November 26, 2007                           A Publication of Bethel United Church of Christ, Elmhurst IL                       Issue:  2007-12

A Message from the Pastor

The sad strains of the music begin.  The tone is totally unconvincing, and belies the words...

 

"Christmas Time is here.  Happiness and Cheer..."

 

So begins the 1965 TV Special, Charlie Brown's Christmas.  And then the dialogue...  Linus and Charlie Brown are leaning against a snow-covered wall.  Linus hugs his security blanket.

 

Charlie Brown opens, "I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus.  Christmas is coming but I'm not happy.  I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel..."

 

Charlie Brown’s whole demeanor fits with a descriptive phrase from my favorite Carol that speaks about the “weary world.”  (It Came Upon the Midnight Clear)

 

The “weary world”….

 

In general I don’t usually get political in these articles.  Yet the weary world seems very present and real this year.  And maybe it’s telling that as Luke unfolds the story he gives us the political details:  “A decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered…” (Luke 2:1)

 

Were you following the confirmation hearings for the new Attorney General, Mr. Mukasey?  Although it was rephrased several ways, he refused to answer a straight-forward

 

 

question about water-boarding for interrogation.  The typical official response in the past has been “We don’t comment on specific procedures we may or may not do.”

 

That our nation may still be involved in torture after Abu Grabe is startling to him.  Some may say that “they” practice torture.  But hopefully we will never measure our moral actions by theirs.  I believe the advice in the beginning was right:  do not to let the terrorists determine what we do, how we respond, to undermine our open society’s practices and values.

 

Well, maybe I have wearied you with this too, sharing the way my hopes are colored by the persistent ways which humans find to hurt each other.  Linus responds to Charlie Brown by saying, “Charlie Brown, you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.”

 

But then you may remember the way the Charlie Brown television special ends.  They took a television risk.  They didn’t emphasize some general holiday activity as the answer.  It ends with the words of the story itself from the Gospel of Luke.  Linus, trailing his blanket behind him, walks onto the stage.  He proclaims in so many words that into this weary world, at a particular time in history when people were in the middle of their wearisome journeys, God demonstrated a desire to put relationship with us first.  “And behold, there were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their

flock by night, when suddenly an angel appeared to them…singing ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to all.’”

 

May you, in the light of the remarkable truth of this story, be shaken from your weariness and awaken to the love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ.

 

Peace, Rev. Steve

Scriptures

One way to prepare for Christmas is to be centered in the story itself.  The lectionary is a way of organizing scripture readings for various Sundays of the year.  For upcoming Sundays in Advent and Christmastide these are the suggested readings.  Each Sunday includes a selection from the Old Testament, a Psalm, an Epistle, and the Gospel.

 

·              Dec. 2 – Psalm 2, Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44

·              Dec. 9 – Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

·              Dec. 16 – Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:47-55, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11

·              Dec. 23 – Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

·              Dec. 24/25 – Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20

·              Dec. 30 – Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23; Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7,10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12


 


 

Text Box: OUR STAFF Senior Minister Rev. Stephen Schuette Associate Minister of Parish Services Rev. Sally Scheib Minister of Music Jeffrey Panko Handbell Choir Director Linda Lunt Choir Accompanist Lisa Krueger Parish Nurse Kathy Murray Learning Center Director Kathleen Gray Operations Manager Brian Barrett Christian Education Intern Emmy Odean WORSHIP SERVICES Every Sunday Worship at 10 a.m. December 2 – Communion First Sunday of Advent December 9 – Children’s Christmas Program December 16 – Music Sunday December 24 – Christmas Eve Afternoon Service at 4:30 p.m. December 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 10:30 p.m.

Council Notes

As we conclude this year's Stewardship campaign I'd like to thank the entire Bethel Stewardship Committee as well as Council Trustee Chair Jeff Braun for the great work during this year's pledge drive.  The campaign drive is not an easy task nor is our budget process.  As we heard at service recently there is still a gap to fill as we build toward our 2008 goal of $280,000 in pledges.  If you haven't made your pledge yet please consider doing so.

 

I would like to extend a thank you to our Human Concerns Committee members.  We had another successful alternative gift market and I appreciate the leadership involving Bethel's continued support of our church community wider mission.

 

Also, the Men of Bethel prepared and hosted Thanksgiving dinner. The meal was great but we missed Bob Fealy in full pilgrim garb.  At least we escaped without burning down Schiffman Hall.  Too many blessings to count.

