Click on the ebook/pdf button below to view the 2013-2014 Adult Elective Series brochure.
A Note to Our Seniors by Ron Crawford
Like most people, I can think of many individuals who have been influential in my life. Some have been especially inspirational in forming my faith, and most of those people have been older than me. As they grow older, some have difficulty hearing. Some need assistance in getting to church. If they are able to come to church, some need assistance getting from a car to our front door, and some need assistance getting from the front door to our sanctuary. For some, it is difficult to sit on a wooden pew for an hour. And yet, Sunday after Sunday, they are there. While some of us talk about how easy it would be to sleep in on Sunday morning, these people faithfully and quietly show up because it is their custom and their choice to be in worship.
Most, if not all of the older people who have been influential in my faith life have something in common. As they age, they are not able to do some of the things they have done in the past, and sadly, they begin to question their own worth. One friend with whom I felt a special connection looked at me after struggling to participate in worship service a few years ago and with shoulders slumped said, “I guess I’m just not worth much anymore.” Or in the words of another, “I don’t know what I can do (to serve the church.).”
If you are among those people doubting your worth, or what you can do, let me share some thoughts. First, you are already doing more than you probably realize. Your desire to be in worship and your faithful presence is a powerful witness and a model for all of us. Please don’t underestimate that. And yes, there is still more that you can do.
In worship service we recently heard the Great Commandment, Deuteronomy 6:4-6, “Hear O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.” This commandment was for Moses and the Israelites, and it is for us today. It remains part of your calling.
Secondly, you can still pray. Whether yours are prayers of thanksgiving, of lament, of intercession, or prayers for your own peace and comfort, God hears your prayers. You can continue to pray for yourself, for the church and for others, and that is no small thing.
It is part of the hubris of youth to discount that a lifetime of joy and suffering, triumph and tragedy brings wisdom. You are a blessing, and your story is worth hearing if we will remember to listen.
Grace and peace,
Ron Crawford
Lift Your Eyes to See God’s Blessings by Rev. Jennie Churchman
Last week, Rick Robinson invited me to be part of his Thursday morning Bible study at Maple Lawn. He’s beginning a unit on prayer in the Bible, and he wanted me to introduce the group to a way of praying the scriptures. It’s called Lectio Divina. This discipline dates from the 6th century, and it is a deep, meaningful way to encounter the scriptures. I have often said that this way of praying has never failed me because I always receive some kind of Word that I need to hear whenever I use Lectio Divina. The method itself is quite simple. If you would like to know more, please come by, call, or email and I’ll be happy to share the steps with you.
As I prepared for Rick’s Bible study, I used Lectio Divina with Psalm 121. I didn’t get past the first phrase before the Holy Spirit stopped me with a Word I most definitely need to hear right now. I suspect many of you are in the same boat. The phrase is: “I lift my eyes.” In Lectio Divina, you repeat a word or phrase of scripture over and over again until it begins to take on a new and deeper meaning for you. You repeat the word or phrase again and again until it begins to connect with your life in a very real and personal way.
What hit me when I prayed “lift my eyes” is that I have been so focused on my “to do” list—incessantly focused, obsessively focused—that my gaze is most definitely not “to the hills.” Neither is it “lifted up” or focused on where my true help comes from (which of course is God!). Instead, it is nose to the grindstone all the time. Even the things that should be bringing me great pleasure right now (decorating for the fall holidays, making Rachel’s mermaid Halloween costume, making holiday plans) feel more like burdens than joys. I’m rushing from thing to thing, leaving so much undone and feeling guilty all the while. And then to top it all off, because I am a wee bit stressed, I end up snapping at Lindsay and Rachel. Can you relate? This is not the way we are supposed to live. This is not what God wants for us.
We are entering into what is perhaps the busiest time of the year for most of us. But it is truly a wonderful time of year—the most wonderful time of the year! There are so many blessings and so many joys to be experienced in the weeks to come. But if we allow our gaze to be dragged down by stress, anxiety, busy-ness, short tempers, and the like, then we are going to miss it all. Let us lift our eyes from our grindstones and see instead all the glories of the season. This is what God wants for us.
