Little Home Church by the Wayside / UCC | |
By the Way | September 2024
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I love these words from the poem,
Blessing at the Burning Bush
by Jan Richardson:
“You will have to decide if you want this—want the blessing that comes to you
on an ordinary day when you are minding your own path,
bent on the task before you that you have done a hundred times, a thousand.
You will have to choose for yourself whether you will attend to the signs, whether you
will open your eyes to the searing light, the heat,
whether you will open your ears, your heart to the voice that knows your name,
that tells you this place where you stand—
this ground so familiar and therefore unregarded—is, in fact, holy.
You will know your path not by how it shines before you but by how it burns within you, leaving you whole as you go from here blazing with your inarticulate, your inescapable yes.”
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Last month I wrote about recognizing your gifts and thinking about your life and your calling. What is it that God would have you do? Do we need a burning bush moment to decide and to know?
Interestingly, the case that Richardson makes is that “call” happens on familiar ground, ground often “unregarded.” It is not crazy or ridiculous to think that there may be something else or more out there for you to do.
Moses was a shepherd in the wilderness and one day out of the blue—the bush burned, the light switched on and Moses became the leader of the path to freedom for the Israelites.
The Bible story never said the bush stopped burning after that encounter and I don’t think it did. Why? Because I see folks all around me answering the call in their lives daily, in familiar places like Little Home Church by the Wayside. Folks helping each other in the church community and outside the church community through acts of service, giving gifts of tithes and offerings, and most importantly by praying for the church and each other.
What have you seen and heard lately?
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
Sisters in Spirit Holiday Bazaar Work Day—Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 am
Rally Day/Ministry Fair/All Church Cookout—Sunday, Sept. 8, 10:30 am
A Book & A Prayer Book Club—Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 pm via Zoom
Men of LHC Monthly Breakfast—Saturday, Sept. 14, 8:30 am
Church Council Meeting—Monday, Sept. 16, 6:30 pm
By the Way Submission Deadline—Wednesday, Sept. 18
Men's Retreat—Friday, Sept. 20 to Saturday, Sept. 21
Sisters in Spirit Holiday Bazaar Work Day—Saturday, Sept 21, 9 am
Neighborhood Food Pantry Volunteer Session—Saturday, Sept. 21, 9 am to Noon
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm—630.584.4013
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As I sit here writing this report it is a beautiful early fall day. I have the windows open, and I am enjoying the crisp fresh air. I just saw a squirrel run past the window with a large black walnut in his mouth and I can hear the kids from the Wayne elementary school outside at recess playing. All signs indicating the seasons of change are upon us. Fall is by far my favorite time of the year. For me it reflects change and the witness of the natural seasons or cycles of life.
We recently studied the book of Ecclesiastes in Bible Study. For me a major takeaway from these studies was that we really cannot control much in life, but if we choose to observe these changes through our Faith in God it will provide us with a positive perspective in how we can navigate the seasons of life.
I encourage you to get outside and enjoy this wonderful season of Fall and all the changes that are to come. Take time to reflect on both the positive and challenging life changes you have endured and how your faith in God helped guide you through these cycles of life.
And now time for a little housekeeping...
We want to recognize how so many of you are very generous with your time and talents, your Council is extremely appreciative of this. Please keep in mind though that if you want to do something to help the Church and it costs money you need to ensure that you get approval from the Ministry Chair prior to doing so. Each Ministry Chair is responsible for preparing an annual budget and working to live within that budget for the year. As we all know, unexpected expenses can prove challenging when living within a budget so please just make sure you get prior approval for any expense you may incur.
Peace Be With You,
Julie Graham, Moderator
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LABORS OF LOVE
I Hear America Singing
Walt Whitman
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his
as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures
his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work,
or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat,
the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench,
the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way
in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife
at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party
of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
When Whitman penned this famous poem many of the jobs mentioned above were only done by men. Times have changed and both men and women hold jobs in every field of work. It did not seem quite right to me to alter Whitman’s original text so as to note this fact. Rather, I hope you will read the poem again with that fact in mind and celebrate the labor done by every person.
Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for workers everywhere but especially for our brothers and sisters within the Little Home Church By the Wayside family who faithfully volunteer their time, talent, and treasure to be the hands and feet of Jesus to each other, to our community, and to all the souls who cross our paths each day.
With Gratitude and Love,
Grace Bardsley
Director of Music
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Webster's Dictionary defines 'rally' as:
- a verb 'to draw or call together for a common purpose'
- a noun meaning 'a renewal of energy in joint action'
Rally Day is a day set aside to reassemble or 'rally' after the relatively quiet summer of vacations and camps. It marks the beginning of the Church calendar year.
On September 8 after worship we will gather in the Parish Hall for our Ministry Fair. Learn about the different ministries and see where your talents might lie? At the same time, we will host a church cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs. We provide the burgers and dogs and we ask you to consider bringing a side to share. Beverages will be provided as well.
We hope you'll join us! If you have any questions, contact the Church Office. Come join us and let's 'rally' together!
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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 and or a cup of tea. As always we need volunteers to sign up for Fellowship on Sundays. 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, ask me or one of the following committee members: Carol Berger; Cristina Kalomiris; Ann McLaughlin; or Nicki Rutledge for help. Remember the conversations are primary, the food is secondary. Donuts are fine and bakeries will appreciate your business. All efforts are appreciated and no one is leaving reviews on yelp!
Respectfully submitted,
Rose Mayer, Evangelism Ministry Chair
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Our Outreach Ministry has had a busy summer!
The beginning of August found us delivering a huge cartful of school supplies to the People's Resource Center in Wheaton. They assemble over 1,200 backpacks for families who are facing financial hardships. Thank you to everyone who dropped off supplies—crayons, pens, pencils, folders, spiral notebooks, backpacks, and other supplies. Your generosity will help children have the tools necessary for a successful school year.
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Our upcoming volunteer sessions with the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva are on Saturday, September 21 and October 19 from 9 am to Noon. We have six slots on each of those days. Last month found our volunteers buried in potatoes. They called themselves the 'Rotten Au Gratins'
Please consider signing up. You may sign up in the Parish Hall or by contacting the Church Office. Let's do our part to help with the problem of food scarcity!
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Finally, on August 22 we got a team to set up an apartment in Skokie for an Assyrian refugee family from Iraq. The family of four consisted of a mom and dad, an 18 year-old son, and a 16 year-old daughter. This was our 7th refugee family we've helped welcome. We thank everyone who contributed items to the 'Welcome to America' pack!
As we continue our commitment to refugee resettlement through Exodus World Service, there will be opportunities in nearby DuPage and Kane counties to help set up apartments for refugees which would be more convenient for our volunteers. Exodus works with a different agency for those refugee families, and that agency requires background checks for anyone having contact for those families. The background checks last for two years and Little Home Church would pay for them. This could also open up more opportunities for our LHC volunteers who find going into the city cumbersome. If you’re interested, please let the Church Office know and we’ll arrange for the background check.
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LHC has elected to eliminate its PayPal (PP) account. LHC moved all of its bill paying from the PP account to our bank issued credit cards. The final steps in this effort to close the PP account is to ask all members and friends to transition all pledges and gifts from PayPal to alternative giving methods.
The decision to eliminate PayPal relates to the high transaction fees that do not exist on other platforms. For a gift of $100, PP keeps $2.48, or roughly 2.48% of any gift. Overtime, those fees add up. So what alternative platforms work best for you? The options are:
Cash or checks in the Sunday collection ALWAYS work. Checks mailed to LHC work too, but the price of postage stamps has increased.
So how can you fulfill your pledges and other gifts to LHC, without increasing your postage costs? Ah, here are the choices:
Venmo, an electronic form of payment via the Venmo app (interestingly owned by PayPal), that is linked to your bank account, and accepted by LHC. Venmo does not offer a recurring payment feature. No fees to the sender or receiver. Look for: LHC UCC or @LittleHomeChurch.
