THE
GOOD NEWS OF PEACEThe
Pastor David Hedlin
*Our Vision
Statement: Sharing Peace Faithfully
*Our
May
2008
Vol. XIX, Issue 5
When Will This Be Over?
Are you tired of the political
campaigns yet? (I have bad news for
you: we’ve got 7 months to go!) Do you remember what it was like as a kid to
have to sit through some boring adult event?
Have you watched a loved one suffer, with no more quality of life, when
he or she was just existing? It is
amazing, isn’t it, how so many very different aspects to life can produce such
a similar feeling: When will this be
over?
There are people who ask that question as
they look at the state of our world.
They look at what is going on in various places around the globe,
including in their own communities, and what they see does not make them want
this to continue. They want God to take
over fully; to punish the “bad” and reward the “good.” We can understand why people have that
feeling, and maybe some of you share it 100%.
But maybe there are a
different set of questions that we can ask when we want something to be over
and it is out of our control. Try as
we might to wish things to be different, some aspects of life won’t come to a
swift conclusion. So maybe at times like
those we can ask different questions:
What can I/we get out of this now?
How can I be renewed while I/we endure this, and how can I/we help
others while we wait? It seems those are
the kinds of encouragement God would give us.
In God’s good time the world
will come to its conclusion. For now,
God might well be asking you and me to change what we can and keep moving on
from there. Maybe there is a wonderful
lesson yet to be learned even while we wait.
Pastor Dave Hedlin
Prayers Requested
Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers …The Miller Family,
Anna & Dan, Kurt Seehofer, Carly Salutric,
Sophie Follenweider & family, Bob Anderson, Frenchie Letourneau,
Tyler Anderson, Sue & Family, Tim, Dave & Family, Wayne Brock &
Family, Carole Craigmile, the Price family, the family of Mary Blank, Jill
Breaushe, Michelle & Darrell Olson, Rob Jarigese, Amanda Shannon, Bob &
Janet Park, the Borucki family, Fran Popp, Shirley Vidor, Andrea, Janet
Tompkins, Loren Bussey, the family of Robert Korneta, Eric Wesel, Ida Mae Vertin,
Bob Leoni, Kay Brennan, Barb Decker, the Stout family, Jacque Anderson, Carol
Ambrose, Ashleigh Jadin, the family of Marcus Hendricks, Randy Kooi, Zac
Trzcinski, Christopher Waugh, Lothar Koenig, Dick Reil, Mary Estell, Zachary
Jaffrey, Jaunita Hayle, Zach Huehlhorst, Dennis Nardoni.
Our Sympathy to…
the family of Leonard Allen, father
of Cheryl Dralle;
the family of Ruth Ringstrom, mother of Paul Ringstrom;
the family of Joe Fretto, father of Julie Kirkeeng;
the family of Robert Bentley, father of Roger Bentley.
Congratulations to…
David & Kay Johnson on the birth of their granddaughter, Paige Elin
Johnson
Tracey & Dan Drees, parents, and Cheryl and Dave Dralle,
grandparents, on the birth of Brandon David Drees.
Thank You Very Much!
The list that follows is for those
who have done something for the first time. (If we miss someone, please let us
know!) We are thankful for all the people who give of themselves to make
ministry happen, even though their names don't keep getting mentioned here.
To:
All the people who provided
Easter flowers
Jim Hunziker, Dave Sayre &
John Ambrose - temple talks for “The Gift of Giving”
All the people who assisted in
the stewardship appeal as phone callers and leaders (more than 20)
All the people who presented
skits and/or brought food and/or attended the Skit Night for the “Called by God
~ The Gift of Giving” stewardship appeal
Rick & Judy Mitchell –
communion servers
Lynn McGuire – lesson reader
Rick & Michelle Tilquist –
greeters
Karyn Kitley – refreshments
Ron Tillman - usher
From:
the Davila family for our care
and support
Mokena-Marley-Frankfort FISH,
the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center, the Division for Global Mission
of the ELCA, Shepherd’s Table, Bethel New Life ministries, Lutheran Bible
Translators, Followers of Christ Lutheran Church, Lutheran Social Services of
Illinois, New Creation Lutheran Church, St. Francis Health & Wellness
Center, Lamb’s Fold, & the Groundwork shelter - for the Easter (and Christmas) offering
donations
Pediatric Oncology Foundation
for our support of the
“Kids Ask” Question Box
Kids of all ages, do you have a question you’d like answered? Look for the “Kids Ask” question box located
on the table in the narthex. Write your
question and leave it in the box. Pastor
Dave will be answering your questions during the teaching moment on the third
weekend of the month.
