The Tower
The Weekly Newsletter of
Second Congregational UCC
For the week of May 11, 2008
The Celebration of Worship
How Will You Use Your “Economic Stimulus” Money?
This Week’s Calendar
Spring cleanup
Soloists, Trio, friends, and Music needed!!!
Thanks, Choir!
Share the Love---Strengthen the Church
Going, Going, Not Quite Gone...
Leona B. Gordon Circle
You’re Invited to a Dr. Seuss Party for all ages
Have your kids outgrown any books?
Godspell at Pecatonica Theatre
Want to Go and Serve in Haiti?
Rockford Marathon, May 18! Volunteers Needed!
Choir Guild
THE CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2008
9:00 a.m. – Adult Classes
10:00 a.m. – Worship
11:15 a.m. – Coffee Hour
Sermon The Rev. Matthew Emery
“Firestorm”
Scripture: Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:3-13
MUSIC Paul Laprade, director
ORGAN Bob Bates, organist
Chorale Prelude on “Come, Holy Spirit” Bach
“Acclamations”, Suite Medievale Langlais
VOCAL
“I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing” arr. Helvey
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” Raney
Sanctuary Choir
Oops: We left out a good part of Mike’s Tower article last week, so here is the article again, with its proper ending.
How Will You Use Your “Economic Stimulus” Money?
This week the government is beginning to send out “economic stimulus” checks to millions of Americans. Most of us will receive between $300 and $1200. I’m not sure this makes a lot of long-term economic sense, but who am I to argue? This is about as close as it comes to getting “free money.”
The stated purpose of this money, of course, is to stimulate a sluggish economy. Much as our government did after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the government is encouraging Americans to spend. More spending leads to a more healthy economy. A more healthy economy leads to happier people. At least that’s the theory.
I wonder, though, if we shouldn’t take a moment to consider what really makes for happiness, or even better, joy. Somewhere back in the old days, someone said “Money can’t buy happiness.” It’s even been scientifically proven. As I just read at Forbes.com:
(http://www.forbes.com/2004/09/21/cx_mh_0921happiness.html):
Surveys have found virtually the same level of happiness between the very rich individuals on the Forbes 400 and the Maasai herdsman of East Africa. Lottery winners return to their previous level of happiness after five years. Increases in income just don't seem to make people happier…
“The relationship between money and happiness is pretty darned small,” says Peter Ubel, a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan.
Why can’t money buy happiness?
“Part of the reason is that people aren't very good at figuring out what to do with the money," says George Loewenstein, an economist at Carnegie Mellon University. People generally overestimate the amount of long-term pleasure they'll get from a given object.
And that’s where I come in! I have a book that has more than a 2000 year track record of increasing people’s joy: the Bible. And in that good book St. Paul quotes Jesus himself, “In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Based on a combination of science and ancient wisdom, therefore, along with the words of Jesus himself, I think it is fair to conclude that if we all go spend our “economic stimulus” money at Best Buy or Zale’s Jewelers, it isn’t going to make us happy, and certainly not blessed.
So my idea is that we all turn our “economic stimulus” money into “generosity stimulus” money.
I have talked with our Mission Board and here’s the plan:
If we give our “economic stimulus” money to the church, the church will use it to get our new Neighborhood Development Corporation off to a wonderful start.
Our Neighborhood Develop Corporation is going to be a powerful group dedicated to improving our neighborhood and helping people who live right here, within a few blocks of our church building. Working with Court Street Methodist, Emmanuel Episcopal, and First Presbyterian, and God willing, we will soon be making a difference for people who, honestly, need “economic stimulus” much more than most of us do.
Of course, we ask that this gift be above and beyond your normal pledged giving to the church. And we will naturally be thrilled with the gift, even if it is only part of your government check.
Now I understand that not everyone will be able to do this. As I was driving to the church building today I stopped for gas and paid $3.74 a gallon! Gas may be even higher by the time you read this. That high price is symbolic of how difficult things are right now for some people. If you are facing real hardships, by all means, use your “economic stimulus” money as you need to. That’s rightly doing what is responsible.
But if $3.74 gas is merely an inconvenience, not a hardship, then I strongly encourage you to remember Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and think of this check from the government as a “generosity stimulus” check. Our new Neighborhood Development Corporation, our neighborhood, and you, will be “blessed” because of it.
Grace and peace,
Mike
P.S. Be sure to somehow mark your gift “economic stimulus” or “neighborhood development” so we know to use it for the right thing.
THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR
SUNDAY, MAY 11
8:30 a.m. – Confirmation Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – Sanctuary Choir
9:00 a.m. – Adult Classes
10:00 a.m. – Worship
MONDAY, MAY 12
2:00 p.m. – Boys and Girls Club
TUESDAY, MAY 13
8:00 a.m. – Men’s Fellowship
9:00 a.m. – Thrift Shop
2:00 p.m. – Boys and Girls Club
5:00 p.m. – Non-Violent Communication Group
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
11:00 a.m. – Choir Guild
1:45 p.m. – Staff
2:00 p.m. – Boys and Girls Club
5:00 p.m. – Trustees
THURSDAY, MAY 15
12:00 noon – Gordon Circle
2:00 p.m. – Boys and Girls Club
5:00 p.m. – Dr. Seuss Party
5:30 p.m. - Deacons
FRIDAY, MAY 16
2:00 p.m. – Boys and Girls Club
SATURDAY, MAY 17
8:00 a.m. – Music Academy Recording Session
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Spring cleanup
We have scheduled another cleanup day for May 18 after worship to finish the corner that Paul Jorgensen usually cared for. If we get a good number of volunteers again, it will be finished in a very short time.
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Soloists, Trio, friends, and Music needed!!!
Summer is quickly approaching, and we invite, encourage, urge, and beg you to consider performing for our liturgies! Can you play bells, violin, cello, sax, flute or sing? Do you come from a musical family? Do you have a hymn about God and trains that you have been dying to sing for our congregation? Finding professionals is not our goal: worship services are not concerts. Rather we need YOU to share your gifts throughout this summer. Please e-mail paul@secondcon.com to let me know if you or someone you know would be interested in enhancing our services with the gifts God has given you.
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THANKS, CHOIR! for all the hard work you placed into this past Sunday’s music. The Mendelssohn was beautiful, the Haydn was performed quite professionally, and ‘Our Savior’ balanced so much of what we presented. Special kudos to the amazing Bob Bates, the wonderful Nancy McCoy, and our soprano extraordinaire, Marge Maynard. Still, all of you deserve so much credit for the care and love which you place into your singing, and for the sacrifices you make to return your God-given gifts back to the One who gave them to you! OUR FINAL REHEARSAL and SUNDAY SINGING are this week. Please come to rehearse our last two works!!!
Sincerely, Paul Laprade
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Share the Love---Strengthen the Church
Mission work at 2nd Cong occurs through what we DO and also through what we GIVE. That giving can be something more concrete (such as cans of food for Collier Gardens Food Pantry) or can be our time (such as being a Reading Buddy at Haskell School) but in order to reach out and impact conditions beyond the city limits, we also give money (which transports with a small carbon footprint!).
The money we give goes to a variety of places (such as the Haitian Project), and the Mission Board has, over the years, decided to support the projects of the UCC. We do this now, in 5 ways: through our budget (Our Church’s Wider Mission line item), and 4 other special offerings that are accepted over the year, each of which has its own flavor. Most recently, we received the One Great Hour of Sharing offering (disaster relief at home and abroad), Neighbors in Need (justice-related efforts in the U.S.), The Christmas Fund formerly known as Veterans of the Cross (for retired clergy), and coming up on May 11, Strengthen the Church.
The Strengthen the Church offering focuses on funds for new church starts, revitalization efforts in existing congregations, youth projects, young adult ministry, programs that develop and nurture local church leadership, and also the God is Still Speaking program. All of these are aimed to take the UCC forward into the future.
So do we expect you to contribute to all of these? Well..............sure! If you can, at a level you are able! Or you can put your offering towards the fund that resonates most with you. These offerings are here as an opportunity, not a requirement. So Spread the Love, because it also comes back to us---money from the national UCC offices is helping to support three congregations in Illinois, one of which is a new church start in Rockford, at Shalom church, a Hispanic congregation currently meeting in Spring Creek UCC. Thanks!
– Marge Maynard
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Going, Going, Not Quite Gone...
We have had a quick response to our Brewers/Cubs tickets sale. We only have sixteen tickets left, so if you are interested please call Mary, in the office, and let her know that you want to join this fun-filled outing. For those of you who have your names in, please get your tickets paid for by the end of May, if possible.
