The Tower

 

Weekly Newsletter

of

Second Congregational United Church of Christ

Week of June 21, 2009

Contents of this issue:

The Celebration of Worship

This Week’s Calendar

Summer Soup Kitchen--Save the Date

Rummage Sale Returns!

Summer Choir---It’s Back!

Tower Hill Update

160 Years ~ Second Congregational Church ~ 1849-2009

Fund Raiser Game Day Recap

Last Chance for Next Week’s Adventure Club

Words from the Moderator

Sabbatical Send-Off Potluck Sunday, July 5

Campbell’s Soup Labels and Box Tops wanted

Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible Experience

Prayer List

Taking Care Campaign Update

 

 

The Celebration of Worship

 

Sunday, June 21, 2009

 

 

9:00am – Koffee Klass

10:00am – Worship

11:15am – Coffee Hour

 

Sermon                                           The Rev. Dr. J. Michael Solberg

“Building a Community of Reconciliation”

Scripture:  Matthew 6:9-14, Matthew 5:23-24

 

Music:                                         Paul Laprade, director

Organ                                          Bob Bates, organist

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”                            Bach

“Rigaudon”                                               Campra

Vocal

“Amazing Grace”                         arr. Van Camp

Marge Maynard and Anne Stratemeyer, vocal duet

 

 

This Week’s Calendar

 

Sunday, June 21

              9:00am – Koffee Klass

              10:00am – Worship

              11:15am – Mission Board

              4:00pm – Softball Practice

Monday, June 22

              11:00am – Boys & Girls Club

              11:30am – Adventure Club

              5:30pm – 2 Con Basketball

Tuesday, June 23

              11:00am – Boys & Girls Club

              7:00pm  – Softball Team I

              7:00pm – Softball Team II

Wednesday, June 24

              11:00am – Boys & Girls Club

              1:45pm – Staff

Thursday, June 25

              11:00am – Boys & Girls Club

              6:00pm – Governing Council

              6:00pm – MELD

Friday, June 26

              11:00am – Boys & Girls Club

________________________________________________________________

 

Summer Soup Kitchen--Save the Date

 

Second Con’s Soup Kitchen Ministry Team will be heatin’ up the kitchen at the Jubilee Center on Saturday, July 25.  We will be putting together a team of preparers and servers and cleaner-uppers that will work from 10:00am to about 1:00pm.  Whether you’re a regular team member (like Sandra Villafuerte and Felipe Campa) or someone who would like to try it out just once, we have a space for you.  If you can participate in feeding the hungry in our church neighborhood, please call the church office and leave your name with Mary.  Thanks!

________________________________________________________________

 

Rummage Sale Returns!

 

Rummage Sale Returns!  August 8 is the date of our annual sale to raise funds for The Haitian Project.  Some of this year’s profits will buy more classroom books to complete a set started by our adult mission group.  Please note:  Because we will need to use the aisle through the “catacombs” between Gordon Chapel and the dining room during sanctuary construction, we ask that you wait until closer to the time of the sale to bring items to the church.  Start cleaning those attics, basements, and closets!  Let’s make this the best sale ever!!!!

_______________________________________________________________

 

Summer Choir---It’s Back!

 

For those who like to sing in the pews, in the choir loft, or in the shower, you are invited to be a part of the Summer Choir on Sunday, July 5.  We’ll get together at 9:15am in the choir room (right above Gordon Chapel, so we won’t have far to go), learn one piece, and sing the anthem during worship.  This will be E-A-S-Y!  If you want to sing a part, you can; if you don’t, you can fill out the melody. No robe, no commitment beyond this one day, not even for the second Summer Choir Sunday on August 9!  Questions?  Contact Marge Maynard at 633-9089.

_______________________________________________________________

 

Tower Hill Update

 

Remember that our church is heading to Tower Hill, in Sawyer Michigan, July 10-12.  We still have camping space and room in the hall if people are interested in coming.  For those already signed up for this event, there will be a meeting during Coffee Hour on June 28 to pick rooms for the hall, order meals, discuss travel plans etc.  Please plan to attend.

