By the Way
JANUARY 2020
— New Year New Look —
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Pastor's Message
Rev. Richard E. Malmberg
Friends:
You may remember that in the fall, I attended an Illinois Conference gathering in Peoria with five members of our congregation. It was the TPIRC Summit meeting, including teams from all over the state of Illinois. TPIRC stands for Thriving Pastors in Revitalizing Congregations. It is an effort funded by a grant from the Lilly Foundation, which is aimed at enabling churches to navigate the new realities of religious life in our time.
I am particularly proud of our team: Carol Berger, Chip Braulick, Jennifer Harmon, Emily Miller and Susi Winquist. Together they represent a range of experience in Little Home Church, from new members to decades of devoted involvement; parents raising young children to grandparents, two past moderators and a future one, the current treasurer and occasional Sunday School teachers.
At a gathering of our TPIRC cohort of congregations in Palatine in October, we were tasked with developing a “renewal plan,” for our church. We will present to our cohort gathering in January in Crystal Lake. At the December, Church Council meeting, the TPIRC team presented a proposal for a Renewal Plan for Little Home Church. The stated objective is “To increase awareness of, participation and attendance in all LHC activities. The desired end result is a positive impact on membership and revenue.” The proposed strategy is:
The TPRIC team will work with LHC staff, Ministry Chairs and other lay leaders to create and more effectively promote a calendar of events, making sure that the required support is available to maximize the end results. This would include the following:
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Create a calendar for the entire year (we should publish the 2020 calendar by January 1) and update it regularly, as a live document.
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Promote the calendar through print, online and any other means available.
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Promote each specific event based on predetermined requirements for print, online and any other venue deemed appropriate and necessary.
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Define what is needed to allow EVERYONE to participate as they wish. (Eliminate reasons for people not to participate).
This proposal was greeted enthusiastically and approved by the Church Council. As you can tell, there are ways every member of Little Home Church can participate in this renewal project. Its success depends on all of us. I hope you will think and pray over the ways you can engage in renewal between now and our congregational meeting on January 26.
Wishing you all the best for 2020.
Faithfully, Pastor Richard
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What's Happening at Church...
Get involved and join a group, an event, or a LHC initiative.
Explore / Belong / Learn
Worship Service
- Sundays, 9:30 am
Bible Study
- Wednesdays, 10 am
Meditation Group
- Thursdays, 9 - 10 am
Queen of Hearts Raffle
- Wednesdays, 8 pm at Spotted Fox in St. Charles
New Year's Day
- OFFICE CLOSED
Playdate
- Thursday, January 2 & 16, 1 pm
Un-Hanging of the Greens
- Sunday, January 5, 10:30 am
Friday Night at the Movies
- Friday, January 10, 7 pm
Men of LHC Monthly Breakfast
- Saturday, January 11, 8:30 am
2ND SUNDAY - Food Pantry Offering
- Sunday, January 12, 9:30 am
Church Council Meeting
- Thursday, January 16, 7 pm
Book & A Prayer Book Club
- Monday, January 20**, 7 pm (**note day change this month)
BTW Deadline
- Wednesday, January 22
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'Janual' Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 26, 2020, 10:45 am
COME JOIN US...
This annual congregational meeting will convene immediately after the worship service to review/approve the proposed 2020 budget for LHC, and hear an update from our church leadership. We need a quorum to pass the budget and your voice is important!
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UPCOMING DATES
Chicago Steel Hockey All Church Outing
- Saturday, February 1, 7:05 pm
Chili Cook-Off/Dessert Bake-Off
- Saturday, February 8, 6:30 pm
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
- Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm, 630.584.4013
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2019 Christmas Cantata
"Tapestry of Light, A Celtic Christmas Celebration"
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Music Notes
Heartfelt Thanks!
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"I had the epiphany that laughter was light, and that light was laughter, and that was the secret of the universe."
- Donna Tartt
My sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the Pageant, the Cantata, and the Christmas Eve services. As we usher in 2020, I look forward to much light and laughter!
Peace,
Larry Dieffenbach, Director of Music, Organist
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Through the fourth week of our Stewardship Campaign, we have received
38 pledges
totaling
$118,845
. Our minimum goal for 2020 is to reach the $179,730 pledged during our last formal pledge drive in 2018, so we are currently at 66% of our financial goal. The current level of pledges received this year is slightly behind the 48 pledges and $140,900 received for the comparable period in 2018. So, we need your continued help to reach and hopefully exceed our minimum goal for 2020.
It’s interesting to note that in 2018, just 63% of our members pledged (others give without pledging) but every pledge in any amount provides Little Home Church with a measure of financial assurance and will help us accomplish all that we have planned for the upcoming year.
If you are just late in returning your pledge card or have misplaced it, additional cards are in the pews and the church office. Or they can be obtained by emailing or calling the church office.
Click here
to print one out and mail it to the Church Office.
If you have never pledged because of future uncertainty, our pledge cards indicate that you can change your pledge amount at any time. For those that just can’t get comfortable with pledging, it would be very helpful to just let us know what you are planning to give in 2020. It will help both your's and our financial planning for the year. You can do that by sending me an email at
kconhen@sbcglobal.net
or contacting the church office.
Thanks to all that have already returned their pledges.
Pete Connolly, Stewardship Ministry Chair
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“Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference."
Kathy Calvin
Christmas Dinners
Thank you, thank you, thank you! A call was made and our LHC Congregation answered: we managed to fill all 45 requests for Christmas meals for those in need this holiday season. This means that, between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, we've provided a total of 90 meals in less than two months! The picture featured shows the Christmas shipment of food just waiting for those qualifying families to come and claim!
