Little Home Church by the Wayside / UCC | | |
Sound the Alarm: Toward Good Friday
2025 Lent and Holy Week Series Continued...
“The mystery at the heart of the gospel is clearly seen here: God’s war for the liberation of humanity will not be waged with weapons or instruments that are normally associated with power. No! It is in the form of weakness and the compassionate self-offering of the Son of Man that God’s righteousness and justice will ultimately triumph.“ (from UCC Worship Ways)
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
It is a good practice for us to consider all the scripture readings in our services throughout this Lenten Season. Here is a list of them for the remaining services through Easter.
I encourage you to make it a part of your personal Lenten experience to read these weekly Bible passages.
Here is a link to follow all of the scripture readings online: Click Here for Scripture Library
April 6 “Reclining”
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
April 13 - Palm Sunday “Sent”
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Luke 19:28-40
April 17 - Maundy Thursday “Loved”
Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
(Potluck at 6 pm and church at 7:15 pm)
We will assemble “Birthday Cake” packages for the Neighborhood Food Pantry after the worship service as our Lenten Act of Service)
April 18 - Good Friday
1pm - Community Service at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Bartlett
7 pm - Service at Little Home Church “Standing” (Wrapping of the Cross)
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 22
Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
John 18:1-19:42
April 20 - EASTER!
Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:19-26 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12
“Easter is…
Joining in a birdsong,
Eying an early sunrise,
Smelling yellow daffodils,
Unbolting windows and doors,
Skipping through meadows,
Cuddling newborns,
Hoping, believing,
Reviving spent life,
Inhaling fresh air,
Sprinkling seeds along furrows,
Tracking in the mud.
Easter is the soul’s first taste of spring.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich
Grace & Peace
Pastor Larry Dieffenbach
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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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'Come together to serve'—get involved and join a group,
an event, or a LHC initiative.
Worship Service Sundays, 9:30 am
(recorded/uploaded to our YouTube channel during the week)
Weekly Bible Study, Wednesdays, 10 am via Zoom and in person
Weekly Choir Rehearsal, Wednesdays, 7 pm
Contemplative Service—Thursday, Apr. 3, 8 am & 7 pm
Celebration of Hope Dinner—Thursday, Apr. 3, 5 pm @Drury Lane
All Church Read—Sunday, Apr. 6, 11:30 am (hosted by Emily Miller)
A Book & A Prayer Book Club—Thursday, Apr. 10, 7 pm via Zoom
Men of LHC Monthly Breakfast Meeting—Saturday, Apr. 12, 8 am
All-Church Work Day—Saturday, Apr. 12, 9:30 am
Sisters in Spirit Breakfast Meeting/Ukrainian Easter Egg Demo—Saturday, Apr. 12, 9 am
Palm Sunday Worship—Sunday, Apr. 13, 9:30 am
Church Council Meeting—Monday, Apr. 14, 6:30 pm
Maundy Thursday Potluck & Worship—Thursday, Apr. 17, 6 pm/Worship 7:15 pm
Lenten Act of Service—Thursday, Apr. 17 after worship
Good Friday—Friday, Apr. 18
—Joint Service at Immanuel UCC in Bartlett, 1 pm
—Evening Service at LHC, 7 pm 'Wrapping of the Cross'
Northern Illinois Food Bank Volunteer Session—Saturday, Apr 19, 9 am - Noon
Easter Sunday Worship—Sunday, Apr. 20, 9:30 am, followed by Children's Egg Hunt
Easter Monday—Monday, Apr. 21 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
By the Way Submission Deadline—Wednesday, Apr. 23
Contemplative Service—Thursday, Apr. 24, 8 am & 7 pm
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm—630.584.4013
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A New Season
OK, so it may have snowed on the first day of Spring, but there are plenty of other indicators that Spring is just around the corner. Here at LHC everyone is doing their part to usher in the new season. Pastor Larry is hard at work preparing a meaningful Lenten series, our Facilities team is changing out the planters to Daffodils and planning our annual Spring cleanup day on April 12, and our Grateful Gifts committee is hard at work preparing for another successful fund-raising event.
Kit DeWitt is leading our Grateful Gifts committee along with Emily Miller, Denise Figurski, Louise Aughnay, Susan Lyons, Andrea Redmond and myself.
This year’s event will take place on May 2 at the Dunham Woods Riding Club. The success of this event is crucial for our Church and simply put our operating budget. We have come to rely upon the generosity of our Congregation and our Friends of LHC as the proceeds of this fundraiser allow us to continue our mission serving others and ensuring that our church remains a beacon of hope in our community.
Your formal invitation will arrive shortly, and we look forward to receiving a flurry of RSVPs!
