Little Home Church by the Wayside / UCC | | |
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“In my darkest moments, what really got me through was a prayer. Sometimes my prayer was ‘Help me.’ Sometimes my prayer was ‘Thank You.’ What I’ve discovered is that intimate connection with my creator will always get me through because I know my support, my help, is just a prayer.”
Iyanla Vanzant
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“This prayer thing really works!” (or something to that effect) came up recently in a church meeting that started with joys and concerns. Everyone in the room unanimously agreed. As we go through this Lenten Season I encourage you to spend some time in prayer in whatever is most comfortable for you. It may be praying for yourself, it may be praying for someone or something else. Remember to pray for our church.
Prayers do not need to be long or well worded. Prayers may not have words at all.
“Prayer is not asking. It is the longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words then words without a heart."
Mahatma Ghandi
“You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
The Passion story has many prayers in it. Jesus prays at the Passover meal, in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the cross, and at the meal he is invited to after his Resurrection on the Road to Emmaus.
You can always join us in prayer in our worship services here at church and particularly during Holy Week.
March 24—Palm Sunday
March 28—Maundy Thursday Potluck, 6 pm/ Worship Service with Communion 7:15 pm
March 29—Good Friday Service, 1 pm at one of our sister churches TBA
(Streamwood or Bartlett UCC - details to follow)
March 29—Good Friday Service at 7 pm at LHC - “The Wrapping of the Cross”
March 31—Easter Celebration Service “God Is Found In All Things,” 9:30 am
Children's Egg Hunt to follow
Grace and 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)
Mary Jean Schless Memorial Service—Saturday, Mar. 2, 11 am
All Church Read Book Discussion—Sunday, Mar. 3, 11:30 am @ Emily Miller's home
Contemplative Service—Thursday, Mar. 7, 8 am and 7 pm
Men of LHC Monthly Breakfast—Saturday, Mar. 9, 8:30 am
A Book & A Prayer Book Club—Thursday, Mar. 13, 7 pm via Zoom
Family Game Night—Friday, Mar. 15, 7 pm
Sisters in Spirit Breakfast—Saturday, Mar. 16, 9 am
Church Council Meeting—Monday, Mar. 18, 7 pm
By the Way Submission Deadline—Wednesday, Mar. 20
Contemplative Service—Thursday, Mar. 21, 8 am and 7 pm
Neighborhood Food Pantry Volunteer Session—Saturday, Mar. 23, 9 am to Noon
Palm Sunday Worship—Sunday, Mar. 24, 9:30 am
Maundy Thursday Potluck & Worship Service—Mar. 28, 6 pm (dinner) 7:15 pm (service)
Good Friday Joint Service with Sister Churches—Mar. 29, 1 pm (more details to follow)
Good Friday Evening Service at LHC—Mar. 29, 7 pm "The Wrapping of the Cross"
Easter Sunday Worship—Mar. 31, 9:30 am (Children's Egg Hung follows)
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm—630.584.4013
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"To pray” and “to prey”—two verbs, two very different actions. But both with attempts at various forms of sustenance. The first for the human soul, the second for the animal body.
These two verbs seem to sum up the themes receiving focus during this season of Lent. As our congregation is being led by Pastor Larry through an exploration of the many aspects of prayer, the Wayne Community Garden Club has focused its February meeting on “Birds of Prey.” There appears to be a subtle line connecting the two communities. One, the Little Home Church and two, the Wayne community at large, both coming together in a common facility.
The Garden Club event has maxed out and cannot host all of those in the community who are interested in attending. This makes my heart sing knowing there is such a desire to gather and learn.
Looking to the future, the Community House, when complete, will provide the needed space to encourage many further and varied opportunities for communal gathering.
In my prayers, I will continue to ask God to surround myself with others. So, we may gather evermore - With love. With kindness. And with curiosity.
Blessings to All!
Emily Miller, Moderator
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It appears March will be coming in like a lamb not a lion. Spring seems to be in the air and with it the anticipation of flowers and birds and sunshine and longer hours of daylight and Easter.
Here at The Little Home Church those changes will be welcomed as we welcome every season! Our church is alive with God’s spirit throughout the year. We welcome new members, we support one another through good times and bad, we seek to be God’s hands and feet in the world working to ease the pain that exists in our community and the community at large.
