July 2025 Newsflash - Celebrating the Journey

Celebrating the Journey

July 2025 Newsflash

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Words from Wang

“I’m Tired. How ‘about You!”

I’m tired of all the name-calling and cruel rhetoric. How ‘bout you?

I’m tired of elected officials blaming others (especially their predecessors) for all the things wrong with our states or nation. How ‘bout you?

I’m tired of all that divides us as a nation, as states, communities, and even as the church. How ‘bout you?

I’m tired of people using the name of Jesus Christ to push their own agendas even when there is nothing in the bible to warrant such assertions. How ‘bout you?

I’m tired of certain so-called Christians condemning others simply because they don’t believe the same things they do. How ‘bout you?

I’m tired of people weaponizing the Bible to condemn those who somehow seems to pose a threat. How ‘bout you?

The fact of the matter is that the Bible is actually “an invitation from the spirit to expand our understanding and move into even more truth,” writes author Josh Scott. “The Bible isn’t a collection of timeless truths as much as it’s a kind collective diary that shares with us the journey of those who came before us as well as an invitation to do our part in the ongoing search for truth.”

I trust we all agree that none of the fore mentioned peeves are helping our current climate as we consider our role as the church in society. All of this creates nothing but a climate of fear as we look to the future. As one of our denominational leaders’ states, but with a more positive spin, is how “we are not mere survivors in an uncertain chapter of church. We are resilient explorers, nimble navigators, courageous apostles of the living Christ, assigned to a daunting task we didn’t ask for: partnering with the Holy Spirit to discern the future of the church and co-creating our way there.”

One of the underlying strengths of our beloved United Church of Christ is what we call “spiritual solidarity,” a value traceable to the denomination’s motto: “That they may all be one.” There is comfort in knowing that we belong to each other and so we must look for new ways to widen our circle of inclusion, so much so that we can truly proclaim that “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

And the ever-widening circle extends to those that some in our country are actually trying to erase from existence and, with recent supreme rulings, we feel like we have lost decades of momentum. And it’s not making us great again as a nation.

In his new book, Cross Examined, Josh Scott writes, what we need are Christians who practice loving their neighbors at every level…”Christians who will uphold the dignity and well-being of immigrants, regardless of their status, who will defend the rights of women, the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone else whose rights are being trampled on by those whose vision of America and their faith is just too small and too unimaginative. After all, the best critique we can offer of something bad is to live and practice something better.”

So, when I’m tired and growing weary, I can feel my spirit being renewed when I see this level of authenticity and love being modeled around me. How ‘bout you?

See ya’ in church,

Pastor Bob

A Word From The Transition Team

PLEASE JOIN US SUNDAY, JULY 6TH

AFTER THE CHURCH SERVICE IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

As we work to purposely transition to an era with our new settled pastor we are focusing on two areas:

First, develop a design of what we want to be as a church by sharing

ideas together.

We began this at the Let's Talk Church and will continue it on July 6 in a Townhall Meeting following worship. Whether you attended that Saturday session or not, your voice and ideas are vital to the input we need from everyone. Where is God leading us to contribute to His purpose? What mission do you see us developing? What will be posted a decade from now on anniversary bulletin boards of things we are accomplishing? What kind of pastoral leadership will we need for that mission?

At the townhall, please plan to stay for about an hour. We will also talk briefly about next steps, what the memory binder is and how it can help, and more about the search process.

Second, begin the search process of finding a pastor who will fit the needs we have identified.

To that end, give prayerful thought to what role you may want to take. What would you enjoy doing as we enter this new time? Will you want to be on the search committee? Or are there other ways you could be involved to make this a better future for us? How can we make our church THE place someone wants to pastor, and how would you like to help?

In the last newsletter, Pastor Bob encouraged us to envision our purpose and mission as a local church, trusting that God is leading us to something like a promised land, even though we don't know what it will look or feel like. He urged us to be patient with the process, keep our minds open, and trust in the God who walks with us every step of the way.

Your Transition Team,

Nancy Kneip

Michelle Tarosas

Jim Erion

Bill Hellyer

Pastor Bob Wang

175th Anniversary Celebration

As we continue to celebrate 175 years of serving the Community and our God, here is what is happening in July!

The Congregational Church of Algonquin and

The Riverbottom Ice Cream and Coffee Co.

Present:

Coffee House and Open Mic Night

Saturday, July 26

7:00-9:00 P.M.

