Little Home Church by the Wayside / UCC | | |
"Bear one another’s burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
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I am very excited to talk about a new and much needed ministry in our church—Congregational Care.
Congregational Care in our church will be focused on reaching out to church members who are homebound, hospitalized, recovering in a rehabilitation facility, suffering from a chronic condition, or in need of grief support. Providing meals, visits, rides, and errands for folks who find themselves in any of the aforementioned circumstances can be considered Congregational Care. Congregational Care will report to our Congregational Life Ministry.
At my request, Reverend Jeffrey Phillips first met with our TPIRC committee and then our church council to propose using a program he has developed in his last two churches prior to his retirement.
The program includes three layers of volunteers.
- The Pastor and a lay person to oversee and coordinate the ministry. Barbara Braulick has accepted that position. Her background in healthcare, as well as yoga, and meditation makes her an excellent choice for this position.
- Barb and I will be joined by a committee of three others to help support and oversee the program: Cris Kalomiris, Linda Kurtz, and Wade Mayer.
- Finally, members of the congregation attend a training session and then decide if it is right for them to accept a call to become a Lay Congregational Care Minister.
Mark these dates to learn more about the program:
Sunday, September 21—Reverend Jeffrey Phillips will be our guest minister that morning to preach and introduce the program. There will be a time for questions and answers during the service.
Saturday, October 18—Training Session led by Reverend Jeffrey Phillips. Approximate Time will be 9 am to 1 pm. You can attend the session to learn more about the program and then decide if you want to become a Congregational Care Minister or not. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
As we continue to grow our church in so many ways, I need your help in visitation and caring for our beloved congregation.
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices
are pleasing to God.” - Hebrews 13:16
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
A Book & A Prayer Book Club—Thursday, July 10, 7 pm via Zoom
Men of LHC Monthly Breakfast Meeting—Saturday, July 12, 8:30 am
Sisters in Spirit Breakfast Meeting—Saturday, July 12, 9 am
Church Council Meeting—Tuesday, July 15, 6 pm
Contemplative Service—Thursday, July 17, 8 am & 7 pm
Northern Illinois Food Bank Volunteer Session—Saturday, July 19, 9 am - Noon
Elgin Cooperative Ministries Soup Kettle Kitchen—Sunday, July 20, 2 pm
By the Way Submission Deadline—Monday, July 21
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm—630.584.4013
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“Let’s Grow Together”
Hi Church Family,
I’m so excited (and a lot humbled!) to be stepping into the role of Moderator this year. As I’ve been praying and thinking about what’s ahead for us, one word has kept coming to mind: growth.
Growth can mean a lot of things. It’s not just about numbers or busy calendars. It’s about deepening our faith, building stronger relationships, and stretching ourselves to love and serve in new ways. It’s about becoming more of the church God is calling us to be—together.
This could not come at a better time. This month, we’ve opened the doors to our brand new Community House—a space that’s been dreamt about, prayed over, and built with hope for what’s next. It’s more than just a building—it’s a sign of growth already happening. A place where relationships will be nurtured, new ministries will take root, and our church’s reach into the neighborhood will expand.
So that’s our theme for the year: Growth. Each month, we’ll focus on a different way we can grow—starting in June with Growth in Community. And what better way to kick things off than by gathering, celebrating, and planting new seeds in this beautiful new space?
I hope you’ll join me in leaning into this journey. Whether it’s through worship, small groups, a conversation over coffee, or a new project in the Community House, let’s be open to the ways God is calling us to grow.
Thanks for walking this path with me. I’m truly excited to see what this year holds for us all.
Love and Gratitude,
Kit DeWitt, Moderator
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Our summer music themed Sunday services are off to a wonderful start! It has been so interesting to see the many and varied choices all of you offered. In total they comprised a list of 104 songs suggested by 21 people ranging from folk ballads to hard rock. After compiling this impressive list it was then our job to find a way to make meaningful sense of it. We began with a timeline of 12 weeks defined by 6 themes; 2 weeks for each theme and 3 songs for each week making our “play list” a total of 36 songs. We also endeavored to include at least one choice from each person’s list of suggestions.
Here is the result of our process…
June 15—Love
June 22—Love
June 29—Peace/Unity
July 06—Peace/Unity
July 13—Taking a break from the series
July 20—Sorrow
July 27—Sorrow
Aug 03—Encouragement
Aug 10—Encouragement
Aug 17—Faith Journey
Aug 24—Faith Journey
Aug 31—Gratitude
Sept 7—Gratitude
Poetry set to music becomes song and somehow music helps us to better remember the words of the poetry; words that provide insight, affirmation, and hope reminding us we are not alone in whatever our circumstance may be.
It is our prayer that by shining a light on the songs shared by our brothers and sisters at Little Home Church, all of us may discover something that deepens our faith and strengthens our commitment to follow the example of Jesus’s teaching.
Peace be with you,
Grace Bardsley, Director of Music
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Summer reruns on television were standard when many of us of a certain age were growing up. With that in mind I am rerunning a previous article in case you missed it the first time around. (As I write this we have only one Sunday covered for Fellowship in July and August.)
At the Little Home Church the emphasis for our fellowship is a time for greeting new people, catching up on news with friends, and having a cup of coffee or tea. As always we need volunteers to sign up for Fellowship on Sundays. (As I write this we have only one Sunday covered for Fellowship in July and August.) There are many dates and opportunities open. Perhaps join with another friend or family to share the duties. If you have questions or need assistance please reach out to me. Remember the conversations are primary, the food is secondary. Donuts are fine and bakeries will appreciate your business. And the church makes the coffee! All efforts are appreciated and no one is leaving reviews on yelp!
Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer.
Rose Mayer
Evangelism Ministry Chair
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If you have any teens looking for Community Service or Volunteer hours for school, NHS, Scouts, etc., we have jobs for them around the Little Home Church, both indoor and outdoor. Please reach out to Brian Martisauski or the Church Office with availability and preference of work.
Contact the Church Office with any questions.
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Congratulations to our runners/walkers who participated in Neighborhood Food Pantries 5K Family Fun Run/Walk in Carol Stream June 21. Our LHC Team raised over $1,200! The entire event generated $40,000 for the organization! Thank you to Vern Hagel for his help organizing it and to all who donated to this worthy effort!
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You've probably seen our AV desk in the back corner of the sanctuary. Every week we record our service, edit it, and then upload it to our YouTube channel. We're thrilled to be able to share our worship services with those who cannot join us in person.
We're a small AV team and we're looking to grow and would love to have you join us. We'll train you on how to film, what to look for and even sit with you during your first few times. It's not difficult! There's even a step-by-step instruction binder!
Stop by the AV desk one Sunday to learn more!
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Member Frank Muno will be doing his annual blueberry run to Michigan this month. Let him know by July 14, how many 10# boxes you would like. Estimated cost is less than $30 per 10 pounds. Frank will have them here July 20.
You can pack the berries in sandwich bags and freeze them. All you have to do is wash them when you're ready to use. Enjoy fresh Michigan blueberries year round for less that $1 per 6 ounces as seen at the grocery store.
Frank can be reached at 630-740-7838
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Our June 14 breakfast meeting was held in the Parish Hall. Numerous topics were covered...here is a recap!
SiS agreed to cover the August 17 Soup Kettle project recently initiated through the Outreach Ministry. Carol Berger, Anne Bouchard, Kit DeWitt, and Lori Haseltine will be our point people for that date. We are planning “cook out” type food and collecting volunteers to prepare, deliver, and serve the meal.
We will continue to meet through the summer as there is much going on and plans are underway for our November Symbols of the Season holiday bazaar, which will be chaired by Jane Shelton and Candy Boulay. Symbols of the Season will be held on November 14 and 15. Additional details will be forthcoming.
SiS created a subcommittee to assist with hospitality related to receptions, e.g., following a Memorial or Celebration of Life Service. Carol Berger and Jean Muno volunteered to spearhead the subcommittee with assistance from Maggie Purser.
In coordination with the Rummage Sale, SiS invites all gardeners to contribute home grown plants for a fall plant sale. Plants must be identified.
We continue to discuss how SiS can financially contribute to the life and ministry of LHC. Items under consideration include the future landscape needs, additional décor for the Community House, and linens.
We also discussed the concept of a Fall Retreat, but did not have much interest at this time. Maybe in the new year?
Save these dates:
July 12—SiS meeting, location TBD
August 17—Soup Kettle
September 12-13—Rummage Sale
November 14-15—Symbols of the Season
December 6—Advent Tea
Blessings,
Susi Winquist & Anne Bouchard
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At long last, our beautiful Community House is nearly ready for its close up! At the time of writing this article, the contractor is finishing up the items on the architect’s punch list, with a walk through scheduled for late June. Our landscape architect has begun work on the project, measuring the site and reviewing the Village code requirements. We plan to celebrate with a ribbon cutting and “Grand Opening” in the next few months.
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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Wednesdays, 10 am—In person & via Zoom
The Wednesday Bible Study Class is studying the book 'Twelve Ordinary Men' by John MacArthur. There is minimal preparation needed. 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 service for this month will be on Thursday, July 17. There are two services, 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.
We will take the month of August off and resume again in September.
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LHC Book Club—Via Zoom
Meets 2nd Thursday of the Month, 7 pm
Next Meeting—July 10
The July selection is The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell” by his classmates; “God’s will” is what his mother called his ocular albinism. Her words were of little comfort, but Sam persevered, buoyed by his mother’s devout faith, his father’s practical wisdom, and his two other misfit friends. Forty years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, embarks on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. This time, his eyes are wide open—bringing into clear view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid, until he can finally see what truly matters.
Click here to see the remaining 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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July 4— June Bruskewitz
July 6—Grace Hadfield
July 10—Doug Hancock
July 20—Katelyn DeAlemida, Art Zwemke
July 25—Mary Roach
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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
Our Sympathies...
To the family & friends of Odie Mae Perry. Odie was a long-time custodian and worked for us for over 20 years. She passed away quietly on June 13. She was 78.
Our Congratulations...
To Julie Graham on her recent marriage to Scott Waterman on May 16!
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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 - Kit DeWitt
Moderator-elect - Samantha Prang
Christian Education - Emma Kaska
Congregational Life - Cris Kalomiris
Evangelism - Rose Mayer
Facilities - Brian Martisauski/Jan DeWitt
Outreach - Andrea Redmond & Mary Fleischmann
Stewardship - Emily Miller
Worship & Spiritual Growth - Greg Abell
Members at Large - Suzy Moore, Doug Kurtz
Financial Treasurer - Chip Braulick
Financial Secretary - Mary Harling
Clerk - Kristen Thornton
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