, helping to feed families in need over long weekends or breaks when the students are not receiving free breakfast and lunch at school. Students take the backpacks home, which assists families that may not have transportation to and from local food pantries. The most recent Food for Kids distribution included backpacks filled with: box of pancake mix, large box of cereal, 2 jars of peanut butter, 2 boxes of mac & cheese, 2 cans of chicken, I canned ham, mashed potato mix, can of peaches, can of green beans and cookies.

Missions and Outreach is grateful for the congregation's support as well as the support of other Elk Grove faith communities and service organizations over the past 16 months. Most recently the Elk Grove Rotary Club presented Pastor Cerna with a $1000 grant for the Food for Kids program. Thanks to this and another generous grant from the United Methodist Foundation, the Food for Kids program will be expanded to include larger distributions to more families.

God is good, all the time, God is good.

Pastor Cerna receives grant from Elk Grove Rotary President Bill Beaupre

BOB LAWSON LIVING & GIVING COMMUNITY

GARDEN VISIT INVITATION

We’d love if you could come and visit the garden in person so we can share our joy with you. We’re run solely by volunteers, and always have opportunities available if you’re interested in helping out either by getting dirty or doing some “behind-the-scenes” work. The garden is located behind the garage at Prince of Peace Church. Please reach out to Michelle Pohlman at 331-431-3840 or livinggreenegv@gmail.com if you’d like to set up a visit or to get information on volunteering.

Warm regards from the Board Members: Michelle Pohlman Diane Snoble Nancy Munson Jaimie Roberts-Duarte Joan Arrington

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The Sunday School made it a Wild West Christmas

at Prince of Peace in 2018!

2018 Christmas Pageant

A Note from Mailnda Larkin, Our Pageant Director

I'm very proud of all the children. They put in a lot of hard work and effort, and I think it really paid off. They sang wonderfully and read their parts well. I have heard that the congregation really liked the performance. Here are some photos taken during rehearsal and the pageant itself. Enjoy!

Joe Cruz and his Battle Buddies

Pastor Cerna met Joe's family (mother Sheila Cruz and grandmother Joan Cruz, and his girlfriend Emily McCarthy) at a Package 4 Patriots (P4P) packing event at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church on December 18th. The Elk Grove Village Rotary Club went there to volunteer and also donated $1,200 toward providing food and candy for American soldiers serving around the world. Joe’s family ended up packing Joe’s box! The next day Pastor Cerna received an email from Joe’s mother and some photos.

Hello Rev. Cerna: We met last night at P4P in Elk Grove. It was a pleasure speaking with you! Here’s a brief story about my son's journey:

My son Joseph joined the Army after graduating with a Religious Studies degree from De Paul U. in 2016. He initially went in as a Specialist in the EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) program but God had other plans, and he is now a Medic somewhere in Syria. We are able to communicate sometimes on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger but [they’re] very sketchy and weather dependent. [Joe is kept very] busy tending to soldiers and the Syrian villagers.

While on a mission this past summer he and some "battle buddies" stopped at a Christian shrine and he sent [us] some pictures. Imagine: the few Christians (Kurdish) have to worship in a shrine in a cave that

you would not know was there unless you had a guide. Joe works alongside Kurdish troops, and our European allies. His deployment is [expected to be over] in March.

[Meanwhile we are] thrilled to be able to help the soldiers in any small way I can. [Working at] P4P is a great boost when I am missing him, which is all the time!

Thank you for your interest in our brave young men and women and the families they are attached to!

Sincerely, Sheila

Prayers for this family, Joe’s battle buddies, the P4P program, and all the people affected by the Syrian conflict. will be appreciated!

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From

You did it! ChildServ’s 2018 Holiday Gift Drive was the agency’s biggest, most successful yet!! Because of your gen-erosity, 1,500 children who are at risk received toys, clothes and other gifts for the holidays.

Thank you to you and your congregation for sponsoring our kids this year. Your kindness ensured our clients expe-rienced the magic of the holidays, and we appreciate your commitment to their futures!

Now in our 125th year, ChildServ continues our mission to protect, heal and educate children and families so they can build better lives through early childhood learning, foster care and adoption and supportive housing programs.

We are fortunate to have the amazing support and friend-ship of Prince of Peace and many within the Northern Illi-nois Conference, whose partnership has empowered ChildServ and our kids since 1894. Without your help, our impact would not be as great.

Thank you again for all you do for our kids and families and have a blessed new year!

the Prince of Peace restore your soul...

May our Wonderful Counselor guide your steps…

our mighty God empower your service…

the Everlasting Father embrace your heart…

May His love renew you and bring you joy at Christmas and in the New Year.