Any and all acts are welcome (music, poetry reading, storytelling). Performers' time on stage and number of selections will be determined based on the number of acts signed up

(most likely be 2-3 pieces).

Come and exercise your freedom of expression!

The event will take place at

The Congregational Church

109 Washington Street

Algonquin, IL 60102

Any questions or inquiries can be directed to Pastor Bob Wang at

pbobCCA@outlook.com

July Worship Opportunities

July 6: The 4th Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Sermon Theme: Shaking the Dust Off Our Feet!

Note: The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be served

July 13: The 5th Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Sermon Theme: Daring and Caring

July 20: The 6th Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Sermon Theme: The Gospel According to Mr. Rogers

June 29: The 7th Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Sermon Theme: Prayer 2.0

Save the Date

JULY 4TH

Happy 4th of July OFFICE CLOSED

JULY 6TH

1ST Sunday Food Pantry Offering

Town Hall Meeting - 11:00 AM

JULY 10TH

Bibles & Brew

Towne Park - 6:00 PM

JULY 11TH

Women's Bunco - 6:00 PM

JULY 13TH

Fair Trade Sunday - After the Church Service

JULY 17TH

Bibles & Brew

Towne Park - 6:00 PM

JULY 19TH

Newsletter Deadline

JULY 24TH

Bibles & Brew

Towne Park - 6:00 PM

JULY 27TH

Council Meeting - 11:00 AM

JULY 31ST

Bibles & Brew

Towne Park - 6:00 PM

COFFEE TALKS w/PASTOR BOB WEDNESDAY’S 3PM

CCA's Third Annual Picnic

IT'S TIME FOR A SUMMER PICNIC!

Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025

Time: 11:30 A.M.

Location: Barbara Key Park, Lake in the Hills, IL

Both shelters have been reserved so there is plenty of room for all your family and friends? See you there.

New Members

PLEASE WELCOME

Marilyn McNichols

Madison Albury

Ted Schabacker

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

Baptisms

Groups & Studies

BIBLES AND BREW

Thursday, July 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st at 6:00 PM at

Towne Park

Bring a chair and your drink of choice. We will meet under the oak tree right across the bridge like last year!

SENIOR AFTERNOON OF GAMES

POSPONED UNTIL AUGUST

Senior Games scheduled for July 2nd have been cancelled for the month of July. See you in August.

WOMEN'S BUNCO NIGHT

July 11th at 6:00 p.m. - $5.00 entry fee

Join us for a fun-filled, competitive evening of playing Bunco while enjoying wonderful food and benefitting a good cause.

MEN'S FELLOWSHIP

POSPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER

Men’s Fellowship will be meeting in Fellowship Hall for excellent conversation and a delicious meal. Bring your favorite breakfast dish, or just come enjoy the good company. Invite a friend!

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP

POSPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER

Women's Fellowship will be on break this summer, but make sure to pick up and read "Sensible Shoes" by Sharon Garlough Brown, a story about a spiritual journey. We will be discussing the book at the September 18th (6:15 PM) meeting.

SHEPHERD U & TEEN FAITH IN ACTION will be taking a break over the summer and will begin again in September. Have a wonderful summer!

COFFEE TALKS WITH PASTOR BOB

Every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.

Join Pastor Bob every Wednesday at the Riverbottom Coffee & Ice Cream Company (301 S. Main St., Algonquin) for coffee and conversation.

175th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE

Monday, July 7th - 6:30 P.M.

The Committee will be working on unpcoming 175th celebration events. All are welcome to join!

Missions, Ministries & More

FIRST SUNDAY SPECIAL OFFERING

ALITH Food Pantry

Sunday, July 6st

"Be a Neighbor, Feed a Neighbor”

There continues to be a great need in our community for non perishable food. Food donations can be placed in the shopping cart by the church elevator or dropped off at the pantry at 1113 Pyott Rd., Lake in the Hills, IL. There is also a drop off on the North side of the building available 24/7. The food pantry will take your plastic grocery bags and reuse them for their clients. There is a bin in the coat room for the collection of bags. There is also a list of the most current needs of the pantry’s in the Narthex.

FAIR TRADE - NOTE: DATE CHANGE

Sunday, July 20th After the Service to 11:30 AM

When you purchase products that meet Fair Trade standards, not only are you supporting compensating workers with fair wages for their talents and labor, you’re also contributing to protecting the planet. Visit our Fair Trade table in the Fellowship Hall following worship, where you can browse and purchase quality Fair Trade products like coffee and tea. Visit our website or contact Nancy Kneip for more information.

