A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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From the Pastor's Desk . . .
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Normally, for the August newsletter I talk about taking my annual road trip, returning to school, the return of the program year in the church … That is what I write about in a normal year, but I think we can all agree that 2020 is anything but a normal year.
I have hotels booked along the east coast for a vacation I should be taking in two weeks, but I will make the decision on whether we will go or not probably the day before the first hotel is booked. Kids are scheduled to return to school in a few weeks. We are not sure if that will actually happen in the buildings or virtually. Employers have needed to learn how to allow people to work from home while people have their kids around all day. If there is a silver lining to Covid-19, I think this is one of them.
We are learning the gift of flexibility and patience as we learn new behaviors like not shaking hands and wearing masks, as we adjust to changing work and school situations, as we live somewhere between phase 3 and
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phase 4--and we now know what I mean when I say that. May we find patience in God. May we offer compassion and understanding that each of us is on the same journey but that we each have very different resources for the journey, and we each have very different needs. We are learning through real life situations what it means that God calls us to care for the least of these because we have been on both end of that need over the past five months: the one in need and the one offering support to someone in need.
We wake each morning thankful for another day, but most days we don’t know exactly what to expect. Our routines are gone; our habbies changed; our work and school situation is different. We find support through different means. And we are doing it. I don’t know how much longer we will have to be flexible. I don’t know what adaptations will be officially the new normal. I don’t know, and that is OK. It is OK because God is with me on the journey.
Bellow is a link to
Our Daily Bread
, the prayer devotional booklet typically handed out in church. This is a different and flexible way to continue to read the devotional. This one is about being flexible in faithfulness.
In Christ,
Pastor Meagan
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From the ELCA
All Creation Sings
: A Supplement to
Evangelical Lutheran Worship
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Even in this time of change and challenge, we seek words and music that support and enrich the church’s worship. We invite you to learn more about
All Creation Sings
, a new and timely collection of liturgy and song that supplements
Evangelical Lutheran Worship
. This resource will include two additional settings of Holy Communion; a contemplative service of word and prayer; additional prayers, thanksgivings and laments; and 200 hymns and songs. These prayers and songs concern not only the health of our planetary home and its various creatures but also the health of human beings in community. To explore a preview of this collection, visit
augsburgfortress.org/allcreationsings
. You can also find more information at the
ELCA Worship blog
. (
Seeds Monthly: May 27, 2020)
Anti-Racism Pledge
As church we are called to confess the sin of racism, condemn the ideology of white supremacy and strive for racial justice and peace. Beyond statements and prayers, we are also called to act and respond to injustices. We invite you to commit to anti-racist actions at
ELCA.org/RacialJusticePledge
.
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Treasurer's Report
As of June 2020
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Acacia Park Community Announcements
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Ingie Vruno:
Long-time Acacia Park member Ingeborg "Ingie" Vruno passed away on Sunday, July 12th at Bickford Senior Center in Oswego, IL. Ingie was a committed church member who
for many years taught Sunday school as well as Vacation Bible School. She also supervised the church’s nursery and served as a dedicated member of the Altar Committee. A luncheon and celebration of Ingie's life will be planned for later this year. (
Ingie pictured far right with her daughter Gail Johnson in October 2019.)
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Allie:
nurse at Lutheran General Hospital
Jackie:
nurse
Susan Mari:
medical student
Shar & George Wyatt:
loss of loved one
Katie, Gene, Sean, Megan:
grocery store employees
Kelly Smith:
nurse
Diana O’Connell:
911 dispatcher
Rich O’Connell:
firefighter
Sheri, Lauren, Dan, Kevin:
Costco employees
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Carlie Figliuolo:
paramedic
Haley Stec:
paramedic
Frank Stec:
paramedic
Erv Siemers:
health
Family of Doris Mellinger:
condolences
Stewart:
general prayers
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J.:
for the promotion she is seeking
Nettie Richards
Burse Wince
Bonnie Wince
Police and correctional officers
: general prayers
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If you have loved ones working in hospitals, grocery stores, or other essential-worker capacities, please share their names so that we may lift them up in prayer. You may also share other prayer concerns such as lost jobs, health, anxiety, etc. Email your prayer requests to:
pastormeagan@gmail.com
or
acaciaparkchurch@gmail.com
.
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Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
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4307 N Oriole Avenue, Norridge, IL 60706
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Church office hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
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