Glen and Wanda Bober

Very fitting!

To: Prince of Peace UMC December 10, 2018

We thank you on behalf of the clients we serve for the $100 donation you gave us to help restock our shelves. We target

items that cannot be purchased from the Northern Illinois Food Bank but are needed by our clients.

We also thank you for your monthly food collections that Phil Loveall delivers on the 2nd Saturday of each month. These items help so much! It is especially nice when some of your donated items are things our clients cannot purchase with Food Stamps, things they otherwise would have to pay for out of scarce family funds to get them.

We feel fortunate to have your continued support in these challenging economic times and thank you for thinking of us and recognizing our ongoing mission in the Itasca community in such a generous way.

God’s blessings to each of you during this Christmas time and in the new days ahead in 2019.

Myrtle Klauer Itasca Food Pantry Board Secretary

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Ms. Singleton expressed thanks for these items:

12 bags of groceries and $90 received on September 20th;

7 bags of groceries and $20 received on September 17th; 30 bags of groceries and $733 received on November 29th;

15 bags of groceries and $60 received on December 6th;

15 bags of groceries received on December 20th. This food pantry uses monetary donations to buy seldom donated items such as fresh produce, frozen foods, cereals, paper products, peanut butter, and jelly. The Food Pantry, established in 1988, is dedicated to helping Elk Grove Village residents who are experiencing difficult financial times. These include single-parent and two-parent-families, elderly people, and folks who are temporarily or permanently disabled, many of them referred to us by the Elk Grove Community Service Office. Currently the pantry serves 57 households—nearly 150 individuals—and more than 45% of them are children under the age of 18.

Prince of Peace has received multiple thank you notes from Barbara Singleton, Food Pan-

Prince of Peace received a thank you note from UMCOR for the gift of $402 they received in their office on October 16, 2018. The gift was designated for Street Children Ministry in Cambodia, an UMCOR Advance gift designee. 100% of the donation has gone to support that ministry.

In addition, POP received a Christmas/thank you letter directly from Clara Biswas, Team Leader of the Street Children Ministry, Phnom Penh, who participated in a POPUMC worship service early last fall. Her wish for Prince of Peace was:, “Have the most blessed Christmas and Prosperous New Year!”

Lowell and Claudia Wertz sent Prince of Peace a Christmas letter and other materials from their mission in Kigoma, Tanzania, Africa. They included a copy of their newsletter “Joy in the Harvest” and in it was a reference to the fact that Claudia’s mother, Patricia Wiesner, died in August 2018. Their entire mailing, including excerpts of a tribute Claudia read at her mother’s funeral, is on the bulletin board in the Lobby and will be up for a few weeks for you to see and read yourself.

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Donna Marie Todd* is coming!

Not to be missed! February 1st!

The weekend of February 1-3 will see internationally

renowned biblical storyteller and singer

Donna Marie Todd right here in Chicagoland!

sponsored by

Heritage Presbyterian Church,

965 Kuhn Road in Carol Stream

630-665-4121

Friday, February 1 at 7pm - a 90 minute storytelling concert with songs. This event is free, and registration is not required. Saturday, February 2 - Look to the right column for details. Sunday, February 3, at 10am - Donna Marie will tell the scripture and present a story sermon during morning worship.

Navigating Loss - Reclaiming Life Retreat

Donna Marie Todd is a certified grief counselor

and the founder of A Widow's Tale ministry

which helps both women and men dealing with

losses of all kinds - deaths, divorce, or other

traumatic loss.

On Saturday, Feb. 2, she will be leading a

retreat at Heritage Presbyterian Church for

anyone dealing with loss. The retreat will run

from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is limited to 30

participants, so registration is required.

Cost is $20 which includes lunch.

CTRL+Click here to register for the retreat.

*Note: Donna Marie Todd is Betsy Evans Ingstrup’s sister! We hope some POPUMC members and friends will come to the Friday and/or Saturday gatherings!

The church office is looking for a volunteer to handle preparing newsletters that don’t get delivered by email for regular mailing. There are fewer than 30 people who get their newsletter from the postal delivery worker. What’s involved? Approximately 1-2 hours one morning a month during which you would be:

folding pre-stapled newsletters in half; affixing sticky circles to three sides of each newsletter to hold it closed; affixing a pre-printed address label’ affixing a postage stamp or two.

If you’re interested, please call me at 847-439-0668 any Tuesday through Friday morning and let me know. Thank you!

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Prince of Peace United Methodist Church 1400 Arlington Heights Rd. Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-3893

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 9:30 AM PASTOR Rev. Cerna Castro Rand CONTACT INFORMATION office@popumc.com 847.439.0668 popumc.com

January

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February