Zelle, an electronic form of payment through many/most banks. Look for: littlehomechurch@gmail.com. Like Venmo, there are no fees to sender or receiver, AND Zelle has the option to make a gift recurring. There are robust options for frequency (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.), day of the month, and duration (i.e. do this 12 times, or no end date), then select a starting date. This option is terrific for folks who want to fulfill their pledge weekly or monthly. Then it’s easy to update that recurring gift, when you modify (hopefully increase) your pledge after the annual Stewardship campaign in the Fall. Additionally, Zelle may also be used to set up a second gift to LHC, for the upcoming Joyful Joyful Community House campaign. Letters will be mailed to all members and friends in the near future.
LHC ACH/automatic debit program. With your written permission, LHC can set up a regular debit from your checking or savings account to the LHC account at St. Charles Bank & Trust. The LHC financial secretary adds your gift(s) to the ongoing debits that occur each week. This program has existed for several years, and is highly recommended by Frank Muno...just ask him!!!
Lastly, most banks offer online bill pay, wherein you add Little Home Church as a Payee to your list of vendors. Then you pay LHC as you choose or set up recurring gifts. Most banks then debit your account and mail a check to LHC.
One last thought for those who may be older than 70 1/2 and have an IRA. You can also set up direct distributions from those IRAs and send the gifts directly to LHC. Today we receive many of these, and there are tax advantages if you distribute directly to LHC, as those gifts qualify as part of your RMD (required minimum distribution). If you have questions about this, please talk to Pete Connolly, Stewardship Ministry chairperson, and/or talk to your tax accountant or financial advisor.
Next steps are to :
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Remove the PP QR code from the bulletins, DONE
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Communicate directly with those members who have recurring monthly gifts via PP, to offer alternatives, DONE
- Update the laminated pew cards, to remove the PP QR code, and add Zelle, TBC (completed)
- Update the website to remove entirely the credit card PP option, TBC (completed)
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Write the BTW article...obviously DONE, if you are reading this!
As always, your generous giving to LHC is a blessing to the church, a blessing to the Outreach efforts and ministries we support, and a blessing to you. Stewardship is an act of faith, an acknowledgement of God’s blessings in your life, and an opportunity to share those blessings.
I am readily available to discuss any of the aforementioned giving alternatives with you, just call 630-334-3531, or send me an email.
In peace,
Ann McLaughlin, Financial Secretary
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SiS enjoyed another delicious breakfast meeting at the Tasty Biscuit on Saturday, August 17. Shrimp Boil assistance and Symbols of the Season (formerly known as the Holiday Bazaar) plans were discussed. We have created a spread sheet with items planned for sale and we are also working out how to market the event to reach a wide audience of shoppers. September 7 and September 21 are upcoming workdays (9am-12pm) in the Parish Hall. On September 7 folks are asked to bring their individual projects. We will update the sale items log, determine what categories may need more items, plot out a floor plan for sale day, and make a list of what is needed to accomplish the set-up plan.
On the September 21 we will be enjoying an in-house breakfast, coordinated by Susi and Anne. All are welcome at the workdays and the breakfast!
SiS meets the third Saturday of the month for breakfast at a local restaurant. If you'd like to join us in July but are not on our email list, please get in touch with either Anne Bouchard or Susi Winquist.
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A picture is worth a thousand words, so I will leave it at less than that. We are checking off our “to-do” list for the start of construction on the Community House. Our building permit has been approved and we are discussing logistics for construction traffic and parking. Watch this space for exciting developments!
