Gratitude During the message this past Sunday, we heard the story of Moses bringing down the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai, and how those commandments instructed Israelites how to be in relationship with God and with one another. Through Moses and these ten simple directives, God told the Israelites how they could work together as a people of vision to create a vibrant future.

I was pleased when Pastor Lucas used the message to draw the parallel between the Moses helping the Israelites envision their future and the work done by the Soaring Team over the past nine months. By incorporating elements of worship, community building, personal transformation, and world transformation into HOPE’s many wonderful programs and activities, we too want to work as people of vision to develop our own vital, thriving future.

It was encouraging and instructive – for me, and I hope for the rest of the congregation – to have our team’s work and vision summarized so neatly. Sometimes, after you’ve been so enmeshed and so focused on a project, it can be hard to present it cleanly and simply. I was also pleased when Pastor Lucas encouraged the congregation to write to the Soaring Team to say thank you for the work that we have done. So many people have reached out to thank us, and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the congregation as well.

Thank you for being a people who get excited about growth. At the same time, thank you for being a people who feel apprehensive about change. These feelings are two sides of the same coin. We feel apprehensive about change when we value what we have created; we feel excited about change when we trust in our community and our collective values.

Thank you for listening with open hearts and open minds. At the same time, thank you for sharing your concerns and reservations. Community does not mean handing prescriptive edicts down from on high; community means presenting ideas, taking constructive feedback, and developing a collective way forward.

Thank you for looking to me as a leader. At the same time, thank you for leading me with your experience and your knowledge. It is a poor leader who doesn’t seek input, who doesn’t value the many hands and minds that are necessary to implement a plan.

Thank you, in short, for being HOPE, and for nine months of wondering together. To watch Pastor's sermon from last Sunday or read the text of the sermon visit: http://sharehope.org/online/sermons

Erin Cooley

Soaring Team Chair HOPE UCC Designated Moderator

03/07/2018

News & Notes

Easter Lilies Celebrate Easter with a beautiful Easter lily. Purchased from and supporting our local Naperville Central High School Horticulture classes and FFA Club, the lilies will be delivered to HOPE for Easter and ready to pick up after church on Easter Sunday, April 1st. Lilies can be designated in memory of loved ones, if desired.

Please see a member of the Worship Ministry to order & pay for your lily. The cost is $ 13.00 each.

Worship Ministry

Mary Kroening, Anna Ahonen, Ellen Brady, Marie Higgins, Tony Ozzauto

Monthly Brunch Community Life Ministry is starting a new monthly event called “The Monthly Brunch”. The purpose of the new ministry is simple. We are getting together to enjoy each other’s company. The first “Monthly Brunch” will be held after church at 11:45 a.m. on March 18 at Courtyard Banquets 3S200 I-59, Warrenville. Children are welcome. Approximate cost is $14 Adults/$10 Kids. We’ll have a balloon to designate the HOPE table so that you can find us easily. For further details speak with Tony or any Community Life Ministry Member.

Feed the Homeless!!

A GRILLED TURKEY DINNER FOR PADS - PLEASE HELP!!! On Wednesday, March 14th, HOPE will be providing a grilled turkey dinner for homeless families at PADS. As is HOPE’s tradition, we work to serve a dinner similar to one you would serve friends at your home. This is one of the most involved meals we prepare all year and, as such, we need a lot of help from our HOPE Partners and friends. We still need volunteers to prepare stuffing, soups, mashed potatoes, and desserts. We also need donations to defray the costs.

If you volunteer for one of the above, please deliver your dish to First Congregational Church, 25 E. Benton, in downtown Naperville by 6:30 p.m. that evening or to HOPE during the day on Wednesday, March 14th so I can come by and pick it up and take it with me to PADS.

TO VOLUNTEER (or have any questions), PLEASE SIGN UP AT HOPE and/or EMAIL/CALL Nick Dempsey (pndempsey@aol.com or Ph: 630-357-5434).

THANK YOU!!!

Holy Week Events The worship team would like to invite you to two Holy Week Events. First, we will host a soup supper at 6 PM on Maundy Thursday, March 29th. We will follow dinner with a ritual mirroring Jesus washing the disciples' feet and communion. Please sign up so that we can provide enough soup. Sign up sheet is in the lobby.

Secondly, on Good Friday, March 30th, at 7 PM, there will be a Tenebrae service – also known as a service of shadows. We hope you will be able to join us.

Concerned Citizens on the Move! Concerned Citizens - a group of HOPErs who meet to discuss politics and issues - has decided to join the March for Our Lives on March 24th, Saturday in Downers Grove. The march begins at 11 a.m. at Downers Grove North High School, 4436 Main St, Downers Grove. We will be meeting for breakfast before the march at The Baked Apple in Downers Grove. If you are interested in joining us, please let Becky McCabe know.

See the details below:

Details The survivors of the Florida school shooting are organizing a march in DC for Saturday, March 24th. Friends Who March & The Brady Campaign are organizing a sister march in Downers Grove.