________________________________________________________________

 

160 Years ~ Second Congregational Church

1849-2009

 

From the collection of 1st Congregational Church.   Some of the people of 1st Cong. joined our church around 1917 when 1st Cong. closed.

 

              Ladies fair, and gentlemen too,

              List the greeting I bring to you.

              One and all, both great and small,

              Invited are to First Cong’s lecture hall,

              To celebrate each one’s birthday party.

              Congratulations are ready, sincere and hearty.

              A dainty token is sent herewith,

              To hold as many pennies as years you do live.

              May your years be what they will,

              The more the merrier the bag to fill.

              If bashful you are your years to tell,

              Put in a round sum, that does as well.

              Be sure to come,

              Don’t stay at home.

              But join in the fun

              The seventh of Jun(e).

              At supper a feast

              For all, great to least.

              Then music will charm you,

              Birthday parties can’t harm you,

              Come for pleasure in tune

              The first Friday in June.

________________________________________________________________

 

Fund Raiser Game Day Recap

 

Thank you to all of those who attended and participated in our Swim Mike Swim fundraiser fun day last Sunday.  The exact count is not in yet, but we know we raised something over $1,200 to contribute to the building of a new school in Angola.  Particular thanks go to Karen Hill, who organized the event, to the Board of Deaconesses for preparing and serving food, to Pete Fuller who did the grilling, to Wes Hegge who helped set up and did much of the cleanup, to our many youth who also helped set up, to the many boards who provided baskets for the raffles, to all of you who contributed funds to the basket raffles and the dunk tank, to Kathi Ferrero for media releases and, last but not least, to those who put in their time as dunk tank targets.

________________________________________________________________

 

Last Chance for Next Week’s Adventure Club

 

This coming Monday, June 22, the Adventure Club is traveling to Byron Forest Preserve.  We leave church at 11:30am and return at 4:00pm.  Lunch is provided and the activity is free.  Please contact Becky ASAP if you are interested in your child going on this trip.

_______________________________________________________________

 

Words from the Moderator

 

Last week I began to talk about the governance of our church.  I detailed the membership and responsibilities of the Governing Council and the Executive Committee.  I did not take the space to list the members of these bodies, but you can find those names posted on the bulletin board just west of the church office.

There are eight Standing Boards that have representation on the Governing Council and that report to the Governing Council.   These include Trustees, Deacons, Deaconesses, Membership, Music, Missions, Christian Education and Fellowship.  While the work of each of these boards plays an important role in the vitality of our church family, the Board of Trustees has perhaps the broadest responsibility. 

 

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the general supervision of the financial and business affairs of the church, has the care and custody of the property of the church (subject to the direction of the congregation), may (directed by the congregation) implement additions or improvements to our physical facilities, may enter into lawful contracts on behalf of the church, and may mortgage, encumber, sell and convey any real or personal property of the church (upon majority approval of the Governing Council and ¾ approval of members present at a regular or special congregational meeting).  The Board of Trustees shall also oversee the receipt and disbursement of all funds held by boards, committees and subcommittees of the church.

 

There are 12 members of the Board of Trustees.  These include the Vice Moderator, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and nine additional members elected by the congregation for staggered three year terms.  Only members of the church may serve on the Board of Trustees.  The Board of Trustees elects its own chair person and meets monthly (currently the second Wednesday of the month at 5:00pm).  Several subcommittees report to the Board of Trustees, and I will highlight those next week.

 

Please be aware that the minutes of meetings of the Governing Council and of all standing boards are available for your review in a binder on the shelf just below the defibrillator cabinet outside the church office.

 

Dick Nielsen, Moderator

________________________________________________________________

 

Sabbatical Send-Off Potluck Sunday, July 5

 

Pastor Solberg will leave on July 7, and we will send him off with a celebration and potluck dinner after worship on Sunday, July 5.  Several members have volunteered to provide main course dishes.  You should bring a dish to pass.  Also feel free to bring any signs, posters, balloons, etc. to help wish Mike and his family good bye, good luck (especially with the swim) and a safe return.   Plan to join us for this festive event.

