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The Messiah Messenger>
The January Messenger Issue #463
January 3, 2007
THE JANUARY
MESSENGER
From the Pastor
“A NEW RESOLUTION”
By now, I am certain that you have either made some New
Year’s resolutions or at least considered a few. In our
annual attempts to better ourselves, we reflect on our past
behaviors and know that some things should be changed or
altered.
Well, we need to do just such a self-assessment as a body
of Christ here at Messiah. What needs to happen for us to
better our communal life in this building as the people who
are the church?
As a church leader, it has long been my opinion that a
church should exist foremost for the making and gathering
of new disciples. A vibrant, thriving church is one in
which members are committed to reaching out and inviting
others to experience that particular community of God and
to find therein a true sense of meaning and joy. Those
invitations may be issued directly or indirectly. I wonder
how many of us have actually invited someone to worship
with us at Messiah. (In other words, how many of us have
actually kept our written promise during the recent
Generosity Campaign to invite someone to the church.) And
I also am curious as to whether or not “outsiders” may feel
drawn to this place because of what they understand to be
our purpose and mission to the larger community.
I believe that this emphasis on invitation must cause us to
examine and change some current practices to make this
church a welcoming place. We must be firmly resolved in
our commitment to witness to the truth we have found in our
relationship to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And we
must be willing and able to create a climate of
inclusiveness and unity in every aspect of our life here at
Messiah.
Many of the leaders at Messiah have been laboring long and
hard to develop a true direction and mission for this
church. At our first congregational meeting on February 4,
2007 (following a 10 AM worship service), new plans for a
proposed addition to our building will be introduced. We
believe that the proposal is consistent with and necessary
for the advancement of our mission:
With Christ, Reaching Out and Welcoming All God’s Children
It is imperative that you be present at this meeting to
hear about the building plans, to ask questions and to
voice your support and concerns. This year promises to be
a pivotal and crucial time for Messiah. Please pray for
our stated mission and join in the resolution to accomplish
our goals for the Kingdom of God.
18And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven
and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
~ Matthew 28:18-20
May the peace and blessings of God be with
you and your household in this New Year,
Pastor Paul
Noteworthy News
MEETING THE CHALLENGE
Messiah Lutheran Church and Child Care Center really
stepped up to the plate this Christmas season, going above
and beyond the call with our Christmas Charities Drive.
This year Messiah had three different giving opportunities:
NOLA School Supplies
The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA, contacted us
about St. Bernard parish, southeast of New Orleans, which
was hit extremely hard by hurricane Katrina. The St.
Bernard school system requested school supplies, and we
sent over 100 pounds of paper, pens, crayons, tape, glue,
and folders to help those kids out (see the thank you
letter on page 9).
The Night Ministry Hats and Gloves
For the homeless in Chicagoland, we put hat and glove sets
on our Giving Tree in the narthex. Combined with the Child
Care Center and Pack 105 Scout Troop, we collected over 250
items to send to the Night Ministry.
LSSI Gifts for Kids
This year we requested double the amount of names for needy
children in our area, and we supplied 50 children with
Christmas presents.
Messiah should be VERY proud of what was accomplished this
Christmas, and continues to be accomplished with other
missions to the Food Pantry, Lutheran General, and for the
CROP Walk. In fact Messiah collected the largest amount of
money of all the Park Ridge Churches - $2,900 – with only 7
CROP-walkers! Congratulations, and thank you.
SIMPLY GIVING…TO MESSIAH!
Tired of writing out those checks every week??? The Simply
Giving Program is a great way to contribute to Messiah!
More and more people bank electronically these days, and
enrolling in Simply Giving is quick, easy, and FREE. Funds
are automatically withdrawn from your bank account once or
twice monthly (you pick) and deposited directly into
Messiah’s account free of charge.
Talk to Dave Hanson or call the office if you have
questions. Or just pick up an application in the narthex
(in the leaflet rack), fill it out, and turn it in to the
office. We will take care of everything else! Simplify
your finances – sign up for Simply Giving!
Upcoming Events
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, February 4 at 11 AM
Following a 10 AM Worship Service, the congregational
meeting will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 11:00. We
will have a Pot Luck Lunch while we review the past year
and discuss the goals of the upcoming year. Annual reports
will be available the week prior (January 28th) to give
members an opportunity to review them before the meeting.