P. S. In keeping with this theme, I want to tell you that I’ll be taking a few days off in November. I’m not leaving town, but I do plan to get a head start on Christmas baking. I also plan to stop, breathe, be still, and relax! Zane will be preaching for me on November 10, and Rachel will be preaching on November 17. Please make sure you are in worship to support them.
Eureka Area Food Pantry Needs
During October we are asking you to donate to the Eureka Area Food Pantry. You can bring food to the Pantry or the Church or make a monetary donation.
The Eureka Area Food Pantry serves residents of School District 140 (Eureka, Goodfield, Congerville). Just a few years ago our average number of families served per month was 68. This number has increased greatly. In August of this year we served 125 families and in September we served 128. Many of our clients are temporary – just until they can get a job and get back on their feet. Others are long-term – senior citizens, disabled people, etc. The Pantry is open one morning per week – Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30. We rely totally on donations of food and money plus a couple of small grants.
We take donations year round, but we have chosen October to highlight the constant need to our congregation. There is a Food Pantry tub in the narthex and one outside the church office. If you make a monetary donation, be sure that it is marked for the Food Pantry. Thank you in advance for caring.
If you have questions, contact one of our ECC representatives on the Food Pantry Board: John Gholson, Mary Logsdon, Marilyn Walter. Below is a list of some of the items that we stock in the Pantry:
- Macaroni and cheese
- Rice-a-roni (chicken and beef)
- Instant Potatoes
- Beef Stew
- Vegetable Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Tomato Soup
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Canned Chicken
- Chicken and Dumplings
- Hamburger Helper
- Chicken Helper
- Spaghetti Os
- Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Soda Crackers
- Noodles
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Dry Spaghetti
- Tuna
- Applesauce
- Peaches
- Fruit Cocktail
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Mixed Vegetables
- Corn
- Pork and Beans
- Peas
- Green Beans
- Diced Tomatoes
- Chili Beans
- Taco Seasoning
- Chili Seasoning
- Cereal
- Biscuit Mix
- Toilet Paper
Festival Service and Luncheon October 27
Mark your calendars for our next Festival Worship Service to be held on Sunday, October 27 at 10:00. This will be a combined service with elements from both our First Light and Traditional Worship Services. There will be no Sunday School on October 27. Following worship, please plan to stay for a catered luncheon in the Parish Hall.
2014 Women’s Retreat
January 10 – 12, 2014
For more information, please click on the ebook/pdf button below.
Cluster Wiener Roast and Hayride
When: Sunday, October 6, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Where: the Colburn Farm, Eureka
$4 per person or $10 per family
RSVP by calling 645-1388 by Wednesday, Oct. 2nd.
Food and table service will be provided.
You may wish to bring lawn chairs and roasting sticks if you have them.
Blessing of the Animals October 5
Make plans to attend our first Blessing of the Animals Service on
Saturday, October 5, beginning at 8:30 AM on the back patio.
Pets of all kinds are welcome to be part of this ancient Christian tradition—as long as they are on leashes or in appropriate carriers. If you cannot transport your pet, you may bring a picture. Light refreshments will be served. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to our church.
Good News for the Hearing Impaired
Thanks to a donation, we now have several “neck loops” available to people who have problems using our earpieces to listen to worship services. Neck loops are an alternative to the regular headphones. Instead of just being a loudspeaker that hangs on your ear, they work with hearing aids that have telecoils (also called t-switches) in them, transmitting the sound electronically to hearing aid’s internal computer. If you’re unsure whether this might be of use to you, you may ask your audiologist for guidance. Then stop by the sound booth on Sunday morning and ask to try one out.
Advent Devotional Sign-Ups
It is time to start thinking about our Advent Devotional booklet. Every year, members of our church family write brief devotions to be read each day leading up to Christmas. A sign-up sheet will be available soon. Please consider being part of this meaningful ministry.