There are many smaller groups within our congregation taking on specific responsibilities in our corporate being. The small groups I am most connected to are the Chancel Choir and the Wayside Ringers. Week after week, month after month, year after year these people demonstrate a commitment to being present in our worship services to lead and enrich our individual and collective worship experiences.
My gratitude for these people is immense. Their gifts of talent and time bless all of us in ways we might only realize should they cease to exist. They are small in number but mighty in impact. As member’s lives enter new chapters some must move on yet God is faithful to provide new members so that the music continues.
Beginning this month, we are blessed and grateful to add Matthew Jones to our choir. Matt is a familiar face at The Little Home Church who has graced us with his extraordinary voice and spirit on many occasions but who will now be a regular member of the choir and our church family. Please welcome Matt when you see him on upcoming Sundays.
My gratitude is also extended to our pianist/organist/ resident tenor to Nicholas Metzger whose talents and spirit have added so much to the music and overall vitality at LHC. Nick is truly a strong support both to me personally and to every aspect of the music making in our midst.
Then, there is Pastor Larry whose leadership and spirit are fundamental to the strength of our music program. What a gift it is to have him ministering to and among us.
And we thank each of you for your support of the choirs/music at LHC without which we also would cease to exist…it takes a village! We look forward to sharing with you in our Lenten journey which will culminate in our Holy Week and Easter services as we all seek to deepen our faith in God’s unchanging love for us. Thanks be to God!
In love, Grace
Director of Music
P.S. Update on my New Year’s resolution...it’s still alive! It’s a mixture of days of successful attention to it and days of ‘throwing in the towel.’ Most importantly, I am giving myself more positive feedback for what has been achieved than negative feedback for what has not. Please pray for me. I pray for all of you.
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CONGREGATIONAL LIFE MINISTRY | |
We had a great turnout for Game Night on March 15 from 7 to 9 pm in the Parish Hall. Bring along your favorite game or learn a new one. This is a family friendly event so bring the kids!
Diane Dippner, Congregational Life Ministry Chair
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We are so delighted to announce the two purchased replacement windows for Pastor Larry’s office have been installed. A very big thank you to Mike Johonson of Johnson Carpentry & Service of La Fox, IL for their excellent work. Mike’s team was very prompt, courteous, professional, clean, and so very efficient. If you have any needs for new construction, remodeling, framing, trim, cabinets, decks or gazebos—Please reach out to Mike @ 630-460-9793 or email him here.
We are scheduling a “Spring Cleaning” Indoor and Outdoor for April 6 to coincide with the “3rd Annual Wayne Community Cleanup” scheduled for the same day. Their event is scheduled from 9 am to Noon and we’d like to have a presence indoors and out for support. Inside LHC needs a thorough Spring Cleaning (Dusting the spots Jessica cannot reach up high, window washing, chandelier cleaning, etc.) Outdoor clean-up will be weed pulling, trimming back dead growth, litter pick up, racking the stones “Back into the parking lot” from our Winter snow plowing, etc. Please come and join in the work if you can.
All the best,
Brian Martisauski, Facilities Ministry Chair
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The need for English language tutors is greater than ever before. Can you help? Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley will host a free tutor training workshop from 6:30 to 9 pm on March 11, 13, 18 and 20 at the St. Charles Public Library. You don't need to know a second language or having teaching experience to be successful. Each trained volunteer will be matched with one adult learner. You will meet at a time and public location that is convenient. Click Here to Register or call or text 630.584.4428.
Another way to help is to come out and cheer on our LHC Trivia Team at the Annual Trivia Bee for Literacy on March 9 from 9 am - Noon. It will be held at Revelry, 675 S. River Street, Batavia. LHC has two teams and the MC is our own Jane Shelton. It is sure to 'Bee-Zarre"
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ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING - SHARE THE LIGHT | |
"Here's another way to put it:
You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous [Parent] in heaven."
Matthew 5:14 [The Message]
On Easter Sunday in 1949, on nation-wide radio, Christians were challenged to donate one million dollars in one hour to help people devastated by the aftermath of World War II. Faithful Christians answered the challenge, and the goal was met.
That was the beginning of the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of its inception. Our world has changed since 1949, but human needs remain. OGHS continues to carry God's message of love and hope to people in crisis.