________________________________________________________________

 

Campbell’s Soup Labels and Box Tops wanted

 

Campbell’s Soup Labels and Box Tops for Education, which appear on a wide variety of products, are truly appreciated by the Montessori Magnet School on N. Rockton Ave. Campbell’s Soup Labels seem to appear on an ever increasing variety of soups. All of them are gratefully accepted, and can be placed outside the office window, separated from the aluminum tabs. Thanks very much for your support!

_______________________________________________________________

 

Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible Experience

 

July 20-23 from 11:00am-4:00pm

Please call Becky or the church if you are planning for your child to attend.  Registration forms can be found on the church secretary’s desk on Sunday mornings.

________________________________________________________________

 

Prayer List

(Additions to the prayer list are always welcome – please help keep members of the congregation praying for each other.)

=     In thanksgiving for the uniting in marriage of Sandra Villafuerte and Felipe Campa here at Second Congregational last week.

=     In thanksgiving for God’s presence with us as we continuously seek to be God’s people in the world today.

=     In thanksgiving that Eric Glenn’s lymphoma has been declared to be in remission.

=     In thanksgiving for the generosity of the congregation with the Taking Care Campaign, and in hope that even more folks will contribute to help us complete the whole project.

=     For people in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Congo, Sri Lanka, and other places where violence destroys lives and communities.

=     For people in our community, country, and elsewhere, who are facing difficult times financially, especially those dealing with unemployment.

=     For Mary Beth DeWall (Alice Uphouse’s daughter), now receiving treatment for cancer.

=     For Sally Hoff, recovering after surgery to address a broken leg after a horse riding accident.

=           For Steve Etheridge, recently hospitalized.

=     For Kim Kaniewski, a friend of Sarah Holliday, dealing with difficult health concerns.

=     For Harold Halsted, dealing with health concerns.

=           For those in our congregation dealing with cancer.

=     For those serving in the military and their families, especially Jeremy Burkholder (son of Steve and JoAnn Burkholder) stationed at Fort Lewis, WA; Hannah and Matt Gomoll (grandchildren of Phyllis Severson), stationed in Iraq since August; and Paul Marvell (brother of Mike Marvell), now in Iraq.

=     And for all those in long-term care facilities, and at home, who are not able to be in worship regularly: Austinette Akerman, Minnie Ballam, Charles and Nancy Bert, Marylin Erickson, Dorothy Essington, Margaret “Peg” Gross, Dusty Lawton, Ruthann Lenard, Ruth Lyddon, Maybeth Martin, Mary Mohr, Helen Ray, Phyllis Severson, Ruth Todd, Ruth Tower, Anne Turner, Mary Waldecker, and Nancy Weingartner.

________________________________________________________________

 

Taking Care Campaign Update

 

The pews are out of the Sanctuary!  The work has begun!  Between the congregation and the foundation we have thus far pledged $153,028.  We still need about $11,000 in congregation pledges to pay for the whole project.  We are very close.  Let’s get any outstanding pledges in and finish our campaign.  Once again, for those who have pledged, your support is extremely gratifying.  Thank you very much!  The list of pledgers is below, and new pledgers since last week are in bold type.

 

Pledgers to “Taking Care” Campaign:        

 

                  Almquist, Clare                                                                              McCarthy, John

                  Archer, Jennifer                                                                              McClelland, David & Kathy

                  Armstrong, James                                                                        Memorials Ctee. (Robert Heil Memorial)

                  Ax, Ruth                                                                                                            Miller, James & Darlene

                  Ax, William & Maryanne                                        Miller, Warren & Virginia

                  Baker, Jay Anne                                                                            Mohr, Mary

                  Ballam, Minnie                                                                              Moore, Stephen & Janet

                  Bates, Bob                                                                                                        Morse, Helen

