E-News September 24, 2026 | | |
Dear CUMC,
For the second week in a row, our Sunday reflections focus on stewardship.
As we reflected last week, whether our stewardship involves our time, talents, or treasures—whether large or small—generous living and giving, begins with small steps. This week, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that our giving should be done cheerfully and not hesitantly or under compulsion.
At first, it almost looks like a fundraising letter written by Paul to the Corinthians. Paul encourages the Corinthian Christians to give generously to support the impoverished community in Jerusalem.
When it comes to asking for donations or offerings to help those in need, Paul never hesitates to preach about the importance of giving. He becomes a typical preacher—or perhaps a good stewardship campaigner!
Paul encourages the churches to give cheerfully and not out of pressure or obligation. God loves cheerful givers. We do not give because we are obligated to do so; rather, from the abundance we have received, we give generously to support those in need.
When God gave us the incredible gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, to save our lives, that grace should lead us and inspire us to continue being generous givers and faithful stewards of God’s work of caring for and loving others.
Dear stewards, let us remember what Paul teaches us: when we become cheerful givers, our giving becomes an expression of our thanksgiving to God.
Join us this Sunday as we hear more about “The Gift of Giving.”
Peace and Blessings
Pastor Satya.
Join us for worship this Sunday at 10 a.m. You can watch the live-streamed service at home as well via the church website, or Youtube channel.
Click here to sign in your attendance on the website. If you have joys or concerns to share, please submit them with your attendance record. It's important for us to know you were with us and stay connected in prayer.
| | Wednesday Group College Care Packages for Students | | Sunday, September 20 Service | | |
Sharing Faith Stories
As the Church around the world navigates changing times and an uncertain future, how might we nurture renewal in our worship and spiritual lives? Cultivating the practice of Sharing Faith stories/Testimonies can be a powerful catalyst for renewal. Stories of how we see God at work in our lives and communities. When we share these stories, we encourage one another, strengthen our faith, and celebrate God’s faithfulness. Together, as the Body of Christ, we can discover renewed hope and become a more vibrant presence within and beyond our communities.
(This is also part of my Doctor of Ministry Thesis Project, in which I began working with the earlier church and I wish to continue with you at Christ UMC).
Plan: Beginning the week of October 11 and continuing through the Thanksgiving season and beyond, we will invite one volunteer each week to share their faith story during worship.
I encourage you to prayerfully consider participating and signing up when the sign-up sheet is available. Your story may encourage and inspire someone else!
You may consider the following focal points in your story:
· What wonderful things has God done or is doing in your life?
· How does your faith in Jesus give you hope and a sense of purpose?
· What brought you to Christ UMC?
· What do you love about Christ UMC?
· How has Christ UMC (through worship, fellowship, missions, small groups, or community outreach) made a difference in your life?
· What keeps you connected to Christ UMC today?
Keeping the worship time in mind, let us limit our sharing to under 5 minutes.
Hope you can volunteer to share your story. If it is more convenient for you to record your message rather than speaking in front of people at church, you are very welcome to submit a short video or audio recording of your testimony or story.
We can talk more in person if you have questions or need guidance.
Thank you.
Pastor Satya.
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Praise Team Practice
Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Attention
Praise and Sound Team
Wednesday night rehearsals have begun again! Due to unavailability of participants on Sunday mornings for future Sunday practices, we have begun Wednesday night rehearsals again. We will also be working on 3 weeks of music so we will have multiple opportunities to practice prior to performing. As Jesse will not be able to make it out to our suburb on Wednesdays, we now will need the sound person as well as the slide show person assigned for that week for Wednesday night practice. All singers and instrumentalists participating in the three weeks assigned are encouraged to join in Wednesday night practices as well.
Watch for Nisha’s Tuesday Praise Team email to see which Sundays you have offered to share your talents. I hope to see you both at church on Sunday and practices on Wednesday!
Thank you,
Becky Kock
Praise Team Lead
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This Sunday is, "Get Your Cans to Church Sunday." The last Sunday of each month is our church's designated day to support the Food Pantry. You can either bring canned good items or make a monetary donation. If you have any questions, please see a member of the mission team on Sunday. Please see the items that are really needed by the food pantries below.
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Youth Group
Sunday, Sept 27 at 4 p.m.
Come meet your friends and learn and share a great time of fellowship this Sunday at 4 p.m.
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Fall Church Clean Up
Saturday, Oct 3, at 9 a.m.
It will be a beautiful day to work together inside and out to get our church ready for the season. All levels of experience and families are welcome. If you can, please bring gloves, rags, rakes and/or brooms. Many hands make light work.
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CROP Hunger Walk
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Sunday, October 4 at 1 p.m.
Let us come together as a community to end hunger one step at a time. Help us to raise funds to provide life saving support, tools and programs that will help families feed themselves. Consider joining the walk and/or making a donation. See Debbie Thomas to sign up or make a donation. Click here to sign up or make a donation.
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Annual Craft Show
Sunday, Oct 11th and 18th
Following Service
Start your engines, oops I mean sewing machines, knitting needles and glue guns. The Annual Craft Show is coming up in October and we need items to sell! Any items you wish to donate will be appreciated.
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The Wednesday group invites you to join their service day at Feed My Starving Children at the Schaumburg location on Wednesday, October 14, 9 - 11 a.m.
Click here to sign up.
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Senior Care Volunteer Network Presentation
Sunday, Oct 18
at 11:30 a.m.
On Sunday, Oct 18th, the Nurturing Team will sponsor a brief presentation by the Senior Care Volunteer Network following the service at 11:30 a.m. A light lunch will be provided for those attending. The presentaion will include information about SCVN services, like rides to appointments and medical equipment available to borrow, along with information about volunteer opportunities. Please signup in the lobby. We invite you to finish up your shopping at the craft show and then come to the presentation.
