Larry's Notes
Transitional Lay Minister
I still remember my friend, Mildred Borg, calling me and telling me I must watch this man, Joseph Campbell, talking about “The Power of Myth” on PBS with Bill Moyers – that series changed my life, it was an Epiphany! Campbell believed the writers of myth intended us to read about these hero and heroine journeys and find ways to find our own hero and heroine journeys. I was raised in a 'very literal translation of the Bible as fact' culture and not taught that some of this might be stories with a deep meaning that could speak to me or others as how to find my own path or journey to follow, and so at age twelve, I refused to be confirmed.
On January 6, after the twelve days of Christmas, we enter into the time of Epiphany, or manifestation, of the journey of the magi, the three wise men, following the star during this season of light. Epiphany – the light bulb turns on! I always come back to T.S. Elliot’s poem, Journey of the Magi, during this season. The opening line, though, was first written in a homily by the Anglican theologian Lancelot Andrewes, who preached, 'A cold coming they had of it, at this time of the year, just the worst time of the year, to take a journey, and specially a long journey in.' The light enters our darkness. I encourage you to read the entire poem but I particularly like the last part of it:
“All this was a long time ago, I remember,
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for
Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly
We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.”
We have come through and still live in a rather dark time, but it won’t last forever. As a congregation we have done a great job in navigating our way through this pandemic and construction and we will continue our journey and follow the star and the light of Christ wherever it leads us in 2021.
Michael Rennier writes this of Elliot and the poem: 'Epiphany is in the journey. It is for us. We follow the magi, seek the star, and with great sacrifice knock on the door of the house of the Christ child. In him, birth and death are inextricably linked. He is born to die, and his death brings about re-birth. Perhaps the paradox made Eliot’s head hurt, because he says of the poem, I had been thinking about it in church and when I got home I opened a half-bottle of Booth’s gin, poured myself a drink and began to write. By lunchtime the poem, and the half-bottle of gin, were both finished.'
In this 'cold time of the year,' take a moment and ponder what Christ is calling you to do and what new journey you need to take. Christ will be with you, you are never alone.
Keep the faith, keep in touch.
Peace,
Larry Dieffenbach
Transitional Lay Minister/Director of Music, Organist
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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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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 - Tune-in to our YouTube Channel
Walk 'n Talk - Sundays, 9 am - Meet in the Church courtyard weather permitting
Bible Study - Wednesdays, 10 am - via Zoom
Men of LHC Monthly Breakfast - Saturday, Jan. 9, 8:30 am via Zoom
Church Council Meeting - Monday, Jan.11, 7 pm via Zoom
Sisters in Spirit General Meeting - Sunday, Jan. 17, 11 am via Zoom
BTW Deadline - Wednesday, Jan. 20
A Book & A Prayer Book Club - Thursday, Jan. 21, 7 pm via Zoom
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS - Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm, 630.584.4013
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Moderator's Message
Carol Berger
Welcome to 2021, the year of our 150th Anniversary celebration, the year our renovation will be completed, the year our Wayne Community House will be built, the year hopefully we are able to resume worship services back in the sanctuary, and the year of the vaccine. Praise the Lord! We have so much to look forward to, and with God's help, we CAN and we WILL continue to serve, and let us give thanks for all of our blessings.
I was reminded of Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
And, even though most of us are not sorry to see 2020 behind us, I would be neglectful if I didn't give a 'shout out' to our dedicated Church Council this past year. ALL have stepped up in a huge way to continue our church mission while making the necessary adjustments during this pandemic. The hours spent by the entire Council, the Joyful Committee and so many others to make certain LHC thrives, serves, and moves forward is to be commended. Again, let us give thanks.
With our 150th anniversary upon us, I am hopeful you are enjoying becoming acquainted with our past. So, let's continue on our historical journey and pick up where I left off in the December BTW issue, the 1940s. In 1940, under the leadership of a young Reverend Charles L. Bagby, the church arrived at another milestone. In the Fall of this year, 'as the osage oranges matured and fell along Wayne Road' (presently Army Trail Road), the congregation voted to incorporate and to adopt as its corporate name, 'The Little Home Church by the Wayside.' 80 years later, we continue to enjoy our unique name.
