Worship this Sunday, April 10, 10:00 a.m.
In Person and Online
This Sunday is Palm & Passion Sunday. Palm Sunday is the day we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem a few days before his execution. Jesus often engaged in what we today might call "prophetic performance art" - symbolic actions intended to provoke consideration of what is really going on in a given (often political) situation. In the case of "Palm Sunday" the symbolic action was riding a young donkey into Jerusalem - the center of power, and thus the center of resistance to Jesus. Why a young donkey? Because of Zechariah 9:9-10. That passage speaks of a "king," but a very unusual king: one who will dismantle the tools of war, and bring real peace "from sea to sea." On Palm Sunday, our job is to be honest enough to admit just how destabilizing it would be to dismantle the tools of war. Do we actually want such destabilization? Do we believe it could bring real peace from sea to sea?
We also observe this Sunday as Passion Sunday. This part of our service is basically an extremely important way to prepare for Easter. When people come to church on Easter they hear "Christ is risen!" But that acclimation is much more surprising, serious, and significant when we have recalled again the way in which Jesus died. I (Mike) will therefore read a significant part of the story of Jesus execution. This week, the extended reading will take the place of a regular sermon. If you haven't heard me do this before, you'll be surprised by how powerfully the story is told. If you have heard me do this before, you'll know that we all need to hear the story again, anew.
Join together this Sunday, April 10, at 10:00 a.m. We will be in person and we will livestream from the Sanctuary on our YouTube Channel, here, starting just before 10:00 a.m. We hope to see you this Sunday! Remember, masks are optional (at least for now - stay away BA.2 variant!).
P.S. See the very end of this email for something Mike has to say about "The Slap."
|
|
Service Sundays: Doing Lent with Heart
9:07 Worship and 10:00 Sunday School during Lent
One of our love languages here at Union Church is social justice and mission work. During this season of Lent, explore ways to engage your family, your faith and your heart in acts of service. Take a tour of the mission partners served by Union Church's Ministry for Change each Sunday in Lent at the 9:07 worship service and during 10:00 Sunday school.
We have designed a worship service that is kid-focused and will not only engage families in an act of service but also educate about the mission agency they are serving and provide spiritual guidance on the act of social justice and mission work through our sermons. This is a great way to introduce your children to the beautiful practice of serving others.
This week we will be making birthday cards as part of the UCECP Lessons in Kindness Birthday project for PADS. All are welcome at 9:07!
|
|
Update on Ali Kralovec-Kirchherr
Surgery Sadly Delayed
I (Mike) am very sad to announce that Associate Pastor Ali Kralovec-Kirchherr has had her needed surgery delayed another several weeks. Just days before Ali's surgery (which was scheduled for March 31), the main surgeon, a specialist in the rare procedure Ali needs, broke his hand and will be unable to operate for several more weeks. Ali is deeply disappointed that she will be further delayed in returning to ministry with us, but she needs the surgery in order to gain strength and health, and thus be able to return to work. Please keep Ali and her husband, Peter, in your prayers.
For now, other staff and church members will continue to cover the full range of work in the church, but we eagerly look forward to Ali's return (perhaps mid-July, but we don't know), and to further enhancing our ministry with new people, small groups, and young families. Hang in there, Ali and Peter!
|
|
Adult Christian Education |
|
DEI, CRT: WWJD?** An Adult Education Series
April 10 and 24, and May 1, after 10:00 a.m. worship, in the Youth Room
How do such short strings of letters inspire such heated debate? What is DEI? What is this CRT? How can we reflect on our own experiences while understanding that others have walked similar paths with different results? Let’s learn and talk about it.
In this three-week series, we will discuss ideas that can be hard to talk about, but that are essential for our faith, our community, and our world. Over the years, our Adult Christian Education programs have been wonderful for learning more in our Christian faith. We are so pleased to be back after a pandemic break and hope you will join us to learn and share your thoughts.
** DEI = Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; CRT = Critical Race Theory; WWJD = What Would Jesus Do?
|
|
Want to Support Our Amazing Music? |
|
Steinway Fundraising Campaign
We are delighted to announce the official kick-off of our Steinway Fundraising Campaign. Our goal is to raise $250,000 to pay for the beautiful Concert Grand, and to create a fund that enables us to maintain and properly care for this fabulous instrument (and the chapel piano) in the future. We have already raised $100,000! Tomorrow, you will receive an email with more information. If you would like to give today, click here, and select "Steinway Fundraising Campaign" in the dropdown menu. Donations large and small are most welcome! Contact Stephen Edwards for more information.
|
|
Take Action to Help Your Church |
|
Attend Village Trustees Meeting Next Tuesday
Next Tuesday the Village of Hinsdale Trustees will consider whether to approve new parking lot lights for the church. We want to replace the current fixtures with more energy efficient lights, to save money and care for creation. Long story short, we have had trouble getting this change approved, so we need your help.