This truly is a wonderful evening to share with friends and an outstanding way to show your support for all that we do at LHC. There are plenty of ways you can participate from sponsoring a table, to donating items for the silent auction, purchasing raffle tickets, participating in the raise the paddle event, and of course single ticket sales are always encouraged. Your generosity enables us to continue supporting those in need and our ability to make a difference in our community.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace”
1 Peter 4:10
Your Grateful Gifts Committee thanks you for your consideration and we look forward to celebrating our faith, friendship and community with you on May 2.
Peace Be With You,
Julie Graham, Moderator
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All in the April evening
April airs were abroad.
The sheep with their little lambs
Passed me by on the road.
The sheep with their little lambs
Passed me by on the road.
All in the April evening
I thought on the Lamb of God.
The lambs were weary and crying
With a weak human cry.
I thought on the Lamb of God
Going meekly to die.
Up in the blue, blue mountains
Dewy pastures are sweet;
Rest for the little bodies,
Rest for the little feet.
But for the lamb, the Lamb of God
Up on the hilltop green
Only a cross, a cross of shame
Two stark crosses between.
All in the April evening
April airs were abroad.
I saw the sheep with the lambs
And thought on the Lamb of God.
Hugh Roberton (1874 - 1952)
April brings the flowers of spring, the scent of rain, the song of birds, and warmer days. It also often brings Holy Week depending on the date of the Paschal full moon which is the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. Easter is always the first Sunday following that full moon.
So it is this year that in the month of April The Little Home Church By The Wayside will hold meaningful services in remembrance and celebration of Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter.
The music for those services will employ our Chancel Choir, our Wayside Ringers Handbell Choir, guest violinist Tom Havel, and a brass quartet. Please join us for these services as they promise to enrich your personal experience of this sacred time for all Christians.
With love and gratitude,
Grace Bardsley, Director of Music
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SAVE THE DATE - GRATEFUL GIFTS 2025 | | | |
Seedling - $70 Individual Ticket
Sapling - $750 Sponsorship includes 4 seats
Oak Tree - $1250 Sponsorship includes 10 seats & 10 drink tickets
Forest - $1750 Sponsorship includes 10 seats & 4 bottles of wine
RSVP with payment by April 18
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Payment can be made by check payable to Little Home Church or
Venmo (LHC UCC) or Zelle
If paying by Venmo or Zelle, please indicate in the memo,
the number of tickets or type of sponsorship.
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From a single seed grows a thriving forest.
Thank you for being a part of this mission and for helping
our church, and our community, flourish.
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GRATEFUL GIFTS SILENT AUCTION - DONATIONS WANTED! |
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The auction committee is looking for donations. Please consider providing one or more of the following:
—Themed baskets (example: Movie Night basket, Cooking basket) value over $50 each
-—Items that can be placed in baskets (example: gift cards to embellish baskets, items valued over $20 each)
—Experiences: airline tickets, destination trips, use of condo/second home, etc.
-—Stand-alone items to auction (higher value pieces over $100)
-–Baskets and cellophane wrap
Any questions, please contact Kit DeWitt.
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Maundy Thursday Potluck Supper
Thursday, April 17, 6 pm
As is our tradition, we will have a Potluck Supper on Maundy Thursday, beginning at 6 pm. Following the supper, we will head into the Sanctuary for the worship service.
See the sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall and consider bringing a dish to share.
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All Church Work Day
Saturday, April 12, 9:30 am - Noon
We will be holding our first work day of the year on Saturday, April 12. We have a lot of outside chores to do as we tidy up the grounds for Easter. Should the weather not cooperate, we can move inside for a variety of tasks. Bring any gardening tools that you like.
Remember, many hands make light work. Consider stopping by and giving us a hand! The gift of your time is appreciated. Any questions, please reach out to Brian Martisauski.
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Fellowship - Where Do you Choose to Sit?
In a past Children's sermon Pastor Larry asked the children a question regarding where they sit at lunch. Do you have assigned seats? Do you get to choose where you sit?
Well, my questions are regarding where you sit during fellowship.
—Do you generally sit with the same people?
—Do you generally sit with people you already know?
—Do you look around to see if there is someone you don't know that you can sit with?
—Do you look around to see if there is someone who you have not seen before that you can sit with?
During this liturgical season we will hopefully have new people join us for worship and fellowship. It is extremely important that we make everyone feel welcomed and seen. So my request is that before you sit down with your tasty treats and drink you take a look around and see if there is someone who is sitting by themselves who is new to our congregation or relatively new. I realize that for some of you this is easier to do than others but I am confident that you will be glad you made a new acquaintance. (Truth be told, it is easy for me to sit and talk with new people. Someone in the congregation told me I had the gift of gab. I think she meant this as a compliment?)