C.D.’s Available
Would you like a C.D. copy of a worship service? Our new sound system/equipment allows us to
do that. Look for the sign up on the
name tag table.
Welcome to the Lord’s Family
Abigail Lee Spencer was baptized on March 30;
Molly Yu Muehlnickel was
baptized on Apr. 13;
Amanda Zhu Muehlnickel was
baptized on Apr. 13;
Giannna Olivia Panatera was
baptized on Apr. 13;
Andrew Patrick Woodburn was
baptized on Apr. 20.
Remember Our P.O. Box
The New Lenox Post Office insists that people use
The Lutheran
The May issue of The
Lutheran looks at the churches’ response to the environment and
ecological change, including “Water: Commodity or sacrament?”
Also check out “Currents”
for a Lutheran view on the current topics or latest trends.
Study guides for some articles can be found at www.thelutheran.org/study.
Remember those Serving
We have three people connected to our congregation in harms way in the
Mail can be sent to two of
them at:
Hypke, Blake A.
HHC 2-22 MITT 1\10
PFC Kitley, Daniel J
Aco 2/506
Kandahar Air Field
Email Your Newsletter?
How would you like to get your
monthly newsletter via email instead of by mail? Call the office to let us know.
Quick Reminders
* If you are looking for a Lutheran high school,
remember
* Bereavement Support Groups
-Evening Ongoing Adult Support Group
– Meets the third Thursday of the month,
-Afternoon Getting Through Grief – Meets the second Tuesday of the
month,
-Hugs and Snuggles Grief Support – Meets the first Tuesday of the
month, for adults who have experienced a miscarriage, SIDS, still birth, child
or adolescent loss, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Joliet Area Community Hospice, No fee
* Do you know someone who has
been deprived of their ability to walk due to illness or disease? Wheels
of Love helps seniors who live with respiratory disorders, arthritis,
cardiovascular disease, who have a mobility limitation or difficulty in
propelling a standard wheelchair, to receive a power chair or scooter paid for
by Medicare. For eligibility information
on Wheels of Love please call (866) 631-3028.
* You are invited to subscribe to the
monthly publication for women of the ELCA, Lutheran Woman Today. You can learn more about this publication by
visiting their website at www.lutheranwomantoday.org.
* Check out www.thelittlelutheran.org
for the ELCA’s newest publication.
The Little Lutheran was
developed for children age 6 and younger to help them learn about God’s love
for them and the world in which they live.
* Recycling cell phones & inkjet cartridges: We now can
take all used cell phones & all inkjet cartridges that are not
“refills.” Help the environment, get rid
of some clutter, and benefit the ELCA’s World Hunger efforts. Do not give us the cell phone chargers,
cases, earpieces, etc.—just the cell phones.
* “Prayer Ventures,” daily prayers for ELCA ministries and
missions, is available for printing month by month, for reading daily on the
Web, for subscribing from your e-mail inbox.
* Suicide is not about wanting to die, but about a powerful need for pain to end. You can help someone today by reaching out, listening, and letting them know you care. Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Cards are always located in the entrance area. Let’s remember to keep in mind to spread the word that no one is alone in a time of need. Suicide destroys everyone who cares! Help someone today that is reaching out for help by picking up the cards and being attentive to what people are saying about their lives. Crisis Line – (815) 469-6166.
* Good news for recyclers! Drop off locations are now available year
round for electronic items. To find a
list of items accepted as well as drop off locations and times, please call
(815) 727-8834 or go to www.willcountylanduse.com.
* Illinois House of Hope’s Teen Support Group, LIGHTHOUSE, is a weekly group for teens
and is open to any teen that struggles with life’s confusing issue and
challenges; a group where teens can find hope for the future. This group meets weekly, every Thursday from
* HOPE (Helping Our Parishioners toward Employment) Employment Support
Ministry hosts monthly meetings in the St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Hall, located
below the Church, at the SW corner of the parking lot at
* Lutheran Social Services of Illinois has a new website. The new www.LSSI.org
features photos and helpful descriptions of all LSSI services and programs.