We would like a significant group of church members to attend the Village Trustees meeting next Tuesday evening (April 12) to express your support for this project, which has been carefully considered by our Building and Grounds Committee of Trustees. We will make it very easy for you to make a short statement. Please contact Sharon Olsen for more information and to let us know you will attend. Thanks!
|
|
Hinsdale Recycle and Shred Event
This Saturday, April 9, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Redeemer Lutheran Church
Do you have old electronics that you don't know what to do with? Old tax documents that are just sitting in a file cabinet taking up space? If so, join us at Redeemer Lutheran Church (enter on Blaine St.) on April 9th for this Earth-friendly event! Please view this flyer for a full list of recyclables and shreddable documents.
|
|
Spring New Member Sessions
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 7, 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. in Rowell Hall
Easter Sunday and New Member Welcome, Sunday, April 17, at the 10:00 Worship Service
All those new to Union Church are warmly invited to our New Member Session tomorrow evening (Thursday at 7:00 p.m.). The session will be a chance to get to know your fellow new folks, connect with current members of the church, and learn more about the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the Union Church of Hinsdale. The most important thing is that you feel a sense of friendly and sincere welcome here at Union and know how excited all of us are to have you as a part of this smart, warm, and loving church.
|
|
Spring Fling Family Dance and Fundraiser
This Friday, April 8, 5:00 p.m., at Ruth Lake Country Club
Join us for a fun night to raise money for our deserving UCECP teachers and school. Our postponed Parent Fundraiser from this past February has now been renamed the Spring Fling Family Dance and Fundraiser. It will be a combination of both a fundraiser and Preschool Prom for the kids and entire family to enjoy. This is not a night to miss! If you are new to UCECP, this is a perfect night to meet new friends while supporting our amazing school!
To purchase tickets, please follow this link. For sponsorship and donation opportunities,
|
|
Parish Life Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m.
There will be eggs! Oh, and muffins and coffee and the Easter Bunny! Open to ages preschool - age 9. The egg hunt for preschool age will be in the playground area, and the older kids will hunt for eggs in the parking lot. Advanced sign-up requested, but you're also welcome to join us day of...and bring a friend! Sign up using the QR code above or follow this link.
|
|
Children's Chimes
This Sunday, April 10, 10:00 a.m. worship service, in the Sanctuary
Children's chimes will be performing at the 10:00 a.m. service this week. Their music is always a joyful part of worship!
|
|
Vacation Bible School Registration is Open: It's A Food Truck Party!
Food Truck Party is our theme for VBS this year. It will be catchy, fun and full of energy. Each day of VBS will have the familiar activities of music, Bible story, recreation, art and mission. The daily themes combine together to form the familiar dinnertime grace: "God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed, give us Lord Our Daily Bread."
VBS is open to children of Union Church and UCECP ages 4 through 5th grades. (We also need middle school and high school youth helpers.) Follow this link or register with the QR code above. Contact Penny Johnson with questions.
|
|
Save the Date: Bible Sunday for Our Third Graders
Sunday, April 24, at the 10:00 a.m. service.
On Sunday, April 24, we will be continuing with a Union Church rite of passage and giving Bibles to our third graders. During Sunday school that day (which is during the 10:00 service) we will learn more about our Bibles and everyone (adults and children) are encouraged to bring their own Bibles. If you have a third grader, you will receive a letter from the church about this special event. But also, please let us know if you have a third grader that you feel would like to be included in this service (also, let us know if you can not attend the 10:00 service and would prefer to receive your Bible at our 9:07 family service). Please contact Penny Johnson.
|
|
The Men's Club Luncheon
Wednesday, April 13, 12:00 p.m., in the Dining Room
Recycle or Landfill? The Story of Trash: John Falconer will help us understand the mysteries of recycling — the “Do’s and Don’ts” that lie within his giant Materials Recovery Facility in Hodgkins, IL. As Plant Manager, he is well qualified to explain the recovery process and its importance for the future of our planet. Materials Recovery Facilities can play an important role in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill sites. They are specialized plants that receive, separate, and prepare dry recyclable materials. The recyclables go through a variety of mainly mechanical and some manual processes to obtain, maximum recovery of materials that will re-enter the manufacturing process as a valuable commodity. Please invite spouses, friends and acquaintances. Women are welcome at our meetings!