Permanent Name Tags
Interested in getting a name tag that you can reuse week after week after week...? Listen for an announcement at church to see how we will accomplish this!
Rose Mayer
Evangelism Ministry Chair
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We are partnering with Neighborhood Food Pantries in putting together 100 Birthday Celebration Kits. These will be distributed among their six pantry locations. The kits will include an 8"x8" aluminum pan, a cake mix, a can of frosting, a can of Sprite (takes the place of oil and eggs) and birthday candles. Folks who use the Neighborhood Food Pantry often aren't able to get the few items needed to make a birthday cake for a child or family member. These kits give them this opportunity.
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How can you help? We are looking for donations of:
—cans of frosting (any flavor)
—a regular can of Sprite, and
—packs of birthday candles
Our Outreach Ministry will provide the pans, and Neighborhood Food Pantries will provide the cake mix. The due date is Saturday, April 12.
Our plan is to assemble the kits on Maundy Thursday, April 17 after the evening worship service as our Lenten 'Act of Service.'
Please drop off your donations in the Church Office. Should you have any questions, please reach out to either Lori Prang or Cris Kalomiris.
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2025 All-Church Cougars Baseball Game
The Men of LHC will again sponsor an all-church baseball game at the Kane County Cougars. This is a family-oriented event that serves as an occasion for fellowship and socializing. This year the men have decided to move the date from a Friday night to Sunday afternoon. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, June 29 at 1 pm. This change should allow some people to attend who found the Friday evening time difficult.
The tickets will be slightly more expensive ($15 vs. $12), but include a special promotion of a $15 coupon that can be spent on concessions. The coupon will go a long way to covering lunch.
Men’s Breakfast
The next Men’s Breakfast is scheduled for 8 am on Saturday, April 12 at Eggceptional Restaurant (Army Trail & Route 59). The time is earlier this month to allow the men to help with a church workday that begins at 9:30 am.
Any questions, please reach out to Chris Thornton.
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The new Endowment Committee has been meeting, learning, discussing, and planning. Watch this space to learn more about our work, why an endowment is important, and how it augments our current giving of time, talent, and treasure. The scripture below was selected as a reflection of our discussions and our ministry to come.
Pete Connolly, Jon Hutchison, Mary Emily Anhalt, Wade Mayer, Mary Harling
And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
1 Corinthians 9:8
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Did you know the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ offers summer camps?
The newest one is Climate Action Camp, led by Rev. David Russell. It will be held June 16 - 20 at Tower Hill Camp in Sawyer, Michigan.
He invites all faith leaders and families, students and teachers, activists and seekers to come together to begin, continue or go deeper to be the Land Defenders and Water Protectors that God needs at this time.
During this time, all ages will explore the climate crisis, dive deeper into the issues and learn how to be agents of change. There will also be the usual camp activities of swimming, playing at the beach, archery, campfires and more.
The cost is $375 per person. Should you need more information contact:
Rev. David Russell at (847) 890-2774.
You can also check out what other camp opportunities the UCC offers by
Clicking Here
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SiSters are Springing into Action
Under the tutelage of SiSter Carolyn Hutchison, SiS members are beginning work on a new quilt for the Community House.
And just in time, SiS will be making Ukrainian Easter Eggs at our April 12 meeting. Joanne Okey is excited to lead the project. Please contact Susi or Anne if you would like to participate.
And don't forget...SIS will sponsor an auction “basket” for the 2025 Grateful Gifts event on May 2. Our signature item is the money tree with scratch-off tickets in various denominations. An envelope marked for ticket collection is in the Church Office. Tickets are due by the April 12 meeting. As always, your help is greatly appreciated. See Susi for more information.
Blessings,
Susi Winquist & Anne Bouchard
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No April showers in this report as the beautiful new Community House keeps blossoming as the days pass. Each week brings us closer to that light at the end of the tunnel, which is shining brightly!
Interior lighting, painting, and electrical work is in process. Preserved interior doors from the Guild House have been stripped and sent to a custom millwork shop to be retrofitted for their reincarnation in the Gathering Room. And thank you to everyone for your gifts toward 'Joyful, Joyful—Too!'...to date we have received over $180,000 in gifts and donations. Happy – Joyful – Easter!
Anne Bouchard
On behalf of the Joyful Committee
Joyful Committee: Anne Bouchard, Chairperson; Pastor Larry Dieffenbach; Chip Braulick; Kit DeWitt;
Bob Kaska; Kathleen Sullivan Kaska; Susannah Lesswing; and Susi Winquist
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Thank you to the Little Home Church,
The funeral service for Ron was wonderful. The music was beautiful. I am so appreciative and grateful. Thank you to Larry Dieffenbach, Tom Havel and Nick Metzger for making the service so special. Thank you to Lori Prang and Carol Berger for ushering. Thank you to the congregation for being so kind and supportive.