* The ELCA will host a Global Mission Event, July 17-20 at the
Building Assets In our Youth and
Community
The asset for the month of May is:
“Planning
and Decision Making”
Youth are more likely to grow
up healthy when they know how to plan ahead
and make choices.
The quilters will be
delivering the quilts they have made this year to local agencies on May
12. They will take a break over the
summer and resume meeting in September. If
you have questions, contact Diane Stohlquist at (815) 485-8218 or Syndy Lindbloom at (708) 479-7338.
Trailblazers – May 13
May Flowers is the theme of our next meeting at
DEADLINE for dessert
recipes for our cookbook was April 30.
We will be assembling the cookbook at our May meeting. If you have any questions call Cass at
(815)478-9985.
Dartball – May 13
Men (and teens), this is a fun way to spend a Tuesday evening once a
month. Our next competition will be on
Tuesday, May 13, at
Read the Bible in One Year!
Have you ever wanted to
commit to reading the entire Bible?
Getting into the Bible is part of Peace’s ministry. If you’re interested in reading the entire
Bible, the ELCA’s website provides a chart that will get you through the Bible
in one year. Check it out: www.elca.org/bible/oneyear/index.html.
Caregivers Support Group – May 4
Do you have the responsibility for caring for a parent or other
adult? Do you worry about one who is
living alone? Please come to our
Caregiver Support Group. Join us the
first Sunday of each month at
Jackhammers – First Come…
We have reserved tickets for, Thursday, June 12 at
Free Blood Pressure Checks
The next scheduled date for blood pressure checks here
at church is May 25, at
20Somethings Discussion Group - May 4
The 20Somethings will meet Sunday, May 4, at
20Somethings Concert Event May 17
On Saturday May 17, we will attend
the Chicago Chorale’s Vigil for Peace, a choir concert held at the Monastery of
the Holy Cross in
Welcome New Members
We are delighted to welcome
these new members into our church!
Ken & Jennifer Barker,
Eddie & Tricia
Chris & Ann Ciannella,
Emily, Anthony & Amelia
Paula Ennis
Andrew Smothers
Lisa Slovin, Jake & Sarah
Dan & Bonnie Varro
Offering of Letters Follow-up
During the weekends of April
13 and 20, people had the opportunity to write letters to our senators and representatives
to request increased federal support for poverty-focused development programs
around the world. These programs would
help achieve the Millennium Development Goals, especially the goal to cut
extreme poverty and hunger in half by 2015.
Over sixty letters were mailed!
If you would like to learn more and would like to write more letters,
visit www.bread.org and help to end hunger
today.
Hunger Action Group May 11
The Hunger Action Group will
meet on May 11 at
Baptism Orientation - May 10
May 10, at
Blood Drive –May 24
Please mark your calendar for the next blood drives on May 24, from
The theme of this summer’s
Have You Attended the Olympics?
The theme of our VBS this
summer is “Peace Olympics: God’s World – One Dream.” We would like someone who has attended the
Olympic games to share their experience with us at VBS. Please talk to Pastor Dave if you can help
with this. The next planning meeting is
Friday, May 16, at
Register for Next Fall’s Sunday School
We’ve had a lot of fun learning in Sunday School. (This year’s Sunday School runs through May
18.) We look forward to another great
year starting next Fall. We are so
blessed to have such dedicated leadership and teachers … most of them are
coming back. We’d like to register kids
ahead of time as well as find out who is willing to help out in a variety of
ways. Please fill out a registration
form at church, or call the church office.
Teacher Appreciation Weekend
We like to say thanks to teachers–both
in our Sunday School and in the world of education. May 3-4 will be this year’s official time to
express our appreciation. Students, feel
free to invite a teacher to worship with you!
Copies of Church Council Minutes
Would you like a copy of the Church Council Minutes? Please let us know in the church office and
we’ll be glad to get a copy to you.
Called by God ~ The Gift of Giving
Commitment weekend is coming May 3-4. It is a time for all of us to pray and consider
what God is asking us to do in relationship to the financial side of our giving
back to God. If you can’t make it to
church that weekend, we ask you to mail your commitment to the church
(
Contemporary Worship Service – Second
Sunday of Each Month
Our next service will be Sunday,
May 11, at
Adult Class Topics…
Come to our Sunday weekly adult class. It usually meets in the back of the
sanctuary, starting about
May 4 – “Dealing with Bullies, Young and Old” (They are
showing up at more and more places, not just at school or among young people.)