We will gather at the Downers Grove North High School Main Street Parking Lot at 11 a.m. The March will begin promptly at noon. We will march down Main Street to the Main Street Train Station. WE WILL NOT CROSS THE TRACKS. We ask for you to then either walk on the sidewalks back to your vehicle or arrange a pickup at the end location.

We want student groups to take the baton as this is their march. They will lead the march & can organize marchers. This does not mean that adults can't march as well. It is open to all.

Kids Quest Challenge On February 11, the message of Kids Quest was Mark 12: 41-44, which is the story of the widow who gave two copper coins to her synagogue. Although comparatively small in value, this was a huge sacrifice for her, because it represented a gift of everything she had to give.

We also heard the story of Hattie, a young girl who could not attend Sunday School at her church because the church was too small to accommodate all of the children who wanted to attend. Upon Hattie’s death at the age of 8, her mother gave the pastor of the church 57 cents that Hattie had saved for use toward a new Sunday School building. The pastor took the 57 cents back to his congregation, and Hattie’s story so inspired the people of the church that they soon raised enough money to build a new building with plenty of room for all of the children.

These stories are particularly appropriate as we enter the season of Lent. Lent is a time when many people decide to give up something of personal value – to sacrifice something – to better connect with the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. Other people decide to take on something new as a way of carrying forward Jesus’ message of service to others. Getting our own inspiration from Hattie’s story, during Kids Quest we decided to try to bridge both the sacrifice and the service. And we need your help. We would like each HOPE family to consider setting aside 57 cents per day during Lent (40 days plus 6 Sundays) in collection boxes the kids made during the Quest time. Boxes are available at the entrance to the worship area for anyone who did not get one on February 11. On Easter Sunday, we will gather the collections as contributions toward HOPE’s missions. The Kids Quest kids will offer recommendations to the Missions Ministry for how to use the funds that are raised.

Your sacrifice of 57 cents per day – or whatever lesser amount you can afford – between now and Easter Sunday will translate into service for our community. Please consider participating in this Kids Quest effort.

Do you have a reflection to share with the Soaring Team

or just want to share your gratitude for their hard work?

Email: soaringteam@sharehope.org

GAME SHOW PALOOZA Game Show Palooza a FUNdRaiser for HOPE, and it missions is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th, doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion in Downers Grove. Although it seems far away, there are a couple of tasks those participating can do now. First, it is time to start forming your "dream teams." Tables cost $200 and seats eight team members (it breaks down to $25 per person). Ask family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and anyone else you can think of that would like to have an evening of fun.

The next task you can do at this time is ask business owners for donations. Simply pick up a few tax-exempt letters explaining the event and its purpose. The letters are on the front desk at HOPE. Give the letter to business owners for tax purposes. Please stay tuned for more information each week!

Donations of full baskets should be brought in by April 4, but please let Tim, Marie, Trott or Jeanne know what that’s going to be. If you have something to donate that isn’t a full basket, please bring it to HOPE UCC by March 4. These types of items can be bottles of wine, gift cards to stores and restaurants, or movie tickets… Please think of ordering gift cards from HOPE UCC.

Sharing Joys & Concerns

Please keep these people & events in your prayers:

Prayers of love and support for the family and friends of Gerry P. as they gather to celebrate her life. (Tim & Marie)

Let us pray for cousin Marijo W., who just started a fabulous new job and now the company is closing. She needs a new job with healthcare for herself and family. (Jolene)

Please pray for Chris Lieggi, whose job has been incredibly stressful, demanding, and keeping him on the road and away from home. He is facing a very difficult week. Pray that work goes smoothly this week and that Chris is able to get rest and take care of himself. (Jolene)

Prayers for the employees at my company who found out they are losing their jobs at the end of April. Three call centers are closing, including one in Lombard. (Julie H.)

Let us pray for the people on the east coast who weathered the nor’easter storm, as they clean up and get their lives back in order. Keep my co-workers who were affected in mind. (Mark G.)

Pray for my boss, Joy, and my co-worker, LaRosa, as they travel to Poland for a two-week stay. (Mark G.)

Let us pray for Naperville North High School families and friends grieving the loss of several students this past week. Please pray for love and support for all. (Linda S.)

Prayers for our family as Nathan’s brother is coming to live with us for a while. We need prayers for discernment and luck, as we adjust to the new living situation. (Erin C.)

Continued prayers that Little Man becomes a permanent part of Michael and Terry’s home. (Michael)

Let’s pray for my friend, Amy S., who will be having surgery on both eyes. Pray that the surgeon will be able to correct problems and that she will not lose her sight. (Jolene)

Continued prayers for Barb T., for healing from her stroke last week. (Tanya & Lela)

Prayers for my dad in heaven. Pray for peace and comfort for all who have lost loved ones way too soon. (Tanya)

Let us pray for my father – please give him the desire to want to live. (Courtney)

We would like to lift up the life of our dad, George St. Angelo, who passed away six years ago. As only he would do, he died on March 4th. He lives in our hearts every day. (Becky & Tina)

Prayers for Tom M. suffering from cancer & is waiting for his insurance to okay special treatment plan suggested by doctors. (Linda J.)