 

Jim LaPalermo, Council President

 

 

Financial summary

 

 

Income

Income

YTD

% of Budget

 

Expenses

Expense

YTD

% of Budget

October

27,848

341,831

79 %

28,598

325,944

76 %

 

If you have questions or would like further detail please contact Rod Stipe, Treasurer.

 

From the Board of Trustees

 

PLEDGE UPDATE To date we have 81 pledges for a total of $268,206.  Our goal for 2008 is a total pledge income of about $300,000.  In 2007 there were 92 pledges for a total of about $280,000.

 

Thank you for those who have submitted their pledges.  If you have not submitted your 2008 pledge, please consider submitting it as soon as possible, so that your leadership can complete planning and budgeting for 2008.  Pledge cards are available in the Narthex or you can call the Church Office with you pledge.

 

2007 CONTRIBUTIONS must be paid on or before December 31st to be included on your 2007 giving statement.

 

Gifts from an IRA  Persons aged 70½ or older are required to take an annual distribution from their IRA.  Normally this distribution would be part of the individual’s taxable income.  However, if you direct all or a portion of the distribution to be transferred from the administrator of the IRA to the
Church, no taxes are incurred.  Note that this opportunity expires Dec. 31, 2007.

 

CHANGE OUR DEBT We will be collecting change through the end of the year for debt reduction.  A bottle for change is in the undercroft.  Any guess how heavy it will become as you lighten your pockets?  Thank you for your support!

 

BETHEL HAS INITIATED AN EBAY SELLING SITE  The site's purpose is to raise money to be applied to the debt retirement fund.  Items of value (preferably antiques or collectibles with a minimum value of $50.00) may be listed on the site.  The profit, after selling and listing fees are deducted, would be considered a tax-deductible donation to the church.  Items must be small enough to ship via priority mail or UPS.  The digital imaging (jpeg), writing copy, packing, and shipping of the item would be the responsibility of the donor.  If you need help in any of these areas, contact Bruce Smith who will be acting as coordinator for the project.

 

 

 

 

 

From the Board of Elders

 

CHRISTMAS IS DECEMBER 25!!!  The Christmas Season at church starts off with the Advent Workshop on Sunday, December 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Crafts will begin at 5:00, supper around 5:45 and we will close with a service in the sanctuary.  Everyone is invited to attend this festive evening of making ornaments and wreaths for Christmas.  Supper is provided.  There will be lasagna and macaroni and salad and bread and dessert and drinks! 

 

Also mark your calendars for the next Sunday December 9 when the children of Bethel will present "It All Happened In The Country" at the Sunday morning worship service. 

 

What’s happening in POP  The past two weeks, we have been preparing for the Christmas play. 

 

Dec 2: Rehearsal during worship and from 3:45-5:00 p.m.

 

Dec 8: Dress Rehearsal (Saturday) 10:30-12:00 p.m.

 

Dec 9: Final Rehearsal 8:45 a.m. : Christmas play during worship 10:00 a.m.

 

Dec 16: Christmas Trivial Pursuit with Elaine Atristain

 

Dec 23: Celebrate the Birth of Jesus

 

Dec 30: POP Cancelled

 

Jan 06: Animals in the Bible with Karen Ritter

 

Lisa Landreth

 

ADVENT DAILY DEVOTIONS BOOKLETS are available in the narthex and by contacting the church office.

 

From the Board of Deacons

The Deacons have chosen and ordered a new, outdoor Christmas banner.  They are really looking forward to having it displayed and hope that it brings people in for the season. They are looking for three new members to replace the three whose terms are up in January. We will be moving the guest book into the undercroft so that we can more easily spot visitors and have them sign in and invite them for coffee after the service.

 

AIM (Adults In Mission) News

The AIM group is alive and well--we are pulling together our plans for mission trips in 2008.  We are excited to announce the selection of a week for our Spring Trip--April 14-19th!  We are in the throws of final voting to choose our location for the week long mission trip.  The finalists are (1) Appalachia (a return to last year's location, and (2) New Orleans.  Both trips would focus on home repair and give us an opportunity to connect with families in need. We have purposely limited our selections to options with "real beds," no tents or church basements for this crowd!  We need both skilled and unskilled workers, so if you have interest and availability, please register your interest and cast your vote for one location or the other by contacting Jean Bruno.