In February 1941, another milestone event occurred with the ordination of Reverend Bagby, and this became a momentous celebration. The Chicago Tribune reported, 'Parishioners attired in the wearing apparel of 1871, conveyed in horse-drawn vehicles, and music for the ceremonies played on an organ of 1870 vintage.' The anniversary program celebrated the efforts of 18 charter members who sacrificed to make the church possible, and consistently perpetuated by the present membership the religious endeavors of their ancestors. Preparations for the one-day event were thorough, plans festive, and the old church bell (which had called the early pioneer families to worship), rang with special meaning for their descendants that day.
In December of this year, 1941, ten of the sixteen board members enlisted when the United States declared war. However, this didn't stop the congregation from ordering the new Hammond organ. It replaced the old one which had served for 38 years, for which parts and service became increasingly scarce. The new organ cost $1,620.78. And within a year's time, contributions from 93 individuals and 8 different organizations had paid the bill, even though the country was at war. And in the following year, there was discussion by the Board of Trustees to consider the possibility of building an addition to the church. There was a lack of space for the growing membership, but the proposal was tabled as the Board decided the addition was neither feasible nor patriotic in wartime.
Our church has faced its challenges over the years, but the congregation has always remained strong, as we are today. Again, let us give thanks. LHC continues to serve our Lord, Jesus Christ. And, as we look towards our very bright future, let us continue to work and prepare for another 150 years.
Happy New Year everyone!
Carol Berger
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Outreach Ministry
Generous Hearts
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During the Advent season, we find ways to make light in the dark. This is exactly what we've been doing as a church during this particularly trying holiday season. Our donations for Toys for Tots totaled $910 dollars this year, plus a huge box filled with toys! Additionally, because we could not have the Advent Tea, Outreach has donated $2,000 to Tammy's Trace to more than supplement our usual donation. Both of these amazing organizations do wonderful work with veterans, which continues to be our congregational focus this year. We had an energetic group of six head over to the Northern Illinois Food Bank to help with canned goods. Due to your generous donations, the holidays will be that much brighter for our neighbors in need! Happy holidays to you and yours, and we are together this season in the spirit!
Be well!
Karissa James
Outreach Ministries Chair
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Stewardship Drive 2021
Thank You
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Thank you to all our members who have returned their pledges for the coming year. We have not reached our goal yet and will continue to encourage members who are financially able to please pledge their support to Little Home Church. As always, we thank and appreciate all our members who support LHC through their volunteer efforts.
Pete Connolly
Stewardship Ministry Chair
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Christian Education
Lessons from 2020...for 2021
Christian Education is not just hoping for a happy and healthy 2021, we are praying with great gusto for 2021 to be a year of health, healing, AND happiness after all that 2020 dumped on us. But, as we look forward, I also want to reflect back on some of the good parts of 2020 and what it taught me.
Our online services taught me to accept change and embrace faith in a new format. Our Zoom Council Meetings taught me to listen more, engage more, and to mute my mic. The experience of making the Pageant Movie taught me cooperation, collaboration, participation, and love. So, from the perspective of Christian Education, I’d say 2020 was indeed informative.
What will 2021 teach us? Of course, it is too soon to say, but let’s allow the Holy Spirit to guide us towards healing, happiness and hope.
Jane Shelton
Christian Ed Ministry
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January, the inaugural month of the year, a new beginning, a fresh start, a platform for resolutions. And this year, an opportunity to put the past year’s events behind us and move forward. In 2020 I had made it my mission to find the blessings beneath the surface of all the negative effects of the year. One of those blessings was the invitation to become more involved in our dear church. And the church represents all that is good on this earth, through its people.
The Facilities Ministry is one based upon our revered and beloved church grounds, and on that note, I’m touched beyond words at the transformation of our Sanctuary. The painting, the refurbishing, the love it’s receiving makes my heart swell. And how about those chandeliers, and exterior lights, that work! And fans that are code-compliant and capable of cooling us off, possibly with a breeze flowing through our windows which can open!!!!
Don’t mean to steal the thunder of any Joyful Joyful reports, however my ministry, my church remains in the limelight, right where it deserves to be. I am hopeful that one and all were able to find the light of Christmas in their hearts during the holidays, and may we all celebrate in the blessings we are able to share, and experience at the Little Home Church by the Wayside, in this new year.