We will be electing new officers and voting on a budget at
this meeting, so all are encouraged to attend.
REMINDERS!
Naomi Circle Thursday, January 11th at 9:30 AM at Viv
Beyer’s house. Viv is at 303 E. Washington Street, Apt
112, Bensenville, IL 60106. Call the office if you need
her phone number for directions.
Men’s Breakfast Saturday, January 13th at 9:00 AM at Old
Country Buffet in Park Ridge (Dempster and Luther Lane).
Friendship Day Resumes January 25, 2007. Please remember to
donate old sheets, blankets, drapes, and any material to us
to make quilts. They may be left in the Tower Room metal
box or the LWR box across from the office. If you would
like to work at home, contact Eva Thoren at the 8:30 A.M.
service or Millie Anderson at the 11 A.M. service. Several
ladies have expressed a desire to learn to knit. If you are
interested, contact Carol Smith. "He won't forget the love
you have shown his people" ~ Hebrews 6:10
Thanks…see you, and God Bless. Eva Thoren, Chair
WELCA Board January 3rd @ 9:00 AM
Executive Committee January 9th @ 7:30 PM
Child Care Board January 17th @ 7:00 PM
Property Development January 23rd @ 7:30 PM
COMING IN FEBRUARY…
Congregation Celebration/Pancake Breakfast
Mardi Gras Family Night
Beginning of Lenten Worship Services
This Month in Worship
WORSHIP SCHEDULE AND READINGS
All Sundays have 8:30 and 11:00 AM worship services.
Jan. 7 – Baptism of Our Lord/First Sunday After Epiphany
Isaiah 43:1–7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14–17; Luke 3:15–17, 21–22
Jan. 14 – Second Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 62:1–5; Psalm 36:5–10; 1 Corinthians 12:1–11; John
2:1–11
Jan. 21 – Third Sunday after Epiphany
Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6, 8–10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians
12:12–31a; Luke 4:14–21
Jan. 28 – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Jeremiah 1:4–10; Psalm 71:1–6; 1 Corinthians 13:1–13; Luke
4:21–30
ADULT FORUM SCHEDULE
Jan. 7 – Pastor Paul, Sue Fox, and Tom Daniels, Introducing
the New ELW Hymnals
Jan. 14 – Pastor Mark Wiberg, Continuing discussion on
Evangelizing the Church
Jan. 21 – Professor David Setje, Concordia University,
“Lutherans and the Longest War”
Jan. 28 – Video and Discussion, “A Light in the Darkness”
about the Volga Germans
ADULT BIBLE STUDY RESUMES
Bible study resumes January 3rd and 4th at the regular
Wednesday 10 AM and Thursday 6:30 PM time slots. We will
continue our discussion of the Gospel of John.
FLOWERS AND BULLETINS
The sign-ups for flowers and bulletins are in the narthex
by the hall to the Educational Wing. Flowers are $30, and
the Bulletins are $10. Envelopes are provided next to the
sign-up calendar, or you may simply write “Flowers” or
“Bulletin” on your regular envelope in the Other box.
PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO PAY FOR YOUR FLOWERS OR BULLETINS!
Note to all those purchasing flowers: Your flowers are
yours to take home!
If you wish to donate them to one of our shut-ins, please
be sure to
let the Altar Guild know. Thanks!
Jan. 7 – Flowers are given by John and Sue Fox in honor of
Peter’s 14th birthday.
Jan. 14 – Flowers are given in honor of Chuck and Jackie
Steigerwald’s 60th wedding anniversary on January 11, 2007.
Jan. 21 – Flowers are given in honor of Heba Pearl’s 3rd
birthday.
Jan. 28 – None.
Messages
Report from Clare Rodin
Clare contacted Char Lobitz before Christmas to let her
know how things are going. Here is her report:
1. Clare’s daughter Linda had a recent physical and her
cancer is still in remission – thank you for continued
prayer.
2. Care has found and apartment – she is living at Baptist
Retirement Village, 11315 W. Peoria, Unit N4, Youngstown,
AZ 85363. Her phone # is 623-210-4399.
3. Clare prays for our church and all her friends daily
(and maybe more!)
