Preparing to Make a Difference Fall 2014
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The Quarterly Newsletter Volume 13 TowerDowners Grove First UnitedBell Methodist Church Fall 2014 Preparing to Make a Difference Fall 2014 How Are You Preparing? - Greta McDonald I still remember it – don’t you? – the daughter – and our perceptions and smell of new gym shoes, the fragrance of hopes for one another are enlarged. We “ Making a a fresh box of crayons – these were the are compelled to see problems and needs unmistakable marks of a new school year as opportunities and invitations to step about to begin. As a grade school child, forward in care, in love, in actions that difference is those purchases, waiting to be carried use our gifts and talents. No wonder to school on the first day of class, were a our congregation came up with these at the heart sign that something was expected of me. words as part of the description of who Those supplies, as ordinary as they were, we are and want to be, in our Mission/ took some budgeting for my family, and Vision/Values statement: "We prepare of our they were given for a purpose – to help one another for ministry, act on our me learn so that I could become more and faith, encourage and support all of God’s more competent, more independent and children, and celebrate our life together in Christian responsible, more able to give back as I Christ.” grew up. Those ordinary supplies told me As we step into the fall, let’s take an faith" that I was being prepared to eventually inventory of our lives and routines. How make a difference. are we, on a day-to-day basis, preparing I’ve enjoyed being greeted each day this to make a difference that honors the way IN THIS ISSUE PASTOR ARTICLE...................................P1 summer with the Imagine No Malaria cans in of Christ in this world? CELEBRATE LIFE....................................P2 the church entryway. They are a reminder As you read through this Tower Bell, FALL HAPPENINGS.................................P2 that we believe we can make a difference ADULT EDUCATION................................P3 you’ll see many opportunities to make YOUNG AT HEART...................................P3 in this world. It will be small, daily things a difference – through a once-a-month MEMBERSHIP MINISTRY........................P3 that make a difference – dropping change involvement in our PADS homeless SUNDAY SCHOOL...................................P4 in a can, bringing it to church every now MUSIC...............................................P5 shelter work; through a one-hour-per UNITED METHODIST WOMEN...............P5 and then to be combined with other gifts, week mentoring of a local elementary ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP........P6 connecting those gifts to the clinics and school child; through being part of a ALL SAINT'S DAY.....................................P6 community workers and medical teams NOMINATIONS..............................P6 learning or fellowship group or helping TRUSTEES..........................................P7 linked to our global United Methodist to lead a class for children, youth, or THANK YOU.............................................P7 Church, and praying to see malaria ended adults; through helping care for the NIC ACCESSIBILITY CONFERENCE.......P7 in Africa. WORSHIP...................................P8 upkeep of our building that houses so NURSERY CARE.....................................P8 Making a difference is at the heart of our many congregational and community MISSIONS.......................................P8 CROP WALK............................................. P8 Christian faith. To begin with, in our ministries; through financial giving that SANCTUARY WINDOW PROJECT..........P9 encounters with God through Christ, we impacts locally and world-wide; through NEW STAFF MEMBERS..........................P9 have been made different – made new. attending or serving in worship services GIVING.................................................P9 KIDSHOPE USA.....................................P10 Our attitudes are shifted, our hearts are that re-ground us in faith and serving IMAGINE NO MALARIA........................P10 softened, our minds are made alert to a call for the week ahead. And there are many 2015 CHAPEL CHOIR TOUR................. P10 upon our lives, and a new way to live. more! SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS...............P10 YOUTH MINISTRIES..............................P11 Because of that, our daily tasks and Let’s savor the beautiful autumn season FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES...........P11 experiences are different. We grow, little ahead – and prepare to make a difference! METHODIST OPEN GOLF OUTING......P11 KEEP IN TOUCH.....................................P11 by little, to see each person as a beloved, RALLY DAY.............................................P12 unique creation – God’s own son or The Tower Bell - Fall 2014 one Preparing to Make a Difference Fall Happenings at DGFUMC Celebrating Fall is almost