Thanks! The Fellowship Board
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Leona B. Gordon Circle
The May meeting of the Gordon Circle is the annual “salad luncheon” being held at Marilyn Beaman’s home, on Thursday, May 15, at 12:00 noon. Each guest is asked to bring her favorite salad to share.
All ladies of the Church are invited to join in this time of fellowship. Please call Arlene 815-633-7576 for a reservation. Members of the Circle may make their reservation through their “caller”.
Marilyn’s address is 2518 Mandrake Dr. She lives in the Mulford Wildwood subdivision. Take Mulford Road south, and between Charles Street and Harrison Avenue, be prepared to turn left/or east on Columbine Blvd. Turn right at Pinedrop and right again at Mandrake Drive. Her phone number is 815- 395-9099.
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You’re Invited to a Dr. Seuss Party for all ages
On Thursday May 15 we will be throwing a Dr. Seuss party. The party begins at 5 p.m. with volunteers reading Dr. Seuss books to small groups of children from our church and the Boys and Girls Club. At 5:30 dinner begins. The dinner will be planned and prepared by Linda Tolodxi. The menu will consist of food inspired by Dr. Seuss. (No green eggs, we promise.) If you would like to volunteer to be a reader, wonderful! Contact Becky or call the church office. Want to come for dinner, great! Call the church office and make a reservation with Mary. Can’t attend but would like to help? We are taking donations to purchase books so each child can take home a Dr. Seuss book of their own. Dr. Seuss Volunteers: Please meet in the dining room at 4:45 p.m. on May 15. If you have any questions, please call Becky.
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Have your kids outgrown any books?
The Boys and Girls Club Summer Reading Club has kids from kindergarten to high school reading with Connie Brown, sometimes asking if they can take books home. If you have any books collecting dust at home, bring them in for Connie to share.
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Godspell at Pecatonica Theatre
Fellowship Board is sponsoring an outing to the Pecatonica Theatre on July 19th to see the musical Godspell. We have 40 tickets reserved at $9 each for Saturday, July 19th’s 2 p.m. matinee performance. Call the church office to get your name on the list. Please plan to join us!
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Want to Go and Serve in Haiti?
Come May 14, at 6:30, to find out!
The Mission Board is organizing a trip to give adults the opportunity to serve others and profoundly grow in faith. For several years we have had a relationship with the Haitian Project, whose signature project is the Louverture Cleary School, a tuition-free, Catholic, co-educational secondary boarding school for economically under-privileged Haitian children. Imagine living in a place where…
-- More than one million primary school-age children simply have no access to education.
-- Nearly 80% of the population lack basic reading and writing skills.
-- One in eight children die annually before the age of five, mainly because of malnutrition.
Serving in such a place can be a great blessing. It raises our awareness, makes our compassion take concrete form, forces us to struggle with important questions of faith, and benefits people in real need.
On Wednesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m., at the church building, we will have an informational / organizational meeting for anyone interested in exploring the possibility of going to serve in Haiti. The dates of the trip will be decided by those interested in going, and in conversation with the Haitian Project. The cost will likely be about $1000 - $1200 (including airfare), and we will decide about “fund-raisers” to help with the expense. The trip will last about one week. To maintain good use of every worker, the number of participants is limited by the Haitian Project (although additional trips can be planned). We do not, of course, expect a final commitment at this first meeting, but we do want to get a good idea of the level of interest.
Please contact Janine Solberg, chair of Mission Board, with any questions (815.227.0989, jmsolberg@ameritech.net).
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Rockford Marathon, May 18! Volunteers Needed!
On Sunday morning, May 18, there will be some extra activity in downtown Rockford. The newly reborn Rockford Marathon and Half-Marathon will be starting and finishing at the corner of State and Wyman. Depending on where you live, you may have to take a little different route to church that morning, but everyone will be able to get through.
Second Con is one of the main sponsors of the Rockford Marathon, which means we get to run a water station for the runners! A marathon, of course, is 26.2 miles, and our water station will be fairly near the end when the runners need refreshment and encouragement. We need several volunteers to help with the water station from about 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The task is simple, but rewarding. Please call the church office (815.963.8431) to volunteer. (Yes, that’s during worship - this “good deed” will have to substitute this one day. And, before he runs the marathon, Mike will be leading a pre-marathon worship service at 6:00 a.m. near the start line if you are interested!)
Remember, call the church office to volunteer to help out with our water station!
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Choir Guild meets this Wednesday, May 14 at Georganne Eggers’ at 11:00 a.m.
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