Since that first offering, OGHS has expanded its mission to support domestic and international development, fight poverty and its consequences, bring aid and relief to communities torn by war or ravaged by national disaster, advocate and offer resettlement assistance for refugees and displaced persons, and combat injustice in its many forms. OGHS provides funding and hands-on assistance in collaboration with local and international partners.
Each year, the Offering is gathered by several denominations and Church World Service (CWS) under a single theme developed by the ecumenical OGHS Committee. This year’s theme is ‘Share the Light’ and it is one of the five special offerings supported by the United Church of Christ. Little Home Church has always been ‘5 for 5.’ Sunday, March 10 is the designated offering date. Look for a special envelope in your Sunday bulletin and consider giving whatever you’re able.
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Food scarcity is another focus of our Outreach Ministry. As many of you know, we have committed Little Home Church to a volunteer session on the third Saturday of each month at their Geneva location from 9 am to Noon. Our LHC Team has six open spots each month. Tasks vary each month and are never too strenuous. If you have limited mobility, that can be accommodated if we give them a heads up.
Please consider signing up. While March 23 is already full, we have openings on April 20 and May 18. There is a sheet in the Parish Hall and then the Church Office can register you.
Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered.
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Plans are underway for our third annual 'Grateful Gifts' fundraising event to be held Friday, May 10, 2024 at Dunham Woods Riding Club in Wayne—6:30 pm
>Fine Dining
>Musical Entertainment
>Silent & Live Auction
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We had a great turnout for Scout Sunday on February 4, with adult leaders and scouts from Pack 99.
Continuing with the Pack, they are excited for their campout at The Field Museum in Chicago.
Troop 99, meanwhile, will be heading up to Milwaukee this month to visit the Harley Davidson Museum as well as work on their Engineering Merit Badge. That will be followed in April with a camping trip near Madison and a visit to The American Nuclear Society of UW-Madison, which will be hosting the Nuclear Science Merit Badge workshop. Very cool “new” merit badges for the Scouts to earn.
And be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, April 27 when the Scouts hold their annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser at Resurrection Parish down the road. Hours will be 4 to 8 pm.
Yours in Scouting,
Chip Braulick, LHC Chartered Organization Representative
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Our committee continues to meet weekly. We are working with our architect, Bret Mitchell (Ethos Workshop) and builder (Loberg Construction Company) to finalize contract documents. Permit applications are in process, and we are providing additional documents to the UCC Cornerstone Fund to complete our loan application.
Look for the 'Idea Book' and color rendering enlargements on display soon in the Parish Hall!
Anne Bouchard, Chair
'Joyful' Committee: Pastor Larry Dieffenbach; Steve Anhalt; Kit DeWitt; Bob Kaska; Kathleen Sullivan Kaska; Susannah Lesswing; and Susi Winquist
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SISTERS IN SPIRIT - PLANT SALE | |
It's the time of year that the daylight hours grow longer and that can mean only one thing...it's time for the annual Plant Sale!
Sponsored by Sisters in Spirit (SiS) it will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 1 to 3 pm. As in years past we will offer numerous annuals in flats, individual pots and planters, along with herbs, veggies and strawberries. Weather permitting, we will also be offering hardy perennials fresh from our own gardens. If you have plants that need dividing, we may be able to help you dig.
Please share the Order Form and plant sale information with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and any of the other plant-loving saints you meet on life's path.
SPECIAL NOTE: You must order at least 2 plants of each type of veggie, herb or strawberries ordered.
Orders are due to the church office on Monday, March 25
The sale and pick-up date is Saturday, May 4, from 1 to 3 pm
Contact Anne Bouchard with any questions.
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SiS got a restart when thirteen ladies gathered for a 9 am breakfast planning meeting at Colonial Café in St. Charles in mid-February. Those present agreed upon several events to be held or supported by SiS this year: the Shrimp Boil, the Rummage Sale and the Holiday Bazaar in November.
SiS involvement with the Period Collective and the Outreach endeavor for Naomi’s House was discussed at length. The group determined to donate $1,000 to each
organization. Additionally, cloth bags for the Period Collective have been and are being
made for donation.
Last year, during completion of the mosaic quilt, interest was expressed in making
coordinating paraments, along with creation of a special quilt for the Community
House. Dates and creative ideas will be forthcoming.
Going forward, the 3rd Saturday of the month breakfast meetings were of interest to most
of the ladies as many in the group find it difficult to attend after a Sunday worship
service. The next meeting will be on Saturday, March 16, at 9 am, with a tentative
location at the Tasty Biscuit in St. Charles. All women are invited.