May 11 – “Are Being a Christian and Being a Doormat the Same
Thing?” (Sometimes people take advantage
of you when you’re “nice.”)
May 18 – “Over-scheduling, Over-reaching, Over-everything else”
Pastor’s Evening Bible Study – May 20
Each time we have one of these it is self-contained, so you don’t need
to know anything about the Bible. We will next meet on May 20, from
We have a large number of people who will be attending the mission trip
work camp this year! We are seeking to
involve even more people back here in this missionary effort to help others. You can help by being a prayer partner, a
“care-package” maker (cookies, snacks, magazine, card, etc.), a supplier of
various tools they’ll need. Would you be
willing to help in one or more of those ways?
(For the tools, you can donate paintbrushes [any size], paint roller
covers, paint trays, paint scrapers, work gloves, and plastic drop cloths. Look for the wheelbarrow in the entrance area
in which to place the supplies.) For the
other ways to help, look for the sign up in the bulletin or call the office. Questions?
Call Gina Losacco at 815-462-3571.
Special Congregational Meeting
A special congregational meeting will be held on June
15, at
Youth Led Worship – May 4
On Sunday May 4, at the
Try a Committee Night – May 6
Ideas galore have been generated by our members over the past
year. The results have brought new ideas
and ministry. One place ideas get
translated into action is at the committee nights. You are encouraged to come on May 6, at
What’s next for Pastor Ben?
Recently, Ben and his wife,
Rakel were assigned to the Northern Illinois Synod, which means that both Ben
and Rakel will be pastors at different congregations located somewhere in
northern
Help Us Say Good-Bye to Pastor Ben
There will be a farewell gathering on Saturday, May 31 after the
Confirmation Reminder
A reminder that the
Wednesday, May 7, Confirmation class at
Confirmation Sunday - May 18
May 18, at the
Pentecost Begins May 10 & 11
The worship committee is
asking everyone to think “red” that weekend.
So remember to wear red on the weekend of May 10/11. If you don’t mind, we’ll postpone bringing
red flowers, like geraniums or any other flowers that might be your favorite
until Memorial weekend.
The flowers will then be planted around the outside of the church
building. If you would be available to
help plant the flowers brought to church on Memorial weekend, please call the
church office.
Recognizing Graduates - May 31/June 1
On the weekend of May 31 & June 1 during the worship, we would like
to recognize all those who are graduating from high school, college and
beyond. Please write the information on
the sign up slip in the bulletin or call the church office with the
information.
Beauty Items Requested
The Good Shepherd group is seeking donations of
Calling All Gardeners – May 10
Anyone interested in helping to plant flowers in the flower beds here at
Peace, plan on setting aside Saturday,
May 10, at
If you would like to take a
turn weeding and watering during the summer months, please let us know in the
church office. Thanks in advance for your
help in keeping our grounds beautiful!
Looking Ahead …
Special Congregational Meeting –
June 15, at
|
Pastor Stan Bockwoldt – Arrives June 19 First worship services with
us: June 21-22 Welcome reception: June
27 potluck dinner, |
Chess & Game Club – Weekly on Tuesdays
Join us on Tuesdays from
Cooking Club – May 17
You are invited to join the
Cooking Club on Saturday, May 17, at
We will be preparing two varieties and cooking methods for chicken
wings. Please call Karyn Kitley at (815)
806-9691 if you plan on attending so we can have ample amounts available to
prepare and share.
Lamb Window Repair Help – May 17
A crew of people is planning to do some investigation and repair
around the outside of the Lamb window.
The date is May 17. Some
carpentry and/or siding installation experience is a bonus, but not a
requirement. Call Dave Urewicz (708)
494-2274 for full details, or sign up at church.
An Idea for those Rebate Checks
One idea that several churches have put forward is to
invite people to share some of the rebate money we’re going to get from the
government with people in need. If you’d
like to do that, may we suggest the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and Lutheran
Social Services of Illinois. They are
two highly efficient organizations that do a terrific job!
LOMC in Need of Volunteer Nurses
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries needs volunteer nurses to help with summer
camp, June 15-20, June 22-27, and July 20-25.
Duties include checking in campers on Sunday afternoon, administering
medications, and checking out campers on Friday afternoon. Housing and meals are provided. Additional
compensation comes in the form of scholarships for your children or
grandchildren to attend a