December 12, 2010 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C. Volume 42, Issue 23

Advent Worship Schedule 2010

Sunday December 12th

Lighting the "Love" Candle Special Music by Michael Surratt & choir at 9:00 a.m. Special Music by The Joyful Noise Band at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday December 19th

Lighting the "Peace" Candle Pastor Thom preaching at 9:00 a.m.

Jeremy Hylen preaching at 10:30 a.m.

Christmas Eve : Friday December 24th 4:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant

Worship led by Jeremy Hylen and Penny Johnson

8:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols Worship led by Pastor Tanya

11:00 p.m. Service

Worship led by Pastor Thom

Inside This Issue:

A Thank You from Verlee Christmas Jazz Concert

Poinsettia Sale Christmas Carols Concert

Spirit Gifts Dinner Dance Photos

Stewardship Campaign Update

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Invitation to Faith: Transformative Worship

Our  Staff  Transitional Minister:

Rev. Tom Zoelzer Minister for Mission

and Outreach: Rev. Dr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer

Minister for Christian Formation and Family Life:

Rev. Tanya Sadagopan Director of Children’s Christian Education:

Penny Johnson Director of Youth

Formation: Jeremy Hylen

Director of Music Ministries: Michael Surratt

Director of the Chancel Choir:

Todd Diehl Director of

Contemporary Music: Brad Nye

Director of Children and Youth Choirs: Roberta Wentling

Assistant Handbell Director: Elizabeth Jung

Director of Early Childhood Programs:

Jennifer Keldahl Executive Manager:

Merrilee Hall Financial Manager:

Gaby Perez Project Manager:

Joel Gratcyk Communications Assistant:

Melanie Burton Buildings and Grounds:

Jim Vojtek, Bob Brija

WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship

9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Prayer and Healing Service 3rd Sundays at 7:00 p.m.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

New Good News Submission Policy All submissions for the Good News must now be sent to newsletter@uchinsdale.org or to your staff liaison. Joel & Merrilee are no longer receiving submissions. All submissions will no go through the newsletter editor via newsletter@uchinsdale.org and be subject to editing based on content and space available.  

With Deepest Gratitude

Words cannot express the gratitude our family experienced at the closing worship service, November 21st, for our ministry of eight years. I'd like to take a moment to thank the following people: With gratitude to the people of Union Church for their generous financial gift... With gratitude to the Executive Council for the beautiful Lalique crystal heart and lithograph of The Union Church...

With gratitude to the Women's Association for the wonderful international gifts and elegant reception in Rowell Hall. With gratitude to the Social Justice Ministry for "Feasting on the Word". With gratitude to the Worship Ministry for an exquisite gold dove of peace, and the vision to have it made. To the Worship Ministry for going out on a limb without a net to create two new worship services. With gratitude to the staff of Union Church, who labor tirelessly for the sake of a new heaven and a new earth for all God's people. With gratitude to all who remain faithful in time of trial. For the privilege of serving as your Senior Minister for eight years, the deepest gratitude of all. And may I extend my deepest gratitude for the "hat ladies" of Union Church whose generosity of spirit and joy in celebrating life, sustained me in this ministry we shared.

To God be the glory,

Verlee A. Copeland

Prayer and Healing Service Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7:00 p.m.

The Prayer and Healing Service will meet for prayer, the laying on of hands and communion from 7:00-7:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. we will be joining the Festival of Advent: Christmas Carols event being held in the sanctuary. You can read more on page 7.  

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Invitation  to  Faith:  Community  Life  

Dinner Dance Information & Photos Here are a few pictures of some of the people who attended the Dinner Dance on Sat., Nov. 13. With 178 people in attendance, together we raised over $44,400.00. Thank you everyone!!!! God Bless You! One of our Silent Auction items is a Beer and Brats Backyard Barbeque which will be held on Saturday September 10, 2011 at the home of Mary Sue and Jim Honigschmidt in Hinsdale. The Band "TOAST" will perform that evening... Jay Eigel, Ken Pletcher, and Larry Staat are the very talented musicians. Co-hosts of this event are Lex and Tom Buddig, Melissa Mann, Joyce and Roy Skoog, and Tina and Tony Porterfield. The generous Buddig's will donate the Beer and Brats for the party and the rest of us will contribute delicous appetizers, side dishes, and dessert. This is another opportunity for all of us to be together and celebrate! Please join us for this too! Cost is $60.00 per person and ALL of this money will go directly to the GENERAL OPERATING FUND of Union Church.

- Melissa Mann and Mary Sue Honigschmidt

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Invitation to Faith: Community Life & Christian Formation for All Ages

Family Life Ministries Presents...

Celebrating The Christmas Season with your Kids at Union Church Family Advent Devotional Books available "Gather Round the Christmas Tree" Pick up your advent devotional from Pastor Tanya this week and explore the deeper meaning of the Christmas Tree. The first day of Advent was November 28th. Family Advent Ring and Candles set available for order. Add to the meaning of your meal times during Advent by ordering your own small Advent Ring and candles set is $20 each. For candles only, the charge is $5. Place your order with Pastor Tanya.