 

In an effort to extend the opportunity of mission work to those who cannot make a 6 or 7 day commitment, we are investigating weekend trips to locations closer to Elmhurst.  These trips would be scheduled to destinations such as Rockford or Southern Wisconsin.  Accommodations might be a bit more "rustic" than our week long trips and would be suitable for families as well as singles and couples. We are currently looking at weekend options for June or July.  If you have interest in a trip like this, please contact Betsy D'Onofrio with your availability so we can get a date locked in on the calendar.

 

 

 

Text Box: Birthdays 2 Pastor Sally Scheib 3 Marillyn Larkin 3 Teresa Sorensen 4 Matt Gray 6 Lucy LaPalermo 6 Carl Zimmerman 7 Jeff Oberlin 9 Bob Renier 11 Joan Lossau 12 Izzie Miller 13 Lili Melvin 14 Debra Crocker 15 Sue Bieterman 17 Erik Naumann 17 Kathy Salzano 18 Jim Kveton 19 Don Albers 19 Al Bretl 19 Carly Kveton 20 Wilma Delaney 21 Melissa Kowalkowski 22 Rebecca Love 23 Roberta Fox 24 Mike Delaney 25 Ann LaPalermo 27 Elena Ceas 30 Jordy Pennella Wedding Anniversaries 28 Don & Ann Wolff

If you are not able to participate on the trips themselves, there will be plenty of opportunities to participate "in spirit" by attending our world-famous baked potato suppers or investing in AIM shares.  Of those who attended our Appalachia trip last year, 92% have expressed interest in returning.  The experience of helping others along with the opportunity to get to know other Bethel members on a deeper spiritual level is obviously a winning combination. Please join us--the more the merrier. 

Men of Bethel

 

MEN’S CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST will be at the Fresh Start Café in Elmhurst on December 11th at 8 a.m.

 

Women of Bethel

 

THE NEXT LADIES LUNCHEON will be at Dorothea Odom’s home on December 10th at 11:30 a.m.   Ladies are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch and join us around the Christmas tree.

 

THE ANNUAL WOMEN OF BETHEL CHRISTMAS PARTY will be held on Wednesday, December 5th, at 6:30 p.m. at Kathy Gray's home.  Please bring an appetizer, ready to serve, for the buffet table.  The evening's program will be provided by Linda Lunt and an ensemble of our Bethel handbell ringers sharing music of the season.  A free-will offering will be taken to support Christmas gifts for the Anchorage residents and Head Start children...as well as our Shoe Fund.  We will conclude the evening with Linda Lyman accompanying us as we sing our favorite carols and songs of the season.  Please sign up in the narthex or by contacting the office.

 

ATTENTION WOMEN OF BETHEL A Lenten women’s retreat is being planned for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22-23, 2008, at Loretto Conference Center in Wheaton. Pastor Sally and Pastor Rebecca will be the program leaders. The cost will be $85.00 per person (includes Friday evening dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch meals, overnight lodging and program materials). Saturday only rates are available and special food diets can be accommodated. The facility is handicapped accessible.

 

If you’d like, you may bring a relative or a friend who would be interested in coming. There will be a $30.00 deposit fee at time of sign up and the remainder of cost upon arrival at registration. More information will be on the table in the narthex. Feel free to contact any committee member for any questions you may have: Ann LaPalermo, Karen Lockerbie, Virginia Wilson, Deb Miller, Arlene Sandvik or Meta Polak.

 

Breakfast Club

 

Heads up, Bethel youth!  This January, The Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ is offering you an amazing opportunity to meet with other youth from all over the Illinois Conference for a weekend of serious fun.  This event is open to all 7th-12th grade youth, and I strongly encourage each of you to consider attending.  We’ll leave January 11th and return on the 13th, and while we’re gone you will gain leadership skills, experience a high ropes course, hear from a number of wonderful speakers, and enjoy great times with other youth at a dance, campfire, and other fun activities.  Please contact me if you’re interested to discuss the cost of this trip and further details; registrations should be in ASAP.  Don’t miss out on this one.  It’s sure to be a weekend you’ll never forget.                                                                        Emmy Odean

 

 

 

 

 

Bethel Youth Fellowship

Happy Holidays to All from BYF!

 

We hope all of our readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. The community service at Elmhurst College provided a nice opportunity for a broad spectrum of people to give thanks together. If you missed it this year, mark your calendars next year.