upon us and with the new season comes many activities at Downers Grove First United Methodist Church. Read through this edition of the our lives together Tower Bell for news and events for all ages! In Memoriam Rally Day! Sunday, September 7 Glenn Bahler celebration. Everyone is invited May 25, 2014 Please join us on Rally Day as we kick-off our to attend the movieCloudy with Rev. Howard Benson new year of Sunday a Chance of Meatballs 2, which July 3, 2014 School and prepare to will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Joseph Brown make a difference as a Each child (12 and under) who August 2, 2014 congregation in the coming season. At attends church that morning will this time, we will return to our three Alice Carroll receive a coupon for a Kiddie Combo worship service and Sunday school July 1, 2014 (box with popcorn, snack and drink). format. Please note that this year, The concession stand will also be Elinor Cole Sunday school will only be held at the open for anyone wanting to purchase May 25, 2014 9:30 service. For details on this year's snacks. The doors open at the Tivoli at Lenore Filip Sunday school program, please see 1:00 p.m. page four. June 16, 2014 The movie is free for ALL (you don’t Michele Holley We will continue our fellowship after need a ticket) so please invite your July 12, 2014 services as the Children & Family friends and neighbors to come to Work Area has reserved the Tivoli church in the morning and to the Ken Jones Movie Theater for our Rally Day June 21, 2014 movie in the afternoon! Harold Melkus April 13, 2014 New Member Orientation Roy Person PADS - 2014-2015 June 27, 2014 Class Season Beginning! Kelly Snyder Sunday, September 21, 9:30 a.m. The PADS season this year will Jump Into June May 21, 2014 Sunday, September 28, 11:00 a.m. begin on September 16 and run If you are interested in joining through May 12. DGFUMC, you are invited to Our first Tuesday is October 7. attend one of these two classes. Sign-ups will begin in the parlor on New Members New members will be received into Sundays starting September 7. membership on Sunday, October 12 Thank you to everyone for your Chris and Michele Huggins at our 9:30 a.m. worship service. If continued support of this important Sadanand and Shalini Mithra you would like to be a part of the next ministry! Jamie and Scott Sullivan class, please contact Pastor Jim, Pastor Greta or the church at 630.968.7120. Angelo and Carrie Tallarico Weddings Bible Sunday 2nd Annual Accessibility On June 14, 2014 between Sunday, October 5 Awareness Sunday Zolita Lyon & Joe Kouba All third graders Sunday, November 9 On July 26, 2014 between will receive a Watch the Happenings for detailed Kristen Getsonian & Arbjon Rexha Bible during the information as the day grows 9:30 a.m. worship closer regarding the second annual service. More Accessibility Awareness Sunday in the details to follow! Northern Illinois Conference. two The Tower Bell - Fall 2014 Preparing to Make a Difference Adult Education Celebrating our lives together Wednesday Book Study - Fall Foundations Class Undone Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Baptisms Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Starting September 7 Anna Sophie Calandriello, When we get Real it’s surprising how new In the congregation, we are called daughter of Dan and Jamie life becomes. Methodists, but do we know the story Calandriello of Methodism and how it was formed? Whether a big crisis shakes us or little Lynlee Margaret Grimm, things wear away, these moments Join us this September to learn more about our Methodist Identity. In Part 1: daughter of Wesley and Rebekah confront us with who we really are. Grimm Often we tell ourselves that this is not Our Story, leading Methodist scholars the way that things are supposed to be. describe the 18th century Wesleyan Jace Christopher Huggins, Sometimes we feel like failures. Worse revival England and the growth of son of Chris and Michele Huggins Methodism in the United States and yet, we realize that underneath our Michele Huggins facades, we are not the person we are around the world. Ainsley Claire Johnson, pretending to be. Who are we, really? This course will benefit both lifelong daughter of Dave and Danica Johnson Laura Truax knows what it's like when Methodists and those coming to Bryce Marques Neuen life hits the fan. But she discovered Methodism from other traditions. son of Scott and Alicia Neuen that these times of exposure and Topics include: John and Charles vulnerability can become opportunities Wesley: The Early Years; Methodist Patrick Gerald O'Hara, to find out who we really are and what Beginnings; American Methodism; son of Tom and Alexis O'Hara and Methodism and Social Holiness. we are meant to be. When we come to Nolan Michael Quirk, the end of ourselves, God can meet us If you are interested in learning our son of Kevin and Becky Quirk there to help us face our fears, take off history, please plan on attending. This Sharon Marie Schoffstall, our masks and rediscover our true self class will be taught by Gary Ketterer.