Sunday December 19th @ 11:30 - 1pm (after 10:30 worship) Family Potluck Lunch and Christmas Tree Ornament Craft Please reserve your spot and tell us what you would like to bring to the potluck. Reserve space for your family with Pastor Tanya. Tuesday December 21st @ 5:30 -7:00 p.m. Family Caroling to Shut ins--no singing experience required! Our own Roberta Wentling will be leading us in song. Bring your kids and come with us caroling to shut ins around town. We will end at Pastor Tanya's house for refreshments and hot cocoa. Call the church and let us know if your family would like to join in the fun!

Women’s Book Study Starting January 18, 2011

Go beyond Small Talk, connect & nourish

your spirit with Soul Talk!

Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Kitchen Classroom

Questions? Contact Kim Notaro via email:

kim@nibecks.com

Stewardship Update As of 12.12.2010

Our annual church Stewardship

campaign is going on now. If you have not yet pledged for 2011 please contact

Gaby Perez (GPerez@uchinsdale.org) or call the offices at (630) 323.4303. We can take your new or increased pledge over the phone if you have misplaced your

pledge card mailed earlier this fall.

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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children

Christmastime Schedule for Middle & High School Youth

December 12: Christmas Concert (in sanctuary from 5-6:30 p.m.) for Middle School and High School and their families. December 19: Christmas Party (108 N Bruner in Hinsdale-At Noah and Aaron Johnson’s House) 5-6:30 p.m. for Middle School/7-8:30 p.m. for High School. For our Christmas Party we do a white elephant gift exchange (gifts may not cost more than $10 new, but a used gift is way better). We also do a collection of $5-10 per person to donate for our Christmas Mission Project. Call Jeremy Hylen at the church (630) 323.4303 if you have questions!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow Brrr… its cold outside.

For the month of December we will be collecting new mittens, scarves and gloves for our Mitten Tree. The mitten tree is to benefit the children at Erie House. Erie Neighborhood House is one of Union Church’s mission partners. Erie House strengthens a diverse set of low-income communities to reach their fullest potential with educational programs for all ages. The Early Childhood Program, ECP, joins us in this mission project. Let’s make the Dining Room tree the most festive tree at Union Church!

Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Youth

The Children of Union Church Cordially Invite You to Join Them for worship

Christmas Eve Family Service

Sunday, December 24 4:00pm in the Sanctuary

featuring

The Baby Jesus and His Barnyard Friends Christmas Hymn Sing

Gifts of the Magi Welcoming of Christmas

 

Spring Work Tour 2011 Spring Work Tour 2011 is March 25-April 2. We will be heading to Whitesburg, KY and we will be working with HOMES Inc. We will be doing home construction and repair. Applications can be found on the youth website and outside of Jer’s office.  

Christmas Photo    

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Invitation to Faith: Expanding Mission and Social Justice for All People

Spirit Gifts An alternative for giving the gift of love and hope!

 This program, sponsored by the Christian Mission Ministry and the Women’s Association, offers everyone the opportunity to “purchase” gifts for the foreign mission, human service organizations, social justice and witness programs and other ministries at Union Church. These gifts are donations to the programs and ministries in honor of family members or friends. Gifts can be in amounts from $1 to $1000 or more. Spirit Gifts are available for purchase in the Gathering Place each Sunday until Christmas. A complete list of Spirit Gifts charities is available in the Gathering Place. Questions? Contact the church offices at (630) 323.4303.  

2010 Christmas Offering will Benefit The Night Ministry

Union Church’s 2010 Christmas Offering will benefit The Night Ministry. The Night Ministry, founded in 1976, provides services for homeless youth (and young adults) on the streets of Chicago. The services offered include hot meals, health care, counseling, transitional 24/7 housing, job training, help with infant care, showers and self care supplies, and follow up care. It is estimated that there are 10,000 homeless or runaway youth on the streets in Chicago. With your help, The Night Ministry continues to reach out to these vulnerable young people who have not had the advantage of loving friends and family to help them. Please remember them this Christmas. Thank you!  

Coat Drive

We will be starting our annual Coat Drive in January. Mark it on your calendar and start going through your closets now!  

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Invitation to Faith: Community Life

Poinsettia Sale Poinsettias are on sale until Wed. Dec 15. They are $18.00 each and may be purchased down in the office, by phone or in person. The forms are available in the church office.

Current Events & Faith Each Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Join us as we look through the week’s news events and discuss its impact on our faith. Led by Andrew Johnson in the Kitchen Classroom.

Christmas Jazz

Sunday, December 12 at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome to A Holiday Tribute to Ray Charles Christmas featuring Derek Berg, Brad Nye, Ed Hasse, James Defrain, and Dave Johnson. A free will offering will be taken.  

A Festival of Advent: Christmas Carols

Sunday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m.

A hymn festival of favorite carols for congregation and combined choirs, with handbells, organ and brass accompaniment. Special selections from Monteverdi Vespers of 1610. Participating groups include:

– Grace Episcopal Church Choir – Redeemer Lutheran Church Choir – Union Church Chancel Choir – Allegro Handbell Ensemble – Chicago Gargoyle Brass Ensemble – Michael Surratt, Organist For more information please contact

Michael Surratt at (630) 323.4303 or by email at MSurratt@uchinsdale.org.

 

Have you made your pledge for 2011? Would you considering increasing your current pledge? Please contact Gaby Perez, the church’s Financial Manager, to notify us

of your pledge amount over the phone or to have a pledge card sent to you. Questions? Call us at (630) 323.4303 or email Gaby at gperez@uchinsdale.org.