Sign Update
Our new Messiah sign has been waiting patiently in the
parsonage garage while Park Ridge Village officials review
our building permit. We have run into a few snags with the
Appearance Committee, but are close to a resolution. We
hope to have the sign up very soon. Our parking lot signs
have been installed, and look GREAT! We no longer need to
collect funds for the signs – thank you!
REVIVED TO BE SENT –DIAKONIA RETREAT, JANUARY 20TH, 2007
8am until 4pm at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest. For
the first time the Diakonia Retreat is open to non-diakonia
participants and you are invited to attend. Pastor Kathryn
Bradley Love will be our retreat leader along with Pr.
David Lowery and Pr. Rayford Grady. The focus will be on
why we need to revival and how to prepare for it, as well
as workshop participation. It should be a great opportunity
to renew your faith and energy through the power of prayer
and worship. The leaders are well known and talented
people in the ELCA. The cost of the retreat is $25 and
includes lunch. For more information, please contact Floyd
Yager and he can help get you registered!
ANNUAL REPORTS DUE!!!
Yes, it is that time of year again! Annual Reports are due
into the office by January 7th – no ifs, ands, or buts!
NEW HYMNALS ARE HERE!
We have finally received our new Evangelical Lutheran
Worship hymnals – hallelujah! We need volunteers to help
put in the book plates, and organize the hymnals in the
narthex for folks to place their own specific hymnal in
“their” pew if they wish. Please call the office if you are
available to help with this project.
From Naomi Circle
Thanks to all who gave/brought/baked cookies for our shut
ins. Thanks also to those who packed and delivered our
little boxes of Christmas cheer!
Youth Corner
CONFIRMATION CLASS SCHEDULE
Pastor has tentatively set the schedule for Confirmation
classes for the first part of 2007. All classes are from
9-11 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays of each month as
follows:
January 20
February 3 & 17
March 3 & 17
April 7 & 21
May 5 & 19
Classes also include the 9:45 AM Sunday hour with Edith
Reeve.
Second year students will be confirmed on Sunday, May 27th
at the 11:00 a.m. service. There will be a rehearsal for
the service on the morning of the 26th beginning at 11:00
a.m. (including the whole class) followed by pizza for
students and their parents.
Then, in June, the new first years and the “graduated”
second years will attend Confirmation Camp, or
“Campfirmation” at LOMC. More details on that to follow.
Church statistics
END OF YEAR REPORT
A complete listing of the 2006 church statistics –
Attendance, Membership, Visitors, and Budget – will be
available in the 2006 Annual Report of the Congregation.
Annual Reports will be in the narthex on January 28th for
members to take home to review prior to the Annual Meeting
on February 4th.
Messiah Ministries
UNITED POWER FOR ACTION AND JUSTICE REPORT
A meeting was held at the Resurrection Project on December
7. A report was given by the Adequate Health Care Task
Force, a 29-member, state-sponsored group representing
business, insurance, doctors, hospitals, and uninsured
citizens. The concern was securing health care for all
Illinois residents. A tentative plan has employers paying a
fee or insuring their workers and mandating all Illinois
residents to be enrolled in a health care plan. United
Power supports sensible, fair, and sustainable funding for
health care.
Funding for this legislation needs to be addressed. A
discussion ensued centering on the idea that if United
Power believed in supporting universal health care for all
Illinois residents, we should present ideas of funding
sources. Increased taxes and a 1 dollar surcharge on movie
tickets were several of the ideas presented. It was
approved that a committee be appointed to explore multiple
ideas to fund the plan.
- Submitted by Char Baumgartner
THANKS FROM REV. PHIL
Dear Pastor Paul,
Thank you very much for your hospitality and generosity. I
enjoyed the opportunity to preach and meet with members, or
should I say “fellow missionaries,” at Messiah on November
26. Please pass my greetings on to the whole congregation.
May you and your family have a very blessed Advent and
Christmas.