Joyfully submitted,
Anne Bouchard
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Pictured: Kit DeWitt; Julie Graham; Anne Bouchard; Susi Winquist and Pastor Larry Dieffenbach
Not pictured: Bob Kaska; Kathleen Sullivan Kaska; and Susannah Lesswing
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Friday, September 20, 5 pm to
Saturday, September 21, 2 pm
Tower Hill Camp & Retreat Center
Sawyer, Michigan
Cost: $95 (excludes cost of gas & Friday night dinner)
Tower Hill is one of the United Church of Christ's conference/camp facilities. Located just 80 miles from Chicago, Tower Hill spans more than 60 acres of beautifully forested landscapes. A private beach along Lake Michigan is a short walk. This will be a joint retreat with men from St. Paul's UCC in Palatine, and possibly St. John UCC in Arlington Heights. Rev. David Russell will lead us. Join us for:
—Collaborate with men from other churches
—Supper and socialize at Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer
—Share stories around a campfire
—Experience God's natural world with a morning 'Walk About'
—Discussion: "What men of faith can do and be today."
—Prayerful mediation
—Inner reflection
—Communion, group photo and more...
We will car pool (splitting the cost of gas.)
Please indicate on your check or payment that it is for 2024 Men's Retreat.
Any questions, please reach out to Chris Thornton.
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Sunday | October 6 | 10:30 am
Join us immediately after church on October 6 for the traditional Blessing of the Hounds. Little Home Church acts as the host of this long-standing event that draws many visitors to our church. Please consider bringing a plate of cookies or another handheld treat to share with our guests.
Contact the Church Office with questions or sign up in the Parish Hall to bring treats.
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Lace up your walking shoes as we will be hosting the Northwest DuPage United CROP Walk again this year on October 20. Sponsored by Church World Service, CROP Walk is an annual fundraising event targeting hunger here in Illinois, across the United States, and around the world. In fact, 25% of what is raised through our walk will stay here in DuPage County.
We are hoping to expand our roster of supporters by inviting other local nonprofits to join us. As we are on the brink of building the Community House this is a great opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to participate in this event.
You can find the LHC team page by following this link and putting g Little Home Church in the search bar: Northwest DuPage United CROP Hunger Walk. If you use Facebook, please consider saying you are joining or interested in the event to help promote it within the algorithm. 2024 Northwest DuPage United CROP Hunger Walk
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Related to this worthwhile event, Jan Smith, a member of Heritage Presbyterian in Carol Stream, has been participating in CROP Walk for 40 years! Jan creates and sells garden stepping stones as a CROP Walk fundraiser. The larger stones are $40 each and miniature rounds are $10. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Walk. Please contact Anne Bouchard if you would like to purchase a stone to fight hunger.
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Wednesdays, 10 am—In person & via Zoom
Please consider joining our weekly Bible Study. There is NO outside preparation involved. It is led by Rev. Jonathan Hutchison. The group is currently studying Romans and have been using the study guide 'Romans - 18 Studies for Individuals and Groups' by N.T. Wright. This has been a great group who participate both in person and via Zoom and they would love to have you join them.
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LHC Book Club—Via Zoom
Meets 2nd Thursday of the Month, 7 pm
Next Meeting—September 12
The September selection is Lesson's in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, this book is as original and vibrant as its protagonist. Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results. But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.
Click here to check out what books are remain for 2024!
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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Sept 2 — Kit DeWitt
Sept 5 — Elizabeth Berger, Charles Bouchard
Sept 6 — Sandra Harper, Madden Neukirch
Sept 13 — John Thomas
Sept 15 — Jane Shelton
Sept 17 — Judy Hopkins, Brandi Moore
Sept 21 — Bremmer Miller
Sept 27 — Olivia Bouchard, Dave Poole
Sept 30 — Katherine Brito, JoAnn Okey
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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 winter 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...
Rev. Ron Purser, Lori Haseltine, Joe Sterner
Our sympathies to...
Monica Broeckx-Poschand and her family on the death of her father in Germany.
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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 | |
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Pastor - Larry Dieffenbach
Pastor Emeritus - Rev. Ronald Purser
Director of Music - Grace Bardsley
Office Manager - Lori Prang
Organist/Pianist - Nick Metzger
BTW Editors
Lori Prang and Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
Graphic Design
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 - Heather Bragg &
Ann McLaughlin
Financial Treasurer - Chip Braulick
Financial Secretary - Ann McLaughlin
Clerk - Kristen Thornton
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