Sunday, June 11, 10:00 a.m.
Worship In Person and Online
Summer Sermon Series Kicks Off
This Sunday we begin our summer series exploring the Lord's Prayer and what it is that we are actually praying about when we use these words of Jesus. While most of us have the Lord's Prayer memorized and say it each time we are in worship, this series will help us all break it down line by line, week by week, to dig deep into its meaning – its meaning 2000 years ago, and its meaning today.
This week, Rev. Mike will start things off with the first two words of the prayer: "Our Father..." We hope you join us for this thought-provoking conversation that will last over the 13 weeks of summer and through Labor Day. We are excited about this series and believe that both the well-studied theologians and the rookies of theology amongst us will have something new to learn and think about this summer as a result.
Throughout the summer we will be writing "fun facts" about the Lord's Prayer. For example, did you know there are two different versions of the Lord's Prayer in the Bible? See the first two "fun facts" here.
So, come, worship, learn, and grow this Sunday, in person or online on our YouTube channel, at 10:00 a.m.
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9:07 Worship Service, The Lord's Prayer
We are following the church-wide theme “The Lord's Prayer" at the 9:07 service. Each week of summer we will not only learn a stanza of the prayer but also think about what it means. Rev. Mike will lead us this week. At the end of summer Mike has a special reward for all the kids who learn it, and the meaning, throughout the summer.
We are flexible at 9:07! We meet outside in the Close enjoying the beautiful summer mornings. However, if it rains, we can easily move to the Chapel (each week we decide together based on the weather and wishes of those in attendance). Either way, we embrace movement and busy curious little minds at this casual service that lasts 25-30 minutes. While it is designed as an introduction to Christian worship for young children, we welcome anyone of any age or family stage.
You can access The Close and Chapel area through the archway on Garfield (parking in HMS garage) or park in our lot and come through the building or around it from the outside
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Ate. Prayed. Loved (God and Neighbors).
A big, grateful THANK YOU, to all who helped make our All-Church Picnic a great event last Sunday. To Parish Life Ministry, other helpers, everyone who brought a dish, and everyone who attended (especially those who bounced in the bouncy house) – thanks! It was a joy! See you next year! (And many times before then, too!)
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Vacation Bible School Update/Needs
We are so excited to welcome over 70 children from the church, UCECP, and the community to VBS in just two weeks! This is our largest group since the pandemic and we can't wait to have all their fun and contagious youthful energy here at Union.
We are looking for one more volunteer to help shepherd our 2nd-grade class. This is a small group with some great kids. We need your help from 12:30-3:30 Monday through Friday, June 19-23. If you are interested, please contact Penny Johnson.
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Seeking Sunday School Teachers this Fall and Children's Committee Members
Our Sunday School program is growing! This fall, we plan to split into a younger (Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades) and older class (3rd, 4th and 5th grades). We will still release during the 10:00 service so the children can engage in the first portion of worship with everyone else.
We are looking for volunteers to help teach these groups either in a rotation once a month (once every 4 weeks), or consistently each week if you'd like. No experience is necessary -- Penny has the curriculum prepared for you. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, stock market traders – it doesn't matter! If you love children, and find joy in helping them grow their faith, then this is the role for you! Spending time with these kids is sure to leave you smiling and full of purpose.
A true story from our Sunday School discussions with
4-year-olds at UCH:
"What would you do if you saw an angel in the tomb?"
"Run"
"Kick it"
"Suck my fingers"
This is a good reminder that Sunday School doesn't begin in Kindergarten. We have Nursery Sunday School for children ages 4 and younger. It is offered to our youngest toddlers and preschoolers who meet in the downstairs classrooms for the entire worship service. Miss Cora and Miss Edlira lead them through a light curriculum of Bible stories appropriate for their age.
We are also looking for members for the Children's Committee. This is not a ministry and is an easy way to dip your toe into the volunteering waters at Union. We meet monthly for less than an hour, September through June and you are welcome to join via phone. We help plan the Christian Education calendar for the children of the church and plan activities like VBS, Rudolph's Boutique, Sunday School, Lent and Advent educational kits, and third grade Bibles.