In God’s Love,
Kit DeWitt
Facilities Ministry Chair
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A Thank You
From the Village of Wayne
Our church has received a lovely 'Thank You' from the village president for our community efforts and success with the recent Daffodil Days fundraiser.
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Worship & Spiritual Growth
Looking Back
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2020 has been a challenge…and we need to be proud of ourselves for adjusting to this strange, strange year. We produced 41 YouTube worship services, one Memorial Service and one Christmas Pageant. And you have watched them all!
I am incredibly thankful to everyone who has volunteered to be a pulpit associate, provide a children’s message, or provide flowers for our online services. If you have not already done so, please consider it. It is a very easy way to help us out! I am grateful for Larry’s leadership in planning the weekly worship services, and thankful to John Fischer for his filming and editing talents, and to Nancy Alex for helping arrange for the weekly flowers. What an awesome team!
Our Virtual Christmas Pageant was a first for us, and I think it was a huge success. As of this writing we have had 255 views! That is incredible for our church. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help by coming out to film or provide a candle shot of themselves. It truly made the pageant extra special to see everyone. Thank you to those who shared it and passed it on to family and friends.
What does 2021 bring? For the short-term our services will continue online. We will continue to monitor as the vaccine distribution progresses. We ask for your continued patience and support. I think it really speaks to the heart of Little Home Church. In the meantime, subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and send in those photos of you in your everyday activities. It helps us stay connected!
Samantha Prang
WSG Ministry Chair
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Bible Study
Wednesdays, 10 am...& Virtual
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Our weekly Wednesday morning Bible Study continues with a good group of participants. They would love to have you join them. Rev. Ron Purser leads the study via Zoom and the group is now studying the Book of Ruth. No preparation is necessary. The Bible Study meeting begins at 10 am.
Meeting ID: 814 1245 7155
password: biblestudy
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A Book & A Prayer
LHC Book Club
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Meets 3rd Thursday, 7 pm
NEXT Meeting is January 21
The new year starts with Rules of Civility by Amor Towels. Katey Kontent narrates her own journey through the year 1938, from the future perspective of 1966. Wooed in turn by a shy, principled multi-millionaire, and an irrepressible Upper East Side ne'er-do-well, befriended by a single-minded widow who is ahead of her time, and challenged by an imperious mentor, Katey experiences firsthand the poise secured by wealth and station and the failed aspirations that reside just below the surface. Even as she waits for circumstances to change, she begins to realize how our most promising choices inevitably lay the groundwork for our regrets.
Our group will meet for a book discussion via Zoom on Thursday, December 17 at 7 pm, and we’d love to have you join us! The Zoom meeting details are as follows:
Meeting ID: 891 0088 0154
password: bookclub
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Flowers, Fellowship,
Ushers & Pulpit Associate
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With temporary suspension of our worship services we are tabling our need for ushers, and fellowship. If you'd like to provide flowers to dress up our altar table for the YouTube worship services we'd love it! You would need to get the flowers here by the Tuesday of that week so they're there when we film.
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January
Happy Birthday!
Jan. 2 - Robert 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. 14 - Jeremy Neukirch
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...
Ruth Lishamer
Janice Christiansen
Joan Lesswing (mother of Mark Lesswing)
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THANK YOU TO OUR CHURCH STAFF, COUNCIL, AND ALL VOLUNTEERS |
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Transitional Lay Minister and
Director of Music - Larry Dieffenbach
Pastor Emeritus - Rev. Ronald Purser
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 - Carol Berger
Moderator-elect - Bob Kaska
Christian Education - Jane Shelton
Congregational Life - Mary Emily Anhalt
Evangelism - Mary Roach
Facilities - Kit DeWitt
Outreach - Karissa James
Stewardship - Peter Connolly
Worship & Spiritual Growth - Samantha Prang
Members at Large - Chuck McDonough and Jennifer Harmon
Financial Treasurer - Susi Winquist
Financial Secretary - Ann McLaughlin
Clerk - Kristen Thornton
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Thank you...
for continuing to remember Little Home Church by the Wayside.
Your support is greatly needed and appreciated.
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