Love, Maggie Purser & Family
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Dear Sisters in Spirit,
Thank you for the lovely reception in honor of Ron. We are very grateful and appreciative of your kindness. Everyone was so supportive and welcoming. The sweet and savory appetizers were delicious. Thank you again. I know Ron would have been so pleased.
Love, Maggie Purser & Family
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Dear Little Home Church by the Wayside
Thank you so much for participating in our 5th Annual Valentines for Seniors Card Drive. I am pleased to announce that our community generously donated an unexpectedly large number of Valentine's Day cards this year. In total, our office delivered about 4,300 Valentine's Day cards to seniors living at 24 nursing and assisted living facilities. Our goad of letting senior citizens know that people care about them was accomplished through your heartfelt cards.
We hope you had as much fun making them as we had delivering them. Your kindness will not soon be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Donald P. DeWitte
Illinois State Senator, District 33
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Wednesdays, 10 am—In person & via Zoom
The Wednesday Bible Study Class is studying the Revised Common Lectionary. This study will discuss upcoming scriptures used each Sunday in worship. There is minimal preparation needed. All you need is a Bible. Come for some great discussion!
Bible Study meets in person in the Pastor’s Office or on Zoom at 10 am.
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Our Contemplative services for this month are April 3 and 24. There are two services each of those days, 8 am and 7 pm and each last only 30 minutes. Take half-hour out of your day and gather with others as Pastor Larry leads you through a guided mediation on the theme of the day.
A list of all the services can be found HERE.
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LHC Book Club—Via Zoom
Meets 2nd Thursday of the Month, 7 pm
Next Meeting—April 10
The April selection is The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan's personal librarian—who became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true.
Click here to see the books chosen for 2025
Click here for Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 891 0088 0154
password: bookclub
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As Christians, one of the most powerful privileges of our spiritual life is the invitation to feel God’s grace and presence through ongoing prayer. Believing in the power of individual prayer, a prayer offered up by many becomes even more powerful. With that thought in mind, we invite you to join our Prayer Chain to support the spiritual life of members and friends of Little Home Church.
To Make a Prayer Request: Click Here
Homepage: littlehomechurch.org
Email: info@littlehomechurch.org
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Apr 1 - Anne Bouchard
Apr 2 - Heather Bragg, Kay Brynelsen, Alex Karwowski
Apr 6 - Lane Harling
Apr 12 - Ron Dippner, Gerry James
Apr 14 - Joseph Sterner
Apr 15 - Rik Alex
Apr 17 - Cooper Hadfield
Apr 18 - Rose Mayer
Apr 20 - George Bouchard
Apr 21 - Susan Lyons
Apr 24 - Peg Schramuk
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FELLOWSHIP / USHERS / PULPIT ASSOCIATES / FLOWERS | |
Time to sign up!
A simple way to give the gift of your time and enhance our worship experience at the same time is by signing up to be an Usher or a Pulpit Associate! We have upcoming openings this spring where we can use your help! It's easy and appreciated.
Our Fellowship coffee time after worship is in full swing. Consider hosting one Sunday. You provide the goodies, we provide the coffee and tea. You can also check out the flower sign up sheet to provide Flowers one Sunday to decorate our altar table. The sign up sheets are up in the Parish Hall. If you have any questions, just contact the Church Office.
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To those recently ill or hospitalized...
Joe Sterner, Mona Rose
Our Sympathies...
To the family and friends of Wayne resident, Shari Anderson. Shari passed away in November and her Celebration of Life was held late March. Shari was an active member of the Wayne Countryside Garden Club.
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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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| THANK YOU TO OUR CHURCH STAFF, COUNCIL, AND ALL VOLUNTEERS | | |
Pastor - Larry Dieffenbach
Director of Music - Grace Bardsley
Office Manager - Lori Prang
Organist/Pianist - Nick Metzger
BTW Editors and Graphic Design
Lori Prang and Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
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CHURCH COUNCIL
Moderator - Julie Graham
Moderator-elect - Kit DeWitt
Christian Education - Emma Kaska
Congregational Life - Mira Reid
Evangelism - Rose Mayer
Facilities - Brian Martisauski
Outreach - Andrea Redmond & Mary Fleischmann
Stewardship - Peter Connolly
Worship & Spiritual Growth - Greg Abell
Members at Large - Ann McLaughlin
Financial Treasurer - Chip Braulick
Financial Secretary - Mary Harling
Clerk - Kristen Thornton
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