 

The December BYF activities really fill the calendar

1.  Sunday, 12/2 at 4 p.m. we will continue DVD viewing and conversation at church. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

2.   Saturday, 12/8 1-4 p.m. work trip fundraiser goody making at the Ds

3.   Sunday, 12/9 goody sales after church

4. Sunday, 12/16, afternoon “Shopping for Others” and gift wrapping

5.   Sunday, 12 23 at 5:30 a.m. P.A.D.S at St. Alexis in Bensenville

 

“Special” dates to put on the calendar include: In early January we will need a commitment from those wanting to go on the work trip to Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi, July 27-August 2. Please consider this. We will be contacting all high school age youth and potential drivers to form our roster. On Saturday, February 2, we will spend the morning working at Northern Illinois Food Bank in St. Charles. The next morning will be the “Souper Bowl of Caring” special offering. On Saturday, March 8 we are hoping to have a Variety Show followed by a dinner at church as the major fundraiser for the work trip. Please think about how you will participate!

 

As the year comes to a close, we would like to thank everyone for their support of the youth fellowship group and their projects. We had a year filled with many opportunities to help others. Each time we do this, we learn something new about ourselves. We hope that this helps shape us into loving and caring people for the rest of our lives.

 

Merry Christmas to all.....

The Ds

Human Concerns

 

a special pads thank you to the October PADS volunteers:  Kelvin Klindworth; Jennifer, Patrick, and Jeremy Wilk; Dana and Betsy D’Onofrio, Jordan and Kathy Gray; Jim Dondlinger and the Bethel Youth Fellowship.  Also thanks to volunteers from Mary Queen of Heaven, Elmhurst College and Elmhurst Christian Men’s Group, and members of Grace Community Church of Palatine.  We couldn’t provide this valuable service to DuPage County’s homeless without each of these great individuals!

 

We would also like to thank those who cooked, cleaned, and served at PADS the last weekend in November. Thanks to Jeanne Stuart; Cheri Yauch; Jeanne Kowalkowski; Jennifer, Jeremy, and Patrick Wilk; Chris and Katie Buik; Larry and Jean Crippin; Roxanne Schwoch; Jan and Jim Dondlinger, and the Bethel Youth Fellowship.

 

Would you like to help too?  Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex, or contact Mike Botsch or Roxanne Schwoch.

 Text Box: Behind the Christmas Story These busy days are full of spiritual opportunity. Why not deepen the meaning of the season with some Bible study of The Story behind it all? Join Rev. Steve for 3 Thursdays in December, beginning December Dec. 6 at 6:45 p.m. in exploring the original texts. • Dec. 6 – The “Synoptic” Problem (and something of an answer)….How the various Gospels relate to each other • Dec. 13 – Continuing the Discussion – Of Shepherds and Kings • Dec. 20 – John, the synoptic story transformed into pure art

 

 

 

 

Text Box: James Ekblad 909 S IL Route 83 - Ste 107 Elmhurst IL 60126 NEW MEMBERS Maria Menard 250 W Fremont Ave Elmhurst IL 60126 279-7991 Ralph and Vida Cruz 618 S Linden Ave Elmhurst IL 60126 516-3411 Bethel Congregation and especially the Women of Bethel – It has been a few months since we celebrated my dad’s life at a memorial service at Bethel. It was a very nice event. In the interim time, all of the sympathies and well-wishings sent to our family were overwhelming. A heart-felt thank you goes out to the congregation for all the support. We especially want to thank the Women of Bethel who generously presented the coffee and sweets in Schiffman Hall after the service. This fellowship after the service gave us a time to catch up with old friends and acquaintances. Our dad would have enjoyed all of it. Gary and Georgia DeClark  

PLEASE VOLUNTEER AT THE ELMHURST WALK-IN MINISTRY FOOD PANTRY FOR FAMILIES-IN-NEED  Can you volunteer for 2 hours once a month on Tuesday or Thursday from 10 a.m. to Noon?  At Immaculate Conception, you would give out food to families referred to the food pantry by the Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry.  Call Shelia to volunteer or for more information (630) 279-7665.

 

ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET We would like to thank Barb Vegter for once again organizing a successful the Alternative Gift Market and Ten Thousand Villages Sunday in November.  Thanks to the generous gifts of Bethel members, over $5,900 (exceeding last year's total!) will be forwarded to local charities, as well as those around the world. Whether your donations went for hunger relief, medical assistance, helping to provide clean water, rescuing a river, buying food or shoes to people in our own area, your dollars will be appreciated by so many.

 

The GiVING Tree to collect clothing to be given to PADS is set up.  Please remove an "ornament" from the tree and replace it with a wished for item.