As always, a delicious $10.00 lunch will be served prior to the program. If you
have not made a reservation with your caller, please make one by calling the
Union Church office, 630-323-4303 ext. 6652 or by emailing Jim Nibeck no later than Monday morning, April 11, 2022.
|
|
In the Music Pipeline
The Music Pipeline:
- 4/10 – Palm Sunday with Children’s Chimes
- 4/17 – Easter Sunday – Brass – Chancel Choir – WE, and More
- 5/22 – Music Sunday
Concert Series - Featuring our New Steinway
- 6/5 - Allegrezza - 3:00 p.m.
- 6/12 - The Official Steinway Dedication Recital featuring Stephen Uhl - 3:00 p.m.
- 6/26 - Stephen C Edwards - Tenor, Dana Brown - Piano present "La Bonne Chanson" by Gabriel Fauré, along with a string quintet. These are songs of joy and known as one of the happiest song cycles ever written. Additionally, Stephen will sing a few Haydn pieces that he will be recording with Lexicon Classics in the Fall, along with songs about pianos!
Upcoming TBD - Concert Pianists, Élider DiPaula and Brian Locke (joined by violinist John Heffernan)
|
|
Each month in the Generosity Corner we share UCH stories of generosity as well as giving opportunities to strengthen your connection to our church community. Our membership has been very generous over the years. Your gifts are crucial to fulfilling our mission.
During Lent, let’s discover the joy of unexpected giving! Each week in our weekly blast or at our Sunday services, we have seen so many opportunities to give graciously during this holy season of reflection and spiritual renewal. Something presented might catch your heart and you may feel moved to give unexpectedly. Just this past month we have been presented with critical needs at Night Ministry, PADS, HCS and The Boulevard, for example. It’s a wonderful feeling to know you can help in some way right now. And remember, our Easter Offering will be coming up soon!
Next month we will explore the world of our Endowment Fund and review the extraordinary gifts we have received to ensure Union Church will thrive in order to do God’s work on earth in the future.
This month, let’s discover the joy of unexpected giving!
Thank you,
Your Generosity Team
|
|
Holy Week Happenings
Holy week is next week. Please follow this link to see our scheduled services for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
|
|
Easter Flowers for Easter Services
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 7 deadline
With Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Each year, to add visual joy and beauty to our Easter service, we adorn the sanctuary with Easter flowers. If you would like to help adorn the sanctuary for Easter, you may do so by purchasing a plant in honor or memory of your loved ones. There will be members of the worship ministry in the Gathering Place on March 27th and April 3rd to take your order. If you are unable to make it in person, you can click on this link to download an order form, complete it, and return it to Melanie Burton by email (mburton@uchinsdale.org), or send it via regular mail to the church office by the deadline. Please mark the envelope “Attention: Melanie Burton” to ensure it gets to the right person. The following information is needed to complete your order by email if you are unable to download the form:
Dedication: In memory of…
Dedication: In honor of…
Given by:
Number of plants: (one dedication per plant):
Total $ (cost is $20 per plant):
Will you pick up your plant or donate it?
There are two options for payment. You may make your payment online at this link (select “Easter flowers” from the drop-down menu). Or you can send a check with your order for the full amount of plants ordered ($20 per plant) to the church office, payable to Union Church (with “Easter flowers” on the memo line).
If you have chosen to keep your plant instead of donating it, you may pick up your plant after the worship service on Easter Sunday, April 17.
Volunteers are needed to help deliver plants to members. Your help would be greatly appreciated. We’ll give you a plant and the name/address of a member. Contact Mary Sue Honigschmidt. Thank you.
|
|
Need Something Announced in the Midweek Email or Online?
Send any requests to disseminate information to the Union Church congregation to communications@uchinsdale.org. This allows the email to be distributed to everyone involved in getting the word out. Please put "Email Blast" in the subject line. Thanks!
|
|
And Lastly, Two More Important Things, and Some Piano Humor!
Also, in the new format of the website we are going to work to provide more frequent blog posts, often with insights about your staff, comments about current events, fascinating Bible commentary, humor, and other types of engaging reflection. Today, see a post from Mike about "The Slap."
|
|
The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