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Join Jean and Frank Muno on a Paddleboat river cruise on the May 3 to 11. Explore the Pacific Northwest via the Columbia and Snake Rivers, as you follow the trail of the intrepid explorers, Lewis and Clark. Sail between Portland Oregon and Clarkston, Washington.
There are still rooms available and they are hoping for others to join them.
For more information contact Diane Dippner
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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 Ecclesiastes. This has been a great group who participate both in person and via Zoom and they would love to have you join them. Bring your Bible.
The group is currently studying Ecclesiastes.
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LHC Book Club—Via Zoom
Meets 2nd Thursday of the Month, 7 pm
Next Meeting—March 14
The March selection is The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts. The incredible true story of a woman who rode her horse across America in the 1950s, fulfilling her dying wish to see the Pacific Ocean. In November of 1954, after a health scare revealed she only had four years to live, 63-year-old Annie Wilkins bought a horse, grabbed her dog, and left her tiny hometown to ride west. Along the way, she went viral—at least by 1950s standards—thanks to an AP reporter who found out she was meeting the governor of Idaho. On her journey, Wilkins slept in police stations and the homes of kind strangers; charmed famed American artist Andrew Wyeth; was hosted by a small-town sheriff in Tennessee; acquired a second horse (but lost him to tetanus); rode in the country’s largest rodeo; and nearly drowned in a flash flood. She crossed California’s state line in the late afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 26, 1955, and, blowing past her doctor’s projections, lived to be 88. This story has it all: bravery, determination, and a whole lot of heart.
Please note the group will now meet on the second Thursday of each month.
Click here to check out what books are planned 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.
Diane Dippner, Congregational Life Ministry Chair
To Make a Prayer Request: Click Here
Homepage: littlehomechurch.org
Email: info@littlehomechurch.org
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Mar 1 - Mary Emily Anhalt
Mar 4 - Gianna Marchese
Mar 5 - Faye Harling
Mar 8 - Diane Dippner
Mar 10 - Karen Kaluzsa, Warren Okey
Mar 11 - Monty Okey
Mar 12 - Emma Kaska
Mar 16 - Louise Aughnay
Mar 17 - Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
Mar 19 - Carol Hancock
Mar 23 - Gail Zwemke
Mar 24 - Tim Shelton
Mar 27 - Cadence Hendry
Mar 30 - Tom Atkins
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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
Our Sympathies...
To Bob Schless on the loss of his wife, Mary Jean. Mary Jean passed away peacefully on February13. She was 89. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2 at 11 am here at Little Home Church. Please remember Bob, Anne, Jane, Mary and Caroline in your prayers.
Click Here for Obituary
To the family and friends of Ruth Lishamer. She passed away on February 10 at 99 years of age. A memorial service will be held here on Saturday, April 13 at 11 am. Please remember her son Lee in your prayers. Click Here for Obituary
To the family and friends of Beth Cannon (Atkins) who passed away recently. Beth was a dedicated and involved member of LHC in the 70s and 80s. There will be an online Celebration of Life on March 2 at 11 am from the Church of the Resurrection—Brookside in Kansas City Missouri. Click Here to Stream Memorial
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To Kelsey and Jamie Casey on the birth of Gallagher Rhodes Casey born February, 24. He is welcomed home by big brother, Kalloway.
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To Mary Emily & Steve Anhalt on the birth of a new granddaughter, Sophia Marie born January 15. Proud parents are Jenifer and Brock Schimbeno. She is welcomed home by big sister, Joelle.
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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
Custodian - Jessica Metzger
BTW Editors
Lori Prang and Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
Graphic Design
Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
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CHURCH COUNCIL
Moderator - Emily Miller
Moderator-elect - Julie Graham
Christian Education - Emma Kaska
Congregational Life - Diane Dippner
Evangelism - Carol Berger
Facilities - Brian Martisauski
Outreach - Andrea Redmond & Mary Fleischmann
Stewardship - Peter Connolly
Worship & Spiritual Growth - Jane Shelton & Sharon Bergland
Members at Large - Jen Haseltine & Ann McLaughlin
Financial Treasurer - Susi Winquist
Financial Secretary - Ann McLaughlin
Clerk - Kristen Thornton
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