Yours faithfully,
Philip Knutson
Milestones
BIRTHDAYS
Julia Mix, 1/1
Richard Seggeling, 1/2
Paul Holzer, 1/3
Nicholas Levy, 1/4
Peter John Fox, 1/5
Brian Jason, 1/5
Donald Kovach, 1/7
Larry Ryczek, 1/7
Kirby Corkill, 1/9
Betty Ortaggio, 1/9
Patricia Fisher, 1/12
Thomas Jason, 1/12
Tait Jensen, 1/12
Mark Jones, 1/13
Brenda Reter, 1/15
William Demonte, 1/16
Marv Jelonek, 1/17
Henry Mizera, 1/17
Lester Herak, 1/20
Cara Nastali, 1/21
Heba Pearl Kumar, 1/22
Chris Boomer, 1/23
Karol Kamman, 1/25
Evelyn Burval, 1/26
Terence Fretheim, 1/27
Lytle Thompson, 1/28
Eric Daniels, 1/29
Charlotte Pearson, 1/29
Jessica Valenta, 1/29
Neil Wagner, 1/30
ANNIVERSARIES
Chuck & Jackie Steigerwald – 1/11/1947, 60 years
Charles and Leona Johnson – 1/19/1946, 61 years
Messiah Leadership Team for 2006
President: Dave Kaufman (847) 788-0442
Vice President: Carol Hrodey (262) 652-3187
Treasurer: Brad Kovach (847) 297-4883
Secretary: Trudi Handzel (847)359-7830
Financial Sec.: David Hanson (847) 296-6796
Stewardship: Les Herak
Evangelism: David Swanson
Child Care Center: Donna Berzins
Visioning Task Force: Floyd Yager
For the Memorial, Honorarium, and Thanks to God Fund
This report is as of December 10, 2006.
NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT MARK DONATIONS AS “BUILDING FUND.”
PLEASE DESIGNATE EITHER “CAPITAL FUND” OR “PROPERTY
RESERVE.” IT IS VERY CONFUSING TO YOUR CHAIR AND THE
COUNTERS. THANK YOU.
IN MEMORY OF OLAV JOHNSEN
Given by: Jane E. Denne
IN MEMORY OF FRANK LUCK
Given by: Clare Doud
IN MEMORY JENNEY SCHAFRIK
Given by: Chuck and Jackie Steigerwald, Millie Anderson
IN MEMORY OF BETTY HRODEY
Given by: Lois Bunt, Trudi and Jim Handzel
The family has requested the memorials be given to the
Capital Fund.
If there are any omissions in my report, I mean if you have
donated to this fund and it was not acknowledged by me and
not listed in my report, please let me know. This does
happen now and then, and I certainly want to check it out.
If it did not come to me, I will certainly do everything I
can to find where it is. However PLEASE ALLOW SEVERAL
MONTHS; SOMETIMES IT COMES IN AFTER THE CUT OFF DATE. Also,
to make things easier for your chair, donations not
designated, unless requests are made by the family, will be
put into Property Reserve, a much needed fund.
I would like to thank those who put their address on the
Memorial Card. It saves me the time it takes to look it up.
Also, if the family address is not available in our church
book, please include it along with the relationship. F.
Y.I. Amount of the donation is acknowledged only to the
donor. If requested, I give a total amount to the Family.
And remember, it helps if you put your envelope number on
the check.
From the financial secretary: Please put your envelope
number on the memorial card.
Millie Anderson, Chairperson
(847)692-2385, E-Mail: MillieAnderson@CompuServe.com
Prayer Requests
Please include the following individuals and families in
your prayers this month:
Chuck Boomer
Joe & Evelyn Burval
Mr. Dennis
Ardene Ejnik
Chris Jacobsen
Kennet
Neena Kumar
Richard Levy
Nancy Maher
Sue Nugnis
Aidan Ray
Mary Reter
Pastor Sally Terrell
Linda (Rodin) Ufkes
We also want to remember in our prayers our military
personnel:
Kevin Hrodey, Jason Koesler, Tim David, Lars Johnsen, and
Patrick and Claudine Ward.
Directory Changes
Please let the office know if you are moving! Thanks!
Nancy Smith
2000 Garlands Lane, Unit 2216
Barrington, IL 60010
Irene and Paul Tietz
811 E Central Road, Apt. 326
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH
1605 Vernon Avenue
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Church Staff
Rev. Paul Stolz, Pastor
Jennifer Schneider, Secretary
Karen Black, Child Care Center Director
Vic Berzins, Director of Property Maintenance
John Handzel, Property Maintenance
Worknesh Deressa, Custodian
Tom Daniels, Director of Music
Sue Fox, Organist
Messiah Lutheran Church 1605 Vernon Avenue Park Ridge, IL 60068
p 847.823.6984 f 847.823.6996
Office@messiahparkridge.org
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