MINISTRY OF MISSIONS PROJECT IDEAS

The Ministry of Missions would appreciate your ideas for mission projects. Please share your ideas with any Missions member or post them on the Missions bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.

SPAM-A-LOT

When is Spam not Spam?

When it's in a can, helping your fellow man!

Wynn Ann has made a connection with a rebuilding community in the Philippines. Since Covid, they rely on Spam as an easy food to ship and eat. Their community is also in need of other things such as clothes and school supplies but currently we will try to collect at least 50 cans of Spam!

WE ARE GIVING YOU PERMISSION TO SPAM A LOT!!!

There will be a box in the coat room for our collection!

Thank you everyone for your help!

Maybe ask your neighbors to pick up a few cans too!

RECYCLING SNEAKERS

In April and May we collected 30 pairs of shoes. 27 pairs were sent to Gotsneakers.com. 3 pair did not meet the criteria, and will be sent for recycling.

We will continue to collect old sneakers to be recycled through a program called “Gotsneakers”. The focus is on athletic style sneakers (children and adult); running,

basketball, training, etc. Non-athletic footwear will not be accepted. There are collection bins by the back door and in the coat room. For more information about the program, you can visit their website: gotsneakers.com.

THE HEAVENLY ATTIC - Open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Back to school shopping is right around the corner and for families in need where food and shelter is a priority new school supplies are a luxury. District 300, our local school district, has a program to help out those families to which the Heavenly Attic has donated $500. That's a lot of supplies! We are happy that sales remain strong and donations keep coming in so that we are able to meet our monthly pledges.

A special thank you this month to Pat Kramer for all the wonderful donations after the sale of her long time home.

Thank you for supporting the Heavenly Attic!

SERVE DURING COFFEE HOUR

Coffee Hour is so much fun, don’t you agree! The July to December sign-up sheet has been posted on the bulletin board, so please sign up!

Pick a date that is a special occasion for you, birthday, anniversary, birth of a child, etc., we want to celebrate with you!

VOLUNTEER ON THE PRAIRIE TRAIL!

Join the McHenry County Conservation Foundation to help maintain a small segment of our extensive county trail system! As part of the District's Adopt-A-Trail program, once a month from April–December McHenry County Conservation Foundation volunteers and staff will meet at the Mitchard Way (formerly Meyer Rd) parking lot in Algonquin to help keep a one-mile stretch of the trail free of debris and litter. Take a morning stroll down the Prairie Trail, meet new people, and help beautify the area. Dress for the weather. Gloves and hand sanitizer encouraged. Long-handled trash pickers provided.

The minimum age to volunteer independently is 18, but those under 18 can sign up with adult supervision.

2025 Clean-Up Dates

9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday's on the following dates:

July 12

August 9

September 13

October 11

November 8

December 13

To sign-up or for more information, visit their Website at: https://www.mchenryconservation.org/get_involved/prairie_trail_cleanup.php

August 23rd - Field Trip to Hoo Haven!

The Ministry of Christian Education is organizing an all-church field trip to Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center in Durand, IL (just west of Rockford). The day will include a talk and tour of their facility, lunch together at their outdoor amphitheater, followed by a nature-themed concert by Pastor Bob.

In a nutshell, Hoo Haven is dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing sick, injured, and orphaned North American wildlife, and to educating individuals on the importance of conserving Mother Earth to maintain the land, clean and beautiful for all. For more information about Hoo Haven please visit their website (hoohaven.org). FYI: Karen and Steve Herdklotz, the owners, are members of the UCC church in Rockton, IL where Pastor Bob served a few years ago.

The present plan is to depart from the church at 8:30 a.m. and caravan to Hoo Haven (some may choose to simply meet us there). Our tour and talk will happen at 11:00. A brown-bag lunch will be at noon (bring your own lunch), followed by the concert. Our end time is TBD but will take place sometime in the middle of the afternoon.

Anyone, any age, interested in joining us should notify Anna in the church office or sign up on the clipboard outside the sanctuary. Please include your cell phone and email so that we can provide any last-minute updates, etc. Deadline to register is August 17^th. Come one, come all for a fantastic day together mingling with some of God’s most amazing critters.

Online Giving

If you would like to donate online, please click here. You will find a wide selection of church funds to which you can contribute. Please contact Dennis Kneip with any questions about online giving.

August Newsletter

Submission Deadline:

July 19

If you have an item you would like included in the next Newsletter, please submit it to the Office by emailing algonquinucc@gmail.com no later than this date!