Toys for Tots
Your generous hearts provided over 80 toys and $265 in monetary donations to the Toys for Tots program. Remember our donations to Toys for Tots provides to those needy children who are local to our area.
Your generosity truly made a difference to those families in need!
Karissa James, Outreach Ministry Chair
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Meets 3rd Thursday, 7 pm
BUT NEXT MEETING is
January 20
...!
Station Eleven
By Emily St. John Mandel
Kirsten Raymonde will never forget the night Arthur Leander, the famous Hollywood actor, had a heart attack on stage during a production of
King Lear
. That was a night when a devastating flu pandemic arrived in the city, and within weeks, civilization as we know it came to an end. Twenty years later, Kirsten moves between settlements of the altered world with a small troupe of actors and musicians. They call themselves The Traveling Symphony, and they have dedicated themselves to keeping the remnants of art and humanity alive. But when they arrive in St. Deborah by the Water, they encounter a violet prophet who will threaten the tiny band's existence. And as the story takes off, moving back and forth in time, and vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic, the strange twist of fate that connects them all will be revealed.
Consider joining the book group for discussion, fellowship and snacks! There is always room for one more. The group meets at church in the Parish Hall. Any questions, please contact
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Friday Night at the Movies
January 10, 7 pm
The First Grader
In a small, remote mountain top primary school in the Kenyan bush, hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the Kenyan government. One new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life. He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an education so long denied - even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds. Moved by his passionate plea, head teacher Jane Obinchu supports his struggle to gain admission and together they face fierce opposition from parents and officials who don't want to waste a precious school place on such an old man.
Join us in the pastor's office...we'll bring the popcorn. The group meets at 6 pm for dinner at Portillos, Rt. 64, in St. Charles. We invite you to join us...!
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In support of our Outreach Ministry
Raffle Drawing on Wednesdays, 8 pm
Spotted Fox Ale House
3615 E. Main St., St. Charles
Tickets on sale all week at Spotted Fox or during fellowship at LHC on Sundays. Or contact Carol Berger (630.363.8982) or Mary Roach (630.544.1881) for tickets.
THANK YOU...!
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Men of LHC all-church event
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Join us as we return to watch the Chicago Steel battle the Des Moines Buccaneers on Star Wars night at the Fox Valley Arena. It will be another fun-filled night with action, suspense, laughter, and camaraderie!
Tickets are only $15 each
and parking is always free at FVIA.
Expect a wonderful night for the whole family!
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Many THANKS to everyone who came together to make this year's Christmas Pageant a wonderful and meaningful event of our Christmas season...the children and their parents, the directors, lighting and costume people...and of course everyone who attended.
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Flowers, Fellowship,
Ushers & Pulpit Associate
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Sign-up to help decorate our altar table, provide fellowship, or assist with our weekly worship as an usher or pulpit associate. The calendar is in the Parish Hall and presently goes through March.
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January 5
Pulpit Associate - Samantha Prang
Ushers - Tim & Kathy Haben
Flowers -
(Open)
Fellowship - Tim & Kathy Haben
January 12
Pulpit Associate - Bob Hendry
Ushers -
Frank Muno &
(Open)
Flowers -
(Open)
Fellowship - Jean and Frank Muno
January 19
Pulpit Associate - Chip Braulick
Ushers -
Christopher & Kristen Thornton
Flowers - Charles Sbarbaro
Fellowship -
Charles Sbarbaro
January 26
Pulpit Associate -
(Open)
Ushers -
(Open)
Flowers -
(Open)
Fellowship - Carol & Doug Hancock
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Jan. 2
- Bob Schless
Jan. 6
- Jean Muno, Gary Withall
Jan. 9
- Will Soukup
Jan. 10
- Bob Hendry
Jan. 11
- Wanda Hochstetter, Christa Kentfield
Jan. 12
- Will Lesswing
Jan. 13
- Pete Thielman
Jan. 16
- Pat Bartell
Jan. 21
- Henry Burkoth
Jan. 25
- Clara Shelton
Jan. 31
- Jeff Schramuk
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To those recently ill or hospitalized...
Kathi Abell
Heartfelt thanks to..
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The Mosquito Authority
for providing mosquito abatement services gratis to the church this past summer. We are so appreciative of their generosity.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CHURCH STAFF, COUNCIL, AND ALL VOLUNTEERS
Pastor
- Rev. Richard E. Malmberg
Pastor Emeritus
- Rev. Dr. Don Heinrich
Pastor Emeritus
- Rev. Ronald Purser
Director of Music/Organist
- Larry Dieffenbach
Office Manager
- Lori Prang
Custodian
- Geraldine Fields
BTW Editors
Lori Prang and Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
Graphic Design
Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
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CHURCH COUNCIL
Moderator
- Karen Kaluzsa
Moderator-elect
- Carol Berger
Stewardship
- Peter Connolly
Evangelism
- Mary Roach
Outreach
- Karissa James
Congregational Life
- Kathy Haben
Christian Education
- Nancy Schatzeder
Worship & Spiritual Growth
- Samantha Prang
Facilities
- Mark Lesswing
Members at Large
- Jen Haseltine and
Scott Johnson
Financial Treasurer
- Susi Winquist
Financial Secretary
- Ann McLaughlin
Clerk
- Kristen Thornton
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WE ACCEPT, EMBRACE AND AFFIRM THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF EVERY PERSON, AS WE ARE ALL CREATED IN GOD'S IMAGE.
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