                  Beckman, Ruby                                                                            Mulford, Keith & Mimi

                  Bennett, James                                                                              Murray, W.L. & Julie

                  Blake, David                                                                                                    Nielsen, Richard & Gloria

                  Boline, Peter & Ann                                                                    Noel, David & Arlene

                  Booher, Craig                                                                                 Olson, Richard & Karen

                  Brown, Connie                                                                               Oshita, Linda

                  Brown, Jim                                                                                                        Paterson, Katy

                  Chamberlain, Gerald & Jackie                              Patrick, Sue

                  Claeys, Jeanne                                                                               Pennow, Walter & Joyce

                  Conde, Dale & Sylvia                                              Phillips, Doug & Karen

                  Crumb, Wanda                                                                              Picchioni, Peter & Carol

                  Crumb-McBride, Catherine                                   Picchioni, Zan

                  Delmore, James & Kristine                                    Pickens, Jamie & Amy

                  DeWaters, John                                                                              Pierce, Don & Betty

                  Dickinson, Elizabeth                                                                   Pippel, James & Diane

                  Dickow, Carl                                                                                                     Raup, Ann

                  Diehl, Judy                                                                                                        Reese, Jean

                  Dundore, Marvin & Jerry Lu                                 Reinold, Aaron & Sarah

                  Eggers, Gordon & Georganne                                Riddle, Darlene & Timothy

                  Eggleston, Edward & Carol                                   Riddle, Joanne

                  Elliott, Jan & Sandy                                                                    Riplinger, Kurt & Diane

                  Erbe, Stephan & Becky                                            Rundquist, Richard

                  Ferrero, Mike & Kathi                                              Russell, Shannon

                  Finch, Jeff & Deana                                                                  Ryan, Martha

                  Frankfort, Philip & Leslie                                         Sahlstrom, David & Carol

                  Freeman, James & Laurie                                        Schemel, Lynn

                  Fry, Charles                                                                                                      Schleter, Everett & Janet

                  Fry, James & Diana                                                                    Schlicher, Gen

                  Fry, Norman & Collette                                            Schroeder, Nancy

                  Fry, Pauline                                                                                                       Schuette, Roger

                  Gambino, Barbara                                                                      Shelden, James & Norma

                  Green, Elaine                                                                                  Short, Barbara

                  Groff, Kenelm & Sue                                              Showers, Steven & Peggy

                  Hall, Sheryl                                                                                                       Smith, Lillian

                  Haskell, Teen                                                                                 Smith, Steve & Ortiz, Leo

                  Hegge, Wes & Holly                                                                    Snap, Donald & Arlene

                  Heil, Elsie                                                                                                          Solberg, Michael & Janine

                  Herro, Bob & Jean                                                                      Stratemeyer, Mark & Anne

                  Hill, Dwight                                                                                                       Thayer, Donald & Jamie

                  Hill, Karen                                                                                                        Thayer, John & Marilyn

                  Hodorowski, Joseph & Nancy                              Thrift Shop

                  Hoff, William & Sally                                                                 Todd, Ruth

                  Joachim, Peter & Peggy                                            Tolodxi, Steve & Linda

                  Johnston, Jack & Joanne                                         Turner, Ann

                  Kayser, Elsie                                                                                                     Turner, Phil & Paula

                  Laprade, Paul & Kirsten                                          Weingartner, Nancy

                  Larsen, Jean                                                                                                     Weller, Stuart & Dimmis

                  Larson, Alan & Jean                                                                   Westcott, Dorothy

                  Lindsey, Beverly                                                                            Wheeler, Robert & Betsy

                  Lyons, Jane                                                                                                      Whitcher, Shirley

                  Markley, Faye                                                                                Whitehead, John & Beverley

                  Martin, Matthew                                                                           Widergren, John & Darry

                  Marvell, Nancy                                                                              Williams, Audrey

                  Mattison, Kathryn                                                                      Wyatt, Craig & Judith

                  Maynard, John & Marge                                         Youman, Ben & Kristine