 

Shop and Share slips for Jewel Shopping Days on Dec. 10, 11, and 12th are located on that busy table outside the church office. 5% of your total purchases will benefit the Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry.

 

Some people think that the season of love and giving falls only in December. Here at Bethel, I know it is year around.   

                 

Blessings, Chris Smith

 

FOOD PANTRY In December we will be collecting dried and packaged fruit to be distributed by the local food pantries.  Please leave your donation in the basket just inside the North entrance.

 

UCC CHRISTMAS FUND

… the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in city of David a Savior who  is the Messiah…” (Luke 2:10-11)

 

Our joy at Christmas is a response to God’s promise of new life through the birth of Jesus.  It is a joy we are called to share widely, through our witness and gifts, both to loved ones and to distant neighbors.

 

The Christmas Fund Offering (formerly Veterans of the Cross), one of four Special mission Offerings of the United Church of Christ (UCC), is an important way of sharing our joy at God’s renewing and life-giving grace.  The Offering, which is administered by the united Church Board for Ministerial Assistance of the Pension Boards on behalf of the UCC, is an expression of joy and gratitude to, and for, those who serve the church.  Gifts to the Christmas fund help provide pension and health premium supplementation to low-income retirees, emergency assistance to the families of clergy and lay employees and Christmas Gift checks to hundreds of annuitants.

 

 

 

 

Bethel Learning Center

MANNA ORDERS Get all your Christmas Gift Cards through Bethel Learning Center this year! Orders forms available  on the table outside the church office.  Orders due in no later than 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 10th.  A percentage of each purchase will go towards the church fund you choose. This will be our only Manna Group order for the year. Gift cards will be available for pick up on Thursday, December 13th. 

Music Ministry

The youth handbell choir will be ringing in Christmas spirit for the Salvation Army.  On Saturday December 8 from 7-9 p.m. at the J.C. Penny store at Yorktown (lower level), come hear the youth handbell choir ringing for the Salvation Army kettle. The kids have been hard at work preparing Christmas music to ring to help raise money for the Salvation Army. Having a musical group rather than a bell ringer increases the amount donors give.  Come out and support the youth in this worthwhile endeavor!

 

Linda Lunt, Handbell Choir Director

 

The music ministry at Bethel is working in full gear preparing for our Advent and Christmas worship: 

 

·        It All Happened in the Country, directed by Jenny Riddle, will be presented by the POP and Breakfast Club youth December 9.  I have had the good fortune of participating in rehearsals for this play, and I can assure you that this will be a fun filled and touching presentation done beautifully by our Bethel Youth.

·        Jazz at Bethel returns to our Monday Evening Concert Series December 10 at 7:30 pm with a performance by the superb vocalist Margaret Carlson and the Scott Stevenson Trio.  This jazzy tribute to the holiday season will feature an evening of seasonal favorites including Away in the Manger, What Child is This, Silent Night, The Christmas Waltz, Toyland, and White Christmas.  For information please contact the Bethel office at 630.279.4040.

·        Our Bethel Music Sunday will be December 16. As always this worship will feature the talents of the Bethel Adult Handbell and Adult Voice Choirs as well as various soloists. 

·        I am thrilled that as part of our December 23 worship we will present a wonderful liturgical dance presentation; Jenny Riddle will be singing a beautiful moving contemporary Christmas song and my first cousin, Katy Kempen, a dancer in the Chicagoland area, will choreograph this song for her and Kaitlin Riddle to dance.  The twist to this music is that the text refers to a mother’s thoughts for her children during the Christmas time, and the combination of these powerful words, Jenny’s singing and Kaitlin and Katy’s dance promises to be a moving worship moment.

·        Our Bethel Christmas Eve services will as always be filled with music (and obviously so much more).  For our 4:30 Worship Jenny Riddle and I would like to again have our Mother/Daughter Choir participate in service.  We would like to call a rehearsal for this choir immediately following service December 23. ALL Mothers and Daughters are welcomed and encouraged to sing.

 

I hope that your preparations for Christmas are filled with joy, peace, reflection and with great blessings.

 

Jeffrey Panko, Minister of Music

 

Jeffrey Panko, Minister of Music

 

 Text Box: The

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join us for Christmas Eve Services at 4:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.!

 

 

 

LOOK FOR OUR BLOG DISCUSSIONS on the Bethel website. 

 

The newsletter and other releases are available on the Bethel website under Publications.

 

Contributions for the January issue are due in the church office by December 16th!