Please pray for Sammy Peres waiting for kidney transplant. He is currently spending 12 hours a week on Dialysis. (Linda J.)

Kara needs your prayers. She is suffering from residual pain from a car accident. (Linda J.)

Let’s pray for Josie suffering from Sciatica. (Linda J.)

Celebrating Birthdays

03/08 Bea Polverini-Zimmerman 03/08 Colin Higgins 03/11 Teri Manderino 03/12 Larry Carter 03/20 Linda Ley 03/22 Dee Zillmer 03/22 Janelle Manderino

If we’ve missed your birthday, please email HOPE’s Office Manager at HOPE@shareHOPE.org.

HOPE’S Leadership Pastor Lucas King Moderator Mike Manderino Des. Moderator Erin Cooley Past Moderator Becky McCabe Treasurer Les Pierce Secretary Julie Hapke Registrar Jane Trotta Community Life Shannon Lane Education Marie Higgins Pastor-Parish Tim Higgins/Jay Hruska Marketing & Communications

Jenn Revoldt

Missions Jolene Fiscella Resource & Operations

Nick Dempsey

Worship Mary Kroening Librarians Les & Jackie Pierce Photo Archive Anna Ahonen Webmaster Jenn Revoldt

ADULT QUEST – 9 a.m. @ HOPE UCC

"Come join us as we explore a variety of topics that impact our lives. Bring some ideas that you would like to discuss."

~ Les Pierce - Adult Quest Facilitator

KID’S QUEST – Sundays during Worship

HOPE United Church of Christ

1701 Quincy Avenue, Suite 27 Naperville, IL 60540-6684

The Reverend Lucas King

Pastor Lucas’ Cell – 720-378-2858 Pastor Lucas’ Email – pastor@sharehope.org

Office Phone – 630-922-0470 Office Email – hope@sharehope.org

Website – www.sharehope.org

Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

HOPE LIBRARY

You may reserve items (books, videos or tapes) by calling HOPE’s Office

Manager at (630-922-0470) during office hours; by checking them out at HOPE UCC any time it is open; or by

calling Les & Jackie Pierce, HOPE Librarians, at (630) 369-0485.

Deadline for additions or corrections to the next issue of

HOPE Happenings is March 14, by 2 p.m.

Announcements for Sunday due by Wednesday of each week.

Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS @ HOPE UCC

March 11, Sunday

The Landing (Youth Ministry) @ HOPE UCC (11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

March 11, Sunday

Rainbow Faith @ HOPE UCC (1-3 p.m.) HOPE’s ministry to support those in the LGBTQ+ community who are looking for a place to wonder and explore their faith. Find out more at: www.meetup.com/Rainbow-Faith-LGBTQ-Christians/ If you have questions, would like to participate or support this ministry, please contact Pastor Lucas.

March 11, Sunday

Bobby Jo Valentine Concert @ HOPE UCC (1 p.m.)

March 14, Wednesday

Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's Restaurant, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville.

March 14, Wednesday

PADS Dinner @ First Congregational UCC, Naperville (6 p.m.) Questions? Contact Nick Dempsey.

March 15, Thursday

Women Out to Lunch (Noon) Join the women of HOPE on the third Thursday of each month. Lively conversation, great food & warm fellowship is waiting for you at Giordano’s Restaurant at 119 S. Main Street, in downtown Naperville. Parking is available in the lot across from the restaurant or the Van Buren Parking Building.

March 18, Sunday

Monthly Brunch @ Courtyard Banquets 3S200 I-59, Warrenville (11:45 a.m.) (Please see article for more details.)

March 20, Tuesday

Evening Explore Your Faith (7 p.m.) Meets at Hruska’s residence, Naperville, on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

March 21, Wednesday

Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's Restaurant, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville.

March 24, Saturday

Concerned Citizens @ HOPE UCC (9 - 10:30 a.m.) Concerned Citizens is a group of HOPErs who want to talk politics and issues. We have met a couple of times and have had great conversations about current events, past events, candidates, registering to vote and issues that impact us all. Since March 24 is the day of the National March for Our Lives, we decided we will discuss Gun Safety. If you are interested - please join us.

March 25, Sunday

Palm Sunday Worship @ HOPE UCC (10 a.m.)

March 25, Sunday

The Landing (Youth Ministry) @ HOPE UCC (11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.)

March 25, Sunday

Rainbow Faith @ HOPE UCC (1-3 p.m.) HOPE’s ministry to support those in the LGBTQ+ community who are looking for a place to wonder and explore their faith. Find out more at: www.meetup.com/Rainbow-Faith-LGBTQ-Christians/ If you have questions, would like to participate or support this ministry, please contact Pastor Lucas.

March 28, Wednesday

Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's Restaurant, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (This is the spot to share your personal announcements.

Submit items to the HOPE UCC Office by Tuesday, 2 p.m.)