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Trunk or Treat
Sunday, Oct 25 at 3 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of fun, favorite costumes, and safe trunk or treating! If you would like to participate by decorating your trunk and handing out candy, please signup in the church lobby.
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Monthly Newsletter
The September Newsletter is available for pick up. You can pick up the newsletter when you are at church. You also have the option to read the newsletter on our website or down below in our "Conference E-news and Newsletters" section. If this does not work for you, we will mail out your newsletter. Please let us know if you would like for us to take you off the mailing list. Click here to read the September newsletter.
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Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry is seeking valuable volunteers. The food pantry was established in 2000 to meet the growing needs of the underserved. Last year we served 12,105 clients and distributed 287,596 pounds of
food. Our gardens yielded 2,844 pounds of vegetables, herbs, fruits, & flowers. Of which, all was distributed freely. As our growing season approaches, we need volunteers to help feed our clients. Our hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. both outside and in the pantry. The work varies from day to say. We are located on Pyott Road. To contact us visit alithfoodpantry.org and scroll to the bottom. Fill in the contact information and in the message section type “volunteer gardens” or “volunteer other” and submit. You’ll be contacted within a few days. For more info please contact Algonquin/LITH Food Pantry at (847) 854-1904.
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Please talk to the Sound Team if you have difficulty hearing during the worship service. We have hearing devices available for you, and if you're already using a hearing aid with a Bluetooth function, we can make adjustments for you as well.
Stop by the sound booth to get assistance!
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Are you ready for a clean out?
We have a new addition in our parking lot - at the Northeast corner across from the bank. You can drop off gently used soft items. Please see list below. If it is full, do not leave your items outside but donate them at another time. So far we have received $712.45. All donations will go to the mission fund. Thank you!
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In the month of September we will be collecting for
Grafton Food Pantry.
Items that the Food Pantry is currently in need of due to short supply from the Food Bank and other vendors:
Food Items:
THIS MONTH THEY NEED PEANUT BUTTER!
canned tuna
canned chicken
canned salmon
fresh, canned, or frozen fruit
healthy snacks
juice, tea, applesauce
yogurt, pudding, jello
Personal Care and paper goods:
deodorant, razors, feminine hygiene products
soap, body wash
toilet paper, paper towels, tissues
napkins, paper plates and cups
ANYTHING IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Alternate to shopping: If you prefer to give a monetary donation, please make the check payable to Christ United Methodist Church. It is very important that you write on the memo line “Food Pantry.”
Drop off pantry items any time during office hours, Tues - Fri, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
| | Please pray for the Glenview UMC as they are going to undertake a major Midwest Mission project to pack meal bags. And if possible, spread the word. Thank you. | | |
You can now make all your donations online. Click here or scan the QR Code. You can also mail the donation to church or use EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer). Thank you! For any assistance, contact Joe Greenwood at josephgreenwood@yahoo.com .
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Please sign up on the calendar (inside the kitchen cupboard door) on a Sunday you would like to furnish a light treat and serve coffee & juice. All supplies except "treats" are at the church.
Thank you, Janet Kleckner
| | | September | October | | September 6 - Pastor Satya | October 4 - Mindy Zeppo & Linda R | | September 13 - D&B Vander Vorste | October 11 - | | September 20 - D&B Dodge | October 18 - | | September 27 - Jean Jaderborg | October 25 - Pastor Satya | |
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For Bev Vander Vorste who broke her wrist
For Amy Huibregtse's friends, Rodd Eisaman, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, and Mark Downing who was just diagnosed with prostate cancer.
For Dave Dodge to restore his vision
For Charlotte Letterle's brother-in-law, Mike, who is being treated for colorectal cancer
For the Kilberger's friend, Gary, who is suffering with a slow growing blood cancer
For Lisa Greenwood's mother, Patricia English, who is receiving infusion treatments
For Larry Huber who is continuing his healing and recovery at home
For all the vicitms of the Tibet and Nepal flooding and mudslide
For those who struggle with mental health and their families
For our local communities, our nation and our world
For peace and resolution in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict
For the grieving families and communities of gun violence
Prayers for the ceasing of state violence and the protection of all people
For the people and communities who are affected by the Midwest storms
For all those victims and areas affected by the earthquake in Southern Japan
For this world that is in need of God's healing touch. Where there is war, bring peace; where there is despair, bring hope; and where there is division, bring unity.
For God's protection over the vulnerable and for wisdom to guide our leaders.
For us to be instruments of God's peace, to treat all people as brothers and sisters.
“Merciful God, hear our prayers!”
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We never pray alone but together as a community. We have a prayer chain, a small group of those who pray for submitted requests throughout the week. Let us pray for our church family, friends, neighbors, and our nation. Let’s draw the circle wider. Contact the pastor to join.
If you would like to keep your prayer request in beyond 2 weeks, we would appreciate if you contact the office with an update.
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GA Meeting
Thursday, Sept 24 at 7 p.m.
AA Meeting
Saturday, Sept 26 at 7:30 a.m.
Praise Team
Sunday, Sept 27 at 8:45 a.m.
Mission Meeting
Sunday, Sept 27 following service
Youth Group
Sunday, Sept 27 at 4 p.m.
GA Meeting
Tuesday, Sept 29 at 7 p.m.
Praise Team Practice
Wednesday, Sept 30 at 7 p.m.
Fall Church Clean Up
Saturday, Oct 3 at 9 a.m.
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Fall 2026 Training
Sat., Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Online Via Zoom
Cost $20, includes class instruction and background check
Click here to register.
| | Conference E-News & Newsletters | | |
Welcoming the Full Inclusion
of All People
Website: www.gocumc.org
christumcalgonquin@gmail.com
(847) 669-9009
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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