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Good News about Our Generosity Three Years Ago
An Update on Josias DaVinci, a Boy in Angola We Helped
Three years ago, we invited the congregation to give to support some critical medical care for Josias DaVinci, a young Angolan boy, aged 3 at the time. The background, quickly: Dr. Andy Hotaling was one of the members of Union Church who visited Angola in January of 2020. He saw patients at the hospital we support, and Josias was one of the children who came to see him. Dr. Andy's examination revealed that Josias had a rare throat disorder that was closing his airway, and without intervention he would die within a year. Miraculously, Dr. Andy is an ENT doctor with pediatric experience, and he knew exactly what the condition was and how to treat it. Treatment however, was not available in Angola, and we collected a special offering (about $3500) to make treatment possible in Namibia and provide the life-saving medication needed. (We owe great thanks to DHL, the shipping company, for their amazing commitment to getting Josias the medicine when all the world was shut down due to the pandemic – God bless 'em!)
Well, a couple of weeks ago, when I (Mike) was in Angola, I visited with Josias and his family, and he is doing amazingly well! See photo above of Josias with his father and grandmother (and me). He is a happy and healthy six-year old now, and is looking forward to getting the trach tube removed from his throat this summer. His family is immensely grateful – beyond words. Thanks be to God, to Dr. Andy, to the Ministry for Change, and to all of you from Union Church who contributed to this life saving work.
Very little of what we do as a church has such clear, literally life-saving results, and that's okay. Problems need to be addressed at many levels. But it is a particular joy to know that Josias has battled through his illness and we were part of the team that made it possible for him to survive and thrive.
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Women of a Certain Age
This Sunday, June 11th, after 10:00 a.m. worship, Claudia Moffat, UCH member, will teach us how to tie dye with ice. This is a very fun lesson even if you aren't the most artistic person! This class will take place in the Art Room (upper level). No food or beverages will be served.
The purpose of Women of a certain age is for fellowship, friendship, and fun! ALL ARE WELCOME !!! For more information please contact Melissa Barnes Mann.
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Adult Fellowship Luncheon
Wednesday, June 14, 12:00 p.m., in the Dining Room
Sandy Wunderlich, a retired attorney and member of the DuPage PADS Board of Trustees, will give us an overview of the present day PADS! She has extensive history with PADS, having volunteered and cooked at churches for years. During the pandemic she managed the food distribution to clients in the multiple hotels. She has been charged with the transition after the acquisition of the Interim Housing Center. A lifelong volunteer – she will enlarge our concept of today’s DuPage PADS!
Everyone is welcome! Please invite spouses, friends and acquaintances. As always, a delicious $10.00 lunch will be served prior to the program. Reservations are required! The best way to make reservations is by email to Jim Nibeck. You can also make reservations by calling Jim Nibeck at 630-650-2051 or the church office (630-323-4303 ext. 6689) no later than Monday morning, June 12, 2023.
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The Steinway Summer Concert Series
Sunday, June 25, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the Sanctuary
You are invited to attend a performance of the Ostrega Uhl Project’s Summer Showcase recital at Union Church of Hinsdale! This concert will feature UCH’s very own Stephen Uhl on piano and Brian Ostrega on violin.
The pieces performed will be Beethoven’s famous ‘Spring’ Sonata, Manuel de Falla’s ‘Spanish Dance’ and culminating with Franck’s exhilarating Violin Sonata in A major. A performance you surely don’t want to miss, we look forward to seeing you there!
Attendance is free, but an in-kind donation is always welcome. Run time of the program is 65 minutes with no intermission. This is a performance you surely don't want to miss. We look forward to seeing you there!
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The Blood of Jesus, and the Meaning of Sacrifice
A new blog post by Mike
"The blood of Jesus," is a common theme/phrase in some strands of Christianity, and even for churches like ours, that phrase and the idea of "sacrifice" shows up in worship through scripture, music, and liturgy. However, frankly, we largely have no idea what it means, and we'd really rather not think about it!
For our Simple Supper program, I (Mike) prepared material all about sacrifice (and blood), so I invite you to take this deep dive into a tough subject. If you take the time, you are sure to learn something – maybe even something that will help you make sense of this strange topic. Here's a link to the blog post.
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Helen Mehler Memorial Bridge Group
Every Friday, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., in the Gathering Place
Players are asked to donate $5.00 per time to our beautiful church. This is a very friendly group and all levels of Bridge players are welcome!
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Need a Meeting Space?
Union Church is bustling and we LOVE IT! With that being said, rooms are not as readily available as they once were. If a committee, ministry, or group needs to use one of our rooms please contact Adriana Kieffer to book a space for a specific date and time.
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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!
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The Union Church of Hinsdale
United Church of Christ
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